NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 28, 2024
The Golden Knights set an NHL record, Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar sets a franchise record, league commissioner Gary Bettman assures Jets fans their team won’t be moved, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Vegas Golden Knights became the fastest franchise in league history to reach 300 wins (514 games) by beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2, snapping the latter’s seven-game win streak. Jonathan Marchessault had two goals and an assist for the 33-19-7 Golden Knights as they ended a three-game losing skid and hold second place in the Pacific Division with 73 points. With 74 points, the Leafs (33-17-8) sit in third place in the Atlantic Division.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (NHL Images).
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar collected an assist to become the highest-scoring blueliner in franchise history (308 points) in a 5-1 win over the Dallas Stars. Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist to extend his season-opening home points streak to 29 games for the Avalanche (36-19-5) as they sit third in the Central Division with 77 points. Rookie Logan Stankoven scored his NHL goal for the 35-17-9 Stars as they slipped to second place in the Central with 79 points.
The Florida Panthers held off the Buffalo Sabres by a score of 3-2. Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and an assist for the 39-16-4 Panthers (82 points) as they sit first in the Eastern Conference and second in the overall standings. The Sabres slipped to 27-28-4.
An overtime goal by Erik Karlsson lifted the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Sidney Crosby had two assists and reached his 1,000th career even-strength point for the 27-21-8 Penguins as they’ve won three straight games. J.T. Miller netted his 30th goal of the season for the Canucks (38-16-7) as they remain first overall with 83 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Penguins announced that winger Bryan Rust is sidelined week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
A five-goal third period carried the Philadelphia Flyers over the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2. Travis Sanheim and Noah Cates each had a goal and an assist for the Flyers (31-22-7) as they sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 69 points. The 32-24-5 Lightning hold the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 69 points, four ahead of the New Jersey Devils.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Flyers announced defensemen Jamie Drysdale and Rasmus Ristolainen are week-to-week with upper-body injuries. Winger Travis Konecny (upper body) is listed as day-to-day.
Speaking of the Devils, they cruised to a 7-2 drubbing of the San Jose Sharks. Nico Hischier had a goal and three assists while Jack Hughes had a goal and two assists for the 30-25-4 Devils while San Jose sank to 15-37-5. They also lost goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood as he left the game with an injury in the first period.
Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane collected two assists to extend his points streak to nine games as his club trounced the Washington Capitals 8-3. Shayne Gostisbehere tallied twice for the surging Red Wings (33-20-6) as they picked up their sixth straight win and hold the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 72 points.
The Calgary Flames kept their playoff hopes alive by doubling up the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 to pick up their fourth straight win. Yegor Sharangovich snapped a 2-2 tie in the third period for the 29-25-5 Flames (63 points) as they sit five points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist for the Kings (29-19-10) as they cling to the first Western wild-card spot with 68 points
Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators maintained their hold on that final Western wild-card berth by defeating the Ottawa Senators 4-1. Roman Josi and Gustav Nyquist each had three points for the 33-25-2 Predators (68 points) as they picked up their sixth straight win. The Senators dropped to 25-29-3 while center Josh Norris left the game with an apparent shoulder injury in the second period.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: According to NHL.com, the Senators were outshot 19-0 in the third period.
Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal had a goal and an assist to lead his club to a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. The Hurricanes improved to 35-18-6 and sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 76 points. The Wild slipped to 28-15-6 and are six points out of the final Western wild-card berth.
The Montreal Canadiens handed the Arizona Coyotes their 13th straight defeat (0-11-2) by a score of 4-2. Sam Montembeault stopped 36 shots while Joel Armia and Jordan Harris had a goal and an assist for the 23-28-8 Canadiens as they ended a five-game losing skid. The Coyotes dropped to 23-30-5.
Winnipeg Jets center Sean Monahan had a goal and an assist in a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Josh Morrissey and Nikolaj Ehlers each collected two assists as the Jets (37-15-5) moved into first place in the Central Division with 79 points. With a record of 30-26-2, the Blues (62 points) are six points behind the Predators for that final Western wild-card spot.
SPORTSNET: Speaking of the Jets, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was in Winnipeg on Tuesday. He dismissed the notion that the club could relocate after team owner Mark Chipman last week expressed concern over their declining season-ticket sales.
The Jets have the second-lowest average attendance this season (13,306), drawing 87.4 percent of Canada Life Centre’s 15, 225 capacity.
At the time, Chipman said the Jets had to get back to a season-ticket base of 13,000 each year after sales dropped to 9,500 for 2023-24. “This place we find ourselves in right now, it’s not going to work over the long haul. It just isn’t,” he said.
Bettman suggested Chipman was referring to the club’s ability to compete and win the Stanley Cup rather than the viability of remaining in Winnipeg. He believes Winnipeg is a strong hockey market and cited the financial commitments that ownership has made to the team, its arena and the downtown area.
“If the team is going to have the resources and the ability to compete at the highest level, and to spend at the cap, as they have, it’s important for the building to be full,” said Bettman. He felt their current difficulties are simply part of the growing pains clubs occasionally endure and is confident that they will adjust.
WINNIPEG SUN: Paul Friesen noted that Chipman walked back his comments from last week that generated so much emotion and concern over the Jets’ future. The Jets owner acknowledged the club screwed up with its rigid policies, admitting it must win back the fans’ trust.
Friesen also included a sampling of the fans’ complaints, most of which centered on the perception that ownership was out of touch with the fans and took them for granted. High prices for parking and concessions, indifferent customer service from the arena staff and sales department, and last spring’s season-ticket ad campaign referencing the original Jets that came across as a veiled threat were among the issues raised.
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Before Bettman’s journey to Winnipeg, Mike McIntyre did a detailed examination of how things reached this point for the Jets. He felt there was no reason to panic about the team relocating but pointed out that economics was behind this situation.
McIntyre noted the decline in the Jets season-ticket sales, including a waitlist of reportedly 8,000 that has dried up. He cites many of the same factors as Friesen, as well as the rising cost of living, economic downturn, and the club’s erratic performance in recent years.
He also pointed out the Jets lack corporate support, with just 15 percent accounting for their season-ticket sales. That’s well below the other six Canadian markets, where businesses make up between 45 and 85 percent of the base.
THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates examined ways the Jets can win back their fans. He believes they must generate more substantial corporate support and prioritize individuals, families and friends of groups that buy tickets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve noted all this because Chipman’s remarks last week raised concerns about the Jets’ future, not just in Winnipeg but around the league. It also drew plenty of comments last Saturday when I reposted my 2011 Soapbox article expressing concerns for the franchise following its relocation.
While the club isn’t in danger of moving to a new city, there’s no question that the attendance issue garnered attention at NHL headquarters. Hence the commissioner’s attempt to reassure the fans while also meeting with the club’s corporate sponsors to drum up more support.
Bettman’s comments about the requirement for a full arena are no different from those he made in 2011 when the Jets relocated to Winnipeg from Atlanta. For a decade, that wasn’t an issue. It’s become a problem now, one that the team’s owner took public and the league commissioner had to address.
Playing in the NHL’s smallest market and the second-smallest arena, the Jets continue to face more challenges than other Canadian franchises. Over time, it could prove difficult for individual fans or families to keep up with the increasing fan cost index especially if the cost of living continues to rise. Improved corporate support will be crucial going forward.
Jets fans are passionate about their team. If the issues they raised are suitably addressed by the club’s ownership, the season-ticket sales should improve and the Jets should regularly sell out their arena once again.
Great effort after 1st, and eventual OT Win by Penguins last night
According to Nick Horwat of The Hockey News, Canucks are in on the Guentzel sweepsteaks
If so, Dubas needs to hold fast for
Myers (UFA) Hoglander, Blueger (UFA); 1st (‘25) for Guentzel (UFA) Accairi , Nieto (UFA)
Myers and Guentzel both have 50% retained by current team, and Dubas pays Coyotes Gruden, Rathbone to retain 50% on Blueger and 25% on Meyers (total cash retention on both by Coyotes at Trade deadline of only about $265,000)
After trade…. Canucks gain $100,000 in annualized Cap space, Penguins gain $2,350,000 in annualized Cap space
Move Nedjelkovic for a 2nd
Friedman and Hockey News report Knights interest in Smith….. Penguins use Cap space gained in trade above and knowledge that Carter is gone next year, and retain 50% on Smith , add 2nd (trade of Nedjelkovic) and trade to Vegas for Roy and Morozov
Crosby Rakell Rust
Malkin Hoglander Bemstrom
Roy Eller with either Puustinen or Puuljarvi
Blueger O’Connor and either Carter or Harkins
Letang Olivier-Joseph
Karllsson Pettersson
Myers Graves
Jarry and Blomquist
With above moves, Penguins overall get younger, bigger, faster, much better defensively and has a more balanced offence. For next year, overall more space than current, gain assets with term and a prospect and a 1st.
Penguins improved shot at this years playoffs and for next year and beyond, generally for the only true valuable loss of Guentzel (who should not be re-upped by Penguins because they are rebuilding and he’ll have very big cap hit at 29
Pens deal Jake to Ducks for Zegras.
Ducks deal Jake (1/2 retained) to Vegas for Brendan Brisson, Daniil Miromanov, Mathieu Cataford and a 2024 first-round pick.
Everyone gets better!
Penguins would be better to retain 50% , deal direct with Vegas
And get Brisson, Mirimanov, Caraford, 1st
Penguins would be better to retain 50% , deal direct with Vegas
And get Brisson, Mirimanov, Caraford, 1st
I want what you’re smoking. We are not giving up that for a rental. Have another buddy
From Friedman et al the expected return is 1st + prospect + roster player
My proposal may be lengthy , complicated and convoluted, so pie in the sky for that reason and probability of happening , as close as possible to zero
but is reasonable in trade values
8787 You must be AKA Peggy. Every trade is a 3 way with Zona holding cap for someone. If so welcome back.
Hmmm, his posts do have a Pengy vibe, don’t they…
Lyle… you see the emails. Is it indeed pengy risen?
Swany,
you may have something there….Re;8787
Pengy was the Queen of a 3 way deal with her Pens…
only Lyle would know and he cant give that info out as its private….. But 8787 could….❓ 🤔
Peggy who?
Ah
Now reading Lyle’s I get it. Swany misspelled Pengy, put Peggy
Because I’m a huge Penguins fan?
I do agree with 3-way trades though. Rare but exciting when they happen.
I think that Pengy guy is Canadian and also likes Leafs
Born and bread here; and not a Leaf fan
We both like Crosby
Great game last night by Monty on Samuel Montembeault Bobblehead Night. I like his quote after the game. “I wanted to have a good game. I didn’t want the fans to throw those things in the garbage on the way out”.
Had it been any other player the bobble head would have hit the garbage. Habs significantly out played by one of the worst teams in the league.
While I hope the Jets stay put, economics and the team’s middling play, the last few years, are hurting the attendance. It would help to have a GM who sits on his hands while other teams make moves to improve themselves.
Ottawa outshot 19-0 in the third , wow. Glad I did not watch that game.
One thing for sure ….DJ was not the problem with this team.
Fergy 22, I was among the biggest anti-DJ exponent on this site … but since his firing what you say has become abundantly clear to me at least.
As I keep saying, this collection – from top to bottom of the line-up – either cannot … or will not … grasp the basic need for putting out 100% effort with each outing. Regardless of who is behind the bench.
No one expects them to go 82-0 … that’s idiocy in the extreme. But what we, as paying fans, demand is that they consistently put out their best effort. That alone will negate being outshot as you describe.
Which is why I reiterate … I would consider NOT one player on this team as “untouchable.” Yes, a handful are more “untouchable” than the rest … but if the right offer came along – sayonara regardless of who you are.
Last night was simply pathetic when it comes to a professional team … “young” be damned.
George … the most annoying part to me is that, thanks to Dorion, the cupboard is pretty bare. There are no strong prospects coming up since he traded his last two first rounders and wasted a pick on Tyler Boucher. The only youth is already playing in the NHL.
How can a team which struggles with the cap and has no prospects be so far down the standings? I think a major young player needs to be shipped out. I know people mention Chabot or Norris but they would be selling low.
George , the Tortorella comments last week, re: young players today, may have something to do with the state of the team. Some games they look like they do whatever they want , no accountability.
Don’t get me wrong Stutzle has amazing talent but some games he looks like he does what he wants when he wants. Not laying all the blame on him , there are others who fall into that category.
They need to sell off UFAs at the TDL for picks and prospects. Any big pieces should likely best wait until the off season. As of today a lot of players stock is down. Staios has his work cut out for him this summer.
Peter & Fergy22
lots of really good points there…
The Sen’s again this year it come down to two things Very Poor Goaltending and there Defence
3 very Good LD-men & 1 top 4 RD -man, its a poor mix thats Not working
Needs are
1 Top 4 RD-man… 26-30 yrs old
1 Starting Goaltender ( Saros 28, or Ullmark 30,)
They need to trade out a Centre like a Josh Norris and a LD man to fix the 2 areas above….., they may want to include a 1st pick and Korposalo in one of these trades to get him out of Ottawa🤔
D/men to trade, Not young LD Sanderson.
it would be one of these 2 LD/men.
(injury prone Thomas Chabot) or Jakob Chychrun
My choice would be
I would Trade out Centre Norris & LD Chabot❓
No Pain No Gain
George, if they played every other team like they play the leafs…they are a cup winning team !
Bang on Fd – that’s what pisses me off more than anything – the fact they CAN play a total effort game – but seemingly only – on a consistent basis – when they play the Leafs.
Interesting conversation on the Sens. What Fd and George said gave me flashbacks to the Decade of Darkness in Edmonton. The lack of consistency and or effort on some nights, is similar. Or at least what appears to be, and it might be I dunno.
I’m big on evidence/data, and the overall macro #’s, with 2 exceptions, suggest the Sens are right there and should be competing for a WC spot. What stands out are special teams and goaltending that are preventing that. They generate more chances than their opponents, more from the high danger area as well. But macro stats can’t explain what you guys are talking about.
So I went on Natural Stat Trick, which is great.
Sens are good against their own division, decent against the rest of the conference. Their record is brutal against the west. But their chances of all kinds stay consistently good. What it shows is their shooting % and sv% go way down. The west has some good teams, but not overall superior than the east in any way. The worst 3 teams in the league, by a lot, are in the west.
If it was effort you would think they would get out chanced. Why they can’t finish or get any type of tending, overall against the west, is a mystery to me.
Flippin’ weird.
Have a look.
https://www.naturalstattrick.com/teamreport.php?team=OTT
IMO the good news for the Sens is these are fixable with the current roster, other than goaltending. Can Korpisalo turn it around? No idea, but they definitely need to find an option as well.
If it is effort, then it is culture, then they need to get rid of the guys causing the culture problem. Pretty sure Martin has a god idea by now.
Good observation Ray. Bottom line – their indifferent play against teams either below them in the overall standings or slightly above them, while giving the top teams fits – on most nights – is monumentally confusing.
One word Bettman used yesterday was “silly” in reference to concern about the team leaving.
Bettman stated he was in Winnipeg as per his usual routine of traveling thru out the season to NHL cities.
What makes it silly is this is the first season the Jets haven’t sold out on a regular bases. You don’t jump ship after one bad season.
Chipman approach show he isn’t in touch with the fan base or corporate community.
Last year fans were ticked off at a video True North put out part of the video showed the jets leaving the city the last time. Folks viewed that as a threat.
Bettman made a comment during intermission last night that had some meat on it; not exact quote:
When the team came back it had a ticket drive and sold out in 18 minutes to induvial ticket holders; no tickets were kept for the corporate community, that was short sighted.
Bettman took a direct shot at Chipman in regards to the lack of support from the corporate community.
Winnipeg been in the playoffs 7 of the last 8 season and presently sit first in their division in a year where gloom and doom was written all over the walls; with everyone wondering about PLD and where Scheifele and Hellebuyck would end up.
Lastly as i repeat myself: Rumors are the NHL is going to expand and both Houston and Idaho want it, the expansion fee could be around $2 billion. Not a chance Bettman allows Winnipeg to move and lose out on the expansion fee.
Winnipeg will have a minimum of 2 playoff games and if they go on a run, all will be forgotten and maybe Chipman can line up some corporate sponsors.
“What makes it silly is this is the first season the Jets haven’t sold out on a regular bases.”
Actually, it’s the second straight season they didn’t sell out. The decline in their attendance last season was what sparked that video ad campaign last spring that upset so many Jets fans.
As for making the playoffs in seven of the last eight years, there’s been a sense of disappointment regarding their inability to follow up on their 2018 campaign when they reached the Conference Final for the first time. They were second in the Central in 2019, fifth in 2020, third in the “North” division during the Covid shortened season, missed the cut in 2022 and barely qualified last season after stumbling down the stretch. Over that period, they won only one playoff round.
Ya, I can’t see the NHL wanting leave WPG anytime soon. And yes, if they are actually planning on more expansion, the owners will want that $$, vs a relocation which generate zero. Idaho? Really? Boise is the largest city I think and it is smaller than Saskatoon.
Also, from what I have learned is that True North has invested big money in some real estate projects in downtown near and including the rink, and the Jets are obviously the signature tenant that will bring people there. So there are plenty of incentives to stay.
Folks talk about Chipman, as he is out front, but David Thompson is the other owner and he is one of the wealthiest people in the world, let alone Canada. He can afford to be patient.
But, the question is will he? Reality is owners won’t be patient with losing $ forever. They simply don’t do that. If I am missing examples, kindly enlighten me.
The Jets have plenty of runway to get folks back into the rink and increase the corporate $$. But for Bettman to say it is silly to suggest leaving WPG, is actually silly and seems more like spin to not piss off more fans, than reality. Maybe another buyer would step up and keep the team there, what do I know.
I ain’t a lawyer, and I don’t pretend to know the Jets bottom line, or understand NHL/Ownership contracts, but it doesn’t seem likely to me that the NHL can dictate whether or not business owners have to keep losing money and not be able to sell, forever.
I hope the Jets stay, and the fact that they sold out for so long suggests they can. The Canadian Prairies produce more NHL players per capita than any place in North America. Hockey is part of who we are, and we play the game. My home province of Saskatchewan is #1, Manitoba is #2.
Go Jets Fans Go! Please! Or, IMO, they will eventually leave.
Ray, i miss spoke or typed again, it should say Omaha, with a population of 1.5m people within 80km of downtown.
From tsn
Yes Lyle, we agree the fan base has decrease further this season.
In the end kind of feels like Bettman came to Winnipeg and B*tched slapped Chipman and left.
Winnipeg attendance on average last season was 14045 91% of capacity, this season they are down to 13,140 a 7% decrease from the 2022-2023 season.
Buffalo, Ottawa, Arizona to name a few would love to be in Winnipeg position of being a team that regularly makes the playoff.
The turmoil that was the Jets last season contributed to folks staying away.
Every year your team gets eliminated except one, it’s a disappointment. Ask Toronto or Boston fans.
At the end of the day it’s a moot point, the Winnipeg Jets are not leaving Winnipeg.
as per Gary Bettman “this is silly”
“Winnipeg attendance on average last season was 14045 91% of capacity, this season they are down to 13,140 a 7% decrease from the 2022-2023 season.”
So we’re in agreement, the Jets attendance has declined over the last two seasons.
“At the end of the day it’s a moot point, the Winnipeg Jets are not leaving Winnipeg.”
Something which Chipman should’ve stated at the start since it was his comments that stirred this up in the first place. Not to mention that ad campaign last spring that was taken as a veiled threat.
“as per Gary Bettman “this is silly”
A silliness brought about by Chipman’s hamhanded efforts to sell more season tickets.
A huge underlying issue many seem to forget when we talk about billionaire owners and millionaire players is that the average Joe is really suffering and buckling under inflation and skyrocketing housing costs and interest rates.
In places like Winnipeg, you do get your fair share of hard working blue collar types who suddenly have to cut costs somewhere and if it’s either your house or NHL games tickets, we all know what the choice is.
I am not claiming that is the sole cause, but it most definitely exacerbates the situation.
If you haven’t seen the video of Nick Cousins, you’re missing out on a good laugh.
I would think after that it might be a little more difficult for him to draw a penalty.
He’s kind of a hybrid of Matt Cooke and Steve Avery rolled into one.
The Athletic did a player poll. One of the questions was which player would you most want to punch in the face.
1 – Cousins – 28.57%
2 – Marchand – 14.97% (dethroned by Cousins)
3 – Matthew Tkachuk – 7.48%
Bunting and Garland finishing the top 5.
That is a pretty wide margin of victory.
Kind of surprised by Conor Garland’s inclusion on that list.
Pretty much agree totally, Peter … except to say that … not in defense of Dorion because, really, only hindsight has proven him wrong … he (and a lot of us fans) were legitimately thrilled at the acquisitions of Norris, Brannstrom, Joseph, Chy chrun, Zub, DeBrincat AND, yes, Korpisalo (anything was better than Murray) in trades, the signing of Giroux as a UFA, and the drafting of Chabot, Tkachuk, Batherson, Stutzle, Pinto, Sanderson, Greig … the future was here … just needed the right coaching system. Now we all know how that unfolded and – again in hindsight – can see that the players in question – while talented in some respects – clearly lack relentless effort. And they’re paoid enough to at least expect that.
As to their lack of prospects, the reason they are now rated at the bottom of the prospect pool by the Hockey Writers is simply because almost all their top prospects at the start of this season were at the major league level.
But there are still two in Belleville having decent seasons for an equally-struggling team (no offense there) who should soon find their way to the NHL
6′ 4″ 200lb LD Tyler Kleven – 3g 13a 16 pts in 39gp and a +11
6′ 3″ 2– lb RD Maxence Guenette – 5g 23. 29ps in 45gp and a +4
Whether that means Ottawa or somewhere else is now in the hands of Staios … good luck to him, he’s going to need it.
I see Norris went down last night with another apparent shoulder injury, on what seemed to me to be not much of a collision with the goal.
That can’t augur well for him or the Sens going forward.
Ottawa is going to be alright. The step back this year reminds me of Winnipegs step back in 2019(??). The season started in Europe, they played ok, then dealt with a condensed schedule, an injury or two and the season was a write off.
The team in Ottawa is still so young and the consistency will improve when the young guys figure out that someone is chasing thier job and not vice-versa. There is too much talent to go on struggling like this
LJ – yep, here we go again. No one can blame the kid for what is turning out to be a chronic injury situation – Hell, I can’t even blame Dorion for handing out that multiyear (to end of 2029-30 season) $7,950,000 deal.
But the underlying fact is, they are now stuck with that since no one in their right mind will take on that deal. Not with an ever-present cloud on uncertainty hanging over the poor guy’s head game-in game-out.
2.0 – you are way more optimistic than I.
Cousins is one those players that has to act tough in order to be relevant. The video caper is talking about is funny as heck. He appears to have been hurt and then the miracle happens….he jumps up and starts fighting. I noticed he has played for 6 different teams in the NHL . That says a lot to me about what he’s all about. Hopefully this is his last season with Florida so my team doesn’t have to put up with his crap.