NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 27, 2021
The Kraken win their first-ever preseason game plus the latest on Mark Stone, Jonathan Drouin, Semyon Varlamov, Jakub Vrana and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Seattle Kraken tasted victory in their first-ever preseason game on Sunday, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 5-3 in front of 10, 208 raucous fans at Spokane Arena. Morgan Geekie snapped a 3-3 tie early in the third period and added an insurance goal midway through the frame to seal the win.
THE ATHLETIC: Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone and defenseman Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb were injured in a 4-2 preseason loss to the San Jose Sharks on Sunday. Stone left the game after being struck by the puck on the right ear. He received stitches but didn’t return. There were no post-game updates on Theodore and McNabb.
Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vegas coach Pete DeBoer said the decision to keep Stone out of the game was precautionary. He doesn’t think the injury to his captain is serious.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Jonathan Drouin received a warm welcome from Canadiens fans during their annual Red vs White scrimmage yesterday. It marked the first time Drouin played in front of Canadiens fans since 2019-20. He left the team late last season for personal reasons that were later revealed to be anxiety and insomnia issues.
Meanwhile, rookie winger Cole Caufield was scratched after feeling uncomfortable during the warmup. He’s listed as day-to-day but head coach Dominique Ducharme doesn’t feel it’s anything serious.
THE ATHLETIC’s Arthur Staple tweeted New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov still isn’t skating as he remains sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
MLIVE.COM: Detroit Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana will see a specialist today to determine the severity of the shoulder injury suffered on Saturday.
CBS SPORTS: Calgary Flames center Tyler Pitlick left Sunday’s 4-0 preseason loss to the Edmonton Oilers in the first period with a lower-body injury.
THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar realizes he’s on the hot seat this season. His club failed to advance past the second round of the playoffs in the last three years. Another disappointing finish could spell the end of his job.
Bednar spoke at length over the summer with Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper. Like Bednar, Cooper felt similar pressure after his own Presidents’ Trophy-winning team was swept in 2019 from the opening round by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He went on to guide the Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.
Bruins 3-2 with basically an ahl/junior squad. Swayman will not only be the bruins number #1 netminder soon, he’ll be one of the best in the league some incredible stops lastnight. Lauko showing some speed and strength nifty little toe drag, Lysell amazing speed, had some chances around the net not afraid to go into the dirty areas. Got pushed last night and immediately pushed back. ahcan sound defense showed some offensive flair. Huala won just about every face off and chipped in a goal. Clifton best d on ice. By far best player Jake Debrusk constantly driving to the net got a goal in regulation and winner in shootout. I think Lysell would be a standout in Providence but he’s heading for Vancouver of whl
Props to Sweeney!
Last week Sweeney was a bum, worst GM in hockey, needed to be fired right now! I’m thinking they hold on to him until he pulls off a trade of low first round draft picks, mid-level prospects and Charlie Coyle (it sounds like Debrusk is out of the dog house after one preseason game) for Jack Eichel. They can fire him after he pulls that miracle off!
Sweeney couldn’t predict what time it is five minutes from now. I want to see him out of Boston for good.
Way Too much is put on Bednar for not getting to Cup past year
They won the presidents cup on a tie-breaker (Knights) and last reg season game v Knights; Knights were playing with (if memory serves) only 16 or 17 skaters (Cap reasons)… if that game or any other of the Knights /Avs tilts (reg season) goes the other way…. Knights win Pres trophy
…. and Avs with injuries; lost 2nd round to Knights (their effective “co-prez trophy” winners)
This year; they are likely headed up to the same match-up; this time in the WCF
If Knights win; should Bednar’s job be in jeopardy?… not IMHO
Looking at the Bruins roster and possible line combos this could be the softest/smallest Bruins team they have had in a while ….they have no protection for their Star players…. guess they are going to let the league do the policing for them
Nice OT goal by Pinto last night in the 3-2 win over the Jets in Winnipeg. Beautiful goal, too, by 19-year-old Ridley Greig who is gping to make it tough to send him back to Junior. Here’s a classic case of a North American kid ready and capable of pro seasoning in the AHL – and at a nice chunk of change – but the idiotic rules say he has to go back to Junior if he doesn’t crack the NHL line-up. Whereas European players do not.
Bednar has taken the AV’s as far as he can, they will have a new coach after another disappointing playoff exit … Mike Sullivan might be available …
I wonder if the Sens let Grieg hang around while he’s suspended and then send him back after. Yes it takes up a roster spot but it gets his suspension out of the way.
It takes up a roster spot.