Holtby Named Opening Night Starter

In a somewhat reavealing move, Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green has named newcomer Braden Holtby as the starter for tonight's season opener against the Edmonton Oilers.  The Canucks signed the former Vezina winner to a 2-year contract this past offseason, and while he is obviously expected to make an impact, he wasn't a lock to start over 25-year-old Thatcher Demko, who is he expected to split time with this season.

It’s going to be Braden Holtby folks. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/BcFG5QejXF

— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) January 14, 2021

The Canucks have set themselves up nicely both in the present and future, as far as goaltending goes. Holtby won a Stanley Cup with the Capitals just 2 seasons ago, and at only 30, Holtby could be the long-term solution in net - provided the Canucks can resign him.  In the meantime, he will compete with Demko for minutes, and if he falters in that role, the organization simply has a slightly-overpaid backup for a couple seasons while the former second-round pick develops into their goalie of the future.

Either way, the future looks bright between the pipes in Vancouver, and we get a glimpse of what that will look like tonight at 10:00 PM EST.  

Photo credit: Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire