As Patrick Kane's rehab completes, so does his headline-ascent zoom. More on No. 88, the Oilers debacle, what's going on in Columbus, and much more in The Maven's latest Rue De La Rumeur.
As Patrick Kane's rehab completes, so does his headline-ascent zoom.
The one-time Blackhawks scoring engine reportedly has chatted with up to eight potential suitors. Length and price are the issues with Kane frowning on a one-year pact.
According to the prince of "insiders," Elliotte Friedman, Patty is leaning toward an Eastern team.
Buffalo, Florida, and Detroit lead the pack. Take your pick.
WHO CAN SAVE COLUMBUS?
At a woeful 4-11-4, Pascal Vincent's Blue Jackets couldn't have done any worse with Mike Babcock behind the bench. Or could they?
The point is that Babs won't be revisiting Ohio any time soon, but the Blue Jackets high command -- right up to ownership -- may believe that the season still is salvageable; but with a wise old hand behind the bench.
Jackets boss John Davidson knows all about Cup-winner Claude Julien, not to mention Bruce Boudreau and Gerard Gallant, just to name a few.
Tonight's Chicago at Columbus match will offer a good look at the next rookie of the year, Connor Bedard, and a reason why the Blackhawks and not Blue Jackets will make the playoffs.
And also whether or not Pascal Vincent still has a job!
CALGARY HAS MANY PICKINS:
The crybabies in the Flames clubhouse couldn't handle -- ditto for media -- tough talkin' Darryl Sutter so ownership caved. Cowboy Darryl was shipped to the Used Coaches Corral along with GM Brad Treliving. Lucky Brad wound up on his feet in Good Olde Toronto.
So far, The Flames "Follies," alias "New Faces of 2023-24," has been anything but a big hit at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Pegged for fourth in the Pacific by The Hockey News, the Flames visit Nashville tomorrow with at least five teams supposedly ready to talk trade.
Treliving's enormous deal for Jon Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, and Nazem Kadri now looks like coal, not candy, in Santa's stocking. Rookie GM Craig Conroy has plenty of cards to deal with -- Huberdeau, anyone? Weegar, anyone?
OILERS ARE ON TREADMILL TO OBLIVION
If you were told that Connor McDavid's own private team has sunk to the NHL's deep with an unfathomable 5-11-1 record, you'd call it a sick joke.
Well, it's certainly sick but definitely not a joke. It's not just mediocre goaltending -- an Edmonton tradition -- it's awful defense with the accent on Evan Bouchard.
Not that it should be, but the top priority among the Jackson-Holland high command is stopping the puck, fellas, stopping the puck. Oil scouts are checking out the Canadiens crease guardians on the assumption that any one of Sam Montembeault, Jake Allen, or Casey DeSmith might be the answer -- assuming that the Habs really want to deal; and they might not.
Fine, but how good could any of those three be with Bouchard standing by the crease as another puck goes over the goal line? (Not that Cody Ceci nor Darnell Nurse are any bargains.)
Meanwhile, coach Kris Knoblauch says that "confidence" is the Oilers big problem; could be.
Without "magical" analytics, I assure you that the Oilers malady is easily diagnosed. Too top-heavy up front; too shallow on defense, and pitiful in goal!
FISCHING LURES:
* The possibility of Atlanta getting a third shot at an expansion team remains live. The Maven knows this because my source is reliable.
* Something for Chris Drury to brood about; his Rangers got too hot too quickly. We'll see.
* It says here that Detroit gave up too soon on goalie Alex Nedeljkovic.
* Al Ned appears to be the answer to Pitt's goaltending issues.
* Yes or no -- Torts has the knack?
* YES!
* Suggested book "How I Did It!" By Jim and Ellen Hughes, father and mother of Quinn, Jack, and Luke Hughes.
* Regarding the Devils, the concerns this September among forecasters were: 1. Teams will take them a lot more seriously; 2. Teams will push around Lindy Ruff's lighthouse team; 3. If NJ doesn't start climbing soon, it might inspire GM Tom Fitzgerald to make a trade.
* Right this minute, it's a toss-up for the Hart Trophy.
* Rob Blake's Kings -- Lose-less on the road -- is a club not in need of a trade.
* Credit to the GM, not to mention Todd McLellan's superior coaching.
* And you just have to love that quiet, competent, leading captain, Anze Kopitar!