NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 25, 2024
Nathan MacKinnon regains the scoring lead with a four-goal performance, five members of Canada’s 2018 WJC team face sexual assault charges, Salt Lake City expresses interest in an expansion franchise, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon regained the lead in the NHL scoring race with a four-goal performance in a 6-2 victory over the Washington Capitals. MacKinnon also collected an assist for 82 points, two ahead of Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov. Mikko Rantanen had a goal and four assists while Cale Makar had a goal and two assists for the 31-14-3 Avalanche, who sit fourth in the overall standings with 65 points. Dylan Strome scored both goals for the 22-18-6 Capitals (50 points), who sit three points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche extended their home point streak to a franchise-record 24 games. Makar netted his 76th career goal to become the franchise’s all-time leading goalscorer among defensemen. Meanwhile, Avs blueliner Jack Johnson missed this game with an undisclosed injury.
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice took over sole possession of second place for most games by an NHL coach with 1,813 as his club beat the Arizona Coyotes 6-2. Sam Reinhart had a goal and an assist to extend his points streak to 11 games while Matthew Tkachuk had two goals and an assist for the Panthers (29-14-4), who sit in second place in the Atlantic Division with 62 points. Dylan Guenther had a goal and an assist for the 23-20-3 Coyotes (49 points) as they sit two points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov collected an assist as he returned to action after being sidelined for three games by a lower-body injury.
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov made 32 saves for his second shutout of the season in a 1-0 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Auston Matthews scored in overtime to collect his league-leading 39th goal of the season as his Maple Leafs (24-14-8) regained third place in the Atlantic Division with 56 points. Laurent Brossoit stopped 29 shots for the 30-11-6 Jets as they sit third in the overall standings with 65 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a big win for Samsonov, whose struggles in December saw him briefly demoted to the Leafs’ AHL affiliate. He was touched by Leafs fans chanting his name, admitting he was nearly brought to tears. Meanwhile, Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey left this game with a leg injury after blocking a shot by Leafs forward Matthew Knies.
The St. Louis Blues picked up their third straight win with a 4-3 overtime upset of the Vancouver Canucks. Brayden Schenn tallied the winning goal after his club blew a 3-1 while Jake Neighbours had a goal and an assist for the 24-20-8 Blues (50 points), who sit one point out of the final Western wild-card berth. Pius Suter had a hat trick for the Canucks (32-11-5) as they remain in first place in the overall standings with 69 points.
A late goal by Jordan Martinook lifted the Carolina Hurricanes over the Boston Bruins by a score of 3-2. Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen each had two points for the Hurricanes (26-15-5), who moved into second place in the Metropolitan Division with 56 points. Brad Marchand scored both goals for the 29-9-9 Bruins as they remain in second place in the overall standings with 67 points.
The Buffalo Sabres overcame a 3-1 deficit for a 5-3 upset victory over the Los Angeles Kings. JJ Peterka scored twice and collected an assist while Jack Quinn had a goal and two assists for the 21-23-4 Sabres. Adrian Kempe had a goal and an assist for the Kings (22-14-9) as they hold the first Western wild-card berth with 53 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have won just twice in their last 10 games. Head coach Todd McLellan blasted his players following this match. “The stupidity that went into that loss is beyond explanation,” he said. Asked about his job security, McLellan replied that it was “a very fair question.” Kings general manager Rob Blake recently gave him a vote of confidence but that could change if this club fails to snap out of its funk.
Seattle Kraken winger Tomas Tatar scored two goals as his club beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2. Jordan Eberle and Jared McCann each collected two points as the Kraken (20-18-9) sit two points out of the final Western wild-card spot with 49 points. Seth Jones had two assists for the 14-32-2 Blackhawks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Blackhawks announced they’d reached an agreement with goaltender Petr Mrazek on a two-year contract extension. He’ll earn an average annual value of $4.25 million.
HEADLINES
TSN: Five members of Canada’s 2018 World Juniors team have been ordered to report to London, Ontario police to face charges of sexual assault. London police announced they would hold a press conference on Feb. 5 to share further details.
The charges are related to an alleged sexual assault in June 2018 involving the players, who have a set time to report to the police.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils forward Michael McLeod and defenseman Cal Foote have taken indefinite leaves of absence from the team. The club indicated it has no further comment at this time.
OTTAWA SUN: Senators’ unsigned winger Alex Formenton has taken an indefinite leave of absence from his Swiss team where he’s played since last season. The club declined to comment on the matter.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers GM Daniel Briere made a statement yesterday regarding the indefinite leave of absence by goaltender Carter Hart. He acknowledged the reports regarding the five unnamed players of Canada’s 2018 WJC team but said neither he nor the Flyers would make any comment until the results of the investigation are released.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Calgary Flames winger Dillon Dube is also on an indefinite leave of absence for what the club deemed mental health reasons. Nevertheless, it’s assumed by hockey fans on social media that Dube, Hart, Formenton, McLeod and Foote are the five players sought by London police. We’ll know for certain by Feb. 5.
DAILY FACEOFF: In a release shared with NHL media yesterday, the Smith Entertainment Group formally requested that the league begin the process of bringing an expansion team to Salt Lake City. The ownership group owns the NBA’s Utah Jazz and has talked with the NHL about an expansion club since 2022. The club would play in the Jazz’s current arena until a new venue is constructed at a later date.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Salt Lake City has a long hockey history with minor league teams playing there over the years. They also hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics.
SPORTSNET: In an interview with The Athletic, NHL Players Association executive director Marty Walsh said the clock is ticking on the ownership of the Arizona Coyotes as they continue efforts to find a location to build a new arena. At the most recent NHL Board of Governors’ meetings, Commissioner Gary Bettman said the Coyotes ownership had until the end of January to finalize a new plan.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Walsh’s comments combined with the news of the Utah Jazz ownership’s interest in an expansion franchise looks like a warning shot to Coyotes ownership. If they don’t soon get their plans for a new arena project sorted out, the league’s patience could finally run out. If so, this franchise could end up sold and moved to Salt Lake City.
CALGARY SUN: The Flames placed center Adam Ruzicka and defenseman Nick DeSimone on waivers.
THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators re-signed forward Cole Smith to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $775K.
KLTV: Former NHL player Mike Ribeiro is on trial in Franklin County, Texas. He allegedly sexually assaulted two women on June 23, 2021, and attempted to assault another.
Salt Lake City? That is a new one to me. I wish Bettman would disappear so that maybe we could see new teams in Canada. The Coyotes should have been moved years ago…
Name a market that can support an NHL franchise in Canada without conflict from an existing NHL franchise.
Quebec City, just like it did before, and one of Mississauga, or Kitchener.
There can be an argument for a third in either Regina or Saskatoon but they would have a hard time with the corporate sponsorship, but never underestimate the dedication and passion of the people of Saskatchewan. They already spend a day driving to Regina just to watch their beloved Roughriders. They will do the same if not more to watch their NHL team. I can confidently say that if Saskatchewan got an NHL team when the team travels to either Calgary, Edmonton, or Winnipeg, half of the arena would be coloured with the visiting team.
Saskatchewan fans are passionate all right. I have no doubt they’d fill the arena every game. Would be a great place for an NHL team – in 1975. Passionate fan base isn’t everything anymore. Corporate support is needed. Without it, the world’s most passionate fans wouldn’t help. Quebec City proved that. And Saskatchewan doesn’t have that.
Ya, KevJam, it would be full of of all of us ex-Sask folks. Rider games in Alberta are like hometown and high school reunions. We get together and act like we’re still in high school, it’s great.
Bill Hunter actually purchased the St Louis Blues in 1983. The NHL board of Gov trashed the idea and it wasn’t close. Probably the right decision. Not enough corporate $$ to generate the luxury box revenue IMO, but agree, the games would sell out.
Everydayboots, I would be more concerned with the market’s ability to support the team, vs worried about a conflict. That conflict would be a good rivalry soon enough.
Southern Ontario (13.5M people) like KevJam suggests could easily support another team. No different than NYC, or SoCal. Both are bigger markets in terms of population, but not in terms of hockey fans. Lots of corporate $$. In fact they can’t even get season tix now. The boxes and regular seats season tix would sell out in a day.
I know it will never happen, but putting a team in Saskatchewan would create an instant rivalry with Winnipeg just like in the CFL. It would be great!
The conflict I’m referring to is the Sabres and Maple Leafs territorial claim to the GTA, which has been well documented as the only remaining Canadian market that could support an NHL team.
As much as I’d like to see a team back in QC, the NHL does not consider it to be a viable market. Heck, Winnipeg – despite their current NHL record – is not even really considered a viable NHL market. They have their team because of good fortune and timing.
If the NHL expands or relocates a team, it will be to a market that can support a team, regardless of who the commissioner is.
You could put an arena right beside Scotiabank Arena and it won’t affect the Maple Leafs. That is how strong that team is. The market the NHL won’t go into is Hamilton as that is the market that will conflict with Buffalo. Mississauga and Kitchener are far enough away that they won’t conflict with Buffalo.
The success that Winnipeg is having is proof enough that Quebec City can support an NHL franchise. For some reason, the NHL always had an issue with Quebec City. When the WHA teams merged the NHL made the Quebec City franchise jump through some hoops they didn’t think Quebec City could accomplish.
Hey everydayboots, I’ve heard about that territorial rights thing before too. Not sure it’s true. I thought Bettman denied it, but could be wrong.
One reason might simply be no one has stepped to big $$ for the franchise and the knew rink.
Don’t Bell and Rogers both own a big chunk of the MLSE? One of those could sell and go on their own.
Hi Everydayboots
The NHL has said there are no actual “territorial” rights for Leafs.
There used to be years ago
Penguins were almost moved by the Blackberry guy to a city about 55 miles from Toronto. Bettman canceled it but not based on “territorial rights”.
Glad they didn’t move.
A few on here have posted that the league would benefit most from another Toronto area franchise.
As an American; my heart says no. But logically they are absolutely right.
I just got back from vacation and was at the Penguins game at the “mini” arena. There were plenty of empty seats. So probably only about 4,200 (of the total 4,600) were at the game.
outside of the tragedy (Penguins lost) on ice, the whole situation is tragic
Move them to Utah for next season; or even Houston as others here have suggested.
Bam!, hammer meets nail with Toronto, Ottawa, or Montreal never will split their TV rights now which would be a constant court battle.
Bam!, hammer meets nail with Toronto, Ottawa, or Montreal never will split their TV rights now which would be a constant court battle. The other markets won’t make the cut for corporate sponsors. Unfortunately it takes more than a fanbase’s passion as Winnipeg is finding out again.
Man of man social media, is all over this and same as main stream media.
Nhl big scandal, Nhl didn’t do anything, etc, etc
First off it’s an assumption on our part who the five players are and not to forget Calgary released a statement that Dube would be away from the team for mental health reason.
Is it an NHL scandal? or is it a hockey Canada scandal? Definetly a Hockey Canada scandal and a huge black eye.
Not sure what the NHL could’ve done? Suspend all the players from the 2018 team who were on NHL rosters?
We are sure one of the players because we couldn’t get a contract. This would suggest NHL teams need something but how much they actually knew. I don’t know.
I not sure what folks expected from the NHL. I will say the release of the Utah letter of intent was in bad taste.
Maybe when the names are officially announced than the NHL will release a statement and if they don’t it will also be in bad taste and frankly unacceptable.
Tough position for NHL. These names were supposedly known before season started. There were rumors that 5 players would be suspended to start the year, but then the investigation dragged on.
Hard to suspend NHL players without legal cause at that time.
The whole situation is a black eye for hockey in general, especially Hockey Canada. And the extended timeline to get to this point doesn’t help the optics.
(PS: if Dube is in fact part of the 5, he and Calgary owe the world and apology for masking his leave (for sexual assault) as mental health related.)
Foleyd7 first report was up to 8 players. Definitely a tough position for the NHL; however, all eyes will be on the NHL when the names and charges are made public.
If the NHL cared about money, there would be a second team in the GTA. But they don’t care about money apparently. Sorry NHL players, whoops.
They don’t care about money? So why are they expanding into US markets that are larger than most Canadian markets? Why has revenue grown from $732 million in 1993-94 to a projected $6.2 billion for 2024-25? Why did they sign lucrative US broadcasting agreements that were the richest in NHL history?
Lyle, you put businesses where there are customers. Are you telling me there aren’t enough people in the GTA to pay high ticket prices and sell out NHL hockey 41+ nights a year in a 22K seat arena?
Brock, the reason why the NHL puts franchises in those American markets is that they’re larger and have more lucrative potential. You also have to have someone willing to pay the freight to pay the $1 billion expansion free to bring a franchise there as well as a suitable venue. The GTA is covered by the Leafs. For all the talk of “the league should put a second team in the GTA, no one’s stepped up with the cash and the venue to make it happen.
Nailed it Lyle!
Seriously??? You don’t think someone would be willing to pay $2 billion to put a team in Markham? I can guarantee you that would happen if the NHL offered it. The Leafs have frozen the area for expansion, but if the NHL forced them, a second GTA team world clearly be the easiest cash cow the NHL could produce. GTA has 4X the population to metro SLC AND a similar population to Houston but exponentially greater hockey fans. I’m honestly shocked I have to make the argument that demand far, far, far outweighs supply of NHL hockey tickets in the GTA.
Brock, the NHL doesn’t “offer” franchises. Prospective owners must contact the league to express their interest in an expansion or relocated franchise. The league then evaluates the offers and puts the best ones to a vote before the league board of governors for approval. The reason why there isn’t a second team in the GTA is that no one has made a solid proposal to the league to put a second franchise there.
Unfortunately it is no big surprise that Ribeiro is facing sexual assault charges. Of course he is to be presumed innocent until found to be guilty. But this is not the first time he’s been accused of sexual assault.
He had a couple of productive years with the Habs. Then Gainey traded him away for next to nothing. We all know that a GM in Montreal can’t avoid hearing about his bad trades. Savard heard about the Chelios and Leclair/Desjardins trade for years thereafter. And of course done get any Habs fan started on the whole Patrick Roy mess.
Yet, I’ve never heard a peep from any Habs fan about trading Ribeiro even though, based upon on ice performance only, it may have been worse than the others. That’s because we realize that it was addition by subtraction. Ribeiro always came with tons of baggage and put himself above the team. Not worth having at any price.
Couldn’t agree more Howard. Something was seriously wrong with Ribeiro. Having a fight during practice with Koivu sealed his fate in Montreal. Hard to get good value back in a trade when you are dealing with a head case.
Ya Howard, contrary to old saying, it’s always the one you’d most expect.
On a hockey note, there is no player in the NHL at this moment better than Nathan McKinnon.
Points in 31 of his last 33 games
Nathan has played 48 games in 7 of the games he didn’t register a point. 5 of the games he didn’t register a point game in the first 10 games.
McKinnon has 25pts in his last 12 games and 13pts in his last 5 games, he has kicked into another gear.
Agreed. MacKinnon is having a great season.
Watched some of the Leafs game last night,
Ilya Samsonov played Great….and made some Amazing Saves Ilya Samsonov 👏
However the leafs forward line of Marrnier & Mathews did not help them out No back checking No Defence from these guys at ALL..!!!!!
I dont think the leafs will be a team that looks for a goaltender for the playoffs…🤔
But this team Needs a Big Shake Up
Williew i was switching back and fourth between that game and the Bruins.
Winnipeg outplayed Toronto for most of the game. Leaf’s didn’t look very interested in this late January game.
With that said isn’t it nice to have a player like Matthews on the roster. Relatively invisible all night, then just shows up to end the game.
I would prefer a lesser player who shows up at the beginning of the game and puts in a full 100% effort for 60 minutes or more.
Winnipeg was a Scheifele away from winning that game.
Kevjam it’s an 82 game season, it’s a rarity for any player to put in 100% in all 82 games. Just not happening.
Just to be clear can you sit there and say McDavid and Draistl put in 100% effort 100% of the time?
I know that not all players can put in 100% effort 100% of the time. It just seems that Matthews has an “I don’t give a s*@t” mode that you don’t usually see in other star players.
Hey Caper,
Your right in a nut shell……
leafs i think were very lucky to score there… but it opens up the conversation regarding the Jets Scoring and d/core…….🤔
if i was Jets GM I would be looking for a Really Good 2nd line Centre……
i know Mark Scheifele was out and he is a big part of the Jets Scoring….But if they want to do a Cup Run……
A Jets Trade with the Flames🔥…
Jets send A 1st pick & A 2nd pick in 2024.
A prospect and Or d/man 25 yr old Dylan Sambergas ?
Calgary only have 2 d/men signed for next year… Calgary would have to retains some salary to make it work
To the Jets, Calgary sends UFA Centre Elias Lindholm and UFA RD man Chris Tanev to help Top there defence up……⁉️
There’s no way the Jets trade Dylan Samberg for 2 rentals, let alone with picks + . Not gonna happen!
Yes, Samsonov was nothing less than sensational last night
Good 4 him!
Re the Team Canada scandal. If 5 are charged (or at least soon to be) and 7 or 8 were in the room; and it took so long for the police to formally get to the charging stage; Is it a stretch to conclude that possibly 1 or more (of the 7 or 8) ; agreed to provide evidence in exchange for agreeing to a misdemeanour and/or lesser criminal offence and/or no offence at all?
Are there any police or prosecutors that post on here that see that as a possibility?
Re NHL suspending these players; can they if already granted an indefinite leave as well as “innocent until proven guilty”?
The way I read it a while back was that there were 8 possible suspects, but only 5 that were with current NHL teams (Formenton under Ottawa rights at the time).
So I am assuming that additional people may have been summoned as well, but we just can’t infer their names since they weren’t taking leaves from professional hockey teams.
Authorities are supposed to have a press conference in early Feb about the case, so I guess it will all come out then.
Re; Calgary Flames 🔥
Just Lost Both there Waiver wire player’s they put on Wavers last night….
1/The New Jersey Devils have claimed defenseman Nick DeSimone off of waivers
2/ The Arizona Coyotes have claimed Calgary Flames forward Adam Ružička off of waivers.
B’s D looked a little slow last night against the Canes