Kings’ Milan Lucic suspended, plus updates on Connor McDavid, Sergei Bobrovsky and more in your NHL morning coffee headlines.
Steven Stamkos was offered an eight-year contract worth $68 million by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Corey Crawford made 25 saves as the Blackhawks blanked the Blues. The latest in your NHL hat trick.
Notable NHL Headlines.
Kings forward Milan Lucuc sucker-punches Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connaughton.
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Kings left wing Milan Lucic received a one-game suspension for sucker-punching Arizona Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton during Saturday’s game between the two clubs.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky’s latest groin injury (his third of the season) is a growing concern for Blue Jackets management.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As it should be. Bobrovsky’s their franchise goaltender. The former Vezina Trophy winner has been plagued by nagging groin injuries since 2013.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers rookie center Connor McDavid (broken clavicle) has received clearance to return to the roster on Feb. 2. He’s also agreed to participate in practices with the club’s AHL affiliate in Bakersfield during the NHL All-Star break.
CBS SPORTS: Ottawa Senators winger Bobby Ryan’s goal in his club’s 3-0 shutout of the New York Rangers also helped a couple of young Senators fans get a puppy from their father.
THE DENVER POST: Offseason acquisition Carl Soderberg has proven to be a valuable addition to the Colorado Avalanche.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Soderberg trade was among last summer’s most underrated deals. He’s currently third in Avs scoring.
NORTHJERSEY.COM: Wrist surger will sidelined Devils forward Jiri Tlusty for three-to-four months.
ESPN.COM: cited a New York Post report claiming several Madison Square Garden employees were recently suspended for allegedly scalping Rangers and Knicks tickets.
Lucic wasn’t doing much of that when guys like Colton Orr were keeping him honest.
The difference is, Lucic could play hockey. Colton Orr was a one-dimensional goon who was a liability every time he stepped onto the ice.
My position was absent those one dimensional players, the game has gotten worse. Players are not accountable, leaving players like Lucic free to take advantage of the loss of the enforcer in hockey. Hockey is worse for it.
As for Lucic’s hockey ability, all players who play in the NHL have hockey ability, some with better abilities than others in certain facets of the game. While Orr may not have the scoring ability of Lucic, Lucic doesn’t have the fighting ability of Orr – and at that time both had a role in hockey. At 6.0 million per year, one would hope for better than 12 goals so far this year, or a paltry 18 goals last year. Lucic is overrated.
Yeah Colton Orr….how many times did Derryk Engelland knock him out? 2? 3? More times than Orr had goals that’s for sure.
Totally agree – While Orr wasn’t the most successful fighter or 4th liner, he did what needed to get done to police things.
That to me is where I can appreciate his value. He i sort of like a burner phone – it’s cheap, you need it to get the messy jobs done and you won’t cry when it comes time to pitch it or not use it for periods of time.
Lucic only picks on little guys or sucker punches big ones
Or the league could police crappy behavior by suspending and penalizing players. Don’t need a sheriff if the leagues would more severely penalize players for thuggery.