NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 16, 2023
The Senators defeated the Lightning, the Ducks upset the Hurricanes, plus the latest on the Blackhawks’ Taylor Hall, the Penguins’ Reilly Smith, the Rangers’ Ryan Lindgren and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk scored twice and collected an assist to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2. Vladimir Tarasenko tallied his first goal with the Senators and added an assist. Anthony Cirelli and Tanner Jeannot replied for the Lightning, who played without captain Steven Stamkos as he missed this game with a lower-body injury.
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).
The Anaheim Ducks upset the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 to give Greg Cronin his first win as an NHL head coach. Frank Vatrano led the way with a hat trick, Cam Fowler, Mason McTavish and Ryan Strome each had two points and rookie Pavel Mintyukov scored his first NHL goal. Teuvo Teravainen scored twice for the Hurricanes.
HEADLINES
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Taylor Hall will return to the Chicago Blackhawks lineup on Monday when they face the Maple Leafs in Toronto. Hall missed one game following a shoulder injury from a hit by Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo last Wednesday.
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Left wing Reilly Smith has already fit in well on Evgeni Malkin’s line in his first three games with the Penguins. Acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in June, the 32-year-old Smith has three points in as many games and is drawing praise for his strong play at both ends of the rink.
NEW YORK POST: Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren was sidelined by an undisclosed upper-body injury ahead of his club’s 5-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. He’s listed as day-to-day.
CBS SPORTS: Former Anaheim Ducks winger Max Comtois has signed a minor-league contract with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. It’s believed the deal contains an out-clause if he gets an offer from an NHL club. The Wolves are currently not affiliated with an NHL club.
Tampa Bay is a different team without Vasilevskiy, they looked poor last year when he wasn’t on his game.
It’s amazing what a difference one position makes on a team, Vasilevskiy gives others confidence, the ability to take the extra stride “knowing” that he’s there to cover it up.
Carey Price carried a poor roster for many years though folks from
other cities didn’t quite get it.
Goalies like Price and Vasilevskiy carry their teams higher in the standings and losing them is a major hole.
Well…fortunately for Tampa, Vasilevskiy will be back at some point this year.
That is true, HF30, but as you observed at the beginning of last year, Tampa has had significant roster turn over driven by their cap issues.
Started with their giving away McDonagh, then the 3/4 lines (Goodrow, Coleman, Joseph, Gourde) and continued into this past season with Maroon. I am sure I have missed some players.
Tampa still has some excellent pieces but even Vasilevskiy is unlikely to make up the difference. Which IMO Tampa is unlikely to commit significant $ to re-sign Stamkos or their decline will accelerate.
Great weekend for the Sens.
Righting past wrongs.
2 pretty solid wins though they still spend too much time in the penalty box.
The deal with Pinto is essentially agreed up between the parties. Dorion has pleaded for more time. His hope is that in the first 2 weeks of the season, injuries or cold feet by other teams as they sour on players in their own line up…will free up space make a trade more feasible.
Some have suggested that a 1 year show me deal could be the avenue. In which case Kubalik is the casualty here. He hasn’t really done much to impress. But PD would almost have to waive him at this point which then looks bad as he was part of Detroit’s package for DeBrincat.
All i know is…they won’t get far if the likes of Kastelik, Greig and Chartier are the centers they’re relying on.
Dark G, if Grieg continues to make plays like last night on the Tarasenko goal, he’ll be just fine. He’s not only just as good as Pinto, he also plays with an edge.
But I agree, they have to find a way to get Pinto back in the line-up and Kubalik is someone I mentioned as a possibility a couple of weeks back.
If he is, indeed, the one to go …. well, c’est la vie. But I still have a sneaking suspicion that it could be Branstrom – a position where they have considerable depth – including Thompson who they plucked back on waivers after losing him.
My bet would be Kleven moves up to replace Branstrom if he’s the one to go.
I am guessing that it would be easier to trade Branstrom than Kubalik.
And you’re absolutely right Iago. A bit less of a cap hit (although a pending RFA), younger and a puck-moving left-shooting D-man who can play either side. Much more in demand than a veteran 34d/4th line F.
Oh THAT’s what happened…. I totally missed something when I saw CapFriendly listing Lassi as going down to the minors in Belleville…
@ George… what a difference from last year…all of us talking about how D was the Sens weakness (including goal of course) but now suddenly we are talking about all the expendable D-men the Sens have.
Anyway, I like the look of the Sens blueline, I love how Brady is playing like a beast already… I am REALLY impressed by Greig to be honest… the way the team is growing it could end up being Norris that is expandable.
theSaint – it’s a bit early to draw conclusions about anyone. And keeping Philly and a Tampa team who traveled to play a back to back game without Stamkos might not be the highest test of a D Corp.
I think it is safe to say that, of the non playoff teams like Ottawa, Buffalo, and Detroit, the ones who defend the best will be the most successful. This is especially true for Detroit. Their offense should be improved, but not yet in Ottawa or Buffalo level. In Ottawas case, it will be on Chabot and Chychrun to prove themselves, as neither has been known for their defensive zone prowess.
It should be a great season to follow though.
Bruins are a legit 1st line center short … goaltending…D …size…team speed checks all the other boxes
Unfortunately that is the cost of going all in last year and many years before that. One year of growing pains and scoop a ctr next season with their capspace
Agree….1 more year of a discount PB or even a DK would’ve been a nice help ….
It would be great if they could scoop a C next year. Skeptical there will be a UFA to be scooped though. Hope I’m wrong.
IMO the best overall one currently unsigned for next year is Lindholm, the best offensive one is Nylander, if he proves he can move back to C effectively.
After that nada, and teams rarely trade them, unless it is basement dweller looking to collect quality young assets and picks. B’s don’t have many of either.
Here’s hoping the Flames struggle and Lindholm decides to move on, and the Leafs don’t want to, or can’t buck up for Nylander.
Joe
You better believe it would have been. I always thought 37 would go one more year. Pretty much thought 46 was done. They should make the dance if healthy. If not sell sell sell 😉
Mrbruind4 the bruins will make the playoffs on the strength of goaltenders, defense and systems.
They will score enough goals to get by into the dance.
Maybe a call to LA flip Ullmark to LA for underperforming Quinton Byfield and Roy Mast, Boston would still need to retain $1m to make the dollars work.
Wouldn’t that be something Caper. Not sure LA is quite ready to cut bait on Byfield just yet, I sure wouldn’t. He was always considered more raw than some others that season, plus big guys take a while longer, and he’s a big boy.
Unless he really struggles this year? Even then pretty early to move a guy like that.
Guessing Sweeney has made that call already.