NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 6, 2022
Alex Ovechkin tallies another goal-scoring record, the Golden Knights take over first overall, commissioner Gary Bettman weighs in on the Bruins signing controversial prospect Mitchell Miller, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin tallied his 787th career goal in his club’s 3-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes. He moved past Gordie Howe to set the record for the most goals scored by one player on one NHL team. However, Washington blew a 2-0 lead as Arizona rallied for the win on two goals by Nick Ritchie. The Capitals dropped to 5-6-2 while the Coyotes improved to 4-6-1.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The injury-ravaged Capitals suffered another blow as defenseman Dmitry Orlov left the game in the first period with a lower-body injury. Earlier in the day, they claimed forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Vegas Golden Knights (11-2-0) took over sole possession of first place in the overall standings with 22 points as they held off the Montreal Canadiens 6-4. Reilly Smith scored two goals as the Golden Knights rode a four-goal third period to victory. Nick Suzuki tallied twice and Kirby Dach collected three assists for the Canadiens as their record falls to 5-6-1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens winger Josh Anderson received a match penalty and could face supplemental discipline for boarding Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, who was unhurt on the play.
Auston Matthews scored twice as the Toronto Maple Leafs held on for a 2-1 lead over the Boston Bruins (10-2-0), dropping the latter two points behind the Golden Knights in the overall standings and snapping their seven-game winning streak. Brad Marchand replied for the Bruins on a penalty shot for his 800th career point. Mitch Marner collected two assists for the Leafs as they raise their record to 6-4-2.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov left this game with a knee injury, leaving them with just one healthy goalie in third-stringer Erik Kallgren. Following the game, the Leafs signed Toronto Marlies netminder Keith Petruzzelli to a one-year, two-way NHL contract. Meanwhile, Bruins center David Krejci returned to the lineup after missing three games with an upper-body injury.
Colorado Avalanche stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar each had three assists to lead their club over the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1 at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, sweeping their two-game Global Series. The Avalanche elevated their record to 6-4-1 while the struggling Blue Jackets are 3-9-0 thus far.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets winger Jakub Voracek missed this game with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day.
The Dallas Stars got a hat trick from captain Jamie Benn and a three-point performance from Jason Robertson to down the Edmonton Oilers 6-2. Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse scored for the Oilers (7-5-0) while the Stars rise to 8-3-0.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was another rough game for Oilers starting goaltender Jack Campbell, who acknowledged his performance thus far this season has been “pathetic”. Signed to a five-year, $25 million contract by the Oilers in July as a free agent, the 30-year-old Campbell has a bloated 4.20 goals-against average and a measly save percentage of .874. Backup Stuart Skinner could see more starts in the coming games. He’s among the league leaders with a sparkling .944 save percentage and a 2.10 GAA in five games.
New Jersey Devils winger Fabian Zetterlund scored twice, including the winner in overtime, in a 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames. The Devils (9-3-0) have won seven straight games to sit second overall in the Eastern Conference with 18 points. Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zaitsev scored as the Flames (5-4-1) rallied from a 3-1 deficit to force overtime.
Nikita Kucherov had a goal and three assists to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Buffalo Sabres by a score of 5-3 to improve their record to 7-4-1. Brandon Hagel had a goal and two assists for the Lightning. Owen Power collected two assists for the Sabres as they drop to 7-5-0.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The banged-up Sabres blueline had to make do without star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin for this match. He’s listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck kicked out 30 shots to shut out the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Josh Morrissey each had a goal and an assist as the Jets move to 7-3-1. The Blackhawks (5-5-2) had to turn to fifth-string goalie Dylan Wells after Arvid Soderblom left the game in the second period with an undisclosed injury.
The Detroit Red Wings got a 24-save shutout from Ville Husso in a 3-0 victory over the New York Islanders. Dominik Kubalik had a goal and an assist for the 6-3-2 Red Wings while the Islanders drop to 7-5-0. It was a costly win for the Wings as forward Filip Zadina left the game in the second period with an injured right leg.
A tie-breaking goal late in the third period by Brandon Tanev lifted the Seattle Kraken over the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. Yanni Gourde had a goal and two assists as the Kraken rise to 7-4-2. Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel replied for the Penguins (4-6-2) as their winless skid extends to seven games.
The Los Angeles Kings got a tie-breaking goal by Gabriel Vilardi late in the third period to nip the Florida Panthers 5-4. Anze Kopitar and Viktor Arvidsson each had two points for the 7-6-1 Kings while Carter Verhaeghe scored twice for the 6-5-1 Panthers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers winger Patric Hornqvist missed this game with an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day.
Ottawa Senators forward Claude Giroux tallied his 300th career goal against the Philadelphia Flyers but his former club went on to win this game 2-1 on goals by Kevin Hayes and Zack MacEwen. Carter Hart made 31 saves for the Flyers (6-3-2) while the Senators’ record sits at 4-6-2.
A shootout goal by Matt Duchene gave the Nashville Predators (5-6-1) a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks, dropping the latter’s record to 3-6-3. The Predators overcame a 3-0 deficit with Jordan Gross scoring his first two goals of his NHL career.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blown leads continue to plague the Canucks this season and will be their downfall if they don’t address this issue soon.
The Anaheim Ducks improved their record to 4-7-1 by downing the San Jose Sharks 5-4 on a shootout goal by Adam Henrique. Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish and Brett Leason each had two points and Antony Stolarz made 48 saves for the win. Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier each had a goal and two assists for the 3-8-3 Sharks.
COMMISSIONER BETTMAN WEIGHS IN ON BRUINS SIGNING MITCHELL MILLER
NHL.COM: Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league was not consulted by the Boston Bruins before they signed controversial prospect Mitchell Miller on Friday. Speaking at the 2022 NHL Global Series on Saturday at Tampere, Finland, Bettman stated that Miller is not eligible to play in the NHL.
“What I understand and I’ve heard through the media anecdotally, what (Miller) did as a 14-year-old is reprehensible, unacceptable,” said Bettman. He indicated he’s spoken with Bruins president Cam Neely since the signing on Friday.
“He’s not coming into the NHL, he’s not eligible at this point to come into the NHL”, said Bettman. “I can’t tell you that he’ll ever be eligible to come into the NHL.” He added that if Miller ever reached that point, the league will have to clear him and his eligibility based on first-hand information at the time.
ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski reports the NHL Players Association said the league hasn’t informed them about any suspension for Miller or anything that would impact his eligibility. They added they require more information from the league regarding Bettman’s statements.
Wyshynski also reported a source claims Miller’s contract has been registered with the league and there was nothing official preventing the Bruins or any other club from signing him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t think we’ve heard the end of this story. Suffice it to say that this has become yet another black eye for a league reeling from ongoing revelations of abusive behavior at various levels of the sport.
Miller’s defenders suggest he just “made a mistake”, claiming his physical and verbal bullying and racist behavior toward Isaiah Meyer-Crothers was an isolated incident by a teenager who didn’t know any better.
Meyer-Crothers’ parents, however, indicate their disabled son was tormented for years by Miller. They said he has never apologized to them for his actions and only reached out to their son on Snapchat about a week before he was signed by the Bruins.
This was a bad job by the Bruins all the way around not a good look at all …..They didn’t contact all the people that needed to be talked to before Miller signing
NHL Central Registry would have had to review and approve the contract, so the NHL can’t say they didn’t know anything about this.
The kids was bullied for 3 years straight, it wasn’t a one-time deal by this Miller kid. Ridiculous, Bruins organization should be fined and Neely/Sweeney suspended
They didn’t inform the league of their intentions, didn’t contact the victim’s parents during their supposed vetting process, placed captain Patrice Bergeron in the awkward position of having to address this with the media, and generated an angry backlash amongst Bruins fans on social media. “Bungled” doesn’t even begin to describe this s**tshow.
and to those who say Miller was just being a kid. what he did to bully the kid was just pure vile. making the mentally handicapped kid (who is also black) eat candy out of a urinal? what sane person, of any age, would consider that to be just playing around?
racism on top of taking advantage of someone who is handicapped (in anyway) is just evil.
and to think that Miller never reached out to the kid or his family, only contacting him through Instagram, just pitiful
This! It wasn’t just one incident but rather years of systematic bullying and abuse. So let’s drop “the kid made a mistake” excuse because the kid was and probably still is a vile, pathetic individual I wouldn’t want anywhere near my team.
If Miller was in any field except professional sports, we’d never have heard of him or his actions as a child. Monitor him? Yes. But until absolutely every person employed at any position in professional sports can honestly say the (s)he has never made mistakes, never did anything illegal (like underage drinking, smoking pot,etc), never bullied anybody then Miller should be allowed to prove himself.
No one is perfect. Why demand that athletes must be perfect from the day they are born?
Come come, Paul. I want people to have a second chance too, provided they have earned it.
The more details merger, the less it seems Miller deserves that chance. Years of bullying? No apology until he has signed a contract? I see no contrition.
What good does an empty apology do? Seriously. How honest do you think any apology would mean? “You want to play a sport that, potentially, could make you millions a year? Then, you have to apologize for what you did years ago.”
I guarantee you that he’d not give a damn even as the words are coming out of his mouth. And he’ll always think that he got one over on everyone, too.
Actions speak louder than words. That’s why I said monitor him. See what he does to earn the chance to play in the NHL. And I’ll rephrase. If this guy was looking to become a doctor, a plumber, a truck driver, or anything other than a professional athlete, not only would no one have heard of him, no one would care what he did as a teenager.
Oh, and before anyone starts with the “you weren’t bullied, you don’t know how it affects people” stuff, wrong. I was bullied as a kid and I heard one empty apology after another until I put one of my bullies in the hospital by hitting him with a baseball bat.
Empty apologies do no good, Paul, which is the entire point about him not earning another chance.
You seem to be fixated on this issue being driven by the fact that it involves pro sports. True, we wouldn’t know about it if it weren’t high profile.
But there are many professions with standards that bar individual for certain types of crimes or misconduct. Would one want a lawyer to handle conveyancing who has misappropriated clients’ funds, for example? Would one knowingly go to a doctor who had been found to have committed malpractice? A masseuse who has been found guilty of sexual assault?
If contrition isn’t present then there is no basis for a second chance. Arguments to the contrary are peevish and pointless.
Yes Paul him being a pro athlete or potentially one does make a difference just like a factory worker and pro athlete are difference but we should hold the same level of morality or respect or responsibility to not allow this behavior as normal.
Yes everyone’s done some level of a bad thing in their life, it’s part of growing up and I’m sure all of us had made amends to the ones we wronged and both parties were able to move on from it. It’s clear that’s not the case, which means he learned nothing from it, just like how you can’t see the point just yet.
Anyway it’s never too late to open yourself to seeing why and what everyone is so opposed to him being allowed to have a successful career, one which he hasn’t proved he’s earned.
I think that Paul is saying that if Miller gets smashed in the face with a baseball bat it’s all good
I am fairly confident that if Mitchell chose to be a plumber, electrician, backhoe operator etc we might not hear anything in the news, but he’d most likely continue his BS behaviour unchecked.
Eventually it would catch up with him. He’s on blast right now because he has not shown any contrition. The other kid involved in the bullying apologized tearfully at Isaiah’s door. What did we hear from Mitchell’? An empty apology on Insta.
I don’t understand how Sweeney and Neely did not forecast the drama this would cause for the B’s.
You have to wonder what are these people ( Neely/Sweeney ) are thinking and how is it possible this could fly especially in this climate we are in ..
I read above that this bullying was going on for 3 years if this statement is true and if this wasn’t brought to the forefront because the parents had to know shame on everyone involved …
Leafs beat the best team in the NHL…. Can we declare the Cup is won now???
Yes Bruins fans…. We saw the two glaring missed calls… we’ll take the V…. Thanks
Samsonov had a few 10 bellers…. Hope he’s ok
Now Bruins will go on s 7 or 8 game winning streak🤬💩😭
Oil…. Skinner has to be the true “starter”…. Campbell…. Ouch
Lucky/unlucky #7…., mmmmmm…. guess which is which between Knights and Pens
Pens D over each of their last 7 games:
**Tanger -10
Dumo -8
Petry -7
Rutta -2
Pettersson -2
*P-O J +2
*Youngest Pens D man; 2nd youngest (only to Poulin) on 23 man roster; 2nd on team (to Rutta @ +7) +/- @ +5 ; solid 15 mins a game and improving…. and only has 31 NHL games under his belt…..
and some in media think trading him to acquire an asset to improve the team is the way to go???????
Pens basically at Cap ceiling…. What net cap trade has P-O J leaving and some other player coming in at $825 K or less; that improves the team?????
**8 of those -10 came when partnered with Dumo
Bruins… please advise when the Dumo for Carlo deal is complete please
Hello Pengy,
Cambell is always a Slow Starter, and has a rough start most years in goals against as not good…
But he is 5 & 3 this year
Young Skinner is still learing the ropes of the NHL, skinner fell asleep for 10 seconds against NJD and the got 2 goal in 7 seconds❗️A learning experience for him,
The main problem with the Oilers is the defence
We have 2 Very soft RD men in Bouchard & Barrie
Bouchard looks Lost this year.. I dont know what happen to him, he is alway on step behind as a d/man… but young and learning🤔
Big left D/man Nemo-Markus Niemeläinen is in his first season and learning,
The oilers forwards need to do more back checking to help these guys out
I see a Trade coming up in Edmonton for a
top 4 d/man..
like a Carson Sucey, Or Jakob Chychrun type who can play RD & LD Physical with a Edge is what the oilers need
the Oilers are looking to move out some players Jesse Pulijarvi @$3.M
Warren Foegele @$2.75M
Ryan Murray wont make the team, he will end up getting waved$750,000
I wonder if they would move one of the young up and coming d/man like Broberg…or Bouchard to get a Jakob Chychrun type Deal done and move salary to make it happen..⁉️
Soucy on Oil would definitely be a plus
I suggested yesterday….
To Kraken : Ryan/Yammo (both Spoken guys)
To Oil: Soucy (Viking) + 2nd (Kraken have 3 in ‘24)
Yes Paul him being a pro athlete or potentially one does make a difference just like a factory worker and pro athlete are difference but we should hold the same level of morality or respect or responsibility to not allow this behavior as normal.
Yes everyone’s done some level of a bad thing in their life, it’s part of growing up and I’m sure all of us had made amends to the ones we wronged and both parties were able to move on from it. It’s clear that’s not the case, which means he learned nothing from it, just like how you can’t see the point just yet.
Anyway it’s never too late to open yourself to seeing why and what everyone is so opposed to him being allowed to have a successful career, one which he hasn’t proved he’s earned.
You’ll have lots of space and a new look team once Mathews leaves as ufa and McD signs in Toronto.
I pengy’d
That Marino trade isn t looking to good now.NJ thanks Penguins for that trade.
At what point to you tell an individual you lost the right to dream, your actions as a minor, affects your future as an adult.
Is 9yrs old or 10yrs old, it certainly is 14yrs old for sure.
There is no arguement in the behavior of the child was disgusting. Actions should’ve been taken a long time ago by the parents, teachers, school authorities.
More serious crimes they protect the name of the villan because he was a minor when he did his heinous crimes.
My point isn’t if Boston should’ve signed him or if any team should give him the opportunity.
The point is simple at what age are you saying your actions keep you from following your dream. Is your polictical dream over because of your childhood actions, when your not consider mature or emotionally develop to drive a car to understand the actions or how to mentally handle a situation.
The mother says the young man is very upset at Boston signing Miller. I get that and I understand it. Personally I would want evil things to happen to Miller and no I won’t ever forgive your actions.
With all that said, it should only matter what Miller is like today? Does he have a criminal record? Has he been accused of any other bullying behavior since the incident as a minor, has there been other concerns of his behavior?
Does Miller understand the concequences of his actions and the harm it still causes this young man today.
I in no means defending the actions but im recognizing it was a 14yr old child who was a bully. Which may or may not be true today.
Keep this in mind the NHL hasnt found the 8 participants in a potential rape case but they no the name of a 14yr old boy.
Fair point, Caper, but the league doesn’t shine in either case.
I think the commissioner may find he spoke too soon. If the league office registered the contract, the player should be good to go, apology or not.
What I don’t understand is how Boston reached this decision without doing due diligence, especially without contacting the victim’s family.
Caper, part of the reason Hockey Canada is in the trouble they are in is exactly because the NHL stepped up and said they were concerned with how the incident with the 8 was handled. What they did not do was rush to judgement. It’s more or less on Hockey Canada and the other institutions involved to figure it out. Then the NHL will decide what they want to do.
Miller’s age of offence isn’t the issue. The offence and the lack of mitigating actions after being found guilty are the issue.
The NHL has already suggested that it needs more information about Miller because, as it stands, they don’t know if he is just a guy who did his time or is a guy who has changed.
Miller had four years to make sure this issue did not come up. Too bad for him that the adults advising him didn’t step in and advise him to get active, advocate and take some training. You would think after getting booted off his University team the idea would have occurred to someone.
Totally agree Caper.
Point A: what if it is your son or grandson who needed guidance as a 14 year old?
Point B: Society elects a President that has multiple accusers but will condemn a 14 year old’s actions?
Totally agree Caper.
Point A: what if it is your son or grandson who needed guidance as a 14 year old?
Point B: Society elects a President that has multiple accusers but will condemn a 14 year old’s actions?
Totally agree Caper.
Point A: what if it is your son or grandson who needed guidance as a 14 year old?
Point B: Society elects candidates that have multiple accusers but will condemn a 14 year old’s actions?
I predict the Senators will have a new coach before Christmas.
Mitchell has had years to apologize, years to make amends to the victim and his family.
If it happened in the past year I could understand the rationalisations
The did a ace plant here..
faceplant
I could be wrong, but it seems as if he is sorry…… very sorry, that he has to go through all of this in order to play pro hockey.
I read the victims mother’s statements yesterday. Gross. I’d terminate the contract and deal with the legalities.
SOP…..YES!!!!!!!!
I’ve written then deleted numerous posts in regards to this situation. The only reason I deleted them was the foul language that I can’t contain…even through my thumbs!
And I respect Lyle and all you “posters” too much to put cussing in my posts.
1) SHAME ON THIS POS!!!!
2) SHAME ON THE BROONS
I’m disgusted.
I think we are all clear that we all believe in second chances but also that is something earned. It’s earned by showing remorse and acceptance that what you did was terrible and unacceptable.
I don’t see any of that so far from what I read that this can be said of Miller.
How can you tell someone their dream is over?
What he did was wrong but he was 14 and maybe the only way out this is for Miller to personally, not under assistance from some lawyer, suck it in walk up to this young guys home and apologize personally and make it sincere.
Most people can tell if you’re sincere or have been Practising Infront of mirror for a couple of hrs. of what you intend to say, say it from the heart with the young man’s parents present. Then enter some kind of program to better understand the long term damage of his actions and make sure the Parents are aware of his attempt at rehabilitation..
Sweeney better come up with something other than out in the community. Cause it’s been awhile since I’ve seen Bettman this angry.
I’d like to read your thoughts about Sweeney now! Lol!!!!
Tarnish for life at 14
Two words “i’m sorry” makes it all go away
Wonder is Craig McTavish still employed in the NHL?
Miller is the author of his own misfortune, Caper. He was tried and convicted in juvenile court for physically assaulting his victim. His accomplice was remorseful and tearfully apologized to the victim in court. Miller showed no contrition for years and continued to do so until he was close to signing an NHL contract, and then all he did was reach out to his victim on Snapchat.
People have to earn their second chance. The more you read about this story, the uglier it gets and the worse it makes Miller look.
Lyle that hold no water for me.
I could careless if the other cried a river in court and said they’re sorry.
Really!!! That makes them great and kids now.
Does that reduce the pain the victim went thru?
Let me make myself clear. If im the victim im never going to forgive any of you and want all of them to have a terrible life.
Here the thing, if this Miller kid came out and said and did the following;
Apologize in person
Own his actions as a child
Announce he is putting himself in diversity programs and other self help programs
Offer to make a cash donation in the name of the victim to any charity of his choice.
Everyone would be, that great his making an effort, he is owning his actions and showing that by making a donation.
All you on here wanting this kid skinned alive
Would be like what a wondeful person.
Then you would easily forget what the poor victim went thru.
Meanwhile you wouldnt have a clue on whether his true character has changed or not.
You folks, really, im sorry and all good with the world.
Doesn’t take much to make you guys flop.
Miller doesnt deserve any shouldn’t get his victim foregiveness.
But like McTavish paid his price.
Who was it , that mere months ago , was calling the Bruins the classiest team?
This is par for the course , the Bruins management manages to pull a blockhead move like this every few years.
True contrition takes courage , offering an apology, remotely, when expedient,is cowardly…but hey he will fit right in.
Okay…I’m gonna try to do this without cussing folks. But these are my thoughts in regards to The Bruins situation….
I don’t understand the Bruins’ decision to sign this guy. It’s breaking my brain. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?????? You deserve all the negative thoughts from, not just media and fans, but the players too.
As for the player himself? I really don’t care that you hopefully lose your hockey career over this. You only have yourself and your upbringing to blame.
For the record…my Mom would’ve beat my ass while my Dad dug a 6′ deep hole if I would have EVER shown that kind of disgusting disrespect to another individual.
This is just gross.
Debate over. Bruins rescinded the signing as they should. Move on everyone.
That’s the problem theSaint people didn’t move on.