NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 14, 2022

by | Jan 14, 2022 | News, NHL | 48 comments

Tuukka Rask makes a triumphant return to the Bruins, the 2022 All-Star Game rosters and captains are revealed but several notable players are passed over, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Tuukka Rask made 25 saves in his season debut as he backstopped the Boston Bruins over the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2. David Pastrnak tallied all of the Bruins’ goals, including the game-winner on the power play to snap a 2-2 tie in the second period. Cam Atkinson had a goal and an assist for the Flyers while teammate Carter Hart turned aside 33 shots. With 44 points, the Bruins moved to within three points of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask (NHL Images).

Speaking of the Penguins, they fell 6-2 to the Los Angeles Kings as the latter tallied four unanswered third-period goals, including three in a span of 1:23. Kings captain Anze Kopitar scored twice and set up another while Sean Durzi had a three-point performance and Jonathan Quick made 27 saves. The Kings (43 points) move into third place in the Pacific Division.

Nikita Kucherov collected two assists and Andrei Vasilevskiy kicked out 24 shots as the Tampa Bay Lightning doubled up the Vancouver Canucks 4-2. The Lightning holds a two-point lead over the Florida Panthers for first place in the overall standings with 55 points. The Canucks have lost three of their last four contests.

The New York Rangers Rangers got a 37-save shutout from Igor Shesterkin in a 3-0 win over the San Jose Sharks. Chris Kreider scored twice, including his first NHL shorthanded goal. Braden Schneider scored in his first NHL game. The Rangers (52 points) sit atop the Metropolitan Division while the Sharks (41 points) still cling to the final Western Conference wild-card berth with a one-point lead over the Calgary Flames.

Speaking of the Flames, they were upset 4-1 by the Ottawa Senators. Nick Paul tallied twice while Matt Murray made 27 saves for his first win of the season. The Flames have dropped four straight games.

Connor Hellebuyck picked up the shutout with a 33-save performance to blank the Detroit Red Wings 3-0. Andrew Copp scored two goals and Kyle Connor scored shorthanded. The Jets (39 points) are two points behind the Sharks and one back of the Flames.

A four-goal third period carried the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 6-0 thumping of the Carolina Hurricanes. Elvis Merzlikins turned in a 31-save shutout and Yegor Chinakhov scored two goals. The loss leaves the Hurricanes two points behind the Rangers in second place in the Metropolitan Division.

Third-period goals by Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich lifted the St. Louis Blues over the Seattle Kraken 2-1. The Blues extended their home points streak to 13 games while the Kraken have lost eight straight. With 49 points, the Blues are one point behind the first-place Nashville Predators in the Central Division.

The Predators, meanwhile, saw their five-game win streak halted in a 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Jeff Skinner tallied twice while Aaron Dell made 29 saves for the Sabres.

Mathew Barzal broke a 2-2 tie to lift the New York Islanders over the New Jersey Devils 3-2 Barzal’s teammates Zach Parise and Josh Bailey each collected two points as the Isles’ played their first game in 11 days.

Philipp Kurashev scored in overtime as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2, handing the latter their five straight loss. Blackhawks star Patrick Kane also scored to snap a 13-game goalless drought. The Canadiens played without goalie Jake Allen, who is sidelined for a week with a lower-body injury. Teammate Chris Wideman also missed this game as he’s serving a one-game suspension for head-butting Boston Bruins forward Erik Haula.

HEADLINES

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov, New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox and Colorado Avalanche blueliner Cale Makar were among the notable first-time selections for the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Game to be held in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena on Feb. 5.

Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin, Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid were named captains of their respective division squads as chosen by fan voting.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link to see the full rosters as well as the candidates for the “Last Man In” for each division to be decided by fan voting.

THE SCORE: Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand, Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom, Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen, Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad, and New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin were among the notables passed over for selection.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The exclusion of Markstrom, Rantanen and Ekblad could be a result of being overshadowed by their more well-known teammates. Marchand’s snub is likely tied to his well-earned reputation for questionable play.

Shesterkin still isn’t as well-known as he should be, though his profile should improve if the Rangers remain among the league’s top clubs. It won’t help him become a participant in this year’s All-Star Game but could help him garner recognition for next season’s event.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: A partial tear in a thumb tendon has sidelined Oilers goaltender Mike Smith for at least a week, possibly two. The club has recalled Stuart Skinner from their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Signing Evander Kane could help resolve that issue…oh, wait, he’s not a goaltender…never mind…

SPORTSNET: Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, Chicago Blackhawks forward Kirby Dach and Dylan Strome, New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere and Winnipeg Jets center Paul Stastny are among the notable players added to the NHL’s COVID protocol on Jan. 13.

AHL’s Iowa Wild signed Eric Staal to a professional tryout contract.

TSN: The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) said individual active NHL players will not be permitted to take part in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, any player under an NHL contract cannot participate in the Beijing Olympics.

THE SCORE: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told Quebec finance minister Eric Girard the league isn’t aware of any opportunity at this time that would lead to a franchise returning to Quebec City.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As one observer noted on Twitter, that was Bettman’s polite way of saying, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.” Oh, and for those of you saying, “What about the Arizona Coyotes?”, should that club be relocated, it’ll likely be to another American city in the Western Conference such as Houston.







48 Comments

  1. I don’t think it was Marchands “questionable play” which resulted in his perceived snub.
    It’s probably more about him being punished for voicing his disappointment over not being able to attend the Olympics, or him personally not wanting to play in the All Star Game because of the Olympic withdrawal.

    Welcome back Rask.

    Plenty of room left on the bandwagon, Rick and Joe.

    • That could be part of it, but you’ve also got to admit Marchand’s long suspension history and his other incidents of questionable on-ice antics (licking opponents, deliberately stepping on their sticks to break them, etc) also contributed to this snub. It’s too bad, Marchand has become such a dominant offensive star but his reputation as a pest still overshadows his accomplishments.

      • BM has a lot of Ken Linseman in him

      • Lyle unfortunately lots of people only remember the bad Brad not the player he has become and the great guy he actually is off the ice. We live in a cancel culture society but pretty sure the won’t be able to cancel Brad he is all over the ice and score sheet. I wish Boston had a couple of more Marchand and maybe a second Bergeron also.

      • The all-star game shouldn’t be happening.

        Marchand comments and the NHL decision to go ahead with this game show his comments were 100% accurate.

        Boston played their 8th game in 13 days last night and it showed.

        On the positive they’ll get a break from the covid game.

        Hopefully Bergeron excludes himself from the game.

        Nazem Kadri is 4th in NHL scoring and didn’t get an invite.

      • The fans can still vote Marchand in. Each team needed a rep so hardly any spaces left. TB and TOR each got 2, everybody else 1. They were also both better than the B’s so far, so fine by me.

        If it was Marchand selected, then it would have been Bergeron not getting invited. Would that have been cancel culture? If McAvoy doesn’t get in is that cancel culture? You could argue he is a valuable as anybody on the B’s. Lots of good players aren’t playing on lots of good teams.

        Cancel culture is stupid and a problem, but it isn’t the reason for everything just because somebody says it is.

        The NHL isn’t cancelling Marchand, in fact I bet he is playing for BOS in their next game. Give it a rest with that victim crap already.

        And agree playing the All Star game is stupid when you are cancelling games already. I can see this biting the NHL.

      • Ray–I just read the following in the digital edition of today’s “The Boston Globe”. Voting fans may have to settle for McAvoy rather than Marchand.

        “The NHL’s hockey operations department, headed by Colin Campbell and Kris King, chooses the All-Star rosters. It’s possible they viewed Marchand’s recent three-game suspension, for slew-footing Vancouver’s Oliver Ekman-Larsson, as a detriment to his candidacy.

        There is apparently no write-in option for Marchand (or David Pastrnak, for that matter). Fans can submit their picks for last selection on each of the four teams at NHL.com/LastMenIn. The NHL’s website only allows a vote for Charlie McAvoy.”

      • Ray, the NHL provided a list of players who can be voted in for the last spot: McAvoy is on the list but not Marchand.

        The NHL wanted to make sure no more John Scotts

      • Ray you believe what you want I believe Brad was left off because of his comments re Olympics and it bothered and pi’s….d off Gary I have a right to my opinion as do you you. Marchand is twice the player Bergie is and I love him ….Marchand is arguably MVP. I could care less about All-Star game it’s an embarrassment to hockey in my opinion. If you don’t toll the line your canceled just look what happen to Novak Djokovic.

    • Playing much better still like to see that #2 center and a LD who plays well at both ends will be tough to get that done …. There isn’t a team in the league that wouldn’t want B Marchand playing for them ….to me that’s a AllStar …. Been a Bruins fan since the very early 70’s don’t need a bandwagon

      • Ray, as a Leaf fan, I’d love to give Toronto’s spots to Boston. Send ’em all.

      • Haha. Nice BCLeafFan.

    • It was most definitely Marchands questionable play throughout the years that resulted in him being snubbed.

      He is known to be a dirty player and every team in the league is aware of his antics.

      • Who remembers Stan Mikita ???

    • SOP any bruin fan knows Marchand is the best player on the team and its really not close.

      He is top 5 in the league; he scores, strong 200ft player; kills penalties and scores a ton of shorthand goals.

      All things considered he is probably the most complete player in the league.

      • So you do cheer for him but judge domi….

      • Maybe. As a hockey fan, I’d rather see Pastrnak at the all-star game. I think he’s the most purely skilled Bruin, and for the most part that’s what the all-star game is about.

        Why all this chatter about Marchand, anyway? Lots of good players didn’t make the list.

    • I see where you are coming from, Lyle, but Marchand took part in ASG’s in ’17 and ’18, and he was much more involved in shenanigans during those seasons than he has been this year.
      I respect your view, but I never underestimate the spite factor, be it Marchand or the league, spite is a powerful motivator.

      As for what kind of person Marchand is……Just ask Kevin Hayse and the rest of Jimmy’s family.

      IMHO, Marchand is an entertainer. He gets it. We love knights in shining armor, just like we love to hate the guy wearing the Black Hat. He plays the latter better than anyone else. It works for him and the league. I know he keeps me engaged and entertained.

    • I wouldn’t want to think that vindictiveness would be a deciding factor in selecting a roster, though it’s possible. However, upon seeing that McAvoy was added to the league’s eligible-player-vote-in list, rather than Marchand or Pastrnak, is it also possible that the league is simply trying to strike a balance between the number of defensemen and forwards selected?

  2. Actually, it was Bettman’s polite way of telling Quebec City “Don’t call us, we WON’T call you”. The NHL wants no part of the language circus that a team in Quebec City would bring.

    • Hi Howard

      I fully agree with your underlying true sentiment of Bettman as … “ Don’t call us, we WON’T call you”.…. but the true rationale is Bettman’s Shakespearean nod/wink “aside” to the audience …. “Because I said so”

      Bettman does not want another Canadian franchise.

      I know I’m in the minority here wrt belief in the success of a franchise in Quebec City. Yes there for sure would be logistical issues surrounding language but I firmly believe resolvable. The economic viability and success of a Quebec City franchise and its. massive increase to league HRR over that of Phoenix or Columbus etc is glaring…. But will not be acted upon until Bettman retires

      The man is not even open to even talk about moving Yotes to Houston. That just is incomprehensible.

      I love QC. It’s beautiful and rich in culture…. And I’m an Anglephone who struggles understanding French….I did take it through high school … but that’s now more than 4 decades ago.

      The arena is fantastic IMHO

      It just is not happening until Bettman retires

      I truly believe QC gets a franchise awarded (or a relo) within 2 years of Bettman stepping down

      Rant over

      • Pengy…Wanted to run this buy you. Columbus wants to move Max Domi UFA $5.3 and we want to move Jason Zucker 1 year left at $5.5.

        Domi to Pittsburgh 26 can play both wing and center gives us more youth, depth, and versatility…maybe we add a third round pick. I think Domi would be good in Pittsburgh surrounded by this talent

        Zucker although under achieving can help Columbus with some skill, depth and speed in their middle six.

        Both players are struggling and underachieving and need a change of scenery.

        Thoughts ?.

      • Hi BNG

        You had me sold as soon as you had Zucker leaving 👍😁

        This is a very good deal for Pens; not so much for Jackets

        I’m not sure that JK goes for that deal…. And intra Div deals are much more rare than inter-Div or inter-conf deals

        Burkie has inferred that he won’t do a deal unless it helps now and in future

        This certainly helps Pens now ; and Cap (Zucker) off the table next year certainly helps

        Burke says he is against giving up picks

        I think he would have to up the offer a prospect…. and in this deal it can’t be PO-J , Poulin or Legere

        I’d hate to lose Zoho

        So it would need to be O’Connor or Bjorkquist

        I’d love the trade but can’t see it happening

        DeSmith replacement; then Ruhweedel replacement have to take priority

        Team was awful last night with the exception of Carter, Zoho, Blueger and Simon

    • The language issue isn’t an issue when it comes to a team in Quebec City, the “language wars” of the past are more or less over.

      Bettman’s virtual meeting was with Quebec’s Finance Minister, not an investment group and that is the real issue, there is nobody with deep pockets willing to dip into them.

      • The language wars are never over in Quebec. Basically, the Anglo community has realized and accepted their status as #2. And the Francophone majority zealously guards its status. There is legislation pending to further restrict the use of English and educational opportunities in English. And the culture wars are also an issue. Obviously an issue waiting to happen for the NHL.

      • Howard,
        “the Anglo community has realized and accepted their status as #2. And the Francophone majority zealously guards its status”- the language war is over and there is a clear victor.

        The exact same laws that apply in Montreal would apply in Quebec City, and they do not hinder a city from having a successful franchise, Montreal has one of the highest valued franchise in the NHL.

        Language is an excuse for no legitimate ownership to run a team.There was no money to keep the Nordiques in Quebec and there is even less now.

        Nos Amours had the same fate in Montreal, a successful and beloved team at the height of the language wars that disappeared once Bronfman sold the team to a consortium that lacked money.
        The downward spiral set in and the team relocated to Washington.

        Language had nothing to do with it then neither does it now.

  3. A game Pens have to put in the rear view mirror and quickly!!! Ouch💩💩💩

    Credit where credit is due… Quick and all Kings were revved up and ready to go from the start and dominated good stretches

    I know many Pens fans will say the TSN turning point (when tied 2-2 , 3 or so minutes in the third) when LA scored and then scored again 10 seconds later [a tie to 4-2 in 10 seconds]) should never have happened because Kings should have been called for the high stick and/or glaring hook on the play that resulted in Kings 3rd goal.

    Yes… blown/missed calls by Refs. Yes instead of 3-2 Kings; Pens would be on PP… maybe Pens go up 3-2

    That said…. Pens simply got outplayed and made tons of mistakes. It’s extremely hard to win against a fired up team when only maybe 4 of your players at best, come jacked up to play that night… Zoho , Carter, Blueger, Simon

    I can’t ever remember a Pens game where all 6 D men had multiple glaring/egregious errors. It has been expected of Ruhweedel… double digits again on those last night (he absolutely needs to be in the press box); but 4 from Dumo!!! Dumo, who is usually steady as a rock. 5 or 6 from Marino… wow. Add to that a couple each for Pettersson, Matheson and Tanger. That’s hanging your goalie out to dry. Could have easily been 10-2

    Yes Covid (and a handful of regulars… Rusty, Heinen; McGinn, ZAR out) and intro of Gino had all 4 lines jumbled and it tremendously screwed up a load of things….

    but the game is easily summed up in three simple Latin words….Kings…. Veni Vidi Vici

    • Pengy…Thoughts on this?

      Max Domi 26 UFA Columbus obviously wants to move him….He is at $5.3..

      Max Domi to Pittsburgh $ 5.3 million
      Jason Zucker one year left and a 3rd round pick to Columbus $5.5 million

      Both players are underachieving and need a change of scenery. I think Max Domi would do well in Pittsburgh. He has speed and skill and Sullivan and the culture in Pittsburgh he will fit in.

      Zucker hasn’t been awful in Pittsburgh. He has skill and speed and can help Columbus middle six He also need a change of scenery might work for both.

  4. ASG selection…. Nuts.

    Having a mandatory pick from EACH team, precludes selections of some highly talented and very deserving players that play on star ladened teams

    That said… Covid Omicron has run amok… NHL is not going to the Olympics…ASG should be canceled for this year… let LV host it next year

    • Let’s get all the NHL’s biggest stars together in one spot without the bubble conditions they had in the playoffs and have them mingle with the general public during a pandemic, then send them back to their teams. What could possibly go wrong?

      • Yep … this bright decision could more appropriately have come from the two knuckleheads in “Dude Where’s My Car”

    • Did Sidney Crosby get selected? I didn’t see the final all start rosters..

      Max Domi may be easier to get than you think and I think Zucker and a 3rd round pick gets him…

      • Why would Columbus trade Domi for another year of Zucker and a 3rd?

        Most of the time I’d say, something is better than nothing when it comes to recouping assets. Unless of course that “something “ is a bad contract and a pick that probably never pans out.

        If Domi is traded (and I’m pretty sure he will be) why take on a guy like Zucker? They’d be better off taking just picks in return, minus the bad contract.

  5. Marchand is a gutter rat … the next time he starts something with a physical player will be the first time …

    • Quit lying, Ed.

    • Ed….had to go looking for the Marchand hockey fights, there isnt many but there are some & bare in mind he’s 5’9″ 180… these guys arent known for their fist but everyone is a lot bigger than him…Z Smith 6’2″ 208…L Eller 6’2″ 205….R Josi 6’1″ 201….S Stamkos 6’0″ 195..M Niskanen 6’1″ 200….just to name a few…he’s not going to fight R Reaves, Ross The Boss, M Lucic

      • All of Marchand’s opponents have one thing in common.. they’re pansies.

  6. Hey Lyle just a heads up that your RSS feed hasn’t been delivered for 3 days. I guess when you had some site issues the RSS feed took a hit too.

    • Hi Ron

      I had same issue but then cleared the cache and web history and all was good after that

      • Captain Obvious…I can’t say totally disagree with you but most draft picks in hockey don’t work out it is a crap shoot…it is not like the NFL.

        They obviously don’t want Domi and Zucker has been on the Penguins trade list maybe we go a second with Zucker

        I think Domi will work in Pittsburgh, he has speed, skill, and is versatile exactly what Sullivan likes.

        Zucker with a change of scenery i think will be better. Salaries almost identical we gain 4 years in age hence the second round pick.

        If we lose Malkin or Carter you can slot him in 3rd center maybe second wing….

    • Thanks for your suggestions Pengy but it’s not an issue with my browser which your suggestion would be a good place to start but in my case it’s a standalone app the crawls the web looking for the latest post from either a topic or subject matter or from particular sites like this one. Think of it like receiving a type of email that you can browse through and pick the articles that you like to read by either visiting the site or having a reader display the page of the article like the today’s morning coffee headlines page.

      • Makes sense

        Sorry thought it was straight internet access issue

        I don’t have that app; so can’t offer up anything in the way of a suggestion

      • We’ll look into it, Ron.

    • I’ll chime in that clicking on the “Rumors” title takes you to the NHL Rumor Mill listing starting January 11. One has to click on the “Homepage” title to see the day’s listing.

  7. Bettman’s the biggest stumbling block to a better nhl, some of his samples include what seems like an outright refusal to allow Canadian teams access to Join the nhl and what about some of those ridiculous penalties like the puck going over the glass and the tripping and roughing calls I’ve seen over the past few years if we’re not careful, with Bettman manning the helm they’ll soon be calling it the national Ballet Association. Sometimes I’m not sure if I’m watching synchronized swimming or reading one of Bark’s Long winded posts.

    • Thanks for thinking of me Rick!

  8. How can Landeskog and Rantanen not be on the all start team; somebody argue that one?…I voted for Landeskog over MacKinnon. It’s a no brainer! Fans shouldn’t vote for the All Star Game, should be reporters who follow the teams or coaches who coach the players. I’m just glad those two guys are on my team. GO AVS!!!

  9. Who remembers the all star game being between the Stanley Cup champs against an all-star team?

    Lots of hitting and settling of scores.