NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 10, 2022
Lightning suspends Ian Cole pending an investigation into sexual abuse allegations, Wayne Simmonds and Mike Reilly are among those on the waiver wire, the Blues trade Klim Kostin to the Oilers, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
TAMPA BAY TIMES: The Lightning suspended Ian Cole pending the result of a league investigation into allegations against him of sexual abuse.
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole (NHL Images).
A woman using the alias “Emily Smith” recently took to social media accusing the 33-year-old defenseman of engaging in a sexual relationship with her that started when she was a minor. She claimed Cole had manipulated her over a four-year period.
Cole denied the allegations in a statement on Sunday. He and the Lightning indicated they would fully cooperate with the league’s investigation.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No timetable has been given by the league as to when it will complete its investigation. As the report indicates, this is the latest black eye for the sport as it reels from numerous reports of sexual abuse claims.
Former Chicago Blackhawks forward Kyle Beach came forward last year as the player suing the club for mishandling his allegations he’d been sexually assaulted by their former video coach in 2010.
Hockey Canada is being grilled by a Canadian parliamentary committee over its handling of sexual assault allegations against members of Canada’s 2003 and 2018 World Junior teams. Some of those players may have gone on to NHL careers.
Meanwhile, the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors fired head athletic trainer Chad Drown after he was charged with “contacting a minor to commit a sexual offense”. The Condors are the affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, who released a statement supporting the decision to fire Drown.
DAILY FACEOFF: Toronto Maple Leafs winger Wayne Simmonds, Boston Bruins forward Nick Foligno and defenseman Mike Reilly are among the notable players placed on waivers Sunday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs also let it be known that Simmonds was available for a trade. I’ll have more about that in today’s Rumor Mill update. Foligno isn’t likely to be claimed given his declining performance and $3.8 million cap hit for this season.
Reilly’s puck-moving skills could see him end up with a different team later today. He hits the waiver wire because sidelined defenseman Matt Grzelcyk is expected to return to action much sooner than expected.
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH: The Blues traded forward Klim Kostin to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for defenseman Dmitri Samorukov.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A former first-round pick (2017), Kostin struggled to crack the Blues lineup. Perhaps he’ll have better luck with the Oilers as they’re in need of depth on right wing. They also made this move because Kostin carries a slightly more affordable contract. The Blues, meanwhile, are expected to send Samorukov to their AHL affiliate in Springfield.
TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs yesterday signed winger Zach Aston-Reese to a one-year deal worth over $840K.
NEW YORK POST: The Rangers signed winger Jimmy Vesey to a one-year, $750K contract. It’s his second tenure with the Blueshirts as he spent the first three seasons of his NHL career with them.
TSN: The NHL department of player safety fined New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov $5,000.00 for charging Rangers center Vincent Trocheck during a preseason game on Saturday.
ARIZONA SPORTS: The Coyotes claimed defenseman Juuso Valimaki off waivers yesterday from the Calgary Flames.
GOPHNX.COM‘s Craig Morgan reports the Coyotes are expected to release forward Alex Chiasson from his professional tryout offer.
Reilly will get plucked off waivers – maybe by Arizona who also took Valimaki from Calgary.
Foligno will have two choices – report to the AHL or retire. Pretty much the same with Simmonds.
George, thinking out loud, you would think Sweeney who showcased Reilly in preseason and by all reports played extremely well, was trying to move him but had no takers or they wanted a sweetener.
Reilly as 2yrs at $3m and maybe it’s the 2nd year scaring off people. Either way I won’t be surprised if he clears, and I won’t be surprised if he’s claimed.
Which team claims a really solid guy, well liked and great in the dressing room. Excellent addition to any young team wanting an experience professional knowing how to play the game the right way and offers a ton of experience and teach young and veterans to be good teammates and excellent ambassador in your community. Please submit your letter of interest for Nick Foligno by noon today.
Though never a top level player, Foligno was always a leader and mentor. So I wouldn’t be surprised if he got into coaching.
Well, the Reilly pick never transpired – he just cleared waivers.
What is it with dweebs like Drown and Cole … are they totally oblivious to what’s going on around them all over the globe when it comes to such disgusting activity? Clearly thinking with the wrong head.
Only one was charged with an offense, George. Or do you know something we don’t?
In Cole’s case that is certainly true … to this point anyway … so, yeah, let’s wait for the results of the investigation before leaping to conclusions – you’re right there johnny z … but the overall reaction remains the same for any pro athlete getting himself into that kind of a mess – i.e., does what is happening all across the spectrum not occur to those who are eventually found guilty?
I think many share George’s sentiment of disappointment in people, especially ones which have careers fortunate to have. I don’t think it was anything else nor think anyone is calling anyone guilty at all.
I can understand George’s assumption. For far too long, team owners and the professional leagues (since commissioners are hired and paid by team owners) overlooked and, at times, covered up poor behavior and lawbreaking by players, especially star players. Especially in the NBA and NFL. While leagues have responded to fans’ and the general public’s intolerance for disagreeable behavior by athletes, it is taking time for everyone to fail in line.
Mike Reilly I am a little leery of letting this guy go for nothing he’ll be picked up, Foligno deadwood nothing left in The tank, a guy who’s has scraped by for years with nothing left to give, Wagner different story nice guy casualty of the cap wars. If Foligno isn’t picked up ( Minny?) Just let him ride the bench for a couple of months he’ll soon pack it in.
Bruins left off Nosek from their waiver wire.What value does he add that Studnicka can t do?
LH face of wins.
Harder on the puck.
Speaks Czech?
Nosek is also a proven penalty killer. Can’t say the same for Studs.
Connor Ingram to AZ
Jussi Olkinuora to Philly
Chris Tierney to OTT
Mike Reilly to Winny or Montreal or TB
Zack MacEwen to the Ducks
Simmonds to Boston or Chi
Just some predictions
If Simmonds ends up in Boston I’ll drown my sorrows, but I can never get Paul or mr b To go swimming with me.
i will be cheering for Simmonds now. PS you wont make it back to shore. lol.
Happy Turkey Day to all fellow canucks
Considering how rarely I reply to your comments, I must have really gotten under your skin when I was making fun of your posts for you to keep making reference to me.
Johnny z – what the heck would Ottawa want with Chris Tierney? They had him and let him walk – and in the meantime have added Brassard to compete with Gambrell for the 4th line C position with Norris, Stutzle and Pinto holding down the 1 to 3 slots. They also have Kastelic who is making it hard for management to send him down to Belleville. Even if he does go there he’ll be one of the early call-ups.
George, they just signed Brassard today. Yes, Teirney would be redundant now.
Reading all the expert season predictions this morning…
Reading all the expert’s season predictions this morning
I am the only one that does not understand Carolina being picked to make ECF and or the Cup?
They lost some very good forwards and their goalie has never won a playoff series since 2015.
I hope there was some investigation by the lightning prior to suspension. Otherwise when the pens play the avs for the cup this year a Christina smith might have some serious allegations against mr McKinnon.
Something seems missing in this story.
Although I am not surprised that the Blues traded Kostin, I am disappointed in the return. I think he will be a good addition for the Oilers, with a little physicality and a few goals. However, I clearly OVERvalued him. I thought he might bring in PO Joseph who is being shopped by Pitts.
Pengy, your thoughts?
A fake troll account gets a guy suspended what a joke. There’s no charges or a real person identified. Sad world we live in