Insider Trading: Horvat and the NHLPA Updates – TSN.ca

With NHL training camps underway and the 2022-23 season upon us, the inside trading panel takes a look at early storylines surrounding the league, including Bo Horvat‘s contract status and the NHLPA’s quest to replace Donald Fehr. TSN Hockey Insiders Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun chatted with Mark Roe.

Mark Roe: Joining our TSN Hockey Insiders Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun and with ongoing training camp, there’s no shortage of big questions across the league, including in Vancouver; Pierre, what’s the latest on the Canucks’ captaincy renewal?

LeBrun: Well, the first thing I would say on that Bo Horvat up front – he’s a UFA (unrestricted free agent) this year as everyone knows – is that it’s been quiet lately, but those discussions are three, four months back, it’s not like they’re just starting. Both sides have really made their positions clear, and I understand that there’s quite a big gap between those positions right now, which in turn means there’s plenty of time for Canucks and Horvat representatives to find a way over the next few months and it’s the Canucks’ top priority to get their captain signed to a long-term contract, but I think it’s also true that the Canucks’ front office is feeling a little less pressure in the process J T Miller sign to get it done at all costs. In other words, they have a delicate salary cap position and a Horvat extension has to fit that situation in the long term. We’ll see where that goes, but I’m certain that if Horvat isn’t signed by the March 3 trade close, the Canucks would potentially trade him instead of losing him for nothing on July 1.

Roe: The NHL Players’ Association also has a big decision to make, Dregs, is there any progress on finding a replacement for Donald Fehr?

Dreger: You’re working hard, Mark. I can tell you that the headhunting company hired by the Players’ Association continues to work aggressively with the search committee that was formed to find Fehr’s replacement. Now, as you would expect, they source and interview candidates both inside and outside of hockey. It’s a confidential approach, no specific timeline, as to when the PA hopes to have Fehr’s replacement in place, but optimistically it could happen before the New Year.

Roe: One of the biggest surprises of the off-season was the New York Islanders’ sacking of Barrydios, and while he has retired from coaching, Pierre, is it safe to say that this isn’t his long-term plan?

LeBrun: No, that’s right, and if you call that one of the biggest surprises, surprise number two would be that he turned down some of the offers he had on the table and withdrew from the coaching market. We know there was an offer from the Winnipeg Jets, but there was also interest from Detroit, [Las] Vegas and Philly. Despite made a very difficult and altruistic decision to take care of family matters this summer. I metdioces yesterday and as difficult as that decision was to put his career on hold, he knows it was the right decision. He’s had a really busy summer taking care of family matters, going to Manitoba to help his father pack his 60-year-old house and losing his mother in January, so his life was busy, he met her right choice. But know this: Defiant feels re-energized, refreshed, and intent on getting back to training in the NHL. Obviously not an opportunity right now, but when the time comes — whether it’s a coaching fire this season or the off-season carousel — Defiance is ready to go.

Roe: In recent years we’ve seen major investment in player health and safety, and, Dregs, we’re seeing another example of this coming from the NHL in the alumni association.

Dreger: Yes what a great initiative here Mark and credit goes to the NHL, all clubs involved in this initiative and also to the NHL alumni. All clubs have opened their doors to allow all former NHL players medical access. To my knowledge over 200 ex-players have already booked their appointments and this applies to all types of medical care as simple as just an annual medical check-up. So this is good work by the NHL and the alumni and it’s not an easy process when you look at Canada, the United States, the states, the provinces involved, all the doctors, the coaches and everyone, but undoubtedly this effort will save lives.