NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 17, 2020

by | Nov 17, 2020 | News, NHL | 10 comments

NHL releases “Reverse Retro” jerseys plus the latest on Henrik Lundqvist, Bobby Ryan and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: The NHL and adidas released their “Reverse Retro” alternate jerseys for all 31 clubs. The jerseys will be available for purchase on Dec. 1 and will be worn by the teams during multiple games in 2020-21.

Henrik Lundqvist could return to the New York Rangers once his playing career is over (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The big reveal of these jerseys stirred up considerable buzz on social media among NHL fans but time will tell if this translates into significant sales. As I noted yesterday, I’m not a fan of alternate jerseys. However, I don’t fault the league for its current cash grab given how COVID-19 is affecting the start of the 2020-21 season and NHL revenue. They’re facing a shortened season with limited attendance and needs all the money it can get.

FOREVER BLUESHIRTS: Former New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist could be returning to the Blueshirts following his playing career. The 38-year-old goaltender told Sweden’s Goteborgs-Posten he expects to return to the club in some capacity.

I’ll be part of the Rangers for the rest of my life, in one way or another,” he said.”Both I and the Rangers have been clear about that. That’s how it will be.”

Lundqvist signed with the Washington Capitals after the Rangers bought out the final season of his contract. He’s not sure what his role with the Blueshirts will be but feels he’ll be connected to the club “forever.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The New York Post subsequently picked up the story, confirming the blog’s translation of the Swedish interview.

TSN: Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said Bobby Ryan is really motivated to have a great year with the club. The 33-year-old winger signed with the Wings after the Ottawa Senators bought out his contract. Blashill feels his experience and right-hand shot will be beneficial to the Wings’ power play. Ryan won the Masterton Trophy after publicly sharing his battle with alcohol issues.

WGR 550: The Buffalo Sabres signed prospect winger Jack Quinn to a three-year entry-level contract. They selected the 18-year-old Quinn with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers are facing a lawsuit from a Dallas hotel over two unpaid hotel bills. The first was last December worth $28,000.00 and the second was $27,000.00 for a stay in March. The club claims the error is due to an accounting glitch compounded by a timeline miscommunication and intends to pay the bill in full in a matter of days.

ESPN.COM: The Tampa Bay Lightning announced the elimination of 30 positions. The club didn’t make any money during its 2020 Stanley Cup championship run because the playoffs took place in quarantine bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton. Due to COVID-19, the Lightning lost money last season and expects to do so again in 2020-21.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They’re not the only NHL club to lose money, cut positions and lay off employees because of the pandemic. That’s why the majority of clubs are keen to return to play this season in their own arenas.







10 Comments

  1. A glitch in their system; we’re only two weeks away from December and you still haven’t paid your bills. That’s an embarrassment.

    But holy the math…. lets say 2 nights divide by 15 rooms (players double up) and whom ever else maybe travel. That’s $933.33 per room per night.

    What else is in the Hotel bill? Meals?

    • Exactly Caper. Glitch compounded with a timeline miscommunication is a BS response and is not logical. That is like saying we didn’t know we owed the money, which of course they did and you know that hotel has tried to collect numerous times. A glitch doesn’t stop you from writing another cheque.
      They finally went public so they could get paid. This is simply about hanging on to cash as long as you can.
      Bush league.

      • Tampa and Edm don’t deserve an NHL team. They should fold.

    • That is a hotel willing to risk permanently losing the business of a major client to get paid. There has to be more to the story.

      • Well they have been more than patient 2.0, and if the Oilers don’t understand that then see ya.
        They aren’t clients if they don’t pay so who cares if they go elsewhere.

  2. I’m a Bobby Ryan fan but . . . he’s “really motivated to have a great year with the club?”
    I would have hoped he, and every nhl player is really motivated to have a great year every year.
    I guess not?

  3. Tampa and Edm don’t deserve an NHL team. They should fold.

    • Hahaha how many cups do they have combined since the laughs last hoisted it Wendell ?
      Someone is a little jealous all the way from the centre of the universe haha .

      • Why is that statement based on jealousy?

        Winning a cup doesn’t make a team viable. Why have these teams way down the league

        I would rather have fewer better NHL clubs, then prop up the AHL better

  4. Well, that accounts for you. How many are in your line?