NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 23, 2022
Ryan Ellis could miss the start of the Flyers’ season, the Islanders re-sign Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov and Kieffer Bellows, an update on David Pastrnak and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ryan Ellis could miss the start of the coming season. A “multilayered issue” involving the “complex of the whole pelvic region” limited him to just four games last season.
“If you’re asking me right now, I doubt it,” said Flyers head coach John Tortorella when asked if Ellis will be ready to play. They start their season on Oct. 13 against the New Jersey Devils but Tortorella didn’t think the 31-year-old defenseman will be ready when they open training camp on Sept. 21.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ryan Ellis (NHL Images).
Tortorella indicated he’s had several conversations with Ellis. He said it’s been an “up and down process” for the blueliner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ellis was acquired from the Nashville Predators last summer and was expected to skate on the right side of the Flyers’ first defense pairing alongside Ivan Provorov. His absence last season was a key factor in the club missing the 2022 playoffs.
Cap Friendly shows Ellis is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $6.25 million. They’re above the $82.5 million cap by $2.53 million but will get cap relief by placing Ellis on long-term injury reserve to start the season.
This also explains why the Flyers signed Tony DeAngelo to a two-year contract last month. We’ll have to wait and see if general manager Chuck Fletcher has any other moves planned before the coming season. That could depend on how long Ellis is sidelined.
NYI HOCKEY NOW: The New York Islanders announced new contracts for restricted free agents Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov and Kieffer Bellows.
Dobson, 22, got a three-year deal with an AAV of $4 million. The 22-year-old Romanov also got a three-year deal. His annual cap hit is $2.5 million. Bellows, 24, got a one-year, $1.2 million contract.
The trio will be restricted free agents at the end of their respective contracts. These deals leave the Islanders with $3.485 million in cap space for the upcoming season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I wasn’t surprised by what Romanov and Bellows got. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently suggested that Dobson’s new contract would be a high dollar amount but it’s actually quite reasonable for a young defenseman coming off a 51-point performance.
Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello explained that he wanted to see a bit more from Dobson before committing to a long-term deal. In other words, a more lucrative contract awaits the young rearguard at the end of his current deal if he builds on last season’s breakout effort.
SPORTSNET: Lamoriello also defended what was considered to be a quiet offseason on his part. Earlier this summer, he had promised to be as active as possible to bolster the Islanders’ offense. They were linked to free agents Johnny Gaudreau and Nazem Kadri but both forwards were signed elsewhere. Lamoriello was rumored to be interested in acquiring J.T. Miller but the Vancouver Canucks aren’t in a rush to move the 29-year-old center.
Regarding trades, Lamoriello explained he wouldn’t have received in return what he would’ve had to give up to make his club a better team. He’ll continue to explore the late-summer trade market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s doubtful Lamoriello will find a return that will significantly improve his club’s offense heading into this season. He’s going to bet on new head coach Lane Lambert finding a way to improve the Isles’ production with the current core players. I expect young wingers Anthony Beauvillier and Oliver Wahlstrom will be placed in roles where they’ll get more opportunities to score.
The Islanders have a projected $16 million in trade deadline cap space for the coming season. Barring any other moves, Lamoriello could have sufficient cap room to add a rental scorer by late February if his club is in playoff contention.
NEWSDAY’s Andrew Gross reported Lamoriello said he’s had no contract talks with UFA defensemen Zdeno Chara and Andy Greene. They are not currently under consideration for defense roles with the Isles.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: David Pastrnak’s contract extension talks with the Bruins are currently on hold but the 26-year-old winger isn’t concerned.
In an interview with Czechia media outlet Blesk, Pastrnak acknowledged Bruins GM Don Sweeney had a lot on his plate this summer negotiating new one-year contracts for Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Pastrnak has a year remaining on his contract and is focused now on physically preparing for the upcoming season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sweeney will probably sit down with Pastrnak and/or his agent at some point during training camp to continue their negotiations.
Sweeney has no more on his plate than any other gm and, the big confuffle is of his own doing. He has perfected the art of deception so much so, that this how he deals with outside distraction. Fans clamouring for his dismissal, also the fact he has done next to nothing on the free agent market and he can’t seem to lose expensive contracts. He’s painting himself in a corner. This is so far above him. I don’t believe he can get out of it.
Not sure Sweeney is the one who is confuffled.
In fact is pretty obvious what is going on with the Bruins.
Will Pasta sign or stay? No idea, but agree with Caper that this may be about more than $. No way he trades him at deadline if B’s in a playoff position because he convinced Bergy and Krecji to come back, and they didn’t come back just to hang with their buds.
It is what it is, and it is the plan, and it’s in plain sight for most of us.
I don’t think it will work this season, but I obviously hope it does. If it doesn’t work out, and we are out of it at the TDL, and we might be, I would expect Pasta gets moved if not signed.
Pastrnak was recently interview in his home Country; part of his response has been translated to him saying “He been in the league for 8yrs and hasn’t won nothing and he feels bad.”
Going into the offseason Sweeney said Pastrnak is his priority…. apparently not.
This could definitely put Sweeney in a pickle. The top 2 center on the team are 35plus, this season once again is another last kick at the can.
Pastrnak who like most players want to win, he very well may look at this roster and come to the conclusion they’ll be some lean years ahead.
Pastrnak decision may not all be about money but more importantly for him the opportunity to win.
Sweeney who seem to be all in again for a cup run, if Pastrnak doesn’t sign and wants to wait out the season, will do nothing. Trade deadline comes Boston is in a solid playoff spot, Pastrnak will be on the roster to season end.
Like Chara and Krug before him, Sweeney will let another asset walk out the door with no return.
If Pastrnak gives the indication he isn’t going to resign now is the time to trade him; but that won’t happen.
Pastrnak is excited to play with his fellow country man in Krecji and Sweeney is also banking on them two finding chemistry along with Hall.
Worst case scenario Pastrnak walks at season end
Best case he resign.
At no time do i see him being traded simply because of Sweeney history and how he has set this season up.
Said a while back Sweeney is going to wait as long as possible to offer or not offer Pasta a contract …they do have of cap coming off next offseason
Pasta for 2 years of Hanifin straight up, throw in a second if Pasta resigns.
Actually throw in Dube with Hanafin. And a second if Pasta resigns.
A must read on Hockey Writers Now …..Analyzing the Bruins Through Brian Burke’s Eyes….. always thought at some point he (Burke) was going to be a Bruin GM
Good work by Lou on those contracts. I figured Romanov would come in at about $2.5m but for two years tops. Getting him at that hit for three years is very good for the Isles. As for Dobson, getting him at $4m is an absolute steal, even for three years. And he’ll still be under team control for another year when this contract expires.
It’s Hockey Writers.com
Joe below is the attached link; it’s a writer using Burke philosophy of how to build a team and applying it to Boston. It’s from Brian book. Do agree with you I also thought one day he be Boston GM.
https://thehockeywriters.com/analyzing-bruins-through-brian-burkes-eyes/
I remember those Whaler/Bruins games he always brought in tough teams to play against … don’t know how that style would play in todays game but some teams still use it
Pasta will resign. Also doubt that this is 46 and 37 last year unless the wheels come off the team or for them personally Time will tell
Carohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhllllllinnnnnnah have signed Statsny. SWAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY!!!!!!!!!! get off your td garden stratolounger and do something!!! Worst gm in nhl history and lumpy just signed him to an extension.