The Daily: Flames Confusing, Devils NHL Trade Desires

The Calgary Flames might be the most perplexing teams in the league. In one week they can beat a dynasty team like the Tampa Bay Lightning with their most complete game of the season through 60 minutes, then lose to the worst team in the league. It's maddening for fans and frustrating for the players, too. Elsewhere in the Daily, the New Jersey Devils are hunting for a top-six winger with term on the NHL trade market. It was a wild fight night in Minnesota, with three scraps in 17 seconds between the Flyers and Wild. And the Buffalo Sabres are charging. 

Read all that and more in today's CHN links:

Calgary Flames

The Flames are playing again in another city less than 24 hours after a total stinker at home. They're in Seattle to battle the deadly Kraken Friday night. That 5-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday was awful, though. As bad as it gets. Even Jonathan Huberdeau said it looked like the Calgary Flames took the worst team in the league lightly. You can't do that in the NHL. 

Jakob Pelletier found himself on the second line with Huberdeau and Kadri as head coach Darryl Sutter mixed things up after a pancake start. He doesn't have any points yet but the 21-year-old prospect really looks like a future lock for the top or middle-six of this Flames lineup. In case you missed it, Sutter had some nice things to say about him before the game. 

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

NHL.com: Five straight wins and a damn good team. The Buffalo Sabres are two points behind the Penguins and three behind the Capitals after beating Winnipeg.

It is a fun time to be a Sabres fan. Finally.

TSN Insiders: The New Jersey Devils want a top-six winger with contract term. That is what GM Tom Fitzgerald is looking for at the NHL trade deadline, and he will have plenty of options.

Philly Hockey Now: Now that’s a heavyweight fight. Does anyone really care that the Wild beat the Flyers? Nah. Ryan Reaves vs. Nicolas Deslauriers highlighted a three-fight period. Fight night with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Sportsnet: No, the Calgary Flames do not make the list, but Sportsnet compiled the NHL trade rumours of teams who are/should be interested in Ryan O’Reilly.

Montreal Hockey Now: Gotta see it — Kirby Dach is becoming a fan fav in Montreal. He’s scoring, and Thursday, he dropped the gloves for the Montreal Canadiens.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings won. That seems moot unless they can reel off a long streak and get back into the playoff chase. One issue which will begin to dog Steve Yzerman is the contract status of Dylan Larkin.

Boston Hockey Now: Apparently, fights broke out everywhere. Tampa Bay did the unthinkable and beat the Bruins in Boston, 3-2. However, Corey Perry elbowed Connor Clifton then Clifton proceeded to pummel him. Take a look — Boston Bruins “highlights.”

San Jose Hockey Now: Timo Meier is becoming the belle of the NHL trade ball in the Eastern Conference. What can the Rangers, Devils, and Sabres offer the Sharks?

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Capitals won in a shootout, 3-2. Here’s Dave Molinari’s Pittsburgh Penguins recap