Dan’s Daily: Montreal Whacks Bergevin, Sharks Waive Kane, Penguins Diamond in the Rough

The Montreal Canadiens ownership moved swiftly to change direction, and our folks in Montreal did not toss Marc Bergevin a bouquet of roses. Matt Murray cleared waivers on Sunday as the San Jose Sharks put troubled winger Evander Kane on waivers ahead of his Nov. 30 reinstatement. The Vancouver Canucks are browsing for big changes, and the Pittsburgh Penguins may have a diamond in the rough.

Jeff Gorton is the new Executive Vice President of the Montreal Canadiens. The changes were swift, and Marc Bergevin was surprised it all happened so quickly.

Montreal Hockey Now: Our beat reporter in Montreal, Jon Still, did not spare anyone’s feelings on the Bergevin era. Jon has covered the team as the radio pre and postgame host for a few years, and his take on the Canadiens – Bergevin era wasn’t glowing. A lack of accountability and misplaced loyalty brought down the Canadiens and Bergevin.

Who is Jeff Gorton, and what does he bring to the Canadiens?

To the Pittsburgh Penguins…

Pittsburgh: Perhaps everyone has underestimated Evan Rodrigues. Comparisons have flooded my comments and discussion. Is he another Bryan Rust? One person suggested Chris Kunitz? Circumstance dropped Rodrigues onto the top line. He had 12 shots, Sidney Crosby had his first multi-point game, and Rodrigues suddenly looks like a player who could impact the Penguins as more than just depth. Did the Penguins find a diamond in the rough?

Speaking of Rust, the Penguins placed him on IR and recalled Drew O’Connor on Sunday. 

NHL Rumors, News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: The Vancouver Canucks have a coach, but word leaked they’ve received permission to talk to others about the job. Yet, the Canucks don’t have a timeline for changes.

This is gonna get ugly.

San Jose Hockey Now: Evander Kane is on waivers, and his agent Dan Milstein (one of the more aggressive agents in the game), said he would report to the AHL if he clears. Sharks acting GM Joe Will seemed to tap dance around questions on Kane’s future. 

Colorado: Adrian Dater wonders if the Colorado Avalanche should be a team that puts a claim on Kane?

TSN: Matt Murray cleared waivers on Sunday. Travis Yost poked Murray and the Ottawa Senators. The Sens “buy low” approach on Murray…did not work. 

Brendan Lemieux was offered an in-person hearing for biting Brady Tkachuk on Saturday. That’s going to be at least a five-game suspension. 

Boston: The Boston Bruins and Jake DeBrusk appear headed for a split. Head coach Bruce Cassidy put him back in the press box and publicly called him out, again. 

There’s a cheap power forward..or a bust…in waiting.

Detroit: Alex Nedeljkovic is staking claim to the No. 1 goalie gig in Detroit.