NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 9, 2020

by | Oct 9, 2020 | News, NHL | 40 comments

The Jets are reportedly close to acquiring Paul Stastny, Justin Williams retires, the Canadiens re-sign Josh Anderson, the Devils buy out Cory Schneider, and much more in the NHL morning coffee headlines.

WINNIPEG SUN: Scott Billeck cites sources claiming the Jets are working on a trade that would bring Paul Stastny back to Winnipeg. Stastny was briefly part of the Jets in 2017-18, helping them reach the Western Conference Final before signing with the Vegas Golden Knights as a free agent. It’s believed the Jets will take on his full $6.5 million salary-cap hit on the final year of his three-year contract, with the two clubs also swapping draft picks.

**UPDATE** TSN’s Darren Dreger reports Stastny to Winnipeg for a 2022 fourth rounder and defenseman Carl Dahlstrom

Vegas Golden Knights center Paul Stastny could return to the Winnipeg Jets (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bringing back Stastny could address the Jets’ need for a second-line center. That suggests sidelined center Bryan Little’s status for next season remains in doubt while putting to rest the trade speculation swirling about winger Patrik Laine.

It will also signal the Golden Knights are shedding salary to be busy in the free-agent market, which opens at noon ET today. The move could also be an indicator of the difficulty the Golden Knights are having trying to move goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in a cost-cutting deal.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Carolina Hurricanes winger Justin Williams announced his retirement yesterday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Williams and his family in his future endeavors. He spent 19 seasons in the NHL with the Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals, winning the Stanley Cup with the Canes in 2006 and two Cups with the Kings in 2012 and 2014. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy during the latter run, earning the nickname “Mr. Game 7” by holding the record for most points (15) in Game 7 situations. In 1,264 games, Williams tallied 320 goals and 797 points. He also had 41 goals and 102 points in 162 playoff games.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Two days after acquiring winger Josh Anderson, the Canadiens re-signed him to a seven-year, $38.5-million contract. The annual average value is $5.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s a hefty new contract for a 26-year-old winger who’s yet to suit up for the Canadiens,  has one good season (27 goals, 47 points in 2018-19) and missed most of last season to a shoulder injury that required surgery to repair.

General manager Marc Bergevin envisions the 6’3”, 222-pounder as a power forward. This will be seen as a worthwhile investment if Anderson has fully recovered from his surgery and plays up to expectation. Otherwise, it’ll provide additional fodder for Bergevin critics and turn up the pressure on Habs ownership to fire their GM.

NORTHJERSEY.COM: The New Jersey Devils placed goaltender Cory Schneider on unconditional waivers yesterday for the purpose of buying out his contract. Schneider, 34, lost the starter’s job to Mackenzie Blackwood. He has two years left on his contract worth $6 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schneider was among the NHL’s top goalies from 2013-14 to 2015-16. Injuries, however, hampered his performance in recent years. His buyout will count as $2 million annually against the Devils’ cap through 2023-24.

NJ.COM: The Devils also acquired defenseman Ryan Murray from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2021 fifth-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murray is a skilled defenseman plagued by injuries for most of his career. He has a year remaining on his contract worth $4.6 million. If he stays healthy he could be a worthwhile addition to the Devils’ blueline. They still have over $25 million in salary-cap space and could use some of it in the upcoming free-agent market.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets also traded defenseman Markus Nutivaara to the Florida Panthers for minor-league forward Cliff Pu. Nutivaara, 26, has two years remaining on his contract worth an annual average value of $2.7 million.

THE SCORE: The Jackets also placed center Alexander Wennberg on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a contract buyout. The 26-year-old has three years left on his contract worth $4.9 million AAV. For buyout purposes, however, he’ll be considered 25 as that’s what his age would’ve been during a normal regular season when the buyout period would be in June. That means his buyout will be calculated at one-third the remaining value, rather than two-thirds.

NHL.COM: The Jackets also re-signed goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks to a two-year, two-way contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The moves leave the Jackets with $14.2 million in cap space, more than enough to re-sign Pierre-Luc Dubois and perhaps leave enough for an addition or two via trade or free agency.

NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: Long time Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford is heading to the free-agent market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crawford spent 13 seasons with the Blackhawks, 10 of those as their starting goalie. He backstopped them to two Stanley Cups (2013, 2015) but has been plagued by injuries over the past three seasons. Expect the Blackhawks to seek his replacement via trade or free agency.

SPORTSNET: The Ottawa Senators acquired defenseman Erik Gudbranson from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2021 fifth-round pick. He has a year remaining on his contract with an AAV of $4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Another short-term pickup by the Senators to take some pressure off their developing young defensemen. The Ducks, meanwhile, have $4.47 million in cap space and will get an additional $6.875 million in wiggle room should Ryan Kesler remain on long-term injury reserve.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Goaltender Tuukka Rask said he doesn’t want to play for anyone but the Bruins. Rask’s name recently surfaced in trade rumors, prompting GM Don Sweeney to claim the goalie is a “big part of the roster going forward.” Rask is a year away from unrestricted free agent eligibility.

TSN: The Dallas Stars lifted the interim tag from head coach Rick Bowness, who is expected to sign a new contract with the club.

SPORTSNET: The Stars also released a lengthy list of their injured players following the Stanley Cup playoffs. Among the notables was Jamie Benn (shoulder surgery before the schedule was paused), Tyler Seguin (knee, torn labrum), Ben Bishop (knee surgery in May), Roope Hintz (fractured ankle) and Anton Khudobin (arm surgery).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seguin received criticism for his offensive struggles during the postseason. This is yet another reminder that an NHL player failing to play up to expectations in playoff action is usually nursing an injury that would sideline athletes in other sports.

WGR 550: The Buffalo Sabres are close to re-signing forward Zemgus Girgensons to a three-year contract worth around $2 million per season.

TRIBLIVE.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed forward Sam Lafferty to a two-year contract with an AAV of $750K.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens re-signed defenseman Noah Juulsen to a one-year, two-way contract.

 

 







40 Comments

  1. Hearkening back to the convo on the Mtl – CBJ trade in which I noted that CBJ won the trade hands down; now Domi is signed for 200K less per year, on a 2-year show-me contract. Bergevin has found a way to throw even more eggs in Anderson’s basket. He better hope he gets at least 40 points while simultaneously having Domi crap out.

    • I would suggest Domi’s success is irrelevant and the success marker is 25 goals or more from Anderson.

      Not saying it happens, just that makes it a good hockey trade.

      If it happens and Domi tanks, then Bergevin gets to be a genius or an idiot savant.

      • Hi Shaun

        There are GMs out there that are certainly not geniuses and act like the other (less “savant”)

      • Both domi and Anderson contracts point to more evidence that nhl gms didn’t get the economic downturn memo.

      • Hi Josh, Marc Bergevin here.
        Hello Marc, I know I only had one goal last year and major shoulder surgery. I wish you could have seen me play this year to prove I can still produce…….
        Stop it Josh, you had me at hello. Here is a $7 year $38.5M contract.

      • I think trades are always evaluated based on what each player does for their respective new teams. For example, if Domi gets 30 goals and Anderson gets 25; is it still a success? (Not saying Domi will or is likely to get 30)

        If this were 1 for 1, I probably wouldn’t have been so low on it. And a 3rd isn’t necessarily a huge throw in, but it’s not peanuts either.

    • Totally disagree … Josh Anderson is a beast and no doubt Bergy checked his medical records … this could be a steal for the Habs … Domi did nothing but figure eights last season …

      • Did more than Anderson did. Has had more points than Anderson in every single season.

        This COULD be a good deal for both teams. But having given out a 7 year contract to a guy who hasn’t played in 300 days. Montreal better hope he is back to form. I still disagree that teams are out sharing detailed medical records when “upper body injury” is the norm, but I’m not in the business of course.

      • AS I grow older, I have realized that grading a trade the day/ year of never tells the story.

        I was adamant Bergevin was a f^#king idiot the day he traded PK for Weber.

        As it stands now, MB is looking better every year on this deal.

        What stands out to me is Anderson’s skating ability. Not only can he play the dirty areas, play a rugged role, adds goods size, has the ability to score 20 to 30 goals on a full season, the bugger can skate with speed.

        Today it may look like a bad deal, but lets wait to see what he brings to the Habs on the ice before passing judgement.

        Personally, I like the trade. I did like Max, but for whatever reason, he lost the coach’s favour, as did Galcheyuk.

        So right now as it sits, Galchenyuk & a 3rd rder for Anderson. That said, Galchenyuk maybe hard pressed to find employment in the NHL from this point forward.

  2. I have posted many times before ….I think the Statsny move to Jets is good for both sides

    Jets are familiar with him and visa versa, and they need a C, only 1 year left

    Knights are replacing Glass with Statsny… netting cap advantage of $5.6 M; and. Glass is bigger, faster, 14 years younger

    I will not be surprised if this goes through pre noon, that Knights do full court press on Petro

    Congrats on your retirement Justin… enjoyed watching you play all these years

    The Anderson contract is good for both if he has fully recovered and plays to his potential,,… hoping so for Habs sake… if not and he plays at his low end of recent performance…. not a good contract for Habs

    All these moves and buyouts plus Dubinsky likely on LTIR for year… leads me to think Jarmo will be ma big shopper today

    I had to do a double peek re the numbers showzing on the buyout on Wennerberg.. with so little showing… I then remembered that his buyout is one of those rare ones… buyouts are 2/3rds spread out over twice as many remaining years…. unless the player is 26 or younger (rare to be bought out that young)…. where it drops to 1/3rd over twice as many years remaining… his original Cap of $5.3 is now showing only at $442 K

    Re GudB on Sens…. don’t worry George… just one year… looks like Dorion just wanted to bring in some size and some veteran presence for the young crew

    Pens…. please sign a 3RD today… Stetcher, Benning, Psyk (who can play W & D) or Bowey … can fit in Cap

    Leafs… D improvement is mandatory; then grit please

    • That’s essentially what I said on yesterday’s thread early this morning re Gudbranson, Pengy, in response to Ron Jull’s accurate observation that he was “beyond brutal in Vancouver” which I may as well repeat in this updated thread:

      “Yeah, Ron, I’m well aware of how badly he performed in Vancouver … just hope he has quit trying to play up to what everyone expected from a top pick and continue with the simple stay-at-home role he showed this past season in Anaheim. Let’s face it, he’s a stop-gap veteran presence for 1 season while young guys like Thompson, Bernard-Docker and Sanderson get a bit more seasoning in Europe and U.S. college circuit and will go to free agency next year.”

      I should add, I hope Coach Smith can get him away from his frequent tendency to skate out of position for the sake of a big hit … and just keep playing as he did in 51gp this past season with Pitt & Anaheim when he posted 4g 5a and a 0 +/1.

      • Hi George

        Sorry hadn’t seen your post in that yesterdsy.

        Certainly wasn’t trying to duplicate posts… guess we’re in same page in this

        When he played for Pens I didn’t have an issue … certainly pricy as a bottom pairing with ovcasional stints on 2nd pairing due to injury

        But he was massively massively better than Pens recent buyout; and just “much better” than Chad Ruehweedel

        Again… it was the Cap hit for his position in the teams depth chart , to me, that was a concern

        Cap Hit ($4M) irrelevant to the space heavy Sens

        $3M cash… a bit high , but nit by that much… size, veteran presence … for a fifth…reasonable move

        Sens rounding out really well… hopefully Duclair circles back

        Are Sens going to have enough “exposable” (to Krakken) qualified players (after their protection list)?

        That’s a good quandary to be in

      • Look for Dorion to address that last issue today, sometime – he still has lots of cap to play with – the only thing that’s cause for a bit of concern there is, after they get their RFAs under contract, how close are they to the max 50 in the organization? I imagine just about every team has to keep an eye on that number along the way.

      • I think the young Sens just grew an inch taller with Gudbranson coming over.
        He also seems like a guy you could trade for at the deadline for D depth and some toughness if required when the games get more intense. Some veteran leadership as well.

        I get it, a little expensive, but I get it.

      • Hi George

        there’s no way that sens reach their Cap of 50 players by the end of the day

        as it stands right now showing on capfriendly it looks like they have 22 spots they still have to fill to get up to 50

    • Bringing back Stastny is not the answer.

      I hope Chevy wake-up and leaves Stastny as Vegas headache.

      By Winnipeg trading for Stastny, they hurt themselves by helping Vegas.

      Stastny best days are long gone and unless Vegas is holding 50% of the cap and giving the jets a 1st round pick. Walk away.

      • agreed. this looks like a mistake to me.

        What I love about Chevy is that he is a cool customer who manages in a deliberate, controlled, low-risk manner.

        What I hate about Chevy is the same reserve that didn’t find the gumption to take a risk somewhere else. Stasny wasn’t enough in 2018 even with Little around, there is no good reason to think this is a significant move. 6.5m better spent somewhere else… and we just helped out Vegas. Stasny should have stayed in Vegas.

  3. This will be very very interesting to see how many signings (to new teams) are announced in the first hour

    Other than buyout guys … where they could negotiate right after they were officially bought out (expect Hank announcement to be one of the first)…. all other UFAs are not even supposed to be taking to any other team (tampering)

    Previously they had the 4 or 5 day courtship period for pending free agents… so announcements at 12:01 PM could happen

    Will be interesting

    I have PVR set

    • It will record hours of essentially nothing.

  4. ANA is off to a good start. They essentially traded a traffic cone for a 5th and Tyson Barrie.

    • Excuse me… a “griity” traffic cone.

    • Tyson Barrie … some more of your exclusive “inside knowledge?”

  5. Excuse me… a “griity” traffic cone.

    • You didn’t spell “griity” right the second time either

  6. Pengy. The buyout calculator is 25 and under. Because of coved, Columbus was able to do. There’s an extension in place where buyouts today are based on players age back in June

  7. Josh Anderson contract can you spell David Clarkson ………..

    • Or Milan Lucic, or James Neal….

      He’s a solid young player and as much as I like his physical game that’s a long commitment to a big guy who plays that style. Even as a Bruins fan I hope it works out better for him….

    • That would be a long-term disaster. Advice to the Habs: keep your fingers crossed and trust in the medical marvels of today’s science.

    • @Obe, and others immediately above and below:

      Few things are more sterile and ridiculous than evaluating the results of a trade where the players involved have yet to take a shift with their new teams. How about coming back in two years?

      Obe specifically but not exclusively, you cannot have any knowledge about the recovery from a torn labrum. We are not talking about severed head, folks. Do your research before you post. Equating Anderson’s injury to Clarkson’s is begging for ridicule.

      • I have an opinion I don’t see it working out long term hope he proves me wrong but I don’t believe he will. Reminds me of my Bruins signing Matt Beleskey horrible move for a player with one good year. Maybe do your homework the guy is big and strong but in my opinion it is way to long and to much cash and I’m not only one saying this.

  8. Good morning, Lyle.

    Once more, this “re-signing” business.

    Anderson was not “re-signed” by the Habs, could not have been as they had never signed him previously.

    Plus: I am looking at the Montreal Gazette right now, it is 18 inches in front of my nose.

    In 5 different places the word “signed” is specifically used.
    Nowhere, nowhere is the word “re-signed”, that you quote, used.

    I realize that you might think this is a bit “bébé la la”, but, for a writer of your quality – an expanding presence, and (I think) a big future – getting it write is getting it right.

    Sorry if this disturbs your wa.

    rich

    • I think the implication there is that Anderson signed with the team currently holding his rights and is therefore “re-signing” versus a UFA “signing” with a new team.

      • File that under “a classic distinction without a difference”

      • I’m with Doubleminor on this one. They currently hold his contract, therefore it is a re-signing.

        (but yeah, George is right)

      • Rattus’ post did cause me to Google “bébé la la”, so I did at least get my French lesson in for the morning!

  9. Disturbs me

    • Whalercane,

      I have the misquoted Gazette article in front of me, in 5 different places it says he “signed”, not “re-signed”.

      I have the Globe and Mail in front of me, it says he “signed”, not “re-signed”.

      I have so far checked 6 different news sites, each of which says he “signed”, not “re-signed”.

      Even Eklund, master of the egregious error, writes “signed”, not “re-signed”.

      And do you want to know why that is?
      Well, it’s because he actually didn’t “re-sign”.
      He “signed”.

      The Habs, yes, held his contract, when he signed with them yesterday, but he had never signed with them before.
      He had signed with Columbus.

      To say therefore that he “re-signed”, and to quote The Gazette as having said so, is both inaccurate and misleading.

      Listen, I am a big Spec fan, I probably pre-date all of you on this site
      When I first came here Lyle was still also serving in the Cdn Armed Forces.

      He has always been very reasonable and polite any time he has responded to me personally.

      Why do I say this now?
      Because I am a fan, pure and simple.

      Also, I have done what I now do for decades, but I still do remedial upgrading every year, CME actually.

      I WANT to improve my game, get better, smooth things off.

      This is what this is about.

      Not some “gotcha” moment.

      Be well.

      rich

  10. Excuse me. A “gritty” traffic cone.

    • A gritty traffic cone with size.

  11. I like Anderson the player, was hoping to see him in a Boston uni; however, no way would I give him a 7yr deal.

    Why not 2yrs show me your injury is behind you and even if it is, the later years of this deal are not going to age well.

    If he plays up to his capabilities this will be of good value for the first 3yrs.