NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 9, 2024
A multipoint milestone for the Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov, Leafs captain Auston Matthews remains sidelined, the Canucks trade Daniel Sprong, Kings forward Tanner Jeannot suspended, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov scored two goals and collected an assist for his 100th multipoint NHL game as his club downed the Anaheim Ducks 5-2. Marco Rossi and Brock Faber each had two points for the Wild, who’ve won five of their last six games and sit second overall in the Western Conference with 22 points (10-2-2). Ducks forward Robby Fabbri tallied his 100th NHL goal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov leads all NHL scorers with 27 points. Earlier in the day, the Ducks activated goaltender John Gibson (appendectomy) off injured reserve.
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (NHL Images).
The Toronto Maple Leafs got two goals from John Tavares in a 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Mitch Marner had a goal and an assist for the Leafs. Dylan Larkin replied for the Red Wings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs announced before the game that captain Auston Matthews (upper body) was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 3. The earliest he can return to action is Tuesday, Nov. 12. The Red Wings played without goaltender Alex Lyon, who is out day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin scored the go-ahead goal and collected an assist to lead his club over the Washington Capitals 4-2. Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson also had a goal and an assist while goalie Joel Blomqvist got the win with a 32-save performance. Rasmus Sandin and Andrew Mangiapane replied for the Capitals.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin saw his five-game points streak end. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh winger Bryan Rust returned to action after missing five games with an undisclosed ailment. The Penguins also placed forward Cody Glass (undisclosed injury) on IR earlier in the day.
An overtime goal by Jared McCann lifted the Seattle Kraken to a 4-3 upset of the Vegas Golden Knights. Brandon Tanev scored twice for the Kraken as they rallied from an early 2-0 deficit. Golden Knights center Jack Eichel had three assists while teammate Alex Pietrangelo scored the tying goal in the dying minutes of the third period to force the extra frame.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vegas captain Mark Stone was a late scratch with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day. The Golden Knights also played without Nic Hague as he was placed on IR before this game with an undisclosed injury.
HEADLINES
THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken reacquired Daniel Sprong from the Vancouver Canucks on Friday for future considerations. The 27-year-old winger had a goal and two assists in nine games with the Canucks playing on their fourth line. He spent two seasons with the Kraken from 2021 to 2023, including his career-best 2022-23 performance of 21 goals and 46 points in 66 games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sprong signed a one-year, $975K contract with the Canucks during the offseason. The Kraken are bringing him back because of their need for scoring and his familiarity with their organization.
It’s unusual for a club to trade a player to a division rival, even more so when they get nothing in return. The Canucks may have done this to promote promising Jonathan Lekkerimaki into their lineup. The 20-year-old forward was the Canucks first-round pick (15th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. He’s been tearing it up with their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford with seven points in as many games.
LOS ANGELES TIMES: The NHL department of player safety handed down a three-game suspension to Kings forward Tanner Jeannot for an illegal hit to the head of Canucks winger Brock Boeser on Thursday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was no update on Boeser’s condition as of Friday evening.
NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders will induct Brent Sutter into their Hall of Fame. He was a two-time champion with the club in 1982 and 1983 and served as captain from 1987 to 1991.
NHL.COM: Mike Gartner said he is honored to be named the next chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He will take over from Lanny McDonald in June 2025.
Bill Guerin has to feel good about his Wild team this year! Off to a great start behind Kaprizov and the most underrated player in the NHL in Ek!He gets out from the buyout of Parise and Suter to the tune of 15 million next year,so he will have money to add prominent players!
In no way did I think (pre game) that Pens had any chance (tired from game night before and playing on toad against hot Caps) at all last night
Great to see the win.
That said; still in a defensive funk.
Sully needs to sit and/or demote players who refuse to play a full game and/or a 200’ game and/or without a defensive concern
Great cheap move by Kraken acquiring Sprong
Cannucks got Zilch in return
Why couldn’t Dubas have “bettered” that Zilch offer. 7th in ‘27 is better than nothing!
Sprong on Pens definitely would be an improvement in bottom 6
I watched Sprong a lot last year with the wings and he seems like a likable guy with a cannon of a wrist shot. But if the pens are already having issues with players’ defensive ability and/or commitment, as you allude to, Sprong would definitely not be a good pick up. That is presumably the reason he continues to bounce around and get relegating to PP and fourth line duties.
Would be great to see Swayman / Ullmark goalie hug when they come out for warm-up.