The Daily Scan: Flames face Penguins without Crosby, Blackhawks mess just getting started

The Calgary Flames are in Pittsburgh but they won’t have to face Sidney Crosby. Our people at Pittsburgh Hockey Now have everything from this morning’s practice. Former Flames defenceman Travis Hamonic is ready to report to the Vancouver Canucks, and the Chicago Blackhawks mess spreads way beyond the city of Chicago.

The Flames’ four-game winning streak is on the line against a team that’s dealing with some injuries to big names, including some COVID protocol pieces with Jeff Carter and Kris Letang. But the Pens shouldn’t be taken lightly here.

CHN +: Teammate Mikael Backlund sees a big change in Oliver Kylington this year. Kylington has 100 NHL games to his credit now.

NHL News and Notes

Florida: The Chicago scandal could cost the Florida Panthers their coach as Joel Quenneville was the coach of the 2010 Blackhawks and possibly part of the coverup. The details of Quenneville’s knowledge are disputed, and he’ll meet with Gary Bettman today. Instead of the coach addressing the media after the Panthers latest win, GM Bill Zito did.

I don’t know how we determine the truth about Quenneville’s role or knowledge but it sure sounds bad. And based on the nearly immediate meeting with Bettman, it’s hard to imagine him remaining the coach of the Florida Panthers by the weekend.

TSN: The John Doe who brought the allegations forward chatted with TSN’s Rick Westhead, the journalist who carried the story for months before it exploded. John Doe is former Blackhawks prospect Kyle Beach, who opened up on the situation and the locker room aftermath. It’s not an easy read. 

The Athletic: One of my favourite Blackhawks writers Mark Lazerus put the Blackhawks on blast.

Oh, Canada …

Vancouver: Travis Hamonic is reporting to the Vancouver Canucks. GM Jim Benning called it a personal matter and not a vaccine issue that kept Hamonic away. He’ll report to the AHL on a conditioning assignment and be ready to go soon.

Toronto: Look who won a game. The Toronto Maple Leafs might be making progress.

National Hockey Now

Washington: Alex Ovechkin took back the goal-scoring lead with his eighth of the year, and the Washington Capitals gained a point. But the Detroit team that was shut out by the Calgary Flames to kick off their roadie beat the Capitals in OT.

Detroit: Dylan Larkin scored the OT winner to beat the Capitals. Five takeaways–Detroit is…better than most expected. 

Vegas: The Vegas Golden Knights are still decimated by injuries and trying to find their identity, but Vegas rallied for an OT win over Dallas on Wednesday.