This is a weekend of sobering realities for hockey fans.
For one thing, Friday cemented the realization that Pavel Datsyuk really isn’t coming back. Also, a week removed from the free agent frenzy, big moves are going from a deluge to more of a drip.
It all hammers home the point that it will be a while before we get to watch high-level hockey again. The dog days of summer are approaching.
Still, there are still hockey-related events to keep us entertained, and prospects are amassing for scrimmages/development camps during this weekend.
With that in mind, why not fill that hockey void with some highlights?
Sportsnet isolates a crowd-pleasing moment from Auston Matthews, but in case you want more - of both Matthews and Maple Leafs prospects in general - here are two days’ worth of highlights.
Take a look at some of the highlights from Friday's scrimmage in Niagara Falls. #TMLtalk
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 8, 2016
WATCH: https://t.co/7GljD4NxlK
Matthews in a Maple Leafs sweater is a big deal, but it wasn’t the only situation to watch.
Consider Alexander Nylander’s slick moves, for one:
There's a reason his Twitter handle is @snipeshow98. Second goal of the game for Nylander. pic.twitter.com/WSwYqXKVmt
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 9, 2016
This is a sweet save:
.@cjboothy sprawled across the crease to snag this save during the #CanesCamp scrimmage ↓ #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/HpmBOA3odW
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) July 9, 2016
Max Domi makes a statement about Arizona Coyotes fans.
For all those that ask me if hockey has a chance in the desert? This should answer your question! #1 fans in the NHL pic.twitter.com/mIwEtLseYw
— Max Domi (@maxdomi) July 9, 2016
If you dig watching people sign contracts, the Hurricanes one-up their competition:
[WATCH] Highlights from today's #Summerfest scrimmage to wrap up #CanesCamp:https://t.co/3mUODaWmio
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) July 9, 2016
The Calgary Flames shared some highlights of their own:
ICYMI: Highlights from this week's #FlamesDevCamp scrimmage!https://t.co/gtY27khngH
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) July 9, 2016
Here’s a selection of moments from the Red Wings:
HIGHLIGHTS | #DRWDC Scrimmage 7/8/16https://t.co/S2EpW3Dj4k
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 9, 2016
Trevor Linden shares his impressions on the Vancouver Canucks’ side of things.
Who impressed Trevor Linden the most?
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) July 8, 2016
Listen in as he reveals his 3 main observations from #CanucksCamp.https://t.co/0uL4lc7cp4
This one from the Winnipeg Jets is a little older, yet it gets in the mix because it’s a mic’d up bit.
"That's a warm up and a half right there." @JRoslovic96 is Mic'd Up at Development Camp, presented by @Fastsignswpg!https://t.co/1SfzTWnMRR
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) July 4, 2016
Some moments of zen in the form of sprints and rolls:
Goalie sprints. #CanesCamp pic.twitter.com/T9kAnUxNUo
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) July 8, 2016
Ninjas at #SharksDevCamp. https://t.co/56ZNcXIlVm
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) July 9, 2016
If you want to go really, really in-depth on power-skating Avalanche players, you’re in luck:
(You’re also a little weird, but that’s OK.)
Granted, as great as all of these clips are, none probably beat on-ice back flips. So go watch that, too.