The Daily: Sutter’s Dramatic Performance, Boudreau’s Goodbye

It's almost like Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter got jealous of the antics around the Vancouver Canucks saga. He put on quite a performance for the media when asked about Jakob Pelletier's NHL debut. The latest chapter of the Canucks soap opera ended today with the official firing of Bruce Boudreau and Rick Tocchet taking over. Meanwhile, Rutherford and Canucks GM Patrik Allvin have reportedly whittled down the Bo Horvat suitors before the NHL trade deadline. 

But that Sutter presser was performance art. From the fumbling way he put his glasses on to the reading of the stat sheet. More on that below in today's The Daily CHN links:

Calgary Flames

I have no problem with Darryl Sutter calling the media experts or idiots or whatever he wants to do. When I'm there, I don't take it personally. It's no different than during his first run with the Calgary Flames. What I'm interested in is how those antics can be received in the locker-room, where the one group of people that should respect the coach (the players) surely has a chance to see what's being said. Not that prospect Jakob Pelletier should have let the odd theatrics affect how he felt about his NHL dream becoming a reality, but it's hard to understand the motive behind that Sutter madness. 

There were plenty of positives in the Flames' win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon. Some things to clean up, too. Arguably their best full game of the season. Here are the plus/minuses from the victory. 

He's baaaaaack. Johnny Gaudreau will return to the Saddledome for the first time since ditching the Flames in free agency. And the slick winger is anticipating the Matthew Tkachuk treatment. 

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

HNIC, 32 Thoughts: The Vancouver Canucks have reduced the suitors for Bo Horvat before the March 3 NHL trade deadline. 

CBC: The Bruce Boudreau firing came sooner than expected, too. Read the meaningless words from the Canucks management. 

Montreal Hockey Now: Bad news for one of the game’s fun young players — Cole Caufield is out for the season. Montreal Canadiens news.

The Habs are trying to acquire another first-round pick. Canadiens’ NHL trade rumours.

San Jose Hockey Now: There are several NHL trade block stories on San Jose Hockey Now. Erik Karlsson wants a winner, and Timo Meier can negotiate with other teams to increase the return for the San Jose Sharks. Meier would look great in Calgary Flames colours. 

L.A. Hockey Now: Speaking of NHL prospects — 2020 second-overall pick Quinton Byfield is finally catching on, but goaltending is a mess for the Los Angeles Kings.

Vegas Hockey Now: Their win on Saturday, snapping a three-game skid, was for Anabelle Hanson, the newly acquired Make-a-Wish power forward the Golden Knights signed on Friday.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It’s been six weeks that changed Kris Letang’s life. From a stroke to the unexpected death of his father. His declined to share too many personal details but was grateful to his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates.

Washington Hockey Now: Just as the Capitals got a few players back, now Alex Ovechkin is out.

NYI Hockey Now: Carolina handed a fourth-straight loss to the New York Islanders.

Detroit Hockey Now: Detroit did everything right but still lost 2-1 to the Flyers. The Detroit Red Wings are falling out of the race.

Philly Hockey Now: Craziness. With a strong rebound and the win over Detroit, the Flyers could be five points behind the Capitals for a playoff spot. No joke–the Philadelphia Flyers’ victorious takeaways.

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers are making up some ground. They’ve played three more games than the Penguins and one less than the Capitals, but they’re now just two points back of the Penguins and five back of the Washington Capitals. The Florida Panthers beat the Wild 5-3.