The Daily: Line Combinations Dominate Early Flames Storylines

All the early talk at Calgary Flames camp is about the line combinations. And rightly so with all the new bodies. Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri and MacKenzie Weegar are the new anchors to the top two lines and minute-munching defensive pairing. Meanwhile, Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett have been reunited in Florida after that epic trade with the Panthers.

Calgary Flames talk

Sonny Milano has a prime chance to prove he belongs starting on a line with Kadri and fellow PTO player Cody Eakin as a placeholder for the injured Andrew Mangiapane.

The winger battle is one of three burning questions for Calgary Flames camp this year.

Adding Brett Ritchie and re-signing Adam Ruzicka right before camp gives the Flames almost 70 players to work with early in the pre-season.

I’m bumping this Nazem Kadri story up again because I still think his exit from the Colorado Avalanche group chat was epic.

Canada Hockey Now

COL: A lower-body injury for Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog will likely keep him shelved for the start of the season.

VGK: Former Boston Bruins and new Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy had former Bruins Reilly Smith and Phil Kessel flanking Massachusetts native Jack Eichel on the first day of training camp.

FLA: What can be expected from former Calgary Flames star Matthew Tkachuk in his first season with the Florida Panthers?

FLA: Matthew Tkachuk has been reunited with Sam Bennett in Florida. Will there be any magic left from their Calgary Flames days?

NYI: New York Islanders centre Mathew Barzal continues to reiterate how much he wants to remain an Islander past this upcoming season.

PGH: New Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Ty Smith isn’t worried about a crowded blueline in Pittsburgh.

PHI: As expected, new Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella put his players through a rigorous and boisterous first day of training camp.

WSH: Is Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson ahead of schedule in his rehab from a torn ACL?

DET: Like winger David Pastrnak with the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin hasn’t signed a contract extension yet but he still wants to stay with the Wings.

DAL: What are the top 5 storylines in Dallas Stars training camp?

SJS: If the Czech government won’t allow Russian players to play in the team’s season opening visit to Prague, then according to Sharks GM Mike Grier, they shouldn’t expect any of the San Jose Sharks to show up for the two games against the Nashville Predators.

BOS: Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk is eyeing an early November return to the lineup after offseason shoulder surgery.