The Daily Scan: Teams push back on Flames named in Eichel deal, McDavid’s stunning goal

The Calgary Flames missed out on Jack Eichel but the NHL trade drama didn’t end there. Some believe Buffalo Sabres GM leaked Matthew Tkachuk’s name himself to get the Vegas deal done with both Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs in the package, then Kevyn Adams came out publicly to mend some fences by saying Tkachuk was never involved. Meanwhile, the most talented superstar not currently injured, Connor McDavid, scored what might be the goal of the century in Edmonton’s comeback win against the New York Rangers.

About that NHL trade chatter …

TSN: Kevyn Adams denied that Tkachuk was part of the Calgary Flames package.

Piecing everything together, Flames GM Brad Treliving called Tkachuk to let him know he was safe, but he likely already knew his efforts were going to fall short and that he wasn’t willing to beat the Vegas package with whatever the Sabres wanted. With Tkachuk set to be a restricted free agent who holds every bit of leverage in contract negotiations, the team can’t have him thinking he isn’t part of their long-term plans here.

National Hockey Now Editor-in-Chief Dan Kingerski in Pittsburgh is privy to everyone’s sources and he wrote of his confidence in what we published after Kevin Weekes of ESPN let Tkachuk’s name fly. A good source confirmed it to Hockey Now, too, so people were talking. In the aftermath, reports are trying to delete Sean Monahan’s name, too, but on top of the sources spoken to, the salary cap issues alone wouldn’t have allowed the Flames to make a deal that didn’t involve significant salary going the other way so if somebody important wasn’t involved, they they weren’t really ever in the NHL trade hunt at all … so which is it?

Oh Connor-da! Canada Hockey Now, more NHL trade talk, and … McDavid

Montreal: This is about more than hockey. Carey Price is coming back to the Canadiens next week. Here’s hoping he’s feeling great again.

Vancouver: Hey, at least the Nashville Predators beat the Vancouver Canucks on their road trip, too.

Toronto: Like the Calgary Flames, the Maple Leafs have a surplus of NHL ready defencemen. They could likely get some value by dealing one of them.

Sportsnet: Connor McDavid’s 1-on-4 was unbelievable. Speed. Hands. Finish. It has to be seen to be believed. Really makes you wonder how exciting a Battle of Alberta with McDavid and Eichel would have been.

NHL News & National Hockey Now

San Jose: The San Jose Sharks are going to send prized prospect William Eklund back to Sweden. He has four assists in nine games. The Sharks could have sent him to the AHL, too, but opted for a clean break until next season and the Sharks top prospect is not happy. 

Pittsburgh: There is lots going on with the Penguins. Bryan Rust might be ready to return, but his friendly war of words over the Movember moustache with Jason Zucker is even more interesting 

Washington: Anthony Mantha is out indefinitely after shoulder surgery and Washington has 13 healthy forwards, including a handful of Capitals prospects.

Florida: The Florida Panthers have found a keeper. And Anthony Duclair has found a home. 

Detroit: The Detroit Red Wings are working hard to push through the rebuild and be competitive. Bob Duff has a solution–more Steve Yzerman, Less Ken Holland.