Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin Discusses David Kämpf Signing and Gives Injury Updates
Early Sunday morning, Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin spoke to the media to discuss the signing of David Kämpf and provided injury updates on Teddy Blueger, Filip Chytil, and Thatcher Demko.
Allvin said that he reached out to Kämpf’s agent once his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs was terminated. The two sides came to an agreement on a one-year, $1.1 million contract.
“David has been a player that our scouting staff have followed over the years and like what he brings. And for us, finding a way to manage the cap number, to get him in, and also for us to upgrade our centre ice with a more experienced guy, [who is] very detailed, defensively and a penalty killer. So, we were very pleased that David chose to come to Vancouver,” Allvin said.
He mentioned that Kämpf travelled down to join the team on Sunday, but will not be in the lineup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He did mention that there is a possibility for him to be in the lineup on Monday against the Florida Panthers.
Kämpf is a 30-year-old centre who played his first four seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks before playing the next four with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has 48 goals and 95 assists for 143 points in 536 games. He has taken over 6000 faceoffs in the NHL and has a 51.4% win rate in the dot.
Allvin gave his young players credit for their performance this season but noted that Kämpf’s 500+ games of NHL experience make him a reliable piece for head coach Adam Foote to integrate into the lineup.
“I think David has been a very reliable player in the league, and for me, the integrity and character of a player that terminated his contract in order to stay in the league, and I’m sure he wants to prove to everybody that he belongs in the league,” said Allvin. “He’s still 30 years old. So, my hope is that this is something that could be a potential long-term fit for us, for both sides.”
Allvin also provided an update on Filip Chytil.
“He’s been in Vancouver the whole time, and he’s actually skating, and he’s trending and feeling better,” said Allvin. “He hasn’t been anywhere else, and he’s around the players when we’re in Vancouver.”
Allvin also spoke on Teddy Blueger being back in Vancouver and skating. He called his injury status week-to-week, but said that he is getting closer. He said that with the next practice being on Wednesday, he’s not sure that Blueger will be skating with the group just yet.
The GM also said that it’s hard to give a timeline on Thatcher Demko but called him week-to-week.
The Canucks are in action against the Tampa Bay Lightning at 2:00 p.m. PT Sunday as they kick off a back-to-back against the Florida teams. Their Monday game against the Florida Panthers is at 4:00 p.m. PT.
