Game recaps, changes coming to the Flames roster and an update on Leon Draisaitl in your NHL Canadian Corner.
Max Pacioretty & Tom Gilbert celebrate a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Carey Price made 30 saves while Max Pacioretty and Tom Gilbert each had a goal and an assist as the Montreal Canadiens downed the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1. The win vaulted the Canadiens over the Penguins, New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning into first overall in the Eastern Conference. It was also the Habs sixth straight victory, sweeping their five-game road trip, and their ninth in the last 10 games.
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS/THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Dustin Byfuglien was a physical force at both ends of the ice as he led his Winnipeg Jets to a 5-1 thumping of the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. Byfuglien collected a goal and an assists while teammate Brian Little had a goal and two assists.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With four of the Jets defensemen sidelined by injury, Byfuglien has stepped up to answer the call. The Leafs, meanwhile, have lost seven of their last ten games and have slid to eighth overall in the Eastern Conference.
THE VANCOUVER SUN: Ryan Miller made 29 saves and Henrik Sedin tallied his 200th and 201st career goals (both empty netters) as the Vancouver Canucks downed the Detroit Red Wings 4-1. It was Miller’s 20th win of the season.
OTTAWA SUN: Bobby Ryan was the overtime hero as the Senators edged the Boston Bruins 3-2.
CALGARY HERALD: The return of forward Mikael Backlund and defenseman Ladislav Smid could result in some roster changes for the Flames. Little-used enforcer Brian McGrattan and defenseman Corey Potter could be moved.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most likely they’ll be placed on waivers and demoted to the minors if they go unclaimed.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: As expected, the Oilers will return center Leon Draisaitl to the WHL, effectively ending his NHL season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers handling of Draisaitl is yet another example of their incompetent management. He’s now burned off a year of his entry-level contract (though it won’t count as an accrued season toward his UFA eligibility because he didn’t play 40 games this season) and he clearly wasn’t ready yet for the NHL.
Further to Draisaitl, did Oilers’ management not think making him available for Germany at the WJC might prove beneficial?
I dont get to see much of the WHL untill after the newyear when Rogers tends to start their JR hockey coverage, but as to not k7nd of pile on and give the Oilers some bennifit of the doubt, Prince Albert (his junior club) is pretty much the Oilers of the CHL this year they are terrible from what I gather…maybe this has something to do with it? If he is going to be on the wrong end of the scoresheet alot of nights anyway maybe playing in the NHL would help his development just as much? Not saying this is the case for sure just wondering if thdat might have been some of the train of thought. The world juniors tho I thought was a no brainer…of course he should have gone.
He should have played the whole season in junior, not in the NHL. Totally agree with Lyle, the Oilers have an incompetent management. And as a german it hurts to see how they mishandle Draisaitl.
@Shticky: Didn’t the Raiders trade his rights to Kelowna (hope I spelled it correct)?
I think recently they did, yep.
The word incompetance is not adequate to decibe the Oilers management .. aided and abetted by an owner who wants to make the calls. Draisaitl Gate is a low point in NHL management never mind just the Oilers. Burn a year of eligibility, hold him out of the WJC, now return him to his team in the Dub…this kid is a half year into his acreer and must be wondering about the sanity of his world. Disrespected and made to look like it’s all his problem. Frankly the owner of this franchise has to take a look at where they are at because I can’t see Edmonton fans continuing to support this charade. Who knows maybe the team will move….it’s about the only way the owner will recoup his losses