The Daily Scan: Flames lines in the blender, is Kane even able to return to Sharks

Darryl Sutter mixed up most of the Calgary Flames line combinations on Tuesday and reinforced his expectations for the group. Meanwhile, it doesn’t sound like Evander Kane‘s teammates or coaches want him to find his way back to San Jose, and a legitimate head-butt earned new St. Blues Blues winger Pavel Buchnevich a two-game vacation. 

As for the Calgary Flames shakeup, Sutter is isn’t an overly hot-headed or reactionary coach. He’s pretty cerebral and intentional with his actions. The lines could look very different again today ahead of Thursday’s start to a lengthy road trip – but you can bet the message has been received. 

Happy scanning!

Oh, Canada: Hockey Now North of the Border

Vancouver: Even without Sam Reinhart, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Jack Eichel, these Buffalo Sabres can’t be stopped. Undefeated is not what anyone expected even this early, yet Buffalo beat the Canucks on Tuesday, too. 

Montreal: Stanley Cup hangover? The Montreal Canadiens can’t buy a win, and these aren’t even silver-lining losses. The team is 0-for-4. The coach has no answers. They lost 5-0 to the San Jose Sharks Tuesday night, and their problems are many.

Toronto: Auston Matthews shift blog alert. Scott Cullen tracked the elite goal scorer every time he hit the ice vs. the New York Rangers. Spoiler alert  he didn’t score.

NHL News & National Hockey Now

TSN: Stunning to think Leon Draisaitl would be considered the second-best player on any NHL team. He popped four points in the Oilers’ win over the Ducks. Yeah, Edmonton is pretty good. 

San Jose: There is so much to unpack with the Evander Kane situation but what we’re not hearing from … anyone, really … is that the team will welcome him back from his 21-game suspension for breaking COVID protocols. It appears terminating his contract is not possible and the team is really not sure what to say so they’re not really saying anything. 

Colorado: It’s only October, but the Colorado Avalanche season is off on the WRONG foot. Adrian Dater says this season feels discombobulated. 

Boston: Jake DeBrusk is coming off a brutal year, but has adopted an “Attack Mentality” this season. Did he also train in MMA in the offseason?

Florida: The Panthers are as good as we thought they were and it’s the young guns leading the way. 

Detroit: Speaking of kids. Lottery draft pick Lucas Raymond scored his first NHL goal and Detroit WON. 

NYI: Tough news about NYI legend Mike Bossy. The Hall-of-Famer announced he is battling lung cancer.