NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 23, 2024
The Canucks and Bruins extend their leads in their respective conference, the Oilers announced the signing of Corey Perry, the three stars of the week are revealed, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: The league-leading Vancouver Canucks picked up their eighth win in their last nine games with a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Thatcher Demko made 31 saves for his fifth shutout of the season while Pius Suter and Quinn Hughes were the goal scorers for the Canucks (32-11-4) as they sit atop the Western Conference with 68 points. Petr Mrazek stopped 27 shots for the 14-31-2 Blackhawks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blackhawks forward Nick Foligno returned to action after being sidelined since Jan. 5 by a fractured finger. Chicago head coach Luke Richardson told reporters that there hasn’t been a change in the 6-8 week recovery period for rookie Connor Bedard (fractured jaw), who’s been sidelined since undergoing surgery on Jan. 8. Meanwhile, the Canucks announced defenseman Carson Soucy will be sidelined for five to six weeks with an injured hand.
Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle had a goal and an assist while Jeremy Swayman turned aside 20 shots to down the Winnipeg Jets 4-1. The Bruins extended their win streak to five games and are 6-0-3 in their last nine contests. With a record of 29-8-9, they’re first in the Eastern Conference and one point back of the Canucks in the overall standings. Vladislav Namestnikov scored for the Jets (30-11-4) as they sit second in the Western Conference with 64 points.
New Jersey Devils winger Tyler Toffoli (NHL Images).
New Jersey Devils forward Tyler Toffoli completed a hat trick in overtime to lift his club to a 6-5 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Curtis Lazar tallied twice for the 24-18-3 Devils (51 points), who moved within two points of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. Jonathan Marchessault scored twice and collected an assist for the Golden Knights (27-14-6) as they overcame a 3-1 deficit and at one point led 5-3. With 60 points, they’re second in the Pacific Division.
The Florida Panthers snapped a four-game losing skid by defeating the Nashville Predators 4-1. Sam Reinhart tallied his 34th goal of the season while Sam Bennett collected three assists for the Panthers (28-14-4) as they sit second in the Atlantic Division with 60 points. Juuse Saros stopped 34 shots for the 25-21-1 Predators, who hold the final Western Conference wild-card berth with 51 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov missed his third straight game with a lower-body injury while defenseman Gustav Forsling missed this match for family reasons.
Arizona Coyotes winger Jason Zucker had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Connor Ingram made 25 saves for the 23-19-3 Coyotes (49 points) as they moved to within two points of the Predators. Lars Eller and Sidney Crosby replied for the 21-17-6 Penguins (48 points) as they remain five points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Down 3-2 in the third period, the Penguins pulled their goalie for an extra attacker on a delayed penalty. Kris Letang dropped a pass to teammate Evgeni Malkin but the latter inadvertently redirected the puck into his own net. As for the Coyotes, defenseman Matt Dumba left the game with an upper-body injury. Earlier in the day, they announced that blueliner Troy Stecher will be out for four-to-six weeks with a lower-body injury.
A shootout goal by Fabian Zetterlund lifted the San Jose Sharks over the Los Angeles Kings 4-3. Zetterlund also scored in regulation while Kaapo Kahkonen kicked out 44 shots for the 12-31-4 Sharks. Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala each had two points for the 22-13-9 Kings (53 points), who hold the first Western wild-card spot but have just two wins in their last 10 games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro left this game in the second period after taking a spill into the boards. There was no update regarding his status following this match.
HEADLINES
TSN: The Edmonton Oilers yesterday officially announced they signed Corey Perry to a one-year, prorated contract. The deal carries a base salary of $775K with performance bonuses totaling $325K. To make room for Perry, the Oilers placed forward Adam Erne on waivers to send him to their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Perry practiced with the Oilers for the first time yesterday. He’s expected to make his debut in their lineup on Saturday against the Predators.
During his introductory press conference, Perry said he took full responsibility for the incident that led to his contract termination by the Chicago Blackhawks in November. He also said that he received help from counselors regarding mental health and other issues, thanking them along with his family and friends for their support.
NHL.COM: Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov, Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak and Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending Jan. 21.
New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck and Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor have been added to the 2024 NHL All-Star roster. They replace Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard and Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, who are sidelined by injuries.
NEW YORK POST: Sidelined Rangers forward Filip Chytil is returning to New York after spending the last three weeks in his native Czechia recovering from a suspected concussion. There is no timetable for when he’ll return to the lineup or resume practicing with his teammates.
DAILY FACEOFF: The New York Islanders removed goaltender Semyon Varlamov from injured reserve. He has been sidelined for nearly three weeks with a lower-body injury.
TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs defenseman Conor Timmins was fined $2,864.58 for cross-checking Seattle Kraken forward Brandon Tanev on Sunday.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens recalled defenseman Arber Xhekaj from their AHL affiliate in Laval, loaned blueliner Justin Barron to Laval and placed center Mitchell Stephens on waivers.
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: The Flyers have sent rookie forward Bobby Brink to their AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley. He’d been a healthy scratch in four of the Flyers’ last six games and saw his ice time reduced in his last five contests.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Former Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron shot down another rumor suggesting he was training for a possible comeback in February. “No, it’s not happening,”, he said. “I’m not making a comeback, not trying to make a comeback.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This rumor started because Bergeron has been skating in the Boston area in a weekly gathering of friends and former NHL players. As he said back in August, he’s at peace with his decision to retire and is getting on with his life.
Perhaps one day Bergeron will return to the NHL in management, coaching or scouting. His playing days, however, are over. He’s 38 and has nothing left to prove or gain following a 19-year career as one of the greatest players in Bruins history, retiring while still at the top of his game.
Quite the fumble between Letang and Malkin. Somewhere this morning, Ryan O’Byrne is smiling.
Groannnnn, I was at that game Howard
1. Got to hand it to Jim Rutherford and his hockey knowledge to turn that Vancouver franchise around in such a quick time frame , now seeking a top 6 forward , WOW !
2. I have to question why the Leafs would not have pursued Corey Perry -a team desperate , as per the bottom 6 , and signed for peanuts … maybe Perry – himself made that decision ?
Frank Seravalli reported the other teams that were involved were Florida, Tampa, NYR, and maybe Toronto. He said LA had an initial conversation but they have Viktor Arvidsson coming back soon. In the end, it came down to Florida and Edmonton.
Leafs have Way to much to fix before the 3rd line…..⁉️
A Starting goalie
2X Top 4 Very Good D-men
Then work on the forwards
After going no where for years and years they may just get it now with a New GM….
They will be Golfing again in April……🤙
Any idea what Perry got for $$$$… was hoping Bruins rang him up and made an offer using the Milan $$$… give the Bruins a little more grit
Corey Perry has a cap hit of $775K with an AAV of $1.1 million.
Taken from a Cap Friendly post on Twitter.
Corey Perry can earn up to $325,000 in performance bonuses:
1. $225k for 10 games played
2. $50k if EDM wins the 2nd RD of the playoffs and Perry: a) plays in 50% of RD 2 games, or b) 50% of the total of RD 1 & 2 games
3. $50k if EDM wins the 3rd RD of the playoffs and Perry: a) plays in 50% of RD 3 games, or b) 50% of the total RD 1, 2 & 3 games
Joe
Prorated. 775k with bonuses
P. BONUS DETAILS: $225,000 earned for 10 games played | $50,000 if EDM wins the 2nd RD of the playoffs and Perry: a) plays in 50% of RD 2 games, or b) 50% of the total of RD 1 & 2 games | $50,000 if EDM wins the 3rd RD of the playoffs and Perry: a) plays in 50% of RD 3 games, or b) 50% of the total RD 1, 2 & 3 games
Arber Xhekaj has been missedm ot for his fighting but for his physical play in the corners and net front.
Jayden Struble has been a pleasant surprise and may have taken Kaiden Guhle’s spot who will need to move over to the RD.
The plethora of young D is staring to shake out.
Sending Stephens down is a mystery as now the team has only 3 centers, something must be happening .
You gotta think Arber Xhekaj will be interested in making a renewed impression on both the Habs faithful and the coaching staff against the Sens tonight.
Not many on the Sens can really go toe-to-toe with him.
Yeah, I wondered about Stephens too, HF30. Definitely a 4th liner, but a contributor. Note Pearson has been cleared as of today. Perhaps that’s it?
Just taking a quick look at Pierre-Luc Dubois stats
after 44gp 9g 10a 19pts -13 fo 48.7%
PLD is on pace for 16 goals he has never had less than 18 goals in a full season he is in his 6 full season.
The -13 really stands out when you look at LA team; both Kopitar and Byfield are plus 12.
PLD -13 is the worst on the team and the next closest is Alex Laferriere at -5
What happen? regardless of wanting out of Columbus and Winnipeg this is a good hockey player. His previous 2 seasons in Winnipeg 27 and 28 goals.
I haven’t seen much of the Kings play. Anybody have answer? is the system LA plays or Player doesn’t care got his big contract? Can mesh with his linemates?
Ya, that is a strange one Caper. I would assume Danault is still getting the shut down minutes because he is so good at that and PLD is getting mostly OZ starts. So the role looks like it isn’t the reason.
He’s not 1st PP time, but still getting 2 minutes a night.
Not the first guy to struggle on a new team, and they usually turn it around. Who knows maybe we will find out that he has been playing hurt or something. Bright lights of LA and what can come with that? Have to think plenty of distractions and temptations to deal with.
Who knows, but definitely strange. Maybe it’s just the pressure of the big $ deal and a new team. They’re a good team, and if you’re new and not playing well, that can wear on ya I would think. Campbell had to leave EDM for a while as it snowballed and he couldn’t deal with it. He’s starting to play well again down on the farm.
Good game last night between the B’s and Jets. Jets could have used Scheifele.
Ray, I missed the first two periods last night. Did notice Winnipeg only had 10 shots after two but finished with 21. Definitely the Jets had a strong 3rd period.
Bruins ended Winnipeg streak of 3 goals or less
IDK for as well as Boston is doing in the standings, their play doesn’t represent that to me but had to give credit. With no first, second or third round pick; a good year to sit a top of the standings.
No much cap, not many prospects and no draft picks, won’t be much happening at the deadline. Maybe improve the bottom 6 if possible.
I think they will just roll with what they have at the deadline Caper, no assets so why mess with anything.
I thought the same thing watching them early in the year, now when I watch them, they seem to be playing as well as they have all season. As apposed to just having the best tender every night.
Give them credit and enjoy the ride.
Dubois has scored 27 goals twice in his career, and 28 once. By no means shabby. But his highest points total is 63.
But IMO those stats do not justify 8.5 million/yr. This was an overpay, and one that will bite the Kings given they gave up quality (Iafalo, who has comparable points to PLD), and Valardi, who has more points) to get him. Then there is that cap hit.
I don’t buy this adjustment argument, Ray. As above it hasn’t affected Iafalo and Valardi. And none of them changed conferences so the style of play for most games hasn’t changed. But then, my views are coloured by not being a PLD fan.
LJ, I don’t really know much, or care much about PLD, other than when he plays well, he is a big, physical, C who puts up a decent amount of points. Who wouldn’t want that for a 2C? Had some impressive play in the playoffs previously as well.
While he has definitely had his ups and downs, not sure he has been this bad for this long? His first season in WPG maybe.
I just go by the #’s and eye test when I watch him play, and what guys like Caper say on here. Sounded like he was a good player for WPG last season.
Don’t know the guy, don’t know what the issue is, but he isn’t playing as well as he has in the past. But 8 years is a long time, maybe he turns it around, or maybe he doesn’t.
Re; Starting Goaltenders
A Number of team’s need staring Goaltenders…..
The EAST………
Who is out there….
Juuse Saros,
One of Ullmark Or Swayman..? Or
Jacob Markström, Or John Gibson
NJ,
if they want to go anywhere…? They have Brutal goaltending with Vitek Vanik…..❗️
Buffalo
A very young team with young core and two young goaltenders are they waiting to see what happens for a few years….?
Sen’s
similar to Buffalo, but with Really Brutal Goaltening lead by❗️
Joonas Korpisalo GP, 28 GA,3.56 SV%0.887 🙈
they Could trade 1st pairing d/man Jakob Chychrun
and a prospect to the Preds for Jussi Sarros…🤔
Carolina
have been so close…. but never had Great Goaltending….
They have 2 back up runing the show with young Pyotr Kochetkov out injured who could be a #1 in a few years..🤔
Toronto……. who knows what they are up to
🙈