NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 30, 2023
Recaps of Wednesday’s games, Patrick Kane could soon make his debut with the Red Wings, plus the latest on Corey Perry and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Unanswered goals by K’Andre Miller and Jimmy Vesey lifted the New York Rangers over the Detroit Red Wings 3-2. Artemi Panarin also scored for the Rangers (16-4-1) to extend his season-opening home points streak to nine games while Alexis Lafreniere collected two assists. Moritz Seider and Robby Fabbri replied for the Red Wings as they slipped to 11-7-3 on the season. With 33 points, the Rangers hold first place in the overall standings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers defenseman Adam Fox returned to the lineup for the first time since being sidelined by an injury on Nov. 2. Meanwhile, the Red Wings played without captain Dylan Larkin as he remained in Detroit due to an injury.
A 38-save performance by Charlie Lindgren gave the Washington Capitals a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Anthony Mantha and Connor McMichael scored for the Capitals as they improved to 11-6-2. Arthur Kaliyev replied for the Kings as they dropped to 13-4-3.
The Montreal Canadiens got third-period goals from Joel Armia and Gustav Lindstrom to double up the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2. Alex Newhook and Cole Caufield also scored for the Canadiens while Sam Montembeault stopped 26 shots as the Habs improved to 10-10-2. Patrik Laine and Yegor Chinakhov tallied for the 7-13-4 Blue Jackets.
Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (NHL Images).
HEADLINES
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Patrick Kane’s debut with the Red Wings could come as early as next week. Earlier this week, the 35-year-old winger signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Wings.
General manager Steve Yzerman suggested Kane could return to action within the next four to seven days. The winger is discussing a plan of return with the Wings that could see his first game take place on Tuesday against the Sabres in Buffalo.
DAILY FACEOFF: Some details are emerging regarding the off-ice incident involving Corey Perry that resulted in the Chicago Blackhawks terminating his contract.
Frank Seravalli cited sources claiming it was an alcohol-fueled incident involving Perry that was alleged to have occurred during an event with corporate partners and team employees in attendance. However, it’s still not clear what allegedly took place, who witnessed it, and who reported it to the team.
What is known is Perry’s alleged misconduct didn’t involve a criminal investigation, the league was made aware of the Blackhawks’ investigation but it was a “team incident and team decision”, and Perry has not been suspended by the league.
Some observers are wondering whether this incident would’ve risen to the same level had it been any other club. The Blackhawks are still reeling over the results of a 2021 investigation into the cover-up by team executives of an alleged sexual assault of two players by former video coach Brad Aldrich in 2010.
Some agents and players around the NHL have expressed concern that Perry’s contract termination could set a precedent for conduct that may be improper but not illegal. Meanwhile, Perry and the NHL Players’ Association have 60 days from the termination of his contract to file a grievance.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The fallout from this incident will continue to be felt by Perry, the Blackhawks, the NHL, and the NHLPA in the coming months.
Based on the reported information, I believe the Blackhawks handled the incident properly for the most part. I do find fault in their inability to address the salacious rumors that spread on social media due to conflicting messages from the team and Perry’s agent regarding his absence.
VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore underwent successful surgery for an upper-body injury earlier this week. He’s listed as week-to-week. His last game was on Nov. 22.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights will feel Theodore’s absence on the blueline. He’s been their best defenseman this season and played a key role in their strong start to this season.
OTTAWA SUN: Good news for the Senators as sidelined defenseman Thomas Chabot is expected to return to action on Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He’s been out with a broken hand since Oct. 26.
THE SEATTLE TIMES: Look no further than between the pipes for the Kraken’s biggest issue this season. Starting goaltender Philipp Grubauer has been struggling thus far and he’s not getting much help from backup Joey Daccord.
CBS SPORTS: Buffalo Sabres forward Jordan Greenway could return to action in Thursday’s game against the St. Louis Blues. He missed their last three games due to personal reasons.
NEW YORK POST: Former NHL goaltender Scott Darling is no fan of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He sought treatment through the program during his career but felt he never got the proper help that he needed.
“I’ve told players – what I went through – if you need help, do it on your own,” said Darling. “Don’t ever go near the PA. And I’ll say that honestly, I hope you guys f**king hear this: they’re monsters. Go somewhere else. They can hold you, like, try and break your contract, stuff like that.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No response thus far from the league or the PA regarding Darling’s accusations.
Unfortunately darling is right about those programs. Very dehumanizing treatment. You go for help and often get treated by those who get a power trip over having power over you. They also get paid the longer you are in treatment so they are demotivated to clear you to complete the program even if you are ready.
Get help but avoid those programs!
I was watching an old Hogan’s Heroes episode last night where, after a heroic act by the Heroes, the beleaguered Colonel Klink is demanding of Colonel Hogan “I want answers! I shall have answers!” He never got them. And neither will we when it comes to the Corey Perry incident. The NHL is notoriously tight lipped with these little embarrassments. It’ll be interesting to see if the NHLPA files a grievance.
Me thinks if the NHLPA files a grievance against the Hawks, then Corey does not get another contract in the NHL. And conversely, if Corey is not offered a contract, then maybe they file anyway…….I am sure this is being pondered as we speculate.
i don’t see me hem filing a grievance. Perhaos if it were a differebt team but to a core team like Chi. The leage and the PA protect those big money markets. Just look how much they protectes them over theblast incident verus how hard they hit other teams for much less when those teams are not big money markets. The rich always get special treatment
I think the team and the nhl have the right to not publicly disclose certain workplace issues. Most businesses are the same. Employees want to feel somewhat protected. But then on the flip side it opens them up to the rumors. No easy answer for the league.
Exactly Chrisms, not discussing personnel issues is standard practice, and rightly so.
I don’t blame the rumors on the NHL, I blame the people that start them and distribute them.
But, to Lyle’s point above, the Hawks were free to discuss and put down the crazy dumbass rumor that was being spread around social media. You can’t talk about what actually happened until it is all settled (and maybe not even then), but I don’t think there are any issues with discussing what is was not.
I didn’t hear about the rumor until I saw a post on this site about the “rumors”, as I’m not on SM, but hard to believe Davidson wasn’t made aware of it.
For what it’s worth, I’m led to believe there was a difference of opinion/argument about the conflict overseas during a social gathering for sponsors and whomever.
I’ve surmised that Corey is either pro Russia or neutral on the matter. Therefore, someone of worth and influence on he organization was offended by someone who verbally displayed a different perspective and made Perry disappear.
Add alcohol to the mix and people say stuff.
That’s my best guess anyway.
And this is how rumors get started.
Do you happen to have any “best guesses” as to the behavior of a certain NHL mother on a recent mothers trip?
What a turnaround by Washington. Saw one of their early games and they were atrocious.
They have become a completely different team in November.
Yes, but last night’s game was too much reliance upon their goalie. I would hope they have better team defense going forward.
Been reported that more than one team is interested in signing Perry.
No reason he shouldn’t be able find work if a team wants to sign him.
Darling is right in many ways. Those corporate run programs like to milk the payers as much and as long as possible.
I also note that any time someone makes use of the program, they seem to announce that publicly… and that is HIGHLY detrimental to someone’s personal mental health journey. If they can be so vague about physical injuries (upper body etc) they should be many many times more vague about the use of this program.
I do wish that Darling’s rant had not included “do it on your own” even though I know he sort of clarified later you should find other help. I know personally that trying to do this alone is nearly impossible.
Generally I agree with this. Only thing I’d argue against is that the program should be “many many times more vague”. Mental illness and or sud should be treated exactly as any other illness or injury. Not doing so only further stigmatizes it. And as you said those are things are kept fairly under wraps.
Good point… I guess I mean more for giving the OPTION to have this process more private. I mean there are even some physical ailments that many people may not want everyone to know about 🙂
Absolutely. My best guess was that the mother you are so disgustingly referring to had a wonderful time meeting the other moms and sharing in her sons dream of being an NHL player.
Cale Makar with a beautiful OT game winner last night…. for the Coyotes! Nice ring to that eh?