NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 19, 2024
Jake Guentzel explains why he signed with the Lightning, Sean Monahan looks forward to reuniting with Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus, Matt Grzelcyk opens up about his disappointing season, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Jake Guentzel said the Tampa Bay Lightning’s winning pedigree factored into his decision to sign a seven-year, $63 million contract with them on July 1.
“They all know how to win,” said Guentzel, adding they still have high-end, elite players. He believes they still have a chance to win the Stanley Cup, adding this is an incredible opportunity for himself and his family.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guentzel has some big skates to fill as he’ll be taking over the left-wing position formerly held by departed franchise player Steven Stamkos. The Lightning are betting that the younger Guentzel gives them a better opportunity to remain among the Cup contenders.
NHLPA.COM: Sean Monahan is delighted to reunite with former Calgary Flames linemate Johnny Gaudreau in Columbus. The 29-year-old center signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Blue Jackets on July 1.
Gaudreau and Monahan played together with the Flames for nine seasons before Gaudreau joined the Blue Jackets in 2022. “I am really looking forward to being teammates with Johnny again,” said Monahan, calling Gaudreau “an amazing teammate, person, and friend.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Monahan’s 59-point comeback performance last season with the Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets earned him the multi-year contract with the Blue Jackets and the reunion with Gaudreau.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Matt Grzelcyk said a nagging injury derailed his final season with the Boston Bruins. The 30-year-old defenseman signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Grzelcyk indicated he struggled to regain his form last season, amassing a career-low two goals and 11 points in 63 games with the Bruins. He was a healthy scratch in all their playoff games. He’s now preparing for the challenge of earning top-four minutes with the Penguins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A bounce-back effort by Grzelcyk could boost Pittsburgh’s blueline depth. It could also improve his stock leading up to the March trade deadline if the Penguins are out of playoff contention by then.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Brian Dumoulin requested a trade from the Seattle Kraken to an East Coast team over a month ago. Instead, they shipped the 32-year-old defenseman to the Anaheim Ducks in a cost-cutting move.
Dumoulin said he’s excited about the opportunity to join an up-and-coming team. He’s promising to work hard for his new club even if the situation he finds himself in isn’t what he wanted.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dumoulin is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July and carries a $3.15 million cap hit for this season and a 10-team no-trade list. A solid effort with the Ducks could draw interest from playoff contenders looking for experienced blueline depth at the March trade deadline.
TSN: Maxime Comtois signed a one-year contract with KHL club Dynamo Moscow. The 25-year-old forward spent most of last season in the AHL. He spent the first five seasons of his NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring 38 goals and 49 assists in 210 career games with the Ducks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Comtois was considered a promising left winger after scoring 16 goals and 33 points in 55 games during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. However, injuries left him struggling to regain his form.
DAILY FACEOFF: Former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy said he supports Stan Bowman’s bid to return to the NHL.
The former Chicago Blackhawks general manager was suspended for three years by the NHL for his role in burying sexual assault allegations against video coach Bradley Aldrich by player Kyle Beach in 2009-10.
Kennedy, a victim of sexual assault by his former Junior coach, is the co-founder of Respect Group Inc., which helps to empower people to recognize and prevent bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination.
In a statement, Kennedy said he established a relationship with Bowman after he reached out to learn more “about the issues of sexual abuse and the critical role of bystanders to confront and address maltreatment effectively.”
TSN’s Rick Westhead reports Kennedy believes Bowman has done the work to learn and improve since the scandal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kennedy’s endorsement could help Bowman in his efforts to resume his career as an NHL executive. If he doesn’t land another GM job he could end up in a front-office role as an assistant GM, scout or advisor.
To Lyle or anybody else on here familiar with 35+ contracts
From the link below I’ve quoted what they have said as officially being “ 35+ “ (and subject to no cap relief if player retires early) contract:
“WHAT IS A 35+ CONTRACT?
A few things have to happen in order for a contract to get that 35+ designation:
• The player has to be 35 or older when the contract takes effect, regardless of when it was actually signed
• The contract has to be longer than one year.
Plus at least one of the following:
• The contract has signing bonuses AFTER the first year.
• The contract is front-loaded in salary in the year-to-year breakdown.”
Also in article:
“… when a player NOT on a 35+ contract retires while the contract is active: The cap hit goes away. There’s no penalty.”
so, if reading this correctly, a player over 35 who gets a signing bonus (regardless of magnitude) ONLY year 1 of a multi year contract ; BUT with the same annual salary throughout the contract; then is NOT on a “35+” type contract and therefore team completely free of Cap hit once they retire
If that’s the case, why not for Crosby:
Yr 1, Y2, Y3 (all years of 3 year extension: playing at 38,39, and 40years old ): $3.87M salary
PLUS first year only Signing bonus of $14.49 M
Total contract $26.1 M, Cap hit of $8.7 M and if he retires early ; Cap hit wiped
Now some reports had been talking of $10 M per for 3 years. All here know he’s superdtitious regarding his birthday numbers being in the contract; so give him approx $30 M over the 3 years:
BUT , do a 4 year contract, all years annual salary of $4.87 M
With first year ONLY with signing bonus of $15.32M
Total contract $34.8 M; Cap $8.7 M,
per quote above (found in link below ) therefore is NOT a “35+ “ contract as no Signing bonus AFTER 1st year; equal salary throughout; and Crosby gets basically $30 M in first 3 years (like many in media have stated) ; and then would retire prior to 41st B-Day and Pens then drop $8.7 M cap hit for 28/29
What am I missing here?
Here’s the link:
How might 35+ contract rules impact Sidney Crosby’s negotiations with Penguins?
Not sure why the hyper-link didn’t work
Trying again here:
https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/2024/07/16/penguins-sidney-crosby-contract-extension-rumors-updates-35-plus-rules-cap-hit-tlh
As per PuckPedia:
Revised Rules for 35+ Contracts
The rules for 35+ contracts changed in the 2020 CBA MOU. Now, a contract is not considered “35+” if:
-total compensation either stays the same or increases from one year to the subsequent year
-there are no signing bonuses after Year 1
If those criteria are met, the contract is not considered 35+, and therefore the usual contract rules around burying and buyouts apply. If that criteria is not met, it is considered a “35+” contract (if the player turned 35 by June 30), and therefore:
-If the contract is bought out, the original cap hit each year still remains (no cap hit relief from a buyout)
-If the player is sent down, the cap hit is only reduced by $100,000
Thanks Lyle
That is what I thought re your quote from Puckpedia:
“ total compensation either stays the same or increases from one year to the subsequent year”
So this reporter therefore has reported it incorrectly.
She clearly leaves the door open for a large one year signing bonus plus equal salary throughout ; to negate it being a 35+ contract
Thanks for the confirmation
Kennedy supports a Bowman return but no mention of Kennedy supporting a Quennville return?
I’m not sure if Kennedy just made that statement or was directly asked only about Bowman (and not Quennville).
As a survivor of abuse, and a very prominent one at that; Kennedy’s support MAY hasten a Bowman return.
I’m neither advocating a quick return or a “keep him away from the game forever “ stance; just making an observation.
Hope Grez does a good job in Pittsburgh! He really isa quality kid that played under a huge spotlight inBoston! Tough city to make it in,even if you are a Townie!
Hope Monahan does well with CBJ. he was a great teammate in Montreal, mentoring the kids, a real pro’s pro.