NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 11, 2025
Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon reaches a notable milestone, Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad receives a 20-game suspension, plus the latest on Brad Marchand, Mikko Rantanen, and Jonathan Toews in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon collected two assists to become the 100th player in league history to reach the 1,000-point milestone in a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Artturi Lehkonen, Martin Necas and Joel Kiviranta scored for the Avalanche, who sit third in the Central Division with 80 points. Spencer Knight made 18 saves in his first loss since joining the Blackhawks earlier this month.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon is the third player in franchise history to reach 1,000 points, joining Joe Sakic (1,641) and Peter Stastny (1,048). He extended his home points streak to 20 games and was named the NHL’s first star for the week ending March 9. Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos was the second star and Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson the third star.
The Ottawa Senators nipped the Detroit Red Wings 2-1. Linus Ullmark kicked out 48 shots, including 27 in the second period. Dylan Cozens scored the game-winner and David Perron also tallied for the Senators. Dylan Larkin replied for the Red Wings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cozens’ goal was his first with the Senators since they acquired him from Buffalo at the trade deadline. The win vaulted the Senators (71 points) one point over the Columbus Blue Jackets into the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot. With 66 points, the Red Wings are four points behind the Blue Jackets for the final Eastern wild card.
Shootout goals by Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner lifted the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 4-3 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. The Leafs opened a 3-0 lead on goals by William Nylander, Calle Jarnkrok and Simon Benoit but Utah got goals from Michael Carcone, Nick Schmaltz and Barrett Hayton to tie the game. The Leafs are second in the Atlantic Division with 81 points, while Utah (67 points) is three points behind the Calgary Flames for the final Western Conference wild-card berth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Utah defenseman Juuso Valimaki will be sidelined for 8-9 months following surgery to repair a torn ACL.
Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson scored two goals in a 3-2 upset of the Edmonton Oilers, ending a six-game losing skid. Alex Tuch netted his 25th goal of the season for the Sabres. Darnell Nurse and Evan Bouchard scored for the Oilers, who sit second in the Pacific Division with 78 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres winger Jason Zucker returned to action after missing six games with a lower-body ailment.
HEADLINES
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The NHL suspended Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad for 20 games without pay for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA performance-enhancing substances program. He will miss the remaining 18 regular-season games in the Panthers’ schedule and the first two games of the playoffs.
Ekblad released a statement expressing surprise that he failed a drug test. “Ultimately, I made a mistake by taking something to help me recover from recent injuries without first checking with proper medical and team personnel.” He accepted responsibility and apologized to his teammates, the club, and their fans for letting them down.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report also indicated Ekblad will be referred to the NHL/NHLPA program for substance abuse and behavioral health for evaluation and possible treatment.
Brad Marchand met with the media for the first time as a member of the Florida Panthers. He expressed his sadness and disappointment over the trade from the Boston Bruins on Friday and his gratitude over joining a competitive team like the Panthers, indicating they were the club he wanted to join when asked for trade destinations from Bruins management.
Marchand said he held no resentment toward the Bruins over the trade, saying he had “an incredible run in that organization” and was “extremely proud” of his legacy there.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand continues to rehab from an upper-body injury and remains sidelined week-to-week. He’s expected to return before the end of the regular season.
THE SCORE: Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour suggested his club should’ve confirmed that they could’ve signed Mikko Rantanen before acquiring him from the Colorado Avalanche in January.
Brind’Amour said Rantanen informed them that the Hurricanes weren’t among the four teams he wanted to sign with. The 28-year-old winger was shipped to the Dallas Stars, signing an eight-year contract extension as part of the deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes traded Martin Necas, Jack Drury and two draft picks to acquire Rantanen. They received rookie forward Logan Stankoven, two first-round picks and two third-rounders from the Stars. That return should help them in the long term but doesn’t move them closer to the Stanley Cup this season, which was the point of acquiring Rantanen in the first place.
SPORTSNET: Jonathan Toews hopes to return to the NHL next season, but it won’t be with the Chicago Blackhawks. The 36-year-old center played 15 seasons with the Blackhawks from 2007-08 to 2022-23, stepping away from the game in 2023 dealing with health issues.
A couple of months back we were discussing the concept of “can a goalie steal a game?” with, if I recall, the consensus being “metaphorically, yes.”
Well, last night, Ullmark metaphorically stonewalled the Red Wings who had the Senators on their heels all bloody night, especially in the 2nd period where I think Ottawa forgot to tie their skates, but when the buzzer sounded it was Ottawa that skated off with the 2 points.
But that is going to happen to every team at one point or another over an 82-game schedule, Indeed, I can remember at least 2 where Ottawa deserved the win including early in the season in Vegas and, if I’m not mistaken, on opening night in Montreal, Montembeault had the Leafs talking to themselves. And Toronto has far more lethal scorers than does Detroit.
That was Ullmark’s 8th straight start since returning from an injury, and in several among the previous 7 he couldn’t stop a beachball. It all balances out in the end.
What Ottawa can’t do now is go into Philadelphia tonight and expose Forsberg to the same shot onslaught in the second of yet another back-to-back.
What was encouraging to see, however, was Perron score again (his 4th). If they do make the playoffs it’s important that he be on the top of his game after a rough season of injury and family issues. So, too, was getting the winner from Cozens with his first in an Ottawa jersey.
George comparing teams, one playing game one and the other playing game 60+ isn’t a great comparison but your point is well made. Watching a bit of the game, my only complaint is the goals Ullmark gave up especially after making ones he had no business making. Those types of goals are backbreakers. After giving up a stinker, I felt this is where the Sens are going to lose the game.
Anyway the team is on its way and have (less than) about 20 games to fix their defense. They look like some time is needed and hope they do..they are a fun team to watch and hope people start taking notice of this team, if not, whoever they play will burn them.
Ron, just to be clear, Ullmark only gave up 1 goal – not multiple – and that one came on a pp. Nor is fixing their defense their main issue – it’s scoring more goals, and hopefully that will be resolved – at least to some degree – by Cozens, Zetterlund, and a healthy Perron down the stretch.
Right now, when it comes to goals allowed, with the Jets setting the overall low mark, they rank 6th out of 16 in the Eastern Conference and 10th out of 32 in the league, just 28 more than that relinquished by the Jets defense! And remember, these totals are over 60+ games played. Seems to me there are a number of playoff-bound teams ranked below them who could stand some defensive improvements of their own:
Winnipeg 152
New Jersey 165 -13
Dallas 166 -14
Washington 167 -15
Los Angeles 168 -16
Tampa 169 -17
Florida 172 -20
Vegas 174 -22
Carolina 175 -23
Ottawa 180 – 28
Calgary 182 -30
Minnesota 185 -33
NY Islanders 188 -36
Edmonton 189 -37
Colorado 190 -38
Toronto 190 -38
Utah 191 -39
Vancouver 191 -39
Anaheim 193 -41
St. Louis 194 -42
NY Rangers 197 -45
Boston 204 -52
Detroit 204 -52
Columbus 208 -56
Montreal 208 -56
Nashville 209 -57
Seattle 212 -60
Philadelphia 219 -67
Buffalo 220 -68
Chicago 227 -75
Pittsburgh 242 -90
San Jose 245 -93
George, at 5 v 5, Ottawa has the 4th best xGA in the NHL. LA is #1.
On offence Ottawa is 3rd worst in xGF and has the 2nd worst shooting % in the league, which I found surprising. On the bright side their PP is better than average and helps.
So the data backs up what your saying; they need to generate more chances and finish them at a higher rate, and it’s 5 v 5, which is most of the game.
Strangely the Oilers have one of the worst shooting % in the NHL. That ain’t normal for them. Generating lots of chances again, but not as many going in the net.
Thanks for that confirmation stat, Ray. Well, they got a few more goals than normal tonight against the Flyers (5), while still only giving up 2, and when your goalies and D can hold the other team to 2, it does – statistically proven – give you a greater chance to win.
The win by Jersey (love that new uniform) over Columbus, gives Ottawa a bit more daylight between them and the 2nd WC spot … and they play the Bruins next at home on Thursday. A new look Boston team who came back pretty strong tonight against Florida.
Don’t count them out just yet from a playoff appearance.
I’m somewhat surprised. Should be a good run to the end of the season.
By next Wednesday morning we should have a clearer picture of the likely playoff structure in the East by which time each of the protagonists will have played 4 more games as follows
Ottawa – @ Phil; home to Boston; @ Toronto; @ Montreal
Columbus – @ NJ; home to Vegas; home to NYR; home to NJ
Detroit – home to Buff; @ Carolina, home to Vegas; @ Wash
NYR – @ Wpg; @ Minn; home to Fla; @ Pitt
Montreal – @ Vanc; @ Sea; home to Fla; home to Ottawa
NYI – @ L.A.; home to Edm; home to Fla; @ Piutt
It was a huge win George. Huge. My heart isn’t ready for playoff hockey – if last nights stresswatching is any indication.
Agreed on Perron. Like a late season trade for a proven playoff guy and he’s gonna hit his stride just at the right moment.
Regarding Brind’amour’s comments. I get it. We are all thinking it. The GM took a shot – a secret shot – the player didn’t even know. And it backfired. Not terribly in the long term with the picks and compensation but the “win now” took a hit. A big hit.
Heh, Dark G. I remember well when I would get up-tight and stressed following the exploits of my favourite pro (and college) sports teams … but at some point along the way – and at least a good 25+ years ago – I just decided that, since winning or losing wasn’t going to improve or detract from my daily life in any way, shape or form, and since here was nothing I could do about it one way or another anyway, why bother?
Re the Senators, one thing I do like is having a GM who is prepared to make the tough roster decisions where he feels it necessary to improve the team. I see the Cozens deal paying big dividends as well as the Zetterlund acquisition. Last night Talbot robbed him blind on one chance for sure, and as he settles in I can see him too becoming a factor down the stretch, much like Perron.
I just hope that, by the time Ottawa and Columbus go head to head 3 times in late March/early April, that both are firmly established in the WC spots so one isn’t knocking the other out of contention. Because as much as I want to see Ottawa finally getting in, I’m pulling just as strongly for the Blue Jackets.
And I can see both – if they are in – giving whoever they face in the opening rounds fits, since they’ll have been playing playoff-style hockey for about a month.
I can see Ottawa retaining their 2025 1st round pick – which figures to be in the 19/20 range as matters now stand – and, if Bettman doesn’t reconsider that forfeiture in the Dadonov fiasco, relinquish that pick in 2026 when they likely figure they’ll be even further up the overall standings (but since nothing is certain, that could also backfire).
Anyway, if they do decide to go that way, I can also see them dealing the 2025 1st rounder in an off-season deal to further strengthen either their D or RW depth.
There’s also a better than even chance Yakemchuk will make the main roster next Fall. After missing some games to injury, he has played 50 with the Calgary Hitmen scoring 16g 32a 48 pts, and since his return from that injury, the Hitmen have gone 11-5-4.
Hey George, maybe Yakemchuk is ready for the NHL, but that would make him an exception for a D man. For every Doughty, there are dozen 1st rounders who aren’t.
He has 4 years of Jr in, so I think he can play in the AHL next season? Not sure how that works.
But if he can, the Sens might be wise to let him play a full year, minimum, in the AHL. Big minutes in all situations. And get man strong.
I get the temptation due to his talent, and he fills an immediate need, but he is a super important player for them long term and no player has ever been hurt by playing in the minors first for a while. IMO. Don’t do a Buffalo Ottawa.
Oh I agree Ray. I say “better than even” on the basis that, if he repeats this pre-season’s performance – or anywhere close to it – it would be hard to send him to Belleville. But that remains a very real possibility and depends, too, on whether Staios acquired more D depth in the off-season through trade. The emergence of Matinpalo as a viable, steady RD within the system, and the steady improvement of big Tyler Kleven means their D heading into next season will be Sanderson, Chabot, Zub, Jensen, Kleven and Matinpalo – with room for one more – and I doubt that will be either Hamonic (expiring UFA cap hit of $1.1 mil) or the just-acquired Gilbert in the Norris – Cozens deal (expiring cap hit of $825,000).
So, if Staios can get an established bottom 3-type D with term through trade, Yakemchuk would get AHL seasoning for sure.
One thing I would NOT do, however, is release him to Hockey Canada for next season’s World Juniors. Stuff that!
George O. Not sure if you were watching Saturday, but Sportsnet def a little clip of Staois on the phone confirming and reaffirming the contract situations of Norris and cozens. Not sure if it was a slight against Dorion or some theatre for Bettman or both. Either way, I hope it does exactly what you are hoping.
Come on George!
We need a win in the WJC, he would be massive, although he turns 20 in Sept so not sure if he has aged out?
I just wish my Bruins had one prospect as good as Yakemchuk, we would luv to have that decision next season.
Nuts to that, Ray. There was EVERY reason to have him on that team, including his dominance in Junior and the fact the tournament was IN Ottawa,
Not only did they not invite him, their stated reason for picking who they did was that they “wanted players with character.” So, in effect “sorry Beckett Sennecke, Michael Misa, Scott Wheeler, Carter Yakemchuk, Zayne Parekh, you lack “character.”
What would make them think he and the others have added that missing key ingredient in a year?
Owen heh, no I did not see that. No doubt it was for Bettman’s benefit.
So, in their mind,
Brind’amours statement certainly explains a lot. During a game between the Habs and Carolina a couple of weeks ago, one Habs media observer posted that Rantanen was playing like a guy who wants to be traded again. Now we know he was. His heart wasn’t in it and he played with no desire.
Epic fail on the part of the Canes. There are certainly never any guarantees that a rental pickup will sign an extension, but they certainly should have known that Rantanen had no desire to stay. This is the type of mistake that gets GMs fired.
I don’t see this as a fail at all. Not a good look, especially given the Guentzel deal last year. Ultimately the Canes turned a 2nd Necas and Drury into.
2-1sts
2-3rds
Hall
Stankoven.
I think they dodged a bullet not signing Rantenen to a 12-13 million long term deal. I just don’t see him as that type of player.
Howard. NOw you know why Waddell walked out the door last year! Monumental mistake by Carolina GM! Guys like Burns,Martinook must be pissed off! Pushed the Stanley Cup chance further down the road!Lost Necas,Guentzel,Rantanen and Drury for a Smurf and draft picks!
Unless, Howard, Dundon was in on it too. Given his reputation, hard to believe he wasn’t.
I concur LJ. That is exactly his reputation.
CO, Hall is basically done as an offensive player. Not much left in him. Stankoven is a good young player but I see him turning out as a middle of the lineup player. Nowhere near as good as Necas. The two 1sts will likely be near the end of the round. Even if they work out, it’ll only help several years down the road. Carolina is in a win now mode and their series of trades has moved them backward.
LJ, Dundon may very well have pushed for Rantanen but that doesn’t mean he won’t take it out on the GM. It’s like working for a politician. When a politician messes up he always finds a way to blame an underling.
Re Sens Rookie,
Carter Yakemchuk ,I think
A year in Calgary won’t
Hurt him ….🤙
Maybe he skips. Belleville
Sen’s if he plays like he
Did last year with
the Sen’s ….❓🤔🤔
Howard, There are a few other interesting things Brind’Amour said in that interview. He was very passionate about the national media claiming players didn’t want to play in Carolina. He stated that all of the players that have left except Rantanen wanted to play in Carolina. They left because they were paid more. He specifically mentioned the Guentzel negotiations.
Over the last several weeks Tulsky was asked numerous times what made the trade for Rantanen different than the Guentzel trade. His first response was that they were in a much better cap position to offer market price this year. In a subsequent interview his response was slightly different when he stated that last year the cap space wasn’t as clear because of so many expiring contracts. In yet another comment he said that in his opinion Guentzel wanted to stay but by the time Carolina figured out their cap space it was too late to sign Guentzel. I don’t buy the statement that Carolina’s cap space prevented Carolina from signing Guentzel. My thought is that Tulsky and/or Dundon may have bungled the Guentzel contract negotiations which is a much bigger miss than the Rantanen trade. They would not of traded for Rantanen if they had signed Guentzel.
I don’t know why but that one stop Ullmark made on Debrincat was especially satisfying haha.
I have no ill will toward Alex though… it was just one of the many weird Dorion transactions that seemed exciting but eventually turned out to be nothing close to what the team needed. Same with Chychrun…and Korpisalo… and… too many to count honestly.
On the flip side, seeing Staios’ work revealed in one game is pretty great… Ullmark stealing it for the guys… Perron scoring a goal, Cozens scoring the winner, Zetterlund definitely being a factor even with minimal fourth line play…
I like the moves SS is making a lot… and it’s not just for now, he’s getting long term value. It really makes me feel like this rebuild could have been much further ahead if Dorion had not been behind the reins.
Dorion has always been a good drafter though, that I will always concede, but his trading abilities were horrendous. I would love to play poker with him because I could really use the cash.
theSaint, the one saving Grace in the DeBrincat from Chicago deal was the so-far less-than-outstanding returns the Hawks garnered;
7th overall in 2022 – LD Kevin Korchinski – 85 NHL gp 5g 10a 15 pts – currently in AHL
39th pick overall 2022 – C Paul Ludwinski – has yet to play an NHL game – in 53 AHL gp 4g 2a 6pts
3rd Rid pick 2024 – C Anthony Spellacy – still with Windsor OHL – 11g 16a 27 pts in 58gp this season
On the other hand, what they got from Detroit for him is equally underwhelming – Dominik Kubalik – who lasted a season before heading for the Swiss league
D-man Donovan Sebrango who has been up with Ottawa from Belleville for several cups of coffee, a conditional 2024 1st round pick which, I assume, did not meet the conditions and Detroit’s 4th round pick in 2024 – which turned out to be ?
But I believe the first from Detroit eventually helped Sens get Ullmark, no?
YES, thank you Owen … I knew I was forgetting something connected to that pick!
George, I am behind in my reading. Yesterday you were musing about various scenarios allowing Tavares to be re-signed.
You found one poster’s suggestion, — that Tavares sign an extension in which the Leafs guarantee they buy out the last year to save the team money and then possibly resign Tavares — doable.
Entering into a contract with no intention to honour it is fraud. This scheme would involve the following stakeholders:
The NHL, who would turn a blind eye to not just the fraud, but its purpose, cap circumvention.
The Leafs and their GM, who would have to wilfully take on the risk of fines in $ and forfeited picks. Think Dorion and the Sens.
The NHLPA, who would have to be willing to risk their credibility and possibly undermine their current protection regarding legit contracts in the inevitable blowback.
The player agent and his organization, who would risk being banned from representing players in the NHL.
The player himself, Tavares, who would also risk his reputation in addition to putting the year’s salary at risk as well as a year’s worth of pension contributions. As one poster yesterday noted, Tavares already has significant money at risk in a dispute with the CRA.
How likely is it all the above take a flyer on such an egregiously transparent fraud?
The proposal is so flawed it isn’t DOA. It never gets off the ground.
LJ, the scenario whereby a team buys out a player in the last year – and in some instances 2 years – of a contract has already occurred numerous times since the buyout process came into being. How many of those were concluded “wink wink” with the signee but certainly not blared all over the place.
I doubt there was even one such. And if, by some miracle, Tavares was still producing in that 4th year to a degree suitable to the team – and he still had the desire to play – it wouldn’t happen anyway. But if, heading into that 4th year, his production was way down, it certainly becomes a viable option – announced beforehand or not.
But, no, no one is going to announce anything like that as he’s signing the new deal. I think Yogi just stated that as a possibility pitched to Tavares depending on how things were going at the time. Just like in every case of a buyout so far.
How would the NHLPA or anyone else prove otherwise?
It would not be the NHLPA that would prove it, that would be the NHL.
And I doubt very much there is a trend of buying out the last year of a contract and then resigning immediately after as it is so clearly cap circumvention that the league would have to step in. Can you think of any such example?
On top of all that, why all the byzantine bargaining? There are easier, less dodgy and very common ways to re-sign a player without having to douse the lights and pull the curtains.
Can you sign a player you just bought out?
I don’t know, but there might be a rule against that already.
Yes George the situation I mentioned has already happened in the NHL, so the NHL and the NHLPA already know about it. There`s no rule preventing a player from resigning with the team that bought him out. GM`s even design contracts now specifically to be bought out, hence the front loaded deals the players have been signing for years. Parise and Suter were bought out by Minnesota and there was talk that Parise might resign with them. The NHL put a stop to the 15 year contracts, but strange they didn`t bother to include a rule preventing a player from resigning. Even when you trade a player to a team that retains salary, the rule only prevents a player from returning to that team for 1 calendar year. Just like Boston trading Marchand to Florida, nothing prevents Marchand from resigning with Boston July 1st. Fraud yeah right, some peoples kids, give me a break
LJ, I’m not saying it isn’t an area that needs clarification and perhaps some rigid ruling … but as Yogi reiterates, there’s nothing illegal about it.
Kind of like the annual UFA frenzy where no one is supposed to discuss contract details with any UFA beforehand … and yet some are announced within minutes of the opening stages. Remember that multi-year deal Chara struck with the Bruins after leaving Ottawa? SECONDS into the opening of the frenzy, there’s this detailed agreement announced.
Thought so, Yogi. And this from the Wikipedia entry on buy-outs
“Answer. A player can be traded, bought out, and then re-sign with their original team (Orpik did this with Washington). A player can even be bought out by their team and then re-sign with that same team (Calgary did this with Michael Stone). However, the key is that this cannot be pre-arranged or agreed to.”
So there you have it, George.
Who would know? It surely takes little imagination to envision this getting out, or being figured out. Bettman is many things but an idiot is not one of them.
Suspecting is a far cry from proving. And that’s why in my posts above I write that, even if there is some understanding of that possibility between a player and th e GM, no one is taking to a pedestal to announce it.
Can anyone say definitively that every single buyout of the tail-end of a multi-year contract was or was not “pre-understood?” Of course not.
The only solution would be to write into the rules that all such contracts be completed with no buy-out options. Which, of course, would then ham-string teams where there would be a legitimate reason for a buy-out.
Ok. Hard to prove. Agreed.
Risk for all involved? Agreed, surely? Yes?
Then there is the internal logic of this strategy, George.
The proposal leaves Tavares with two choices, because the league will not stand for a player to be at once bought out and re-signed for the same season. Surely you agree that won’t fly.
What does Tavares have to do to make this convoluted scenario work once he is bought out?
1) Stays home until next season. Not gonna happen.
2) Sign with another team, and move either be away from his family for the season, or relocate his family for a single season.
All to re-sign with Toronto the season after, when by the end of his current contract he will have made over $100,000.00, and his reward would be another short term contract for relative pin money.
Still a credible option? Has appeal for Tavares?
That would never happen in the NHL George, you know that, next to politicians, NHL GM`s are the most people in the world. No such thing as hand shake agreements in the NHL, no such thing as free agent contracts at 12:01 pm July 1st. Nobody breaks a rule, just bend the heck out of them and remember, it`s only illegal if you get caught. Ask any politician
LOL – well summed up!