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NHL Daily: Joffrey Lupul, Buffalo Sabres, Jaroslav Halak

By Ryan Ritchie |
Dec 22, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Joffrey Lupul (19) carries the puck during the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Joffrey Lupul (19) carries the puck during the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Daily: Should the New York Islanders Trade Jaroslav Halak? Joffrey Lupul Will Begin Season on the IR, Tyler Ennis Expects Buffalo to Contend for a Playoff Spot, & More (Morning Coffee Headlines)

Grab your morning cup of coffee and join us here at Puck Prose for a compilation of NHL daily links that will help keep you updated with everything going on in the hockey world.

In today’s edition: Should the Islanders explore the idea of trading Jaroslav Halak? Reports broke Thursday that Toronto Maple Leafs F Joffrey Lupul will start the year on the injured reserve, but plans to return at some point in 2016-17, Buffalo Sabres F Tyler Ennis believes this team is ready to take the next step and earn a playoff spot, and much more!

NHL Daily: Morning Coffee Headlines

Nov 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Joffrey Lupul (19) during their game against the Washington Capitals at Air Canada Centre. The Capitals beat the Maple Leafs 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Joffrey Lupul (19) during their game against the Washington Capitals at Air Canada Centre. The Capitals beat the Maple Leafs 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Lupul to Start Year on Injured Reserve

In a report from The Hockey News, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul failed a recent physical and will start the season on the IR. Lupul does, however, have plans to return at some point in the upcoming season. [The Hockey News]

Should Islanders Trade Halak?

Michael Anderson and the team over at Eyes on Isles held a group roundtable discussing the possibility of trading goaltending Jaroslav Halak. It’s an intriguing read with six diversely ranging opinions. [Eyes on Isles]

Group Roundtable: Surprise Teams and Catalyst Players

Oct 8, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Tyler Ennis (63) during the game against the Ottawa Senators at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Tyler Ennis (63) during the game against the Ottawa Senators at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

Sabres’ Ennis Eyeing Playoffs

Buffalo Sabres forward Tyler Ennis told The Buffalo News “our mindset is now playoffs”. He also said “We’re a team that’s looking to compete and be a real threat. We’re growing. We did a great job toward the end of the year last year of really kind of finding our identity. We added some great pieces, and now it’s coming together. We’re ready to really become a solid playoff team that’s growing and isn’t a team that’s rebuilding anymore.” [The Buffalo News]

What Nugent-Hopkins Solid Play Means

After putting up a solid performance for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey, RNH is helping put the Oilers in a better position. Sammi Silber of Oil on Whyte explains exactly what Ryan’s impressive play means for Edmonton (whether he stays with the organization or not). [Oil on Whyte]

Season Preview: Metropolitan Division

May 25, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; The San Jose Sharks stand with the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after defeating the St. Louis Blues 5-2 to win the Western Conference Finals of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; The San Jose Sharks stand with the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after defeating the St. Louis Blues 5-2 to win the Western Conference Finals of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Sharks Expectations Never Higher

Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News talks about how expectations have never been higher for the San Jose Sharks. They signed free agents Mikkel Boedker and David Schlemko to four-year deals and are coming off a Stanley Cup finals loss that left a sour taste in the mouth of those veterans who worked so hard to finally get over that elusive hump. [The Mercury News]

Hudler to Replace Nichushkin?

After recent news that Valeri Nichushkin is headed to the KHL, questions have arisen as to who will fill the void. Josh Clark at Blackout Dallas explains why free agent signing Jiri Hudler may be a solid fit to replace the Russian winger. [Blackout Dallas]

Trade Rumors: 5 Hypothetical Trades That Could Make Sense

Mar 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi (7), defenseman Drew Doughty (8) and center Anze Kopitar (11) skate to the bench after a goal in the second period of the game against the Vancouver Canucks at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi (7), defenseman Drew Doughty (8) and center Anze Kopitar (11) skate to the bench after a goal in the second period of the game against the Vancouver Canucks at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Can LA Kings Adapt to New NHL?

Elliott Teaford at Los Angeles Daily News wonders whether the Kings will be able to adapt to the trend of speed and creativity in the NHL. They lost a bit of that grit and physicality this summer after Milan Lucic walked, but could find skilled/talented replacements in Teddy Purcell and Adrian Kempe. [Los Angeles Daily News]

Avs Sign Tlusty to PTO

Colorado Avalanche signed veteran forward Jiri Tlusty to a professional tryout offer (PTO) on Thursday. Tlusty played for New Jersey in 2015-16 after earning a contract on a PTO, but was unfortunately limited to just 30 games. If he can stay healthy, it could be a decent fit in Colorado. [Mile High Sticking]

NHL Daily Morning Rant

Patrick Roy was on to something in his resignation letter with the Avs. GM Joe Sakic continues to show his inexperience and inability to assemble a winning team. Fans and experts are convinced that Colorado will be better, or at least a surprise team in 2016-17.

Truth be told, they would be fortunate to claim a Wild-Card spot.

How many times do we have to watch teams attempt to build a winner through free agency? There’s a reason players reach July 1st without a contract. Yet here the Avs have convinced themselves that signing D Patrick Wiercioch, D Fedor Tyutin (bought out by the Blue Jackets), and F Joe Colborne ultimately makes them a contender.

Next: Fantasy Hockey Primer: Projections, 30-Team Analysis

The only way Colorado earns a playoff spot in 2017 is if a trio of prospects steps up to have a significant impact this upcoming season. It’s not all that farfetched actually. With names such as Mikko Rantanen, J.T. Compher, A.J. Greer, Chris Bigras, and Duncan Siemens potentially ready for a full-time NHL role, the potential is there.

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