NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 13, 2024
Recaps of Friday’s games, Elvis Merzlikins confirms a trade has been discussed with the Blue Jackets, the Blackhawks re-sign Nick Foligno, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly had a goal and two assists in a 6-3 victory over the Dallas Stars. Roman Josi collected three assists while Filip Forsberg had a goal and an assist for the 23-18-1 Predators, who hold the first Western Conference wild-card spot with 47 points. Matt Duchene had a goal and an assist for the Stars (24-12-5) as they sit third in the Central Division with 53 points.
Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (NHL Images).
The Philadelphia Flyers overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Minnesota Wild 4-3. Joel Farabee scored twice, including the winner in overtime, while Travis Konecny collected two assists and Owen Tippett had a goal and an assist for the 22-14-6 Flyers, who sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 50 points. Ryan Hartman had a goal and an assist for the 17-19-5 Wild.
HEADLINES
TSN: Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins confirmed to the media on Friday that a trade has been discussed between his agent and Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.
Merzlikins, 29, had not played since Dec. 29 as the club is evaluating Danill Tarasov’s potential as a starting goaltender. “I just wanted to be treated as the No. 1 (goaltender). I believe I am the No. 1,” he told the press. “It didn’t get to the point where I’m requesting (a trade). It went to the point where both sides agreed.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Merzlikins also said he’s not sure what’s going to happen now. He stressed that he wants to play his best for his teammates. “This is my family, I’m dead serious,” he said. However, he doesn’t want to be put into a lesser role behind Tarasov and backup Spencer Martin.
Merzlikins is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5.4 million. He has a record of 7-8-6 this season with a 3.25 goals-against average and a save percentage of .907.
I’ll have more on this situation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: The Blackhawks signed forward Nick Foligno to a two-year contract extension. The average annual value is $4.5 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier this season, Foligno said he was interested in staying with the Blackhawks and helping them through their roster rebuild. They need veteran experience and leadership from players like Foligno to help guide their promising young players.
DAILY FACEOFF: Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland recently said captain Gabriel Landeskog could return to action in time for the 2024 playoffs. Landeskog, 31, hasn’t played since the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022 as he’s undergone two knee surgeries. He recently resumed skating but there remains no timetable for his possible return.
WINNIPEG SUN: Jets center Mark Schiefele is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury suffered during Thursday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins winger Reilly Smith could be sidelined longer than expected due to an upper-body injury suffered during Thursday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks.
DAILY FACEOFF: Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov is in concussion protocol after leaving Thursday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks following a collision with Ducks forward Isac Lundestrom.
The Tampa Bay Lightning placed forward Tanner Jeannot on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 6 with an upper-body injury. He’s listed as week-to-week.
OTTAWA SUN: Shane Pinto resumed skating with his teammates on Friday as his 41-game suspension for violating the league’s wagering rules nears its end. He is scheduled to suit up when the Senators face off against the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 21.
THE ATHLETIC: Anaheim Ducks prospect winger Cutter Gauthier said he received death threats via social media for his decision not to play for the Philadelphia Flyers, who traded him to the Ducks earlier in the week.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s one thing to be upset over Gauthier’s decision. Threatening his life behind the anonymity of social media is beyond the pale.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Members of the Maloof family have sold their interests in the Golden Knights to majority owner Bill Foley.
Ouch is all I can say signing Foligno @4.5 for 2 years Can’t see a big market for him so hawks over paid for a mentor who will be 38 when all said and done. IMHO
Folks looking at this from a Chicago point of view.
For me this says Foligno is more interested in the money than chasing after a stanley cup.
That isn’t a knock, it’s just the reality. Nic isn’t worth the contract and the contract is not tradeable even at 50%
Yes, hard to figure how a guy who hasn’t scored more than 10 goals a year in the last 5 years, and who is injury prone, pulls 4.5 million for each of the next two years.
Easy, he probably has leadership and mentor qualities that Blackhawks management is looking for during their rebuild. They aren’t a stanley cup contender right now. Maybe they want a steady ship with an upward trajectory over the next few years and they think foligno can help provide that type of environment.
As a comparison Foligno will make the same as Ryan O Reilly! OUCH!Boston has 3 veteran regulars making less than that in total in JVR,Heinen,and Shattenkirk!What is Chicago doing?
Re; Chicago
Hawks have lots of Cap space and need A Good couple of Mentors for young Connor Bedard
I can see Ottawa going after the Preds Ryan O’Reilly ….❓
he is exactly what the Sens need to help the Sens get on track,
The Sens also need a Tought guy to help fight and Not have Thachuk fight all the time
After watching the Preds/Stars game yesterday, I was thinking that O’Reilly is just what Detroit needs too – along with Gus Nyquist.
At least 2 of the 3 guys you mentioned totally stink. Shattenkirk and Heinen are journeymen who provide little more than a warm body. Come playoff time, are those two guys really who you want in your lineup? Don’t get me wrong, I get your point about the money but boston and chicago are in two different places as far as competitiveness. I wouldnt exactly celebrate having those guys on my roster if i were Boston. Heinen and shattenkirk bring 0 juice to the table when it matters. Imo.
How about Ryan O Reilly?
Blackhawks need to be investigated for money laundering.
Good for Fliggy. Easily the best human in hockey.
Why not make Foligno a coach and save yourself 8 million?