NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 24, 2022
The Penguins continue their winning ways, Canucks coach Bruce Boudreau reaches a milestone, P.K. Subban speaks out against racism in hockey, and Keith Yandle is poised to tie the consecutive games record. Details and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Sidney Crosby’s shootout goal lifted the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Winnipeg Jets 3-2. Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor staked the Jets to a 2-0 lead but Pittsburgh rallied on third-period goals by Kaspari Kapanen and Jeff Carter. With 57 points, the Penguins have won five straight and 16 of their last 18 contests to sit one point behind the first-place New York Rangers in the Metropolitan Division. The Jets (41 points) are three points behind the San Jose Sharks for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).
Third-period goals by Mason Appleton and Calle Jarnkrok carried the Seattle Kraken to a 5-3 upset of the Florida Panthers. Yanni Gourde and Colin Blackwell scored 17 seconds apart in the second period for the fastest two goals in Kraken history. Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and two assists for the Panthers, who remain in first place in the overall standings with 61 points.
St. Louis Blues goaltender Ville Husso made 38 saves to backstop his club to a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Vladimir Tarasenko collected two assists as the Blues moved into second place in the Central Division with 55 points. Vancouver head coach Bruce Boudreau was appearing in his 1,000th career NHL game. The Canucks (40 points) remain four points out of a wild-card berth in the Western Conference.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to Boudreau for reaching this milestone. Before joining the Canucks, he was head coach of the Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild. His career record is 577 wins, 306 losses and 117 overtime losses.
The Los Angeles Kings snapped a three-game losing skid by downing the New Jersey Devils 3-2. Carl Grundstrom snapped a 2-2 tie in the third period while Cal Petersen made 23 saves for the win. Jesper Bratt tallied both Devils’ goals. The Kings move into second place in the Pacific Division with 47 points, sitting three back of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Ottawa Senators sophomore Tim Stutzle broke a 1-1 tie as his club defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1. Anton Forsberg got the win by stopping 35 shots.
HEADLINES
THE SCORE: Devils defenseman P.K. Subban is calling for change in hockey after his brother Jordan was the victim of a racial taunt by a white opponent during an ECHL game on Saturday. That player, Jacob Panetta, was released by the Jackson Icemen while the ECHL suspended him indefinitely pending a hearing over his actions.
This incident occurred just one day after the AHL suspended San Jose Barracudas player Krystof Hrabik for 30 games for directing a racist gesture toward Boko Imama.
“This is life for people that look like me that have gone through the game of hockey. And that’s a part of history whether we like it or not,” said Subban. “We’re trying to change that. I’m an advocate to change that. To do that, we gotta bring people together, and hopefully, this is another step in doing that.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL likes to promote hockey by saying it’s for everyone but it’s apparent there’s still work to be done at every level of the game. There should be no place for racism and bigotry in any sport.
NHL.COM: Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Keith Yandle can tie the NHL consecutive games record of 964 consecutive games when his club faces off tonight against the Dallas Star. Doug Jarvis is the current Ironman record holder.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would be a significant achievement for Yandle. Jarvis’ career stretched from 1975 to 1987. It’s taken almost 35 years for someone to approach his record. Arizona Coyotes winger Phil Kessel is right behind them with 940 games.
NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: The Blackhawks placed goaltender Kevin Lankinen on injured reserve with a right-hand injury. He’ll be evaluated today to determine the severity of the ailment.
I’ve been reading comments “it’s the heat of Battle”
If during the “heat of the battle” your emotions are running high and one of the things you do is say a racial slur or make a mocking suggestion
Then this say more about you and your thought process.
We all know the sensitivity around this subject, it’s out there everyday, its not acceptable and should never be tolerated.
The heat of the battle is not an excuse; it’s rooted in your thoughts and maybe your ideology. You need to barrie them and become acceptable to others.
I hadn’t heard that but it’s pretty gross. If in the heat of battle your filters come undone it just shows what your hiding inside.
Ya Caper, the heat of the battle excuse is is stupid. If you get that riled up in a hockey skirmish that you lose all control, shouldn’t play pro hockey I suppose. If the player said it, he is making stuff up to wiggle out of the situation he put himself in. Not sure where these comments are?
There are many options available to chirp another player that can cut deep, if that is the goal, and are still within the acceptable areas.
I haven’t seen the video of the incident. I did hear a brief clip from the accused player. I have no idea whether that player is telling the truth or not, but his story was that the gesture he used was not known to him to be racist, and he had used it on other players earlier in the season with no accusations that it was racist.
Maybe that’s BS, maybe it’s not, I don’t have an opinion. What I don’t like is that the player didn’t get due process before the league could look into it.
Racism is just plain wrong. Accusations must be pursued (hello Kyle Beach). But due process shouldn’t be forfeited.
Hi LJ
I agree that all should have due process
The league itself is doing due process (temp suspension while they review)
To me, the clip seemed to be pretty straight forward what he was mimicking.
To me…. The punishment is worthy as I can’t possibly fathom that anybody would actually believe that this action is anything but what it has been purported to be.
It seemed very clear to me
The exception being that he is an extremely poor charades player and that he often uses that animated motion to depict a flailing bird trying to (but failing to) fly
I certainly could be wrong… but that is my take on it
It only adds to my belief due to his own team cutting ties with him (not the league). The league itself had suspended him until they can review the situation.
It’s his own team that has cut ties , all while a review is underway… this leads me to ponder that their assessment of his mocking actions were exactly in line with what Subban (and I) perceived/interpreted them to be
I could be wrong…. That’s just my take on it after seeing the clip
Caper, Chrisms, Ray
Fully agree
No place for this…. Anywhere. Plain and simple
Pengy…The Penguins won again but they need more consistency with attention to detail. Too many out numbered attacks and power play blunders …leading to short handed chances for Winnipeg
we another d-man for that third pair and I guess a back up goalie who knows what going on with Dominque???
Zucker for Leddy or Calvin DeHann….works cap wise and needs wise
Hi BNG
See further down page for my post re needs…. We must have been posting at/near same time
Under no circumstances should HexBurkie peruse Leddy
He is having a very poor year… he’s basically a bigger slower version of CR ; and at a substantially higher cap hit (even if 50% is retained)
DeHaan for Zucker… perfect…. Can’t see Chi moving on that though
Schenn would come much cheaper in trade… BNG improvement at 3RD in production; defence coverage; grit; size…. For a measly $100 K more !!!!
Too bad Demers already under contract with KHL (can he nullify his contract)…. I think he’s been selected for the Olympics
He’s easily sign at league min (and no assets given up) and an upgrade to CR
No wonder Yandle has played in so many straight, the next bodycheck he throws will be his first in 963 games …
5 straight👍👍👍👍👍
16 of 18 👍👍👍👍👍
That said… Pens are there with some fortuitous bounces of late and a great deal due to spectacular goaltending…. And Jarry (for goalies playing 15 or more games…. 3rd in GAA, 4th in Save %) is only surpassed by Sarros for number of games played in. Pens need a reliable back up that can start to regularly spot him. Once Domingue is off IR…. get him in to at least 7 or 8 games before TDL…. if he holds the line anywhere near what he provided in his only Pens appearance this year… then all s good. If he needles down at/near 900 or less…. Back up upgrade is mandatory
If he’s proven good to go…. Pens clear focus MUST be for 3RD upgrade
Sully has to give a couple of weeks straight of games for either Friedman or Riikola ….. no risk as they are both better than Ruhweedel already. If they only prove marginally ready…. Trade necessary…. Schenn would be a reasonable acquisition
Depth… maybe have a full review of how Staal plays at the Olympics…. Costs nothing in assets
Low risk , high potential reward…. Kane. At $1.5 M (speculated… TSN, SN, ESPN)… the cash risk is about $940 K right now (pro-rated and escrow) and falling as less and less games left; and Cap risk is only $420 K ($1.08 M can be buried)
New owners have Uber abundance of cash
$420 K cap risk for his potential production and grit?
Sid Guentz Rusty
Gino Carter Kane
ERod Heinen Kappy
Blueger McG Zoho
Depth Staal, Zucker, ZAR, Boyle
Tanger/Dumo
Marino/Pettersson or Matheson
Schenn/ Pettersson or Matheson
Friedman/Riikola
Jarry/ Domingue (??)
Pengy …I love ya brother but no to Kane and no to Marc Andre Fluery….
Blueger is out 8 weeks with a broken jaw.
Penguins are playing forecheck, back-check, pay check hockey right now and they don’t know how to lose a game. What happened to all the trade Tristan Jarry people? That kid and Jake Guentzel are bonafide superstars.
Teams don’t learn much by winning 16 of 18. A seven game losing streak is far more helpful, right, Oilers fans?
Pengy….Pretty much spot on there ! I just saw Columbus is selling and what a pick up 24 year old center Jack Roslovic would be and he is available.
Not sure what the ask is for him but what a pick up for now and in the future. I know Rutherford was in on him big time when just before he was moved from Winnipeg to Columbus.. He is fast, skilled, and has some grit. good player ..
We will lose Carter next year, we don’t know what’s up with Malkin, and for this year Blueger just got destroyed and is out a long time..
Jack Roslovic fits.
He is a Ufa at $2.5 but actual cap hit is less.. What we give up I’m not sure. I would have no issues giving up Mr. inconsistent and often benched Kapanen for him. (don’t care he plays well with Geno) Exchange 24 year old players and we save $ 1 million
Hi BNG
Rosklivic is a good depth add 👍👍
Re him and Kappy…..Both are RFAs, 6 months apart in age. Kappy’s production is almost exactly 50% better than JR’s and the Cap hit proportionate.
Hard to see Div rivals make a trade…. so longshot; and Clb would be paying more and have a higher QO to give. But….. GMJK is Finnish like Kappy…. So… ???? Anything is possible
I am hoping for the Gino/Kappy chemistry to come back…. Only been a handful of games and the chemistry is starting to breakthrough again… we’ll see how things transpire in next 4-5 weeks
The biggest concern for Pens right now is to see how Domingue fairs…. Let’s see 7-8 starts by TDL…. He just may be the answer…. We know DeSmith is not. Pens must have a solid back up…. Jarry is young but they are running him ragged
So that (Domingue) has to be experimented with
More importantly is really the Sully issue…. HexBurkie absolutely MUST discuss with him that he has to try things with either Friedman or Riikola. Ruhweedel at 3RD come playoffs just won’t cut it. Sully keeps throwing him out there and he has been progressively (at almost an exponential rate) worse over the last 6 – 8 weeks
He started out “OK” …. But he is just fumbling out there now…. And badly. If it weren’t for Matheson and Jarry bailing him out on so many many occasions since the beginning of December…. Ruhweedel could have cost Pens as many as 5 or 6 wins …. Maybe more
Friedman or Riikola just may work out…. They are for sure better than CR but I’m not holding my breath. At least try them out for 7-8 games straight
A reasonable RHD UFA might be the answer
Burke has repeatedly said that he is very hesitant about giving up picks unless the acquired player helps them now and in the future….so….
Schenn:
is only $100 K more than CR
is under contract for next year
Is far superior offensively than CR
Is far superior defensively than CR
Is waaaaaaay stronger than CR
Is almost 40 lbs heavier than CR
Is 3” taller than CR
Is only 6 months older than CR
This would be a perfect move… mid rounder should do it
Unfortunately ‘Nucks have had a surge of late; still in the hunt… so they won’t move him yet. Come TDL if they are out…. HexBurkie better be at the front of the line to make an offer to get Schenn
Captain Obvious….You remember when you told me no way Vancouver trades J.T. Miller and I was crazy for believing you. WWWEEEEELLLLLLLLLL.
The team will move him, they are taking calls, J.T himself is open to a trade and well Rutherford is now there and trading assets with value so
So you were wrong……
ok ill wait for the excuses now ..oh I never said that or i said this…LOL