Daily Cupcakes: October 4th, 2017

Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche picks up defensemen from Dallas, cuts roster to 23. Patrik Nemeth, 25, had spent his entire career with the Stars. [Denver Post]

NHL puts young hockey players’ Olympic dreams on hold. Almost six months since the league announced it would skip the Pyeongchang Olympics, most of the NHL’s best players are resigned to their missed opportunity. [The Star]

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly on the Avalanche’s final preseason week. [BSN Denver]

The Rest of the Game

Picking the music in NHL locker-rooms a delicate balancing act. [Times Colonist]

Golden Knights, NHL make joint donation to Las Vegas first responders. Foley Family Charitable Trust also helps in $300,000 effort. [NHL]

Fighting in the NHL is making a late-round comeback — because today’s enforcers can actually play. Eleven days after relying on skill and speed to win back-to-back Cups, Pittsburgh traded a first-rounder to the Blues for their biggest bodyguard. [National Post]

Sabres lock up Jack Eichel for 8 years, $80M. No. 2 pick in 2015 NHL draft had 24 goals and 57 points last season. [CBC]

Gary Bettman on possible Seattle NHL team: ‘We’re nowhere near that’. [Sportsnet]

Lightning coach Cooper inspired to help fight cancer. Moved by death of young fan, hosts annual charity fishing event in Tampa. [NHL]