NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 15, 2023
Bruins center David Krejci retires, Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov has died and Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar makes the cover of NHL 24. Details on these and other stories in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: David Krejci announced his retirement after 16 NHL seasons, all of them spent with the Bruins. The 37-year-old center tallied 231 goals and 555 assists for 786 points in 1,032 regular-season games along with 43 goals and 85 assists for 120 points in 160 playoff games.
Boston Bruins center David Krejci announced his retirement (NHL Images).
Krejci helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011 and reach the Cup Final in 2013 and 2019. Last season, he played a key role in the Bruins setting the NHL’s single-season records for wins with 65 and points with 135.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A talented and sometimes underrated two-way center, Krejci sits fifth among the Bruins’ all-time leaders for games played and assists and is ninth in total points.
Krejci’s retirement was expected, following the lead of teammate Patrice Bergeron who called it a career last month. His departure has heightened speculation over how the Bruins will address their lack of top-six forward depth that started when Bergeron retired. I’ll have more about that in today’s Rumor Mill.
TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov passed away yesterday in Munich, Germany. He was 21.
A promising young Russian winger, Amirov was chosen 15th overall by the Leafs in the 2020 NHL Draft. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor soon afterward and was receiving treatment in Munich.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A promising life and hockey career cut short far too soon. My condolences to Amirov’s family, friends, former teammates and the Leafs organization.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: EA Sports named Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar as the cover athlete for its NHL 24 videogame. He’s the third Avalanche player to grace the cover, joining Peter Forsberg (NHL 98) and Joe Sakic (NHL 2004).
OTTAWA SUN: The sale of the Senators to billionaire Michael Andlauer is nearly completion. He could take over control of the franchise by September.
A co-owner of the Montreal Canadiens, Andlauer is expected to have sold his 10 percent share of that franchise before he officially takes over the Senators. If not, that stake will be placed in trust until he has completed its sale.
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has ruled in favor of the Flyers and the NHL regarding a 2022 contract agreement with Russian goaltender Ivan Fedotov.
Fedotov signed with the Flyers last year but was conscripted into the Russian military soon afterward. The Flyers tolled his contract forward to this season but the goalie recently signed a two-year deal with CSKA Moscow following the completion of his military service.
Per the IIHF ruling, Fedotov violated its transfer regulations and faces a four-month suspension from international games. CSKA Moscow faces an immediate one-year ban on international transfers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As per the report, it’s unlikely Fedotov will be joining the Flyers for the coming season. CSKA Moscow stated on its website that it expects the 26-year-old netminder to play for them this fall.
The Fedotov situation seems fishy given his stated intention to play for the Flyers last year following the completion of his contract with CSKA Moscow. It’s suspected that the club’s ownership pulled strings with the Russian government to prevent his move to the NHL.
DAILY FACEOFF: Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid topped Matt Larkin’s fantasy hockey top 300 rankings for 2023-24. McDavid’s teammate Leon Draisaitl, Avalanche forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen and New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes round out his top five.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link to see the complete list.
David Krejci is one of my favorite all time bruins. Krejci didn’t have blazing speed. Krejci was able to slow the pace down and control the play and make the pass look easy.
Krejci twice lead the playoffs in points 2011 playoffs and the 2013 playoffs
I maintain in the 2010 playoffs with Boston up 3 games to 1 against Philly, it was losing Krejci in game 4 with a broken wrist.
Krejci never had a point per game regular season and only 3 seasons of 20 goals or more.
He was the ultimate 2nd line center, that you never heard complain and always kept it classy.
Milan Lucic correctly said he owes everything to Krejci. David was the perfect center for Lucic, because of Krejci ability to slow the game down.
Congrats to Krejci on his retirement one of my favorite players to watch.
Good take on Krejci
Nice read, Caper.
Chris Kelly added that he wouldn’t have a cup without DK46 in 2011. He’s one of my favorite players of all time. Quite excellence on the ice. He left it all out there, that’s for sure.
Ya, well said Caper.
When I think Krecji, I think poise with the puck.
Chaos all around him, and it seems like he could see it all and where it was going, and like you said, slow it down.
Definition of hockey IQ, because it’s not like he had size and wheels. He was smallish and slow. He succeeded with his head and his hands.
With regard to the Fedotov situation, that certainly sheds some light on why Michkov and Gulyayev were chosen lower than expected this past June.
Condolences out to the Amirov family
Sad siuation
Congrats on your retirement Krejci ….. nice career;
Two prominent Bruins’ players retire…. C’s needed…. Trade needed. Space needed.