NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 4, 2023
An update on Jake Guentzel, the latest on the Oilers goaltending, Derek Stepan retires, recaps of Tuesday’s preseason action, waiver updates and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
HEADLINES
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins winger Jake Guentzel is a step closer to returning to action as he joined his teammates in a full practice yesterday for the first time since undergoing ankle surgery in August. He’s been skating since training camp and joined the Penguins’ main practices last week in a non-contact capacity.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guentzel said it’s still too early to tell if he’ll be good to go for the Penguins’ season opener next week. Nevertheless, he appears to be on track to return to the lineup soon.
THE SCORE: Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft isn’t naming his starting goaltender yet for the club’s season opener on Oct. 11. He said that role remains an open competition between Stuart Skinner and Jack Campbell.
“We’re realists and we understand that we need both goalies – it’s a two-goalie league now,” said Woodcroft. “We have 1A and 1B, and they’re going to sort out who’s who.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Skinner wrested the starter’s job away from Campbell over the course of last season. However, it was Campbell who had to relieve Skinner when the latter struggled in several postseason contests. Having healthy competition between the two could improve the caliber of the Oilers’ goaltending, which has been questionable in the past.
TSN: Veteran forward Derek Stepan announced his retirement yesterday. In 890 games over 13 seasons with the New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes, Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes, the 33-year-old Stepan scored 182 goals and 333 assists for 515 points. He also had 55 points in 120 playoff games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stepan’s best seasons were the seven he spent with the Rangers from 2010-11 to 2016-17. He exceeded 50 points five times and two seasons with over 40 points.
PRESEASON GAMES RECAP
NHL.COM: Chicago Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard scored his first NHL preseason goal and collected two assists in a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Corey Perry tallied two goals and Taylor Hall had three assists for the Blackhawks. Joe Veleno scored both Red Wings goals.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of the Blackhawks, forward Philipp Kurashev (wrist injury) is expected to be sidelined for another week.
The Tampa Bay Lightning blanked the Florida Panthers 2-0. Lightning goaltender Jonas Johansson stopped 25 shots for his second shutout of the preseason. Tanner Jeannot and Nick Paul were the goal scorers. Sergei Bobrovsky made 20 saves for the Panthers.
Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson scored the tying goal and teammate Joe Pavelski netted the winner in a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
The Washington Capitals downed the Boston Bruins 5-4 on an overtime goal by Matthew Phillips. John Carlsson had a goal and two assists for the Capitals while Boston winger Milan Lucic had a goal and an assist. Linus Ullmark stopped 36 shots for the Bruins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Bruins sent forward Fabian Lysell to their AHL affiliate in Providence. The 20-year-old winger is considered among their top prospects but this is the third straight year that he’s failed to crack their roster in training camp.
San Jose Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen turned in an 18-save performance to blank the Vegas Golden Knights 2-0. Thomas Bordeleau and Jacob MacDonald scored for the Sharks.
The Los Angeles Kings rolled to a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Adrian Kempe netted his fourth goal of the preseason for the Kings while teammate Carl Grundstrom had a goal and an assist.
IN OTHER NEWS…
DAILY FACEOFF: Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Cal Petersen and Ottawa Senators defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker were among the 13 players placed on waivers yesterday.
TSN: The Montreal Canadiens have loaned defenseman Logan Mailloux to their AHL affiliate in Laval.
STARTRIBUNE.COM: After recovering from his fourth knee surgery, Mason Shaw signed a one-year, one-way contract with the Minnesota Wild’s AHL affiliate in Iowa. The 24-year-old forward played 59 games for the Wild last season before suffering a season-ending ACL tear on April 1.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman believes the Arizona Coyotes could be close to resolving their arena situation. Bettman said the club is in the process of exploring several parcels of land that can host an arena and entertainment retail district project. He anticipates they’ll finalize something “in the next few months.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unlike the Coyotes’ ill-fated attempt to build a new arena in Tempe, they won’t require a referendum from the local population for approval to contract their venue.
“NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman believes the Arizona Coyotes could be close to resolving their arena situation.”
Hopefully in Houston or Salt Lake City 😄
I recently traveled through Salt Lake City. I moved away from there in 1982. I could not believe how much it had grown. The NHL would do very well there as the population growth along with Hill Air Force Base is large enough to support a team. The combined statistical area has a population of 2.7 million people. With the ski resorts surrounding the valley I could see visitors also supporting their team. I’m not sure how many more times a failed team in Arizona needs to happen before Mr. Bettman gets off his high horse.
Disagree, I moved away from there only 3 years ago. No way on earth they world support a team. Zero knowledge of the sport. My neighbors thought I was weird because I liked hockey and not football or lacross….Salt Lake would be a HUGE mistake. The Grizzlies draw about 500 a night…pathetic
Who would wanna watch the Grizzlies?
The Yotes would grow their support better there than Zona. Their efforts have been thwarted by the lack of fans and the internal problems in AZ since their inception. In this case a geogrphacal relocation would be beneficial.
But may be better in Houston…😁
I remember how everyone thought moving a hockey team to Raleigh NC would be a disaster.
I don’t know where you get your information but the Grizzlies averaged over 5,000 per game last season which is pretty normal for an ECHL team.
Call me syndical, not sure why players who can’t get a contract come out and say they are retiring. Joe Thornton didn’t announce he’s retired but he’s retired.
Fabian Lysell didn’t have a terrible camp but he didn’t produce. He needs to go to Providence and start producing and gain some confidence.
Both Lohrie and Poitras scored last night both have earned a spot on the opening night roster.
Beecher also had a strong camp where some pundits think he should be starting as the 4th line center.
If Lohrei, Poitras and Beecher are on the roster… who’s not?
With that said folks believe Danton Heinen is also making the roster.
based on today roster here is what i got:
Marchand Zacha Debrusk
JVR Poitras Pastrnack
Frederick Coyle Geekie
Heinen Beecher Lucic
Grzelcyk McAvoy
Lindholm Carlo
Lohrei Shattenkirk
Missing forwards: Brown, Boqvist, Greer
Missing Defenseman: Forbort, Zboril, Mitchell
Caper, I would like to see the youngsters get a shot for the first few games too, but not sure it can happen due to both the cap and roster size.
That would mean sending one, two or 3 of the vets you kept off to waivers and risk having them claimed.
And if the kids to work out, or aren’t ready yet (which is often the case when the games get real), you lose them.
If they do keep just one, I keep Beecher, he has the size speed and a full year of pro under his belt to be an effective 4th line guy, and if shines give him a shot on the 3rd. Seems low risk.
Why make it difficult? Quebec
Going to be interesting to see how Bruins fare without Bergeron and Krejcii?
Sounds like Annunen was very good in loss to Dallas: a power play goal 5 min major & open net that wasn’t his fault. Perhaps, he is winning back up job with Francouz out? It makes me nervous about Francouz consistent injury circumstances. If he deserves it, so be it. Otherwise, I would look @ Vladar IMO, would be worthwhile!!! GO AVS!!!!!
Can’t help but feel Lysell is what Robertson is to the Leafs. Both prospects have that can’t miss quality but seems to come up short every year.
Even when you watch them, you can tell it’s there but remembering these guys went through injuries and are still quite green being only 21 (in Robertson’s case) there’s still a lot of time to grow. I just hope they both fulfill or exceed their expectations.
Why make it difficult? Quebec??? Easy the NHL follows the money.
Boston 100% They need to line up a top Centre👍
like one of the 2 that will be UFA in July from the flames or the Jets
The team right now look like a bubble team
Both the Sens & Sabers could very well beat them to the 7 & 8th playoff spots⁉️