One of the most surprising storylines early this season has been the Calgary Flames.
Through their first four games, they haven’t lost a game yet, defeating the Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, and Chicago Blackhawks. Coming into the season, it was expected they’d be sellers, but that may not be the case anymore.
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli appeared on NHL Coast to Coast on Thursday, noting that the Flames are looking for a right-shot centre who can play in their middle six. Moreover, they’re looking for someone who fits their age scheme.
It’s unclear who the Flames could target, but the fact they’re looking to add may mean that they aren’t willing to trade a player such as Rasmus Andersson, who would’ve fit the Oilers’ needs well.
Either way, it’s nice to see that the Battle of Alberta could be back sooner rather than later.

Red Wings call up Marco Kasper

Speaking of centres (albeit a left-shot) that would fit the Calgary Flames’ age scheme, the Detroit Red Wings called up Marco Kasper on Friday.
It’s been a lethargic start for the Red Wings this season, as they have a 1-3-0 record through four games. They’re hoping that their first-round pick, Kasper, could inject some life into the team.
The 20-year-old Austrian was selected eighth overall in the 2022 draft. He had his National Hockey League debut at the tail end of the 2022-23 season, before spending a full season in North America in 2023-24 with their American Hockey League team. That season, he scored 14 goals and 35 points in 71 games, along with four goals and seven points in nine postseason games. 
Kasper had a great preseason and should’ve made the team to start the season.

Sean Durzi will miss 4-5 months

On Thursday Frank Seravalli reported that Utah Hockey Club’s Sean Durzi is set to undergo surgery and will be out 4-5 months.
The right-shot defenceman is a useful piece of Utah’s backend, picking up two assists in four games this season. Selected in the second round of the 2018 draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Durzi made his National Hockey League debut in 2021-22 for the Los Angeles Kings, scoring three goals and 27 points in 64 games.
His final season in Los Angeles saw him score nine goals and 38 points in 72 games before he was shipped to the Arizona Coyotes. In the final season in the Phoenix area, Durzi once again scored nine goals and added 32 assists for 41 points in 76 games.
Durzi’s loss is a tough blow for Utah, as the team is also missing former Oiler prospect John Marino. Moreover, Nick Bjugstad is on the shelf.

Philip Broberg has a five-game point streak

Speaking of former Oilers, Philip Broberg is breaking new record with the St. Louis Blues, as he has the longest point streak by a Blues defenceman to start his Blues career.
Obviously, this is a very specific record, but the left-shot defenceman has been good for the Blues through their first five games. In a 3-2 season-opening win over the Seattle Kraken, he scored his fifth National Hockey League regular season goal of his career and has had an assist in each of his last four games.
While that doesn’t sound like much, Broberg’s five points would be tied with Connor McDavid for the team lead on the Edmonton Oilers and two more points than the next two best defencemen, Brett Kulak and Mattias Ekholm.
With that being said, the Blues offer sheeted him and Dylan Holloway in mid-August, with the Oilers declining to match both offer sheets. Before joining the Blues, Broberg played 81 games in the NHL with two goals and 13 points, along with 20 postseason games with two goals and three points.
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