Daily Scan: Flames set to head west, Five for biting, Kane to show he’s able

The Calgary Flames are back at practice this morning as they prepare to head out on their first western swing with games against the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights. Yes, those are all Pacific Division opponents. Meanwhile, Brendan Lemieux won’t be in the lineup against the Flames and Matthew Tkachuk. He sits out five games for biting Tkachuk’s brother Brady. Another bad boy, Evander Kane, reported for AHL duty and will try to show he’s able to play nice and play well to get back in the NHL. The Montreal Canadiens are shopping, but not on the NHL trade market. They’re looking for a GM and Patrick Roy wants the gig.

The Flames look like they’re going with the same lines. They took Tuesday off but skated with the same trios and pairings as they did in the 2-1 shootout win over the Penguins on Monday. Maybe Juuso Valimaki and Michael Stone will see action with the team playing back to back on Thursday and Friday.

Blake Coleman knows these next four games are big ones for a team that hasn’t played much in the division yet.

“It’s gonna be a big one. These are all four-point games coming up,” Coleman said this week. “Any time you play your own division, there’s going to be a bigger emphasis on getting those points.”

NHL trade chatter, news, and National Hockey Now

TSN: Brendan Lemieux got five games for biting Brady Tkachuk. He probably got off light, too, because the league said it couldn’t prove the fact Tkachuk was bit multiple times. The Calgary Flames’ Matthew Tkachuk called it “little kid sh!t” earlier this week.

Colorado: Patrick Roy is openly lobbying for the Montreal Canadiens GM job, although his pitch is a bit backhanded. Our Adrian Dater thinks it’s time Roy returns to the NHL.

Boston: First, Brad Marchand revealed what he said to Artemi Panarin that made Panarin throw his glove across the benches at Marchand. And then Marchand ripped the league over criticism.

Jimmy Murphy did some digging. Sources confirmed some teams interested Jake DeBrusk, including Seattle Kraken and as many as seven more. 

San Jose: Evander Kane reported to the minors for the first time in his career. Will he be able to salvage his NHL career by playing nice in the AHL?

Pittsburgh: On Tuesday, Dominik Simon skated at practice, a day after leaving the shootout loss to the Calgary Flames, after a slap shot hit in the head area.

NHL: Dallas Stars goalie Braden Holtby turned in a save sequence for the ages in the third period of Tuesday night’s 4-1 home victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. You’ve got to watch it.

Oh, Canada! Canada Hockey Now

Vancouver: Rob Simpson has a nice profile on the Hall of Famer in the Canucks’ press box – Seattle Kraken scout Cammi Granato.

Montreal: In terms of the on-ice product, the only thing consistent about the Canadiens is their inconsistency.

Toronto: Scott Cullen put together his quarter-pole NHL awards. Who do you have as the early favourites?