NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 26, 2024

by | Jun 26, 2024 | News, NHL | 64 comments

Pavel Datsyuk, Shea Weber, and Jeremy Roenick are among seven new Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, the Avalanche sign Casey Mittelstadt, the Jets re-up Dylan DeMelo, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Pavel Datsyuk, Shea Weber and Jeremy Roenick were the former NHL stars elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Pavel Datsyuk and Shea Weber have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (NHL.com)

Former United States women’s national team forwards Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl were also inducted in the player category.

Former Nashville Predators general manager David Poile and current NHL senior executive vice-president Colin Campbell were elected into the builder category.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the inductees for this well-deserved honor.

Meanwhile, Alexander Mogilny’s ongoing snub by the Hall of Fame is getting ridiculous.

Many of Mogilny’s former Vancouver Canucks teammates have called for his inclusion. He was a five-time All-Star, earning an appearance on all four NHL teams he played for in his career (Buffalo, Vancouver, New Jersey, Toronto). He’s among a handful of players to score over 70 goals in a season.

For whatever reason, Mogilny continues to be passed over. Maybe he’ll get his due next year.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche signed center Casey Mittlestadt to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $5.75 million. Mittestadt, 25, was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres before the March trade deadline. He was slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mittestadt was coming off back-to-back 50-plus point seasons. He quickly fit well within the Avs’ lineup. The young center was coming off a three-year deal with an AAV of $2.5 million.

This is a win for both sides here. Mittelstadt gets a significant raise and an opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent at age 28 when he’ll still be in his playing prime. The Avalanche, meanwhile, look up their second-line center at a reasonable rate. They also buy some time to grow more cap room to attempt to re-sign him down the road.

WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets signed Dylan DeMelo to a four-year contract extension with an AAV of $4.9 million. The 31-year-old defenseman was completing a four-year, $12 million contract and was due to become a UFA on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeMelo was a key part of the Jets blueline corps pairing with the puck-moving Josh Morrissey.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: On Tuesday, the Flyers officially announced that top prospect Matvei Michkov had officially terminated his contract with KHL club SKA St. Petersburg. The 19-year-old winger will join the Flyers for the 2024-25 season.

TSN: The Detroit Red Wings traded defenseman Jake Walman and a 2024 second-round draft pick to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for future considerations. Walman, 28, has two seasons remaining on his contract with an AAV of $3.4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Can you say, “salary dump”, kids? I knew you could!

SPORTSNET: Hockey Canada officially named Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper as head coach of Canada’s team at the NHL’s 4Nations Face-Off next February and of its Men’s Olympic team in 2026.

SPORTICO: Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has told his remaining executives he is dissolving what’s left of the franchise. He will no longer pursue the construction of a new NHL-worthy arena in the Phoenix area. The franchise should be disbanded within a month.

The hockey operations and players were sold to Utah Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith in April and moved to Utah, where they will play the 2024-25 season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: And with that, the Coyotes saga comes to a close. Some observers still believe the NHL will one day return to Arizona. That won’t occur until a suitable arena is constructed and that’s not happening in the foreseeable future.







64 Comments

  1. Re: “The Detroit Red Wings traded defenseman Jake Walman and a 2024 second-round draft pick to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for future considerations. Walman, 28, has two seasons remaining on his contract with an AAV of $3.4 million.

    SPECTOR’S NOTE: Can you say, “salary dump”, kids? I knew you could!”

    LOL. I already did Lyle – yesterday in response to Iago.

    • Yawn.

      • Randino, yawn.
        I guess irony is dead.

    • And Yzerman may not be done dumping salary – Seider & Raymond will get paid, for sure, but what else ? UFA’s….trade ?

      • Iago, it’s always interesting when Yzerman gets busy in the off-season. Right now, with 12 players committed to, he has a projected $32,767,360 in cap space to spend on 11.

        As you say, Lucas Raymond – coming off his ELC of $925,000 after a season of 31g 41a 72 pts and a -12, and RD Moritz Seider – coming off his ELC of $863,333 after a season of 9g 33a 42 pts and a -7, are both due for big salary jumps. Do you think they both get long-term deals in the 8-year range, and at what cost each? Wouldn’t surprise me to see both in the $8 mil range.

        His only other RFA – Joseph Veleno – wasn’t in their class, but he did post a decent season of 12g 16a 28 pts (and a -16) and has an expiring ELC of $825,000. A bridge deal in his case?

        He also has a couple of interesting decisions to make where his UFAs are concerned led, of course, by Patrick Kane. For an expired cap hit of $2,750,000 and in 50gp he contributed 20g 27a 47 pts and a decent -5. Does Yzerman keep him?

        The big expiring UFA is David Perron ($4,750,000) and he, too, posted a decent season with 17g 30a 47 pts in 76gp and a -12. Does he re-up at a much lesser amount?

        Another is Daniel Sprong who, at $2,000,000, had 18g 25a 43 pts and was a -5. Then there’s Christian Fischer who had 5g 14a 19 pts for a cost of $1,125,000. He’s probably history, as will be D-man Shayne Ghostisbehere, unless he re-ups at a much lower cost than $4,125,000 I would think. He did have 10g 46a 56 pts (and a -16).

        Goalie James Reimer, for $1.5 mil, played in 25 games and posted a 3.11 gaa and a save % of 0.904. If he tests the UFA waters I wouldn’t mind seeing Staios sign him as a back-up to Ullmark.

  2. Bruins needs…..

    Top #1 or #2 center

    Scoring winger

    Left shot Dman with size that will keep crease clean

    My wish list ….Sweeney you got this

    C Stephenson
    Bert
    A Mantha
    B Dillon

    • @joe
      Bruins have some cash to spend. Lindholm would be a good fit imho

    • Joe

      You are seeking a Center, winger and Lefty D with size

      You came to the right place

      For “future considerations” (nudge nudge wink wink; read as zip, zilch, nada. bupkis)

      We will gladly give you Accairi, Smith, Graves

      A handshake and a thank you and that’s a wrap

      Pleasure doing business with you

      • Alright,

        Can anyone deny who this really is? Or do I need to show a direct comparison of past posts?

  3. I’m no sure what the criteria is for Hall of Fame selection. Pavel Datsyuk over someone like Rod Brind’amour or Justin Williams just doesn’t sit right with me. Of course I’m a Hurricanes fan but just looking at stats I don’t get it. Heck Glen Wesley is never even mentioned having played 1457 games. The other thing that gets me is only 3 NHL players are selected yet 2 women and 2 builders category are selected. It seems like a very a disproportionate number per category. Weber and Datsyuk each selected in their first year of eligibility. They were good but my goodness not that good. I don’t get it. Of course I’m whining. I’m old enough to be able to do that. I’m glad that Paul Maurice finally got his Stanley Cup.

    • Snuffy do what many do and consider thinking/looking at the Hockey Hall of Fame as a place like the Hollywood Walk of Fame or the Rock’n’Roll hall of fame where you or someone pays to be inducted. Sure you’re selected but someone needs to foot the bill.

      It’s absurd, how Mogilny isn’t in but of all people that turd Campbell gets the nod…a guy who complained when his son was being “mistreated”by the biased refs… the same a hole that called Savard a phoney or faker after receiving career ending “clean” hit.

      Nice place to visit as a tourist of the game or city but some choices like Roenick make this place a joke. This guy as a person is questionable. Why can’t they put in just one or two people once in a while vs every year a “class” needs to be inducted? Someone sounds desperate to stay relevant I guess.

      As for Mogilny, I wonder if his snub has to do with the fact how and when he defected to come play in the NHL and the added tensions it created at the time when tensions where already high. I don’t get it. He was a trailblazer and brave to take that risk at the time. That’s on top of him being a great player and triple champion (Olympic, Stanley, and one more which I can’t remember and too lazy to look up).

    • Snuffy the criteria is whatever the 18 folks who vote on hall of fame induction decide it is. I’m not big on trusting the judgment of the media folks but maybe the hockey hall of fame should follow the baseball halls model. Reporters covering the sport for ten years should vote.

      I like where that Hockey News guy says Mogilnys exclusion is becoming an embarrassment to the sport. Are there even five people who’ve given this even a passing thought since last years vote?

    • From your post it seems your criteria for selection to the HOF is number of games played? That justifies Shea Weber, may be Patrick Marleau should be next. Mike Sillinger played a bunch of games and for a lot of teams. That should warrant HOF right?
      Just FYI:
      Pavel Datsyuk – 953 GP / 314G 604A 918P 0.963ppg / 2 Stanley Cups / 3 Selke / 4 Lady Byng
      Rod Brind’Amour – 1484 GP / 452G 732A 1184P 0.798ppg / 1 Stanley Cup / 2 Selke
      Justin Williams – 1264 GP / 320G 477A 797P 0.6341 ppg / 3 Stanley Cups / 1 Conn Smythe
      I think Datsyuk’s resume speaks for itself. Weber and Roenick, on the other hand, belong in the Hall of Really Good Hockey Players.
      I was hoping we’d see Datsyuk & Mogilny with someone like Brind’Amour or Elias or Damphousse.

    • Dude…Rod and Williams not even close to Datsyuk.

      • Give it a break Dude !! I don’t agree.

  4. Yesterday the voting on the Conn Smythe was revealed by Frank Seravalli

    I mention times in the pass i don’t think writers should have a vote. This just helps my argument.

    During games 7 on ABC both Mark Messier and PK Subban said if Edmonton win it goes to McDavid if Florida wins it goes to Bobrovsky, the both agreed it should go to the winning team.

    The results:

    16 of 17 first place votes to Connor McDavid
    1 of 17 first place votes to Bobrovsky
    Bobrovsky only received two other vote and they were both 3rd place.

    The one that catches most people attentions is the one by Jim Matheson who cover the Edmonton Oilers his vote:

    McDavid Hyman Bouchard

    all oilers all the time. Out of 51 votes 17 x 3 that was the only vote for Hyman.

    Personally had no issue with McDavid winning, simply because no one on Florida dominated.

    Here you have to x Nhl high end players saying it should go to Bobrovsky who only received a total of 3 votes out 51 that’s a disconnect.

    Jim Matheson watched every Oiler game and probably very little outside of that.

    I would like to see a committee of ex players, coaches and GM having that vote.

    • Frank Seravalli is a fat pig and a blowhard. That dude is 36, all gray white, fat, annoying what a joke he is !!! I agree with you writers no vote.

      I don’t have a problem for Mc David winning it he was terrific…..

      You could see the frustration in Mc David’s face when he leaned over the bench after his club lost.

      He is amazing but fairly or unfairly the best of the best need to win championships…and he hasn’t so close this …year

      The top 4 od all time
      Gretzky 4
      Lemieux 2
      Howe 4
      Orr 2
      and Crosby who in the last 6/ 7 years has been kind of put in to the top 5 at number 5 he has won 3 Stanley Cups 4 finals appearances, couple gold medals, the golden goal etc.

      I think Mc David will get one but he is in year number 10 still young at 27 / 28 but some hard miles there..

      Ovechkin finally got his which just elevates you..
      Ray Bourque was one of the best of all time and he finally got that Stanley Cup.

      Unless Mc David wins a couple he will be the Charles Barkley of the NHL a phenomenal player who never won..

      • Caper, I think the Conn Smythe should go to the best player on the winning team.

        In defense of the writers, the award goes to the most valuable player to his team. McDavid was that IMO. I have complained about that same language on the hart trophy criteria. Way too subjective for my liking.

        Regular season should simply be to the best player. Playoffs should be most valuable player on the winning team.

        Hell McDavid, while honored, probably thinks it was a bad idea for him to get it.

        Agree, a panel of players and coaches would be better. Change them out every few years.

        blackngold what’s with the hate fixation on Seravalli? Why do you care about the weight and hair color of a hockey reporter so much? “fat pig” “all gray white, fat”. Couple times recently, when you see his name in print.

        Super harsh and kinda weird.

      • I hate the argument of “who has more championships is the better player”

        So by this theory, Messier who has 6 championships s better than anybody on your list?

        Richard had 11? He’s better than Gretzky and Messier combined?

        And Eichel is obviously much better than Mcdavid. Argument over!

        And Crosby by this theory doesn’t even sniff the top 20.

      • Blackngold. If you could pick 1 player from the nhl for your bruins who would it be? Mcdavid? If it wasn’t you’d be in the minority. Enough said.

      • Interestingly, since its inception in 1965 when the Conn Smythe was won by Jean Beliveau, only 7 times has it gone to a player from the losing team, and 5 of the 7 were goalies:

        1966 – Roger Crozier – Detroit
        1968 – Glenn Hall – St. Louis
        1976 – Reggie Leach – Philadelphia
        1987 – Ron Hextall – Philadelphia
        1990 – Bill Ranford – Edmonton
        2003 – Jean-Sebastien Giguere – Anaheim
        2024 – Connor McDavid – Edmonton

      • Actually, it’s six, George. Ranford backstopped the Oilers to the Cup in 1990.

      • Oops. Thanks Lyle. Guess I got caught up in the goalie involvement … never really looked at that “losing team” aspect before in total and was intrigued by the goalie frequency.

      • You got me even more curious so I checked the 59 winners to date by position:

        Centers -20 winners:Jean Beliveau – Mtl; Dave Keon – Tor; Bryan Trottier – NYI; Butch Goring – NYI; Mark Messier – Edm; Wayne Gretzky (twice – Edm; Mario Lemieux (twice – Pitt; Joe Sakic – Col; Steve Yzerman – Det; Joe Nieuwendyk – Dal; Brad Richards – TB; Henrik Zetterberg – Det; Evgeni Malkin – Pitt; Jonathan Toews – Chi; Sidney Crosby – (twice – Pitt); Ryan O’Reilly – St.; Conner McDavid – Edm

        RW – 8 winners:Yvan Cournoyer – Mtl; Reggie Leach – Pha; Guy LaFleur – Mtl; Mike Bossy – NYI; Claude Lemieux – NJ; Patrick Kane – Chi; Justin Williams – L.A.; Jonathan Marchessault – Veg;

        LW – 2 winners: Bob Gainey – Mtl; Alex Ovechkin – Wash

        Defense – 12 winners: Serge Savard – Mtl; Bobby Orr (twice – Boston; Larry Robinson – Mtl; Al MacInnis – Cgy; Brian Leetch – NYR; Scott Stevens – NJ; Niklas Lidstrom – Det; Scott Niedermeyer – Ana; Duncan Keith – Chi; Victor Hedman – TB; Cale Makar – Col

        Goalies – 17 winners: Roger Crozier – Det; Glenn Hall – St.L; Ken Dryden – Mtl; Bernie Parent (twice – Pha); Billy Smith – NYI; Patrick Roy – (3 times – twice with Mtl and once with Col); Ron Hextall; Bill Ranford – Edm; Mike Vernon – Det; Jean-Sebastien Giguere – Ana; Cam Ward – Carolina; Tim Thomas – Bost; Jonathan Quick – L.A.; Andre Vasilevsky – TB

      • Might as well finish it off – here are the number of winners by franchise

        Montreal – 9
        Edmonton – Pittsburgh – Detroit – 5 each
        Philadelphia – 4
        NYI – Colorado – Tampa – Chicago – Boston – 3 each
        St. Louis – NJ – L.A. – Anaheim – 2 each
        Toronto – Dallas – Vegas – Calgary – NYR – Carolina – Washington – 1 each

  5. Always wondered what All Star teams and player awards would look like if …referees,umpires,officials were the ones that voted ….

  6. Yeah, that was a mistake. Should have been someone on the winning team; unless it was a Ron Hextall like performance, it wasn’t. It was a couple of games in the finals but effectively shut down in games 6 and 7. Overall, he was awesome throughout but don’t think it warrants a Conn Smythe? I would have voted for Bobrovsky or Barkov

    Good deal by the Avalanche locking up Middlestadt. Despite being a big Byram fan, I like this trade for both teams. They both will pay dividends for their respective teams!

    • Isn’t the conn smythe award the “mvp” of the playoffs not just the final round…I mean it has to be a player who at least is in the cup final.
      But overall in the playoffs, McD was on another level. Breaking a Gretzky record is no easy feat, especially in this generation of hockey. It was also a couple goals short of another record. He probably single-handedly was talked about more than any other player during these past postseason, and for those reasons though there are many more, deserved to win easily.

  7. What happens to all the Arizona Coyotes team’s heritage and history? Will it remain in limbo until another team shows up in Arizona or should it rightfully go back with Utah now that he’s out of the picture and no longer has any interest with hockey hopefully?

    Kind of funny that a few (and undeserving) HHoF inductees happen to be former Yotes!

    • Probably goes to Utah … similar situation with other franchise transfers like Quebec Nordiques to Colorado or Atlanta Flames to Calgary.

      Only a few franchises went completely defunct in the league’s history, 3 of them transfers that then went boobs up

      Montreal Wanderers – 1917
      Quebec Bulldogs to Hamilton Tigers – 1920
      Pittsburgh Pirates to Philadelphia Quakers – 1925-1930
      Ottawa Senators to St. Louis Eagles 1917 -1934/35
      Montreal Maroons – 1924-1938
      Brooklyn Americans – 1925-1942

    • What heritage, Ron? I’ve looked on line at three Arizona newspapers for readership backlash at the cancellation of the land auction, or even dismay at the Coyotes’ disappearance.

      I found nothing. Buried in one newspaper (hockey found nowhere in the sports masthead, but buried under the ‘more” tab, below something called the cactus league) there are a few articles about the Coyotes.

      To be fair, the coverage lambasts Meruelo as a film flam man responsible for the Coyotes demise, but there is only mild, passing reference to support for hockey in AZ.

      This supports what I’ve said before: few give a rat’s ass about hockey in AZ. It’s a niche sport there. I’d bet pickleball has more registered players than hockey.

      If it wasn’t, then the Coyotes would have had the local support to stay.

  8. Bruins probably will have to decide do they chase after that 1st line center or go after the high scoring winger both are needed but both can’t happen

    • Unfortunately Joe, top-line centers are like gold, so very few come on the market as UFAs and any of those would be players in the twilight of their careers. Trading for one is nigh-on impossible as teams flat out refuse to deal them for anything less than an over-whelming haul. Top-line RD are a close second in that regard.

    • @ Captain Obvious..hey man i didnt say McDavid had to win the most championships i said he had to win at least one maybe two…the greats do that.

      As far a messier goes your right 6 cups and if i was starting a tezm today i wouldn’t pick a young nark messier he could do it all…

      But the generstional type players Gretsky Lemieux Howe Orr Crosby Ovechkin they all have done it.

      Mc kinnon has one

      I thonk Mathhews may have trouble maybe Mc David time will tell.

      But when the debates come if there is no championship on the resume….not up there

      • I meant im not so sure i wouldn’t puck mesdier probably would to start a franchise..he was so good

      • Any one among these can only be described as one of the greats somewhere on the scale, and yet not one among them ever won a cup.

        Even Gretzky and Crosby wouldn’t have won a cup if the players around them weren’t up to the task – from the goaltenders out:

        Harry Howell; The Sedins; Brad Park; Bill Gadsby (25 YEARS!); Marcel Dionne; Gilbert Perreault; Pierre Turgeon; Peter Stastny; Daryl Sittler; Jarome Iginla; Pavel Bure; Adam Oates; Patrick Marleau; Mats Sundin; Dale Hawerchuck; Mike Gartner; Roberto Luongo; Phil Housely; Joe Thornton; Shane Doan; Norm Ullman

  9. Datsyuk in; I’m good with that

    AMo should have been in before all of the others selected this year

    I don’t get it??

    Who specifically is on this panel?

  10. To Lyle

    “salary dump kids”

    Yep. Can and will say it

    If
    $6.8 M Salary dump = 2nd

    Then $7.5 M must equal 2nd and a 6th ; or say a 3rd and a prospect

    So,

    Either Accairi + Smith + 2nd + 6th to Sharks for future considerations

    Or

    Accairi + Smith + 3rd + (Gruden or Broz) to Sharks for future considerations

    Dubas, make the call

    • “make the call” – yet another oft-used Pengyism – in addition to voluminous tomes.

    • Saddled up the expired equine and broke out the riding crop, eh Eightysvengy?

  11. Re people wondering why McDavid got the Con Smythe being on a losing team

    First of all, by definition of the award, the winner doesn’t actually have to make it to the finals

    “awarded annually to the most valuable player of his team during the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup playoffs”

    This (a player not IN finals being eligible) was brought up many times before

    Odds nigh 100% but not at 100% that they would be a finalist

    I wish I could remember who said it years ago , but their posited hypothetical still sits with me. They used the hypothetical (and it would never happen but it was hyperbole to prove their point) of a goalie getting 11 straight shutouts (obviously 11 straight victories) in the playoffs, with a few of those in OT; all games with tons of shots against; and his team never getting more than 2 goals in any one game. He then gets injured in practice and his backup loses badly 4 straight; thus he (and hid team) don’t get to the Stanley Cup finals

    Their argument in that hyperbolic example is that a performance of all time; setting unprecedented number of records; single handedly carrying his squad ; but cut short by an accident; should not preclude his chance to get the Conn Smythe

    Again , above situation not going to happen; just brought forward to emphasize that the Conn Smythe does NOT need to go to a player on the Stanley cup winning team

    Up until the finals McDavid, Draisitl , Brobovsky, Barkov and others were being tossed around as potential winners

    After game 1 of the finals most were still talking about McDavid, Draisitl , Brobovsky, Barkov

    By end of game 3; almost everybody (including myself) had “crowned” Brobovsky the winner IF (at that time) the inevitable sweep happened

    Sweep didn’t happen; and only reason it got to game 7 was McDavid in super-juice mode and concurrent fall off in Brobovsky’s play

    As of Monday morning it seemed McDavid had already been crowned even regardless of outcome of Monday’s game

    Monday’s game as all here know, was low scoring; and both McDavid and Brobovsky played well. McDavid set up teammates 5 times for “sure” goals; where his teammates ended up fanning or missing net or hit iron or thwarted by a Panther D stick. He also played an excellent 200’ game. That said; he was effectively stymied on the scoresheet.

    Brobovsky had many stellar saves and certainly kept them in it for the eventual win; but was bailed out by his D a fee times; Lousarainen once; plus lucky on Oiler missed open nets and failed mano a mano on the breakaway

    One could argue that neither McDavid or Brobovsky were players of THAT game (Monday’s game)

    So

    with already (Monday morning) foregone anointing of crown to McDavid;

    with neither he or Brobovsky being the ultimate in spectacular on Monday night

    with McDavid getting 42 points and only bested by Gretzky and Mario in the scoring lights out era of 80’s/early 90’s

    With McDavid the main reason this got to game 7

    with previous non cup winners getting the conn smythe (including a forward)

    Then why is anybody up in arms regarding the trophy going to McDavid

    • I agree 8787 !

  12. Re “Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has told his remaining executives he is dissolving what’s left of the franchise. He will no longer pursue the construction of a new NHL-worthy arena in the Phoenix area. The franchise should be disbanded within a month.”

    Where is David Spade in his Steward uni saying “B-Bye”

    This is fantastic news

    Awaiting anxiously for Bettman’s retirement as the bonehead is actually considering an Atlanta 3-peat

    Houston Houston Houston !

    The Arizona experiment cost the NHL dearly for 2 decades plus. This brutal mistake cannot happen again. Say no to Atlanta or just hand Bettman $30 M to immediately retire. Less than $1M expense for each franchise , with huge benefits down thd road.

    • 87Peng87, the owners luv Bettman, he makes them plenty of $$.

      Here is what I don’t understand, or at least not sure about when it comes to Phoenix.

      Why has it not worked in Phoenix, meaning decent revenue and operating income, when it has worked in Dallas, TB, Sunset (sort of), Nashville, Raleigh, SJ, ANA and even Vegas? All to varying degrees. And why expect it to work in Houston?

      I have been to all of those places except Sunset, most more than once. Of any, other than Vegas, Phoenix seems like the most likely fit due to the size of the market, and snow birds. None of the other places gave any thought to hockey, until they got a team. They had some some success, now there is a loyal following. Although nothing like northern centers, according to Forbes they are profitable.

      What I think the difference is, is the ownership. Whether under financed, or simply the decisions they have made like the arena location. Or not paying your bills like Meruelo.

      If anyone can give a reason why folks in Phoenix care less about hockey than people in Raleigh or Dallas, I would sure like to know what it is.

  13. Hall of Fame time again and once again Claude Provost isn’t a consideration.

    The man has 9 Stanley Cups and 11 all-star teams in a 15 yr career.

    Known for his defense he averaged 17 goals per year in the days 20 being considered a goal scorer.

    • we may have our issues … but on that score we are 100% in tune … “Joe” Provost remains one of my all-time favourite Habs … without almost never taking a penalty for it, he drove Bobby Hull right up the proverbial wall with his relentless checking

  14. Captain Obvious don’t be an idiot.

    I said win a championship maybe two not the most. Eichel is not considered a generational player by anyone c’mon dude except maybe you in your post which explains a lot.

    Henry Richard was not considered generational you know what a mean…you should

    generational players means Lemieux Gretzky Howe Orr Crosby Ovechkin McDavid Bedard Matthews

    you make stupid arguments you could say Pat marron is better than Conor mc david you idiot.

    i said generational players must win a cup or two…that’s it not the most to be all time

    messier Richard both phenomenal talents not generational..look it up

    you make these dumb ass arguments. You saying Crosby isn’t in the top 5 just shows how stupid you are…

    He makes players around him better..hell he made Pascual Dupris and Chris Kunitz stars..he has won 3 cups, gold medals, golden goal…

    He didnt play with Drasital his whole career now did he..Guentzel was the best and he is only recent

    • And you wonder why WE clash from time to time?

      Call me an idiot to my face – even at 86 – and you’d need a dentist.

      Disagree all you want. But that sort of crap does not belong in here.

      • I didnt call you an idiot did I?

        Captain obvious is who i called an idiot because he doesn’t listen and he agitates.

        As far as you making me see a dentist now whose the violent one you

        Arent you -like 86?
        Cmon now George O
        This doesn’t involve you its a spirited debate between me and Captain O

    • Yeah George, this is his thing. Disagree with him and he comes off the rails. Talk about the Penguins in a negative way and he absolutely becomes unglued!

      I’m pretty sure he’s one of these guys that’s an angry drunk. His posts sure come across that way. Typically he’ll nest his nastiness in days prior posts so they go under the radar. “Idiot” is mild. And agreed , this guy or anyone called me an idiot to my face, especially over something so stupid like a minor disagreement and he wouldn’t like the outcome, and he’d think 6 times before pulling that bs again.

      All kinda irrelevant, because people like this never have the balls to actually do it without anonymity.

      He’s also a guy that can’t seem to figure out where to reply on a post, which brings me back to thinking he’s probably 6-7 cans of seltzers or 2 Appletini’s into his night.

      But back to you drunk guy,

      So in what way is Crosby in the top 5 and Messier not? “Generational “ label? Lmfao. Slow down on those appletini’s boi !

      What statistical category is Crosby better than Messier? Goals ? Nope, assist ? Nope, games played? Nope, championship? Nope, leadership? Nope.

      So other than in your drunken mind, please explain how Crosby leaps over guys like Messier, or even Jagr while we’re at it.

      Most games missed due to injuries? Or the fact that you really, really, really like him?

      Lmfao! Put down that seltzer boi !

      Or at least let it wear off before you make any other dumb statements.

      Can you please tell us again how there’s “no way Guentzel gets traded in the east”? No way Pittsburgh hires Hextall?

      My favorite part was how you disappeared for weeks after those dumb statements.

      Try to learn a little more about hockey outside of your pens pajama boi !

      • I never understood the almost demented reactions from some when directing any criticism towards their favourite team.

        Hell, no one in here has been as critical of many aspects of the Ottawa Senators as I have been, and when someone points out an obvious fault I agree with them … I don’t adopt the attitude that the only ones who can offer a critical comment have to be fans of the team.

        We might disagree at times and that’s when this site can become even more enjoyable as we debate back and forth. But to start infusing insults into the discussion … uh uh.

        We’re talking about a flipping professional team sport, for Pete’s Sake – not religion or politics (which can become real hairy).

      • First of sll Captain i was talking about Mc David you dont even read..thats why we disagree look whilose calling people names now you.

        Im a drunk sorry i dont dronk smoke and im a teacher..

        You anniy me because you dont read or cant read all i said was mc David needs to win at least one championship maybe two.

        You started spewing out garbage bro

        You are probably the weekend or mo thly warrior tyoe..thats ok we disagree.

        So know it all and this includes Georgia o who is god on here

        Who is your number 5 behind Gretzky lemieux howe and Orr?

        Read carefully now you might say jack eichel again

      • Captain O..i dont live on here you idiot i say that with love.

        I never said guentzel shouldn’t be traded quite the opposite it had to b done..dubas got a solid return..

        I hated hextall and burke they were useless.

        Glad u missed me though.

      • What you said was “Guentzel will not be traded in the east coast. Need me to copy and paste that link for ya?

        Seriously, put down that seltzer!

      • Disagree … by all means … that’s what makes sites such as this interesting.

        But leave out the insulting epithets … they are NOT needed simply to make a point.

      • yeah George thats his thing…yet you call me an angry alcoholic and he threatens to put me in a dentist chair.

        yeah ok who are the hypocrites now..

        what did you say George there is no place on this site for that…mmmhh sounds hypocritical to me

    • Bedard is generational? Lmfao.
      Mi see you googled this ! They also have Slavkosky , Lucas Raymond , Tavares and Owen Power on your google list!!!! Lmao! Brilliant!!!!

      I changed my mind. Stick to just the pens from here on out. Because you obviously don’t have any clue of what you’re talking about.

      • Wasnt Bedard built up as the next one..all the scouts who know more than you said he is generational talent.

        Time will tell

  15. Crosby is generational in a different way, discipline, work ethic, working out all year.

    Old school started the year out of shape and Crosby changed all that impacting the game in a huge way.

    McDavid is generational in that he does what all the greats have done, but at full speed. I’ve seen a lot of great players in my time and if this guy was a Hab, he’d be a god passing all Hab historical greats.

    • I believe that Mcdavid had a solid chance of being the greatest player ever. The Covid shortened seasons, and his rookie / injured season may keep him a bit short.

      I also believe Austin Mathews has a legitimate chance to eclipse Gretzky and Ovechkin in goal scoring.

      • Captain cant read.. i agree that mc David will be an all time great but he must win one maybe two cups to get to the mt. Rushmore. Status…..which is all i said before you went postal.

        Look agree dont agree Crosby is an all time great 3 Stanley Cups gold medals face the game for like 18 years will end up with over 2,000 points on his current pace.

        I did say FAIRLY OR UNFAIRLY The all time greats are measured by did the help their team win a championship..

        Gilbert Perreault a all time great 0 cups

        Mark messier a all time great 6 cups

        Both are phenomenal but not generational. You look at these two messier..was a better leader.

        Who is your number 5 behind Gretzky lemieux howe orr?

    • Thank you Hbs fan for your comments on Crosby,,he works hard and is a generational player.

      George O and Captain Obvious don’t seem to think so.

  16. Austin Matthews is probably THE most dangerous pure goal scorer since Mike Bossy – in my view.

    He’s not as fast as McDavid and also not as good handling the puck in other parts of the ice … but when he gets it on his stick inside the blue line he’s wicked fast with a labelled shot.

    Will he, over the course of his career, catch and surpass Gretzky and Ovechkin? That’s a tall order. In that regard I think McDavid – among the current crop and with his overall abilities – stand s the best chance of one day zeroing in on the records of Gretzky and maybe Ovechkin (who isn’t finished adding to his totals yet).