NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 27, 2022
The Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin shut out the Rangers, Brad Marchand could return to the Bruins sooner than expected and the Senators’ Josh Norris could be sidelined for the season. Details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin turned in a 41-save shutout to blank the New York Rangers 3-0. Kyle Palmieri scored two goals and Josh Bailey also tallied for the Islanders, who raise their record to 3-4-0. The Rangers (3-3-2) are winless in their last four games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Islanders placed forward Kieffer Bellows on waivers.
Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (NHL Images).
Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tallied his 200th career goal and Stuart Skinner turned aside 37 shots in a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Zach Hyman had a goal and an assist for the Oilers as their record improves to 4-3-0. Ryan O’Reilly netted the only goal for the Blues (3-2-0), who’ve lost two straight games.
Tampa Bay Lightning defensemen Victor Hedman and Mikhail Sergachev each had two points as their club doubled up the Anaheim Ducks 4-2. Nick Paul also had two points for the Bolts as they improve to 4-4-0. Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry replied for the Ducks, who fall to 1-5-1.
HEADLINES
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins could have Brad Marchand back in the lineup sooner than expected. Originally projected to return from double hip surgery by the American Thanksgiving weekend in late November, the 34-year-old winger has been skating regularly in practice with his teammates over the past two weeks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand requires medical clearance from team doctors before he can return to action. Given he’s already ahead of schedule in his recovery, he could be back before mid-November.
OTTAWA SUN: Bad news for Senators center Josh Norris as he’s sidelined long-term with an injured left shoulder that could require surgery. It’s possible he could miss the rest of this season but the club will learn more about his condition over the next four or five days.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Losing Norris for a significant period is a big blow for the Senators but not necessarily a fatal one for their season. With Tim Stutzle having moved up to center the first line, veterans Claude Giroux and Derrick Brassard in the lineup and rookie Shane Pinto off to a promising start, they have the depth to offset Norris’ absence.
General manager Pierre Dorion also has the cap space and young assets to draw up if necessary to acquire a center in the trade market. For now, I expect he’ll see how well his club adjusts before going that route.
THE PROVINCE: The bad news keeps coming for the struggling Vancouver Canucks as forwards Brock Boeser and Curtis Lazar head to the injured reserve list, joining Quinn Hughes and Travis Dermott. Tucker Poolman was recently placed on long-term injury reserve.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Canadiens rookie winger Juraj Slafkovsky (upper-body injury) still hasn’t been given the green light to resume play but will travel with the club for their upcoming road trip.
Speaking of the Canadiens, they acquired minor-league defenseman Nicolas Beaudin from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for minor-league forward Cam Hillis. Beaudin has 22 games of NHL experience since 2019-20.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets placed defenseman Adam Boqvist on injured reserve and called up 18-year-old David Jiricek, who was their first-round pick (sixth overall) in this year’s NHL Draft. Boqvist will be sidelined for six weeks with a broken foot.
WINNIPEG SUN: Jets head coach Rick Bowness will not be accompanying the team on their three-game road trip. He suffered dizzy spells on Monday that could be related to his recent bout with COVID-19.
TWINCITIES.COM: Former Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk, 36, is trying his hand at broadcasting. He’s working as an analyst with NHL Network.
Brad will be back playing sometime next week, Zacha will be on the third line where he belongs. He’s gotten colder than the Svalbard. If Swayman blows it tonight wouldn’t surprised if they brought up Keyser as backup……oh ohhh here comes the Boeing Wind Tunnel.
RW
I hate to be the bearer of bad news for you…. But Bruins are in first place in the League
Sorry
Pengy
They are but they lost 1 game. Must fire Sweeney asap. Or we are doomed. Lol
Mrbruin4, as I said a week or so before the opening games, even without Marchand and MacAvoy I still saw the Bruins as a very talented bunch and commented that all they had to do was keep their heads above water until those two got back.
I have to say, they’ve been doing a pretty good job of it. That one loss – to Ottawa – was one of those early-season fiascos that crop up every year – i.w., a last shot wins and to hell with defense joy rides.
George
I too thought they would be better then last year. Did i expect them to lead nhl after 7 gms. No. At the end of the day. Wins are great but to hoist in the end the team will need to be healthy. Usually the healthiest team in finals is the winner There does seem to be a-lot of early season injuries going around the league right now
Nice one MB4 👍
Yep. Injuries. The Great Equalizer.
Boston has had a favorable schedule to start and won all 5 games at home. Thier next two games are also winnable although Detroit could be tough tonight follow by Columbus on a back-to-back.
November starts with @ Pitts, NYR, Tor follow by home against St.L and Calgary and then @ Buff.
Let’s see how they fair after that stretch before we get too carried away with the early success.
Yes they’re off to a great start.
Re “ Brad Marchand could return to the Bruins sooner than expected”…. Uh oh ….. says the rest of the ATL Div… Bruins already hoppin’ ‘n boppin’
Bad (sad) news for Sens re Norris
Not a fan of low scoring games but did enjoy the Oil/Blues tilt…. Binnington played very well…. But it was Skinner who really shined IMHO
Pengy, yep – losing Norris will hurt, but as Lyle points out, at least they have depth at C with veterans like Giroux and Brassard.
But although Lyle says they have the commodities to trade for a center – which they do – finding a team willing to relinquish a good one is nigh on impossible.
They might be better off switching Giroux from RW to C on that 2nd line and dealing for a winger. I agree with his take, though, that Dorion will wait and see how things unfold over the next few weeks with some internal moves.
As for young Norris, in his case it looks like he could be facing a chronic situation given that this is the third injury to the same shoulder.
George don’t worry helps on the way, Chychrun should be in an Ottawa jersey before the end of next week.. if he isn’t I owe you a Tim’s medium.
Gah! To both Chychrun and Tim’s.
Take the bet George…
Fantastic reward …Tim’s (which I missed tremendously on my trip)
Hoping for Norris that this is not chronic
If they do go the Giroux to C and look for a winger…. Who would you target??
Ennnh Pengy – you know I avoid speculation in specific targets – unless they’re in the rumour mill – when it comes to the Senators.
IF Dorion is thinking along those lines I would imagine he’d focus his attention on those teams smack up against the cap who either don’t have significant LTIR relief or have some that are due back sooner rather than later.
Moving Giroux to C – where he has lots of experience – makes more sense than going after one – even where cap-strapped teams are concerned since, if they must move someone they’ll do all they can to avoid it being a 2nd line C. They are simply too hard to find. But goal-scoring wingers provide much more flexibility in that regard.
Replacing Norris’ 35 goals won’t be easy, of course, but I’d be willing to bet that having a healthy Pinto around all season, combined with the additions of Giroux and DeBrincat, will more than make up for that loss. Trading for a goal-scoring winger will only add to that.
That’s why the Dorion’s of the world make the big bucks.
Puljujärvi?
Hi George
My “take the bet”… was tongue ‘n cheek…. For you to get the coveted Tim’s brew as a reward; more than actually have Chychrun NOT be a Sen (per RW) by the end of next week
Treat yourself to a Tim’s…. Just cuz it’s Thursday 👍😀
Hi Pengy.
yes thats going to be hard for the Sens loosing young Norris he was playing well, but they are deeeper this year young Shane Pinto has stepped up and it would be long before we see Rilly Greig also
they can fill there top 3 Centre positions
Thachuck, Claude Giroux & Derick Brassard,
they have lots of forwards they can call up
Whats the Story with young LW Alex Formenton who scored 18 goals in his first full seasonstill an RFA….
We have not been hearing nothing about him…⁉️
Still think Ottawa is the Favourite team to land Chychrun, they have $4.5 in cap space and Norris $7.9M that will be on IR for the Next 3-5 Month…?
followed by Edmonton & LA Kings🤔
Hi Willie
Formenton still not signed
I have not heard if “he’s holding out” or whether Sens are tepid on increasing offer (term/$s) for either/both Cap reasons and ….. mmmm (certainly not saying he was part of it) maybe the media cloud over his potential being one of “the 8” in the World Jrs scandal… he was on the team as was his teammate Batherson, but I believe Formenton has not made a statement one way or the other
Who knows
Good quick player….
Sens have tons o’ cap so the signing delay that prompts the silly Cap formulae (to create a Cap hit year 1 far greater than AAV;) does not come in to their decision making
I remember really hoping that Beaudin would slide to the 2nd round in 2018 so the Habs could draft him with one of their early picks in that round. He looked like a solid prospect. Now they’ve picked him up and it’s not quite as exciting.
Maybe playing in his home province will allow him to resurrect his career but I doubt it. When a one time good prospect falls to the level of being traded for another prospect who hasn’t panned out, it usually means the league has given up on him. He will be another good prospect who couldn’t hit his potential. Not the first, won’t be the last.
You got it Howard. Keiffer Bellows is another – a 1st round pick 19th overall placed on waivers yesterday by the Islanders.
George and Howard
Not saying “hold your breath”…. but sometimes change of scenery moves do work
For Bellows…. He should hope and pray he doesn’t get picked up by Yotes
Howard,
Beaudin was drafted one after Bernard-Docker, one before Nils Lundkvist and 2 before Rasmus Sandin.
None of which have made it in the NHL yet and all he cost was a 3rd rounder who couldn’t fit in the AHL.
It’s a low risk depth move to fill a spot in Laval for now with potential upside.
HF30, Sandin is a regular with the Leafs.
Do you think raising the draft age from 18 to 19 or 20 avoid misses like those examples?
Hi Ron
Raising the draft age benefits the game. I’ve advocated that for years
1 extra year to see further growth will definitely improve effective projections of NHL long term potential
Misses will still happen; but I would expect to a lesser extent
The extra year benefits the players… 1 more year of growth (height maybe, but muscle and weight very likely) , skill development, and maturity to help guide the transition from playing with teens to playing with prime aged; fully physically developed, men…. At the much higher paced and superior quality game
I keep coming back to that “penultimate” draft year …. ‘03…. Those basically born in ‘85…. Because of the Gary shutdown…. None of them played in the NHL until they were 19, many with one more year… @20…. and look at how long and dominant that draft class has(and some still are) playing…
Still playing 19 + years AFTER being drafted:
The flower
Bergeron
E Staal
Suter
Carter
Brown
Parise
Burns
Perry
Little Joe
Elliot
Halak
Still on the NHL payroll 19+ years after being drafted
Weber
Seabrook
Played or on NHL Payroll until July 1 st , 22 (19 years after being drafted)
Getzlaf
Kessler
Boyle
Erickson
Brad Richardson
Nate Thompson
Others from that draft year:
Crawford
Phaneouf
Vanek
Big Buff
Michalek
Fehr
Richards
Stewart
Backes
Howard
Lapierre
Dawes
Methot
Brodziak
Enstrom
Quincy
McCarther
… and lest we not forget the future hall of famer …. The loquacious Mr. Biznasty ….. LOL
Really only 2 real first round busts…. Jessiman Rangers @ 11thOA….2 NHL games; and Belle (30th OA. Blues)…. 20 NHL games
No raising the draft age would be a mistake.
I think it would be more beneficial if NHL teams were allowed to send their 1st round picks from the CHL to the AHL instead of having them go back to the CHL. I think a lot of these high draft picks have learned everything they can from the CHL, but because of an agreement between the NHL and CHL, these players have to go back to the CHL if they don’t make their NHL team.
I agree wholeheartedly that the draft age should be raised to 20. The 18 year old draft was necessitated by the WHA and had hurt hockey.
Pengy, the lockout year was 2004-05, so some 2003 draftees did play in the NHL the following year. It was their second season that was cancelled. 2005 would have been the year to raise the draft age and not have a draft. Except it was Sid’s year. The last thing the league needed PR wise was to delay the entry of a generational superstar.
Caper
Why a mistake??
KevJam
Agree that the CHL rule should be scrapped… and if done would benefit AHL, players, and future for NHL teams
That said… upping the draft age would definitely benefit all around
And could be phased…
Say…
‘24 draft… first 4 rounds…. Any player 18 by 15/9/24; rounds 5-7… must be 19 by 31/12/24
‘25 draft…. First two rounds 18 by 15/9/25; rounds 3-5…. Must turn 19 by 15/9/25; 6-7… 19 by 31/12/25
‘26…. All players outside of top 10 picks must be 19 by 31/12/26; top 10 must be 18 by 15/9/26
‘27… all drafted players have to be born in 2008 or before (at least 19 that year)
But I have a feeling that, in this day and age where ever one’s “rights” are front and center whenever those rights appear to have been violated, the NHL and CHL would be very leery of telling someone who’s 18 that, while he can join the armed forces – and face death – or can legally get a job slinging hamburgers at McDonald’s – he can’t advance in the occupation he chooses and start earning potentially millions before he turns 20 because that’s “more convenient” for the NHL and CHL.
That would be in the courts before you could say Connor McDavid.
Hi George
Your point has some merit but I don’t think this would at all be the sticking point.
On a tangential note…. in many US states (not sure if it is all)— you can vote; you can die for your country…. at 18
But you have to be 21 to legally buy a drink. Not advocating for drinking; just making a point.
I am all for it (upping the NHL draft age); and I think the benefits are large
Changing it to 19 really only affects maybe 2 or 3 players a year (for full year ) and a handful that may possibly get 9 games max …. very few every year , actually get to play in the NHL (for the entire year) as at their draft year; and some of those are late B-Days…. so turning 19 in that fall anyway.
There may be three or four 2003 born (19 th9is year) players that have played so far this year; I believe Slavko and Wright are the only ’04 birth year (18 year olds) players (so far) to play a 22-23 NHL game
The NFL can only draft players from University, at which point the players are 20 years old or older.
Same thing with the NBA, except with the rare occasion a player gets drafted out of high school. I believe LeBron James was the last player drafted out of high school. I think Kobe Bryant was also drafted out of high school.
Pengy, I only raised that point from the almost positive action that would be taken by players through the court system – and there are prominent lawyers who would be salivating at the prospect of advocating for the “next McDavid” (who was born Jan 13, 1997 and when drafted in 2015 was 18 – he also played at age 18 in 2015-16 scoring 16g 32a 48 pts in 45gp.
And any attempt to introduce a system resembling the junior draft of “exceptional” midgets/whatever would raise the legitimate question by lawyers “and on what, exactly, are you intending to base your “exceptional” designation?”
No, a move in that direction would open up multiple cans of worms that the NHL would not want to be faced with, “drinking age” or not. In fact, expect to see a lowering of the legal drinking age to 18 in the not too distant future – efforts and challenges are already under way
https://abcnews.go.com/US/Politics/story?id=4577105&page=1
Coreect you are Howard
My bad…. Brain fart (or old fart??? LOL)
The basic analogy does hold though as only 3 or 4 (?) played at 18, the rest had to wait until they were 20…. Starting at 20 (some at 21) certainly helped careers
That draft year certainly had many long careers (12 still playing )
How good of a position is Ottawa in, when you read statement such as:
“Losing Norris for a significant period is a big blow for the Senators but not necessarily a fatal one for their season.”
Norris was Ottawa leading goal scorer last season with 35 goals in 66 games played, that’s 43 goals over 82 games
Yes Ottawa has players they can move into C and yes having Claude Giroux helps. But you’re not replacing what Norris brings with one player. The goals lost will have to be replaced by committee.
Definitely a positive they have depth in their system.
agreed, but my main takeaway was that with Stutzle growing and with Pinto being a beast, they have more firepower than last year regardless of plugging the centre hole with a veteran.
And don’t forget, theSaint, they’ve added DeBrincat (41 goals last season) and Giroux (21 goals last season) to go along with Pinto (5 so far). And what will they get from his linemates Joseph and Motte on a line that seems to be working well together.
It’s a long way to go, but at least they have the ingredients they didn’t have last season to make up for the loss of Norris’ 35 goals. And if Dorion can locate a RW through trade to plug in on that 2nd line with Giroux moving to C, that won’t hurt in the slightest.
The other very positive development is the improvement on defence with Sanderson clearly being a key asset, Branstrom finally fulfilling his promise, and Zub becoming a real cornerstone. Of course, Zub still has to be signed for a long term contract but I suspect (or at least hope) this will happen before too long.
Hossaheat, it would happen in a blink if they could somehow jettison Zaitsev’s $4.2 mil cap hit.
Sound like Ottawa doesn’t need Norris 35 goals.
Maybe they should move him for a dman
I missed something. Nils Lundkvist and Rasmus Sandin were both picked after Beaudin and who now have played 32 and 95 NHL games to date.
But you’re right about the move. Plus times on the players side right now and I really see no rush or need for him on the Habs right now either.
Low cost (cash) low risk move for teams that are not cash strapped…. Offer league min to Chaisson …. Big, only 31…. 16 goal pace (per 82) last year
Risk…. League min cash…. $750 K …. that’s nothing for rich owners
Sign; try to waive him to minors…. Call up when needed…. when down in minors… no Cap hit; when called up for injury replacement, he’s replacing cap @ league min… worst case…. LTIR is league min; net zero cap change.
…. If he gets picked up on waivers…. Team wasted paperwork , some phone time only
If he Clears…. He’s available for call up (for injury replacement)
Not much of a risk…. For a potential contributor !!
Looks like 63 is playing tonight vs wings a month ahead of schedule. Let us hope not to early and has a regression
Concur MB4
Great to see (for Bruins and March fans)… but they should definitely ease him into the line up rather than risk another injury absence
The Leaf and Pens fan in me, says…. “Relax Brad… no rush, take a few more months to fully recover”
Pengy
Seams like that is the plan coach says not playing tomorrow in back to back. Wonder who they wave to stay at 23 man roster
Logically, one who has waivers left – Studnicka? Frederic?
As for Marchand, I’m sure he’d have full medical clearance to get back into action and, having missed the heavy work in training camp/exhibition games, he likely wants to start getting his “game legs” sooner rather than later.
I’d be surprised if he gets more than 8 – 10 minutes tonight – and even then in carefully selected spots.
Marchy gets hurt on the third shift or he scores a hatty with two shorties and a pp goal.
Habs fans …. Re your new big strapping lad (I believe one of his teammates nicknamed “Wifi” due to his last name looking like a Wifi password)…..
From Wikipedia…
“While playing minor hockey with the Hamilton Huskies, Xhekaj was known for a comparatively slight frame, and as a result he was not taken in the Ontario Hockey League’s entry draft in 2017. ”
“Comparatively slight”….. did he find his grandfather’s Joe Weider barbells and workout magazines….??
from “slight” and being passed over… Jr. and NHL drafts…. To 6’4” 240, and already winning a fight in the NHL…. “slight” would not be a descriptor for him!!
Pengy,
WiFi is a feel good story in that he is showing some talent and potential with the sheltered 3rd pairing minutes he’s getting.
His gap is poor, he fades to his off side too often and skilled experienced forwards take advantage. On the plus side he’s a sponge and a quick learner, he’s more than a mean streak.
TBH he isn’t NHL ready but he’s a breath of fresh air on a team with more effort than talent.
I like him being called WiFi as opposed to his previous nickname, the Sheriff it marks him as a player who can fight not a fighter who can play a little.
Sens found that out in the pre-season when they tried to goon the young Habs.
When Mr know it all found out Brad was playing tonight, I have it on good authority that he very nearly od’d on a double helping of his mums Pumpkin Spice latte pie to help celebrate.
Rinse repeat.
Gooo gooo ga ga. Jibber woki. Mist intelligent thing you said in months
I love it when Mr you know who smiles. He has the cutest dimples this side of Joe bats arm.
His ears disappear whenever he smiles.
You two should do a pod cast. Bring in each of us as regular guests each episode.
I’d listen. I like Rick’s contrarians view point coupled with Mrbruin4’s positive outlook.
They could call it “What’s Bruin?”
LOL
Lol. Could be the next big thing on hnic Then again probably not😞
Good one Lyle. LOL.
Raising the age limit, take a year away from any potential NHL player.
It’s up to the GM’s to figure out how best to develop their prospects.
By most account and NHL life is 10yrs. Yes there is exceptions.
Why should any 18yrs have to give up potential income?
Why should Connor McDavid, Austin Matthews or any other 18yr old have to wait a year to join if they are deemed capable of playing at 18yrs of age.
Your simply denying these players a year of development and a year of income.
Most players are going to have to find their way thru the minors regardless of draft age.
With a short window of maybe 10yrs, no thanks to losing one year of potential income.
The age is fine it falls on the team to figure the rest out.