Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev did not return to last night’s loss to the Colorado Avalanche after taking a hit into the boards from Avalanche forward Ross Colton. No update on Tanev’s status was issued after the contest.
The hit appeared to drive Tanev’s upper body into the boards in a somewhat awkward fashion, which naturally leads to questions as to whether Tanev has suffered an upper-body injury. Any significant Tanev absence would come as a major blow to the Flames: not only do they rely heavily on him on the ice, but the pending UFA is also among the team’s most important trade chips should they decide to take up a seller’s posture in advance of the 2024 trade deadline.
- Although we’re far away from the 2024 NHL draft, recent reporting has given some interesting insight into the draft strategy of one NHL team. The Minnesota Wild raised some eyebrows at the 2023 NHL Draft when they spent the 21st overall selection on divisive center Charlie Stramel, passing on more consensus picks such as the USNTDP’s Gabriel Perreault. With Perreault now setting college hockey ablaze at Boston College and Stramel struggling mightily at the University of Wisconsin, the Wild’s decision is under increased scrutiny. The Athletic’s Michael Russo reported that the Wild “team skipped somebody on its list in the first round in order to fill a need,” and has more recently asked Wild scouting director Judd Brackett about the team’s draft strategy. (subscription link) Brackett said, “It’s no secret that we’ve continued to draft at that position for the last couple of years,” indicating that the club may continue to prioritize drafting centers over other positions. That shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, of course, as the Wild have never had a truly elite center at any point in franchise history, and the team’s current center depth is generally considered below average.
- Czechia has announced its selections for its 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship team, and its roster has a few notable NHL prospects to speak of. Arizona Coyotes second-rounder Michael Hrabal could end up the team’s starter, while a pair of first-rounders in Eduard Šalé and Jiří Kulich appear set to anchor the team’s forward corps.