Dater’s Daily: Oskar Olausson To Make WJC Debut, And We’re Hiring

A good Wednesday to all. Tried to have a cup of coffee on my deck just now, as I do most every morning, but it was just too damn hot, even under a big umbrella. Won’t break my heart if the temps can cool off just a bit around here. Some hockey notes, including one on a top Avalanche prospect, Oskar Olausson:

• The 2021 first-round pick will make his World Junior tourney debut for Sweden today. As I type, it’s actually between the first and second period, the Swedes vs. Switzerland. The game can be seen on the NHL Network. Olausson is playing on the second line.
• I think Oskar Olausson has a decent chance to make the Avalanche roster, but it’ll be all about his performance in training camp and preseason. Olausson, by the way, is wearing No. 21 for the Swedes. My impressions of what I’ve seen so far: He was muscled off the puck a couple of times. Might need to hit the weights a bit more.
• There is a shocking lack of attendance for the game in Edmonton. The building is basically empty.
• Horrible health news about an NHL Hall of Famer (TSN)
• Grading every NHL team’s center depth (TSN)
• After getting Max Pacioretty for free on the Vegas giveaway program, the Carolina Hurricanes will be without the top-six forward for six months after Achillies tendon surgery.
• The Red Wings got iffy marks on their latest picks from a draft guru (Detroit Hockey Now)
• A former Dallas Star (and Avalanche nemesis) is the new assistant GM with the Boston Bruins (Boston Hockey Now)
• A good response to a recent 20% off subscription sale. So, I’ll offer it here again: Want a $24.99 full-year price on a Colorado Hockey Now subscription, instead of $29.99? Use the promo code word 5off in the checkout box here to get the deal (checkout box)
• The company I’m involved with, which operates all of the Hockey Now sites, is looking to expand to other sports. That includes Denver. That means we need writers, bloggers, podcasters, etc. There’s a budget, I’m told, to hire three or four local writers. Not full-time money I don’t think, but perhaps a very good opportunity for some young, hungry budding sports media journalists – or maybe for someone with experience who in “under-employed” as my colleague Dan Kingerski puts it. Dan is making the hires on this, but if you’re interested in being a credentialed writer covering one of the local teams, email Dan at Dan@pghhockeynow.com.