NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 4, 2025
The Senators pick up their fifth straight win, the three stars of the week, Wild center Ryan Hartman suspended, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Ottawa Senators collected their fifth straight win by downing the Nashville Predators 5-2. Three unanswered third-period goals by Shane Pinto, David Perron and Ridly Greig carried the Senators (62 points) to victory, opening a three-point lead over the Detroit Red Wings for third in the Atlantic Division. Predators goalie Juuse Saros stopped 34 shots while teammate Filip Forsberg had a goal and an assist.
Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators captain Roman Josi set the franchise record for games played with 957. Senators center Tim Stutzle became the youngest player in franchise history to reach the 300-point milestone (23 years, 19 days) and the third fastest to do so (338 games played), sitting behind Jason Spezza (277 games) and Alexei Yashin (332).
Senators forward Josh Norris missed this game as he’s sidelined for several weeks with a mid-body injury. Predators forward Luke Evangelista didn’t play as he’s listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin, Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson, and Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson are the league’s three stars for the week ending Feb. 2, 2025.
Minnesota Wild center Ryan Hartman received a 10-game suspension from the department of player safety for roughing Senators center Tim Stutzle on Saturday, driving Stutzle’s head into the ice following a faceoff draw.
DAILY FACEOFF: New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal is sidelined indefinitely with a lower-body injury and defenseman Scott Mayfield is day-to-day (lower body).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barzal and Mayfield join injured teammates Noah Dobson, Ryan Pulock, Semyon Varlamov, Mike Reilly, and Marcus Hogberg. Those lengthy absences threaten to derail the Islanders’ efforts to secure a playoff spot.
NHL.COM: Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko is sidelined indefinitely with a broken jaw.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jackets are already missing Sean Monahan, Yegor Chinakhov, Erik Gudbranson and captain Boone Jenner, though the latter is expected to return to the lineup later this month. Marchenko’s absence is a significant blow. The 24-year-old winger is the Jackets’ leading goal scorer (21) and is second in points with 55.
CBS SPORTS: Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichuskin (lower body) was placed on injured reserve.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The White House honored the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers in a ceremony yesterday.
THE TENNESSEAN: Former Nashville Predators forward Martin Erat was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident in Nolensville, Tennessee on Saturday. No injuries were reported during the incident.
Odd to see just the one game scheduled in the NHL last night given the otherwise cramped schedule thanks to the upcoming 4 Nations interlude.
Of course, it had to involve Ottawa, setting up yet another back-to-back, this time with Tampa as the 2nd team – followed 2 nights later by another game in Tampa. At least they can get in some golf on the one day off in between 🙂
Beating Nashville 5-2 (one empty-netter) was no easy task because, somewhat inexplicably and much like Tampa and Columbus, they are as good at home as they are bad on the road … 12-9-3 at home heading into last night’s game and .563 … but 6-17-4 and a pathetic .296 on the road which accounts for their dismal overall season so far despite a roster that includes Forsberg, Marchessault, Stamkos, Josi, O’Reily, Skjei, Saros!
Anyway, from an Ottawa standpoint, good to see Gaudette break his slump with his 16th, and Perron finally score his 1st, adding an assist. He said after the game he felt he HAD to score as even his kids “were chirping” him. I’ve been saying for a while now that he could prove to be a key element on the team down the stretch, playing both a top 6 and a bottom 6 role. No need to try and deal him, as some have suggested.
They now sit 3rd in the Atlantic, just 5 back of Florida for 1st and with a game in hand, while the 2nd place Leafs, 3 behind Florida, have 2 in hand. That is developing into an interesting race, with red-hot Detroit right there in the mix, and Tampa close behind them.
Lyle, when a player like Hartman gets suspended, are they allowed to participate in team meetings and practices still?
Given the 4 Nations schedule, a 10 game suspension puts his return in mid March.
foleyd7: Yes, a player under a lengthy suspension like Hartman’s can practice with his teammates and participate in team meetings starting 10 days from the end of their suspension. They cannot do so when suspended by the team.
Don’t know that, foleyd7, but I do know that the Wild have to play 1 man short on the bench for those 10 games … i..e., they can’t insert a call-up from the AHL … which could prove problematic for the Wild should they run into an injury during any of those games, putting them 2 short on the bench.
That, apparently, is why the Minnesotan coach was so furious with Hartman for that stupid incident with Stutzle.
Hi George
Was watching the discussion on this yesterday.
From what they said, The roster call up you’ve allayed is correct but not the bench numbers.
They are still allowed to dress 18 skaters and 2 goalies; but there would be 2 scratches and 1 suspension (making 23 on roster) instead of the normal 20 dressed and 3 scratches (23 on roster)
So, I guess the guy that does the Locked On Wild podcast had it wrong. Wondered about that. Thanks
8787, check out this article
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6109851/2025/02/03/ryan-hartman-suspension-wild/
which contains the paragraph “Hartman’s cap hit must remain on the books and he has to be part of the 23-player roster, so the Wild won’t have as much flexibility once Marcus Johansson returns from a concussion. Johansson and Jonas Brodin (lower body) rejoined the team for practice Monday in Boston and there’s a good chance they return Tuesday, Hynes said. Once Brodin and Johansson are ruled in, the Wild will have to make a roster move Tuesday. They’d likely put Travis Dermott on waivers to make room or reassign Ben Jones.”
Anyone reading “and he has to be part of the 23-player roster” would be forgiven for automatically assuming that that means they can’t replace him with another body.
Oh, and before I forget, the NHL has GOT to get its “review” act together to make sure there are no more 8 (EIGHT) minute delays in a game while someone in a booth somewhere peers at a film.
That was beyond ridiculous.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/nhl/senators-have-goal-waved-off-after-two-separate-reviews/ar-AA1ymFjR?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=897f1d8a35384d77ae5b2a97e693868b&ei=38
RE; Ottawa…
Sen’s could do with A RD man like a Big Pred’s
Luke Schenn… A Stay at home d/man… 1.3 more years at $2.75 for maybe a 3rd round pick,,,,,❓
maybe the send a prospect back the withere way with goaltender Anton Forsberg $2.75M or some one else…..>
for the next 3 months to make the moneys work….
The othere position they could do with on the 3rd line is an older Big Guy with Leadership…?
like Pred’s Ryan O’Reilly, as the Preds are not making the playoffs..
Moving out David Peronâť“
but the Sen’s would have to make the moneys works as they are tight with Cap space…..$6.75M in Cap Space the need for both Preds…
Luke Schenn & Ryan O’Reilly……
David Peron & Forsberg =$6.75M
The Sen’s may need to move the pick it Up to a 1st round pick instead of a 2nd & 3rd pick To make this deal work….❓🤔
Some of the proposals lately seem to be just because people want to see a trade for excitement’s sake.
The only player I would currently consider trading away for a small asset would be Forsberg.
I see zero reason right now to obtain another defenseman especially one like Schenn. I wouls also rather keep Perron than replace him with O’Reilly. Unnecessary cap constraints for no real upside.
For the first time in ages, I would be fine to stand pat.
One painful thing is… has Ottawa had a total of maybe 5 games with ALL our top centres in the lineup? Seems like we can never stay complete in that area.
I agree theSaint, IMO it’s too early in the process to be adding anything more than a depth guy/bottom 6 that they can get at a reasonable price. Younger guys with term the exception. Home run swings on a rental or mid 30’s guy would be a mistake.
The core of this team, other than Giroux, hasn’t had any playoff experience at all. IMO that really matters. They have tending so could win a RD, maybe even 2 if the stars align, but that would be a great playoff IMO.
And yes, I know how well they have been playing. I’m a guy who has kept repeating on here that the Sens will get in if they stay reasonably healthy, even when there were doubters after a tough stretch.
Let the young guys get some reps in, see how flippin’ hard it is, and prove they can compete again next year. Then get more aggressive.
@Ray Bark – you said it 100%
and I am one of the naysayers that was losing faith… it’s easy when you get used to losing so much… but I have come round.
I want this group to grow together… not keep putting in useless patches.
Williew Andrew Peeke is your guy! 25 yrs old,contract 2.75 one more year! 2-3 rd pick!
Re; Sen’s d
Guys,
The Reason i said this is to many of the Sen’s d Core are injury Prome……..& the 3rd pairing are both Rookiesâť“
injury prone d,… Like Zub, Jennson, Chabot, he can be Very Frigial…?? and Hamonuc but he is like a 7th or 8th D-man
JBD is in his first full year he has played maybe
17 games before this total in his CTD,
Young Tyler Kleven and JBD are Both 1st
Full year’s as Rookie d/menâť“
Luke Schenn… isa big Tough Stay at home d/man would help the 3rd pairing out.
both Zub, Jennson are RD same as Luke Schenn
I know Green explained himself but I still thought that was a silly challenge. Even if it should have been a goal. Saros engaged Batherson with a shove and and in doing so pushed the puck into his own net. Batherson was also trying to back out. But if they already reviewed how do you feel a second look is gonna change their mind.
Additionally the Wilsby break away probably should have gotten Nashville a call. If I’m being impartial, I thought the Sens got away with a ton of missed stuff last night from slashes to holds etc etc. It was a weirdly officiated game that went the Sens way. (finally) But if I was a Preds fan – I’d be pissed.
I wonder if Norris’ injury is a sports hernia. “mid body” says something like that or abductor or something of that ilk
williew, I don’t know why you keep insisting Ottawa needs another “stay-at-home” D. To replace who?
Jensen isn’t out long-term and when he gets back he’s the stay-at-home partner of Chabot. Zub, in that role, works just fine with Sanderson, and the 3rd pairing has Kleven and Hamonic working well together, with the 7th D – able to move anywhere in the grouping – being the undrafted 6′ 3″ 210lb Finn Nikolas Matinpalo, who has turned out to be one of their best prospects judging by his steady play over the 16 games he’s played so far.
Right now, after 53-odd games played, their 142 goals allowed makes them the 3rd best in the Conference, lower than Florida (156), Toronto (150), Carolina (146), Detroit (161), Columbus (176), Tampa (143 – by 1), Boston (175), NYI (151), NYR (160), Montreal (176), Pittsburgh (193), Philadelphia (183), Buffalo (177) — and just 13 back of Washington (129) and 5 back of New Jersey (137).
Also, with back problems one of the more “tricky” injuries, there’s no way they deal Forsberg at this stage, and as I keep saying, Perron is going to be a factor up and down the line-up at wing as we head down the stretch after the 4 Nations break.
With LTIR pooled cap of $1,370,715 from placing Bernard-Docker and Gregor on LTIR, and Cousins sure to follow, combined with the $105,000 in cap space from normal operations, and the $800,000-odd gained by re-assigning one of Highmore and Reinhardt to Belleville, Staios has more than enough to deal for a good bottom 6-type F if he so wishes.
Or they could just leave Sanderson on the ice for half the game George. Man that guy is turning out to be an absolute great all around D Man. And he is only 22.
He is also doing it against elite opposition (2nd most after Zub as a % of TOI), and starting most of his shifts in the D zone.
How he walked the line last night was something. Totally comfortable, head up the whole time. That contract could be the best in the league starting real soon.
He makes it look easy.
Yea, Ray, by his own admission, the start to his season was “spotty” but since that massive 9-game road trip in December he has been playing lights out.
I’m a bit surprised – but thankful – he wasn’t selected for team USA
Methinks Sanderson will get plenty of opportunities to lace them up for the US.
2026 Olympics?
Hey George,
Here are my thoughts…🤔
On the Sen’s d
> Zub gets hurt a lot
> JBD the same, & no playoffs
experience
> Harmonic is a slow d/man
now , A 7 or at best 8th..
> Jenson has also been hurt
quite a bit..
As we know the playoffs get
Tough and Very Very
Physical ever year, it’s an
area we need to shore up on
Re; Sen’s forwards
I think Pred’s Ryan O’Reilly would be a Great Addition to the team….🤔
He adds leadership and a Physical presence that can score…. Have ether one of the 2 Pred’s players ever won a Cup..❓
williew, I’ll grant you the Zub observation. But, despite my early-season criticism of Hamonic, he has turned out to be one of the THE more steadying influences up and down the D pairings. And he’s not as slow as you may think.
re Jensen, over his last 3 seasons with Washington he played 76, 77 and 78 games, missing a total of 15 over 246. This season he has missed 5 out of 53. How is that “injured a lot?”
You Sens fans are missing out on your most coveted asset! Linus Ullmark!Of all of the player transactions you are talking about,he is the key!He has playoff experience and should calm you down! Stop overthinking it!
Well it was looking good for Columbus until the Dallas game so tonight have will not have Monahan, Marchenko, Werenski, and Fabro. Poor us? you betcha
Werenski’s out too?? Holy crap.
Yep here are the lines
LW 10 Dmitri Voronkov
C 19 Adam Fantilli
RW 4 Cole Sillinger
LW 21 James van Riemsdyk
C 65 Luca Del Bel Belluz
RW 91 Kent Johnson
LW 27 Zach Aston-Reese
C 17 Justin Danforth
RW 24 Mathieu Olivier
LW 82 Mikael Pyyhtia
C 7 Sean Kuraly
RW 62 Kevin Labanc
LD 5 Denton Mateychuk
RD 9 Ivan Provorov
LD 2 Jake Christiansen
RD 78 Damon Severson
LD 22 Jordan Harris
RD 3 Jack JohnsonG
90 Elvis Merzlikins (starter)
That will play hard that is a given this year with Coach Dean in charge.
Ya the Jackets keep getting dick punched.
They keep hanging in there too, good for them.
Young Mateychuk is getting some playing time this year, good to see for the ex Moose Jaw Warrior.
He’s only 20 and appears to be holding his own as he is getting decent minutes.
Kid was a gamer and leader of a very good team in Jr.
CLB has a bunch of interesting young guys who are playing hard as you say Fred. Future could be bright if they can keep that culture going.
The National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety has me thinking and asking questions of their actions after their decisions on Ryan Hartman (Minnesota Wild) and Stefan Noesen (New Jersey Devils.)
Hartman will serve a ten-game suspension for roughing Tim Stutzle (Ottawa Senators) to the ice. (The suspension is Hartman’s fifth of his NHL career.)
Noesen did not receive supplemental disciplinary action after intentionally hitting Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres). (Noesen does not appear to have a disciplinary action history in the NHL Thompson did not sustain a concussion. He is day-to-day.)