NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 27, 2024
Recapping Thursday’s preseason action, Sabres name their new captain, an update on Drew Doughty’s injury, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
2024-25 NHL PRESEASON RECAP – SEPTEMBER 26
NHL.COM: Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov scored his first preseason goal and collected an assist as his club blanked the New York Islanders 2-0. Samuel Ersson turned in a 37-save shutout for the Flyers.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).
The Toronto Maple Leafs nipped the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 with Nick Robertson tallying the winning goal. Leafs forward William Nylander left the game for precautionary reasons after suffering an upper-body injury in the first period.
New York Rangers forwards Chris Kreider and Brennan Othman each had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 victory over the Boston Bruins.
An overtime goal by Noah Ostlund lifted the Buffalo Sabres over the Ottawa Senators 3-2. Goaltender Linus Ullmark made his preseason debut with the Senators, turning aside 28 shots before being replaced in the second period by Dustin Tokarski.
The San Jose Sharks beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 on an overtime goal by Luca Cagnoni. Klim Kostin had a goal and an assist for the Sharks while Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson tallied for the Ducks.
HEADLINES
BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: The Sabres announced defenseman Rasmus Dahlin as their new team captain. Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens, Mattias Samuelsson, and Tage Thompson were named alternate captains.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dahlin, 24, steadily developed into a leader with the Sabres on and off the ice over the past several seasons. He was the obvious choice for team captain.
THE ATHLETIC: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty suffered a serious leg injury during Wednesday’s preseason game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Early reports indicate an X-ray after the game showed an ankle fracture. Further imaging, including a CT scan, will be done to rule out any further damage.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This will be a big blow to the Kings’ defense corps. Doughty’s been a constant, reliable presence on their blueline for years. He will be difficult to replace if he’s out for a significant period.
DAILY FACEOFF: Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson will be sidelined for three to six weeks following an emergency appendectomy on Thursday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lukas Dostal will take over the starter’s job while Gibson is sidelined.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Golden Knights center William Karlsson has been sidelined since Sunday for injury-related maintenance.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The NHL Players’ Association has filed a grievance against the Philadelphia Flyers on behalf of Ryan Johansen. They’re contesting the Flyers terminating Johansen’s contract citing a “material breach” regarding his progress in treating an injury.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report suggests this could end in a settlement between the team, the player and the NHLPA. Stay tuned.
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Speaking of the Flyers, their standoff with goaltender Alexei Kolosov is reportedly over. His agent indicates his client will report to training camp and could get in some preseason games. He could play with their AHL affiliate and a loan back to the KHL is possible.
SPORTSNET: The Winnipeg Jets revealed defenseman Ville Heinola underwent surgery to remove a pin in his ankle, which he had surgically repaired last fall. The timeline for his return is uncertain but could be at least four weeks.
Defenseman Logan Stanley is listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed ailment. Blueliner Dylan Samberg skipped Thursday’s practice for a maintenance day.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks signed goaltender Aaron Dell to a one-year, AHL contract.
Small wonder the crowd was sparse last night in Ottawa, The main Buffalo team was already in Germany with coach Lindy Ruff preparing for their season opener on October 4 against New Jersey. The group that played in Ottawa, relieved from the requirement that they dress at least 4 regulars, was a total collection of minor league players, while the Senators went with the minimum, dressing only Gregor, MacEwen, Pinto and Ullmark – in his first game.
He certainly got his work in, facing 29 shots before giving way to p.t.o Tokarski. As for the game itself, Buffalo tied it with the net empty and then won it in OT. Most of the participants on both sides will soon be off to their AHL affiliates, having given the coaches one last good look.
Promising first game for Ullmark in OTT.
I get AHL shooters, but stopping 28 of 29 in 2 periods, means he was on his game.
He was … and looked like he was having fun doing it. He knew the line-up situations and seemed to be talking it up with the D in front of him, including D Donovan Sebrango who screened him on the first Buffalo goal.
He is a good tender George, OTT fans will appreciate him if he plays the way he always has in the past. By all accounts a great guy and great team mate too.
Might calm down the boys playing in front of him too when they know he is back there. Which helps them play better in their own end.
He won’t be pointing fingers when there is a mistake. Just bailing them out instead. Gotta luv a guy like that.
was pretty much friends and family in the crowd too..I had no less than three people offer my free tickets. I’m already a season ticket holder and had gotten rid of all my pre season crappola
20,000 fans were at Centre Bell to watch mish mash teams as is usually the case, I’m guessing the same in Toronto last night.
Chrisytian Dvorak is showing that he intends to make it really haed for Kapanen or Beck to make the team. He made good plays all night against basically afull TML roster.
It’s going to be an interesting camp and year.
Well, it certainly helps when you have 4 and 5 times the population base upon which to draw to find fans willing to sit through glorified AHL games.
Fans who take this opportunity because they will not be able to attend any in the regular season because of cost and availability.
hf30,
My take away from last night is, with health prevailing throughout the season, that Laval should have a relatively strong, yet young team with Dobes between the pipes, Engstrom, Reinbacher, Trudeau & possibly Struble or Mailloux in front of him & kids like Beck, Tuch, Heineman, Simoneau, Perreault, Xhekaj & Mesar. up front all playing to impress for next seasons Habs team.
Tuch in particular stood out to me last night with his powerful skating, physicality & willingness to get his nose in the dirty areas & push back when challenged.
Engstrom made a few mistakes, but he too stood out to me. A year or two in Laval & he too will be ready for a top four role in the NHL in my opinion.
Let me emphasize, “At This Point” the Habs not too distance future looks relatively bright. Internal competition will play a huge role in building towards the future.
If I were Ryan Evans, I would be worried about starting this season in Montreal.
Uwey,
I think you meant Jake Evans, and he will start since he has a good contract, plays every pshift like it’s his last one, most toi on pk and defensive zone face-offs, he’s a coach’s dream.
Tuch is a big body, mucks it up bot his skating isn’t NHL level, he needs a big improvement in my mind.
Engstrom looked good but is at a disadvantage in the he never played on North American ice so he has a lot to get used to which accounts for his mistakes.
The team in general looks good and the kids you mentioned will be coached in Laval by aN NHL ready guy who doesn’t need to prove his ability to win, it’s his ability to develop and get the players into MSL method and system.
In other words I pretty much agree with your outlook.
I am hoping that someone went after Domi after his awful cross check to the face of Lane Hutson!Did any of the Habs stick up for him?
https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/max_domi_obliterates_lane_hutson_with_a_crosscheck_to_the_face/s1_17449_40960137
What a dumb comment, Sr
That’s a little harsh, Ron. What’s so dumb about it?
One day Domi will be straightened out just like his old man was when he made the mistake of going after McGrattan. He was never the same after that.
Shame on them if there was not a response!This kid is going to be hunted all year with that team!
Didn’t see who was on the ice with him at the time, but I rather suspect if either or both Arber Xhekaj or Gallagher had been out there he would have had someone in his face.
He’s careful when picking his spots to be vicious.
So it’s either the Leafs are soft or they are dirty hitters. Which one guys? We need to settle this before the new season starts so we can hate the right thing about them.
Ah, understood, thanks!
Shame on the entire bench! They had at least 15-17 other skaters! What were they hiding?Perfect time foraplayer fighting to make the team and endear himself to his teammates George O!