NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 6, 2022
The Golden Knights’ new coach hopes to help Jack Eichel improve while Nick Suzuki talks about the Canadiens’ captaincy and the pressure of playing in Montreal. Details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
THE ATHLETIC: Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy hopes to elevate the play of center Jack Eichel, who has yet to appear in postseason competition after seven NHL seasons. Cassidy has spoken with the 25-year-old center about his goals and said he’s motivated to win the Stanley Cup.
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (NHL Images).
Eichel spent most of his NHL career with the struggling Buffalo Sabres before he was traded last season to the Golden Knights. He missed over half of last season recovering from neck surgery and played with a fractured right wrist down the stretch.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Eichel and Cassidy face tremendous pressure this season as the Golden Knights attempt to bounce back from missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. A strong performance by Eichel will be crucial toward achieving that goal and should make Cassidy’s job easier.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Appearing on the “Raw Knuckles Podcast,” Nick Suzuki spoke about the Canadiens’ captaincy and the pressure of playing in hockey-mad Montreal.
Suzuki, 23, is considered by some observers a favorite to become the Canadiens’ next captain. Asked about that role, he said he would “definitely be ready for it” if it came his way, pointing to examples set by former captain Shea Weber and teammates such as Brendan Gallagher.
Speaking about the pressure from fans and media in Montreal, Suzuki acknowledged their high expectations. However, he doesn’t let it interfere with how he prepares for the game. “As a player, you have to self-motivate, know where your game’s at, know how you’re playing and don’t let anything outside affect you,” he said.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see who the Canadiens choose as their next captain. It could be a rising young star such as Suzuki or perhaps a veteran such as Gallagher who’s been with the team for years.
OTTAWA SUN: The Senators signed restricted free agent defenseman Erik Brannstrom to a one-year, $900K contract.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Former Oilers defenseman Ladislav Smid has been invited to help as a guest coach with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings. Smid, 36, spent nearly eight of his 10 NHL seasons with the Oilers.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Sharks are reportedly considering rebranding their home and away jerseys for 2023-24.
Pressure on Knights and pressure on Eichel…. Huge understatements
Injuries for sure crimped ability to het into playoffs last year; but ownership mentality of buying a quick stairway to heaven have them cap-strapped and prospect poor
Interested to hear from Habs fans here re thoughts on next Captain
To me; Gallagher has the vet maturity and has flare; but in a rebuild…. Suzuki great choice IMHO
Habs fans???
I initially favored Gallagher. But now I believe it should be Suzuki. The captaincy is not a reward for past service. It’s a designation of the player that is expected to lead the franchise over the coming years. Especially for a rebuilding team. Suzuki is stepping up as the face of the team and the leader of the team. He’s their most important player right now. It’s his team. The fact that he spent the summer in Montreal shows that he recognizes his responsibilities to the team and the city, Give him the keys and let him drive the car.
Gallagher deserves the captaincy as he’s the hearty and soul of the team, not in terms of talent but sheer will and determination.
However he just doesn’t get along with the officiating crews and that is one of the key roles of a Captain.
Suzuki on the other hand is the future and he appears to be on fine terms with the officials, like Weber was.
He’s a quiet leader much in the tradition of past Captains in Montreal.
You could make a case for the pressure on Eichel and Cassidy being lower than expected because Vegas isn’t considered as strong as it has been.
I’ll be interested to see how Eichel plays this year – he has to be one of the most motivated guys in the league, that’s for sure.