The Daily: Tkachuk Friendship Tour Continues, Flames Enjoying Dube Surge

Former Calgary Flames pest Matthew Tkachuk got tossed as a brawl broke out between the Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils. Elliotte Friedman advocates finding some way, any way, to have an international competition with NHL players, as well as taking Jordan Staal off the NHL trade block. Of course, there are Vancouver Canucks in the trade chatter and interest in the Montreal Canadiens is picking up, too. Meanwhile, Phil Kessel looks like he's driving another coach mad.

That and more in today's CHN Links:

Calgary Flames

Dillon Dube has been a nice fit on the Calgary Flames' top line alongside Elias Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli. 

Sportsnet: This isn't about a current Flames player but the Matthew Tkachuk freindship tour continues. The big story in the New Jersey Devils' win over the Florida Panthers was the game-ending brawl starring Matthew Tkachuk. Tkachuk went after Nico Hischier and got tossed. They payback was intended after Hischier hurt Sasha Barkov in their previous meeting with a stick to the knee on a draw.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

32 Thoughts: Crosby and McDavid on the same line? Matthews and Kane? Elliotte Friedman really wants international play.

Montreal Hockey Now: We’re into the NHL roster freeze, but that only means more juicy NHL trade rumours, gossip, and talks leak (except in Calgary) to the media. There is an uptick in interest in Montreal Canadiens players.

TSN: Add another name to the NHL trade rumours in Vancouver — Tyler Myers.

Are Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin making things better or worse with the trade chatter in Vancouver? Scorched Earth seems to be the direction.

Washington Hockey Now: You can almost hear the Jaws theme begin to play. Just when you thought it was safe… The Capitals are getting healthy. Ovechkin-Backstrom-Wilson is together at practice. Yes, Tom Wilson is cleared.

Philly Hockey Now: There’s been a lot of heat around John Tortorella over the past week. But Sam Carchidi writes that he should be given credit for developing the young Philadelphia Flyers, too.

Boston Hockey Now: If you’re headed to Fenway Park, the musical guests will be Bel Biv Devo and the Black Keys during the Penguins vs. Boston Bruins Winter Classic.

Vegas Hockey Now: I missed this story–but it’s still developing. Coach Bruce Cassidy isn’t so happy with winger Phil Kessel.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: There is one specific reason the power play is scoring more goals. It’s not star power, either. Dave Molinari got to the core reason for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ powerplay surge.

San Jose Hockey Now: Revisiting the Kappo Kahkonen trade with the San Jose Sharks.