Deen's Daily
Deen’s Daily: Blackwood Gets Paid; MacKinnon Drops the Gloves; McLellan’s Red Wings Look Flat
Hockey is back and so are the stories. How about another hat trick for a Finnish forward on the Avs? I believe they’re up to five by my count. Ever heard of Nathan MacKinnon, the reigning Hart Trophy winner? He was a goal away from a Gordie Howe hat trick. Todd McLellan’s Red Wings didn’t quite improve in his first game behind the bench.
All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — December 28
Colorado Hockey Now
Mackenzie Blackwood had one heck of a day on Friday. It began with a five-year contract extension worth $26.25 million and ended with a 34-save performance in a 4-1 victory over Utah Hockey Club.
Blackwood met with the media after morning skate to discuss the new deal. My colleague Colleen Flynn was there to cover it all.
Catch my thoughts on the deal and why it was a worthy gamble for the Avs. This one’s behind the paywall but for $4.49/mo you’ll get access to instant analysis pieces, Observations after games, and so much more.
Oh, I almost forgot. Nathan MacKinnon dropped the gloves for the first time since March 2022.
Around the NHL
San Jose Hockey Now: Another analysis piece on Blackwood’s new extension from our writers in San Jose. But in even bigger news, Tomas Hertl and the Vegas Golden Knights were in town for a matchup against the Sharks. Hear from the former Sharks forward here. He was traded away 11 months ago.
New Jersey Devils: The Devils beat the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. But according to the captain, goalie Jacob Markstrom was the savior.
Detroit Red Wings: Todd McLellan wants the Red Wings to play harder. But in his first game at the helm, I don’t think it went as planned. The Wings’ dull performance vs the Toronto Maple Leafs showed the coach that he’s got his work cut out for him.
New York Islanders: The Islanders are the worst team in the Metropolitan Division. Is this the year to finally unload some veterans at the trade deadline?
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Speaking of the Isles, and a pair of veterans, the Penguins are at UBS Arena on Saturday to take on Patrick Roy’s club. Two of the Islanders’ veteran forwards have a track record of success against the Pens.
Avalanche Acquire Center Juuso Parssinen From Nashville
10 Observations: Another Hat Trick, Empty-Netters, and a Goalie Worth Keeping (+)
How Important Val Nichushkin is to Avalanche
Deen’s Daily: Blackwood Gets Paid; MacKinnon Drops the Gloves; McLellan’s Red Wings Look Flat
Good & Bad: Blackwood Signs Contract, Lifts Avalanche over Utah
Deen’s Daily: Trades Trickle in Before Holiday Freeze; Former Avalanche Defenseman Dealt; Remaking the Avs’ Bottom Six
Notebook: Is This What Having Good Goaltending Feels Like?
10 Observations: Blackwood Beats Former Team, Georgiev Lets in 4 Goals, Again (+)
Good & Bad: Avs Win Again โ Goaltending Saves Another Slow Start
Inside the Locker Room: Holiday Break Important for Avs
If I were the Avs, I’d be asking about Brock Nelson. Yes, he’d probably be expensive and a rental but he’s far more worth it than someone like Gourde would be.
In all fairness to Todd McLellan, everything happened so quickly that he didn’t have time for one practice before they played Toronto, I think in time things will out for the Wings, McLellan is a good coach.