Update: Versatile forward, Calle Jarnkrok, has been acquired from the Seattle Kraken for Florida’s second round pick this draft, a 2023 third round pick, and a 2024 seventh round pick.
Jarnkrok works out with Markstrom and Lindholm during summer and all three grew up in Galve, Sweden. A town with a population of 75,000. Lindholm and Jarnkrok are cousins.
Jarnkrok is on the final year of a six year, 12 million dollar deal carrying a two million dollar annual average value.
The Kraken will retain 50% of his salary for the remainder of the season.
Adam Ruzicka has been assigned to Stockton for cap purposes.
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The 22-33-5 New Jersey Devils are in Calgary tonight to finish out a back-to-back that included a game in Vancouver yesterday.
Fans will remember a 5-3 victory for the now 36-16-7 Calgary Flames on October 26, when these two teams last met.
Pavel Zacha and Andrew Mangiapane both had two goals on the night. The Flames went 2/3 on the powerplay while the Devils went 1/4. Daniel Vladar made his second start of the season, saving 27 of 30 shots for a .900 save percentage.
One note from reviewing the highlights of that game: the Devils struggled to stop both the puck carrier and the puck it’s self when the Flames had possession in the Devils’ defensive zone. This inability led to most of the Flames goals against backup Nico Daws.
Just taking in the Canucks’ 6-3 victory over the Devils last night — the same problems persist that were present on Oct. 26. The Canucks were finding seams to pass through, the combination of Gillies and Daws gave up too many rebounds and the Devils skaters weren’t clearing said rebounds before one of the Canucks forwards got to them.
It might be fair to expect a goal or two from the top line tonight. It would be very surprising to see the Devils shut down that set play Johnny, Lindholm and Tkachuk have had working for them.
The play involves Gaudreau breaking a pass through to Tkachuk, who is down low on the right side. Tkachuk uses the space to draw a defender or two — then dishes it to an open Elias Lindholm at the hash marks. One timer with a good chance of converting.
Lines at practice yesterday. Ritchie, Richardson, and Stone stayed on late after morning skate this morning. It’s fair to assume this will be tonight’s lineup.
Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk Coleman-Backlund-Lewis Mangiapane-Ruzicka-Toffoli Lucic-Monahan-Dube
Hanifin-Andersson Kylington-Tanev Zadorov-Gudbranson
Markstrom Vladar
Goalie conundrum With Mackenzie Blackwood and Jonathan Bernier both out if the lineup with injury, the net now belongs to either Nico Daws or 2012 Flames third round pick Jon Gillies.
Neither of them had a great night last night. Daws got pulled at 28:51 after allowing two goals in 17 seconds. Gillies went in and allowed two goals in ten shots.
While Devils Head Coach Lindy Ruff indicated that he pulled Daws to keep him fresh for tonight — a freshly pulled goalie isn’t exactly the pinnacle of confidence.
One has to wonder if it would have been a better decision to put in Gillies tonight. Give him a chance at redemption. A chance to show the organization that gave up on him that they made a mistake. Even if Daws is the better goalie on paper.
Another return It’s always fun to see Dougie Hamilton back in town. While rumours swirled that he wasn’t happy in Calgary; he’s still fun to watch.
The lanky blue liner recorded two assists in 24:23 of ice time in their last meeting. He played 4:35 of power play time.
He’s coming off a rough night against the Canucks. Zero points and on the ice for three goals against. The other side of the Dougie Hamilton coin. Great with the puck, but he’s a below average defender.
Puck drops around 8:07pm
@Trevor_Neufeld