NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 13, 2025
Canada defeats Sweden in the opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off, the World Cup of Hockey will return in 2028, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
CANADA BEATS SWEDEN TO OPEN THE 4 NATIONS FACE-OFF
NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Mitch Marner lifted Canada to a 4-3 victory over Sweden in the opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Sidney Crosby collected three assists, including the set-up for Marner’s winning goal during the 3-on-3 overtime period before a sellout crowd of 21, 105 fans.
Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby (NHL.com).
Canada took a 2-0 first-period lead on goals by Nathan MacKinnon and Brad Marchand. Jonas Brodin got Sweden on the board in the second but Mark Stone restored Canada’s two-goal lead.
The Swedes rallied in the third period on goals by Adrian Kempe and Joel Eriksson Ek.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby’s three-point performance earned him “Player of the Game” honors. He joined Mario Lemieux and Bobby Hull as the only players from any country in an NHL international tournament to record a multipoint game at age 37 or older.
SPORTSNET: Canada’s defense corps received a blow as blueliner Shea Theodore suffered an upper-body injury following a clean hit along the boards from Kempe early in the second period. He’s been sidelined for the tournament.
Elliotte Friedman reports Travis Sanheim will replace Theodore for Saturday’s game against the United States. Canada will be allowed to put a defenseman or two “on notice” in case another blueliner suffers an injury. That player would join their lineup when the tournament shifts to Boston.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sanheim and center Sam Bennett were healthy scratches against Sweden.
HEADLINES
NHL.COM: The NHL and NHL Players’ Association announced the World Cup of Hockey will return in February 2028. The last World Cup was held in 2016. Games are expected to be played in North America and Europe with at least eight teams and is expected to include only teams from individual countries.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No Team North America of 23-and-young stars or Team Europe made up of stars from small European nations. That’s a shame, those teams helped make the 2016 World Cup more enjoyable.
RG.ORG: Jim Biringer reports New York Islanders center Brock Nelson considers his participation with Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off as a mental break where he can focus on the tournament.
The 33-year-old center is the subject of increasing speculation over his future with the Islanders. Unless he signs a contract extension, he will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, prompting conjecture suggesting he could be traded if he remains unsigned by the March 7 trade deadline.
Nelson is leaving that to his agent and Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello. He believes everything will work itself out, praising Lamoriello while stressing there’s plenty of time to get a deal done. He wants to do what’s best for himself and his family but also understands the Islanders’ legacy and what it would mean to finish his career with them.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some pundits believe Nelson has been evasive or seems reluctant to sign an extension. Biringer thinks neither Nelson nor the Islanders want his time on Long Island to end just yet. With the trade deadline on the horizon, we won’t have to wait long to find out.
NEW YORK POST: Team USA has a stall for the late Johnny Gaudreau’s uniform. The Columbus Blue Jackets star and his brother Matthew were killed by an alleged drunk driver last August.
“Everybody knows Johnny would be here right now,” said Team USA forward Vincent Trocheck. “Everyone loved him. It’s nice to have a piece of him here. We know he’s here with us in spirit. Just trying to honor him as best we can.”
Team USA also invited Gaudreau’s father, Guy, to participate in their Thursday practice session.
DAILY FACEOFF: Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine hopes the 4 Nations Face-Off will provide an opportunity to get his season back on track. The 26-year-old is part of Finland’s lineup. Laine started strong when he returned from injury in December with 12 goals and 18 points in 20 games but was held scoreless in his last eight games.
THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kraken captain Jordan Eberle was assigned to their AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley on a conditioning stint. The 34-year-old winger has been sidelined since Nov. 14 with a pelvis injury. Eberle recently resumed practicing with the Kraken before the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Islanders winger Anthony Duclair’s charitable foundation opened what is believed to be the first public synthetic ice rink in Florida on Wednesday. The city of Lauderdale Lakes declared Wednesday as “Anthony Duclair Day”.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Duclair started the project during his tenure with the Florida Panthers. He now makes his home at Lauderdale Lakes.
THE ATHLETIC: Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Cayden Lindstrom could miss the remainder of this season. He’s recovering from back surgery in November and skated for the first time last week at Columbus’ Nationwide Arena.
Lindstrom was chosen fourth overall by the Blue Jackets in last year’s draft. Multiple sources confirm several college programs, including Ohio State, have spoken to him about moving from the WHL to college hockey. That would mean less wear and tear for Lindstrom, allowing for more practice and workout time for his recovery.
A year ago around this exact same stage of the season, Theodore returned to action after a 3-month absence following surgery to deal with “an upper body injury.”
If what happened to what looked like his forearm or wrist last night is an aggravation of that injury, that’s a huge blow to Vegas.
GeorgeO, you might have the answer to this,is there a limit to how many players you can have on LTIR? Vegas just put Karlsson on it last week! Looks like Theodore might be headed that way?
As far as I’m aware, Sr, there is not limit as to how many players one team can place on LTIR.
Toronto`s had 5 LTIR at one time along with Minten being out from before preseason this year. So it`s unlikely there`s a limit put on it. Plus an NHL team is required to ice 20 players for a game. You can find all the conditions for usage of the LTIR and how it affects the cap, but not site lists any limits on how many players can be on it at one time
Montreal residents … are you getting hit with the same storm we’re getting right now in Ottawa – complete with drifting?
And there’s an even bigger one coming Saturday/Sunday … that could affect games in Montreal.
I think it’s a good thing that there will be no Team North America or Team Europe at the next World Cup. It did provide some extra energy but it made the whole tournament seem sort of gimmicky.
For Lyle: And everybody else. Karlsson was really good yesterday, could this impact his trade value and interest ahead of trade deadline?
Maybe, but it’s just one game in an international tournament. And don’t forget, he’s still got that burdensome contract.
He did look good Kent Nilsson. He can definitely still skate. But Lyle’s right, that contract is a big roadblock to a deal.
That was a high energy, fast and intense hockey game last night. Very entertaining. Canada won, but Sweden showed up, especially after the initial 10 minute adrenaline rush from Canada. The Swedes could have won that game, and will not go away easy. Glad we got it over with and a win.
Binnington not great on a couple. Not necessarily softies, but hope for better going forward. Cooper gonna make a change? I don’t think he will, but I would. I guess that’s why he gets the big bucks.
I didn’t think Marchand deserved to be there based on his play this year, but he looked good. I guess the B’s need a C like Point…..
It is possible to have 3 teams finish at 2-1, if one of them goes 0-3 (Finland?). No idea what the tie break rules are, but not winning in regulation after having a 2 goal lead could bite Canada.
Hate the Habs, but Montreal knows how to host a big game/evening. They did it right. Crowd seemed really into it too.
I don’t know about “really good”. He can’t turn to the right and was backed in by Crosby’s maneuver to Marner on the OT goal. Looked like the shot might have gone off him too.
There might be teams who take a flyer on him if the Pens hold back salary. The only team (long shot) to take him full salary and the Pens might have to pay to do so is Ottawa. The Sens “culture” (I hate how that word is thrown around in sports) May not allow for a return of Karlsson. I doubt the other Swedes surrounding this team push for it either. (alfie, ullmark, forsberg). He’s just such a giant personality and a his puck possession skills aren’t what they used to be. So you’re getting an older slower Sanderson, who can’t defend. Who is he replacing?
That was my thought, exactly. A Strong Four Nations for Karlsson bolsters his trade value. However, and there is always the obligatory “however”, he has to have interest to go to a team that might want him. And, as mentioned, there’s that contract CAP hit. But stranger things have happened…
I thought the Swedes looked more cohesive as a team, which allowed them to get back into the game, while individually Canada was better 3 on 3. That’s what made the difference.
Canada’s 3/4 lines have got to step up. The team didn’t get much from them. Perhaps it is because they are used to being the go to guys on their team and aren’t used to the reduced ice time. Whatever it is, they need to raise their game.
That first goal from Canada… particularly the assist from Sid was absolutely filthy. What a smooth and beautiful play. Wow.
Terrific opening game wow.. Canada Sweden both played well.
Pre game the Bell Center was so loud and the when Mario Lemieux came out it went to a whole different level of noise
Captain Canada Sidney Crosby three assists shows why when he is done he will be in the top 5 of all time…he just has it ! The Clutch Gene.
Both Goaltenders had some clutch saves especially in OT..
Watching that game made me think this is just for fun and would love to hear you guys thoughts
Watching the greats last night
If you were a Gm and you had to pick one group of 4 of these team icons together to start a franchise knowing what we know about them now but for this they all are 21, 22, 23 !!
Which 4 would you take to start your franchise…can’t go wrong really
Joe Sackic
Peter Forberg
Nathan McKinnon
Cale Makar
Wayne Gretzky
Mark Messier
Connor Mc David
Leon Draistal
Mario Lemieux
Sidney Crosby
Jaromir Jagr
Evgeni Malkin
Steve Yzerman
Segei Federov
Nick Lidstrom
Gordie Howe
Which four would you pick (if they were all in there 20’s to start your franchise?
Looking forward to watch team USA tonight..
No brainer
Wayne Gretzky
Mark Messier
Connor Mc David
Leon Draistal
I probably go Oiler group as well. 2 likely top 6 players of all time with McDavid (if he keeps going) and Gretzky, the next 2 are great 2.
Pens have 2 guys too with Crosby and Lemieux, it’s the next 2 that aren’t quite there with the Oil IMO.
Here is who I have for the B’s:
Orr
Bourque
Esposito
Bergeron
Not bad either.
Dryden
Robinson
Savard
Lafleur
I hope the 4 nations winner comes down to goaltending! If so USA has a decided advantage!
Any of the goalies in that tourny has the ability to steal a game, so nobody really has an advantage
Agreed.
I gotta disagree boys. Yes, any goalie in the tourney can steal a game, and I have argued consistently that it is the most volatile position in the NHL. And a short tourney, so higher likely hood of volatility in a small sample.
But it seems pretty obvious that Hellebuyck has stolen way more this year, and in his career for that matter than anybody else in it. Same is true for playing at a consistently high level.
Is it a 100%? Of course not, nothing is in sports. But it is more likely, so I don’t understand how it isn’t an advantage to have Helley vs Binnington as your starter.
That’s like saying having McDaivid or Crosby isn’t an advantage as your #1 C over having Zibanejad. Zib could outscore McDavid in the Tourney but not as likely as reverse.
Yogi,last nights game proved to me if that s Canada s boy and Sweedens playing all the games,they better outscore teams!
Ray you can`t compare centres and goalies, that`s apples and oranges. Binnington and Hill have both won stanley cups. Hellebuyck has problems getting into the 2nd round. In a 7 game series I`d lean towards Hellebuyck, but he has no advantage in a single game, none
Very true – last season he won the Vezina based upon his excellent, eye-popping season – then in an opening playoff round won by Colorado in 5 games, there wasn’t one game where the Avalanche scored less than 5 – in fact, 5 twice and 6 3 times.
I run the risk here of “trolling” again … but facts are facts. A 5.60 gaa in 5 playoff games is also eye-popping.
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So, simply to say, goalies – no matter who they are – can get hot for a game – or a series – or, conversely, frigidly cold for a game – or a series.
Yogi, just so I am not misunderstanding what you’re saying:
So if you could swap out Binnington for Hellebuyck for a single game, you wouldn’t do it?
If there is no advantage I assume you wouldn’t, as why bother.
At the risk of seeming argumentative, both tenders have had good and bad years in the playoffs. You guys made me check. Yes Binnington won a cup, but it was 5 years ago.
Their career playoff SV% is an identical .910.
Helley is the more consistently good tender, which is obvious. Hot right now.
How that isn’t an advantage, I dunno. Agree to disagree I guess.
Now watch Helley stink tonight! Which I am actually rooting for.
Some close to the scene might disagree, Ray
https://www.thecarillon.com/local/2024/05/11/as-i-see-it-column-what-the-hellebuyck-connor-gives-breathtaking-analysis-of-his-playoff-performance
Ray, I said that every goalie in this tournament has the ability to steal a game and no team has a clear cut advantage. You`re trying to turn this into who`s your favorite goalie argument. Every goalie in this tournament has the ability to steal a game
If he moves to ncaa does he have the option to go ufa after his senior year?