Canucks bring in veteran NHL goalie on PTO ahead of training camp and announce a new hire
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Vancouver has signed goaltender Chris Driedger to a professional tryout and hired Sean Finn as an amateur scout, GM Ryan Johnson announced Thursday.
The Vancouver Canucks made two moves official on Thursday, signing goaltender Chris Driedger to a professional tryout agreement and hiring Sean Finn as an amateur scout.
General manager Ryan Johnson announced both additions as Vancouver continues shaping its roster and front office ahead of training camp.
Driedger, a 32 year old from Winnipeg, gets a chance to compete for a spot in Vancouver's crease this camp.
The Ottawa Senators drafted him 76th overall back in 2012, and he has since played in the NHL for the Senators, Florida Panthers and Seattle Kraken.
His most recent stop came overseas with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL, where he spent last season honing his game in Russia's top league.
A PTO gives him the opportunity to prove he still belongs in North America without committing the Canucks to a contract before they have even seen him on the ice this preseason.
Adding depth to the scouting staff
Finn's hire addresses a different part of the organization entirely.
The B.C. native has spent the last decade working in player development roles within the KHL, giving him a unique vantage point on European talent that plenty of scouting departments lack.
With the 2027 draft class expected to feature a heavy dose of Russian born prospects, his background could pay off quickly for Vancouver's amateur scouting group as the team looks to rebuild through the draft.
Both moves fit into a broader pattern this summer, as Johnson has reshaped several corners of the Canucks organization since taking over as general manager.
From coaching changes to front office additions, Vancouver has been active in retooling for the future, and these two hires suggest the club is leaving no stone unturned heading into camp.
What it means for camp
For Driedger, the tryout is a straightforward opportunity.
He needs a strong camp to earn any kind of contract, whether that's an NHL deal or a spot with the Abbotsford Canucks.
For Finn, the work starts immediately as he begins scouting for a draft class that could be unlike any other in recent memory.
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