NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 17, 2024

by | Feb 17, 2024 | News, NHL | 6 comments

The Hurricanes defeated the Coyotes, Blake Wheeler is sidelined for the season, Zach Parise confirms this season will be his last, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Arizona Coyotes 5-1 in the only game on Friday night. Pyotr Kochetkov made 30 saves while Martin Necas and Seth Jarvis each collected two assists for the Hurricanes (31-17-5), who sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 67 points. Dylan Guenther replied for the 23-26-4 Coyotes, who are winless in their last eight games (0-7-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Coyotes were without goaltender Connor Ingram as he’s listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers winger Blake Wheeler is out for the remainder of the regular season after being placed on long-term injury reserve with a lower-body injury. A return in the playoffs isn’t ruled out depending on his recovery and how far the Rangers advance in the 2024 postseason. Wheeler injured his right leg during Thursday’s 7-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

New York Rangers winger Blake Wheeler (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Based on the severity of Wheeler’s injury, I guess he might be able to return by the Eastern Conference Final.

NHL.COM: Zach Parise confirms that this season will be his last as an NHL player. The 39-year-old winger recently signed a one-year, prorated contract with the Colorado Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is Parise’s last chance to win that elusive Stanley Cup. During his playing prime, he reached the Cup Final once, in 2012 with the New Jersey Devils. After 19 seasons, his career is drawing to a close, but he hopes to end it with a championship.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The domestic abuse case against Bruins winger Milan Lucic was dismissed in Boston Municipal Court on Friday after his wife Brittany invoked her marital privilege and declined to testify. However, the Bruins announced that Lucic would remain on his indefinite leave of absence for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, Lucic’s season is over and probably his NHL playing career as well.

TORONTO SUN: Paul Giordano, father of Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano, passed away suddenly on Thursday night.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Giordano and his family.

NHL.COM: Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander was fined $2, 864.58 by the department of player safety for high-sticking Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: cited The Fourth Period revealing the New Jersey Devils will face off against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia, to kick off the 2024-25 season in the NHL Global Series.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators defensemen Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub are expected to return from injury for Saturday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

CBS SPORTS: Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov will return to action in Saturday’s game against the San Jose Sharks. He missed Tuesday’s game against Ottawa with an upper-body injury.

TSN: The Nashville Predators signed forward Michael McCarron to a two-year, $1.8 million contract extension.

STARTRIBUNE.COM: Mason Shaw signed a two-way contract for the remainder of this season with the Minnesota Wild after returning from his fourth knee injury with the Wild’s minor-league team.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins claimed forward Matthew Phillips off waivers from the Washington Capitals.

DAILY FACEOFF: The inaugural “Battle of Bay Street” between PWHL clubs Toronto and Montreal at Scotiabank Arena set a new record for the largest attendance for a professional women’s hockey game with 19, 285 fans turning out for the game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This isn’t NHL news but I felt it was worth noting. The first season of the PWHL continues to set new attendance records for women’s pro hockey and bodes well for its future.







6 Comments

  1. Blake Wheeler got injured playing the Habs on a clean hit by Jayden Struble but the real cause was the poor ice at MSG., his blade got caught in the ice.

    Playing on that ice must be difficult for a guy like Wheeler who spent the last decade on one of the best ice surfaces in the NHL.

    I never heard it mentioned but I wonder how much the ice surfaces in different arenas impacts players choice of where to sign contracts.

    • Sergachev caught his leg similar way at MSG week prior

  2. Is it me or does it seem there has been way more serious injuries in the NHL this year?One year it seems to be Shoulder injuries and this seems to be the year of the lower body injuries!

  3. Seth Jarvis has been Carolina’s most consistent forward this season. His compete level reminds me of a young Justin Williams.

    Despite winning 5-1 Carolina’s defense played a sloppy game. Kochetkov bailed them out on several occasions.

    Teravainen and Drury are the Canes most improved players compared to last season. I thought this would be a breakout year for Kotkaniemi but he just cant seem to take his game to another level.

    According to Trip Tracy Freddy Andersen was taking NHL shots in practice and looking very sharp. His return will decide if Carolina trades for a goal tender. Spencer Martin is supposed to play against Vegas tonight. I would be surprised if Carolina makes any significant trades before the deadline unless Freddy decides he cant play anymore.

  4. Very happy for the PWHL I’ve watched some games and it’s some damn good hockey. Very fast, more physical than I expected, and some pretty elite goaltending.

  5. The PWHL has really impressed me this year with the physicality. Couple big hits last night again. Not to mention SBA selling out so quickly. Pretty much everything has been a positive. It’s so encouraging to see the support.