• Latest on Kempe and the Kings
• Buffalo, Vegas facing interesting decisions with their goalies
• Will the NHL have to consider changing the rule about goalie masks coming off?
Wednesday was a nice night at home, relaxing on the couch with some turmeric tea and hockey. Montreal beat Calgary 2-1, thanks to an absolutely brilliant Ivan Demidov creation, waiting for the perfect moment to feed Mike Matheson for the overtime winner. (I know there’s Russian trepidation, but it’s looking crazier and crazier that Demidov fell to fifth in the Sphere Draft.)
The guy I thought of right after was Flames GM Craig Conroy.
The game was typical for what we’ve seen from his team: an honest, competitive effort, but not enough offensive juice for two points.
If he wanted to make a lateral move — or a panic one — he could. Easily. It’s one of my favourite lines: When there’s blood in the water, your peers don’t throw lifelines. They throw anvils. There are several with extra players looking for a fresh start or new opportunity.
Last year, led by rookie sensation Dustin Wolf, the Flames made a surprising, workmanlike run at the postseason, missing on a tiebreaker. Bill Parcells said it so well: “You are what your record says you are.” That team was greater than the sum of its parts.
This season started with Calgary in danger of getting blown out in Edmonton, only to impressively pull themselves off the mat to ruin their northern rival’s home opener. Since then, however, they are winless (0-6-1).
This is the danger zone.
There are two things Conroy has done extremely well since taking the GM job three summers ago. The first is building a prospect base. Those who know this area much better than I do (including Sportsnet’s own Jason Bukala and Sam Cosentino) say impactful players are on the radar around the time the Flames open their new arena in Fall 2027. That’s important for this organization. You want your fans to be excited about what’s on the ice when those doors open.
The second thing he’s done very well is eliminate noise. The 2023-24 season was a painful one. Noah Hanifin was traded during, Jacob Markstrom in the aftermath. Other veterans indicated they wanted to follow, but Conroy held firm — asking them to come to camp ready to go with an open mind, seeing how the season went before making any bold proclamations. Those players fulfilled their side of the bargain, helping push Calgary past what was expected.
There was no drama, a welcome change.
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32 Thoughts: The Podcast
Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.
It’s early and I don’t like to panic. But, what I think the Flames know is that this “quiet” may only last as long as everyone feels they are in postseason contention. The best thing Conroy can do is remind everyone the easiest solution is to pull together to climb out of the early-season pit. But, if it doesn’t change…will the agents be calling, asking for trades?
Some fans might say, “I’ll drive them to the airport!” While I understand the emotion, its not entirely practical. The Flames have a tough time attracting free agents (something they hope their new building addresses). A mass exodus creates more holes to plug. Not everyone is as dedicated to Southern Alberta as Mikael Backlund.
The Flames missed the playoffs seven straight seasons at the turn of the century, and five straight seasons last decade. It’s soul-crushing, and those of us on the outside don’t always recognize the internal damage, fear and stress that causes. It leaves scars. You don’t forget.
You worry that one bad season snowballs into three or four, with your veteran players walking out the door. But, even if there is short-term pain, the Flames are not without hope of long-term gain. You get a great deal you can’t say no to, that’s one thing. But to beg for something fleeting is another. Panic and short-term thinking are to be avoided at all costs.
Calgary’s biggest challenge is consistent scoring. There is young talent (Matt Coronato, Connor Zary as obvious examples) but especially when Jonathan Huberdeau is out, you can see how hard it is for them to create elite chances. This draft is loaded with high-end skill, especially at the top.
If I was Conroy, every time someone said, “We need to add something now!” I wouldn’t say a word. I’d pull out my smartphone and play that Demidov highlight. Calgary’s best shot to add a player like that comes on Draft Day 2026.
It’s not easy to hear in October. It will bother the veterans who want to contend. But, if the Flames don’t steady themselves and surge back into the race, the right option, as much as it sucks for the players, is to take your best shot at one of those top picks, believing that will energize your franchise and add the type of skill your lineup desperately needs.
32 THOUGHTS
1. One thing about Nazem Kadri: his contract switched this year from a full no-move to a partial, 13-team no-trade.
2. Friday’s podcast features an interview with Commissioner Gary Bettman. He’s very good throughout, as we recorded about an hour after the massive NBA gambling story broke. The obvious question is if he’s concerned about a story like that exploding across the NHL.
A 2022 memo warned players and other league personnel that wagering on any NHL game, even where legal, is absolutely prohibited and constitutes “conduct that is dishonourable, prejudicial to, or against the welfare of the League or the game of hockey.” (Shane Pinto was suspended 41 games in October 2023, but that was over illegal use of a proxy account with friends as opposed to fixing performance for the benefit of prop bettors, which is alleged here.)
“The fact is the incident we had, (it) had nothing to do with betting on hockey,” Bettman replied. “I really have confidence in our game, the integrity of our game, and the integrity that our players and all of our personnel bring to the game. If you look at the nature of our game, it’s not really susceptible to outside influences and our players play hard and to win every night. We know we have to be very mindful and we can’t take anything for granted, but I have confidence in what we do.”
3. In the aftermath of that suspension, players were warned to avoid certain things and, just in case, here’s a reminder: Don’t share your account; don’t place bets with third parties; if you do a prop, it’ll be treated the same as betting on a hockey game. Don’t joke about odds with friends. If one texts, “You’re plus-300 to score tonight,” tell him to be quiet and not do that again. Don’t share insight on injury information and don’t bet illegally.
4. I had a few people reach out to tell me to pump the brakes on a $107M cap next season — for now. Basically their comment was, “Too soon.” (It’s currently set at $104M. Bettman poured cold water on the idea at the Board of Governors.) The revenue projections are positive, but we probably won’t know the likelihood until closer to the end of the season.
5. One of the reasons this is even being whispered is escrow holding. Usually a percentage of each player’s paycheque is withheld to ensure revenues are split 50/50. There will be nothing withheld from any payments now. I don’t think a zero to start the season has ever occurred. (The highest percentage I can find was 22.5, and that was at the time of the 2009 All-Star Game in Montreal.)
Players were also notified they are getting a 0.5 per cent return of their 2022-23 payments; a full refund of what was withheld in 2023-24 (the number that year was six), plus an additional 3.5 per cent of their 2023-24 salaries. As for last year, they are getting all escrow money back (2.7 per cent), with expectation of an additional payment once all accounting is complete. Seeing it takes three years to sort out this stuff explains why my father wanted me to follow him into the accounting business. Lots of billable hours.
6. Alright, let’s get back to some regular business. I expect extension talks between Los Angeles and Adrian Kempe to resume in the near future. Maybe it’s just me, but doesn’t it seem like the Kings have to get this done?
7. In their search for a centre, the Canucks have made it clear they don’t want to move their 2026 first. So far, they’ve held to that and we’ll see where things go.
8. It’s early, so I don’t know how much massive movement is expected. But there are some situations to watch. San Jose is interested in moving a defenceman. The Vincent Iorio waiver pickup gives them nine. No one in particular, but will listen to ideas. Edmonton also has a lot of blueliners, including some they like at AHL Bakersfield. That’s another team that could move one at some point. Detroit has Erik Gustafsson in the AHL, and some forwards who might need a change of scenery because their runway is shortening in Motown.
9. Toronto is investigating options for Nick Robertson. At some point in the summer, they pitched a move for Yegor Chinakhov, but that wasn’t to the Blue Jackets’ liking. That file remains open in Columbus, however. Same with Lukas Reichel in Chicago.
10. The Maple Leafs are struggling, which can’t be considered an enormous surprise with all the heavy lifting Mitch Marner did in their lineup. That’s a big role to fill, and it’s going to take multiple people to do it, unless they do acquire the top six forward they’ve been chasing.
Toronto never seriously considered trading Marner until near the end of his term there. For one, they never really wanted to. For another, they never felt there was a deal that could actually be made that could make them equally good or better. (Until the Mikko Rantanen possibility briefly fell on their lap.) We’re seeing the struggles. Now Craig Berube is uniting Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Scott Laughton skated Thursday. No doubt he wants to be able to play in Philadelphia on Nov. 1.
11. When asked, the Rangers have requested good AHL prospects in exchange for Brennan Othmann.
12. Vegas will have a surprisingly interesting decision to make in goal. Akira Schmid is 4-0, coming off the bench for an injured Adin Hill as the Golden Knights became the first team to beat Carolina. When Hill is healthy and Carter Hart is eligible, will they carry three, make a move, or risk losing Schmid on waivers? He’s been excellent with his job on the line.
13. Similar situation for Buffalo. The Sabres brought back Ukko-Pekko Luukkonen after he stopped 21 of 23 in a 4-2 win Wednesday night for AHL Rochester against Syracuse. He rejoins early-season saviour Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis, who snared his first NHL win Wednesday. Considering the Sabres’ injury issues at this position, I could see them carrying three. They’re worried Ellis will be reclaimed by St. Louis if put on waivers and don’t want to lose him. Buffalo has a back-to-back with Toronto Friday and Saturday. (Toronto fans might be too distracted by some other sporting event to pour over the Peace Bridge.)
14. I do believe that if Ottawa and Pinto reach an extension, it’s likely to be short-term. He has two seasons after this one before unrestricted free agency. Three years makes a lot of sense.
15. Connor Bedard’s been pretty private about his off-season training regimen. There’s a lot of interest because he’s started the season so well. But one of things I did hear: the goal was to streamline Bedard’s plan, making sure everything was in sync and made sense. There was a belief he’d spend a lot of time skating or working on something, but the off-ice and on-ice routines didn’t do enough to benefit each other. So that was a major focus: that everything connected in a proper way.
16. External requests for permission to talk to Jeff Gorton: Toronto (2023), Columbus (2024), Islanders (2025). Montreal owner Geoff Molson consistently declined, stating Gorton would be a long-term Montrealer. Molson delivered: complete with a promotion and trusty sidekick Kent Hughes extended alongside him.
17. At the start of the regular season, Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said one thing they had to do to be better was “stop plays,” right as the opponent entered the zone. The answer so far is yes. In 2024-25 (per SportLogiq), opponents spent 6:12 per game in the offensive zone at five-on-five. (Carolina was best at 4:28.) Entering Thursday’s games, Montreal was all the way up to seventh, at 5:16. (Ottawa was first at 4:38.)
18. Wanted to share this video, which I thought was very interesting. Whatever rink you go to for games, you’ve probably noticed some of the same faces for years. Toronto is no different, with several long-time ushers and security guards. As the Canadiens arrived for the season-opener in the Ontario capital, several players turned towards the corridor that leads to the back entrance. That’s pretty normal. Then watch Nick Suzuki. He shakes hands with a couple of the building veterans. The Montreal players walking behind him copy. Small thing, maybe. But you know what else it says? He’s their leader, they follow his actions.
19. Was in Winnipeg for about 24 hours to tape our interview with Jonathan Toews. What absolutely stood out is the local population’s pride that this native son chose to play for the Jets.
20. I do believe that Toews’ comments about being captain at a young age will matter. Toews was the youngest captain in Blackhawks history and third-youngest ever in the NHL when honoured at 20 years and 79 days.
“I don’t think it’s really fair for a 21- or 22-year-old kid in that situation because you’re trying to find yourself as your hockey career is taking off and it’s not a normal life for anyone, let alone a 20-year old kid,” he said. “You’re not maybe allowing yourself to just grow and mature at your own pace. You’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself. Whatever criticism or shortcoming or just any sort of weakness that maybe someone else can expose, I mean, I would really feel that and be very sensitive to it. I would absorb that and kind of take it personally and then try to better myself as opposed to just like…kind of just rub off there or just flatten it a little bit and just be patient. Accept your own flaws, your own weaknesses as you’re growing as a young man. So I think that pressure and…the pressure I put on myself was a lot.”
Toews said it’s only been in the last couple of years that he learned how to do a better job of letting things go.
“I think it’s not carrying the stress around like I used to.”
It’s a reminder, you rarely know what’s really going on in someone’s head. There are teams with young franchise cornerstones (Chicago, San Jose, potentially Anaheim after Radko Gudas). Will Toews’ words affect how they shape their leadership groups?
21. Heritage Classic in Winnipeg gaining steam for next season. Nothing is done until it is done, however.
22. One last note from Brad Marchand’s return game to Boston. Spoke to his mother, Lynn, the day before the game, who was hugely complimentary of the Bruins and the fans, as I wrote earlier this week. She said she was nervous about her son being traded to Florida, because “most fans of other teams hate him.” Now, she’s just as grateful to the Panthers and their fans, because of how they embraced him. “A wonderful, positive experience,” she said.
23. St. Louis’ second goal in Thursday’s game against Utah came milliseconds after a Robert Thomas shot knocked off Karel Vejmelka‘s mask. That’s three times in the last nine days the whistle hasn’t blown with a goalie’s face exposed, although that is correct by rule if the attacking team has a scoring chance. In the two previous cases (Adin Hill on Oct. 14 and Anthony Stolarz on Oct. 16), the goalies made a bare-faced save. The league doesn’t want goalies shaking off their masks to eliminate scoring chances. It’s damned if you do, damned if you don’t, but none of us is going to be happy if one of them gets hit.
24. When reporting that Vegas placed Alex Pietrangelo on end-of-season LTIR, making him ineligible to play at all in 2025-26, I referred to him as a Future Hall-of-Famer. There were people who debated this. Come on. Anyone arguing should not be allowed to operate machinery, not even an electronic screwdriver.
25. Per Sportsnet Stats, no player in the cap era has signed for more salary than Jack Eichel, who is approaching $200M.
26. Kevin Bieksa’s Olympic idea: Evan Bouchard on Team Canada as power play insurance in case anything happens to Cale Makar.
27. In the week after their fantastic opening night mask giveaway, the Ducks sold 4,700 of them. Orders came from all 50 states and 12 countries — including Brazil, China, France, Hong Kong, Italy, New Zealand and Spain. Imagine enjoying the scenery in a Venetian gondola and someone passes by in a Ducks mask.
28. Until early this season, I didn’t realize that puck-over-glass challenges only involved determining if the puck wasn’t deflected or didn’t hit anything. Dallas wanted to see whether Thomas Harley was out of the defensive zone when he did it during the Jets’ home opener, but you aren’t allowed to review that. (A player in the neutral or offensive zones isn’t eligible for a penalty.)
29. We’ve talked in recent months about the NHL’s interest in expanding its German footprint. Remember this name: Max Penkin. He’s 2027 draft eligible. First player ever to be granted exceptional status to join Germany’s Under-20 league one year early.
30. While I was in Winnipeg, I ran into Ron Paterson, owner of the Pacific Junior Hockey League’s White Rock Whalers. Paterson, a goalie in his younger years, played internationally for Team Canada in the Father David Bauer years, including the 1980 Olympics. He had just attended a reunion of those players, including former Ottawa Senators GM Marshall Johnston, who captained the 1968 Olympic team, and Dallas GM Jim Nill, also on that 1980 group. They were ecstatic Nill could make it, considering his regular job keeps him kinda busy.
31. One of the NHL’s greatest success stories is Hockey Fights Cancer, which raised $8.2M in 2024-25, double the previous season. (Big challenge this year!) Boston and St. Louis were the first teams to hold their special nights, on Thursday. Florida has a special event coming Saturday, and I spent some time going through the @panthersotprowl Instagram page, incredibly impressed by the artistry of the life-sized Panthers’ sculptures on display. A $5,000 donation to the American Cancer Society means you receive one of them. As someone with no artistic skill, I have great admiration for those who do.
32. Total homer pick: Jays in six.
