NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 22, 2024
The latest on the Blues Jackets’ search for a new coach and Patrik Laine’s trade status, Dmitry Orlov supports his friend Evgeny Kuznetsov, a look at the Islanders’ defense corps, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell still has two major offseason moves remaining: hiring a new head coach and honoring Patrik Laine’s trade request.
Sources informed Portzline that former Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft came to Columbus last Tuesday and former Minnesota Wild bench boss Dean Evason followed on Wednesday or Thursday. Waddell set a deadline of Aug. 1 for hiring a new coach.
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).
Meanwhile, Laine’s trade request remains on hold as the Blue Jackets await his release from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. That will enable rival clubs to speak with the 26-year-old winger before making trade offers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Woodcroft or Evason will be named the Jackets’ new coach. Laine, meanwhile, continues his offseason training while in the assistance program. There is no deadline for his release. Receiving the necessary help and treatment for his mental health takes priority.
Meanwhile, restricted free-agent forward Kirill Marchenko told a Russian media outlet that discussions between his agent and Waddell are “progressing slowly.” They’ve talked about a short and long-term contract.
Marchenko, 24, filed for salary arbitration on July 1 and his hearing is scheduled for July 31. He’s hoping to receive a more specific offer from the Blue Jackets this week.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchenko is coming off back-to-back 20-plus goal seasons and netted a career-best 42 points last season. He was among the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable 2023-24 campaign.
Portzline also recently reported Josef Boumedienne had an expiring contract and will not return behind their bench for 2024-25.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dmitry Orlov supports his friend and former teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov. The 32-year-old center and the Hurricanes agreed to terminate his contract last week.
Kuznetsov is rumored to be signing a contract with a KHL club. Orlov believes he’s still good enough to play in the NHL but accepts his friend’s decision.
NEW YORK POST: The Islanders’ focus on bolstering their offense during the offseason means they’re returning with almost the same defense corps as last season. Sebastian Aho and Robert Bortuzzo were the only departures, leaving their top five of Noah Dobson, Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, Alexander Romanov and Scott Mayfield intact.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Injuries hampered the Isles blueline last season while Pelech and Pulock have declined. However, the article pointed out their defense improved after Patrick Roy took over as head coach in January. They’re banking on better health and a full season under Roy heading into 2024-25.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Golden Knights announced last week that the Tahoe Knight Monsters will be their new ECHL affiliate, replacing the Savannah Ghost Pirates.
Dubas strikes again…. Well, misses out on a good deal AGAIN; so “strikes again”by missing out to easily (and cheaply ) make team better
His mandate was to make the team better, bigger, faster, younger, grittier
Daniel Sprong just signed 1 yr @ $975,000. That’s 3 weeks into UFA season.
Sprong is 27 , 6’ , 198
Last 2 years avg 82 game pace :
24-31-55
Compare that to Dubas’ rush to sign contracts early (opening day of UFA)
Lizotte: 5’9”, 168, “rush signing on July 1st for 2(two years) @$1.85 M. Noted : also born in ‘97 like Sprong
His 23/24 82 game pace 9-11-20
Beauvillier ; 27 yr; 5’ 11”, 179. Also rushed to sign on July 1st; @ $1.25 M. Noted : also born in ‘97 like Sprong
Last year’s 82 game pace
8-23-31
In 2023… also rushed to sign on July 1st:
Accairi… was 31 at time of signing (will be 33 this year); is 5’10, 205
Was coming off 1 year contract @$1.25 M; was coming off 3 straight years of decline; last year before contract (22/23) his 82 game pace was 16-10-26
With that declining performance; Dubas rushed to sign him on July 1st FOR a 6O% RAISE and a 3 year term(yes, 3 years AND 60% raise,)
Nieto :5’10 1/2, 197, at time of his “rush to sign contract” on July 1st 2023, he was 30, he’ll be 32 this year
He was coming off an 82 game pace of 12-12-24; he got a 2 year contract at about the same as Sprong just signed for (note for only 1 yr)
Nieto’s 82 game pace this year:4-11-15
Lets not forget signing 5’10 “, 171 , 30 year old Grzlyk (also coming off declining performance ; signed for $2.75M
Compare that to the much speedier, much better, 5 1/2 years younger, 3 1/2” taller; 15 pounds heavier; and already familiar with Penguins system, P-OJ (who signed for just a hair more than 1/3rd that of Grzlyk)
Dubas had (still has) over $3.5 M in space
Plenty of room to sign a great add of Sprong
Yet Dubas has two consecutive UFA opening days signing underperforming/performance declining players that are smaller; to raises and term; and misses out on available good contracts still available 3 weeks into UFA season
Missing out on players like Sprong at barely over league minimum for single year contracts is definitely not incentivizing Crosby to sign
Sprong wanted to go to a “contender”.
Not to mention Sprong began his career with the Penguins and it didn’t go well there for him.
Not to mention if took 50 flipping lines to make his point! He has to be inebriated by the exuberance of his own verbosity.
Besides, there could also be an underlying reason why it took so long for Sprong to find a contract, detailed in this column by Ben Kuzma
https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/daniel-sprong-signing-complete-player
If he can improve the defensive aspect of his game he could be the catch of the crop at that price.
Agree somewhat with you Johnny but just above min Sal?
Penguins could have offered him twice that and buried any one of those players I listed) in WBS; and have been twice as well off
The point is not so much of not signing Sprong as it is Dubas’ urgent (right on Jul 1st two years running) signing and overpaying and given undeserved term to older smaller players with declining performances while simultaneously watching bargain basement deals pay off for GMs who wait past the first few days of UFA.
All this happened while our superstar is yet to sign an extension
We’re all just bitter and upset here
Dubas has had pressure (to do something positive for the team) somewhat (I say tongue ‘n cheek) akin to our Leader in Chief had to drop out of the race. At least he ceded to the pressure
😂 to that 10:10 post George
8787, thanks for putting back the fanatic in fan. This Dubas thing is getting a bit weird.
1- you have zero idea if the Pens spoke to Sprong/Agent, or what the coaching staff thinks of him. Just like you had no idea on what was “offered” in the Hayes deal vs what the final deal was, and how Dubas negotiated it.
2 -Seattle didn’t keep him, Detroit didn’t, because he has been a liability his entire career. He either refuses or can’t play responsibly. That also equals a problem in the room, as you can’t have one guy not doing his job. Players know.
Assuming he will somehow become an effective NHL player is a serious stretch IMO. He might, at age 27, but he will have to make some serious changes to his game and his attitude. Maybe Tocchet can get him on board after others have tried and failed. Hence he is cheap as he could just as easily be more trouble than he is worth.
Detroit signed a 4th line grinder not Sprong with that roster spot. There is a general idea of how he is valued by GM’s in the league. Not just Dubas.
Hey I get your passion for the team, and you do generate conversations, in July, but getting a bit out there.
Fair points Ray
I know I have to tone things down and/or parse things/pull things back
It’s probably me going nuts about our surprise (happy but a surprise) of another pregnancy. 5 teenagers now and being told twins again ; and I’ll turn 50 before their born.
Not an excuse but some background to my frustration posts
You are right re # 1 as at first week of UFA
Dubas has publicly stated he’s not been looking right now. So perhaps he reached out early; no interest( moved on. I don’t know)
Re #2. My point is not so much about missing out on Sprong but more the signing of poorer, smaller, weaker, and older players on the decline and paying them more and with term; and doing so on July 1st when they (at least a couple of them) would not have even come close to a deal like he gave , elsewhere. Need only look at the Accari contract on that. Can’t see any other Gm giving a 60% raise and three years to a player on a “show-me “ contract; who indeed did not show and was on 3 years successive decline
The main point is that regardless of any perceived defensive issues Sprong may or may not have; he is definitely better than any of those 4 fwds I listed above; and comes with zero Cap risk; at $975,000 can be waived at anytime, no cap risk
Bitter aging soon to be, father of 7
Apologies around
Holy kids batman.
Snip that thing!
Congrats 87.
Ok, 8787, I will cut you some slack.
Congratulations. Soon you will have to be briefer as you won’t have time to linger – LOL!
May I share what was reported as a true story that you might find relatable (cut me some slack under the circumstances, please Lyle):
A woman in South America gave birth to multiple babies, adding to 6 children she already had. Her husband had taken off before the new births, but she said she was sure he would return once he heard the good news.
Definition of an optimist?
Thanks Ray and LJ
Snipping is not necessary…. I’m positive she won’t let me near her (romantically) again
Twins not a surprise ; pregnancy was
Both my wife and I are identical twins; so is my dad; and my mother-in-law.
We already have two sets of identical twin girls and my son had a vanishing twin (I’ll let you look that up), so any next pregnancy had almost a certainty to being twins.
Getting pregnant this late in our lives was a big surprise.
Nice anecdotal story LJ.
My wife may not want to see me in any intimate way again; but certainly won’t let me out of her sight now
The big bonus is that we have 5 in-house baby-sitters that get paid $0/hr
@8787
Respectively Daniel Sprong sucked as a Penguins and we have enough of a log jam in the bottom six now..
He would just add clutter to a already crowded bottom six.
There are six spots..
You Have
Hayes
Beavullier
Lizotte
Eller
Ponomarev
Pustinen
Koivunen
Puljuarvi
Accari
Nieto back in November
Not a logical.move..
Whats next you want ufa justin schultz back too??
Lol
Yes and Poulin as well
But Sprong for sure better than all wingers you listed and only at $975
The trouble is, like last year, 6 to 9
4th liners/depth; no true 3rd line wingers
I’d love for Pens to acquire Laine “sight unseen” so to speak
He can be traded while on LTIR; just can’t be talked to
Acquiring him now; cost is much lower than when he returns from the program; off LTIR; and starts practising
Downside is low: that being never returns; stays on LTIR…. But insurance pays
Once/if off LTIR: just playing mediocre and he’d play on line 2; but healthy and playing with Crosby he should be a 30 H guy, 40 or more definitely not out of the question
Letang might be getting an operation ..,, so LTIR possibility to start year
This line up would get us in to the playoffs:
Crosby Rackell Laine
Malkin Rust Bunting
Eller O’Connor Beauvillier or Poulin
Hayes Puuljarvi Beauvillier or Poulin
Puustinen + maybe Koivinen as 13th/14th Fwds
Letang Pettersson
Karllsson *Graves
**?? and one of Ludwig or Pickering
St. Ivany and one of Ludwig or Pickering as 7th/8th
*Hoping for a waaay better season from Graves
** we have only 2 true NHL ready RHDs. This acquisition is a must
St Ivany will develop into 3rd pairing RD for next year; Hollowell and Klurman definitely WBS; Fedun in a pinch maybe but really WBS. Brunicke is minimum 2 yrs away
Short and brief he’s not that good!
8787,
brevity isn’t your forte.
Fully concur on that habfan30
I’m bitter, peeved, disgruntled, angered at whaat our roster and outlook is
@ 8787
The Penguins roster is beyyer than it was ending last year.
Lizotte Beauviller Hayes Ponomarev Koivunen grezeluck
Better than carter smith rudwhedel and other bums
Look at the glSs half full
Ummm. One of those hockey players is not like the others. Unless I’m misinterpreting the spelling errors.
Poulin isnt going to make it…
Rakell is a second line ayer not with Sid..
Laine would be nice but we have to see if he is healthy..
Didnt know about letang surgery wrist???
I heRd he was going to b ready???
My playoffs east predictions based on right now obviously more will happen this summer.
Boston
Florida
Toronto
Florida lost a few key peices and Boston missed first place by 1 point and they added Zadorov Lindholm
Rangers
Devils
Hurricanes
De uls will rebound Carolina list alot too
Tamoa Washington wild card favorites
Islanders Penguins Sabres Red Wings sniffling till the end
As a mental health professional and someone familiar with professional assistance programs I’m surprised teams can’t talk to laine. Not knowing where you are gonna live and work is a major stressor. Definitely an impediment to recovery.
It’s not surprising at all, Chrisms, considering the policy and guidelines for those players seeking treatment for mental health issues were drawn up by those in your profession and are being handled by those same mental health professionals. Neither the league nor the NHLPA drew those up.
Laine knows where he’s currently living and working. He also knows, with two years on his contract, that he could start this season in Columbus. He’s a professional hockey player. He knows the uncertainty that comes with his career.
Perhaps the last thing he needs or wants right now is a bunch of general managers pestering him while he’s receiving treatment. Just my guess, nothing more, based on the reports.
Chrism, i respect your point of view. I can’t speak to what Laine is going thru as there is many different kinds of mental illness and how they affect the individual.
With a adult child who 4.5 months ago had panic attacks, that only now she will go outside for a 12 minute walk by herself; otherwise my wife or myself must be with her.
If we have plans to do something we need to tell her the day before so she can mentally prepare for that activity. If we where to say lets go to a movie now, it’s not happening and she’s likely to shut down.
Prior she spent the year living away from home on her own and gradating from college.
I don’t know Patrik Laine condition but sometimes these things can take time it can be a sensory overload if adding pressure.
I respect those points gentlemen. It’s a very big debate in my field right now. Protecting someone’s privacy and try to shield them so they focus on their treatment is very valid. But the mental health profession / sud profession are moving slowly away from that mentality as it also can further stigmatize and harm the people it was trying to protect. The red tape around these illnesses is slowly being removed nationwide. The argument would be – if laine had a concussion would he be isolated similarly? But mental illness? Lock em away from the world.
My statement above was expressing surprise that the professionals that created these treatment conditions for the nhlpa still follow that mindset as it’s been rapidly fading around the country.
What exactly is patrick Laine dealing with?
Anybody know
Alcohol
Substance abuse
Depression
All tough things but he is young
Daniel Sprong, changing teams, poor defense, bad attitude are the statements about him. His +/- doesn’t bear that out but that can be misleading.
One thing he does have is the ability to sore goals in the NHL, and he does it with minimal ice time. That isn’t something you can teach, either you have it or you don’t.
Defense and structure can be taught, and if he doesn’t learn he can be shielded with offensive zone faceoffs and powerplay minutes.
It sounds like he’s a unicorn in a league more suited to quarter and draft horses.
I’ll be interested to see if Sprong can be taught defence in Vancouver. That seems to be his biggest challenge at this point.
Having played with a wide range of players in oldtimers hockey, I can say safely that some guys have only one interest when they play – they want to score and they don’t really care how the team does:
Win? Great! Lose? Who cares! Just get me the puck.
Not saying this describes Sprong but it’s on him to prove he can be a two way player.
That’s one way to look at it HF30, and I agree with the how the league is IMO. I suppose I lean to the concept of the whole team pulling in the same direction, not making exceptions for the unicorn. The premium scorers in the NHL get PP time and plenty of O zone starts, he isn’t in that category IMO, or is significantly worse defensively than those guys, or he would have found a home by now. You have to wonder how a guy who can score like Sprong can’t find a home and get paid.
Forwards that get drafted in the first 2 rounds, like Sprong was, were almost all scorers in junior, NCAA or wherever they played as teenagers/young adults. I would argue that lots of them could score at the NHL level if they were treated the way you are advocating for Sprong. They don’t treat them that way, and I think for good reason.
Bottom line is, if you want a successful team, you need to play in all 3 zones, consistently. Everybody in the room, or it doesn’t work. Players know, and they will resent the guys that don’t as they know he is hurting their chances at winning.
Cheating for offense doesn’t fly on good teams, and if he doesn’t change, it won’t fly with Tochett either IMO.