NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 1, 2021
Coyotes end Golden Knights’ 10-game win streak, Canadiens rally to down the Jets, the Seattle Kraken officially join the league, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
NHL.COM: A 25-save shutout by Adin Hill gave the Arizona Coyotes a 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights to end the latter’s 10-game win streak. John Hayden, Michael Bunting and Christian Fischer were the goalscorers for the Coyotes (49 points), who sit three points behind the fourth-place St. Louis Blues in the Honda West Division. The Golden Knights remain in first place with 72 points.
Montreal Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki (NHL Images).
The Colorado Avalanche moved within four points of Vegas by blanking the San Jose Sharks 3-0. Philipp Grubauer picked up the shutout with 21 saves in his first game back from the COVID-19 protocol list while Mikko Rantanen collected three points. The Avs (68 points) opened a two-point lead over the third-place Minnesota Wild.
A four-goal rally by the Montreal Canadiens carried them to a 5-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Nick Suzuki led the way with two goals and an assist as the Canadiens (53 points) moved within four points of third-place Winnipeg in the Scotia North Division and opened a six-point lead over the fifth-place Calgary Flames. The Jets have dropped six straight games.
Anze Kopitar scored with 56 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Los Angeles Kings over the Anaheim Ducks 2-1. Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick kicked out 33 shots.
THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Seattle Kraken officially joined the NHL yesterday following the final payment of its $650 million expansion fee. The Kraken can now make player transactions and participate in league meetings and voting. Their first season will be 2021-22. An expansion draft to fill out its roster takes place on July 21.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Welcome to the NHL, Seattle Kraken. Looking forward to what will hopefully become an entertaining rivalry with the Vancouver Canucks.
CBS SPORTS: New York Rangers center Brett Howden is done for the season after suffering a fractured foot during Thursday’s loss to the New York Islanders.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets prospect Yegor Chinakhov may sign his entry-level NHL contract after helping KHL club Avangard Omsk win the Gagarin Cup earlier this week.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jackets selection of Chinakhov in last year’s draft (21st overall) left many pundits scrambling to find out who he was as he wasn’t listed among last year’s top prospects by NHL scouts. The 20-year-old forward reportedly had a solid rookie KHL performance this season.
NBC SPORTS: Former NHL star and future Hall-of-Famer Jaromir Jagr isn’t ready to hang up his skates yet. The 49-year-old winger intends to return with hometown club Kladno Knights next season after helping them earn promotion to the Czech Extraliga. It will be his 34th professional season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jagr’s last NHL season was 2017-18 when he played 22 games with the Calgary Flames before heading to Kladno to finish that season. He’s been there ever since.
What the heck is behind the Jets collapse? Have they tuned out Maurice? Goaltending?
George O,
Regression has finally caught up to them. They have allowed a ton of shots and high danger scoring chances and have been saved by terrific goal tending. Lately there goalies have been human and their recent record reflects this. Adding to this have been some recent injuries to key players like Wheeler, Ehlers and Lowry.
For those who follow them closely, how do they approach this off-season and who they likely lose to Seattle?
CapFriendly shows them with $60,970,357 committed to 13 players leaving them with $20,529,643 to get to 23 at the major league level.
They have 4 RFAs to re-up – forwards Andrew Copp coming off $2,280,000 – 15g 22a 37 pts 50gp and Marko Dano (currently in Europe?) coming off a $700,000 ELC and D Neal Pionk coming off $3,000,000 per – 3g 26a 29 pts 50 gp and Logan Stanley with an expiring ELC of $863,333 – 1g 3a 4pts in 33 gp
I assume they keep Copp and Pionk for sure so how much more they get from that $20 mil+ reserve?
Do they try and retain any of their 4 UFA Fs Stastny – $6.5 mil, Perrault – $4175,000, Thompson – $750,000 and Lewis – $750,000
3 UFA D (Benn – $2 mil, Forbort – $1 mil and Poolman (?)
and 1 UFA goalie – Brossoit $1.5 mil
and if so, at what cost. If not how do they replace them? Elevation from their system, trades, other UFA signings?
George O as I posted yesterday for the expansion draft, the Jets will either lose Mason Appleton, Demelo, Niku and I suspect they will protect Stanley.
Collapse is due to injuries poor play by Hellebuyck and what has been a weak defense for two seasons.
Lots of fire power up front, the back end needs a number 1 and number 2 dman or a top pairing if you wish.
Morrissey and Pionk are better suited as a second pairing.
They lost a lots of size and grit off the back end and it shows.
Adam Lowry resigning was important but could’ve waited until after the expansion draft and the Jets could’ve protected Appleton.
Lots in the media believe Lowry would’ve got better offers elsewhere in the off-season. His agent also knew that but Lowry wanted to stay a jet, therefore it could’ve waited and his Dad is a coach for the jets.
Caper, from your explanation that part of the collapse is due to injuries, I guess we can add lack of depth in the system if none among the rest of their roster could step up into those roles or from their AHL prospects. I don’t follow them closely enough to know much about their best prospects but if anyone does follow their system closely, how far away are their assessed top 5: Perfetti, Heinola, Sandberg, Hankins, Gustafsson?
Habfan30 I wouldn’t say Hellebuyck is playing like a good goalie, he isnt playing well at all but yet Maurice keeps pushing something like 11 straight starts.
that 5-3 score was charitable, the game was one sided from start to finish despite coming from behind to win.
The Jets haven’t fallen apart other than their porous D is being exposed by Hellebuyck playing like a good goalie instead of a godly one.
They are still a quick strike team but the team dynamic changes from the D supporting the F to the F supporting the D.
a horrible blueline, do you not watch Jets hockey???
I do. Do you? Their blue line is a weakness. Everyone who watches the Jets knows that.
No
The Jagermeister still strong at 49
Maaaaaaassssive long shot but Wouldn’t it be something for him to return to the NHL for 1 more run…. play basically every other game ….. finishing at 50…. 46 games would leave him as all time games played, he’d remain 2nd in points, 3rd in goals, 5th in assists
If he didn’t take that 3 year KHL hiatus (2008/9 to 2010/11) he’d easily have 1900 + games, 2100 + points; over 830 goals , and likely 20 straight seasons of 25 or more goals
What a career
Still looks like a beast
Seattle announcement! Jaromir jagr is first ever kraken player and captain after signing a 1 year bonus laden deal!
Snicker
Is there any truth to the story that Lemieux asked him to rejoin the Penguins to celebrate their 15th straight playoff appearance, but Jagr replied that he’s a Flyer at heart?
Chrisms and Francis
👍😄👍😄
Not sure if that was a joke or not. Doubt it. After the snub before I don’t see jagr getting pens recognition until Mario sells off his share.
Chrisms–It was a joke, and I was alluding to what I thought was a funny Lemieux-vs.-Jagr story, given the rivalry between the two teams. Maybe, you would enjoy it.
.https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/details-emerge-on-long-time-feud-between-lemieux-and-jagr
Dve in Pittsburgh did a hilarious skit on the radio back when jagr was rumored to be coming back to Pittsburgh. I wish I could disseminate it somehow
My Dad always said if the dog wouldn’t have stopped to take a crap he would have caught the rabbit.
the dumbest thing I will read on the internet all day …
No, the above is. Go away you two-bit phony.
ED do you ever have anything useful to say? Lyle I may not comment everyday as I am not up on everything like a lot of your readers. I enjoy the comments but Ed can be banned he is just a troll . I would love to see one thing he has said that makes any reader want to keep reading the comments
He successfully got you to post swany. So long as people respond to his bologna he remains successful at his chosen hobby.
George: your boys have played well of late and deserve a break. I know you are besties with Dorian. Give him a call and tell him to have his boys take the night off tonight.
LOL. Actually, that should be an interesting tilt. In a way I’m hoping the Habs catch and pass the Jets, setting up a Winnipeg-Toronto first round – with the Jets getting completely healthy by then and Hellebuyck re-finding his game.
How have the Habs fared overall against the Oilers? The latter sure have had Ottawa’s number this year. Had they managed to go just .500 against them they’d be 1 point back of Montreal. Of course, if my uncle had different equipment he’d be my aunt!
From the Oil’s perspective I would prefer they played the Jets. Oil have been good against WPG.
Habs play them tough and physical and would prefer they beat on the Leafs for a series. The Habs have shut town McDavid and Draisaitl pretty regularly.
I know I am in the slim minority on here, but the Habs will be a very tough out come playoff time. Deep physical team when healthy.
I will draw inspiration from your view, Ray. Habs’ fans – at least me – are at risk of a stroke every game trying to figure out what is with their up and down play.
Now, riddled with injuries, it is by no mean a sure thing they make the playoffs.
Caper would know but Hellebuyk sure looked like a worn out goalie in Winnipeg’s last game against the Leafs. Once in a while you need to just use the backup, Paul Maurice.
My Dad is 88 I told him Ed thinks your stupid he said who’s Ed ? Lol hit the nail right on the head.
I think I would like your dad Obe. Probably better than you.
Kidding!
Couldn’t resist.
Lol I deserve it I like needling you a bit also Marchand 1st star of the month deserves it.