Notable NHL Headlines – September 28, 2022
Five days after being sidelined by Hurricane Fiona, Spector’s Hockey is back with the latest notable NHL headlines.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Did you miss me? Because I sure missed all of you!
It’s been difficult for everyone here on Prince Edward Island and for others in Atlantic Canada affected by Hurricane Fiona. My family and I emerged unscathed with no damage to our home or property but many of my neighbors and fellow Islanders weren’t so lucky.
Repairs and cleanup are ongoing but in some cases, it could take weeks. Please spare a thought or prayers for those who still have a lot of work ahead of them to get back to normal. If you wish to make donations to aid those affected by Hurricane Fiona you can follow this link.
I’m grateful to two of my friends for providing me with a place to work until my electricity and internet are restored in the (hopefully) new future. A big thank you to the crews at Maritime Electric and everyone else working hard to get everyone back online.
The following is a brief summary of noteworthy NHL news of the last couple of days. I hope to be back with the daily morning coffee headlines starting Thursday, September 29.
THE SCORE: The NHL salary cap could rise by as much as $10 million by 2025-26. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Rory Boylen, the cap is projected to increase to $83.5 million for 2023-24, to between $87.5 million and $88 million for 2024-25, and to approximately $92 million by 2025-26.
Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: And I’m sure we’ll see NHL teams (especially the general managers) being far more prudent spenders and show restraint when signing new contracts over that period…Nahhhhh!
TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares recently suffered an oblique strain and will be out for three weeks.
PHILADELPHIA HOCKEY NOW: Flyers center Sean Couturier will not require surgery for an ongoing back injury. However, he remains sidelined week-to-week.
TRIBLIVE.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jeff Petry was fined $5,000.00 for roughing Detroit Red Wings forward Jonatan Berggren during preseason play on Tuesday. The Wings won that game 6-2.
VANCOUVER HOCKEY NOW: Canucks winger Brock Boeser is out three-to-four weeks following surgery to repair a hand injury. TSN reports teammate Ilya Mikheyev suffered a lower-body injury during Monday’s preseason game against the Calgary Flames. He’s listed as week-to-week.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Injuries continue to dog Boeser, who inked a three-year deal worth an average annual value of $6.65 million with the Canucks this summer.
THE PROVINCE: Canucks chairman and governor Francesco Aquilini denies allegations of child abuse by his own children. The NHL is monitoring the situation. The allegations arose during an open hearing earlier this week over whether Aquilini is still responsible for paying for his three youngest children’s education. He and his wife divorced in 2013.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers signed Spencer Knight to a three-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $4.5 million beginning in 2023-24. Along with Sergei Bobrovsky ($10 million AAV through 2025-26), the Panthers have the highest-paid goalie tandem in the league.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: One of those two will become an expensive backup over that period.
TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed defenseman Andrew Peeke to a three-year, $8.25 million contract extension.
TSN: The Colorado Avalanche released Alexander Galchenyuk from his professional tryout offer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This could spell the end of Galchenyuk’s NHL career. He was the third overall pick in the 2012 Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. After several seasons in Montreal, he’s bounced from the Habs to the Arizona Coyotes (twice), Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.
TAMPA BAY TIMES: The Lightning moved their training camp to Nashville ahead of Hurricane Ian bearing down on Florida. They postponed two home preseason games earlier this week.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Despite missing the playoffs last season, the Golden Knights remain among the hottest tickets in the secondary market. They’re fourth in demand among the 32 NHL clubs on the ticket resale marketplace StubHub.
First off, welcome back, Lyle. I’m glad that you and yours are okay.
Secondly, take projections for the salary cap with a grain of salt. Bally Sports, which is the regional sports network which carries about half of the American teams’ broadcasting, is reportedly on the verge of bankruptcy and searching for buyers. The possible good news is that MLB, the NBA and the NHL are supposedly in negotiations to buy the networks.
An addendum. Just read that Bally Sports+ streaming service is to be offered in Ohio….. At $29.99 a month! Insane.
Glad you are ok Lyle. Hope life gets back to normal for you soon
Hi Lyle
So glad to hear that you and your family emerged unscathed (as you have put).
Glad to hear that you were able to get assistance from neighbours.
Thoughts and well wishes to all out on the coast who went through this and are recovering from it’s effects.
Yes we missed you
My comment re today’s posts—
ouch for Cats—- $14.5 M in goaltenders; and if Knight takes the reigns… $10 M back-up (Bobo)— double ouch
Re Cap going up by as much as $10 M in 25-26… I expect a jump; but that seems very far fetched to me
Perhaps they are counting on a Yotes move to Houston… taking a franchise that is seriously drawing from shared HRR; to significantly contributing to it.
Thoughts and well wishes out to those who are now getting to “know” Ian and/or who will “get to know” Ian in the next several hours
Yes we missed you!!
Glad to hear you and your family are safe. It is hard to fathom having to go through that and it’s aftermath and having to start over and losing precious items even if memories are only left to cherish in many cases. It always comes down to that “GO TEAM GO” effort in order to reflect, recover and rebound.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all.
As far as hockey goes,…just wanting people to step up and fill the gaps as they may get the chance due to injuries. (My Leafs are slowing diminishing but when a door closes, another one opens and this is where pay offs can occur, now or down the road.
Curtis Douglas is someone I am hoping shows well. We need more physicality,..coach is calling for it, so I’d love to see a 4th line (young and hound like line) pop out of it and imo,..Curtis Douglas could be one that fits my want.
Yes I missed you and your commentary. I found myself checking this site 2 and 3 times a day to see if you were back online. Although I do not comment very often I read this site every day. Welcome back and next time don’t stay away so long (lol).
I am glad to hear you and your family are alright and my prayers go out to all the people affected by Hurricane Fiona. Like snuffy1953 I have been reading your commentary every day. Keep up the great work!
Even me Lyle?đ
Gonna donate after this post.
Glad you and yours are safe.
Welcome back!
Lyle, glad to hear that you and your family are safe.
Stay strong PEI, and the rest of Atlantic Canada!
Glad to see you back and safe Lyle! My morning coffee has not been the same this week. Hope everything gets back to normal soon for you and your fam.
Glad to hear you and your family are all good, I like many others read your site daily and was checking a few times a day, I was reading your posts on twitter so I knew you would be posting soon, I look forward to your comments on the articles, I donât agree with some of the other posters comment always but enjoyable to read after all everyone is entitled to their opinion
Agree with all the sentiment here, Lyle, you have definitely been missed and Iâm glad you and yourâs are safe.
Lyle we missed you, glad you’re safe. best of luck to you, your neighbors and fellow islanders and Canadians affected by the aweful hurricane
Welcome back Lyle. We tried keeping the “hits” going on one thread with any tidbits of new info that came along but our “addiction” wasn’t even closely satisfied.
Welcome back! unfortunately now we deal with Hurricane Ian, and prayers to all affected by that storm as well.