Opinion Links for week of October 4 to 10, 2020 | Headlinehockey.com

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OPINION

KEN CAMPBELL: Blues Say Bye-Bye to Alex Pietrangelo, Hello to Torey Krug (The Hockey News)
MATT LARKIN: Jacob Markstrom's huge contract a make-or-break move for this era of the Flames (The Hockey News)
KEN CAMPBELL: Winners and Losers on Day 1 of Free Agency (The Hockey News)
IAIN MacINTYRE: Holtby signing gives Canucks financial flexibility to address blue-line needs (Sportsnet)
ERIC FRANCIS: Big-splash Markstrom signing finally answers Flames goaltending questions (Sportsnet)
MARK SPECTOR: Oilers fill one hole with Kyle Turris but have more moves to make (Sportsnet)
IAIN MacINTYRE: Holtby signing gives Canucks financial flexibility to address blue-line needs (Sportsnet)
MICHAEL TRAIKOS: Maple Leafs, others, go gritty on the first day of free agency (National Post)
BRUCE GARRIOCH: Matt Murray wastes no time in signing a four-year extension with the Ottawa Senators (Ottawa Sun)
PATRICK JOHNSTON: Canucks sign Holtby to replace Markstrom in net (Vancouver Province)
PHIL THOMPSON: Column: Have the Chicago Blackhawks already shut the door on next season’s playoffs? The Corey Crawford decision suggests they might have. (Chicago Tribune)
MIKE McINTYRE: Jets GM seemingly content with minor adjustments (Winnipeg Free Press)
TERRY JONES: Oilers fail to make big splash on Free Agent Frenzy day (Edmonton Sun)
DAMIEN COX: The Maple Leafs and their rivals are buying free agents and selling hope. In the end, the balance of power barely shifts (Toronto Star)
BEN FREDERICKSON: Blame Armstrong if you like, but Blues GM made it clear how hard team pushed for Pietrangelo (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
STEVE EWEN: Strong post-season nets fan favourite Motte two-year deal with Canucks (Vancouver Province)
BRUCE GARRIOCH: Erik Gudbranson is "ecstactic" to get the opportunity to play in his hometown (Ottawa Sun)
MIKE HARRINGTON: It's hard to figure Sabres' plan and harder to have any patience (Buffalo News)
STEVE EWEN: Canucks pushed for Ekman-Larsson deal, but Coyotes wouldn't bite (Vancouver Province)
STU COWAN: Canadiens' top draft pick Kaiden Guhle gets 'A' for attitude (Montreal Gazette)
PAUL FRIESEN: Jets hold their own with Stastny trade, nothing more (Winnipeg Sun)
STEVE SIMMONS: Opening-day win for Maple Leafs GM Dubas in free agency (Toronto Sun)

KEN CAMPBELL: What Exactly Does a Jan. 1 Start to the NHL Season Look Like? (The Hockey News)
RYAN KENNEDY: No Trouble in the Bubble (The Hockey News)
RYAN KENNEDY: What's the Deal? Columbus Trades Murray (The Hockey News)
ERIC ENGELS: Canadiens' Josh Anderson must live up to hefty contract leverage (Sportsnet)
ERIC FRANCIS: Flames' Brad Treliving looking to take patient approach to free agency (Sportsnet)
IAIN MacINTYRE: Canucks need strong start to free agency after trying week (Sportsnet)
MARK SPECTOR: Why Oilers should be all-in on Jacob Markstrom in free agency (Sportsnet)
IAN MENDES: Murray ready for fresh start in Ottawa (TSN)
MICHAEL TRAIKOS: Grade 'eh' selections for Canadian teams at NHL entry draft (National Post)
MAC ENGEL: Dallas Stars’ injury situation was worse than feared in Stanley Cup playoffs (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
SAM CARCHIDI: Some targets for the Flyers as NHL free agency begins (Philadelphia Inquirer)
PATRICK JOHNSTON: Patrick Johnston: Five free agents the Canucks might want to target (Vancouver Province)
STU COWAN: Canadiens' Trevor Timmins tired of answering QMJHL question (Montreal Gazette)
MATT PORTER: Tuukka Rask says he wants to remain with Bruins for remainder of career (Boston Globe)
PAT HICKEY: After signing Anderson to $38.5M deal, Canadiens unlikely to pursue Hall (Montreal Gazette)
BRUCE GARRIOCH: Ottawa Senators' goaltender Matt Murray is ready for a fresh start with a young team (Ottawa Sun)
WES GILBERTSON: Markstrom should be Flames’ top target in free agency (Calgary Sun)
MIKE McINTYRE: Pressure mounting on Jets GM to improve team (Winnipeg Free Press)
ROBERT TYCHKOWSKI: Edmonton Oilers hoping free agent market can help, for a change (Edmonton Sun)
DAVE FESCHUK: The Maple Leafs won’t find a saviour in free agency. To win, the stars have to buy in — like Steve Yzerman did (Toronto Star)

RYAN KENNEDY: Swede Redemption is Coming to Detroit (The Hockey News)
MATT LARKIN: Why Jesse Puljujarvi and the Oilers are Giving Their Relationship Another Try (The Hockey News)
KEN CAMPBELL: Why the Penguins Got Almost Nothing for Matt Murray (The Hockey News)
MATT LARKIN: 'He'll never play head games': Domi believes Tortorella is the perfect coach for him (The Hockey News)
MARK SPECTOR: Jesse Puljujarvi returns to Oilers with second chance to make impact (Sportsnet)
IAIN MacINTYRE: Canucks draft smooth-skating Jurmo with more big decisions looming (Sportsnet)
ERIC ENGELS: Canadiens need Josh Anderson to deliver after injury-plagued season (Sportsnet)
JOE STARKEY: Matt Murray should be remembered first as a Stanley Cup hero (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
MATT PORTER: On second day of draft, Bruins went old school with four college prospects (Boston Globe)
BRUCE GARRIOCH: Senators are confident they had a first round to remember (Ottawa Sun)
GENTRY ESTES: Is that a whiff of a rebuild coming from the Preds? (The Tennessean)
LARRY BROOKS: Henrik Lundqvist getting what he wants could bring Rangers pain (New York Post)
KEVIN PAUL DUPONT: If they can’t entice Torey Krug to stay, can the Bruins afford Oliver Ekman-Larsson? (Boston Globe)
PATRICK JOHNSTON: Size the clear focus for Canucks at 2020 draft (Vancouver Province)
KEN WARREN: Yesterday's heroes are tomorrow's trade commodities in modern NHL (Ottawa Citizen)
TIM BENZ: Steelers fans are smoldering. Pitt fans upset. Penguins fans ‘fond farewell’ to Matt Murray. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
LARRY BROOKS: A key Ranger's contract dilemma far from resolved (New York Post)
MIKE HARRINGTON: Kahun mystery overshadows the rest of a marathon draft day (Buffalo News)
DON BRENNAN: Looking ahead to 2021 while waiting for long second day of 2020 draft to end (Ottawa Sun)
BOB WOJNOWSKI: Yzerman pulls off a crafty draft, boosts Red Wings stock (Detroit News)
STU COWAN: Max Domi's sweet start with the Canadiens had a bad ending (Montreal Gazette)
STEVE SIMMONS: Did the Leafs mess up drafting Amirov? Who knows? (Toronto Sun)
PAUL FRIESEN: Stability, family and life-changing money for Jets' DeMelo (Winnipeg Sun)
TERRY JONES: Empty rink aside, Oilers owner Katz proud of profile raised on Rogers Place (Edmonton Sun)

RYAN KENNEDY: Los Angeles Gets Their Guy in Quinton Byfield (The Hockey News)
KEN CAMPBELL: Who the Hell is Yegor Chinakhov? (The Hockey News)
MATT LARKIN: The Canadiens didn't get enough for Max Domi (The Hockey News)
CHRIS JOHNSTON: Maple Leafs still looking for immediate help after drafting Rodion Amirov (Sportsnet)
ERIC FRANCIS: Flames' Treliving trades down for 'Swiss Army knife' Connor Zary (Sportsnet)
ERIC ENGELS: Canadiens add to already-promising defence with Kaiden Guhle pick (Sportsnet)
MARK SPECTOR: Oilers' first-rounder Holloway has 'ability to help in different ways' (Sportsnet)
ERIC ENGELS: Canadiens pay steep price, but Josh Anderson fills glaring need (Sportsnet)
FRANK SERAVALLI: From Trebek to Triple Play, Senators perfectly execute franchise-changing night (TSN)
MICHAEL TRAIKOS: With Stuetzle and Sanderson, Sens are no longer the NHL's punch line (National Post)
JIM SOUHAN: Wild GM Bill Guerin cleaned house without much payback (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
JEFF GORDON: Pandemic leaves NHL GMs scrambling to make budget (St. Louis Post Dispatch)
STU COWAN: Canadiens acquire Josh Anderson and draft Kaiden Guhle (Montreal Gazette)
MICHAEL ARACE: Big deal for Jackets: Anderson out, Domi in (Columbus Dispatch)
BRUCE GARRIOCH: The Senators make Stützle their top pick as NHL draft gets under way (Ottawa Sun)
LARRY BROOKS: Alexis Lafreniere has ex-Rangers coach drooling: 'Made for New York' (New York Post)
BRUCE GARRIOCH: Senators continue to stock their defence by adding Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Sun)
TIM BENZ: Steelers pass rush facing banged up Eagles O-line. Vegas struggling to trade Marc-Andre Fleury. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
MIKE HARRINGTON: Jack Quinn made a name for himself with 52 goals, and Sabres need offense (Buffalo News)
JOHN NIYO: Everybody loves Raymond, but especially the Red Wings (Detroit News)
PATRICK JOHNSTON: Taking stock of the Canucks's prospect inventory (Vancouver Province)
TERRY JONES: First-round goalie a no-go for Edmonton Oilers in NHL virtual draft (Edmonton Sun)

KEN CAMPBELL: Uncertainty Surrounding COVID-19 Led to Matt Niskanen's Retirement (The Hockey News)
RYAN KENNEDY: Are the Buffalo Sabres Ready for the Draft? (The Hockey News)
MATT LARKIN: Wild's Dubnyk, Donato Trades Pave Way for Something Bigger. But What? (The Hockey News)
IAIN MacINTYRE: Why Canucks acquiring Oliver Ekman-Larsson can open many possibilities (Sportsnet)
ERIC ENGELS: As Canadiens approach draft day, trade market for forward help remains cool (Sportsnet)
MARK SPECTOR: Oilers’ Holland discusses trade market, draft, Puljujarvi's future (Sportsnet)
MICHAEL TRAIKOS: NHL Entry Draft should be full of surprises (National Post)
BENJAMIN HOCHMAN: Blues’ Armstrong is right person to evaluate value in potential Pietrangelo signing (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
RON COOK: Much-maligned Jack Johnson just didn't do enough for the Penguins (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
MIKE McINTYRE: Jets GM does nothing to stifle rumblings of goal-scoring winger's availablity (Winnipeg Free Press)
BRUCE GARRIOCH: The Ottawa Senators are ready for one of the biggest days in franchise history (Ottawa Sun)
PATRICK JOHNSTON: Canucks fans worry goalie Jacob Markstrom won't be back (Vancouver Province)
LARRY BROOKS: NHL Draft madness is only threat to Rangers picking stud No. 1 (New York Post)
SAM CARCHIDI: The Flyers should select Jacob Perreault if he’s available in the NHL draft (Philadelphia Inquirer)
TIM BENZ: Potential destinations for Matt Murray, Penguins fans won’t have Jack Johnson to kick around anymore (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
KEN WARREN: Taking a closer look at the Dorion draft resumé (Ottawa Citizen)
PAUL FRIESEN: Laine a wildcard too good to discard (Winnipeg Sun)
KEVIN PAUL DUPONT: It’s a long way to Friday, but Torey Krug looks headed away from the Bruins (Boston Globe)
PATRICK JOHNSTON: Cagey GM Benning and Canucks remain in holding pattern (Vancouver Province)
MIKE HARRINGTON: Kevyn Adams needs to make it clear that Jack Eichel is untouchable (Buffalo News)
STU COWAN: Time is right for Canadiens GM Bergevin to accelerate 'reset' (Montreal Gazette)
BRUCE GARRIOCH: Dorion says he hasn't heard an offer he can't refuse for the No. 5 pick (Ottawa Sun)
STEVE SIMMONS: Are the Maple Leafs even a playoff team? (Toronto Sun)
TERRY JONES: Harrison Katz, son of Oilers owner, has grown up with the NHL draft (Edmonton Sun)

RYAN KENNEDY: Chicago Trades Maatta to Los Angeles (The Hockey News)
BRUCE GARRIOCH: Teams are circling around the Ottawa Senators for the No. 28 selection (Ottawa Sun)
LARRY BROOKS: Rangers have huge roster decision looming (New York Post)
TIM BENZ: NFL covid-19 problems. Pat Narduzzi is ‘a blowhard.’ Metro Division fit for Marc-Andre Fleury? (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
WES GILBERTSON: This could be very busy week for Flames GM Brad Treliving (Calgary Sun)
BRUCE GARRIOCH: The reality is setting in for the Tampa Bay Lightning after Stanley Cup win (Ottawa Sun)

KEN CAMPBELL: Holy Moly, What's Up With All the Goalies? (The Hockey News)
GREG WYSHYNSKI: Inside Bill Armstrong's plan to build the Arizona Coyotes into a top contender (ESPN)
MARK WHICKER: Kings might land Quinton Byfield of dreams in NHL draft (Los Angeles Daily News)
MIKE CHAMBERS: It’s “go time” for Avalanche and Taylor Hall could be in the mix (Denver Post)
STEVE SIMMONS: GMs wobble on financial tightrope as NHL off-season begins (Toronto Sun)
MIKE HARRINGTON: Huge week ahead, especially for Sabres' first-time GM (Buffalo News)
KEVIN PAUL DUPONT: Taking a look at the Bruins’ many failed attempts to draft a franchise goalie (Boston Globe)
LARRY BROOKS: This isn't how ex-Rangers envisioned winning Stanley Cup (New York Post)
BRUCE GARRIOCH: The talk is heating up with the first round of the NHL draft set for Tuesday (Ottawa Sun)
DAVE FESCHUK: His dad was a Leafs legend. He protected a teenage Gretzky and wears Howe’s high stick like a badge. Today, Jerry Rollins is still all business (Toronto Star)