Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland (8) is congratulated for his goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period on Thu Apr 13, 2023 ASU in Tempe AZ. Canucks team president Jim Rutherford says the Canucks are a playoff team coming into the 2023-24 season. (AP file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 The Vancouver Canucks team president Jim Rutherford said that this is a playoff bound team but Rutherford feels not all the pieces are in place yet. Rutherford said to be a playoff team everything has to go right, the goaltending, special teams, and you can’t get a lot of injuries.

#2 Brad Marchand forward for the Boston Bruins has taken over as team captain, Marchand said that he’s proud to wear the C for the Bruins. Marchand takes over the captaincy for Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara. Bergeron retired on July 25th and Chara was team captain from 2014-2020.

#3 Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele had 31 game season and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck are trying to focus on the coming 2023-24 season. Hellebuyck in his ninth season with the Jets this is the last year of his contract. Also Scheifele after this season becomes a unrestricted free agent. How important is it for the Jets to sign these two players?

#4 The Toronto Maple Leafs William Nylander has moved from right wing to center opening training camp on Thursday. Nylander according to Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is a high priority signing. Nylander is in the final season of his six year $41.4 million contract averaging $6.9 million a season.

#5 San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture is listed week to week with a lower body injury. Couture will miss the start of training camp and no doubt he’ll have to sit out some of the pre season games which starts Sep 24th. Couture was injured while training in the off season saying it frustrating and he’ll miss playing with the guys.

Join Len Shapiro Thursdays for the NHL podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com