NHL Training Camps Kick Off: A Look at Canadian Teams’ Summer Moves
As the NHL gears up for another exciting season, training camps have officially opened, and pre-season games are already in full swing. With the regular-season opener featuring the New Jersey Devils against the Buffalo Sabres just around the corner, hockey fans are buzzing with anticipation. To help you catch up on the latest developments, let’s dive into what each Canadian club has been up to this summer.
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are embracing a rebuild after missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year, finishing a disappointing 17 points out of contention. A significant move was the trade of No. 1 goalie Jacob Markstrom to New Jersey, which netted Calgary a first-round draft pick and towering defenceman Kevin Bahl. The Flames are banking on 23-year-old Dustin Wolf, who shone as the AHL MVP in the 2022-23 season, to step into the starting goalie role.
In addition to the trade, Calgary signed forward Anthony Mantha to a one-year deal. Mantha, who scored 23 goals with Washington and Vegas last season, is expected to slot into the second or third line. The Flames also made a strategic pick in the draft, selecting defenceman Zayne Parekh with the ninth overall pick. Parekh had an impressive season in the OHL, scoring 33 goals, and is seen as a promising addition to Calgary’s blue line.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are looking to build on their strong playoff run that saw them fall just one win short of the Stanley Cup. The team has re-signed most of its free agents and added depth to their scoring with the acquisitions of forwards Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. This should help offset the loss of 20-goal scorer Warren Foegele, who departed for Los Angeles.
New General Manager Stan Bowman has been active, trading defenceman Cody Ceci and a draft pick to San Jose for young blue-liner Ty Emberson. He also made headlines by re-signing superstar Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year, $112 million extension, which could make him the highest-paid player in the NHL when it kicks in next season. However, the Oilers will have to navigate the early part of the season without forward Evander Kane, who is expected to miss five to six months following surgery for abdominal issues.
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are still in rebuilding mode after finishing 28th overall last season, the lowest among Canadian teams. While they largely sat out free agency, GM Kent Hughes made a notable move by trading for forward Patrik Laine from Columbus. Laine, a six-time 20-goal scorer, will earn $8.7 million per year over the next two seasons, but he has struggled with consistency and health in recent years.
In the draft, Montreal selected Russian forward Ivan Demidov with the fifth overall pick. Demidov is expected to join the Canadiens next season after completing his contract in the KHL. The Habs are hoping that Laine can regain his scoring touch and help lead the team back to competitiveness.
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators, who finished as Canada’s second-worst team last season, made a significant move by acquiring 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark from Boston. This trade, which sent goalie Joonas Korpisalo, forward Mark Kastelic, and a first-round pick to the Bruins, is expected to bolster Ottawa’s goaltending situation.
In addition to the Ullmark trade, Ottawa hired Travis Green as their new head coach. Green brings experience from his time in Vancouver and New Jersey. The Senators also made a splash in free agency by signing veteran forward David Perron and trading defenceman Jakob Chychrun to Washington for Nick Jensen and a draft choice. With the seventh pick in the draft, Ottawa selected defenceman Carter Yakemchuk, who is expected to return to juniors for further development.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to shake off the disappointment of another first-round playoff exit, this time at the hands of the Boston Bruins. The most significant change for the team is behind the bench, where 2019 Stanley Cup champion Craig Berube has taken over from Sheldon Keefe. The core group of forwards, including Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares, remains intact, although Tavares was recently asked to pass the captaincy to Matthews in a rather awkward public event.
General Manager Brad Treliving made some strategic moves to strengthen the defense, bringing in Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpaa while parting ways with veteran players like T.J. Brodie and Mark Giordano. With Ilya Samsonov’s departure, Joseph Woll is poised to take over as the No. 1 goalie. Treliving’s decision to give veteran sniper Max Pacioretty a tryout is already paying off, as he scored two goals in a recent pre-season game against Ottawa.
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are coming off a surprising Pacific Division title after three consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs. This summer, they signed former Boston winger Jake DeBrusk to a lucrative seven-year, $38.5 million contract, hoping he can complement star center Elias Pettersson. GM Patrik Allvin also made some lesser-known signings while losing forwards Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov to Boston.
A key storyline for the Canucks heading into the season is the health of Vezina Trophy runner-up Thatcher Demko. After suffering an injury in the playoffs, his availability for the start of the regular season remains uncertain, putting pressure on backup Arturs Silovs to step up if needed.
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets surprised many last season, finishing with 110 points and securing a Canadian-best fourth overall. However, they faced a tough playoff matchup against Colorado and were eliminated in the first round for the second consecutive year. True to form, the Jets were relatively quiet in free agency, with their most notable additions being backup goalies Eric Comrie and Kaapo Kahkonen, who will compete for the No. 2 spot behind Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck.
With Rick Bowness retiring, Scott Arniel has taken over as head coach. The Jets will be looking to build on their success from last season while navigating the challenges of a competitive Western Conference.
As the NHL season approaches, each Canadian team has made strategic moves to position themselves for success. Fans can look forward to an exciting season filled with fresh talent, new coaching strategies, and the ever-present hope of playoff glory.