NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 8, 2024
The potential effect of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault on the Predators’ power play, Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond could take on leadership roles with the Red Wings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
THE TENNESSEAN: Last month’s signings of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault are expected to bolster the Nashville Predators power play. The Preds struggled with the man advantage during their playoff series with the Vancouver Canucks.
Stamkos and Marchessault will likely be part of the Predators’ top power-play unit alongside Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi and Ryan O’Reilly. Stamkos will mostly stay on the left side, Marchessault and O’Reilly will play around the net and in the slot, while Forsberg and Josi keep pucks in play and shots from the points.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators improved on the power play in 2023-24, finishing 16th overall with a PP percentage of 21.6. Adding Stamkos and Marchessault could push them into the top 10 this season.
THE SCORE: Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde intends to have Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond take on greater roles with the club this season.
In an interview with Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Lalonde said he’d spoken with the pair over the summer about an increased leadership role with the team.
Seider and Raymond are restricted free agents but Lalonde isn’t concerned that both remain unsigned.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seider and Raymond are expected to be under contract when training camp opens next month. They’ve already taken on larger roles as their play improves and their experience grows. They’ll play important roles with the Red Wings in the coming years.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald explained his recent acquisition of Paul Cotter from the Vegas Golden Knights. He anticipates the 24-year-old forward will replace the physicality the Devils lost when Miles Wood departed last summer as a free agent.
Cotter had 25 points in 76 games last season with the Golden Knights along with 233 hits and forcing 35 turnovers.
LAS VEGAS SUN: The Vegas Golden Knights are taking steps to expand their fan base by touring in Jackson, Wyoming; Boise, Idaho; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Billings, Montana; and Reno.
In addition to participating in on-ice clinics, fans will get the opportunity to meet players, broadcasters and other members of the organization.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Smart move by the Golden Knights to grow their fanbase by extending their reach outside the Las Vegas region, especially in areas with no NHL franchises.
TSN: Dillon Dube and Michael McLeod are listed on KHL rosters as they await trial in London, Ontario after being charged with sexual assault in February. Dube is listed on Dinamo Minsk’s roster and McLeod with Astana Barys.
Both players became unrestricted free agents when their NHL clubs declined to qualify their rights.
A trial date is expected to be set on Aug. 13.
Crosby and the Pens missed the supposed deadline to get the superstitious one under contract.
Holy smoke. Now what?
Trade him to Utah to grow hockey in the West!
Check out today’s NHL Rumor Mill to find out!
Purely in the interest of generating discussion in these slow “dog days” of August here are the “best” of the remaining UFAs (9RW – 5 LW – 1 C – 5 RD – 1 LD – 2 G). How many have probably played their last game in the NHL? Who might get a “show me” deal and at what cap hit? Which player – if any – would you like to see your team of choice take a gamble on?
Forwards
Cal Clutterbuck RW 36 y/o 7g 12a 19 pts +4 82gp NYI – exp. $1.75 mil
Nick Cousins LW 30 y/o 7g 8a 15 pts + 1 69gp Fla – exp. $1.1 mil
Mike Hoffman RW turns 35 in Nov. 10g 13a 23 pts -21 66gp San Jose – exp. $4.5 mil
Tyler Johnson RW 33 y/o 17g 14a 31 pts -35 67gp Chi – exp. $5 mil
Dominik Kubalik LW 28 y/o 11g 4a 15 pts -30 74gp Ottawa – exp. $2.5 mil
Kevin Labanc RW 28 y/o 2g 7a 9 pts -27 46gp San Jose – exp. $4.73 mil
Steven Lorentz C 28 y/o 1g 2a 3 pts -9 38gp Florida – exp. $1,050,000
Kyle Okposo RW 36 y/o 12g 10a 22 pts +1 66gp Buff/Fla – exp. $2.5 mil
Max Pacioretti LW 35 y/o 4g 19a 23 pts -14 47gp Wash – exp. $2 mil
James Van Riemsdyk RW 35 y/o 11g 27a 38 pts +7 71gp Bos – exp. $1 mil
Jacob Vrana LW 28 y/o 2g 6a 8 pts -7 21gp St. Louis – exp. $5.25 mil
Austin Watson LW 32 y/o 2g 2a 4 pts +2 33gp Tampa – exp. $776.665
Blake Wheeler RW 37 y/o 9g 12a 21 pts +2 54gp NYR – exp. $800,000
Kailer Yamamoto RW turns 26 in Sept. 8g 8a 16 pts -9 59gp Seattle – exp. $1.5 mil
Filip Zadina RW 24 y/o 13g 10a 23 pts -44 72gp San Jose – exp. $1.1 mil
Defense
Tyson Barrie RD 33 y/o 1g 14a 15 pts -10 41gp Nash – exp. $4.5 mil
Tony DeAngelo RD 28 y/o 3g 8a 11 pts -2 31gp Carolina – exp. $1.68 mil (still no confirmation to the rumor that he’s signed with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL)
Mark Giordano LD 40 y/o 3g 6a 9 pts +10 46gp Toronto – exp. $800,000
John Klingberg RD 31 y/o 1g 4a 5 pts -7 14gp Toronto – exp. $4.15 mil
Justin Schultz RD 33 y/o 7g 19a 26 pts -23 70gp Seattle – exp. $3 mil
Kevin Shattenkirk RD 35 y/o 6g 18a 24 pts -2 61gp Boston – exp. $1,050,000
Goalies
Kevin Lankinen 29 y/o 2.82gaa 0.908 save % 24gp Nashville $2 mil
Anti Raanta 35 y/o 2.99gaa 0.872 save % 24 gp Carolina $1.5 mil
George O,that list looks like an automotive stores spare parts room! 2 phrases to describe many on that list,1 All dressed up and nowhere to go!2.The parties over,let s call it a day!
LOL Sr – good way to describe some of them – retread tires!
But I think the younger guys like Yamamoto, Zadina, Lorentz, Labanc and Cousins will either get looks as a pto or show-me short deals – and at something less than their expiring deals – far less in the cases of Vrana, Labanc and Johnson.
You also have to think both goalie should get picked up, given the fact so many teams are challenged at this position. Lankinen’s record last season certainly wasn’t that bad.
Where Ottawa is concerned, their need is RW depth – if they’re looking for a 3rd/4th line RW with some edge to his game I’d offer Clutterbuck $1.1 mil for 1 year.
If they’d prefer to add younger speed there, I’d go for Yamamoto for 2 years @ the same cap hit.
Players I think are done include Kubalik, Hoffman, Pacioretti, Wheeler, Giordano, Shattenkirk.
Most of these guys will be signed or brought on as pto’s once prospect gmes are played and teams are closer to setting their lineups.
These guys are proven players and teams know what they bring, just need to decide if they fill the holes .
agree habfan30, there are some pretty good hockey players on that list. some obviously perhaps have seen their last action; however, like you stated teams know what these guys bring and most of them will get deals eventually:
Klingburg, is someone who baffles me. still pretty young and his offensoive upside is good but i guess he struggles defensively. actually thought he was pretty damn good on dallas. saw him play a lot. i wonder if his health is an issue?
JVR, long in the tooth but great pair of hands. i think he can still score?
Johnson, tyler 17 g last year on a bad blackhawks team?
Whatever, those guys can still play plus others on the list , too. i would pass on Barrie, DeAngelo, pacioretty, shattenkirk, etc. Tyson Barrie, witnessed a bunch of horror filled night with him on the blue line when he was an Avalanche. DeAngelo seems like the same as Barrie to me? I have read in some Colorado media circles that the Avalanche were interested in Johnson/ or lorentz but i don’t know if that is just rumour stuff?
tommy boy, one revealing fact is that, among the 6 D listed 5 are RD – a position that seemingly just about every team is supposedly looking for … yet here they are, in August, veterans still looking for a job.
Also interesting George, is they’re all offensive type guys with a rep for being sketchy defensively.
Just seems like there are so many more young D getting drafted that bring the skill, puck moving and the offensive side to the game. Every team seems to have one in their system. Maybe the young guys are getting the opportunity first in camp and preseason as plan A, and teams take it from there if they aren’t satisfied and grab one of these guys.
Kinda what HF30 was referring to, just specific to this position.