NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 13, 2023
The Rangers’ Artemi Panarin extends his season-opening points streak, a four-point performance by the Panthers’ Sam Reinhart plus the fallout from the Oilers’ coaching change and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
SCORES AND RECAPS
NHL.COM: Artemi Panarin collected two assists to extend his season-opening points streak to 14 games as the New York Rangers nipped the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3. Alexis Lafreniere scored the winner in a shootout and tallied twice in regulation as the Rangers (11-2-1) sit first in the Metropolitan Division with 23 points. Elvis Merzlikins made 37 saves and rookie Adam Fantilli netted his fourth goal of the season for the 4-7-4 Blue Jackets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren left this game in the third period with an upper-body injury. No update was provided on his status.

Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart (NHL Images).
Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart scored twice and collected two assists to lead his club to a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Carter Verhaeghe had the tie-breaker in the third period for the Panthers (9-4-1), who sit second in the Atlantic Division with 19 points. Rookie Connor Bedard had two goals to reach nine on the season as his Blackhawks slipped to 5-8-0.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bedard leads all rookies this season with nine goals and 13 points in as many games. Fantilli is fourth in goals (four) and in points (nine )in 15 games.
The Dallas Stars scored five power-play goals and two shorthanded to thump the Minnesota Wild 8-3. Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston each had two goals and an assist while Miro Heiskanen collected three assists for the Stars (10-3-1), who hold first place in the Central Division with 21 points. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 29 shots for the 5-8-2 Wild, who’ve dropped seven of their last nine contests.
A three-goal second period powered the Vancouver Canucks to a 5-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Brock Boeser, Conor Garland and Dakota Joshua each had a goal and an assist while Casey DeSmith stopped 30 shots for the Canucks (11-3-1), who sit second in the Pacific Division with 23 points. Jake Allen made 32 saves as the Canadiens slipped to 7-6-2.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Canadiens recalled defenseman Gustav Lindstrom and loaned forward Joel Armia to their AHL affiliate in Laval.
Anaheim Ducks winger Frank Vatrano scored two goals and John Gibson turned aside 25 shots to down the San Jose Sharks 4-1. Vatrano finished with three points while Ryan Strome collected two assists as the Ducks improved to 8-6-0. Mackenzie Blackwood kicked out 40 shots for the 2-12-1 Sharks, who sit at the bottom of the overall standings with five points.
HEADLINES
The fallout continues over the Oilers replacing Jay Woodcroft as head coach with Kris Knoblauch.
SPORTSNET: Marc Spector believes Woodcroft deserved his share of blame for the Oilers’ poor start to this season but there’s plenty to go around throughout the organization.
Spector believes this coaching change was decided by CEO of hockey operations (and former McDavid agent) Jeff Jackson Jackson. He also noted that Holland was unable to find a goalie upgrade in the trade market that could’ve perhaps kept Woodcroft in his job.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Robert Tychowski noted the high number of coaching changes by the Oilers (11 head coaches in the last 16 years), including five head coaches in eight years with the current player leadership group. He suggested that this core of players, which includes McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Darnell Nurse and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, is getting a reputation as coach killers.
David Staples observed the confusion that arose regarding whether Connor McDavid had any input in the decision to hire Knoblauch, who coached the Oilers captain during his Junior career with the OHL’s Erie Otters.
General manager Ken Holland said he spoke with some of his veteran players about a coaching change. He was contradicted by Jackson, who said the players weren’t consulted.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staples acknowledged the Oilers need better goaltending and to start scoring again, but felt the coaching change won’t matter if the players continue to refuse to play sound fundamental defense. That’s been an ongoing issue for this club for several years and explains the high coaching turnover over the period. Knoblauch won’t last long if McDavid and company don’t buy into his system.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz has probably played his final game with the club. Having undergone adductor surgery during the offseason, the club announced Sunday that the 33-year-old Francouz is done for the season. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Francouz’s playing career could be over. He has been hampered by injuries since 2020-21 that forced him to miss considerable time.
The Avalanche also announced they signed forward Joel Kiviranta to a one-year contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: CapFriendly indicates it’s a one-way contract worth $775K. He’d been playing with the Avs’ farm team on an AHL contract.
DAILY FACEOFF: Former NHL goaltender Roman Cechmanek passed away suddenly in Czechia at age 52. The circumstances of his death are not yet known.
Cechmanek played four NHL seasons from 2000-01 to 2003-24 with the Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings. He spent most of his playing career (1991-92 to 2008-09) in Czechia and was part of their 1998 Winter Olympics gold medal-winning men’s hockey team.
In 212 career regular-season games, Cechmanek had a record of 110 wins, 64 losses and 28 overtime losses with a 2.08 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and 28 shutouts, including 10 in 2000-01 with the Flyers.
During his three seasons with the Flyers, Cechmanek was named to the Second All-Star Team in 2000-01 and was also a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. In 2022-23, he shared the Jennings Trophy with teammate Robert Esche and New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cechmanek was an acrobatic goaltender who played well during his three seasons with the Flyers but tended to struggle in the playoffs. He returned to his native Czechia during the canceled 2004-05 NHL season and decided to continue his career in Europe until his retirement in 2009.
My condolences to Cechmanek’s family, friends and former teammates.
Also for news, Joe Pavelski takes over the 9th position for all time points for an American born player, passing Pat LaFontaine. Do Dallas has 1/3 of the top 9. With Hull, Modano, and now Capt. America. (Yes, I know that Hull is known for St.Louis and Pavs for San Jose, but they had some pretty successful years in Big D as well)
I think about Minnesota when I think modano…. Even though I know it was much more Dallas.
Met Modano when he was on Detroit in a box at lightning game He was a. Arrogant arse which is rare In the hockey world. Most are very considerate of all the fans At least the 109 s I have met over the years The only other one was Joe Juneau who I met in the bruins locker his rookie season.
Jackson says we didn’t talk to any players, Hollands says he spoke to a few. We no know one of these two men don’t speak the truth.
Yes this is Connor McDavid team. CEO former agent, new coach former coach and new linemate from jr.
Wins keep folks quiet
Rangers playing this well as a team missing a top 3 goalie, top 5 dman and their 2nd line center.
Lafy finally got more than 3 games in a row in the top 6.
I’m glad we have Bednar as the Avalanche coach, he knows what the he’ll he is doing. We are in a funk at present because the players aren’t listening to what the plan is: be responsible with the puck, North and South, taking care of yo u r goaltender and simplifying by getting pucks to the net, etc. Instead, the players are sloppy with the puck, trying to be pretty and making plays that aren’t there. From what you are all saying in “Oil Land” is the players know more than the coach? And when you got that, you got problems. I don’t care how good McDavid and MacKinnon are, when they think they know more than the coach, you got problems. I hope the Avalanche aren’t entering that circumstance. If we are, we are in trouble. Gotta have respect for your coaches, if you don’t, your f*****!!!! It will be interesting how the Avalanche respond tonight. GO AVS!!!!
Oilers fire their Chef and replace him with Connors Mom she knows exactly how to make his grilled cheese sandwiches 🥪. I’ve always said can’t have the tail wagging the dog Oilers have taken the opposite to a whole new level. Connor a great player excluding this year 10 points but can’t see him being a locker room guy or leader.
Actually OBE players like McDavid are thought to e be leaders at a very young age. I’ll guarantee he’s been the captain of every single team he’s played on. You don’t become great without putting in the work. Talent only gets you so far. He’s a great example for everyone around him. People are always jealous of talents like that. Remember when everyone (probably you) kept saying Crosby is just a big baby and will never wil anything when he used to complain about the refs allowing lesser players to take liberties with him. Gretzky, Ore, Lemieux, Crosby are all great leaders who’ve had to face adversaty from jealous people who just can’t stand it when someone rises above the rest.
That’s right heck. If it was easy, everyone could do what McD can do. This talk about players, even McD having input it so dumb…I mean if you buy into crap like that, I have some Florida properties I can sell you, cheap!
I’m not saying management and players don’t communicate but it’s not about operations. It’s about team, games things the players can control…they say it as such too during interviews.
Don’t put Orr in with Sid and Gretz Orr never flopped around like a fish out of water crying to the refs. Bobby handled things himself was a true leader by example. Sid was the biggest crybaby in hockey that’s undisputed even Cherry on HNIC called him out he finally grew up some. McDavid pouts he’s old enough to know better obviously not a leader being named a captain means crap. Watch videos of Bergeron or Messier never seen them with their lips down by their chin Bergie played with punctured lung for Gods sake Connor has lots of growing up to do personally I don’t think he will ever get there. Will go down as the best talent never to win Cup.
Citing the biggest embarrassment to the nhl to make your point tool a lot if the wind outta the sails of your post.
Chrism I didn’t see any post about Sean Avery? Lyle must’ve deleted it.
Granted he’s another one like cherry that immediately brings to mind the Benny hill theme.
Obe
Have to agree to disagree. Mcdavid is best in nhl by alot
Generational talent Most nhl players will play though pain and injuries. He’ll most guys in competitive beer leagues do as well. It is a hockey thing
I’m not saying McDavid can’t play besides this year he’s been a stud ,a leader or well liked in dressing room I disagree he’s a big baby the coaching change proves it. Oil pick his old Junior coach lol really yeah he didn’t ask for him lol.
I find it fascinating that everyone acknowledges that Woodcroft installed a brand new style of coaching this year yet NO ONE acknowledges that may be the reason for the sudden shift to horrible hockey. A “defense first” style from a coach that is not “defend first” is turning into a nightmare.