NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 28, 2022
Brad Marchand makes a triumphant return to the Bruins lineup, the Canucks finally get their first win of the season, Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun suffers a setback in his recovery from a wrist injury, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Brad Marchand scored twice and collected an assist to lead the Boston Bruins to a 5-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. It was Marchand’s first game since undergoing double hip surgery in May. David Pastrnak had a goal and two assists while Jeremy Swayman made 28 saves for the Bruins (7-1-0). The Red Wings fall to 3-2-2.
Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand wasn’t expected to return to action until the American Thanksgiving long weekend so he was well ahead of schedule in his recovery. Meanwhile, Bruins center David Krejci left the game with an apparent arm injury. He’s considered day-to-day and won’t be traveling to Columbus with the club for tonight’s game against the Blue Jackets.
The Vancouver Canucks picked up their first win of the season by holding off the Seattle Kraken 5-4 to give head coach Bruce Boudreau his 600th career NHL victory. Ilya Mikheyev scored twice and Conor Garland tallied what proved to be the game-winning goal as the Canucks record is now 1-5-2. Jaden Schwartz had a goal and an assist as the Kraken fall to 3-4-2.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of the Canucks, they acquired center Jack Studnicka in exchange for goaltender Michael DiPietro and prospect Jonathan Myrenberg. Studnicka, 23, will try to get his NHL career on track after struggling to make the cut with the Bruins. The Canucks also placed defenseman Travis Dermott (concussion) on long-term injury reserve.
An overtime breakaway goal by Erik Karlsson lifted the San Jose Sharks over the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3. Sharks captain Logan Couture scored twice, including his 300th career NHL goal. Auston Matthews scored the game-tying goal in the third period for the Maple Leafs (4-3-1)while the Sharks are 3-7-0.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs continue to sleepwalk through October. This is the third time this season they’ve lost to a club that, on paper, they should’ve defeated, dropping games to the Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes. The best they can say about this loss is they at least get a loser point out of it.
Leon Draisaitl scored with 38 seconds remaining in the third period to give the Edmonton Oilers a 6-5 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each had a goal and two assists while Connor McDavid had a hat trick and chipped in an assist for the Oilers as they improve their record to 5-3-0. Patrick Kane and Max Domi each had a goal and two assists for the Blackhawks (4-3-0).
The Minnesota Wild doubled up the Ottawa Senators 4-2 to snap the latter’s four-game win streak. Marc-Andre Fleury made 27 saves while Kirill Kaprizov, Ryan Hartman and Frederic Gaudreau each had a goal and an assist for the Wild, who improve their record to 3-3-1. Alex DeBrincat had a goal and an assist for the Senators, who are 4-3-0.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Senators announced the signing of rookie center Mark Kastelic to a two-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $850K.
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger turned in a 27-save shutout to blank the Washington Capitals 2-0 to improve his club’s record to 5-2-1. Jason Robertson and Joel Kiviranta were the goalscorers. The Capitals are 4-4-0 in their first eight games.
The Winnipeg Jets got third-period goals by Axel Jonsson-Fjallby and Blake Wheeler to snap a 4-4 tie in a 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck kicked out 40 shots as the Jets improved their record to 4-3-0. Jonathan Quick made just 13 saves for the Kings as they fall to 3-4-0.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck was the difference in this game. The outcome could’ve been very different without him.
Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene each had three points as the Nashville Predators scored five unanswered goals to defeat the St. Louis Blues 6-2. Juuse Saros made 32 stops for the win as the Predators improve to 3-4-1 while the Blues are 3-3-1. Brayden Schenn and Robert Thomas tallied for the Blues.
The Philadelphia Flyers got a 48-save effort from netminder Carter Hart to hold off the Florida Panthers by a score of 4-3. Joel Farabee had a goal and an assist for the Flyers, who move to 5-2-0 on the season. Eric Staal was held scoreless in his debut with the Panthers, who drop to 4-3-1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Flyers announced Sean Couturier had suffered a setback in his recovery from an injured back and was no longer skating. Winger Cam Atkinson remains sidelined by an upper-body injury. They also claimed forward Kieffer Bellows off waivers from the New York Islanders.
The Montreal Canadiens nipped the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 on a late goal by Josh Anderson. Samuel Montembeault stopped 43 shots while Kaiden Guhle netted his first career NHL goal as the Canadiens improved to 4-4-0. Jeff Skinner and Dylan Cozens replied for the Sabres, who fall to 4-3-0.
IN OTHER NEWS…
DAILY FACEOFF: Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun is still listed as week-to-week in his recovery from off-season wrist surgery. He’s yet to play this season but has been the topic of trade speculation for weeks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: And that speculation will drag on despite this setback in Chychrun’s recovery. However, he’s not going anywhere until he finally returns to action and interested teams can see how well he performs before they make any firm trade offers.
CBS SPORTS: New Jersey Devils goalie MacKenzie Blackwood has been sidelined by an upper-body injury.
NEW YORK POST: Rangers winger Vitali Kravtsov has been sidelined for the second time this season with another upper-body injury. He’s listed as day-to-day.
NHL.COM: The Rangers also signed defenseman Ben Harpur to a one-year contract.
RW… time to panic…. Yes, Bruins won again, and still in first…. But March , after serious off-season surgery, no pre-season , and returning earlier than anticipated…. Only got 3 points and only played 17 1/2 mins….. trade everybody????
Come on
The only thing I didn’t enjoy last night was the play by play. I tried to get the Wings feed on the game but couldn’t. After the first I had to watch it with the sound off.
Bruins fans…. Doesn’t his play by play drive you nuts? He’s verbally 3 or 4 seconds behind what happens, often miscues, long pauses in speaking and talks like he’s chugging NyQuil all game. I guess eventually you get used to it. Mrs. Pengy walked into the family aud room and asked if the guy was drunk
Studs to ‘Nucks…. Change of scenery trade… Bruins weren’t using him really
Leafs…. Ouch again. Not a good start to game, not a good start to season. Coming back and forcing OT was good, but Sharks were 2-7-0 and 30th in league before last night’s game.
Yes with the single point… now Leaf’s are showing in a playoff spot … but that’s because they’ve played one more game than Sens, Sabres, Wings, Devils
I don’t expect this poor play to last; but it is surprising, and disheartening
Pengy, file it all under “Early Season Crap”
Re Marchand – ALL aspects of the game considered, this guy is among the Top 5 players in the game today. I figured 8-10 minutes first game back after surgery to BOTH hips and a month before his estimated return – he plays over 17 and gets 2 goals! Just frigging amazing.
Re Leafs…..Well maybe…. But still disheartening
March is a great player…. I think top 5 in league is stretching it though
Putting him up there with McD, Mac K, Leon, Shesterkin, Vazy, Headman, Sid, Makar, Mathews etc is a tad over ranking him
Top 15 overall and top 10 forwards to me is more likely an appropriate ranking
Pengy, I said considering ALL aspects of the game – physicality, dogged-determination, leadership, Burke’s favourite quality truculence, checking, and certainly not least, scoring ability including often when it counts most.
Name some other players among your top 15 who has all those qualities.
If I was a GM/coach and figured there was ONE player who I could get and thought would make the difference between being an also-ran and a champion – he’d be it.
I’m not sure if George is a tad over rating him.
Brad Marchand is good at hockey.
Not one of the players you listed (forwards) is as complete as Marchand.
Marchand could be a favorite for the selke year after year.
His game is much more then scoring points and he is the stick that stir the drink in Boston. Definitely one of the best players in the NHL and much closer to top 5 then top 15.
Hi George
I hadn’t necessarily glazed over “all aspects of the game”
That said…. BM ‘s persnickety presence and truculence certainly top those of the list I provided
However…. Looking at all aspects and weighing difference makers and top 5 in NHL…. To me (again just an opinion) BM is outside of top 5 in the NHL
Caper/George
Points well taken
Correct Caper…. I agree March closer to 5th overall than 15th
I just can’t put him ahead of McD, Leon , Mac K, Headman, Vazy, Sid
agree somewhere (for March) in the 6 to 8/9 spot…. so closer to top 5 than 15th OA
Pengy have you ever tried play by play I’m in the media I don’t do play by play but, I have some acquaintances who do, It’s damn hard. I think Edwards is really exaggerated by many fans and other journalists in his favouritism towards the b’s try that fool Mickey Redmond and Ken Daniels ( Detroit) they are worse. Even though Jack is sometimes a little behind the play that is his style, look at Paul Harvey the father of the pregnant pause, one of north americas no. 1 communicators. I actually like Jack, & Brickly is so superior to Redmond colour commentary I have no complaints about Brad he is truly one of the best players in the league. If he can ever keep out of penalty box and complete a full season without getting suspended he would consistently finish in top five scoring. Little worried about Krecji no one to fill in for him. I nominate Mr Know it all.
RW
I don’t for once underestimate the challenges re calling play by play… yes tough; absolutely no doubt about it
But he is a seasoned PBP guy…. And pregnant pause or not…. He was behind time in all his calls, and the pauses were many. No one can fault their own accent/drawl…and yes he’s a homie…. (BTW No one is a greater homie than Bowen (Leafs) ) …. Just overall it was very difficult to watch and listen to him. Very.
Me watching the second and third with the sound off was not hyperbole…. It literally is what I did. I couldn’t watch any more while concurrently listening to him. I just couldn’t.
No challenge to his insight/knowledge of the game
I just couldn’t listen to him…. That’s on me
Bruins fans must enjoy him or he’d have been off the airwaves after year one
Just not for me
“He was behind time in all his calls, and the pauses were many. Bruins fans must enjoy him”, because they are behind as well.
FTFY 😁
Pengy, the one stat that jumps out from last night’s Leafs-Sharks tilt was that Toronto only mustered 25 shots on Khakonen while allowing San Jose to fire 31 at rookie Kallgren,
I point that out only because I read somewhere recently that, in San Jose’s stumbling start to the season, and thanks mainly to a porous D, they’ve been allowing somewhere close to 40 per game.
Didn’t look at the actual shot numbers but from watching… hosers seemed to have been having more scoring opportunities and post game my personal take was that Leafs were lucky to escape with the single point
Sans that point…Leaf’s would have been at 4-4-0… and goal differential of (-1) tying them with Bolts and Caps (18th/19th in league standings)
Not the start Leafs want or were expected to have
Mathews on the scoresheet….. nice blast…. But through 3 or 4 bodies and pairs of skates and on PP, and possibly off of a Shark
I’d love to see more 5 on 5 goals by him and from beauty slot shots
His backcheck (well… no backcheck) on the Couture goal….. basically just sad
Bruins fan here as well. I always have the Bruins announcers on mute. Jack Edwards just annoys the heck out of me
Thought it was just me
We can’t possibly be the only two
Chychrun’s trade return value will remain lower than Yotes asking price until he returns…. And if he returns and doesn’t show very well…. Maybe they should lower price now and get what they can
Speaking of Yotes….
What an absolute nightmare in Arizona
This is all on you Gary
This article is priceless :
Arizona Coyotes Mullet Arena locker room for visitors is hilarious
https://deadspin.com/mullett-arena-is-somehow-dumber-than-you-d-imagine-some-1849708994
and here is another:
First look at embarrassing setup and dressing rooms for visiting teams at Coyotes’ arena! – HockeyFeed
https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/first-look-at-embarrassing-setup-and-dressing-rooms-for-visiting-teams-at-coyotes-arena
GM Armstrong is quoted (Source : Sportnet) : “If there is a problem with the facility, we want to make we are there for you, how can we fix it?”….. easy peasy…. Get Gary to retire…. Move team….. to…… ANYWHERE absolutely ANYWHERE ELSE
Derby County Football Club has the proper new chant for Gary and the entire Yotes franchise:
A Football Crowd Chanting ‘This Is Embarrassing’ Gives the Audio Illusion of Other Possible Phrases
https://laughingsquid.com/football-crowd-chanting-this-is-embarrassing/
That Is Embarrassing – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HRq9kfEy8o
Temple Arizona Nov 29th they Vote on the New Arena….Yes or No.
If… its a NO, The NHL & Yotes should Immediately Start Re-location Search if its going to be
🇨🇦Qubec, Hamilton or 🇺🇸Houston as a New NHL Destination
My Guess is Houston it has the Toyota Centre its NHL Ready with 17,800 seats and 2+ Million live in Houston
Gary,
this Embarrassing Disaster of an Experiment will finaly be over ⁉️
Agree Willie
All of this mess lies completely at Gary’s feet
Hoping and praying for thumbs down by Tempe council
BTW…. had Yotes played in Houston or Quebec in 22/23…. EXTRA cap increase (over current projections) for 23/24 would be $1M …. MINIMUM…. and that’s just simple math…. All projections have HRR higher annually in Houston or QC/PQ (over Yotes in the barn) by at least $70 M…. 50/50 share…. + $35 M …. Divided by 32 teams… that’s an annual EXTRA Cap increase of > $1M
2nd team in Toronto… Yotes moved , let’s say to Vaughn….closing in on $2M EXTRA Cap
As the chant (see my link above from Derby Football Club) says……
“ This is embarrassing
This is embarrassing
This is embarrassing
This is embarrassing”
It’s been quiet on the David Pastrnak front in regard to his negotiations of a new contract.
He has not been quiet on the score sheet with 6 goals and 9 assists 15pts in 8 games.
I think he is going to get paid. C’mon David be a team guy 8yrs for $40m.
Caper
Unfortunately I think he going to be close to 11 -12 per i was hoping he would take sane like McAvoy. But don’t think that’s going to happen now
Caper
I think Pastrnak tests the UFA Market July 1st⁉️
and gets $10 to $11.M
Why
There 2 top Centres are Very Old
Patrice Bergeron @38 yrs
David Krejci @37 yrs
Boston dont like Charlie Coyle #3 Centre playing 2nd line centre, he is a 3rd liner
and they dont have any Centres coming up the pipeline ….
They have 9 UFA, and Young Jeremy Swayman to sign he will want $5+M in a bridge deal for 2 years as a top young goaltender..? as he is way better than Linus Ullmark?
WW
If Pasta goes ufa he will make more then what you Posted someone will pony up 12. But he will get signed by bruins ctrs are 37 and 36 still both elite doubt they retire next year. Maybe 1 Swayman is currently not better tgen Ullmark. Abd gas no leverage other then sitting out Bruins will contend again next year But do not take my word for it Ownership will not allow rebuild
you guys have no idea, worst broadcast in the NHL is the Avalanche and it pains me to say it! Clowns and more clowns. focus is on being funny and humorous instead of talking honestly about what’s transpiring on the ice. that goes for both radio and television. Excuses and rationalizations for poor play when the team isn’t doing well on the ice. never talk about anything but stats, etc. discouraging. be glad for what you got
willieW, I believe the NHL looks at each area’s metro population (e.g. the GTA) and, in that regard, Houston ranks 5th in the U.S. with a population closer to 7 mil
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_North_American_metropolitan_areas_by_population
George your right, Houston is a Very Large city
its self just the city is over 2.1 M, the area is Huge 7+Mill
its like Toronto, 2.5 Mil, with about 6+Mill in the surrounding area,
I think they would be the front runner for the AZ team to help build in the Southern USA NHL market place….
PS
Austin Mathews may not be going home to AZ⁉️😂
George, you could make a case for a second team in the GTA – Hamilton? – but the league will focus on Western Conference cities, I’d imagine, and Houston would top that list.
Not much competition from the NFL or NBA franchises in Houston but the Astros are a different story. Baseball and hockey should be a good fit though.
Where would Austen Matthews go then?
Concur BC LeafsFan
Although financially the best move for the NHL is a 2nd GTA team… NHL focus would be on the West… and yes, Houston most logical
Portland or San Diego certainly not as good a fit as Houston, but far far superior than the Yotes barn (again…. IF Tempe council agrees… minimum 4 more years) ; and still superior , even with a new Tempe arena built in 4-5 years
Hi George
You keep bringing up raw population to knock down QC
The absolute (and by an absolutely huge margin) largest city and Metro in North America will never get an NHL franchise because of its “potential hockey “ market
QC’s current “potential hockey” market is larger than all of those cities you have listed; with possibly the long term outlook (with proper marketing) of San Diego as an exception to that
What concrete evidence do you base that on? Give me a link – not just your “gut feeling.”
I would bet dollars to donuts that an area like Milwaukee – one of the smallest among those I list – has a solid foundation of hockey fans. Cleveland was always among the most successful AHL markets for years under Eddie Shore. Portland, Oregon has a hockey history dating back many decades.
This is like yesterday’s thread about raising the draft age when you brought up drinking age … I provided a link showing that a number of U.S. states are moving towards lowering that to 18.
Thanks George
Didn’t know that some are potentially moving to 18 for drinking
Does not change my contention one iota a re increasing draft age
A handful … at the most… affected per year…. But Hockey as a whole; players as a whole; teams as a whole; franchises as a whole…. All gain by increasing the age to 19 (again… can be staggered)
You are correct … Cleveland would draw more fans than Yotes, as would likely Milwaukee
Keeping in Arizona is ABSOLUTELY not the right thing to do… and ONLY a situation because of one man
They should have been relocated years ago
We’re in agreement on that
Bottom line: they try to raise the age to 20 or 21 in hockey and they’ll have lawsuits up the yin-yan. And they KNOW it. NEVER going to happen.
Agree George… 21 not going to happen
20 obviously wouldn’t happen before 19… 20 unlikely (a nice dream for a s)
But…. 19 is prudent; relatively easy to implement (phased in over 2, maybe 3 drafts) ; and “sellable” to the NHLPA
Few games f any would challenge it; and highly unlikely to be a successful legal challenge and would take years to come to court
NHL can always mitigate that potential by having an “exceptional” clause/buffer type of thing…. Say, keeping top 3 or 4 picks eligible for 18 year olds
These are small logistical steps/nuances
Increasing the draft age comes up at BOG meetings every year and per TSN, SN, $ ESPN…. Interest (by BOG members) in moving to 19 , has been gaining more and more interst every year
Fingers crossef
Hi George
BTW …. per Wikipedia… Houston is 4th most populace US city
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_population
NHL does look at the Metro pops, but more importantly the “potential hockey audience”
This is solely why North America’s most populace city (and corresponding Metro area)…. And it is number 1 by a massive margin…. Will never get an NHL franchise
Conversely…. QC, Hamilton, Portland, KC have much much smaller metros than greater Phoenix (per Wikipedia …. Metro Phoenix listed as ~ 5 M); but those markets and even Markets such as Baltimore, San Diego, Halifax, and yes even Saskatoon…. All have greater projected “hockey audiences” than greater Phoenix
Gary knew this information going in… has known it for years… and remains defiant in not admitting his mistake and rectifying things (via relocation) to the benefit of (1) ALL 32 franchises; (2) all 700 or so players; (3) all future NHL players; (4) all owners; (5) HRR; (6) cap ; (7) the overall fans now , with substantial increases to overall fan base…. and the list goes on and on and on
Pengy, if you look again you’ll see that the link I provided deals with the METRO populations and, in that regard, Houston is 5th back of NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth
When it comes to hockey, comparing Mexico City to any other location in the U.S. or Canada is like comparing apples to walnuts.
And when it comes to media exposure/income the potential from the big U.S. outfits leaves any similar Canadian outlets in the rear-view mirror, and NO amount of “hockey audiences” is going to elevate places like Saskatoon, Halifax and Quebec City over any of those non-franchise U.S. locations I list elsewhere.
Hell, in that regard we’re lucky to have 5 franchises outside of Toronto and Montreal. Let’s be realistic here.
That’s my point George
It’s Gary’s call and Gary’s call only
Language in MC not an issue as over 7% of that are either anglophiles or completely bi-lingual (or multilingual) English/Spanish… so 1.5 M min
If the decision was not with Gary…. The number 1 location for the largest increases in HRR , fan base, etc etc (now, short term , mid term , and long term) is a 2nd GTA franchise
No one questions that
Re financially would a franchise be better ( HRR and etc etc as above) in QC over any other “new” US city not named Houston or San Diego…. absolutely
Now… you are right in thinking that there are more NHL execs beyond Gary who would rather the next city (relo or expansion) be Houston or San Diego before QC…. can’t get around that. I cede them re Houston; disagree re San Diego, as choices over QC
But it is only Gary, that is hell bent on maintaining the NHL pain that is the franchise in the Phoenix area
I’m Canadian… so yes I’d love another Canadian franchise (or 2)
I’m a businessman…so pure $’s and overall growth( here and near/mid/long term) count over nationality and sentimentality….. So a 2nd GTA franchise is really THE most logical from that perspective…and it’s not even close from an economic decision perspective
Just as a general hockey fan, and keeping with the US political side…. Move the Yotes to Houston….. win win win win win (etc a etc)
When we were in the “barn” for a tour a couple of weeks ago …. note we were not shown the dressing rooms…. We were completely gobsmacked as to how awful a venue (for NHL games) this was…. Poor sight lines; bench seating (maaaaaany ) etc etc… just a complete fiasco
Now ..with yesterday’s internet blast of the child-like “dressing room” (yes has to be in quotes) situation for at least their opening 4 home games…. Just pure mockery… just a complete mockery
Oh, I agree BCLeafFan that a 2nd team in the GTA would immediately be among the top attendance franchises – as would Burlington-Hamilton. Absolutely no doubt about it. Nor should there be allowed any ‘territorial” objections from Buffalo or the Leafs.
But I wish people would stop bringing up Quebec City. It’s metro population of 800, 296 is dwarfed by 12 in the U.S.:
Atlanta – 5,710,795
the so-called “Inland Empire” in California consisting of Riverside, San Bernardino & Ontario – 4,489,159
Cleveland – 3,600,000
San Diego – 3,299,521
Baltimore – 2.797,407
Salt Lake City – 2,701,129
Portland, Ore – 2,389,228
San Antonio – 2,384,075
Sacramento – 2,274,198
Cincinnati – 2,157,719
Kansas City – 2,087,471
Milwaukee – 1,574,731
I’m starting to get a little ticked off with all this
Nonsense. Pasta can step in and end it anytime. He loves playing in Boston my rosey red @r$e. 10.5 is plenty you should be able scrap by on that David. You and your agent have gotten greedy!!
When are you going to sell me that house at a discount?
My offer stands, 30% less than it’s appraisal.
Stop being greedy!