from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet,

- During previous conversations with GM Ken Holland, he has always maintained that, if you are going to make a change in goal, you must be convinced it is an actual upgrade when giving up serious assets. I don’t think anyone would disagree with that philosophy, but there are times you have to grab your poker chips and say, “Screw it, I’m all in." Edmonton’s there, with so much at stake: McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in their primes, nearing the end of their contracts. This is your window, there’s no choice but to go for it, even if the price makes you want to hold your nose.

I do think they are contemplating things, looking at several options. There’ve been reports of Jordan Binnington, but unless the Blues are giving up on the season, they need to replace him and won’t be taking Campbell. Binnington’s also a $6-million cap hit, which would take quite a bit of finagling. Not impossible, but challenging. They’ve talked to Montreal — which doesn’t need a goalie — about the possibility of Jake Allen, but I don’t sense anything imminent. Watching Juuse Saros almost single-handedly beat the Flames on Tuesday reminds that he’s the true prize, but in addition to any return, it might cost the team an 18-wheeler full of Alberta crude and media-meal perogies....

- The Senators delivered Wednesday night. Whatever you think about Brady Tkachuk’s defence of coach D.J. Smith, one thing is true: after a passionate outburst, you have to walk the walk. They could have fallen apart several times in their 6-3 win over Toronto, but scored three in a row late to win it.

One of the things I heard from an Ottawa player is that they told new ownership/management “there’s been too much chaos” around the Senators, and what they considered most important was a calmer, less-crazy environment. So, when president of hockey operations and interim GM Steve Staios said last week the “first priority is to install stability and confidence in the group,” I believe he’s very serious about it, and that’s where it comes from.

more Thoughts, including a look at the Travelling Jagrs...