NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 12, 2021

by | Apr 12, 2021 | News, NHL | 46 comments

The Sabres traded Taylor Hall to the Bruins, the Kings ship Jeff Carter to the Penguins, plus recaps of Sunday’s action and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

OVERNIGHT TRADES

TSN: The Buffalo Sabres trade left wing Taylor Hall and center Curtis Lazar to the Boston Bruins in exchange for winger Anders Bjork and a second-round draft pick in 2021. The Sabres also retain 50 percent of Hall’s $8 million cap hit to facilitate the trade.

Buffalo Sabres trade Taylor Hall to the Boston Bruins (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins hope Hall will regain his offensive form and provide them with much-needed secondary scoring. Lazar should bring some depth to their checking lines.

It’s a disappointing return for the Sabres, who were believed seeking at least a first-round pick for Hall. It’s indicative of perhaps how much the former Hart Trophy winner’s stock has fallen this season. Bjork struggled to play up to expectations in Boston and might benefit from a fresh start in Buffalo.

TRIBLIVE.COM: The Los Angeles Kings traded forward Jeff Carter to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a conditional third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and a conditional 2023 fourth-rounder. The Kings also retain 50 percent of Carter’s $5.272 million cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The conditions are based on how long the 36-year-old Carter plays. He has a year remaining on his contract. Carter’s tallied 20 goals 11 times in his career but his offense has declined in recent years. He has just 19 points in 40 games this season. Nevertheless, he should be a solid addition to the Penguins’ injury-depleted bottom-six forward lines.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs acquired goaltender David Rittich from the Calgary Flames in exchange for a 2022 third-round pick. The Flames also retained 50 percent of the pending UFA’s $2.75 million cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This move provides additional experienced goaltending depth for the Leafs behind Frederik Andersen and Jack Campbell. It also raises questions over how long Andersen could be sidelined by a lower-body injury.

NHL.COM: The Ottawa Senators traded defenseman Mike Reilly to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL draft. They also shipped blueliner Braydon Coburn to the New York Islanders for a 2022 seventh-rounder.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog had a goal and two assists to lead his club over the Anaheim Ducks 4-1. Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist as the Avs hold a four-point lead atop the Honda West Division with 60 points and moved into first in the overall standings.

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury moved into fourth place on the NHL’s all-time wins list by blanking the Arizona Coyotes 1-0. Fleury now has 484 career victories and also picked up his 66th career shutout. Tomas Nosek tallied the only goal as the Golden Knights remain four points behind the Avalanche in the West. With 43 points, the Coyotes remain one point behind the fourth-place St. Louis Blues.

Two-goal performances by T.J. Oshie, Lars Eller and Conor Sheary carried the Washington Capitals to an 8-1 romp over the Boston Bruins. The Capitals are tied with the New York Islanders with 58 points but hold first place in the MassMutual East Division on the basis of regulation wins with 20. The Bruins, meanwhile, remain in fourth place with 48 points.

Speaking of the Islanders, they edged the New York Rangers 3-2 on an overtime goal by Ryan Pulock. Kyle Palmieri tallied his first goal since joining the Isles in a trade from the New Jersey Devils.

A hat trick by Jake Guentzel powered the Pittsburgh Penguins past the New Jersey Devils 5-2. Colton Sceviour also scored twice for the Penguins (56 points), who sit two points back of the Capitals and Islanders.

Three goals late in the third period by Jeff Skinner, Rasmus Asplund and Casey Mittelstadt rallied the Buffalo Sabres over the Philadelphia Flyers 5-3. Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark finished with 40 saves. The loss moved the Flyers into a tie with the Rangers (44 points) but the latter hold fifth place with 16 regulation wins.

The Nashville Predators edged the Dallas Stars 3-2 on a shootout goal by Ryan Johansen. The Predators sit in fourth place in the Discover Central Division, holding a four-point lead over the Chicago Blackhawks.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NEW YORK POST: Washington Capitals goaltender Henrik Lundqvist announced on social media yesterday he will not be returning to play this season. Lundqvist said he’s making progress since undergoing heart surgery in January but it will be a few more months before he’s fully recovered.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks plan to open their practice facility was postponed to Monday after sidelined forward Jay Beagle was placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list. The Canucks are scheduled to return to action on Friday against the Edmonton Oilers.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers signed winger Nikita Gusev to a prorated one-year, $1 million contract. Gusev became an unrestricted free agent on April 10 after his contract with the New Jersey Devils was terminated.

NHL.COM: The department of player safety suspended Nashville Predators forward Michael McCarron two games for an illegal hit to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Yanni Gourde.







46 Comments

  1. Liking the Leafs acquisitions

    Foligno certainly adds grit to the team. Hoping he produces at his clip of previous years.

    Ritich as a buffer in case of Campbell or Freddy injury is a benefit to the Leafs.

    These moves IMHO, gets them to the semis. This is a great progression over last year (losing in play-ins). Obviously Foligno , and likely Ritich won’t be back for our Cup window (‘22-‘24 likely unless Dubas has a huge move brewing today). 👍👍👍

    The only thing I had concern with (the deal) was the overpay for Foligno. GMJK basically got for Foligno what he got for Savard and to me Savard is much more of a needle mover than a 3rd line grit winger.

    All in all 👍👍👍

    Bruins fans…. Sweeney is not in a coma ….. I think Hall will thrive there; you added depth/grit in Lazaar and bolstered the D for not a tremendous give…. so as a Bruins fan you should be 👍👍👍😄😄😄. As a Pens fan…. why did you have to wake Sweeney up 😡🤬😡🤬💩💩

    Hextall…. finally. I posted a few times about getting Carter. He can play 3C and can play wing. He is low actual cash $$$ . He is in the Burkie fold … 6’ 3”; 220. …. and for only conditional 3rd (‘22) and 4th (‘23) and at half Cap….. wow… Hextall… smokin deal. Probably one of best steals so far this trade season:

    Lost no one off roster; gained a big man with SC credentials and great hands; and very importantly keeps Zucker drain on Malkin separated 👍👍👍

    Should be:

    Sid Guentz Rusty
    Gino Kappy McC
    Carter Rodrigues Zucker
    *Blueger Turbo *Gaudreau or ZAR

    Not as good but also works:

    Could also be:

    Sid Guentz Rusty
    Gino Kappy Carter
    McC Rodrigues Zucker
    *Blueger Turbo *Gaudreau or ZAR

    Depth : Zohorna, Sceviour; *Janko; AA

    *Can all play 4C
    Hextall rating on this move:
    👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
    😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄

  2. I would have liked to get a better d but I like what I see Bjork & 2nd rounder for Hall & Lazar If Hall can regain even 70% of his form it’s a winner. Hall is fast can get mean at times and can score just needs a change of scenery. Lazar is the sleeper in the deal I don’t believe he’ll ever be a 20 goal scorer but under the right circumstances he could reach the mid teens and he plays both ends of the ice. Reilly is having one of his best years ever in Ottawa. I like it . Sweeney though after last night don’t count on it. Please no more kuhlman, zach, Blidh these guys are average Ahlers at best.

    • Rick, I think you’ll be happy with Reilly’s contribution. However, forget about Lazar ever hitting the teens in goals. The MOST he’s ever scored – at the NHL level – is 6 (3 times) and 2 of those came in Ottawa where he back-to-back seasons of 6 goals in 67gp and 76gp.

      25 goals in 317 NHL games does not serve any indication of suddenly blossoming to anywhere from 13 to 19.

      This is his 4th team since being drafted by Ottawa and I recall a regular in here back then saying, when he dealt to Calgary, that the Senators would “come to regret the move” because he was going to be a “stud.” Well, the 2017 2nd round pick they go for him turned out to be Alex Formenton.

      • “The Sens will come to rue the day when they trade Lazar”

      • Wow hall for a second and foligno for a first. His stock has fallen quite a bit

      • Hugh,

        I’m not a Hall or Foligno fan. But honestly, Toronto traded for a position of need. Overall the better hockey trade imo. Toronto needed Hall like Dubas needs a hole in the head.

        As Hall pointed out this morning, he had a lot to do with landing in Boston. Hard to squeeze a better return out of Boston when they didn’t have any other options.

  3. I might be wrong but depending on how Hall preforms the ROS and if he puts up #’s the Bruins are probably going to swap Hall for either #40 or #46 & sign him to a contract

  4. I have been saying all along , on this site – Hall would give the Bruins the “jolt” they needed !
    HERE , HE Is !!!

    I like this addition!! and makes sense !
    I think this is the best deal made yet !
    He will do well here !!!
    Lazar was an excellent junior !!
    He needs his tires pumped, as well !!!

    • Ken, the figurative NHL dumpster is full of players who were excellent as juniors but simply could not make the transition. Lazar is one of those.

  5. I was hoping we weren’t in on Hall but the price was right. I don’t think it was a case of stock falling but more of Hall had control of his destiny here. So if Sweeny offered up a second and Hall wanted to be in Boston it didn’t matter who else was in with the better offer. Like I said I was hoping this wasn’t the main target but after looking at corsi stats I think Buffalo was a dumpster fire and the loss of JE didn’t help.hopefully Hall regains his form and brings his A game. If that’s the case Sweeny may have pulled off the best deal for a forward this yr. I also like the Reilly move too. Kids got decent stats on a garbage team. And the 3rd is for next yr not this yr leaving enough assets to pull a top 4 D before 3 pm

    • BBZ you are correct; Hall on a zoom called said it helped that he had a nmc to end up in Boston.

      Maybe this was the best Adams could do because Hall had control.

      • I saw that a little bit ago. Glad that he wanted to come here. My guess in the beginning the bruins offered around 6 mill then Buff went all in at 8. Can’t blame him I guess I’d go for 8 as well lol

  6. BRUINS go from pretenders , to Contenders , they are not DONE !
    Congratulations Sweeney
    I didn’t think you had it in you!

    • Not sure Hall gives us that much of a jump but definitely in a much better position. If Sweeny can pull off an Ekholm type top 4 I’ll will agree if we are healthy. Definitely looking like the bruins best deadline in yrs.

      • I don’t think it’s a matter of Hall giving them a jump, I think it’s the other way around.

        I think Hall needs the jump. Maybe he needs a defibrillator? I don’t like this trade. But maybe he can get it going in Boston.

  7. Carter is a great move. Still has wheels and shoots first. He will get favorable matchups

    I see Lazar being engaged and playing well for the Bruins. Hall….. steal or ??

    Leafs good basic depth moves.

    • Hi ds

      Agree on all

      Excellent move to get Carter (50% 👍👍👍, nothing off roster given up; nothing in this year’s draft given up; only mid conditional rounders in out years) ….. should be 3C … moving McC up with Malkin and Kappy; or Carter goes wing with Malkin and Kappy keeping McC at 3C

      He brings hands, size, play making , and Cup Pedigree

      Very importantly… he keeps Zucker drag away from Gino

      Lazaar … good depth move; Hall…good deal… I believe he will thrive on Bruins. Depth D… check mark…. so Sweeney’s moves good for Bruins…. bad for Pens

    • Hi ds

      Conditional trade info on deal from CF

      “2022 conditional 3rd round pick* (PIT)

      2023 conditional 4th round pick** (PIT)

      *Conditions:
      The 2022 3rd round pick can upgrade to a 2nd round pick if the Penguins reach the 2020-21 Stanley Cup Final and Carter plays in at least 50% of the games.

      **Conditions: The 2023 4th round pick can upgrade to a 3rd round pick if Carter plays in at least 50 games during the 2021-22 season”

      2nd if Pens make SCF…. we’ll worth it

      3rd from 4th … 50% of games next year… he’s already 36; only owed $2M for next… so $1.6 M after Escrow ; and a further portion deferred…. max take home pay next year is less than $900 K…. and he already has maid over $70 M in his career… would he gruel out another season for less than $900 K?? Likely retires… so that pick remains as a 4th very likely

      Absolutely love the deal 👍👍👍

  8. a playoff D if healthy….not bad

    McAvoy
    Carlo
    Grezelcyk
    Reilly
    Miller
    Clifton,Lauzon,Zboril,Tinordi

    BTW…will the move DeBrusk today for a piece ?

    • Hi Joe

      I’m very excited about Pens addition, but Sweeney’s move certainly dampened that (Carter addition) elation

      I expect Hall to flourish

      Depth Lazaar …. fair move

      Got the depth at D they wanted

      All for 2nd, 3rd and Bjork…. good going Sweeney say Bruins fans
      Naughty naughty boy say Pens fans 🤬😡💩

      Net Cap Boston

      Annual in $6.3 annual out $1.6 M… net annual $4.7 M…. amount of $4.7 M for the 31 days left in the season…. ~ $1.25 M in Cap space

  9. You Bruins fans are delusional .. Hall is a chump and a locker room tumor … enjoy getting bounced out in the first round …

    • That’s funny any proof to the locker room cancer part? Outside of one incident with a coach once Iv never heard that. Sounds like someone is scared the bruins landed a guy that makes the harder to play against.

      • Wouldn’t say proof Bergy, but Andrew Ference was pretty blunt in an interview. Basically said Hall would show up for practice hung over, bragging about the night before, then dogged in in practice. When called on it by Ference (Captain at the time) told him to pound salt.

        Jason Strudwick on TSN 1260 (usually very careful when criticizing players he played with) told a story that Hall wasn’t working hard on a drill in practice and when Strudwick asked him about his response was basically – I’m the best player on this team and contribute the most so don’t talk to me about working hard in practice.

        He caught himself saying it and fluffed it up a bit, but pretty clear what he was saying about Hall. He was young then, no idea if he is still that way.

        There are numerous stories and rumors about Hall on the town when he was here. Full of himself and like to party hard. Again, people grow up. But that is what he was when he was here.

      • Never heard any of that but sounds like a louder Seguin. Shame they were both that way. Seguin passed out in his bed looking naked with a girl who may or may not have been over 18 was the last straw I believe a week later he was traded. Hopefully Hall learned his lesson because I’m pretty sure the guys in the locker room won’t let that stuff slide.

      • Rumor has it was the playoffs too Bergy.
        Trust me I am hoping Hall pays off big time as he can give them a 2nd line if he is in shape and all in.
        But I’ll believe it when I see it.

    • Make u in net in this one , Van Impe !

  10. I wasn’t that big of a pusher for Hall and if you look at his numbers this year the trade value is fair.

    However if you look at his history you certainly believe there is much more. The cost was underwhelming; Lazar has better numbers then Bjork, make that a wash and you got Hall for a second round pick. Great deal by Sweeney.

    Getting LD Reilly out of Ottawa for a third was also a trade needed. Admittedly i don’t know much about Reilly other then 18 of his 19 assist are 5 vs 5 and only a -2 on a Sens team that has given up a league worst 159 goals is a solid review, while playing over 18 minutes a game.

    I don’t think he is done, i’m expecting another LD and another forward.

    We’ve been wanting a top 6 forward and a LD, good job.

    • Reilly is a solid pickup he makes smart high percentage plays has good speed and is capable of some power play time as well. I read on the Sens FB page a lot of fans were surprised he got moved as the were expecting him to be resigned. This may be the best Deadline the Bruins have had in yrs

    • Every time I have watched Hall this year he has been brutal. Watched him in Edmonton countless times when he was here and he was a player that drove the line and drove offence. Knock was he didn’t work hard and didn’t fit into the structure, or even try to. Entitled because of his talent.
      He was young, people grow up and catch on.

      So assuming he has, he likes the puck on his stick entering the zone and creates space with his speed while maintaining possession. He has not been doing that this year, at all, so he has accomplished nothing. Why is that?
      I sure as hell don’t know, but if it continues he won’t help.

      He played well with RNH as he read him well found the ice and made a play. We’ll see if it works with Krecji as he is similar and can be really effective when he has time and space.

      Hope so, got him for pretty cheap, but he should have been cheap as he isn’t playing well. Hopefully he starts.

      Worth the gamble I suppose.

  11. Milan Lucic will be playing his 1,000 game tomorrow night …..congratulations

  12. Way to go Dubas! I knew you knew Andersen couldn’t be trusted

    • If Rittich is the Leafs tender during the playoffs, they will not win. He is the 3rd stringer.

      • Scary !!!

    • Rittich … I am not sure on either ..

  13. Bruins did well as Hall will thrive next to Krejci, perfect centre for him.

    Lazar is the plug Boston likes, physical, good in the corners and front of the net….but can’t score.

    Reilly, for what he cost is worth it, but I remember this guy as a Hab, great skater, looks awesome and has the physical attributes to be a significant top 4 D, yet given his low hockey IQ, which is quickly evident, he can’t keep a starting role.

    Hall will owe Krejci half his next contract.

    • habfan30, one thing I believe he learned playing for Smith is not to try and outreach himself. He has recognized his limitations and so stays within himself now and doesn’t take chances. He makes the sure play now. That shows in his -2 playing – a lot – for the team with the most goals relinquished by a country mile.

      • George,
        I see him playing mostly against the Habs and the same brain cramps were on display each game.

        Poor gap.
        Over extending in the O zone
        Trying for the big hit on the boards and missing.

        FYI Reilly spent parts of 3 seasons in Montreal and wasn’t a minus player, but these deficiencies were obvious and will be apparent to the Bruins and fans.

      • Heh. Do I detect a bit of “I hope I’m right” in that assessment? Perhaps, considering the opposition, he was trying just a bit too hard in those games. But the overall box-score record shows him as a + in those games,

        And as for his time in Montreal, he wouldn’t be the first unable to function under Julien. Maybe that’s why he was canned as a coach – 3 times and twice by the Habs.

      • George,
        You’re usually spot on in your assessment of players, as in the future of Sens D and the future of the team in general.

        The D before yesterday is a different matter. The 2 pylons I mentioned that seemed to upset you were both traded for 7th rounders.

        On the other hand I think you’ll be presently surprised with Victor Mete when you see him play regularly. That kid can play, he has wheels, an active stick, good first pass and I have no clue why he was run out of Montreal

  14. Lyle,

    Question re post TDL

    I know that any player traded after TDL can’t play in playoffs

    What about waiver wire pick ups after today?

    Teams are getting more roster players, so others will need to be waived to make room….. if say a playoff bound team picks up a waiver player next week.. can that player then play for the new team in this year’s playoffs??

    Thanks in advance

  15. Effectively, Carter gets back Hornqvist for the Penguins at a lower cost.

    • Hi Francis

      Not so convinced Carter produces at Horny’s rate but size, great hands, SC credentials, and several hundred games at C gives great flex…

      Play 2C… then McC goes up with Gino & Kappy ; or if they keep McC, Rodrigues; Zucker line … Carter goes up with Gino and Kappy

      Either way.. Gino won’t be dragged down by Zucker

      Was a very good move …. low return given up, no one leaves current roster

      Added bonus… if Carter retires off season… Pens actually gain Cap space due to Cap recapture…. strange but that is what is being posted around the web

      • Hornqvist has slowed since his fast start. Playing with a far better team than the Kings, he has 4 more goals than Carter, but 7 of his 12 are on the power play. The players are close at even strength.

        Could you be a bit kinder to Zucker? He’s a good player–just not so good with Malkin. Actually, Malkin has often looked like he might be dragging Zucker down.

        Zucker played well with Crosby after Guentzel went down last year. Perhaps, Rutherford traded for him while looking as much at the quality of the man as at the ability of the player, but the Foligno trade reiterates that both things count.

      • Hi Francis

        transparency here

        to be very fair I’ve been extremely sour on the acquisition of Zucker from the get-go because Jimbo paid way too much to acquire him

        it’s Jimbo’s fault for publicly stating how much he covetted getting Zucker; for many months in a row and over and over and over stated his Bromance which drove up the price

        That said Zucker has just not played well at all this year

        He has six goals and 4 assists in 24 games and is a -8 ; and in and of itself that’s not very good at all; but let’s just add to the fact that three of those goals were “gaping” net goals in which the only thing he had to do was tap the puck in. another one (goal) bounced all over the place and was a screenshot just to go in

        One of his assists was wrongly given to him instead of Pettersson (oddly enough)

        So basically 2 goals where he actually beat a goalie and 3 assists ….in 24 games

        He has the worst +/- on the team at minus 8

        Malkin is minus 2 overall; plus 5 without Zucker

        Malkin’s production was almost non existent at the beginning of the year (Zucker on line) ; right after Zucker injury…. Malkin went 13 points in 10 games; plus 6

        Zucker last 5 games… 2 points, minus 5

        So setting aside my bitterness in the acquisition price of Zucker… it is clearly Zucker severely dragging down Gino and not the other way around

        The Cap hit at $5.5 M for that impact is tough to accept

      • Pengy

        Malkin has 8 goals this season. He has just 4 power-play goals, even though Zucker doesn’t play on Malkin’s PP unit. He has 24 points in 29 games, wheras he’s always been well over a point-per game throughout his career, except for the 2011 season, no matter who his line mates were. Malkin is having a horrible season, no matter how you try to spin it.

        Zucker isn’t having a great season, either, but he had 12 points in 15 games, mostly as Crosby’s line mate, last season. However, he’s coming off a bad injury, and now has been placed on a line that he’s expected to carry because injury has left it without a center of known quality. If not for the last 5 games that you cited, a couple in which the Penguins and its goaltending totally collapsed, Zucker’s and Malkin’s plus-minus stats would be similar, Actually, put Malkin in for those disasters and take Zucker out, and there might not be any difference.

        You might be speaking out of your spite for Rutherford if you say, on the one hand that he got ripped off in the Zucker trade, and on the other hand that you’re happy with the Leafs’ trade for Foligno.

        The Leafs gave up a (low) first rounder and two fourth rounders for a thirty three year old rental player who is minus-3 with 16 points.

        The Penguins give up Alex Galchenyuk (a useless RFA), defenseman prospect, Calen Addison (a former second-rounder who still hasn’t made the NHL), and a (low) first-round pick for Zucker, who at the time of the trade, was 28, had 14 goals and 15 assists in 45 games, and who was under contract for 3 more years.

        Hats off to JR for making a good deal under the duress of having to save the season if Jake Guentzel were not to return for the playoffs.

  16. I think a couple of off the radar trades today.

    I think Philadelphia moves Patrick.

    I think NY moves a winger. My guess is Buchnevich of they can get a good return.

    I think Columbus makes a couple of moves. Elvis will leave the building.

    Maybe Laine? I certainly would explore that option. Either way I think Columbus goes in full dump mode.

    Sens, I think also ship out everything not tied to the future they can today.