Opinion Links for week of October 25 to 31, 2026 | Headlinehockey.com

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OPINION

ADAM PROTEAU: Could The Nashville Predators' Start To The Season Change Their Long-Term Plans? (The Hockey News)
MICHAEL TRAIKOS: IIHF 'Expresses Its Disappointment' In Decision To Allow Russia To Play In International Tournaments (The Hockey News)
ADAM PROTEAU: Evaluating Buffalo Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen's First Year With The Franchise (The Hockey News)
LYLE RICHARDSON: NHL Rumor Roundup: Dylan Larkin Saga Takes A Turn, Senators Seek Scoring, Blackhawks In On Miroshnichenko (The Hockey News)
IAIN MacINTYRE: Canucks' Leevi Merilainen making most of unexpected opportunity (Sportsnet)
MARK SPECTOR: Mike Babcock's Oilers overhaul paying off through structure, accountability (Sportsnet)
ERIC FRANCIS: Klapka's heavyweight fight sets tone in Flames' win over Kraken (Sportsnet)
ELLIOTTE FRIEDMAN: Sources: Nikita Kucherov tells Lightning he won't re-sign, asks for trade (Sportsnet)
CATHAL KELLY: Russia’s return from the cold will force sporting rivals to make a choice (Globe & Mail)
COLIN STEPHENSON: How Rangers rookie Smits quietly goes about being an NHL pro (New York Newsday)
JACK TODD: Canadiens' stars align as Habs regain their swagger with road trip sweep (Montreal Gazette)
BRUCE ARTHUR: Morgan Rielly is back on his game with the Leafs, and sheds light on what went wrong last season (Toronto Star)

RYAN LAMBERT: Who Is Truly The Third-Best Team In The NHL's Pacific Division? (The Hockey News)
SAM CARCHIDI: Andre Lacroix, A 'Magician With The Puck,' Remembered For His 'Big Personality' (The Hockey News)
ADAM PROTEAU: Rangers' Recent Slump Has Exposed Larger Weaknesses Masked By Strong Start (The Hockey News)
MICHAEL TRAIKOS: Maple Leafs Must Turn To Anthony Stolarz Over Sergei Bobrovsky As Starting Goaltender (The Hockey News)
LYLE RICHARDSON: NHL Rumor Roundup: Maple Leafs Winger Easton Cowan Not 'Untradeable', Kraken Seek A Scorer (The Hockey News)
ERIC ENGELS: Canadiens complete perfect road trip without Suzuki (Sportsnet)
ERIC FRANCIS: Flames' Morgan Frost the latest to say he wants to stay in Calgary (Sportsnet)
ELLIOTTE FRIEDMAN: Larkin decides to sit out until Red Wings complete trade (Sportsnet)
FRANK SERAVALLI: Could the Edmonton Oilers be eyeing Matt Rempe? (Sportsnet)
MOLLIE WALKER: Rangers’ concerning slide has exposed problems that go beyond Igor Shesterkin’s injury (New York Post)
CARLOS MONARREZ: Dylan Larkin's no-show was his only option, and might push Red Wings forward (Detroit Free Press)
ETHAN SEARS: Dylan Larkin trade saga gives Islanders important question they must answer (New York Post)
PAT STEINBERG: Enjoy ups, downs, twists and turns as right group of players drives Flames' non-linear rebuild (Calgary Sun)
What Leafs and Raptors fans can expect after latest Scotiabank Arena renovations (Toronto Star)
STU COWAN: TSN's Frankie Corrado blossoms as colour commentator for Canadiens games (Montreal Gazette)
TROY RENCK: Inconsistent effort from Nuggets, Avalanche is getting old fast (Denver Post)
JOHN NIYO: Larkin leaves his legacy no way out in Detroit (Detroit News)
DAMIEN COX: Anatomy of the Maple Leafs’ meltdown in Seattle: $7 million is steep for a blah Bobrovsky (Toronto Star)

ADAM PROTEAU: Pressure Is Mounting For Oilers' Jake Walman As Early Defensive Struggles Lead To Healthy Scratch (The Hockey News)
ADAM PROTEAU: Dustin Byfuglien's Return To Winnipeg Gave Jets Fans The Heartfelt Send-Off They Always Wanted (The Hockey News)
PAT MAGUIRE: Brady Tkachuk's Return to Ottawa Is Personal. And It Should Be. (The Hockey News)
LYLE RICHARDSON: NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest On The Blue Jackets And Penguins (The Hockey News)
MARK SPECTOR: Oilers cruise past rebuilding Flames in tame Battle of Alberta (Sportsnet)
ERIC FRANCIS: Flames' Wolf gets feet wet again to mixed results after Cooley injury (Sportsnet)
ERIC ENGELS: Despite 'prohibitive' price, Larkin trade to Canadiens remains possible (Sportsnet)
FRANK SERAVALLI: Where the NHL salary cap could soar to in the next three years (Sportsnet)
DIETER KURTENBACH: The Sharks have a blue-line problem. That’s just the start of the issue (San Jose Mercury News)
GENTRY ESTES: Nashville Predators' undying task is turn the extraordinary into their ordinary (The Tennessean)
NICK KYPREOS: The Maple Leafs have shown what they’re capable of. Why can’t they show it every game? (Toronto Star)
STU COWAN: Jacob Fowler's ascension in goal arrives at crucial time for Canadiens (Montreal Gazette)
MIKE GOULD: Calgary Flames prospect Theo Stockselius off to Swede start with Djurgardens (Calgary Herald)

ADAM PROTEAU: Can GM Kyle Davidson And Head Coach Jeff Blashill Lead The Chicago Blackhawks Out Of Their Rebuild? (The Hockey News)
ADAM PROTEAU: How Maple Leafs' Nick Paul Has Emerged As One Of GM John Chayka's Best Additions (The Hockey News)
LYLE RICHARDSON: NHL Rumor Roundup: Fallout From The Connor Hellebuyck Trade, Capitals Willing to Move Miroshnichenko (The Hockey News)
MARK SPECTOR: Why Oilers are slow-cooking Ike Howard's development (Sportsnet)
ERIC ENGELS: Fowler cementing place as Canadiens starter with another win (Sportsnet)
CATHAL KELLY: As Devin Cooley enters the spotlight, can the Flames’ pensive goalie afford to be interesting? (Globe & Mail)
ANDREW GROSS: The Islanders can't use injuries as an excuse. Their depth must play better. (New York Newsday)
STU COWAN: Increasingly poised Canadiens reap rewards of improved risk management (Montreal Gazette)
DAVE FESCHUK: What’s life like after the Leafs? Bobby McMann is one of many who recently found out (Toronto Star)

ADAM PROTEAU: What's Held The Washington Capitals Back From Asserting Dominance In The NHL's Eastern Conference? (The Hockey News)
ADAM PROTEAU: What Nikishin's One-Year Contract Means For His Future With Hurricanes (The Hockey News)
LYLE RICHARDSON: NHL Rumor Roundup: Could Dylan Larkin Change His Mind About The Montreal Canadiens? (The Hockey News)
MARK SPECTOR: Oilers thwarted by rookie Red Wings goalie as depth salvages point (Sportsnet)
ERIC FRANCIS: Youngsters set tone for Flames in 'Griddy' win (Sportsnet)
FRANK SERAVALLI: 'Ready today': Devils' Hellebuyck eager to be thrown back into fire (Sportsnet)
LA VELLE E. NEAL III: Minnesota sports teams keep winning. But which ones have staying power? (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
COLIN STEPHENSON: Rangers playing on thin ice without Shesterkin in the net (New York Newsday)
JACK TODD: Canadiens reawaken charm of outdoor NHL hockey (Montreal Gazette)
MARK MADDEN: Don’t confuse Penguins’ rebuilding plans with penny-pinching (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
KENT WILSON: How Joel Farabee transformed from spare part in trade to Flames' top forward (Calgary Herald)
STU COWAN: Jacob Fowler showing why he should be Canadiens' No. 1 goalie (Montreal Gazette)

ADAM PROTEAU: The Three Top NHL Goalie Trade Candidates Following Hellebuyck Deal (The Hockey News)
RYAN LAMBERT: The New-Look Michigan State NCAA Roster Trying To Fill Big Shoes Left Behind (The Hockey News)
ADAM PROTEAU: How Devils GM Sunny Mehta's Patience Increased The Chances Of Landing Quinn Hughes (The Hockey News)
IAIN MacINTYRE: 'I just feel gratitude': Hughes reflects on Canucks tenure ahead of return (Sportsnet)
MARK SPECTOR: Oilers' lack of depth proves costly in loss to Maple Leafs (Sportsnet)
ERIC FRANCIS: Flames pay tribute to 2004 team with workmanlike victory (Sportsnet)
JIM McBRIDE: Kyle Chauvette’s well-prepared to serve in newly created NHL role as emergency backup goalie for the Bruins (Boston Globe)
ANDREW GROSS: Isles' coach Pete DeBoer returns to Dallas, a stop on his long journey (New York Newsday)
STEVE SIMMONS: NHL, Rogers need to figure out, together, how to make more games accessible (Toronto Sun)
MIKE HARRINGTON: Where do the Sabres stand in the wake of Connor Hellebuyck trade? (Buffalo News)