NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 22, 2024

by | Aug 22, 2024 | News, NHL | 16 comments

Golden Knights captain Mark Stone believes people want to see his team fail, plus updates on Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko, Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin, Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone believes his team’s Stanley Cup window remains open despite the offseason departures of key players like Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson.

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone (NHL Images).

As I’m older I realize that people are going to put a bullseye on our back because they want to see us fail,” said Stone. “We haven’t failed too much in our history. People want to see the Golden Knights crash and burn…I think the foundation we build doesn’t really allow for that to happen. So, I’m feeling confident.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights’ critics want them to fail because they’ve been successful quickly. They’ve been labeled “cheaters” for using long-term injury reserve for cap space over the last two years to add players to their roster for the playoffs.

I understand the envy, especially from those enduring years or decades of their own teams’ mediocrity and failure. However, smart management was behind the Golden Knights’ success from day one. It’s not their fault if some rival clubs are lacking in that department.

Accusing the Golden Knight of “cheating” is sour grapes. Every team is allowed to utilize LTIR. People hate when another club uses it to their advantage but it’s perfectly fine when your club uses it. Perhaps the LTIR rules will be amended to apply to the postseason in the next round of collective bargaining but the Golden Knights did nothing wrong by following the current CBA rules.

Nevertheless, the Golden Knights’ critics could still get their wish this season. Their expensive high-risks moves have mostly panned out, but this year it cost them some core players. Management has gutted their prospect pipeline trading away future assets for immediate help. They’re pressed against the cap this season, giving them little wiggle room to address roster issues as they arise, posing a serious challenge for management.

THE PROVINCE: InGoal Magazine’s Kevin Woodley told Sportsnet 650 that he doesn’t expect Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko will be ready for training camp next month. Woodley also believes Demko underwent some surgical procedure this summer.

Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre reported the Canucks expect Demko to be ready for the start of the season. However, the club remains silent on his condition. Demko injured his knee early in the 2024 playoffs and didn’t return, though reports claimed he was close to returning to action when the Canucks were eliminated from the second round by the Edmonton Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation will persist about Demko’s status until Canucks management formally addresses it. Training camp opens in mid-September.

TSN: Speaking of the Canucks, they promoted Marko Torenius as their new goaltending coach. He was the development and goaltending coach of their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford. Ian Clark, their previous head goalie coach and director of goaltender, asked for a new position within the organization. He’s now a goalie scout and development coach.

RG.ORG: Daria Tuboltseva interviewed New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin. His contract extension negotiations were among their topics of discussion.

Shesterkin said his agent is talking with Rangers general manager Chris Drury. “I can’t say anything else. For me, the most important thing now is preparing for the season and being 100 percent ready mentally and physically,” he said. “An exciting season is ahead, and the agent will discuss the contract.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shesterkin’s answer is the standard one coming from the camps of other big stars eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next summer. They include Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, and Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers announced Jeff Malcolm has been promoted as their full-time goaltending coach. Malcolm spent the past three years as goalie coach of their AHL affiliate in Hartford. He replaced Benoit Allaire, who is scaling back his duties and remains as their director of goaltending.

THE SCORE: Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky is pleased with the club’s acquisition of winger Patrik Laine. He thinks Montreal will be a great place for the 26-year-old winger to restart his career.

TVA SPORTS: Speaking of Slafkovsky, the Canadiens are preventing him from participating in his native Slovakia’s Olympic qualifiers because of a slight back discomfort. The injury isn’t serious but the club isn’t taking any chances as their decision is considered a preventative measure.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A breakout performance is anticipated for Slafkovsky following last season’s 20-goal, 50-point output. The Canadiens are hoping to take a big step forward in their rebuilding this season and Slafkovsky and Laine are expected to play significant roles.

TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed restricted free agent Cole Sillinger to a two-year, $4.5 million contract. The average annual value is $2.25 million.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz recently cited a source claiming Philadelphia Flyers goalie prospect Alexei Kolosov would prefer to be loaned to KHL team Dinamo Minsk this season. The 22-year-old Kolosov believes staying in the KHL will be better for his development.

However, the Flyers aren’t interested in doing that or terminating his contract. He has two years remaining on his contract and technically cannot play in the KHL without their consent. They expect Kolosov to play for the AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley.







16 Comments

  1. A note about Habs signing of Laine and
    how much of a gamble it is, Hughes and Gorton had the advantage of listening to the new coaching hire in Laval, Pascal Vincent, Laine’s coach with CBJ. He must have given a two thumbs up.

    • Vincent hardly played him.

    • Laine’s stats pro-rated for 82 games would of been 37, 32 and 27 in his 3 seasons for the CBJ.
      I still think well worth the dice roll for Montreal.

      • Yes, I wish him well!

      • Prorated? Lol. Doesn’t matter if the guy isn’t able to play games.

      • @Brock
        yeah agree but the risk and the price were right

      • I don’t disagree but the ultimate question isn’t whether he can score goals it’s whether he can stay healthy. He’s not worth $8.7M a season if he only plays 50 games even if he scores 20 goals in those games.

  2. Lyle

    Agree fully on your take of the Knights and your response re other teams’ and other fans’ viewpoints/wishes re Knights

    They made bold moves; strategic and sound management.

    They didn’t cheat.

    LTIR is in CBA much like offer sheets. Using one or the other isn’t cheating.

    It’s still a very competitive team, but are, as you’ve correctly pointed out; nigh cap and with a sparse prospect cupboard.

    The Marchessault loss will be painful for them.

    We shall see how they progress

    • Agree about Vegas. Didn’t cheat at all under the existing rules.
      BUT….. I would like to see the LTIR rule adjusted for post season. IMO, teams should be cap compliant with active rosters in post season too.

    • 8787

      A concise post with sentence structure and connected thoughts.

      Well done!

      Please keep it up.

  3. Seems the Flyers organization has some issues dealing with there players!The Johansen saga is starting to take on a he said,she said situation and the handling of the Kolosov kid is troubling after the kid had trouble fending for himself in a strange country without a mentor to help him adjust! Some people are still questioning the Gauthier fall out also!

  4. As with many teams I think a lot of hate for the Knights stems less from the team itself and more from the incredibly obnoxious fandom.

    It comes from statements that even Stone just made in that article: “We haven’t failed too much in our history.” What history??

    We have to endure people calling themselves “lifelong Knights fans” and yadda yadda yadda. Yes it IS sour grapes from a Sens fan like me… but I promise you it’s in response to fans of a team that have yet to deal with years of wallowing.

    I will respect them if the fandom remains strong and positive when the inevitable rebuild has to happen and they go a few years without success. It happens to EVERY team in the salary cap era, and this fandom has never had to endure it.

    That’s my rant. I think fans of teams that have been around longer are allowed to be a little annoyed… and allowed to be triggered by sore winning fans 😛

    I will take joy in their failures and I am okay with it :0)

  5. Is Lou rules outdated?

  6. Freidman is reporting McGroarty going to Pitts

    • good hockey trade
      dont love Pens getting a legit potential sniper…. as a Rangers fan

  7. Feels like the Jets got a good player sent back, but I know very little about either of these guys haha.