NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 2, 2023
The Sharks finally win a road game, Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton is sidelined indefinitely, and the three stars and the top rookie for November are announced. Details on these and other stories in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: The San Jose Sharks finally won their first road game of the season by upsetting the New Jersey Devils 6-3. Kaapo Kahkonen kicked out 44 shots, Mikael Granlund had a goal and two assists while Anthony Duclair and Jacob MacDonald each tallied twice for 6-16-2 Sharks. Rookie defenseman Simon Nemec collected two assists in his first-ever NHL game while Akira Schmid gave up five goals on 17 shots as the Devils slipped to 11-10-1 on the season.
San Jose Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks remain at the bottom of the overall standings because of their horrific start (0-10-1) to this season. However, they’ve improved since general manager Mike Grier read them the riot act in early November, going 6-6-1 since Nov. 7.
Meanwhile, the Devils received some bad news before this game as defenseman Dougie Hamilton and forward Tomas Nosek will be sidelined indefinitely. Hamilton went under the knife to repair a torn left pectoral muscle while Nosek underwent surgery on his right foot.
Things didn’t get any better for the Devils as defenseman Brendan Smith received a two-game suspension from the league for slashing Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny on Nov. 30. Konecny was fined $5,000.00 for cross-checking Smith.
The Devils did get some good news, however, as winger Timo Meier returned to action against the Sharks after being sidelined for seven games with a lower-body injury. It was his first game against his former club since being traded to New Jersey in February and was held without a point in this contest.
Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merlikins stopped 41 shots as his club overcame a 2-0 deficit to double up the Ottawa Senator 4-2. Johnny Gaudreau and Zach Werenski each collected two assists while Adam Fantilli broke a 2-2 in the second period for the 8-13-4 Blue Jackets. Brady Tkachuk and Claude Giroux for the Senators (8-10-0), who sit four points back of the Blue Jackets at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with 16 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators are a mess, winning just four of their last 10 games and dropping their last three contests. Management has stuck by embattled head coach D.J. Smith but the calls for his firing from unhappy Senators fans are growing.
They’ve played about five fewer games than most of their rivals in the Eastern Conference. Nevertheless, they’re nine points out of the final wild-card berth. If things don’t improve soon, they’ll be too far back to catch up.
HEADLINES
NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes are the league’s three stars for November 2023.
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard is the league’s top rookie for November 2023.
THE SCORE: Speaking of Bedard, he condemned a baseless social media rumor regarding a member of his family and former Blackhawks teammate Corey Perry.
“It’s just a bunch of BS on the internet,” said Bedard. “It’s, of course, been an effect on myself and my family, and that’s not fair. But’s it out of our control. It’s all just fake, made-up stuff.”
Bedard also touched on Perry’s contract termination for what the Blackhawks deemed unacceptable conduct. “Obviously, what happened with Perry was serious. I think the first concern is that he’s okay, and his family are.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bedard handled those questions very well. He appears to have a maturity beyond his years, certainly more than those who started that disgusting rumor or those who spread it around like manure.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens yesterday signed goaltender Sam Montembeault to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $3.15 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: An affordable move by the Canadiens to lock down their best goalie. The 27-year-old Montembeault could’ve opted to test the unrestricted free-agent market in July but he wanted to stay in Montreal and play for the Habs.
A short-term deal such as this should provide cost-effective stability between the pipes for the rebuilding Canadiens. While some have suggested this contract could boost Montembeault’s trade value, I think Jake Allen or Cayden Primeau are the more likely trade candidates.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they put Primeau on waivers with the intent of sending him to their AHL affiliate in Laval. While there’s a risk another club could claim him, they cannot continue carrying three goalies for much longer. If they’re not peddling Montembeault or Allen, they must trade Primeau or send him back to the farm.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin yesterday shared the news that he and his wife Kenzie, who were expecting their first child, have lost the baby. Larkin had been out of the lineup for the past two games to be with Kenzie during this time.
The Larkins were married in August. They were expecting a girl in April. Dylan is expected to return to action on Saturday against the Canadiens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My sincere condolences to the Larkins.
THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kraken winger Jaden Schwartz could be sidelined for six weeks with an upper-body injury.
DAILY FACEOFF: Nashville Predators defenseman Alex Carrier is listed as week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
CALGARY SUN: Oliver Kylington skated with a handful of his Flames teammates on Friday. He remains on a personal leave of absence from the club since the start of last season dealing with mental health challenges. There is no timetable for his return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Kylington and here’s hoping he makes a full recovery.
Enjoying my first cup of Black Rifle Coffee this morning and trying to figure out how good this Bruins team is now and where they will be come March/April
BTW…B’s will miss not having Looch tonight
Only if Reaves is in the lineup!
And sees the ice.
As a man with his own spirit baby my heart goes out to Larkin. I take solace in knowing that if Simon had not died his sister Autumn would never have been born. Hopefully the larkins can find similar comfort
My condolences, Chrisms.
Thank you Lyle. Got a bit personal there but maybe they can also turn this tragedy into something beautiful someday.
My condolences as well. Finding those silver linings in life sure helps though. I’m glad you found one in your daughter.
🙏 Chrisms
I know your pain
NJD keep running into bad luck with the Hamilton injury! He does seem to get injured very frequently for a guy his size! Devils need to make a deal to stay in the playoff hunt!Boston is still looking to move Grezlyk or Forbort,and they could use a goalie ,Ullmark!Now is the time for Fitzy to take action! His team was already to top heavy with forwards and light on his D corps!
Lyle, social media is all over the Winnipeg reporter for asking Bedard to respond to baseless rumors.
It was a disgusting line of questions that didn’t need to be asked.
Yet not one reporter would name Paul Friesen but said they didn’t like the questions.
Protect your own I guess.
Nobody wants to hear that their mom gets around. Whether it’s true or not, right?
Let’s see …. D. J. Smith “isn’t going anywhere” – so we’re told by upper management – so last night, coming off two straight embarrassing home losses, they go into Columbus to face an equally struggling Blue Jackets team and Smith decides to start Korpisalo in nets … who’s having a horrible season … instead of Forsberg, likely figuring he’ll be at least good enough to win that one against one of his former teams, and so keep Forsberg for tonight against Seattle.
They then out-shoot Columbus 43 to 23 and only manage 2 past Merzlikins while Korpisalo, the sieve, gives up 4.
And still Smith keeps his job. If he, indeed, “isn’t going anywhere”then neither are the Senators. And that will soon show dramatically at the gate. As it should.
I understand the criticism of the coach, and admittedly didn’t watch the game last night, but it sure looks like one you can’t fault Smith for. Pretty much any back to back is going to see both goalies get a game, and any coach is going to start the one facing his former team in that scenario. And then you go out and nearly double up the opposition on the shot clock? I’d give Smith a break on that night.
Tonight’s game between Boston and Toronto should be a physical affair.
The leafs media called them out for being soft against Boston and no one stepped up after the defenseman got tangles up against Marchand.
Yes … Boston better be careful tonight the Leafs will be coming after their stars and the Bruins don’t have the type of players to push back
Tangled up, eh, Caper? What a ridiculous way to describe a deliberate can opener.
The guy needs his ticket punched on a daily basis.
BCleaf fan, not my words, words of people like Paul Bissonnette know leaf lover. He stated just a stronger player winning the board battle.
But you see what you want to see.