Happy Monday, everyone, the Leafs are playing the Flames tonight a little late, a gradual dunking into the depths of late hockey for us all. The preview will be out later. Spoiler: Calgary is not very good.
Improved power play helps ignite Flames’ hot streak, confidence
New faces and more movement are two of the key reasons why the Calgary Flames’ power play has gone from second-worst in the NHL last season to third-best this season.
Oh no, they have confidence!
In other news:
Hurricanes, D Nikishin end stalemate with one-year contract
The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenceman Alexander Nikishin to a one-year, $3 million contract, it was announced Sunday evening.
Nikishin is an RFA, so he can’t have trade protection and this does not end his story. Anyone looking for defence is going to at least glance in Carolina’s direction. This is what my glance uncovered: they have two forwards on IR week to week. When they are better, they have to at least consider sending down their eighth defenceman. Teams will be watching that waiver wire. There is no real benefit to the Leafs in a Nikishin trade or it would have happened already.
Sunday Overreactions: Can Blue Jackets convince Werenski to stay?
After Zach Werenski seemingly had a foot out the door in Columbus this summer, could the Blue Jackets’ slow start have trade talks pick up around the defenceman once again? Michael Amato dives into Werenski’s future and more in his Sunday Overreactions.
Looking ahead to Wednesday:
NHL Status Report: McCann out 10 weeks for Kraken | NHL.com
Perron not ready to make Stars debut; Mangiapane back for Blackhawks
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The Marlies got shutout yesterday:
“We just weren’t ready to go.”
Hear from Head Coach Steve Sullivan in Sunday’s post game media mash. pic.twitter.com/jmTDKJaZAr
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) October 26, 2026
They have another game on October 30, which Dakota Joshua can play in, and then he has to return to the Leafs (still on LTIR). I don’t see any reason why they would consider a move ahead of that date, but right now it seems like decision time for the extra forwards will be in the next few days.
That’s all for now.