NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 21, 2024
A five-point performance by the Leafs’ Auston Matthews, Kings captain Anze Kopitar reaches a points milestone, Hall-of-Famer Lanny McDonald talks about his near-death experience, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews scored twice and collected three assists in a 7-3 victory over the Washington Capitals. Max Domi had four assists while William Nylander and John Tavares had a goal and two assists each for the 39-20-9 Maple Leafs, who sit third in the Atlantic Division with 87 points. Alex Ovechkin scored twice for the 33-26-9 Capitals (75 points), who remain one point behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final Eastern Conference wildcard berth.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews has a league-leading 57 goals, nine up on Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart. Some pundits are suggesting he could reach 70. He still has some distance to cover to reach that milestone but he’s within reach of 65, which was Ovechkin’s career high and the most scored by an NHL player in the salary-cap era.
Leafs defenseman T.J. Brodie was a healthy scratch from this game while teammate Ryan Reaves missed this contest with an eye injury. Capitals forwards T.J. Oshie (upper body) and Aliaksei Protas (lower body) missed this game and are listed as day-to-day.
Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist to reach 1,200 regular-season points as his club blanked the Minnesota Wild 6-0. Kevin Fiala, Phillip Danault and Viktor Arvidsson also had a goal and an assist each while David Rittich turned in a 31-save shutout for the 36-22-11 Kings, who sit third in the Pacific Division with 83 points. The 34-28-8 Wild (73 points) are three points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the final Western Conference wildcard spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The third period got rough with 12 players (six from each team) receiving misconduct penalties.
Arvidsson returned to action for the Kings after being sidelined since Feb. 20. Meanwhile, Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin missed this game with a lower-body injury.
The Dallas Stars rolled to a 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. Jason Robertson had a goal and an assist and Tyler Seguin scored in his return to the Stars lineup after missing 11 games with a lower-body injury. With a record of 42-19-9, the Stars sit third in the Central Division with 93 points. Clayton Keller tallied his 28th goal of the season for the 28-36-5 Coyotes.
HEADLINES
SPORTSNET: Hall-of-Famer Lanny McDonald revealed he was near death after suffering a heart attack at the Calgary airport six weeks ago. Doctors told the 71-year-old that he would’ve died if the episode had taken place minutes earlier on the plane or minutes later in the parking lot.
The quick response from two passing nurses and a policeman saved McDonald’s life. The policeman worked so hard administering CPR that he fractured McDonald’s sternum and several of his ribs.
McDonald underwent quadruple bypass surgery four days later and had a pacemaker installed eight days later.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to McDonald and his family in his recovery.
DAILY FACEOFF: NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly insists the science is still lacking regarding the link to CTE and repeated blows to the head.
The question was raised following the suicide of Chris Simon earlier this week. Simon’s family issued a statement expressing their strong belief that the former NHL enforcer suffered from CTE attributed to his playing career.
CTE can only be diagnosed posthumously. In a document submitted to an Ottawa court in 2017, Simon claimed he suffered from symptoms including depression, anxiety and PTSD.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Mayo Clinic, Columbia University, the US National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, the NHS in the United Kingdom, Boston University and the Alzheimer’s Association are among those that would disagree with Daly.
THE SCORE: Speaking of Daly, he said the league probably wouldn’t have enough time to relocate the Arizona Coyotes if their owner fails to win June’s land auction. The Coyotes have been playing in Arizona State University’s 5,000-seat Mullett Arena while their ownership attempts to find a location to build a new arena.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been reported that relocation would be “on the table” if the Coyotes owner doesn’t win that land auction.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens forward Joshua Roy has been sidelined indefinitely with an injured right hand. He suffered the injury blocking a shot during Tuesday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.
TSN: Boston University center Macklin Celebrini was named the NCAA’s Hockey East Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. The 17-year-old Celebrini is projected as the top prospect in this year’s draft.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The San Jose Sharks could land Celebrini. They’re currently last in the overall standings and would have the best odds of winning the draft lottery.
If I were the Celebrini I kid I would weigh all of my options before I would go to San Jose! Although they did draft the Smith kid from Boston College last year!I think that Franchise is a long way from respectability!
Sr
I agree. Wilson over extended core was biggest error. Let Pavs go when he should’ve traded Logan C or vlasic. And pass on 8 yr deals on 30 yr olds
We’re tanking for him
Move Malkin to wing; bring on Celebrini
Move Karlsson at 50% for youth
Move Accairi in same deal
Retain 50% on Smith; send back to Knights; add something; for youth D
Something drastic has to be done or Crosby asks for move to play with MacKinnon and moves west
Crosby actually asking out is unlikely , but I (and many) wouldn’t blame him
You’re not tanking as fast as Ottawa!
Would like to see Crosby in a Bruins uniform
We’re getting him George; I’ve already sent my wish list to Santa and that was number one on my list.
I’ve been eating all my Brussel sprouts and broccoli and I held the door open for a stranger at the mall; so I’m on his “nice” list
Joe
I can realistically only see Crosby in a Penguins or Avs uniform; with s very very very minute possibility of ending career as s Hab .
8787 … tonight, it’ll be 7-2 for St. Louis over Ottawa … one more notch lower
Celebrini doesn’t need to worry about going to SJ. The Sharks are not one of the “special” teams that get a frozen envelope.
The Sharks have never had a first pick in the draft. Now you are encouraging the conspiracy theory that they won’t this year either. In my weaker moments I agree. Won’t it be embarrassing to the league to give it to Chicago again?
I never know if people are actually serious when they post about how the draft lottery is “rigged”.
So I guess I will ask, are you serious, or just seeing of you can get people to bite?
No more embarrassing than handing top 5 picks to Edmonton for about a decade.
But I do love a good conspiracy theory! I like when people make it out like they somehow know more than the rest of the planet with zero actual evidence to back up their conspiracies!
What can I say? it’s easy , fun entertainment.
I’m not saying I have any insider information. I do believe 95% in my heart that the lottery has been fixed. Just look at the last 25 years, whenever “special” team is doing poorly or talking about moving or bankruptcy. They always seem to get a run of a couple number one overalls. As a CBJ fan, having suffered 25 years of suck and having never had the number one overall ever (except for a trade), I find it very suspicious. Now back to my basement.
NHL First Overall Picks Since 1999 (25 years):
2023 – Connor Bedard, Chicago
2022 – Juraj Slafkovsky, Montreal
2021 – Owen Power, Buffalo
2020 – Alexis Lafreniere, NY Rangers
2019 – Jack Hughes, New Jersey
2018 – Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo
2017 – Nico Hischier, New Jersey
2016 – Auston Matthews, Toronto
2015 – Connor McDavid, Edmonton
2014 – Aaron Ekblad, Florida
2013 – Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado
2012 – Nail Yakupov, Edmonton
2011 – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton
2010 – Taylor Hall, Edmonton
2009 – John Tavares, NY Islanders
2008 – Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
2007 – Patrick Kane, Chicago
2006 – Erik Johnson, St. Louis
2005 – Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh
2004 – Alex Ovechkin, Washington
2003 – Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh (via trade with Florida)
2002 – Rick Nash, Columbus (via trade with Florida)
2001 – Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta
2000 – Rick DiPietro, NY Islanders
1999 – Patrik Stefan, Atlanta
Please explain which of these drafts over the 25-year period you cited were “fixed”, which “special” team they benefited, and how many got a “couple of runs” that landed them first overall picks that gave them an advantage over the other teams in their draft class.
Any actual examples of that Pupinabox?
The Oil had some draft lottery luck, but they are a profitable franchise with as a loyal a fan base as anywhere when they lose, heck they sold out over the “Decade of Darkness”. Zero reason to prop them up. Oiler fans didn’t seem to happy in those days.
CLB finished tied with CHI for the 2nd worst record and drafted 3rd. I would argue they got the 2nd best player, but I’m biased to Canadians. Hardly seems shady, knowing the odds and stuff. Don’t see any Ducks fans claiming it was fixed and they had the best odds at #1.
If you want your team to have a bunch of early draft picks, and best shots at the lotto, they can keep sucking for a decade and you’ll get your wish.
“If you want your team to have a bunch of early draft picks, and best shots at the lotto, they can keep sucking for a decade and you’ll get your wish.”
Even then, there’s no guarantee your team will be any better. See the Oilers’ “decade of darkness” you mentioned, the Sabres’ long playoff drought or the Devils poised to miss the playoffs for the 10th time in 12 years.
Wow, hold on while I pull the arrows out of me. All I am saying, and these are just bullet points because I’m sorta buy at the moment, is IMHO there is shenanigans afoot when it comes to the lottery. My team has been the suckiest of the suck for the past 24 years and has never won the lottery. The 03-05 run of the Penguins (which I believe they got Malkin as #2oa in that period) came on the heals of bankruptcy, we need an arena, we need a casino, or we may move talk. Edmonton’s run from 10-15 very suspicious to me. When I say special teams I mean original 6 or huge market brands. If you look down that list you don’t see a lot of Cbus’s, Winnipeg’s or Arizona’s. I believe the League wants each years “generational” player to go to special team. Just open up any NHL app and you can’t go 10 seconds without finding out some new fast fact about Connor Bedard in Chicago.
And finally, Bettman was in charge of the NBA draft the year that it has been proven it’s lottery WAS fixed so Ewing would go to the Knicks. It just makes me wonder. Please take a breath before you filet me.
pupinabox: No malice intended but you have to expect pushback when you make unsubstantiated accusations claiming the NHL draft is rigged to favor some teams over others.
The Penguins getting Fleury came in a trade, the same way your Blue Jackets got Nash, by swapping firsts with the Panthers. No favoritism or rigging involved. If the draft really was rigged, why wouldn’t the league have arranged it so the Penguins got the first overall in 2004 and the right to select Ovechkin?
As for the 2005 draft, that was a unique situation coming out of a season-killing lockout. Yes, the Penguins won Crosby, but there was no guarantee he would be the second player in franchise history to save that team. Don’t forget, they had a pretty good crop of promising talent (Fleury, Malkin, Brooks Orpik, Kris Letang) in their system, adding Jordan Staal the following year). Other notable draft picks (Alex Goligoski, Ryan Whitney, Erik Christensen, Colby Armstrong) were used to acquire other players.
Columbus and Arizona may not have won the draft lottery but they were still in good enough positions to select quality players. Remember, winning the first-overall pick is no guarantee you’ll land a franchise player who will carry your club to championship glory. Since the Jackets took Nash in 2002, they’ve had picks in the top-10 in 13 different drafts. They did well with some (Werenski, Voracek) so-so with some (Dubois, Johansen) and terribly with others (Zherdev, Picard, Brule, Filatov). They currently have a very promising defenseman in David Jiricek and a potential superstar in center Adam Fantilli.
Chicago won the Bedard lottery because they sucked on toast last season, nothing more. That’s the way it works. The lottery balls could’ve just as easily landed in Anaheim or Columbus’ favor. Had the Jackets been the worst team in the league, they probably would’ve won.
Winnipeg had two first overall picks, in 1999 and 2001 when they were the Thrashers. They blew the first one but got a great player in Kovalchuk with the second. Unfortunately, they did a lousy job building around him.
You claim the NHL wants each year’s “generational player” to go to special teams. A look at the last 25 years of draft picks shows that simply isn’t the case.
Look at Montreal for example. Shane Wright was projected to go first overall but the Canadiens chose Slafkovsky instead. Wright was passed over by New Jersey (Simon Nemec) and Arizona (Logan Cooley) before being chose by Seattle at fourth overall.
Look, if any fans should believe in some kind of draft lottery rigging conspiracy theories, it’s Jackets fans. The Jackets have finished near or at the bottom of the standings in nearly every season of their 20+ years in the league. And the only 1st overall pick they ever had (Rick Nash), they had to trade for!
Conspiracy? I think bad luck.
And, sadly, some lousy drafting over the years, Paul. They do currently have a potential superstar in Fantilli and a promising defenseman in Jiricek. Hopefully, those two can form the base of a core that carries them to better days.
You got that right Lyle – Ottawa is a classic example of a team that has languished at or near the bottom going on 7 years straight – and not once have they landed # 1.
And don’t get me started on how Pittsburgh got Crosby
Lyle, some folks still believe Crosby to Pittsburgh was rigged and other that McDavid to Edmonton.
for 4 years the league tried to help Edmonton and finally did sending McDavid that way.
Bedard to Chicago was the worst one, as many folks believe Chicago should have lost their 1st round pick with all the lies and scandal.
“some folks still believe Crosby to Pittsburgh was rigged and other that McDavid to Edmonton.”
Acid is a wonderful drug.
“Bedard to Chicago was the worst one, as many folks believe Chicago should have lost their 1st round pick with all the lies and scandal.”
The people who were responsible for the lies and scandal paid for it with their careers. The Blackhawks received the maximum punishment within league rules and the CBA. There was no reason to punish the franchise by taking away their first-round pick a year after the fact.
“for 4 years the league tried to help Edmonton and finally did sending McDavid that way.”
Really, caper? The team that finished dead last in 2009-10, 2010-11 and second-last in 2011-12 were “helped” by the league?
Well seems like a couple people can understand my thoughts. I will leave it at this; IMHO your winner of this years lottery will be :
MTL: original 6, traditional market.
CHI: same reasons
Or possibly OTT. If I’m wrong I’m wrong. Come savage me. Still think shenanigans are afoot.
This would be much easier to discuss over some beers and not a keyboard.
Pupinabox: You can make all the accusations of “shenanigans” in the draft you want. Without proof, you’re just blowing hot air.
Hey, if Montreal wins the draft, as a Habs fan I’d love it. However, I don’t think Montreal will win it nor do they need the help. Like Ray Bark pointed out with the Oilers, they’re a well-supported team in a strong hockey market. They’re in no danger of bankruptcy or relocation. Same as Chicago. If they win it, it’s because they had the best odds based on finishing last or second last, nothing more.
Speaking of which, Chicago has the second-best draft odds right now (13.5). San Jose has the best odds at 25.5 percent. The Ducks are third best (11.5) followed by your Blue Jackets (9.5 percent) As for the Senators, based on the current standings they have a 7.5 percent chance of winning the lottery. The Canadiens have a 6.5 percent chance.
If your Blue Jackets win the lottery, then I guess it’s because the draft was rigged in their favor, right? 😉
If I’m wrong I’ll take my medicine. It’s just what I believe is going on.
What anyone’s beliefs may take them, are really all good for them. The problem arises when people state beliefs as facts, which is not the best way to go about things validating anything. Sadly, just because you believe in something with every fiber of your body, doesn’t mean it’s fact.
Everyone else needs to realize that when the ‘my belief’ or any sentence with the root word of believe is used by someone to make a point….its hypothetical at best and/or something that won’t be able to be properly argued.
Being wrong about something you believe is the case is hard to admit especially when challenged; but good news is very few can.
You are taking some now pupinabox, fair statement. But this is getting downright entertaining. I had no idea what the frozen envelope was, until I googled the Knicks theory that was “proven”. How was it proven? Funny though.
So just for clarity: do folks realize that Ernst and Young is there for audit & process purposes for the entire thing, some team reps are present (wouldn’t they be angry if it was rigged?), members of the media, it is also recorded for posterity. Not sure if it is still available, but you could actually watch it and see Bettman standing their holding up copies of that days newspapers. You can watch him open the sealed container with the balls in it, which I would bet $1000.00 has chain of custody docs to go with it.
Even if I wanted to believe it, I sure as heck have no idea how you would even do it. And, keep everyone involved in it, silent. Especially the other teams. It’s the ball manufacturer, they must be weighted! They paid off the media! Ernst and Young is in on it they do work for the NHL! The reps from other teams….. can’t think of anything.
Seriously though, how would you do it and keep it a secret with up to dozens of people involved, depending on the theory?
I would argue that hypothetical could be described as circumstantial. As far as how they would do it, I dunno. How does a 747 fly thru the air (I actually know how, it’s just a general example of something that seems impossible but isn’t). We’re all the auditors and team reps etc present when bettman pulled the frozen envelope? Probably, but it is widely accepted that this did in fact happen, wink wink.
Very easy counter argument here. If bettman was rigging the lotto. Arizona would have gotten several lotto wins.
Bingo! We have a winner!
It’s never been about helping out the little guy, it’s about the yearly “generational” talent end up in a big/traditional market for marketing/advertising. Follow the $$
“It’s never been about helping out the little guy, it’s about the yearly “generational” talent end up in a big/traditional market for marketing/advertising. Follow the $$”
So why did the Sabres win the draft lottery in 2018 and 2021? Why did the Panthers win in 2014? Why did the Avalanche win in 2013? Why did the Blues win in 2006? Why did the Penguins win in 2005? Those clubs are in the 10 smallest NHL markets in the United States.
Ya, kinda thought this was was you trolling for a bite pupinabox.
You hung in there quite a while, give you that.
Or were you….
Ray
I’m not trolling,I believe every word I have said. This is probably my end of another failed season rant/decompression.
It’s amazing to see idiots like Daly, Bettmann and Goodell challenge the findings of the leading sources with concussions / cte / ALS / Dementia/ Alzheimer’s links.
This information became public about 20 years ago on an HBO special after decades of research.
Since then we’ve seen numerous athletes brains donated for the cause with even further proof linking head injuries to devastating long term issues.
I get that no lawyer is going to have the NFL, MLB, NHL , MLS admit to the link because of liability. But for Gods sake when will their moral compasses kick in and do the right thing!
Billions of dollars are generated , young men are paying a hefty price for those billions!
When will moral obligation supersede the all mighty dollar?
How many men have to die, commit heinous murders etc. before they wake up?
Almighty dollar, not ALL mighty dollar! I’m still sleeping!
Captain
While I agree that the leagues could do more to support their players, some responsibility needs to be taken by the players themselves.
They commit to thousands of hours of training to play the game at a professional level. They know the risks.
Now, if there were harsher suspensions for deliberate head contact you might see a change in the number of concussions.
Without question the players also need to be held accountable and have some responsibility.
But to say there is no evidence of further issues linked to concussions just looks ignorant.
I would understand if there wasn’t years of study behind all of this, but we are now decades into the study.
I don’t believe any of these organizations will ever own it.
And really, I think denying it when there’s clear cut evidence will only make lawsuits, civil judgements even more harsh.
See manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, asbestos, tobacco etc.
You can’t write off your part in liability.
Ya, the statement by Daly is about liability. The guys who run leagues are lawyers, plus they employ more lawyers.
Everyone knows this evidence is impossible to dispute; when you get hit in the head repeatedly the odds of CTE go up. This includes the NHL and I have a hard time believing a jury would believe Bettman, Daly and the ownership of the NHL can’t understand basic evidence, being lawyers and all.
But, the players know it too, so is the league liable if they play the game anyway, and are the ones participating and delivering the hits? I don’t know, I’m not a lawyer. Howard is.
So what do you do about it? No contact hockey?
I’m 58, and would guess 4 concussions (3 playing hockey, but they weren’t diagnosed back then), and now understand the risks associated. If I was a 18-20 yr old and good enough to have a shot at an NHL career, and know what I know now, I would do it in a heartbeat.
Off topic, I thought about going to the Oilers vs Jets game coming up on Tuesday.
Looked at two seats in the 100 section, very good seats but i can’t justify paying $591 for one seat, $1182 for a pair.
I can get tickets for $100 per person up in the upper level but at that point I’ll just watch from the comfort of my home.
I’ll wait until the day of and see were the prices are.
Hey Caper
at that Price buy a New Big Screen TV on Black Friday….😂
you forgot the $20 for the parking and $14 dollar watered down Molson Canadian beer and
the Brutal $20 for the dried out ( 3.5oz ) hamburger
=+$68 …. prices at Roger Place, (its out of control)
I only go now when im given tickets or invited by a friend
Wait for them to play the Coyotes at the desert barn in Phoenix
Fly in mid-day; dinner; cab; game; red eye home
Way cheaper than those prices
Caper I pay about $90 for section 323 depending on opponent. I realize this is a big ticket right now but that sure seems high for little old Wpg.
C’mon up and join me there.
If I were the Celebrini kid I would weigh all my options before I would go to San Jose! Although they did draft the Smith kid from Boston College!I feel the Sharks are a long way from respectability!
Re;70 Goals
I think Mathews will Hit the 70 Goal mark.
Thats 13 goals in 15 games left,
he can score from any where….👌
Bill Daly must be embarrassed to look in the mirror.
Just take the money and say whatever, eh, Bill?
Something this important and serious, I doubt they haven’t seen indisputable evidence that is indisputable. So with sooooo much money at stake, they kinda have to dispute any findings until someone finds really damning indisputable evidence. Until then, it toll the company line.
Boston … when you’re good every year you don’t have to worry about a high draft pick …
To Dayly (and Betman as he spouts the same insanity); I’d like to quote a stayed and true legal prosecutor’s mantra to the accused on the stand:
“Liar Liar, pants on fire”