NHL News: Canucks blowout Senators, COVID postponements pile up, and Kekalainen “tried like hell” to move up and draft Patrik Laine
There was only one game on the docket last night as the Canucks (3-5) routed the Senators (1-4-1) by a score of 7-1. Thatcher Demko turned aside 35 of 36 shots, but the story was Brandon Sutter who picked up his first career hat trick in the win.
“It only took me 13 years to get one,” Sutter said afterwards. “I was pretty pumped. You never know if you’re going to get one as you get older.”
COVID Postponements growing
Carolina Hurricanes matches have been rescheduled.
This does’t just impact them, all the teams they were scheduled to face are affected. The schedule for these teams grows tighter.
Also, two Blackhawks are on the NHL COVID list today, Both Adam Boqvist and Alex DeBrincat will miss some time for the Hawks.
Jarmo Kekalainen “tried like hell” to draft Patrik Laine

Jarmo followed up his TSN interview by joining Sportsnet’s 31 Thoughts podcast. He explained that both he and Kevin Cheveldayoff (Jets GM) were in contact for awhile and knew that if they couldn’t find anything else, the swap was an option.
Kekalainen also revealed at the draft, “I tried like hell to move up to take Laine.” He’s also working on building a strong relationship with Laine in order to keep him in Columbus when his contract is up after this season.
RELATED: Kekalainen calls out Dubois