NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 29, 2020

by | Oct 29, 2020 | News, NHL | 8 comments

The latest on Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Tyler Bertuzzi, the Senators sign Alex Galchenyuk, the updated arbitration schedule and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

AZCENTRAL.COM: Arizona Coyotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson didn’t want to be traded and is happy to be staying put. He made those comments in an interview with a Swedish hockey website. The 29-year-old defenseman has a no-trade/no-movement clause in his contract but said he didn’t want to stand in the organization’s way if they wanted to move him.

Arizona Coyotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson (NHL Images).

Ekman-Larsson provided a list of two clubs (Boston and Vancouver) he’d accept being traded to but indicated he wanted nothing better than to remain in Arizona. He added he really enjoyed living there. He’s currently in Sweden but is expected to return to Arizona in mid-November.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Coyotes were attempting to shed salary by moving Ekman-Larsson, who has seven years remaining on his contract worth an annual average value of $8.25 million. His happiness at remaining in Arizona aside, this might not be the last time the club approaches him about a possible trade within the next couple of years. One wonders if he’d agree to expand his list of possible trade options or put his foot down and refuse.

DETROIT FREE PRESS: Tyler Bertuzzi isn’t taking it personally that it required arbitration to get a one-year. $3.5 million contract with the Red Wings. He downplayed the possibility of acrimony toward management, saying there was “nothing personal at all.” While admitting it was different than anything he’d gone through in previous contract negotiations, he said he was happy with the result and looking forward to next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bertuzzi filed for arbitration and is eligible again next year. However, I think he and the Wings will attempt to avoid going through that again, especially if he has another solid performance.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators signed Alex Galchenyuk to a one-year, $1.05 million contract. The 26-year-old forward is joining his fourth team over the last two seasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An affordable short-term move to replace the departed Anthony Duclair. This could also be Galchenyuk’s last chance to salvage an NHL career that’s declined following a career-best 30-goal, 56-point season with the Montreal Canadiens in 2015-16.

NHLPA.COM: Seven hearings remain on the NHL salary-arbitration schedule. Buffalo’s Victor Olofsson and Carolina’s Warren Foegele are slated for hearings on Nov. 4, New York Rangers’ center Ryan Strome on Nov. 5, the Rangers Brendan Lemieux and the New York Islanders’ Ryan Pulock on Nov. 6, Ottawa’s Christian Jaros on Nov. 7 and Florida’s MacKenzie Weegar on Nov. 8.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bertuzzi was the only one that required a hearing to receive a new contract. It’ll be interesting to see if any of the remainders also require arbitration.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars unveiled a new black and neon green alternate jersey.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Former Oilers defenseman Andy Sutton is launching his own hockey equipment brand specializing in high-end products at affordable prices.

THEAHL.COM: The American Hockey League announced it has moved its anticipated target date for its 2020-21 season to Feb. 5, 2021 because of the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis.

SPORTSNET: The Ontario Hockey League is discussing a 40-game regular-season schedule for 2020-21 beginning on Feb. 4, 2021.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both leagues are among the main development systems for the National Hockey League. Those dates could signal when the NHL could return to action in 2020-21.







8 Comments

  1. I love the AG signing. Low risk, potential for high reward. I also think it takes some of the pressure off of Stuetzle or Forementon to come in and perform immediately or it could be an indication they want to place Stueztle at center ice.

    Regardless, Dorion is having a really banger offseason.

    • JJB, it could also mean that one of the kids – Logan Brown or Brannstrom – or perhaps one of the better D prospects in the system – are ticketed for an upcoming trade with one of the cap-strapped teams for an established 3/4 D-man. Just speculation on my part because, otherwise, the signing didn’t make a whole lot of sense.

      • I’m not sure about that George. Really, the Sens as it stands were going to be looking at a LOT of young guys to slide into their line. Stueztle & L. Brown, & Batherson seem like a lock up front.

        Then they still had Norris, Forementon, & Abromov to look at. Bringing in Gally, eases the pressure and with this weird year perhaps just let’s them sit back and dominate the AHL without gutting Belleville.

        Tkachuk – White – Batherson
        Stuetzle – Brown – Dadonov
        Gally – Tierney – Brown

        To me the odd duck out in Ottawa’s future is White as well as trying to figure out if Stueztle/Norrks can be the #1 center.

        I also think Brannstrom has completely reignited his stock again. He looked great in Belleville to end the season and he is looking great to start this season. I’m not moving out Brannstrom yet personally. I still think he has a chance to be the best or second best defender on the team.

  2. Ekman-Larsson is a joke talking out of both sides … didn’t want to stand in the way but gives the Coyotes a huge list of TWO teams he’d be willing to go to .. overpaid and overrated …

  3. Morning (after) Icebreaker

    Assign this ficticious quote to a newsmaker:

    “I signed for What??!! …..with Who??!!”

    • More graffiti

      • Like Banksy? Thats flattering George! You are usually so grouchy.

  4. Sweden tested the hypothesis of developing “herd immunity” to covid, taking a business-as-usual approach. That approach hasn’t worked out too well, maybe to the extent where teams could be a bit nervous about acquiring an $8 million+ player living in Sweden. I’m sure Oliver makes the Coyotes nervous when they see that they have the greatest cap overrun in the league while finishing eleventh in their conference.