Sheng’s Daily: What If Colorado Had Traded Owen Nolan for Patrick Roy?

San Jose Sharks prospect Jasper Weatherby and Ottawa Senators prospect Jacob Bernard-Docker both took a knee during the national anthem before the University of North Dakota’s season-opener.

I caught up with Weatherby after this:

Weatherby on Taking Knee During National Anthem Tonight

Sarah Avampato of Locked on Kings joins the boys to preview the rapidly improving Kings:

Get to Know the Enemy: Sarah Avampato on LA Kings

In other San Jose Sharks news…

Right about now 15 years ago, Joe Thornton was wrapping up his #SJSharks debut in Buffalo. Jumbo notched 2 assists (to Cheechoo, naturally) in a 5-0 SJS victory.

Here's the photo gallery from that seminal night in franchise history –> https://t.co/7J0i5RQ2t6 pic.twitter.com/w8OfTF9Cb9

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 3, 2020

Great thread from Darrin Stephens about this seminal night:

Today's #SJSharks on this date will be a long thread that focuses on a single game, Dec. 2, 2005 at Buffalo, Joe Thornton's SJ debut. There is a lot to unpack, several timelines converging to create a quasar from which a new team emerged.

— Darin Stephens (@SharksStats) December 2, 2020

Evander Kane challenged Jake Paul to a fight a couple days ago — Jake hasn’t responded yet, but his brother Logan Paul did — Kane says he’ll knock out the both of them. (NBC Sports Bay Area)

Thomas Bordeleau is part of arguably the greatest freshmen class in NCAA hockey history. (ESPN)

Adam Raska has made the Czech Republic’s preliminary WJC roster. (Czech Prospects)

Around the NHL…

Fascinating what-if story here: What if Colorado had dealt Owen Nolan to Montreal for Patrick Roy in 1995? What would the Avs have traded for the San Jose Sharks’ Sandis Ozolinsh? And what if their then-AHL head coach Paulin Bordeleau — Thomas’s grandfather! — had taken over the Canadiens? (The Athletic)

This is no what-if: The Vincent Damphousse trade to the San Jose Sharks is the fourth-worst trade in Montreal history. (Montreal Gazette)

Great story about Per Mars and his skate blade (and roller blades) that have changed the NHL. (The Athletic)

Because of COVID-19, the Finnish Liiga will be taking a break until December 19th. This will affect San Jose Sharks player Antti Suomela and prospects Timur Ibragimov, Santeri Hattaka, and Evan Weinger. (Liiga)

Gary Bettman on the NHL/NHLPA stalemate and the coronavirus’s “second wave.” (TSN)

More about Bernard-Docker, who’s one of four Senators prospects playing for the University of North Dakota. (Sportsnet)

DU Pioneers prepared for life in the ‘Pod’

BHN Puck Links: Could A ‘Force Majeure’ Cancel 2020-21 NHL Season?

Super Agent’s Fiery Tweets, Says Owners Using ‘Soft Threats’