The Daily: Should Flames Deal for Reaves?; Kane Not Quite Ready

Last season, the Minnesota Wild were 9-9-2 and spinning their wheels when general manager Bill Guerin gave up a fifth round pick to the New York Rangers for Ryan Reaves. At the time of the trade, Reaves didn’t seem to have anything going with the Rangers.

But the noteworthy enforcer played well for the Wild (five goals, 15 points) to help them put a charge into their season. This season, Reaves doesn’t have anything going for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Calgary Hockey Now’s Trevor Neufeld wonders whether the Calgary Flames should try to acquire Reaves to put a charge into their season. The Flames are 10-11-3.

The differences between the Wild situation and the Flames’ situation is that the Wild were getting a player on an expiring contract and the Flames would have to take Reaves’ three-year deal for $1.35 million per season. This is the first season of that deal. Maple Leafs fans would probably like it, but what about Calgary fans?

Meanwhile, in Detroit, the build-up to Patrick Kane’s debut is apparently going to take a bit longer. Bob Duff writes that Kane probably isn’t quite ready to play tonight against the Buffalo Sabres. Maybe Thursday will be the day, at home, against the San Jose Sharks.

Patrick Kane is still getting used to his new digs. When the Wings played the Blackhawks, he had some trouble finding his way around LCA. He got stuck among the fans before finding his way down to the locker room.

Problem is, people in Chicago jerseys tend to recognize Kane. 😂 pic.twitter.com/Ei0JKJibwr

— Jeanna Trotman (@JeannaTrotmanTV) December 5, 2023

Red Wings in Case You Missed It

• Patrick Kane‘s Detroit Red Wings debut isn’t going to happen tonight in his hometown of Buffalo. Bob Duff has story. It’s likely now to be Thursday at home against the San Jose Sharks.
• The Red Wings‘ power play is now clicking at an impressive rate, like it did at the beginning of the season.
• Jonatan Berggren, shuttling between Detroit and Grand Rapids, manage to play four games in four nights.
• Tim Robinson wrote a paywall story about how Amadeus Lombardi is doing in his first season in the American Hockey League.

Red Wings Next Game

The Detroit Red Wings play on the road tonight (7:30) against the Buffalo Sabres. This is a Sabres team that has only won three of their last 11 games. Seven of those eight losses have come since Tage Thompson suffered an injury. The Red Wings are third in NHL scoring (3.74 goals per game) while the Sabres are 25th (2.84).

Hockey Now Network

Calgary: Goalie Jacob Markstrom left the ice quickly Monday after injuring his hand in a Calgary Flames practice.

Chicago: Four Chicago Blackhawks prospects made preliminary national junior team rosters, including Frank Nazar and Gavin Hayes for USA.

Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Flyers are hot and Tyson Foerster has been their most consistent performer. He has netted four goals in Philly”s 2-0-1 surge. His rise is a good story.

Pittsburgh: The frustration is growing in Pittsburgh. The Penguins have now gone 11 games without scoring a power play goal. Pittsburgh Penguins