NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 25, 2024
The Rangers tie the Eastern Conference Final at a game apiece, Don Waddell steps down as Hurricanes GM, the Blackhawks and Islanders swap 2024 first-round picks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAP
NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Barclay Goodrow gave the New York Rangers a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers, tying the Eastern Conference Final at a game apiece. Vincent Trocheck opened the scoring and finished with two points and Igor Shesterkin stopped 26 shots for the win. Carter Verhaeghe scored for the Panthers and Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside 28 shots. The series shifts to Florida for the next two games with Game 3 on Sunday, May 26 at 3 pm EDT.
New York Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A better effort from the Rangers following their flat performance in Game 1. They were more engaged and physical with improved puck movement. The Panthers expected this, making for a well-balanced game that should be a harbinger of what’s to come in this series.
Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey left the game in the second period following a hard hit to the shoulder by Panthers forward Ryan Lomberg. There was no post-game update other than he suffered an upper-body injury.
PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK
EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers and Dallas Stars face big decisions about two sidelined players heading into Game 2 of the Western Conference Final on Saturday.
Oilers center Adam Henrique is close to returning from a lower-body injury. Stars center Roope Hintz has resumed skating after missing the last three games with an upper-body injury.
HEADLINES
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Don Waddell stepped down on Friday as president and general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes after six seasons. Assistant GM Eric Tulsky takes over from Waddell on an interim basis while a search is underway for a full-time replacement.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This announcement followed reports that Waddell was permitted to speak with other teams, including the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Hurricanes are considered to be at a crossroads with nine players slated to become unrestricted free agents and six others due to become restricted free agents. This will be an interesting offseason in Carolina.
NHL.COM: The Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders swapped draft picks on Friday. The Blackhawks receive a 2024 first-round pick (18th overall) and a 2024 second-rounder (50th overall) while the Islanders get a 2024 first-rounder (20th overall) and two 2024 second-round picks (#54 and #61).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This deal raised questions among fans of both clubs on social media.
The Athletic’s Arthur Staple and Scott Powers believe the Blackhawks saw the value of moving up two spots in the first round and four in the second.
As for the Islanders, they could package that extra second-rounder with a player they’d like to move to escape a burdensome contract like Jean-Gabriel Pageau or Anders Lee. It could also be used as draft capital to acquire a top-six forward.
WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets promoted Scott Arniel to replace the retired Rick Bowness as their new head coach. He spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach.
THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks have brought back Manny Malhotra as head coach of their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford. Malhotra played three seasons with the Canucks during his 16-season playing career. He was also part of their coaching staff from 2016 until joining the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant coach in 2020.
Good for Manny. He was a fan favorite, here in Columbus, during his playing days and it’s nice to see him succeeding in his post-playing career.
Waddell escaping a mess that is going on in Carolina! He did reup his coaching staff before he left! With his team in a financial pinch why did he sign Orlov to that ridiculous contract,even though it was for only2 years! Good luck to the interim GM! Reminds me of a little of Conroy in Calgary!
And how does Brind’Amour feel about the GM leaving after just resigning for 5 years?
That is a strange sequence of events in Raleigh. On Sunday, May 19, Waddell announces the re-signings of Brind’Amour and his assistants Tim Gleason & Jeff Daniels, goalie coach Paul Schonfelder and video coach Chris Huffine to muontracts. Ostensibly, all signs pointing to a continuance of the Waddell-Brind-Amout collaboration, with Waddell quoted as saying “Rod has been instrumental to the success we’ve had over the last six seasons … ever since he joined the organization 24 years ago, Rod has embodied what it means to be a Hurricane. We hope to keep him a Hurricane for life.”
Five days later Waddell steps down, after setting up a situation whereby whoever comes in as the new president of hockey operations and GM has no say as to his preference for coach for some considerable time. WTF happened between Sunday May 19 and Friday May 24 to cause Waddell to suddenly decide to step down?
A very good question, George. I’m sure the details will leak out in the coming days and weeks.
I thought signing Orlov to that contract was a good move. The thought was he could play second line left or right D if they lost Pesce or Skjei. Waddell paid up for a two year contract and for Orlov not having any trade protection. The rumor is Pesce turned down a trade which resulted in Orlov playing the third line.
I thought Waddell’s biggest mistake on defense was not signing Chatfield to an affordable contract. Chatfield is more than capable of replacing Pesce. Carolina can still sign Skjei and Chatfield and trade Orlov. Carolina also has to have a spot for Nikishin either this year or next. Nikishin and Morrow are supposed to be the young defensemen that are going to balance out the cost of Carolina’s defense.
I think Waddell got away from a meddling owner who forced him into a tight position.
Setting up the franchise with a solid coaching staff before he left was a sign of his integrity.
The team that signs him will be getting a good man with a solid reputation.
I am of the believe that BrindAmour was aware of this possibility when he signed his contract.
Wadell replacing Dubas id our dream.
GeorgeO it might be what happen before that.
You could almost read it as Waddell knew he was leaving and wanted to take care of all the people who were loyal to him before he left. Known some would be terminated by new management.
Definitely something happen in Raleigh
WTF does any of that have to do with Manny Molhatra?
Caper, what are your thoughts on the Arniel hiring? He had a mess of a time Columbus but that was years ago. Have to figure he’s improved since then. I didn’t know he was a former Jets player… What’s the word in the Peg? They like him?
Not many guys running to coach in the Peg!Candidates look like assistants or hockey lifers like Bowness!
Everydayboots, Arniel was the assistant coach here in Winnipeg.
A lot of reporters have been quick to post that Chevy interview a lot of ex coaches. It’s almost like they want the fans to not ask the obvious question. “Why can’t Winnipeg get a top level coach”
The only other person name that been released was a zoom call with Berube.
Everydayboots, you know who Mike Commodore is, check out his x post. He doesn’t hold back, he absolutely despises Arniel.
I can only hope that Arniel has grown from the last time he was a coach. Time will tell.
I would’ve prefer a proven coach or Ted Nolan who has been blacklisted by the Nhl for far too long.
Arniel will successfully guide Winnipeg to 6th in the division.
I think the Isles will trade Brock Nelson to free up their center logjam. Neither Pageau nor Lee will get much back while Nelson can bring them back a scoring winger for Barzal, who could move back to center
Re: “The Blackhawks receive a 2024 first-round pick (18th overall) and a 2024 second-rounder (50th overall) while the Islanders get a 2024 first-rounder (20th overall) and two 2024 second-round picks (#54 and #61).”
A trade like that ON draft day can make sense.
Say you’ve already seen who is picked up to 16; know what is available; 17th pick is made; your at 20 and want a guy you really think will go at 18 or 19…. You make a swap to move up 2 spots to pick at 18; guaranteeing you get your guy; costing you a net 2nd
Making that deal now?????
Hunh???
What’s to say that when the 17th pick actually comes ; the guy you thought would be there is already gone and the next you had on list is also gone; but your next 3 (on your last st) you had as being of equal rank to you…. So you’d have gotten one of them anyway???
Verrrrrry strange move
Was bummed when Chechia knocked us out of the world’s
But they just scored going up 6-3 on the undefeated Swedes, so likely Chechia in Gold Medal game.
I now don’t feel as bad
Final 7-3
All the better in my mind now
Former Jacket and Flyer Lucas Sedlak got 2 goals in 3rd
Sedlak was a PPG for HC Dynamo Pardubice this year
6’, 205, 31 years old…. Does that earn him a 1 year “show me” $900 K NHL contract somewhere for 24/25 ???
How many interference plays does Florida get away with per game?
The hit on Vessey where he ends up injured was an interference, the puck is nowhere near the play.
Gary Galley, holy molly, it’s like listening to Craig Simpson doing a leaf game. Galley is obviously extremely impressed by Florida and the Rangers are lucky to be there.
Florida defense are no different than any other. Once their pressured they cough up the puck. The don’t get pressured as much because of all the pick plays they run.
Jacob Trouba known for his big and questionable hits cough up the puck which almost lead to a goal, because he seen a hit coming.
I want the Rangers to win; however, impressed with Florida for their commitment to their game. They do not pass on an opportunity to take the player out and as long as the refs are not calling the picks continue to run them. I would caution the hits because sometimes the hitter wear the brunt of the hit.
I thought there was a precedent set this season. With hits after a goal being scored. I don’t know how Florida gets away with all their BS.
Tkachuk also is allowed to deliver late hits long after the puck is gone and also often is borderline charging.
Wish officiating was consistent
the Bennett Boston goal will historically become a joke. florida still takes the series but that goal….