NHL Insights: Columbus Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames

Welcome to another edition of NHL Insights. Training camps are here. Rookie tournaments have passed. That means the start of a new season is right around the corner. While there are some names still out there on the board, the major headlines involve a coach who didn’t make it to Game 1, a goaltender who confirmed what we all knew, and rumors surrounding possible extensions for several players. We will dive more as we look at the Columbus Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens, and Calgary Flames.

Every offseason brings new hope for teams that did not make the playoffs or even win the Stanley Cup. But as Brian Burke said, they only hand out one Stanley Cup. However, for one team they will have to do it with a new face, but a familiar face even coached one game. The Columbus Blue Jackets make their second coaching switch of the offseason amidst a scandal involving Mike Babcock. There is a lot of promise for the Jackets, but what does this all mean? Moving to Montreal, Carey Price made it clear he is not playing hockey anytime soon if ever again. And are there two key members of the Flames organization who are having a change of heart? In this edition of NHL Insights, we look at the Columbus Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens, and Calgary Flames

Time to dive into some NHL Insights for this week.

NHL Insights: Blue Jackets, Canadiens, and Flames

Columbus Blue Jackets

Well, you knew the day was coming in Columbus. Judgment Day for Mike Babcock. On Sunday afternoon, the Blue Jackets announced that Babcock resigned as head coach of the team amidst the scandal surrounding him looking at players’ phones and pictures. Babcock is a controversial figure similar to professional wrestler CM Punk. Both guys have baggage and both have been let go from their respective professions because of behind-the-scenes issues.

The Blue Jackets held a press conference on Monday and President John Davidson owned it and said the team should be criticized for the hiring when it happened and now. GM Jarmo Kekäläinen spoke as well and had some comments that were puzzling which could cost him his job as the Babcock situation was just the tip of the iceberg, according to sources. It will be interesting situation how this unfolds but with Babcock out, Pascal Vincent was named the new head coach. Most agree he probably should have been the guy from the start.

Around Full Press Hockey

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Montreal Canadiens

Last week, goaltender Carey Price stated what we all knew: that his playing days are over in the NHL. Price’s knee injury is so bad that, barring a miracle, he will never play in the NHL again. Price is happy with the decision and is comfortable in life after hockey. One of the winningest goalies in Canadiens franchise history. Without Carey Price, the Canadiens would not make the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. Go back and watch the games in the first three rounds, he single-handedly brought them to the final. Even earlier in 2014 and 2015, those runs did not happen without Price. He is one of the best goalies never to win a Stanley Cup. Most likely goes to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The question remains do the Canadiens try to move his contract going forward to free up that money to use?

Calgary Flames

As we move out West, the Calgary Flames are an interesting group to dissect. The team has several unrestricted free agents this upcoming offseason and they are looking for a bounce-back season after missing the playoffs last year by two points. Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin are two players starting to have a change of heart. Both players before this past offseason stated they were going to test the market and may not return to the Flames organization. Now both are talking about potentially signing extensions. They are willing to stay, especially with the direction this team is headed. You have to think this team is ready to make a push to the playoffs but it won’t be easy in a tough Pacific Division.

Other News and Notes

As we go around the league, keep your eyes on Phil Kessel and where he signs. Patrick Kane wants to be 100 percent healthy before returning to the ice and signing with a team. But he wants to play for a few more seasons we will see if his body allows him to. Also, there is talk of a World Cup of Hockey, but that should be best on best, with no gimmicks and do we see Atlanta get another NHL franchise? There has been talk, but 32 teams is good for now, but you know it is coming.

That does for this edition of NHL Insights. Stay tuned for another edition in the coming weeks.