2026 Preseaon Games thread

[Picker of Cherries]

Technically, Novotny can go to Abbotsford because he is considered a European transfer (he played some in the Chech league prior to going to Peterborough) not a Canadian junior even though he played in the Canadian Junior league. He doesn’t fall under the same CHL one 19 year old in the AHL rule. He is like Klimovich. That being said, RJ will want him in Junior so he doesn’t get another Klimovich situation. I do think Cootes has a good chance to go to Abbotsford (but maybe I’m wrong), but he is in his draft +2 year, so he has had more time to prepare.

[Lancer]

I can see the argument for Novotny going back to junior. Watching him against a Calgary team that was admittedly a vet-heavy lineup, you saw a couple good things he did out there, but wasn't popping off the screen. I think he's physically mature and has a better head on him than Klimo, so AHL isn't as much of a risk. That said, CHL would be a good opportunity for him to work on things the development coaches want him to practice while gaining extra confidence burnishing his skills and shot. The question is whether Peterborough has the facilities and staff to develop him as he would if he stayed in Abby.

As for Cootes, sending him back to junior would be a red flag IMO - especially after playing a couple games in the NHL last season. He has been more noticeable than Novotny in preseason games, and I don't think he has much to gain in the CHL. Assuming Raty and Sasson make the big club - safe call IMO - Cootes would join Mueller and Wouters on Abby's centre depth, which also doesn't bury Cootes but can give coaches the opportunity to manage his minutes while staying competitive.

Neither should find themselves in Vancouver before Christmas.

[BoS]

Mueller
Cootes
Patterson
Wouters

[5thhorseman]

Wouters should get a few games in the bigs as a reward for his years of service. Ideally in a winnable game

[Lancer]

Wouters should get a few games in the bigs as a reward for his years of service. Ideally in a winnable game

Not to start the season, he won't. Just got sent to Abby, along with Mueller, Pattersson, Safonov, Kudryavtsev and Mynio.

Van just announced their next round of cuts. Berard and Belliveau are now off their PTOs and going to Abby. Fix-Wolansky, Schjuldt and Clayton are on waivers before hitting Abby.

Bryzgalov, Medvedev, Rogowski and Novotny are headed back to junior. There's that question answered.

Cootes keeps hangin around.

[Madcombinepilot]

Wouters should get a few games in the bigs as a reward for his years of service. Ideally in a winnable game

I think the one way contract to play a game for a living is enough

[Lancer]

Wouters should get a few games in the bigs as a reward for his years of service. Ideally in a winnable game

I think the one way contract to play a game for a living is enough

Him and Brisebois are in the same class - can play competently in the bigs as an emergency depth fill-in at the bottom of the lineup and culture carriers for the farm team. Every organization should have them.,

[Cornuck]

So we should see some vets tonight - 6pm - on Sportsnet.

No lineup yet that I can find...

[Tciso]

Our 3rd line tonight Drew O’Connor – Filip Chytil – Jonathan Lekkerimäki

I think we might call this the "Emergency Room" line. We have the DOC and 2 guys coming back from LTIR. We will see if it survives the night.

[Tciso]

So we should see some vets tonight - 6pm - on Sportsnet.

No lineup yet that I can find...

Daily Hive has it as

Jake DeBrusk – Elias Pettersson – Linus Karlsson
Liam Öhgren – Marco Rossi – Brock Boeser
Drew O’Connor – Filip Chytil – Jonathan Lekkerimäki
Paul Cotter – Braeden Cootes – Brendan Gallagher

Zeev Buium – Filip Hronek
Jamie Oleksiak – Luke Schenn
Guillaume Brisebois – Victor Mancini

Nikita Tolopilo
Chris Driedger

We have a real NHL lineup. Edmonton is fielding their version of the lineup we sent to Seattle. Nothing but AHLers and spare partz.

4-3 Canucks ?

[Cornuck]

Ok - should be a romp for us - so 4-3 sounds about right...

[donlever]

Preseaon some sort of cosmic juju reversal mode effort Corn?

[Cornuck]

Hey, we can all root for a win tonight!

[theman]

Chytil very fortunate there, scary looking collision.

[Cousin Strawberry]

The Cock has a face you just want to punch eh