Storm Advisory 2/6/19: NHL News, Rumors, Links and Daily Roundup

Auston Matthews mania, a new lid for Mac, award watch and spirit animals?

By Justin Lape@LankyLape Feb 6, 2019, 9:03am EST

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NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at Columbus Blue Jackets

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The Canes all named their “spirit animal” and...uh, things got a little odd:

Naming a spirit animal is great

Imitating your spirit animal is better pic.twitter.com/i4b84HmT9i
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) February 5, 2019

[wide open eyes emoji]

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@mcelhinney_c30 @nhlcanes @ccmgoalie @tamcopaint #goaliemask #dielairbrush

A post shared by David Leroux (@dielairbrush) on Feb 5, 2019 at 5:31pm PST

This is freaking awesome: the Canes held a skating session with blind athletes to teach them the game. [ABC11]
Auston Matthews re-signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs yesterday for five years at an average annual value of $11.634 million. [Toronto Star]
Matthews says he has one goal: to bring a cup to Toronto. [Global News]
The Tampa Bay Lightning, however, say it’s their turn. [USA Today]
More bold statements from Leafs GM Kyle Dubas:

Leafs GM Dubas on Marner: "We're respecting their wishes . . . . When they're ready to sit down, we'll talk. He's going to be a Toronto Maple Leaf for a long time, regardless of how we have to come to that."
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 5, 2019

An early guess at how some of the awards may pan out by season’s end. [ESPN]
This week’s 31 Thoughts. Nothing about the Canes this week, which probably means a ten-player deal is imminent. [Sportsnet]
The crazy travel story from Colton Parayko’s dad. [St. Louis Blues]
A cactus prick likely caused an ex-NHL player’s life-threatening infection. [Yahoo Sports]