NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 19, 2023
The Flames will retire Miikka Kiprusoff’s number this season, Alex Galchenyuk enters the player assistance program and apologizes to police, Hockey Night in Canada’s panel to return, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: The Flames announced they will retire Miikka Kiprusoff’s No. 34 during a pregame ceremony when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 2. His banner will hang next to former teammate Jarome Iginla’s No. 12 in the Saddledome rafters.
Former Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff (NHL.com).
Kiprusoff backstopped the Flames into five straight playoffs following his acquisition from the San Jose Sharks during the 2003 offseason, including their run to the 2004 Stanley Cup Final. He won the Vezina Trophy and Jennings Trophy in 2005-06.
In a statement, Kiprusoff said he was honored and humbled by the recognition of his time with the Flames. He spent nine of his 12 NHL seasons with the Flames, retiring as their franchise leader in wins (305), shutouts (41), goals-against average (2.46), save percentage (.913) and games played by a goaltender (576). He also holds their single-season wins record with 45.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a fitting honor for Kiprusoff. For most of his tenure with the Flames (2003-04 to 2012-13), he was a workhorse between the pipes and ranked among the NHL’s top goaltenders. “Kipper” was the main reason they exceeded expectations during the 2004 playoffs and came within a game of winning the Stanley Cup that year.
ESPN.COM: Alex Galchenyuk is voluntarily entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program following his arrest last week. He has also apologized to the Arizona Coyotes and to Scottsdale police for his “deeply disrespectful and despicable behavior.”
The 29-year-old forward was arrested on July 9 for a hit-and-run incident resulting in misdemeanor charges. The Coyotes terminated his contract just 13 days after signing him to a one-year deal on July 1.
NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh said the players association is still contemplating whether to file a grievance on Galchenyuk’s behalf regarding the termination of his contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I hope Galchenyuk gets the help he needs to address his personal issues.
TORONTO SUN: It appears Hockey Night in Canada’s panel will be returning for 2023-24. There was speculation earlier this month that host Ron MacLean and others on the panel would be replaced.
Longtime sportscaster and producer John Shannon recently tweeted that MacLean will be back for another year. Fellow panelist Kevin Bieksa also tweeted that he will be returning.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Former Avalanche forward Denis Malgin is returning to Switzerland, signing a five-year contract with the Swiss National League’s ZSC Lions. From 2016-17 to 2022-23, he had 41 goals and 80 points in 257 games with the Avalanche, Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs.
TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs hired Derek Clancey as an assistant general manager. He spent last season as an assistant GM with the Vancouver Canucks. Before that, he worked as a pro scout in 2021-22 for Leafs general manager Brad Treliving when the latter was GM of the Calgary Flames.
ESPN: NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league isn’t looking to add an in-season tournament like the National Basketball Association. The NBA is adding a European cup-style competition to its 2023-24 regular-season schedule.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: The stick used by Wayne Gretzky in Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Final is being offered at auction through Sotheby’s Sealed to July 25. The stick is estimated to rake up around $500,000 USD.
The Oilers won their fourth Cup in that game with Gretzky winning his second Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. It was this last championship as well as his final game with the Oilers before his trade to the Los Angeles Kings.
Regarding the NHLPA, there’s nothing to look into. The type of behavior cited should not be condoned or rewarded with upholding a lucrative (from a “normal” person’s perspective) salary and a firm “let’s not do that again, ok?” The Coyotes are often bashed for miscues, but this was 100% the right move.
Good recognition by Flames on Kiprusoff 👍👍
G-Chuck…. Hoping the Player Assistance Program is successful for him. His NHL career is over… but he definitely needs help
Saw the written apology he gave…. Which was absolutely needed; but it read as if a publicist had crafted it entirely.
Not sure if others read it (interpreted it) the same way I did, but if it was in fact entirely crafted by someone else it just makes the apology so hollow. Hope I am wrong on that.
I’m good with the HNIC panel returning; although my favourite was always the banter in Coach’s Corner
The Bieksa/Friedman barb trades are humorous
McLean is 63 so maybe his last year? Setting up Amber as de facto heir apparent?
Hrudy is past 60 now….so maybe last year as well? The always energetic Biron as a replacement?
Botteril over Cameron every time please. Botteril is informative, has energy, and adds personal anecdotes effectively.
Cameron is a dullard….. plain and simple
Hi Pengy,
Re; Galchenyuk, I read his apology as well, I had the feeling that perhaps those were his sentiments, but someone else was putting “pen to paper” for him in their more descriptive words. As you say, I hope he gets the help he needs.
Pengy sorry to point you out but criticism of Galchenyuk’s written apology which wasn’t absolutely needed is crass and shows poor character on your part.
We all make mistakes. It takes a big man to admit and apologize but a bigger man to accept it.
The HNIC panel is stale and needs help. It’s been horrible for years now. The panels lack that entertaining element…for an example, coaches corner (with all it’s horrible flaws) had and made it a great segment. What’s sad is HNIC is the best of the bunch. That’s doesn’t bode well for the league.
Ya, he’s not the first guy to struggle with substance abuse problems for an extended period. Heck, some never stop. Hopefully for him, he does. Up to him and no one else.
I’m OK with HNIC too Ron, but ya, pretty vanilla. Need more ex-players with a personality and opinions. If it was more like a locker room, with the humor and how guys actually talk to each other, it would be better. The NFL and NBA ex players take shots at each other constantly. It’s funny and entertaining.
Agree with Pengy that the best parts are Friedman and Bieksa cheap shots at each other. Need more of that IMO.
Agreed. I’m quite tired of the mob piling on when someone makes a mistake. Maybe we need to look in all of your closet’s and see how many skeletons we find.
Hi Ron
You missed my point
To me the written apology read as if someone else crafted the apology…and he just signed it… if that is the case… it makes things worse.
I did say that I hope that I was wrong in that opinion/read on it
Re “ written apology which wasn’t absolutely needed”…. Not sure if you are meaning “WRITTEN” apology absolutely not needed; or an APOLOGY (any apology) in and of itself not warranted; or if you were referring only to an apology to teammates/Yotes
Setting that aside… for sure he owes an apology to the officers involved…. Racial and violence threatening is unacceptable , definitely warrants an apology
Agree we all make mistakes…. And it takes a big man or woman to admit it
Hoping he has a successful outcome with Player Assistance Program