Daily Scan: Backlund bumped up, NHL trade rumours broiling

Mikael Backlund took a $5,000 hit to his paycheque yesterday, but today the Calgary Flames centre got a bump in the lineup in the morning skate in Buffalo. It looks like he’ll re-join Blake Coleman but will also have Andrew Mangiapane on his right side against the Sabres. Sean Monahan is back with Dillon Dube and Tyler Pitlick rounds out that trio. As the Flames hit Buffalo weeks after all the Jack Eichel drama, the NHL trade rumour winds are starting to swirl again. The Canadiens are looking for a defenseman on the NHL trade market. Could Marc-Andre Fleury, Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin, or even Sidney Crosby find themselves on the trade block? Also, the Anaheim Duck are on a roll in the Pacific Division.

In case you were under a rock when the Eichel saga originally played out, the Calgary Flames were heavily involved in the gossip and source leaks. Sometimes it’s tough to judge potential motives to the leaks but we had multiple sources say Matthew Tkachuk‘s name came up in negotiations, as well as Monahan’s.

All that led to us looking at what Tkachuk’s future in Calgary could look like. He may even be captain someday.

Wonder if Tkachuk lights it up in Buffalo and shows the fans there what they might have missed out on?

Oh Canada! Canada Hockey Now

Vancouver: We have reached the point in the season in which Rob Simpson for Vancouver Hockey Now is putting the word “dumb” in his Canucks game recaps.

Montreal: Don’t look now but Goal Caufield is back with the Canadiens. The boys in Montreal think that means change is coming for the Habs.

Toronto: Scott Cullen looks at the top 10 defencemen to play for the Maple Leafs since their last Cup, in recognition of the retirement of former Leafs and Calgary Flames blueliner Dion Phaneuf. Honestly, it’s not that pretty a list.

NHL News, Trade Rumours and National Hockey Now

Pittsburgh: With the Penguins being sold to Fenway, what will the future hold for the likes of Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and even Sidney Crosby. Could the three Penguins find their way into some NHL trade rumours?

Montreal: Both TVA Sports and Elliotte Friedman are saying that the Montreal Canadiens are shopping the NHL trade market for a defenseman.

Edmonton: NHL trade rumours are still linking Marc-Andre Fleury to the Edmonton Oilers. Could he find himself back in the Pacific Division?

Vegas: With injuries and COVID issues surrounding the Vegas Golden Knights the team has claimed forward Adam Brooks off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens.

New York: Ryan Pulock is set to miss four to six weeks with a lower-body injury. Does this create an opportunity for Robin Salo to crack the Islanders lineup?

Florida: Similar to the Islanders, the Panthers will be missing one of their star players and Alexander Barkov is out week-to-week. Who will step up in the Panthers organization?

Detroit: Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has tested positive for COVID-19 which continues an unlucky season for the star forward.

Colorado: The Vancouver Canucks lost to the Colorado Avalanche thanks to a big night from Nazem Kadri, who is starting to play like himself again.

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