In an appearance on Sportsnet 650 (audio link), Canucks president Trevor Linden acknowledged that GM Jim Benning has already been in contact with the agents for all of their pending free agents although the discussions were more of the preliminary variety. The Sedin twins highlight the list of looming UFAs while the likes of winger Sven Baertschi and defenseman Troy Stecher are among those that will be eligible for restricted free agency. Linden added that center Brendan Gaunce is expected to be cleared for contact next week and the team is hopeful that he could be ready to rejoin the team by the beginning of November.
Other notes from around the league:
- Although they’re currently carrying eight defensemen, Flyers GM Ron Hextall told Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer that doing so is not their long-term plan. They’re still evaluating which of their young defensemen to keep up with the team (including Robert Hagg, Samuel Morin, and Travis Sanheim) but they also don’t want to keep whoever isn’t in the lineup sitting for very long as a healthy scratch, especially with all of them being waiver exempt. Accordingly, it wouldn’t be surprising if someone is sent down shortly after Philadelphia returns from their Western road trip to start the season.
- Jaromir Jagr’s debut in Calgary has still yet to be determined as the team announced via Twitter that he will not suit up against the Jets tonight. Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun adds that Jagr told head coach Glen Gulutzan that he needs a couple more skates with the team before he figures he’ll be ready to suit up.
- Penguins winger Patric Hornqvist returned to practice for the first time for the first time since participating in an informal skate a month ago, notes Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Hornqvist underwent hand surgery a little more than two weeks ago to remove some screws. He has yet to be cleared for contact and won’t play tonight but there’s a chance he could return for the following game on Wednesday versus the Capitals.