The Daily Scan: Bennett rubbing it in but Flames got first win, Kotkaniemi trolling is top shelf

Watching former Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett right now is like watching the ex you still love get engaged to someone else. Sure, the Flames got their first win of the season on Thursday, but how nice would Bennett be on the second line at the clip he’s scoring early this season (and late last year)? Meanwhile, the Hurricanes must be getting under the thin skin of the Canadiens, and the NHL trade rumours no longer involve Kevin (Money In) Labanc.

CHN+ has a couple of decent reads for you: Jamie McLennan predicted the Jacob Markstrom rebound and the way this team is built, you can expect more of the same formula from Thursday’s win.

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Montreal: The Carolina Hurricanes trolling is top shelf but the Jesperi Kotkaniemi saga feels like kicking a team when it’s down right now. The Montreal Canadiens RFA was the first in nearly a decade to sign with a different team (Hurricanes), and his primary team didn’t match the offer. You know the back-and-forth between the Canadiens and Hurricanes that followed, both on social media and privately.

The water is about to boil in Montreal. Kotkaniemi scored, and Carolina embarrassed the Canadiens, which are now 0-5. 

Toronto Sun: We love rumours and there are juicy ones abound that Montreal will replace Bergevin, in the final year of his contract, with Patrick Roy.

Vancouver: A Statement win for the Vancouver Canucks over Chicago, 4-1. You can follow the game here–Rob Simpson’s unique postgame and analysis in one. 

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Florida: Yep, Sam Bennett is tearing it up in Florida. The Panthers are in first place, and George Richards writes–Yeah, the Florida Panthers are for real. 

Detroit: Super rookie Moritz Seider has quickly become a minutes eater and the Red Wings go-to defenseman.

Washington: The Calgary Flames’ next opponent has a hot wing. Daniel Sprong is off to a strong start, and the Capitals beat the Devils 4-1. 

Boston: The Bruins got a bit of tongue lashing from their head coach, who said they didn’t play “winning hockey.”

Colorado: The Avalanche are 1-3. Tension is rising after another loss on Thursday, but Gabriel Landeskog said, “Hey, we’ve got 78 games left..”

San Jose: Sheng Peng is one of the lucky travellers on an epic roadie through Canada covering the Sharks. You may remember Kevin Labanc on the NHL trade market, but Labanc is critical to the Sharks success. 

Pittsburgh: If the Penguins didn’t have bad luck this year, they’d have none at all. Now Jeff Carter and Tristan Jarry are in COVID protocol. And Sidney Crosby is out for Saturday against Toronto.