The Anaheim Ducks’ choice to hand the captaincy to Mikael Granlund instead of Leo Carlsson has turned into one of the louder talking points in the NHL rumor mill, and it’s not hard to see why. On OverDrive, TSN’s Bryan Hayes suggested the move might have had less to do with leadership and more to do with Carlsson’s contract situation, floating the idea that Anaheim could have gone with Carlsson had he not signed an $18 million offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Hayes went a step further, saying the Ducks may have picked Granlund “out of spite” as a way to send Carlsson a message. That take did not sit well with the rest of the panel.
Jeff O’Neill called it an “idiotic take” and said GM Pat Verbeek was the one who let the contract situation get to that point. Jamie McLennan also raised an eyebrow at the decision, pointing to Granlund’s age.
Elsewhere in the division, Dylan Larkin is back on the ice for the Detroit Red Wings after sitting out the opening stretch of training camp with an upper-body injury. Larkin picked up the injury during an off-ice workout, and there was no firm timetable when he first went down.
Ansar Khan noted, “Here’s Larkin in battle drills. No word yet on whether he’ll be ready for either of the final two preseason games but probably not since this is his first practice.”
Larkin’s return comes at a time when his situation is already under the spotlight. He requested a trade this offseason, Detroit stripped him of the captaincy, and he said earlier this month that the request was not an easy call and that he did not regret making it.
He also would not say whether the request is still active. Detroit, for its part, has said Larkin could still stay with the team for the entire season.
In Ottawa, owner Michael Andlauer offered his bluntest comments yet on Brady Tkachuk’s departure from the organization and his move to the Florida Panthers to play alongside his brother Matthew. Speaking with Pierre LeBrun, Andlauer made it clear he believes family was a major factor in how the situation played out.
Andlauer said:
“Blood is thicker than water, and let’s just say that his father and his brother got in his kitchen. Ultimately, the decision was made to go and play with his brother.
It’s a decision that was out of our control to a certain degree. But you have to want to play for Ottawa.
And right to the end, our fans were behind Brady - even after Team USA won gold. I have no doubt in my mind.”
Brady has already said his trade request “wasn’t about” his brother, but Ottawa clearly doesn’t see it that way. Thomas Chabot was also asked about the topic and pushed back on the constant questions, saying, “If we keep answering those we will answer about Brady all season long. The only person in position to answer that question would be Brady.”
In Other News...
Senators Roster Battles Start Taking Shape Against Toronto
Ottawas preseason schedule starts to feel a little more real with the Senators splitting into two groups for a pair of games against the Maple Leafs, a setup that gives the club a chance to sort through roster questions while both teams still search for their first exhibition win. The lineups have already been announced, and they include a mix of established names and players trying to carve out their place, with Tim Sttzle, Drake Batherson, Andre Burakovsky and Thomas Chabot all set to be part of the evenings look.
For a team still trying to separate the locks from the long shots, these first preseason matchups are where the picture begins to sharpen. Ottawa has two games at 7:00 p.m. EST on the board, and the split-squad approach should give the coaching staff a better read on how the group is shaping up, especially with some of the rosters most important pieces stepping into the spotlight for the first time. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Face An Early Blue-Line Problem Around Jake Sanderson
The early part of training camp is already carrying a familiar concern for Ottawa on the blue line, where Artem Zubs status has become a notable question. Head coach Travis Green said Zub is unlikely to be ready for the start of the upcoming season after a knee injury from the previous postseason, a setback that matters because of how steady he has been in the Senators defensive mix.
Zubs role has been especially important beside Jake Sanderson on the top pairing, and his absence would force Ottawa to adjust sooner than planned. The Senators do have alternatives on the right side, with Jordan Spence and prospect Carter Yakemchuk among the names in the mix, but sorting out that pairing could be one of the first real lineup decisions of the fall. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Blue Line Suddenly Has An Opening Night Concern
The Senators defense has already been tested before the preseason even really gets rolling, with Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub both unavailable as Ottawa heads into its second night of exhibition action. Sandersons situation has been described as minor by head coach Travis Green, while Zub also remains out, leaving the club to sort through its options as it splits into two groups for simultaneous games against Montreal.
For a team still sorting out the blue line, these preseason looks matter more than usual. Green is using the pair of games to evaluate how players respond under game conditions and to see which defensive combinations can hold up if the depth chart gets stretched early, but the bigger question around the back end is still hanging over camp. [Read more 🡒]