Evan’s NHL Daily: Canucks Going All-In? Winter Classic Disappointment

We’re nearly two months away from the NHL Trade Deadline and we know the Colorado Avalanche are likely to make at least one move before then. They do it every year, and I don’t expect this year to be any different. As for the other Western Conference teams, the Vancouver Canucks have already made one deal to get old pal Nikita Zadorov, but it sounds like they’re not done.

If a Winter Classic is played and no one watches, did it really happen? The ratings are in for the matchup between the Seattle Kraken and Vegas Golden Knights, and they aren’t pretty.

As for the Colorado Avalanche, they held a practice before heading to Dallas, and we got a little bit more detail into what makes Valeri Nichushkin tick.

All that and more in this Thursday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

The Avalanche dominated the Islanders on Tuesday night, but the sub-par play of Alexandar Georgiev made it closer than it should have been.

Whta is Valeri Nichushkin like in the locker room? Was there any uncertainty about him coming into the season? We asked coach these questions.

You can get a subscription to CHN+ for $29.99 a year with the code “evan10” and get access to the + content on every site in the network. In addition to the + content, everything will be ad-free, which is the biggest perk. I’ve been working on + content around Ross Colton’s transition to center, and how different playing in the West is compared to the East.

Around The NHL

The NHL Trade Deadline is March 8. Right now, the Vancouver Canucks sit atop the Western Conference with the Colorado Avalanche, but they’re hungry for more. Granted, no one thought the Canucks would be this good, but that’s kind of the point. Does their GM look at the team and think this is their best chance to go far in the playoffs? Do they go all-in?

The Winter Classic has become a tradition for the NHL on New Year’s Day, but it might be getting a bit stale. It doesn’t help that it usually goes up against College Football in a competition for ratings. The 2024 Winter Classic was between the Seattle Kraken and Vegas Golden Knights, and the ratings came in – lowest rated Winter Classic ever.

Did you watch? I checked it out for about a period and then called it. The Winter Classic used to be yearly viewing for me, but I’m not sure I care as much anymore. I might not be alone.

National Hockey Now

The road back to the NHL for Jesse Puljujarvi will begin in the AHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It was a pretty good 2023 for the Florida Panthers. Taking a look back at the best moments.

It’s up to Alex Lyon to save the Red Wings in net.

The Montreal Canadiens are holding out for a bigger return in the goalie market. Should the Avalanche be in on this?