NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 11, 2021
Bob Murray resigns as Ducks general manager, recaps of Wednesday’s games, plus updates on Nathan MacKinnon, Andrew Mangiapane, Leo Komarov and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
MURRAY RESIGNS AS DUCKS GM
SPORTSNET: Bob Murray resigned last night as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks and intends to enter a treatment program for alcohol abuse. This news comes a day after Murray, 66, was placed on administrative leave by the club amid an independent investigation into his workplace conduct.
Former Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray (NHL.com).
Murray had been with the Ducks since 2005 and had been their general manager since 2008. He was the NHL GM of the Year in 2015.
The club hasn’t released details of the investigation but an anonymous source said it was prompted by complaints of verbal abuse by Murray toward team employees. Team owners Henry and Susan Samueli will pay for his treatment program.
Jeff Solomon, who recently joined the Ducks front office, replaces Murray on an interim basis. He will be in charge of finding a full-time replacement.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Give credit to the Ducks organization for taking swift action when complaints about Murray were made via the league’s hotline to report abusive behavior. It’s indicative of the culture change underway in the NHL in the wake of the Chicago Blackhawks’ sexual assault scandal.
It appears Murray’s behavior was exacerbated by alcohol but that doesn’t excuse his alleged treatment of his subordinates. His NHL career is probably over but he’ll hopefully learn from this experience, get the proper treatment he needs for his alcohol abuse and becomes a better person going forward.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Jack Campbell made 36 saves and William Nylander scored twice as the Toronto Maple Leafs blanked the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0. It’s the first time a Leafs goalie has shut out the Flyers since Ed Belfour did it on Nov. 29, 2002. Toronto captain John Tavares was a late scratch with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.
The Nashville Predators are 6-1-1 in their last eight games after a 4-2 victory over the Dallas Stars. Predators goalie Juuse Saros kicked out 25 shots while teammate Tanner Jeannot had a goal and an assist. Stars forward Roope Hintz picked up his first goal of the season.
Minnesota Wild winger Kevin Fiala had a goal and two assists as his club dropped the Arizona Coyotes 5-2. The Wild have won four straight to improve their record to 9-3-0. Shayne Gostisbehere had a goal and an assist for the sad-sack Coyotes, who sit 1-11-1 on the season.
IN OTHER NEWS…
OTTAWA SUN: The Senators are battling a COVID-19 outbreak that has sidelined six players and led to the second day of canceled practice as Canadian Tire Centre was closed to the public. The league is monitoring the situation and hopes to avoid rescheduling games if at all possible but maintains its top concern is the health of everyone in the dressing room.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The league might not have much choice but to reschedule some of the Senators games if the case numbers keep growing. The Sens are scheduled to face the Los Angeles Kings tonight at the CTC.
THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon is expected to miss around three weeks with a lower-body injury. Injuries have depleted the Avs roster this season, contributing to their 4-5-1 start.
CALGARY SUN: Flames winger Andrew Mangiapane was surprised to learn he’s on Team Canada’s 50-player long list of players who could make up their 25-man roster for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The list won’t be publicly revealed but Mangiapane confirmed he’s on it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mangiapane is worthy of consideration. He’s steadily developed into a reliable top-six forward for the Flames and played a crucial role in Canada winning gold at the 2021 World Championships. He currently has eight goals and 10 points in 12 games this season.
DAILY FACEOFF: Leo Komarov’s nine-season NHL career is coming to a close. The New York Islanders are expected to place him on unconditional waivers today to terminate his contract. He will then join KHL club SKA St. Petersburg. In 491 games, Komarov had 63 goals and 170 points but saw action in just one game this season with the Isles.
TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak is out indefinitely with an apparent injury to his left arm suffered during their overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.
NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: Blackhawks forward Brandon Hagel will miss approximately two weeks with a shoulder injury.
Lyle, on this day, we honour your service and remember your comrades who are no longer with us. Wear your Poppy with pride.
“In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses row on row”
Thank you, Howard.
Good on ya Howard
To Lyle and all our vets (past and present); thank you for your service. Thank you for our freedom.
My grandfather served in WWI ; but he passed two years before I was born, so I never knew him
My father was too young for WWI, but my late father-in-law bravely, and proudly served.
We are indebted
Thank you one and all
Wear your poppies 👍😀
Nice job Howard.
From one vet of 24 years thank you Lyle for your time served AND for this column
Thanks, Dale!
It goes without saying that best wishes go out to all of the vets today, and to the memories of those who served and are no longer here. I singled out Lyle in particular because of all the work he owes on this site.
How is it they want to reschedule games when Sharks are missing more and continue to play?
The Sharks didn’t reach double-digits. At most, seven players were absent from their lineup but they were able to fill most of those spots with callups plus some players came off the protocol following a false positive. The Senators, however, are at risk of passing that double-digit threshold with two more players (Matt Murray and Alex Formenton) put on the list this morning.
Sad to see a player like Komarov go out like that. Here’s a case where stats do not equal team contribution. Strong forecheck, in your face type play, mucking it up in the corners…. all teams need those guys, especially during the playoffs. He was a good hockey player. Loved the fact he was first player that the refs called out (gave him a penalty, I think in the first game of the season) for having his face shield tilted up, whenever that rule was enforced (17 or 18?). We all wish we had players like him on our favorite team. Best of luck Leo.
PS — correction…. I should have said a NHL hockey player with the past tense. He will still be a hockey player, just in another league.
Howard and others very well said . Lyle thank you . Lest we forget .