Deen’s Daily: Mittelstadt Demotion; The Nichushkin Whisperer; Jake Evans Trade?

Ready for a big New Year’s Eve clash between Colorado and Winnipeg? Expect some lineup changes for the home team. Also, has Valeri Nichushkin made a new friend in the Avs’ room? What should Montreal do with Jake Evans?

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — December 31

Colorado Hockey Now

Casey Mittelstadt was demoted to the fourth line at Monday’s practice. He’ll play in that spot against the Winnipeg Jets tonight in his first game not as Colorado’s No. 2 center since the team acquired him last March.

Mittelstadt will center two Finnish forwards, one of which will make his Avalanche debut. His replacement in the top six is a returning Jonathan Drouin.

What do Juuso Parssinen, Jere Innala, Mikko Rantanen, Artturi Lehkonen, and Joel Kiviranta have in common? It’s their Finn-tastic connection.

Mackenzie Blackwood could realistically do something another goalie did 10 years ago after a midseason trade. Does he have what it takes?

Speaking of Blackwood, he also provides something the Avs haven’t had since perhaps Darcy Kuemper. He’s figured out how to get to Valeri Nichushkin. The two are stall neighbors in the Avs’ dressing room and Blackwood might make a friend out of Val. Call him the Nichushkin whisperer.

Around the NHL

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: the Avs could ideally add yet another Finn to the lineup if they wanted to thanks to a move made by the Pens.

Montreal Hockey Now: Contract extension? Trade? Marc Dumont analyzes the options the Habs could take with Jake Evans.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils are prepping for a matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. They’re likely adjusting their lines accordingly. Also, Timo Meier speaks for the first time since his controversial ejection against Carolina.

Detroit Hockey Now: Could the new coach bump find its way to Motor City? It certainly feels like it.

San Jose Hockey Now: Mired in a long losing streak, what could Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks learn from the skid?