The Daily Scan: Flames feeling better than Leafs Nation, Kraken harpooned in home opener

The Calgary Flames are staying and skating in New Jersey but play at Madison Square Garden on Monday night before their date with the Devils on Tuesday. Despite their surroundings, they’re feeling pretty good after eking out an overtime win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, Leafs Nation is miserable, the Canadiens finally won and Seattle released the Kraken in the home opener but got harpooned by the Canucks.

CHN+: Johnny Gaudreau is unquestionably a leader for the Flames and some are surprised he didn’t get a letter. That includes Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. In other news, our Takeaways from Saturday’s game offer more insight and quotes – including some from former Flames goalie Jamie McLennan.

Oh Canada! What’s happening in the former Bob & Doug Division

Toronto: I know Calgary Flames fans – and the majority of hockey fans in general – truly delight in the pain and suffering of Leafs Nation. Scott Cullen shares his takeaways from the smackdown in Pittsburgh. 

Montreal: It finally happened. The Canadiens won a game. But it took a meeting with lowly Detroit minus their top scorer (more on him later) to get there. Mathieu Perrault played hat-trick hero, and the Canadiens spanked the Red Wings fresh off a loss to the Flames. 

Vancouver: Former Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano scored and Seattle released the Kraken in its first home game but the Canucks released the munchkin (Brock Boeser’s words) in the proximity rivals’ big contest Saturday night. Conor Garland made a huge impact on the Canucks road trip.

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: The New York Rangers really blew it with prospect Vitali Kravtsov. He wants to be traded and bolted back to Russia despite pleas from head coach Gerard Gallant. Rangers GM Chris Drury put him on the NHL trade block, but the Rangers’ ask is top prospect value.

Washington: The way the other side sees the loss to the Calgary Flames – they gained another valuable point when they rallied to force OT on Saturday.

Detroit: Another alternative take from Saturday’s action. The Detroit Red Wings are an up-and-coming team. They can’t lose like that. But healthy scratching one of your most offensively talented defencemen on a night you don’t have the NHL’s only unvaccinated player in the lineup might not be the best strategy.

CP: Ottawa Senators goalie Matt Murray didn’t make it through his season debut after he was kneed in the head, and the Rangers won 4-3. 

TSN: U.S. Center for SafeSport, an investigative arm of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is investigating Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin in connection with the Jared Skalde lawsuit against the Penguins organization. The heart of the investigation is the allegation that Guerin told Skalde to keep quiet about the alleged sexual assault by WBS Penguins coach Clark Donatelli. Skalde has filed a lawsuit against the Penguins.