NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 25, 2024
The Leafs defeat the Utah Hockey Club, reaction to the Blues hiring Jim Montgomery as their new head coach, an update on the injury status of Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner scored two goals in a 3-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club in Sunday’s only NHL game. William Nylander had a goal and an assist and Joseph Woll made 23 saves for the Leafs, who’ve won seven of their last eight contests. Logan Cooley and Jack McBain replied for Utah, who are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs opened a three-point lead over the Florida Panthers for first place in the Atlantic Division. William and Alex Nylander played together for the first time in their NHL careers in this game, becoming the 13th set of brothers to play for the Leafs and the fifth set to play a game together for the franchise.
Despite several regulars sidelined by injuries (including Auston Matthews), Toronto is playing well. The Maple Leafs captain is dealing with an undisclosed injury but hinted he might return as early as Wednesday against the Panthers.
Marner has stepped up for the Leafs in Matthews’ absence. The much-maligned winger has collected two points in seven of his last eight games (6 goals and 8 assists) since Matthews’ last game on Nov. 3.
ASSOCIATED PRESS: St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said he didn’t anticipate making a coaching change until the Boston Bruins fired coach Jim Montgomery last week. Montgomery signed a five-year contract with the Blues on Sunday.
Montgomery replaced Drew Bannister, who became the club’s full-time head coach in May. Bannister had filled the role on an interim basis after Armstrong fired Craig Berube last December.
“This was more of an opportunity to get someone of Jim’s caliber than anything else,” Armstrong said on a video call with reporters. “When I talked to Drew today I told him this was more of a decision based on the availability of someone I think is a top NHL coach, someone that we have experience with, someone I really do believe can coach this team and also coach the team when it reaches its ultimate level of competitiveness.”
Armstrong and Montgomery have worked together before. The Blues GM hired him as an assistant coach in 2020 until 2022 when he joined the Bruins.
STLTODAY.COM: Matthew DeFranks reports Armstrong now feels that coaching isn’t an issue anymore for the Blues. “If there’s an off-ramp of inexperience, that is no longer there,” he said.
DeFranks also observed Montgomery’s new contract is abnormally long for an NHL coach. Armstrong explained it’s because he believes his new bench boss can help this retooling club now and as it grows. He pointed out how Jon Cooper’s longevity with the Tampa Bay Lightning kept that club competitive for years.
Benjamin Hochman noted this move was a bold cutthroat decision by Armstrong. Hochman acknowledged the injuries that sidelined several key players affected the club’s performance this season under Bannister but also noted that other players didn’t step up.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Armstrong saw an opportunity for an upgrade behind the bench. It didn’t hurt that he had a positive history with Montgomery, giving the Blues GM the inside track. Montgomery also has longstanding ties with St. Louis and maintains his offseason home there.
Armstrong’s remark about coaching no longer being an issue could also be a shot across the bow to his players. It could be a warning that the next changes could be to the roster if the Blues fail to improve under Montgomery.
SPORTSNET: Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov underwent an MRI on Sunday that revealed his lower-body injury was not serious. The team will see how he feels over the next several days.
ROTOBALLER: The Carolina Hurricanes removed Seth Jarvis from injured reserve, making him eligible to join the roster for their game against the Dallas Stars on Monday. Jarvis missed the last seven games with an upper-body injury.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Ottawa Senators place forward Zack MacEwen on waivers.
Boston Bruins owner needs to evaluate both GM Sweeney and President Cam Neely! Their last 3 coaches that they fired Julien,Cassidy and now Montgomery were all Jack Adams coach of the year winners! And just as important,they were all hired within days after their firings in Boston! Leads to the saying someone’s rubbish, maybe another’s treasure!
What exactly has Claude Julien done since being let go by Boston?
Boston didn’t want to fire Cassidy; however, players exit interviews left them with little choice.
Monty, as he said he didn’t need to coach the first year just needed to stand behind the bench.
He also said the Bruins already had a solid defensive system in place and was going to concentrate on more scoring.
Monty also wouldn’t sign a contract extension, he wasn’t committed to the team long term.
Sweeney made the right decision in letting Monty go, it was the right time as the season was quickly fading away.
caper, Julien is, I believe, an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues. At least he was until their latest change … no indication that he, too, has been let go.
Re; Boston
yes time to change up Bostons GM, he is the next guy that should be fired…3 good coaches gone.
Every one knows they need a first line scoring LW…. apart from Sweeny❓
its the same problem as last season, cant score
Boston lost DeBrusk & got Lindhom =even
still need to add a scorer to win….❓
Ww
Who was available as a scoring lw that fits in the cap for Sweeney to pick up
I do not remember any but I am old so refresh my memory. No one could have predicted that every forward on bruins would regress at same time probably same odds as winning lotto. All the coaches he canned had to go Claude voice got stale and lost the room. Cassidy never really had the room (annd who plays kulman in gm 7 over a pissed backes vs his old team ) that just dumb move period, and Monty would not sign and team was sinking like rock. I too would have canned all
Caper so the players are running the show re Cassidy! They bring in a players coach and voila they are happy! Don t you think some of this falls on the roster?
Sr’s point is in the first sentence of his post, Caper. And it’s valid. Unless you and M4bruin believe Sweeney and Co. have done a good job with restocking the roster after Bergeron left. Or, actually before he left, when his injuries forecast his impending retirement.
Just because Jim was signed for five years does not mean he will last that long in St.Louis. Coach”s carousel. Look what St.Louis did to Drew. Look what Boston did to him.
Mrbruin4
Re;Bruins Scoring…
As in most trades its going to have to be a money in and money out trade closest to $1.M range
apart from the bottom 8 teams who have lots of cap space to play with….Lets hope the player are not running the show in boston❗️
they never got over losing both 1st & 2nd line centres there.
3-way trades are now a thing … and giving up 2nd or 3rd pick to a team with lots of cap space to take on 40-50% of a salary
maybe its a d/man like Carlo or a Zadorov and a good prospect & 2nd pick to get what you want
boston need a 1st line LW like Jonathan Marchessault @$5.5M PA… Or MrB4 Who would you go after to fill this position…❓
PS.
Continue to keep Fireing the coach’s is not always the answer, 👀
Next one in boston to get fired should be Sweeny..❓
@Sr
I couldn’t agree more…
Him wanting five years probably had something to do with the Bs letting him go.
Putting MacEwen on waivers isn’t the only adjustment made by the Senators prior to the Calgary game tonight.
Gaudette moves to the top line at RW with Tkachuk and Stutzle, Giroux moves to LW with Norris at C and Batherson at RW, the 3rd line will be Pinto between Greig (LW) and Cousins (RW), and Ostapchuk will C Amadio at LW and Perron at RW.
On D Hamonic moves to the 1st pairing with Sanderson, with Zub out – again – for some unknown reason. Chabot will pair with Bernard-Docker, while Jensen moves to the 3rd pairing with Kleven.
Should only take them about 2 and a half periods to adjust. Jayzuz!
Re Sen’s moves
Like that they are playing Gaudette up the line up at last giving him a shot in the top 6..he has a hot hand
they may have there top 6 RW they have been looking for?
-Gaudette has 8 goals this year on 4&3rd line’s❗️
-Tim Stutzle has 9 goals
-Brady Tkachuk has 10 goals
-Joshua Norris has 8 goals
-Drake Batherson has 8 goals
Pinto, 1 goal & Peron 0 goals, Greig 2 goals have been a Big Disapointment this year so far
the 3rd line Really need’s to turn it around…ASAP
Happy to see they brought back up 21 yr old
Zack Ostapchuk 6.ft3 & 205lb…. he could be there 3rd line centre in a couple of years
hopefully LU turns it around in goal and gets going,
tonight, Calgarys young Rookie goaltender has played fantastic 8-2-1
RD-man Zub out Yet Again ….‼️ he is for sure Very Very Injury prone,
I see Big Rookie d/man Carter Yakemchuk
6ft4 & 210lb playing RD with the Sens next year
and them Trading Zub out,
They would still need a back up RD down on the farm to call up $750,000 to $800,000 guy
williew, re Perron – don’t forget that he missed 11 games due to complication with his newborn child (since resolved, so I understand).
Pinto could be dealt if they don’t soon get it together. Centers are always in demand and his $3,750,000 deal (this season and next before becoming an RFA, combined with his size (6′ 3″ 205 lbs) could make him attractive to somebody. The question is, what do they target in return? A RW? Another top 4 D – preferably a RD?
Re Greig, in his defense Green has been playing him all over the map – C, LW, RW – give him a slot with regular linemates and leave him to Hell alone! And if Pinto is dealt, Greig’s position should be at 3rd line C.
Calling up big (6′ 4″ 212 lb) C Zach Ostapchuk was overdue. Anxious to see how that works out with him between Amadio and Perron on that 4th line.
But while it’s fine to speculate in here who to deal/call up, etc., what we cant lose sight of are the limitations imposed by their cap situation.
Right now they are shown with current cap space of $513,115.
14F account for $51,219,048 off the cap: (Stutzle $8,350,000), Tkachuk ($8,205,714), Norris ($7,950,000), Giroux ($6,500,000), Batherson ($4,975,000), Perron ($4,000,000), Pinto ($3,750,000), Amadio ($2,600,000), Greig ($863,334), Gregor ($850,000), Ostapchuk ($825,000), Cousins ($800,000), Gaudette ($775,000), MacEwen ($775,000)
7D account for $27,521,667 off the cap: Sanderson ($8,050,000), Chabot ($8,000,000), Zub ($4,600,000), Jensen ($4,050,000), Hamonic ($1,100,000), Kleven ($916,667), Bernard-Docker ($805,000).
2G account for $7,750,000 off the cap: Ullmark ($5,000,000), Forsberg ($2,750,000).
They currently lose $375,000 off the cap through buyouts/retained, for a total cap expenditure of $86,865,715. If MacEwen is claimed or if he isn’t he goes to Belleville, his $775,000 brings their cap space to $1,288,115. If Pinto is dealt, his $3,750,000 added to that give them $5,038,115 to accommodate whoever comes back. If it’s a D, then one of the existing D would need to go. I doubt they could easily deal Zub and his frequent IR visits even though that would be the best approach if the D coming back was a RD. Moving Hamonic and his $1,100,000 cap hit would at least bring that reserve up to $6,138,115.
But that’s a lot of convoluted, find the right trade trade partner actions, which leads me to believe they have decided to push ahead with the current roster and hope for the best, and if they fail again they have a whole off-season to try and get it right. Not encouraging.
George I still say that Ottawa`s next move should be behind the bench, even more so after watching the Leafs/HC game. Berube introduced a team first plan and it`s done wonders. It`s not exciting hockey like last year under Keefe, where no lead was save. But, if you like winning, it works. Ottawa just kaos in their own end. The talent is there to be a playoff team. With all of Toronto`s injuries they`re 7-1 and if you`ve watched them at all. The difference between Ottawa and Toronto is the guy behind the bench
Certainly not disagreeing with that observation, Yogi.
George,
Im hoping Pinto turns it around, if not and they dont improve they will pick top 10….
I think they need a bit of a shake up they could have about $17-$19M in cap space next year after the draft…🤔
Or
They trade Pinto for a 2nd pairing RD, if they have to, then they could also move Zub out This guy hurt way to much.
All bottom 1-10 teams could use a Pinto,
CBJ,
Ducks,
Preds,
Flames
they will also have
Rookie d/man RD Carter Yakemchuk up next year👍
They could also do with a Good RW…maybe thats where they trade out Zub for…an other top 7-8 pick…❓or a Good top 6 RW….
They can’t move Zub out now, williew … he’s out long-term. Again.
Why isn t there more of a GM carousel? Sweeney in Boston since 2015! 3 GM S in business longer,Winnepeg,St.Louis,And Dallas! Not counting Lamoriello a dinosaur in the business!
George,
lots of Teams looking for a top 4 RD
maybe they keep him for one more year…?
Flames young Rookie goaltender Wolf this kid is Very Good 8-2-1 in his last 11 starts❗️👀
@Caper
Do you think Sweeney and Neely are an ideal “fit” in Boston ?!?!?
Ken
Both have a long Bruin history and their tenures though with a few bumps along the way is one of the top nhl teams in win % rarely missing the playoffs and always competing Even though they gave trade picks most seasons most teams wish they have same resume. The same fans calling his signings a disaster would be the same fans saying why didn’t he sign them if they went elsewhere Some see the glass 1/2 empty others see it 1s/2 full
Agree MB4, it is hard to argue with Sweeney’s success since he was hired.
Some questionable decisions, but the good has outweighed the bad considerably. It seems that folks think it is way easier to add quality players on good contracts than it actually is.
Unfortunately for Monty, and all NHL coaches on teams that expect to have success, you are the first shoe to drop when that doesn’t happen. He is a good coach, and got hired right away. Good for him.
Bottom line is the B’s record is mediocre, but even more importantly, their record is actually better than they have played, and they are fortunate they aren’t closer to the bottom than they are.
They have started to button it up defensively last couple games, which is exactly how they need to play to have success. This team will not be near the top of the league in goals for. Hopefully they can get above average in GF and keep them out of their own net.
I suppose there is some validity to a string of making the playoffs equalling a measure of success.
But surely once a team can make the playoffs their record over a few straight years indicates where they are trending, M4bruin.
If you look at the past 10 years the Bruins made the final once. In the last 5 years they have won one round three times, and 0 rounds twice. This a kiss to build a dream on?
I have my own issues with the Habs drowning themselves in the kiddie end of the pool, so glass houses and all that.
But even Ray Bark, one of the most balanced posters here, seem to be looking at the team with rose coloured glasses. Not my problem, but come on B fans. The water in the bow is not condensation.
Lj
I was talking win %. Not cups. You have to have health and luck luck to win the cup regardless of how good you are. Bruins should have win in 2019 and probably in 22 as well coupke cas coach calls in each and a little banged up in 2019
Hey LJ, not sure looking at the B’s with rose colored glasses. But I will say they have been exceeding my expectations for a few years now. How’s that for a better explanation?
I was predicting the B’s demise since their old core of Chara, Bergeron, Krecji, Rask started to age out of their prime years. 2019 surprised me, and I thought it was their last hurrah. Their 135 pts in 22/23 shocked me. As did their 1st rd exit after I became a believer, but we have since learned that FLA is an excellent team. Their 109 pts and winning a round last year was a pleasant surprise. But they got dominated by the Panthers again.
I know what the B’s are, and they are not a true “contender” for the cup. But I thought they would be a playoff team.
They still might be, I sure as heck haven’t given up on them. They have played more games than most, but as far as PTS % goes, they are 9th in the east. And they have not played to their capabilities. Not out of it by any means.
I never thought the B’s would contend for a cup, but could they get into playoffs, get a hot tender and win a round or 2? Absolutely.
And yes that is success IMO. Beats tearing it down and starting over, which is exactly what B’s ownership and Sweeney are attempting to do. Give another go until it becomes obvious you can’t anymore.
Maybe they fire him then, but he has done what any reasonable fan should think was achievable. He isn’t Superman, he is a GM of a hockey team that tries to compete every year.
Before the season began I said that I think the Bruins would be out of the playoffs and that the Sens might replace them.
Montgomery isn’t/wasn’t the problem, front office decisions are. They mucked up the goalie situation, they made questionable high priced signings like Lindholm and Zadorov and let DeBrusk walk for nothing,
This team had a platoon goalie system that covered a lot of weaknesses and the poor decisions just exposed them.
Habfan
I Would disagree… they got rid of the correct goalie the problem is they have is for some reason they lost the system they were always playing. All forwards have been trending down which leads to more squeezing the stick and second guessing your game passing when you should shoot and visa versa. I still think they make playoffs as they won’t continue to be this bad. Swayman holdout has put him behind and he still has yet to find his game Korpi has been playing well and should see more starts because of it I also think bruins should move ufa players like Frederick at deadline if return is worthy Time will tell. But as a betting man Bruins will make dance unless a long term injury to Pasta Or Marchand
Habfan
I Would disagree… they got rid of the correct goalie the problem is they have is for some reason they lost the system they were always playing. All forwards have been trending down which leads to more squeezing the stick and second guessing your game passing when you should shoot and visa versa. I still think they make playoffs as they won’t continue to be this bad. Swayman holdout has put him behind and he still has yet to find his game Korpi has been playing well and should see more starts because of it I also think bruins should move ufa players like Frederick at deadline if return is worthy Time will tell. But as a betting man Bruins will make dance unless a long term injury to Pasta Or Marchand. Debrusk not game changer and is muddling along in Vancouver just like he did in Boston
Bannister a very short tenure as coach… wondering if Travis Green beats that…
If he gets dumped again, I doubt he’ll ever get another crack at an NHL job.
I agree. I was not a fan of the hiring, but I was hoping he would ignite something different in this club. So far they are playing like they did under DJ.
It’s getting close to the day of saying maybe this build just didn’t work and it’s time to make more changes…?
At this point of the year, firing Green for the sake of it isn`t going to change anything long term. Unless someone is available that fits Ottawa`s needs. Gallant maybe, dare I say Quennville (wouldn`t be my choice), somebody with a strong personality/teacher history. Would Bell be a candidate, don`t know anything about him
Since so many people here have so many thoughts regarding him, how about that Mitchy!?!
I guess if the armchair GMs here got their way, the Leafs would still be fine or better because of moving him out right?
It goes to show you, you can’t win without good or really good players.
He is playing very well, Ron. Sometimes players elevate their game when a star is out of the line up. Malkin used to do that when Sid was out.
But surely the Leafs much improved defensive play is at least as much a factor. Early, but shows promise for the playoffs.
Ron in the last 8 games, 7-1, the best player for those games has been Tavares. Marner`s played well, but he`s one of the reasons, but not the reason for that record. You might of noticed that Utah was putting pressure in the Toronto end. It was Tavares that won the draw, got control and fired a perfect pass to Marner. Where was Marner, floating at centre. Not the ideal place when your team is under pressure in their own end. Sometimes it`s good to spread the credit around to all those that deserve it. Marner`s a gifted player, but he`s not the straw that`s stirring the drink
Yogi I can see we do see things quite differently. Your not wrong about the credit is due throughout the line up including Nylander but I can clearly see your perspective of Marner’s breakaway goal is really off from mine and anyone else Ive discussed this with. Congrats because I’ve never heard a seilke nominated player also be referred as a floater.
Yogi are you a “leafs fan”? I’m just curious.
George O, since this is a Boston / Ottawa monopoly,how about a trade between the two?
Hockey trades are rare but both have pieces that would make each other better no doubt
Well, if they’re both going to go down the trade road why not if it can be a win-win type where each shores up a specific area of need and the cap fits..
But one thing I never get into is a specific player for a specific player. That’s for fantasy leagues. The GMs have a much better handle on who and what works best for their team.
Where Ottawa is concerned, I doubt Staios is looking for projects or picks at this stage.
@MrBruins4
Your previous response to me
I am an avid follower of the draft
As per your defense of Sweeney
I just remember the 2015 NHL draft where Boston had 3 picks in a row in the 1st round and drafted away off the board
13 . Jakub Zabori ??? – where is he
14. Jakob Debrusk – We know him
15. Zach Senyzhyn ??? – Who is that
Sweeney did a great job obtaining these picks ..
1. Trading Dougie Hamilton to Calgary for a 1st and 2 second round picks
2. Moving Lucic out to LA for a 1st rounder
Konechny- Phillie Connor – Winnipeg , Chabot – Ottawa are just a few examples still available in this draft
And there it is, the inevitable 2015 draft when discussing Sweeney. Does he own it, of course he does, he was GM.
But, the GM doesn’t spend all year in the amateur rinks watching these guys. Some of the players get watched for multiple years. That is their amateur scouts, that report up to the director of amateur scouting, who compile their lists and ranking of prospects. The Director of Amateur Scouting was Keith Gretzky at that time. Who actually has a decent record in the draft.
The GM can then decide to go with what his scouts tell him, or choose to override them. I would bet my truck that Sweeney didn’t override his scouting department to take Senyshyn. I would set the over under on the times Sweeney saw Senyshyn play at 1 or 2. Best guess might be zero.
Also Sweeney was promoted to GM of the Bruins in May of 2015. The Draft was the following month in June.
Zboril was the selected at where the consensus was. Debrusk a bit of a stretch, Senyshyn a reach and the hardest one to understand.
Sweeney’s draft record after that is fine, not many picks as were trying to win, but solid record.
Ray
It was Sweeney take over as Gm. Their direction was pretty much set and he was apart of it for sure but he I am pretty sure relied on the current teams scouts as here to go with who
Ken as for Zaboril he was picked where he was picked to go the only flub was Zack and it is obvious someone or many said he was sleeper pick. Sometimes you have to swing oyutside the normal selection s. I am ok with it as he had 3 that year He just whiffed
Not many picks because I believe there is a mandate from ownership to make the playoffs and play as many games as you can for financial reasons! So you trade draft picks to bolster the lineup and go as deep as you can!
Just reading the comments re the Bruins, I’ll breathe easier once Boston is officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Until then, spare me the drama.
You will probably be waiting for a while IMHO
LOL. Don’t think you need to worry about that anymore, BCLeafFan. Toronto LOOKS very different in their game to game approach and are clearly buying into Berube’s system.
Marner is a different player now that everyone else on the ice isn’t constantly looking to constantly set up Matthews during his absence. Tavares seems to be rejuvenated and Nylander is a constant threat out there.
And the goalie tandem is not letting in softies at crucial times.
A VERY different looking team. Which makes you wonder if any among management are starting to calculate the advantages of dealing Matthews.
Jayzus. Just noticed the multiple variations of “constant” in the above post. It ain’t like “the” … gotta start reading what I write twice before hitting :submit comment.” LOL
Took the words right out of my mouth George