Deen’s Daily: Kadri Wants Team Canada Olympic Opportunity; Vlasic Felt Slighted by Sharks

One Avalanche forward led Team USA to a championship as head coach and the other wants a chance to represent Team Canada at the Olympics. Also, why is this August so different, and what happened between Marc-Edouard Vlasic and the Sharks?

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — August 16.

Colorado Hockey Now

There’s surprisingly quite a bit to go over in today’s daily. And this is after probably the slowest day of the summer so far.

I didn’t write this next story, but Nazem Kadri wants a chance to prove he can play for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Even after being snubbed for their orientation camp roster, the 16-year veteran believes he can earn a shot, and deserves it, after proving he’s got a winning pedigree.

The story is below, courtesy of my good friend Julian McKenzie at The Athletic. McKenzie covered the Flames when Kadri first arrived there but now lives in Ottawa and handles Senators content.

READ MORE: Nazem Kadri talks Hockey Canada Olympic camp snub: ‘I deserve a chance’

I honestly love the confidence, and I think he should at least be given consideration. A strong start to the season will help.

I will say, players that do great on non-playoff teams are often not regarded as highly for things like this. It’s unfortunate the Flames have fallen this much since that franchise-changing 2022 offseason.

Kadri has been their best player since.

Shifting gears to other news. One of the Avalanche’s former forwards led Team USA to a championship on Saturday.

Read More: Former Avalanche Forward Leads Teams USA to Hlinka Gretzky Cup Championship

Around The NHL

San Jose Hockey Now: Marc-Edouard Vlasic did not expect to get bought out by the Sharks this summer. And it wasn’t made clear to him during a season-ending interview with the team.

Montreal Hockey Now: Top three Habs players slated for a breakout season.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings signed the latest free agent, adding a veteran defenseman to shore up their depth. The team hasn’t made the playoffs in nine years, and the ugliness of that drought is reaching historic levels.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dan Kingerski highlights a new UFA to watch, and why this August is so different in his latest blog.