Senators douse the Flames, an update on Jets rookie Nikolaj Ehlers and much more in your NHL Canadian Corner.
Senators center Mika Zibanejad scores the shootout winner against the Flames.
OTTAWA SUN/CALGARY HERALD: Mika Zibanejad scored the winning goal in a shootout as the Ottawa Senators edged the struggling Calgary Flames by a score of 5-4. The Flames held a 3-2 lead in the third, but the Senators rallied on goals by Kyle Turris and J-G Pageau. Sam Bennett tied it for the Flames with his first of the season. Craig Anderson made 34 saves for the Senators, while Joni Ortio replaced Jonas Hiller following a late-game collision in the crease with Senators winger Bobby Ryan. Defenseman T.J. Brodie (hand injury) returned to the Flames, who now have a record of 2-7-1 in their first 10 games.
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Jets rookie winger Nikolaj Ehlers is earning praise for his promising debut thus far. He’s tallied four goals and seven points in nine games, while his 33 shots leads the Jets and all NHL rookies to date.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think it’s safe to say the Jets won’t be returning Ehlers to the QMJHL this season. They have the makings of a future superstar on their hands.
EDMONTON SUN: Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli singled out his club’s defensive play after their first 10 games. He’s looking for improvement from his veteran blueliners, but also sees promise in their young defenders.
THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks coach Willie Desjardins must soon decide if rookie center Jared McCann will be kept on the roster or returned to the OHL before his 10th NHL game. If he’s returned to junior, the first season of his entry-level contract will slide toward next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McCann’s showed a lot of promise thus far, perhaps enough to merit a regular roster spot this season It’ll be interesting to see what decision Desjardins and the Canucks management make with this kid.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Mike Condon could get the start in goal tonight for the Canadiens as they take on the Oilers in Edmonton.
TORONTO STAR: For Maple Leafs fans distracted by the Toronto Blue Jays for the past month, you really haven’t missed much.
So rookie Ehlers has 4 goals and he’s a keeper whereas rookie McCaan has 4 goals and may get sent back to his junior team. That’s one of the unintended impacts of having lots of players with no trade clauses – there is no room for younger players to get into the line-up.
GMs are also forced to consider that, if the junior-eligible player is retained, and then falls off in production as October games give way to more intense late Nov and on hockey, they have just burned a year of that player’s RFA eligibility. It’s a balancing act.