NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 3, 2021

by | Aug 3, 2021 | News, NHL | 11 comments

Kevin Fiala and Travis Sanheim headed to club-selected arbitration, an update on Igor Shesterkin’s contract talks, the Avalanche sign Ryan Murray, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

THE SCORE: Minnesota Wild winger Kevin Fiala and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim are being taken to salary arbitration by their respective teams. Arbitration hearings will be scheduled between August 11-26.

Minnesota Wild winger Kevin Fiala (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As when a player files for arbitration, the players and teams in these cases can continue to work toward new contracts before their scheduled arbitration hearings. In most instances, the arbitration date is used as a deadline to working out a new deal, avoiding negotiations dragging on for weeks.

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reports Igor Shesterkin’s decision not to file for salary arbitration suggests he and the New York Rangers are making progress toward a new contract. The 25-year-old goaltender is two years away from qualifying for unrestricted free agent status.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Walker indicated Rangers general manager Chris Drury could attempt to sign Shesterkin to a cost-effective four-to-six year deal. Shesterkin is projected to cost between $5 million and $6 million annually. She speculates a new deal for the netminder could come in closer to $5.75 million.

THE DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Ryan Murray to a one-year, $2 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murray’s signing shrinks an already shallow pool of decent free-agent talent.

ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski reports the NHL and the International Olympic Committee failed to secure an expanded media rights agreement for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Nevertheless, the league still intends to send players to those Games. Talks are reportedly ongoing between the league, IOC, NHL Players Association and the International Ice Hockey Federation.

The NHL apparently lost leverage for a bigger media rights deal when it left NBC, which hosts the Winter Olympics, to sign new broadcasting agreements with ESPN and Turner Sports.

THE MERCURY NEWS: NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league’s probe into gambling allegations leveled at Evander Kane will be done before the start of training camp next month. Kane’s estranged wife took to social media accusing the 30-year-old San Jose Sharks winger of betting on NHL games, including throwing games to win money.

NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: The Blackhawks intend to publicly release the findings of its investigation into sexual assault allegations against the team’s former video coach. The investigation has been ongoing since June.







11 Comments

  1. The av’s sign Murray who I think is pretty decent defenseman for 2 mill. Bonehead Sweeney signs FORBORT?!?! For 3 mill. What in the blue blazes is Sweeney thinking here? His adds were just horrible.

    • It’s amazing that Sweeney hasn’t hired you as an advisor since he’s only built a team which perennially challenges for the Cup and won one while you have…have…have… What’s your qualification?

  2. Personally…I would rather have both Dmen.. Ryan Murray & Derek Forbort and not a Winger .. T Nosek……not a GM just a Bruins fan

    • I agree with you Joe some people and I use that term with discretion think they have all the answers seems every time I respond I get censored. Bruins overspent and picked some retreads. I Like the Ullmark signing but they need a good rushing d. Sweeney doesn’t appear to be able accomplish that.

      • Oh you poor thing. “Seems every time I respond I get censored”. Censored by whom? Are you claiming Lyle is suppressing or altering your posts? As the administrator, he would seem to be the only one capable.
        “Some people and I use that term with discretion think they have all the answers”. Finally, I think you’ve said something that could be considered correct. You think you’ve got all the answers. Nevermind answers, you don’t seem know the right questions. The Bruins most needed a big, left shot, stay at home d-man, not another puck rusher.

    • Murray can play O & D and is probably better than Clifton, they needed depth on D .. Sweeney/Neely own words not another W/C … Nosek

  3. Bettman going to look into Kane gambling allegations. This is a very serious matter he says.

    Bettman extremely upset at Montreal for drafting Mailloux, he has two daughters and a grand daughter and will be monitoring this situation very closely.

    Bettman on Chicago sex violence allegation against two former players. The team is handling it , we have no further comment.

    Is it because it’s two adult males? and therefore; doesn’t get the same kind of attention? This pr#@k went on to assault another 17yr old boy; but nothing to see here.

    Society can’t change if you going to blame the victim because he’s an adult male; therefore for some reason it’s ok.

    • Everything you mentioned is just an absolute embarrassment to the whole league.

      Amazing how many ‘persons of power’ can run leagues, teams, etc. but can’t figure out how to do the right thing when it is obvious how very wrong it might be.

      And why is that you ask? Because the bottom line is that they really only care about…the bottom line. The rest is window dressing. These people truly do not care.

  4. Never trust an internal chicago investigation.

    • Never trust any internal investigation on something that is potentially embarrassing or has negative consequences.

      Not saying that is what Chicago will do, I don’t know, but there seems to be a conflict of interest here.

      • It has the looks Hall signed at a discount just maybe thinking Krejci was going to be his center instead being involved with a center by committee as it stands now