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The Vancouver Canucks are in search of their first three-game win streak since early November when they face Nashville tonight and we now know who will get the start and there's a big addition to the lineup as well.
When the Vancouver Canucks began their road trip on Monday in St. Louis, it looked like Dakota Joshua was going to make his return from an injury, as he was deemed a game-time decision, but he didn't take to the ice for warmup, but fans won't have to wait any longer to see him back in action.
Vancouver Canucks announce starting goaltender, big lineup change
Vancouver is set to hit the ice for an optional skate today in Nashville ahead of tonight's game against the Predators, who sit seventh in the Central Division with a record of 18-23-7.
Sportsnet's Dan Murphy announced in a post on social media on Wednesday that Thatcher Demko is set to get the start between the pipes, while Dakota Joshua will make his return to the lineup after missing 11 games with a lower-body injury.
Murphy also shared that, while it's not confirmed, Max Sasson and defensive prospect Elias Pettersson will likely be healthy scratches, with Noah Juulsen also returning from injury tonight.
'Optional for #canucks. Demko starts vs Preds. Joshua returns to lineup.' Murphy said.He added, Judging by lines at skate yesterday I would think Juulsen is back. Looked like Sasson and D-Petey were scratches. Have to wait and see.'
Joshua, a native of Dearborn, Michigan has registered four points (two goals, two assists), 20 penalty minutes and is a minus-six in 24 games for the Vancouver Canucks this season.
It's been a tough season for Joshua, after he announced a testicular cancer diagnosis back announced that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which caused him to miss training camp and the start of the 2024-25 campaign, making his season debut on November 14th against the New York Islanders.
Puck drop for tonight's game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee is set for 6 pm PT and can be viewed on Sportsnet Pacific in the Vancouver region.
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Wild Nearing Extension With RFA Forward
For almost two months, the Minnesota Wild and forward Marco Rossi have been in a standoff as the restricted free agent looks for his next deal. Now, there finally seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, the two sides have made "significant progress" on a potential deal, which could be finalized in the coming days. Russo also noted that a bridge deal - i.e., a shorter deal that gives the Wild more time before making a long-term commitment - is the most logical outcome. Russo reported late last month that contract talks had stalled, with the two sides not talking since early June. However, it now seems like they've resolved whatever issues they were dealing with. Rossi, 23, scored a career-high 24 goals and 60 points in 82 games last season, but his year ended on a down note. He averaged just 11:08 of ice time in the playoffs (where he scored two goals and three poitns in six games), a significant drop from the 18:15 he averaged during the regular season. Drafted No. 9 overall in 2020, Rossi has 45 goals and 101 points in 185 NHL games. Despite the rough end to the season, the Wild hold Rossi in high regard, even if they were at odds over his value. "We like Marco, he had a very good year for us,” general manager Bill Guerin told NHL.com in July. “He's a good hockey player, but we have a structure in our pay that we have him slotted in at a certain level, and that's just the way we're doing our business. This is nothing personal. We want them back, and we'll hopefully get to a resolution sooner than later." Rossi became a popular trade target throughout his holdout, with the Vancouver Canucks reportedly offering the No. 15 pick in June's NHL Draft but being turned down by the Wild. Even now, the Canucks and Seattle Kraken have been named as two teams circling on Rossi, though it seems their pursuit may be at an end. The Austrian forward has also been eligible for an offer sheet this entire team, but Guerin and co. have maintained that they'd be ready for that scenario. “I’m not concerned,” Guerin said. “We’re prepared. We will match. It’s not an issue with us. I think when you’ve seen (offer sheets) in the past that have been successful, maybe the teams weren’t fully prepared for it. But yeah, we’re prepared for it. “We’d rather make a deal with Marco.”
Commanders flaw exposed in blowout preseason loss to Ravens
The Washington Commanders have a potentially significant problem on special teams. During Saturday's 30-3 preseason Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, kicker Matt Gay missed a 53-yard field goal wide left at the end of Washington's first offensive possession. Gay finished the preseason 3-of-5 on field goal attempts. He also missed a 49-yarder wide left in preseason Week 1 against the New England Patriots. Gay's struggles continue the chaotic journey for the Commanders at kicker. Last season's Week 1 starter, Cade York, went 0-of-2 in the opener and was promptly released. His replacement, Austin Seibert, was in the midst of a fantastic season through Week 9, going 25-of-27 on field goals and 22-of-22 on extra points before missing two weeks with a hip injury. He was later placed on injured reserve after missing three kicks in a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, including a would-be tying extra point following a wild 86-yard touchdown with under a minute remaining. Zane Gonzalez and Greg Joseph combined to go 7-of-10 on field goals the rest of the season, including each missing a 50-yard attempt. Overall, Commanders kickers struggled from long distance, with the four combining to go 2-of-8 on attempts of 50 yards or more. Only the Philadelphia Eagles had a worse percentage (14.3%) on attempts of at least 50 yards, per Pro Football Reference data. Washington signed Gay to a one-year, $4.25M fully guaranteed contract in late April following the 2025 NFL Draft. Per CBS Sports, it's the largest guaranteed contract for a kicker on a one-year deal in NFL history. Last season while with the Indianapolis Colts, Gay was 3-of-9 on 50-yard field goals. The Commanders have the talent on offense to be one of the league's top scoring units, so they might not need to convert many tries from over 50 yards. Still, having a kicker who can reliably hit from that distance is an undeniable asset, particularly late in close games or on possessions that stall after crossing midfield. Washington largely has a roster capable of contending for a Super Bowl. But following its final tune-up before the regular season, kicking is a notable flaw.
4 winners & 2 losers from Buffalo Bills' preseason finale win over Buccaneers
Wins and losses in the preseason don't matter, but the Buffalo Bills had to be thrilled to get a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after their 38-0 loss to the Chicago Bears the week before. Buffalo's opening drive covered 80 yards on 12 plays, with running back Frank Gore Jr. scoring a touchdown from one yard out. That set the tone as they won 23-19, giving themselves confidence heading into the regular season. With this game in the books, let's look at who stood out as both winners and losers in the preseason finale. Winner: Deone Walker, DT Fourth-round pick Deone Walker has been a standout throughout the preseason, something that continued on Saturday night. Walker was consistently pushing the pocket, even recording a half-sack when he and A.J. Epenesa brought down Kyle Trask in the backfield. The 6-foot-7, 331-pound Walker looks the part of a run-stuffing nose tackle, but his ability to rush the passer could make him a star. Winner: Zach Davidson, TE Punter Brad Robbins was under the weather on Saturday, so he missed the preseason finale. With him out, the Bills turned to tight end Zach Davidson as their emergency punter. His first punt was late in the first quarter, and he looked like a natural, casually booting it 62 yards. His second was impressive as well, going 42 yards. Davidson also had some positive moments on offense. He caught both passes thrown his way, going for 27 yards with a long of 20. Loser: Dane Jackson, CB Saturday wasn't the best showing for Dane Jackson, but that's not the reason he makes this list in Week 3. Instead, it's the fact that he was on the field late in the third quarter. Jackson started his career in Buffalo, spending four years with the franchise. He returned this offseason after playing for the Carolina Panthers in 2024 and was expected to have a key role following injuries suffered by Maxwell Hairston and Tre'Davious White. Seeing him on the field so far into the finale doesn't bode well for his chances of making the team. Winner: Tyrell Shavers, WR Tyrell Shavers has to make the 53-man roster. The third-year pro has been making one highlight-reel play after another this offseason, but saved his best for the finale. During the second quarter, Shavers hauled in a one-handed touchdown from 11 yards out, giving Buffalo a 14-3 lead. He finished with two receptions for 24 yards, giving him six receptions for 123 yards in three preseason games. Loser: Elijah Moore, WR Elijah Moore is going to have a tough time making the roster thanks to Shavers. While the former undrafted free agent turned heads with his touchdown catch, Moore finished with eight yards on three receptions. Moore has been used primarily on screen passes and was able to turn just one into a decent gain on Saturday. That nine-yard gain showed why he had a shot at making the roster, but his inability to make an impact downfield could be his undoing. Winner: Shane Buechele, QB Buffalo gave the keys to Shane Buechele on Saturday and he drove the offense to success all night. The former Kansas City Chiefs backup made a case for moving up the depth chart with a strong performance. He made quick and decisive throws, completing 25-of-30 passes for 278 yards with one touchdown. Buechele was easily the biggest winner for Buffalo, doing enough to ask whether or not he should be in the QB2 conversation. More Buffalo Bills News: Bills' GM offers cautiously worded Tre'Davious White injury update Bills 'lucky to have' ex-Panthers' first-round linebacker trying to revive career 3 Bills' stars from 'Hard Knocks' Episode 3 including new guy who was cut Wednesday Bills' QB Josh Allen and familiar free-agent WR 'haven't stopped being in contact' Former Bills' All-Pro jestfully kicks Dolphins while they're down
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Commanders' easiest cut after preseason catastrophe is painfully obvious
The Washington Commanders concluded what quickly became a lackluster preseason with a defeat to the Baltimore Ravens. None of the starters played aside from left guard Brandon Coleman, and others did not shine further down the pecking order once again. This presents general manager Adam Peters with some difficult upcoming decisions. Cuts will be made in the coming days. Rosters around the league must be trimmed to 53 by Tuesday at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, and there is one pending departure that seems pretty straightforward after another catastrophic display with the spotlight glaring. With Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota both rightfully getting the afternoon off, this represented the last chance saloon for Sam Hartman to carve out a position for himself as the team's third quarterback. Unfortunately, not for the first time during Washington's preseason slate, he didn't capitalize. Commanders have a simple decision to make wiith quarterback Sam Hartman Hartman was hesitant in the pocket. There is almost no velocity on his throws, especially when he goes to the outside. The game seems to move too fast for him, and the undrafted free agent doesn't look capable of being a successful NFL quarterback right now. The former Wake Forest and Notre Dame standout completed 70.58 percent of his passes for 114 yards and no touchdowns. Hartman threw two interceptions, lost a fumble, and earned a lowly 49.3 passer rating for his efforts. Things would have looked better had Chris Moore not dropped a deep pass, but it wasn't to be. And that mistake all but sealed his fate, too. Not exactly the best way to cement his status. However, his one consolation was the fact that veteran journeyman Josh Johnson hasn't exactly been shining when given reps either. That could mean Hartman gets to stick around on the practice squad, especially given his close relationship with Daniels. But in terms of finding his name on the 53-man roster, that's out of the question based on his performance levels throughout the preseason. There's not much chance of another team scooping him off the waiver wire based on his on-field contributions over the three games. Making the practice squad in Washington for the second straight year is the absolute ceiling, but it wouldn't be a huge shock to see Peters bring in another signal-caller at the expense of Hartman and Johnson. This is all part of the NFL's ruthless nature. The next few days will be difficult for those on the fringes. Peters is gearing up for some uncomfortable conversations, but he'll do what's right for the franchise moving forward. Hartman will be expecting the worst and hoping for the best. But his future looks increasingly bleak. More Commanders news and analysis
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