NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 4, 2023
The Oilers put Connor McDavid’s former agent in charge of hockey operations, Kyle Dubas will remain the Penguins’ general manager, Mike Babcock admits to making mistakes with the Leafs, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Edmonton Oilers announced Jeff Jackson has been named as their new CEO of Hockey operations. Jackson is a former NHL player and the former agent of Oilers captain Connor McDavid.
Jackson will report directly to Oilers owner Darryl Katz and will serve as the club’s alternate governor. He will be assisted in his role by Paul Coffey, who’s been with the Oilers for over a year as a special advisor to Katz. Ken Holland remains as general manager and will report directly to Jackson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This hiring is also being seen as the Oilers m a step closer to solidifying McDavid’s future with the club. His contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Jackson acknowledged his close relationship with McDavid but stressed that it will be different now. He feels the goal is to ensure they keep the Oilers’ core group together. That will include Leon Draisaitl, whose contract expires in 2025.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins have made Kyle Dubas their general manager on a full-time basis. Dubas was hired as president of hockey operations in June and was serving as interim general manager. Trevor Daley and Amanda Kessel were named special assistants to Dubas in a series of promotions announced yesterday.
Pittsburgh Penguins hockey ops president and GM Kyle Dubas (NHL.com).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubas said he believed it was in the interest of continuity that he remain in both roles for now. He didn’t rule out finding a new general manager in future off-seasons.
SPORTSNET: Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Mike Babcock admitted to making mistakes during his tenure as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an interview with the FAN Morning Show.
“Do I like how I was talked about after I left? No,” said Babcock. “Do I think I did anything wrong? Absolutely.” He added that he wasn’t trying to hide from anything he’s done and will own up to any mistakes and learn from them.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Babcock didn’t get into specifics about his mistakes. He faced allegations of bullying players during his tenure with the Leafs and during his time behind the Detroit Red Wings bench.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev wasn’t happy about how recent comments he made during a recent interview with a Russian news outlet were mistranslated and posted to Instagram by @nhlbreakers.
In the now-deleted post, Sergachev is quoted as saying, “Wow, Toronto wins one series in 19 years then immediately loses, they deserve no credit, no other team would celebrate such a thing.”
In a post on his Instagram account, Sergachev insisted he said no such thing. He said he was asked if Toronto’s physical play during their first-round series accounted for a couple of Lightning defensemen getting injured. He said he replied, “No, it just happens sometimes people get hurt by accident, and I don’t want to give them credit.”
When asked why not, Sergachev said he didn’t think they deserve credit. When the reporter noted it was the first time in 19 years the Leafs got past the first round, the blueliner said that he replied, “Here true, good on them! But didn’t go thru the second round, I don’t see a reason to celebrate.”
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Leafs, Milan Lucic said they and the Chicago Blackhawks were interested in signing him when he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 35-year-old winger signed with the Boston Bruins, returning to the club where he began his NHL career and enjoyed his biggest successes.
THE PROVINCE: Former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ethan Bear said he’s recovering well from his recent shoulder surgery. An unrestricted free agent, he’s received inquiries from other clubs but would love to return to the Canucks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bear will be sidelined until December. He’ll likely get a new contract with a club around then as injuries start to take their toll on defense corps around the league.
THE ATHLETIC: Ian Mendes did a feature on Taylor Dixon, the creator of the Puckdoku puzzle game that’s taken hockey fans by storm this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I recently became a fan of Puckdoku and usually start my day solving the latest puzzle before going to work. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to test your knowledge of NHL players past and present. Go to puckdoku.com to check it out!
Kyle has made himself the Emperor Penguin!
All Hail Kyle!
Re the Oilers New Boss
Jeff Jackson, is a very smart Hockey mind….
i see ken Ken holland staying on as president
and the oil hiring Steve Staios as the GM….🤔
Narcissist abusers know all the right things to say, but abusers never stop being abusive. When Babcock abuses one of the Jackets, he must be fired. Then, Jarmo and JD should be fired for hiring Babcock in the first place.
So I guess no one is perfect like you who never make mistakes and never needs to own up to your shortcomings. After all, we are just mere flawed mortals next to you.
I can see where you’re coming from Paul if the guy never admitted to doing wrong and has on more than one occasion knows he can’t be like that and has learned from his faults. As a comparable, look at how the 45th “president” is. One guy is remorseful and regrets his actions and the other blames everyone else as being wrong.
I can’t wait when your team gets in the playoffs this year. Yeah I’m pretty sure if they say healthily they’ll get in and make some noise when they do…the only question left to answer is how’d you like that crow to be served?
1) I never claimed to be perfect.
2) My statement about abusers is based on what my therapist (You know, an actual expert on such things.) has told me.
3) When you’ve spent 30+ years in therapy recovering from childhood abuse, then you can judge me. Until then, keep your opinions to yourself.
4): Jackets making the playoffs? ROFLMAO. Only if Merzlikens suddenly becomes Bobrovski 2.0 and Provorov’s declining stats, the last two seasons, are due to Philly sucking and not because Provorov is part of the cause of Philly sucking. Oh, and if Johnson and Marchenko don’t have sophomore slumps AND Sillinger recovers from his sophomore slump. Oh, and Roslovic finally becomes consistent. And Werenski bounces back from his season ending injury. Oh, and….. Are you getting the idea that the Jackets have more questions than answers? And remember, I’m a Jackets fan.
Day 1 season ticket holder for the Jackets.
I have a therapist myself with Severe PTSD from Veit Nam. Paul I am giving the man a chance myself. It’s all talk as far as I’m concerned. I’ve heard all the crap about he’s only won 1 cup with that great Wings team. Don’t hear he went to the finals 3 times. As a fan I hope for the best. If he doesn’t work out it will not be the first time. For being such a fan you have a lot of hate. Have they done anything right for you?
Paul seriously hope you get the help you need because this isn’t healthy for you.
Your comments seem very personal, wish you well.
I more sleep until the buyout window opens Dooby
Have thrr Re paperwork prepared today and send in the very minute the window opens
Do not, under any circumstances; have Granlund moved in a trade (instead to f a buyout)
Trading him costs valuable assets…. All just to save $830 K in space (vs buyout)
The owners are loaded… actual cash buyout is nothing to them
Cap Space is the key
Your $3.2 M over and still considering EK
With one fax tomorrow ; you immediately flip from $3.2 M OVER to $960 K UNDER
Gedderdone
RE: Dubas making himself GM.
Least surprising news of the off season.
Now he dose not need to chase Shanahan round
when he want to make a move….⁉️