NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 23, 2024

by | Aug 23, 2024 | News, NHL | 31 comments

The Jets and Penguins swap top prospects McGroarty and Yager plus the latest on Valeri Nichushkin, Travis Konecny, Anthony Duclair and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

WINNIPEG SUN/PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Winnipeg Jets traded prospect winger Rutger McGroarty to the Pittsburgh Penguins for prospect center Brayden Yager.

McGroarty, 20, was the Jets’ first-round pick (14th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. He’s spent the past two seasons with the University of Michigan and had hoped to join the Jets this season but that club intended to start him with their AHL affiliate.

Pittsburgh Penguins acquire Rutger McGroarty. (NHL Images).

The disagreement with the Jets over the timeline of McGroarty’s path indicated he’d return to Michigan this season, sparking rumors he’d welcome a trade to a club where he’d have a better opportunity of playing in the NHL. McGroarty signed an entry-level deal with the Penguins following this trade.

Yager was selected 14th overall by the Penguins in the 2023 draft. The 19-year-old center spent the past four seasons with the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors. He signed an entry-level contract with the Penguins last month. He was touted as a second-line center and was expected to battle for a roster spot in training camp next month.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McGroarty’s unhappiness over the Jets’ plans for his development forced them to make this move. The Penguins did this deal because he’s a year ahead of Yager, a little larger physically, and believed to be a year closer to reaching the NHL. He could bring a welcome injection of youthful skill and physicality into the retooling Penguins’ roster.

A Saskatchewan native, Yager said he’s thrilled to join a Canadian team close to his family. He has the speed and ability to one day become a scoring center with the Jets.

In the short term, both teams won because they addressed their respective needs by swapping their top prospects. Time will tell how this deal pans out over the long term.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Evan Rawal cites an interview by Russian national team scout Sergey Fedotov with Sports.ru claiming Valeri Nichushkin will return to the Colorado Avalanche in November.

Nichushkin, 29, is currently in stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and is suspended until November.

Fedotov claims to be close to Nichushkin. He said the winger is training and also working with a psychologist in anticipation of rejoining the Avalanche when his suspension ends in November.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fedotov also claims the Avs owner wanted to get rid of Nichushkin, adding some players and people in management would also prefer if he didn’t return. However, Rawal suggests those comments should be taken with a grain of salt, pointing out that the Avs can’t terminate Nichushkin’s contract, aren’t interested in trading him, and hope to rehabilitate him.

NEW YORK POST/NYI HOCKEY NOW: New Islanders winger Anthony Duclair cut his dreadlocks and shaved his beard to comply with the club’s dress code.

Duclair signed a four-year contract with the Islanders as a free agent last month. Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello has a long-standing policy regarding his players’ hair and facial hair designed to promote team discipline and unity, putting no individual above the team.

Lamoriello’s rules have come under criticism by some observers, considering the policy outdated and unnecessary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As a military veteran, part of me doesn’t have a problem with Lamoriello’s dress code as part of the job. On the other hand, I can understand why his critics consider his policy archaic and out of touch with today’s NHL.

I’m more interested in Duclair’s opinion. He knew Lamoriello’s dress code for his players before signing with them and doesn’t seem to have an issue with it.

Lamoriello contacted Duclair’s agent hoping to sign the 28-year-old winger to bolster the Isles’ offense. Being wanted by a team willing to invest in him for four years was perhaps more important to Duclair than the club’s hair policy.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Reports indicate a home believed to be owned by Flyers winger Travis Konecny in New Jersey suffered a devastating fire. Konecny and his family weren’t in the residence at the time of the blaze.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report also indicated two firefighters suffered minor burns but didn’t require additional treatment. The cause of the blaze wasn’t disclosed and is under investigation.

TSN: Veteran forward Sammy Blais signed with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks and will attend the Vancouver Canucks’ training camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO). Blais, 28, had seven points in 53 games with the St. Louis Blues last season.

The Penguins signed defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov to a PTO contract. He appeared in 10 games last season with the San Jose Sharks.







31 Comments

  1. As Button pointed out yesterday ; this was a solid win for the Jets in that they get a very good A prospect; already under contract; that was expected to vie for a spot with Penguins this year ; for a player that Jets were unable to sign and who had conveyed that he was returning to school.

    Since Chevy made the calls (was the motivated seller) was trading a disgruntled asset NOT under contract, and was asking for a similar and younger player (who many think has a higher upside) that was already UNDER contract; then he should have at least paid a slight token premium . Even if it was just a 5th or 6th in ‘26.

    Dubas held all the cards on this and per Chevy “we started making calls when we were made aware that he intended to return to school … and we were unable to sign him”

    He also said that they were informed (at the combine) that he didn’t intend to sign with the Jets

    McGroarty’s indication re school and refusal to sign has been known for months. Chevy didn’t get any other trade done. We should have at least got a small token asset extra in the deal.

    McGroarty is bigger so that is the only plus (right now) in the swap. If Crosby can tame his attitude; AND McGroarty plays this year AND produces well; then the trade moves closer to a balanced one.

    That is three big “Ifs” that need to transpire.

    Either way; Penguins still not playoff bound. And our Captain still not re-upped.

    • Your position is unclear. Can you explain it a little more for those of us that are unable to form our own rational opinions?

      • Some Old Guy

        It seems that we will never see eye to eye re Pens

        You obviously think that a straight up swap (by a GM that had to sell) of a disgruntled asset (not under contract) who refused to sign and publicly said he was returning to school; for one under contract and expected to challenge for a roster spot ; is fair

        I disagree

      • Mcroaty was under contract 8 minutes after he was traded. Do you not think that was arranged prior to the trade?

        Do you not think Winnipeg was involved in those talks? Or do you believe Dubas went on in blind and Mcgroaty signed a deal within minutes of being traded?

        Winnipeg should have given up an asset for those 8 minutes?

        Another swing and a miss.

        Beyond wishful / lopsided thinking here.

      • Your missing the obvious point Captain

        Even Dubas couldn’t be that dumb. Yes he had spoken to the Agent and McGroarty before hand and had worked out the details of the contract and had s verbal promise to sign

        Just for the sake of argument; lets say the two athletes had equal future NHL potential

        Chevy had an idle asset that was of no use to him. McGroarty told him that he was never going to sign

        Chevy had to sell. He HAD to. Waiting out McGroarty is still not getting him to sign.

        Penguins absolutely did not HAVE to buy. They already had a player under contract, that had already skated with other Pens prospects; and that was well regarded.

        What motivation is there to swap a familiar asset for an unfamiliar one; even if the assets were deemed equal?

        Jets had to sell. Pens didn’t have to buy.

        Again, setting aside that many have Yaeger as a better prospect; for this argument we’re calling them equal

        Motivated seller that HAS to sell; reaches out to unmotivated buyer who does not need to buy….to get the deal done ; an incentive, no matter how small, is needed.

        A Tesla dealer that has a brand new ‘25 on the lot (without a guarantee from Tesla) that he/she absolutely must sell; calls up another dealer that has the identical model (color,interior, upgrades) already with the Tesla Warranty; and wants to exchange them. First dealer sends proof that the Tesla guarantee will be ready minutes after the swap. What incentive does the second dealer have to do this deal? There is no incentive.

      • I haven’t seen one prospect ranking that had yaeger higher than McGroarty. Your determination to denigrate Dubas doesn’t even allow you to give props when they are due. Jets did not have to move the guy. They had two more years of control. Dubas got him before the cost went up.

      • lol.
        Every deal or proposed deal has Pittsburgh absolutely fleecing the other team or it’s not good enough.

        I believe when they traded smith to NY you also said they should have demanded taking Accari or Eller?

        This is about the most balanced trade I’ve seen in a while. Two unknown, unproven players who were drafted in the same position one year apart. Yet somehow Pittsburgh should have received more?

        Jesus. Just once I’d like to see you put something out there realistic. Do you really believe Pittsburgh was the ONLY interested team?

        Winnipeg was in no dire need to trade this guy. They had control over him. Why would they have to add knowing he already had a deal in place?

        You’re acting like Yager is a sure thing. He’s not. Neither player is a sure thing.

        This trade is about as even as they come, yet it’s not enough without the other team bleeding for an unknown, unproven player? Aye!

    • Your outlook is a bit bizarre and a lot biased. By all accounts, Mcgroaty is looked at as the guy more capable of being an NHL player than Yager today. Again, why on earth would the Jets add to that deal? Winnipeg held his rights , and it’s not like that expired tomorrow.

      On paper, you couldn’t ask for a more balanced trade. Well, unless you’re pipe dreaming or biased fan.

      No question they had other teams that were interested. So why would they give additional picks or Accari as you suggested yesterday?

      And why is Crosby the guy being taxed with “taming his attitude “? Lol. Is he some kind of psychiatrist?

      A lot being said about 2 guys that have combined for zero NHL games and have zero experience.

      Broken record, I wish I had 1/10 of the faith in draft prospects as some fan bases! These guys are literally a coin flip.

      • I’m not defending pengy here but it does seem obvious(pun intended) that crosby,in this fictitious scenario, has been tasked with “taming his attitude” due to the fact that he is team captain.

      • What attitude are we talking about here?

    • Lou’s policy maybe old and archaic but it did not deserve the criticism it received yesterday. Certain Yahoo’s actually claimed that it was racist because Duclair had to cut his dreadlocks. Claiming that they were cultural. Duclair posted the picture of himself shaven and with the haircut on Instagram showing that he was excited and ready to go for the season, so obviously it doesn’t bother the player. Like Lyle said, nobody asked Duclair how he felt. It was totally blown out of proportion. And it was pointed out in the media that other teams like the Blackhawks used to have such policy and it was never called racist. And the New York Yankees have had that policy since George Steinbrenner was the owner and nobody has ever attacked that either, and that in fact Lou’s friendship with George is how he came up with the idea. It’s not just being clean shaven with your hair cut, it’s wearing a shirt and tie on the flights instead of being in sweatpants and t-shirts. Discipline and Professionalism. To me it’s a joke that somebody has to use the race card and make a mountain out of a molehill.

      • I see the policy differently. The NHL is in the entertainment business. It could do a better job marketing its players and growing the sport by giving them more room to express themselves. I think the hair/facial hair thing is particularly silly.

        But I agree that there’s no particular reason to get worked up about Duclair’s case. As Spector says, Duclair knew about the policy when he signed with the team. He seems fine with it. (I thought his dreads were cool, but maybe he was ready to try a different look.)

    • @8787

      OMG You are Dr. Doom for the Penguins. Like I said we are getting younger, deeper and better.

      Imagine this fourth line..ENERGY

      Lizotte 26 center
      Glass 25 wing
      McGroarty 20 wing

      Third line
      Hayes 32 center
      Oconner 26 wing
      Ponomarev 22 wing / Puustinen

      Eller will be gone soon and maybe Acciari as well.

      This is a way better bottom 6 than last year…way better..

      top 6 was not the problem only change there Beauvillier will play with Crosby and Rust on the top line..that guy can score.

      Sid makes solid players great Kunitz Pascual Dupris Colby Armstrong to name a few..

      Beauvillier will be solid there.

      d top 4 Petersson Letang
      GreLcyk Karlsson
      Aho/Graves St. Ivany

      Penguins will be motivated you will see. CUP NO Playoffs yes.

  2. Re Nikolai Knyzhov; always good to have a player to push/compete with others for a spot ;

    That said, he’s a Lefty. We have many Lefties.

    We only have 2 NHL ready Rightie D’s

  3. I wonder if the Nick Robinson for McGoarty was ever discussed ?!?!

    As for Pengy – “I wish you luck with your Penguins.”
    I am so relieved , “Dubas” is a Penguin !

    • Ken I have a feeling playing in the USA was a factor for McG. The jets couldn’t have got a better player and is just as good or better but younger which is also a big plus to the Jets now..like McG is ready to play now for the Pens. Both teams did a good old hockey trade filling their needs pretty perfectly if both players manage to reach their full potentials.

  4. Duke knew thr deal before signing as you point out. When you put the individual before tge team you get… the NBA…. no thanks Hockey is for everyone the NBA clearlt isn’t

  5. Lyle

    I understand your side re dress code and the military; and that Duclair signed fully aware of this “rule” for the Isles; but a shorn hair and clean shaven “policy” has no place in the NHL in 2024.

    It’s a weird “policy” at anytime past the 1960’s and only there as a proverbial public way for a King to subjugate his players

    • The Islanders are the only team with this policy. When Lamoriello is no longer running the team, his dress code goes the way of the dodo. None of his players have any issue with it. If they did, this would’ve been brought up by the NHLPA during collective bargaining a long time ago. If the players are fine with it, so be it.

      • Just came home from getting a haircut. Will shave in a few…and maybe old man Lou will offer me a job as an assistant to the Travelling secretary…? One can dream……

    • It is about putting the team in front of your “self expression “

      My HS had a rule about your hair touching the collar of your shirt collar in any sport. I hated the rule, but also understood the rule. I believe it’s still in place today.

      I kinda love these traditions today. Especially with the “me me me “ entitled attitude some players show.

  6. Very disappointed in the character of McGroarty and his agent.

    Jets should be weary to draft USND players, they have a different mindset. We have a draft for a reason, for the overall good of the league. McGroarty lacks integrity. Can say all the right things but pretty meaningless. Getting a down to earth appreciative player like Jager is making the best of a bad situation.

    • @ Tripper
      It seems like Mc Groarty was being a bit of a Diva and to some point he probably was…but he has been said to be an excellent leader and teammate on both the Michigan Wolverines and Team USA…he was a captain

      He has an edge but is said to be liked and a positive force in the locker room..

      His agent and he for some reason didn’t want to play in Winnipeg…

      we shall see.

      good trade for both teams..

    • Everything I read about McGroarty is that his character is excellent. It’s why he’s been the captain at the world juniors. He didn’t want to play and live in a city that he didn’t want to. Going college route gave him options. Now we have to figure out how to get the juniors system to have similar options for players. Winnipeg needs to look in the mirror and figure out what is wrong with their organizations character that players don’t want to play there. Particularly high character players.

      • Agreed…

      • Chrism, in your view McGroarty should be handed a roster spot because he requested?

        Obviously he isn’t of high character; otherwise, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

      • He signed immediately in Pittsburgh after the trade. Sullivan is notorious for not playing young players. So he’s not guaranteed a nhl spot in Pittsburgh either. Everything I read on the guy says his character, intangibles etc are one of his best attributes. Saying he has bad character because he didn’t want to play for your team is sour grapes. It’s literally character assassination.

        If it had been yager in Pittsburgh doing this I wouldn’t be looking at him… I’d be wondering what the hell the pens front office was doing wrong.

      • Chrism, not sure grapes, as i know nothing about his ability.

        Facts are facts; if you read Chevy report he or his agent didn’t give an answer.

        Lol character assassination; only if false. Not false in this case, he refused to sign .

        It’s a trend where we are seeing US born players not wanting to play in Canada.

      • That trend has nothing to do with character. Canadian teams have chances to vet these players prior to drafting them. They should get a read on whether they think they’ll sign. To be fair it is not a fair advantage that ncaa players have over junior players. Junior hockey needs to fix it so their players are on a level field. 4 years of control to woo a player and sell them on your team is plenty.

      • BS. Winnipeg is a first class organization that treats its players well. Winnipeg researched and drafted him, last year he came to development camp and was treated like a king. Pretty poor self centred attitude.

        Small market teams have a challenge and particularly Winnipeg with its climate and isolation. If all players react this way, the overall health of the league will suffer.

        Again spoiled kid enabled by poor advisors.

      • Overall health of the league is having cities that good players want to play in host their teams. You’re not angry at this kid. You’re angry Winnipeg is a charity case for the nhl.