Last chance for some to leave an impression on Vancouver coaching staff
Conor Garland can't ask for much more than the opportunity he's getting tonight as the Vancouver Canucks close out their National Hockey League exhibition schedule against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena.
The feisty winger will skate on the right side with Elias Pettersson and Andrei Kuzmenko. Nils Höglander started training camp in that spot two weeks ago, but has slid down the depth chart. Anthony Beauvillier had a look there last weekend. Clearly, though, the Canucks coaching staff is still looking for the right fit. So Garland gets that chance tonight.
"I played with (Clayton) Keller and (Nick) Schmaltz in Arizona and I think these two are similar in the styles they play with lugging the puck and the poise and the skill that they play with," Garland told the media after morning skate. "I understand I have to get around the net more and get on the forecheck for them. I understand my role when I play with top-end players like that. I'm excited."
And he should be. Garland has spent much of his two seasons in Vancouver in a third-line role behind the likes of fellow right-handers Kuzmenko Brock Boeser. Tonight he's getting top line billing.
But the. veteran wouldn't take the bait when asked if he's viewing this as an open audition for the spot in Wednesday's regular season opener,
"I just want to go out and play well," he said. "I didn't play in the last game, so I feel good right now. I just want to go out and have a good game. They need certain things. They need someone to get in on the forecheck and be around the net. That's not hard to do. Just go out and play a responsible game for them and they'll do the rest."
Other players to watch in Friday's contest with the Flames include Jack Studnicka who has shown well through camp and Noah Juulsen. Studnicka not only has a spot on the fourth line tonight, but was part of the Canucks second power play unit at the morning skate. Studnicka looks to have moved past a player like Nils Höglander on the depth chart. It's quite like Höglander will make the team out of camp, but as an extra skater on the roster to start.
Meanwhile, Juulsen opened training camp alongside Quinn Hughes, but on Friday will partner with Carson Soucy in what could very well be the Canucks third pairing to start the season. Hughes will play with Filip Hronek tonight while Ian Cole and Tyler Myers look to be the team's other duo tonight.
With Juulsen in the line-up, it means Tyler Myers could very well start the season in the Canucks top four.
Cole McWard and Christian Wolanin were the extra defenders on the ice this morning. Guillaume Brisebois was shaken up in Wednesday's game in Abbotsford and is day to day. Rick Tocchet said that had Brisebois been available he likely would have drawn in tonight for one last look on defense.
Thatcher Demko will make his third start of the preseason. He has been sharp in the previous two -- in Seattle and at home to Edmonton. This looks to be the Calgary line-up he will face tonight.
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