NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 10, 2024

by | Aug 10, 2024 | News, NHL | 19 comments

Predicting which players will fill six captain vacancies, the club Ryan McDonagh considers a team to beat this season, Oliver Kylington explains why he signed with the Avalanche, a make-or-break season for Ilya Samsonov, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman recently predicted which players he believes will fill the vacant captaincies for the Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Seattle Kraken, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Utah Hockey Club.

Wegman thinks Mason McTavish will become the Ducks’ next captain in 2025-26, filling a role last filled by Ryan Getzlaf from 2010 to 2022. He predicts Rasmus Dahlin will fill the vacant Sabres captaincy after Kyle Okoposo was traded to Florida in March.

Connor Bedard could be the next Blackhawks captain in 2025-26, filling the role previously held by Jonathan Toews from 2008 to 2023. Wegman believes Yanni Gourde should be tapped for the captaincy of the Seattle Kraken, a position last held by Mark Giordano during their inaugural season (2021-22).

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (NHL Images).

Victor Hedman is Webman’s choice as Lightning captain, replacing the departed Steven Stamkos (2014-2024). Clayton Keller is his pick to captain Utah, whose previous one was Oliver Ekman-Larsson from 2018 to 2021 during the franchise’s incarnation in Arizona.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hedman is the obvious choice for Tampa Bay. Time will tell if the others get the job with their respective clubs. Bedard could be named Blackhawks captain if he establishes himself as a leader on and off the ice. Dahlin would be a solid option for the Sabres.

TSN: Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh believes the Nashville Predators could be a force to be reckoned with this season. The 35-year-old defenseman spent the past two seasons with the Predators before being traded back to Tampa Bay in May.

McDonagh cited how the Predators rallied in midseason after being counted out by observers to reach the playoffs. “There’s no question that they’re going to be a team to beat this season,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The additions of Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei and former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos should also bolster the Predators this season.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Former Calgary Flames defenseman Oliver Kylington explained why he chose to sign with the Colorado Avalanche this summer. He indicated the Flames were in the picture for a long time but the Avalanche made him feel like they really wanted him.

It was a very compelling factor that they wanted me so much that I felt that all the pieces beyond that felt natural to choose. It felt good considering how hungry they are. I am involved in a new start with a new organization,” he said.

Kylington also remains grateful for the support he received from the Flames and their fans when he took time away to deal with his mental health.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Anthony Larocco wonders which version of Ilya Samsonov the Vegas Golden Knights will be getting as their new backup goaltender this season. The 27-year-old Samsonov is on his third team in five years and this season could be his last chance to prove he belongs in the NHL.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Consistency has been an issue for Samsonov in his five-season NHL career. He’s on a one-year contract with the Golden Knights and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Another shaky performance could make this season his last in the NHL.

THE ATHLETIC’s Aaron Portzline reported on X.com that the Columbus Blue Jackets are getting closer to a new contract with forward Cole Sillinger. It’s believed to be a two-year deal.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars general manager Jim Nill is still confident he’ll get restricted free agent defenseman Thomas Harley under contract soon. He said that talks continue between the two sides. “We’re going to get him signed,” said Nill.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Training camps don’t open for another month – plenty of time for Sillinger, Harley, and other RFAs to be signed to new deals. The time to start worrying is when training camp opens if they aren’t under contract. Until then, enjoy what’s left of the summer.







19 Comments

  1. One thing that is interesting in the NHL that is different in other professional sports leagues is the importance placed on naming captains!The NHL visually promotes it with a C on the sweater where it is not as defined in the other big 3 professional sports! The NHL captains aren t always the best player,but the best leader on and off the ice extending into the community!The coronation of captain is a big honor to the player chosen by the team! Players wear it as a badge of honor!

    • Sr,
      The captain in hockey has an additional role of communicating with game officials whih makes it important to have a leader who has ther respect of the refs as opposed to a captain that antagonizes them.

      That on ice communication is the basis for not allowing goalies to be captains.

  2. mp, I saw your last post yesterday re our discussion on the pre-draft Ottawa-Philadelphia trade rumor too late to respond to – specifically where you suggested “Tk (Travis Konecny) & Laughton for Chabot, 1st, and cap dump to make the numbers work.”

    Intriguing as that might be – from several angles – I just couldn’t see Staios relinquishing Chabot – at this stage of the game – simply because that would leave a large hole at the left D position which they would then be seeking to urgently fill in another asset-costing cap-compliant deal with little or absolutely no cap reserve to work with.

    As matters now stand, the LD position is shaky as it is in the event of a key injury, with only Sanderson, Chabot and the rookie Tyler Kleven slotted in there for 2024-25. And there’s nothing at the AHL level with any appreciable NHL experience who they could call up in the event of an injury to one of those three.

    They do have prospects at the position – Tomas Hamara, Jorian Donovan and Donovan Sebrango – but they are all kids with absolutely no NHL experience and at least 3/4 years away – if ever. The only ones they have in the AHL with even minimal NHL experience are Filip Roos (21 gp) and Jeremy Davies (27 gp) and requiring one of them to play a long stretch would be a Fool’s Errand in the extreme.

    In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Staios make another deal to bring in a LD with some reasonable NHL experience to play at Belleville as a first call-up.

    • The entire D corps of Ottawa looks like they are looking for Ullmark to be a savior! It will be iteresting to see what effect Bostons D Corps and system played into his performance

      • Sr, I sincerely hope that that isn’t Staios’ thinking.

  3. Ottawa and Boston have similar problems, two goalie who were a great tandem, neither of which ever carried a 1A goalie role. Ottawa at least has alary protection this year while Boston throws the dice.

    Jack Campbell is a cautionary tale of a goalie unable keep his game together with an increased load.

    • lol. You had to bring that distinct possibility up! I’ve been whistling past the graveyard since the deal, trying (superstitiously) to avoid facing that possible reality.

      • Give your Sens this season to make the playoffs, George. And then, if they don’t it will be time to return to the fold and bring out your Habs jerseys again. We can change that Sens tattoo to Senator Serge.

      • LOL LJ – don’t think it isn’t bubbling just below the surface.

        I know part of the deal that saw Andlauer buy the team was that the team had to remain in Ottawa.

        But I don’t believe that that is infinite. He’s a billionaire and can afford to remain here for several seasons … and if the team continues to stutter on the ice due to poor personnel choices, and the attendance starts to crumble accordingly, he will then be able to make a case to re-locate. And it won’t be to Quebec City.

      • I very much doubt the NHL would approve relocating the Sens. We witnessed Bettman clinging to Arizona like a drowning man to a bouy.

        And if Bettman did approve such a relocation:

        1) It surely would not be because of slumping attendance, as the rebuttal would be: put a better product on the ice.

        2) Would Winnipeg not be also a candidate?

        The Sens average 17,822 fans/game, while the Jets average 13,447, the lowest in the league.

        3) It would be a very clear indication that Bettman doesn’t give a rat’s behind about Canadian franchises.

  4. Re, Sens & Bruins d

    Boston have a very good 3 pairs on d, with #7 d/man
    Parker Wotherspoon
    as training camp closes and team get close to there final line up, players like Wotherspoon could be avalable on wavers like many others….

    The Sen’s d core is Very Young, with the addition of Big Physical Kleven,
    After he delivers a couple of his Big Thundering hits….❗️ that will make teams think twice about flying into the Sens Zone when he is there and yes 100% its going to be a learning process for him but he loves to play Physical…..👌

    -Sanderson at 22 yrs LD
    -Tyler Kleven22 yrs LD
    -JBD at 24 yrs RD
    -Chabot 27 yrs LD
    -Zub 28 yrs RD
    and
    Newly acquired Jensen, Nick the old guy who should bring stability to the d/core

    i think Ullmark is still a Top 10 Goaltender and young Swayman will have a Very good year and prove he is the Bruins #1 Goaltender if they sign him

    if the Sen’s line up need one thing today its a Big tought guy to play 4th line like the NYI have 2 that are not signed they could get one for $800,PA
    and then Send Macewan in the miniors,

    Then Brady dose not need to do ALL The fighting..⁉️

    • Toronto is trying to trade Reaves WillieW, for your 4th line grinder!

      • Hah. Yeah, right. Anyway, they also have Perron now to add to that component, and if Kleven sticks – as expected – to the D corps, he likes the rough element and at 6′ 4″ 200 lbs won’t be pushed around.

        UFA Clutterbuck would be my choice to fill the 4th line RW position.

      • George O aren you concerned that 2 of your top 6 forwards are 36 and add that in to Norris shoulder! Seems like they have a lot of question marks! 2 free agent signings Jensen 33,Peron 36! Ouch!

      • If they were that age and completely useless I’d agree … but they’re not.

        Neither, age-wise, are Crosby (36), Malkin (37), Fleury (39), Marchand (36). Burns (38), Ovechkin (38), Perry (38) Foligno (36) and Goligoski (38)

      • No thanks, sr

        Reaves is not the kind of player we want for the 4th line, way over paid $1.35M…❗️ for 2 more years

        We would ranther have Matt Martin or
        RW Cal Clutterbuck would be my 1st choice on the RW to replace Macewan @$800,00👍
        The NYI are right at the Cap

        Ottawa have a much stronger team that last year,
        >With a REAL #1 Starter in Net Ullmark
        >A Good #4 D/man now,
        >Way more depth & Scoring on the 3rd line
        Dave Peron, Michael Amadio,& Speedy Ridly Greig who can score, Pinto will play 2nd line Centre
        and
        >Big 22yr old Centre Zack Ostapchuk on the 4th line 6ft3 & 215lb, he will be there 3rd line centre in 2025/26 season, this kid is a local Edmonton guy who is going to be Very Good.

        on the 4th line with him Noah Gregor and hopfully big Cal Clutterbuck

        Also knocking at the big teams door in Ottawa
        The forwards are
        >Stephen Halliday 22 yr old C, 6.ft3 & 214lb
        >Oskar Pettersson, 20 yrs old 6.ft2 & 200lb
        >Tyler Boucher, 20 yrs old 6.ft2 & 200lb
        maybe young Xavier Bourgault
        and

        Dont forget we have young Centre Shane Pinto
        back for a Full Season that could Double his production to 60++ Points…..👌

    • williew, Ottawa wound up with 37 wins 41 losses 4 OT/SO points for a total of 78 pts scoring 255 while giving up 281, a -26 differential.

      Compare that to Washington who made the playoffs with 91 pts – 13 better. Ottawa only had 3 fewer wins than Washington over 82 games and outscored the Capitals 255 to 220 while relinquishing 24 more.

      Then compare Ottawa to the NYI who wound up with 94 pts – 16 better. The Senators had just 2 fewer seasonal wins than the NYI and also outscored them 255 to 246, while giving up just 13 more goals over 82 games (281 to 263).

      The big difference in both cases came in the OT/SO points where Ottawa managed just 4 whereas Washington had 11 and NYI 16.

      Much of that disparity can rightly – and statistically – be traced to a pitiful overall defensive structure (including pk) riddled with players who couldn’t or wouldn’t – put in consistent two-way efforts in an ineffective system dreamed up by D.J. Smith and his staff. Then there was the lack of consistency displayed by the goalie tandem.

      So now the question becomes, with the deletion of the likes of Kubalik, Kelly, Joseph, Katchouk, Brannstrom, Kastelic, Chartier and Korpisalo and the insertion of Perron, Amadio, Gregor, Crookshank, Jensen, Kleven, Ullmark and Ostapchuk, along with a better overall defensive structure instilled by the new coaching staff – not to mention a full season by Norris and Pinto, make up 12 to 16 points over 82 games?

      We’re about to find out.

      • As to which teams drop out of playoff positions, I think Tampa might be on the cusp, along with Washington and NYI.

        Toronto also has to hope Woll is not only ready for # 1 duty, but that he can remain healthy – something that has plagued him since he entered the league. If he wilts or gets hurt again, can they succeed with Stolarz and Jones? They better hope so because nothing disheartens a team playing a close, tight disciplined game than soft goals allowed by an inconsistent goalie. As Ottawa discovered on numerous occasions last season.

        Same, really, for Boston if they don’t get Swayman under contract … otherwise, it’s Korpisalo and Dipietro or Bussi.

  5. George,

    Drop out in the East
    1/NYI
    2/Pens, ( Sorry Peng 8787)
    3/Red wings,
    4/Philly,
    Tampa may come back

    50-50, Teams
    The Caps and the Canes…are on the fence❓

    Toronto, the d got way better… BUT Goaltending is a Big Question Mark, Woll is like a China Cup AKA A Matt Murray Type…..‼️ Anthony Stolarz may carry the big load….

    These 3 teams are Much inproved and
    Teams that will be in are the
    Ottawa,
    Buffalo,
    NJD