NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 21, 2024

by | Sep 21, 2024 | News, NHL | 11 comments

Jake Guentzel’s role with the Lightning, new contracts for Utah’s Dylan Guenther and the Devils’ Dawson Mercer, injury updates, and more today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE SCORE: Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper shuts down the notion that offseason acquisition is replacing former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos.

Nobody is replacing Stammer,” said Cooper. “He has created a legacy here, and I think that is unfair to say. Jake is coming in here to create his own legacy.”

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel (NHL Images).

Stamkos signed a four-year contract with the Nashville Predators on July 1. A day earlier, the Lightning acquired Guentzel’s rights from the Carolina Hurricanes and signed him to a seven-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cooper is trying to take pressure off Guentzel and quell any unrealistic expectations among some Lightning followers. Nevertheless, there’s no question he was brought in to fill the offensive void on left wing created by Stamkos’ departure.

The Lightning coach is right that Guentzel isn’t replacing Stamkos’ role as captain and long-time franchise star. He’s there to fill the role of trigger man on their top forward line, especially on the power play.

NHL.COM: The Utah Hockey Club signed winger Dylan Guenther to an eight-year contract extension. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Puckpedia indicates the average annual value is $7.142 million with a modified no-trade clause starting on July 1, 2030. The 21-year-old Guenther earned this deal by scoring 18 goals and 17 assists for 35 points in 45 games last season, spending time on Utah’s top power-play unit.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils signed forward Dawson Mercer to a three-year contract with a $4 million AAV. The 22-year-old reached the 20-goal plateau last season for the second straight year. He reached 42 points as a rookie in 2021-22 and netted a career-best 27 goals and 56 points as a sophomore.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mercer’s production dropped last season to 33 points but that was because the versatile forward was used in several different roles as injuries depleted the Devils. He remains an invaluable member of their roster.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Seattle Kraken winger Andre Burakovsky looks forward to reuniting with Chandler Stephenson, who joined the Kraken this summer as a free agent. The two were teammates with the Washington Capitals for five seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in 2018.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Burakovsky has been hampered by injuries that limited him to 49 games in each of the last two seasons. A healthier season for him will be crucial to the Kraken’s hope of rebounding from last season’s disappointing performance.

SPORTSNET: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe confirmed he’s in contract extension talks with management. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Yeah, we’ve talked a couple times,” said McCabe. “I love it here, and think they enjoy my game too.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McCabe, 30, is earning an AAV of $4 million on his current contract.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets defenseman Ville Heinola is out indefinitely following an infection in his surgically repaired ankle. He missed all of last season after breaking the ankle in training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Poor Heinola, if it weren’t for bad luck, he’d have no luck at all.

DAILY FACEOFF: Chicago Blackhawks rookie Artyom Levshunov is expected to be sidelined for four more weeks as he recovers from an injury to his right foot suffered in offseason training. The 18-year-old defenseman was chosen second overall by the Blackhawks in this year’s draft.

NHL.COM: The Columbus Blue Jackets named Rick Nash as director of hockey operations.

Nash, 40, is the Blue Jackets’ franchise leader in goals (289), assists (258) and points (547) and served as team captain from 2008 until traded to the New York Rangers in 2012. He returned to the club as special assistant to the general manager in 2019 and was promoted to the position of director of player development in 2021.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators reached a sale agreement in principle with the National Capital Commission to purchase 10 acres of land at LeBreton Flats, about 10 minutes west of Parliament Hill. The Senators intend to construct a new arena at that location.

It’s hoped that the sale will be completed next year. Senators president Cyril Leeder said there’s no expectation that the city will have to pay for the arena.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s no timetable yet for construction, but this is the first real positive step toward the Senators’ dream of a downtown arena.







11 Comments

    • It may be a ways off, but it’s great to see it happening as it’s another step in returning the Senators to glory.

      • Well, Paul, since Team President Cyril Leeder said at the new conference that it will be “years before shovels get into the ground” I hope the Senators can get back to their glory years long before that! LOL

    • Thanks George, went on google earth to get a better look, nice area and one can see how much better access to the area from both sides of the Ottawa river. Get it done, that`s all I can say

    • I should add that Brad Marchand is also part of that summer gathering, and although not quite at the offensive levels of Crosby or MacKinnon, a bit of Brad’s tenacity rubbing off wouldn’t be bad either.

      • It probably was t rubbed off… more like licked off.

  1. This is how a team can become cup contenders
    Utah signing Dylan Guenther to an 8yr extension at what could become a very good value.

    Potential star player hitting his prime on a lower cap hit leaving lots of dollars to add around him.

    Of course the flip side is he doesn’t become a star player and bottoms out.

    Obviously Armstrong see it to be a very good deal in a couple of seasons.

    Not putting Guenther in McKinnon category but for example Nathan was making $6.5 when Colorado won the cup.

    Chicago had both Toews and Kane at lesser deals when they won the cup.

    Good value contracts help build contenders.

  2. Caper ,slow down on Guenther! His goal total of 18 is not that great! All these teams think they have the next Tage Thompson ! Mercers 4 million a year makes a lot more sense!

    • sr it’s all about projection, he’s 21 entering his third year of elc.

      He is from 6 goals in 33 games to 18 in 45 games. That projects to 33 goals in 82 games.

      One year remaining on his elc before his new contract kicks in with the cap rising.

      No guarantee but this could be an excellent contract for Utah.

      Mercer deal although good, is good for Mercer if he bounces back and continue to develop in 3 years he’ll be looking for a lot more than $8m

  3. Re; NJ

    Very good they signed forward Dawson Mercer to a 3 year contract with a $4 million AAV.

    The 22 yr old is just getting better each year,
    he has not missed a game in 3 season, played al 82 games…
    27 Goals in 2022/23 season and 20 goals last season