NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 31, 2022

by | Jul 31, 2022 | News, NHL | 17 comments

P.K. Subban is still seeking a new contract, the latest on Kailer Yamamoto, and family and friends recently gathered to say goodbye to the late Bryan Marchment. Details and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan reports that P.K. Subban still wants to play in the NHL, according to his long-time agent, Don Meehan. “But I think at this stage of his career, he would want to play somewhere that would provide a good opportunity for him.”

Former New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban (NHL Images)

Subban, 33, tallied 22 points in 77 games last season with the New Jersey Devils. He’s coming off an eight-year contract that paid him an average annual value of $9 million. Over that period, he was traded by the Montreal Canadiens in 2016 to the Nashville Predators, followed by a trade three years later to the Devils.

Meehan acknowledged his client isn’t the All-Star defenseman he once was but believes he can still contribute to a club on a positive basis.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some Subban fans hope that he’ll return with the Canadiens to bring his career full circle. Given the club’s current rebuild under new management, however, Cowan considers that to be an unlikely scenario. He could end up on a playoff contender on a one- or two-year deal for an annual cap hit of around $3 million.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Derek Van Diest reports the clock is ticking on Oilers general manager Ken Holland and Kailer Yamamoto to reach an agreement on a new contract. The 23-year-old winger’s arbitration hearing is scheduled for Aug. 7. Yamamoto earned $1.175 million on a one-year deal last season, scoring 20 goals and 41 points in 81 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Holland avoided arbitration with Jesse Puljujarvi with a one-year, $3 million contract. He was coming off a two-year deal with a cap hit similar to Yamamoto’s. Perhaps a one-year for around the same cap hit as Puljujarvi is in the cards for him.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Bryan Marchment’s family and friends recently gathered in Oshawa to say goodbye to the former NHL defenseman. Among those in attendance were Dion Phaneuf, Louie DeBrusk, Mike Ricci and Scott Thornton.

Marchment, 53, died of natural causes on July 6 in Montreal the day before the 2022 NHL Draft. Since 2007-08, he’d been part of the San Jose Sharks organization as a developmental coach and a scout.

NEW YORK POST: The New York Islanders recently bought 25,000 tickets for the July 29 $1.28 billion Mega Millions lottery.

Had the Isles won, they would’ve shared the winnings with full-season ticket holders and suite holders. Another share of the winnings would go to staff members and the children’s foundation Islanders Group.

TSN: The New Jersey Devils named Ryan McGill as their new assistant coach. He’d spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach with the Vegas Golden Knights.







17 Comments

    • Surprise surprise

    • How do you REALLY feel, Rick?

    • Not even a nonsensical rant? No moronic prediction? What happened? Did your writer take the day off? Or is this evidence that you’re an immature teenager?

    • Agree

  1. I don’t see contenders lining up for Subban. At this point, the best he could hope for is a one year, prove it deal. And I think even $3m. would be more than he can expect. $2m. would be more likely. And Cowan notwithstanding, I see a return to Montreal as having some possibility.

    • I agree Howard. Even $2 million sounds expensive given PK’s on ice performance and locker room history. Now I like PK’s personality and appreciate the media attention he gets but I can see how that may not work in a team first mentality. If a team gets into injury trouble early on, he may get a lowball offer. Maybe some team signs him later on as insurance for the playoffs. I can’t imagine PK signs for a million or less given the money he already has and the other interests he is pursuing outside of hockey. I can’t see him coming back to Montreal as Molson is still there and he has an ongoing feud with Gallagher. His on ice performance is deteriorating and I’m not sure he is the right person to be mentoring the new young defence.

      • I think he gets a deal somewhere for cheap. He’s still an NHL caliber player, and experienced RD are always in demand. Oiler could use some experienced depth on the right side as most of their young depth is on the left.

        He’s 33 now, I think building his “brand” days are behind him.

        As long as he doesn’t expect to be handed a starting role, plenty of contenders will kick the tires IMO. Can’t have too many D.

      • I was unaware of any feud with Gallagher. I thought it was Pacioretty.

        One thing is for sure. The Habs need a veteran Dman on RD this year. Even though they don’t expect to make the playoffs, it’s not a good idea to leave the young players exposed. When looking at the current situation and organizational depth at all positions, RD is very clearly the weakest position by far. Obviously, adding a short-term veteran for this year won’t solve the problem in the least, it’s still necessary.

  2. ESPN — it’s time

  3. Stu Cowan is one of those reporters that had a bromance with Subban and still bemoan the trade for Weber.

    Talk about living in the past

    Stop looking in the rear view mirror

  4. Glad the Islanders didn’t win the Mega if their intent was to give the money to their already well-off season ticket holders. Let some poor chump (like me) have a chance to throw some dough around outside of making pizza.

    • @Rock totally agree and take away the chance of winning from much more deserving people.

  5. Hey Howard, feud with Gallagher started after PK left. They had a couple of good skirmishes while PK was in Nashville. Great post game comments from both on youtube. Agreed we need some veteran help on RD but disagree that it should be PK. Again, I like PK but he’s not a fit in Montreal IMHO.

  6. Of the nearly 2,500 subscribers who completed Athletic survey, re: Sweeney and Neely ,91.4% answered that Neely and Sweeney are not “the right executives to lead the Bruins.” Only 8.6% said they are.

    Among other results, 82.6% said Cassidy should not have been fired, and 92.2% said the organization is not “headed in the right direction.” ( will not respond to Mr Ed and The Corporal)

    • Mr Ed and the Corporal, eh? Almost clever. You must have gotten a new writer. It’s certain that you aren’t capable of coming up with anything like that.