NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 8, 2025
Recaps of Friday’s games, the aftermath of the trade deadline, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: The Winnipeg Jets remained in first place in the overall standings with a 6-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Nikolaj Ehlers had a goal and two assists, while Kyle Connor and Josh Morrissey each had a goal and an assist. With 92 points, the Jets hold a two-point lead over the Washington Capitals. Dawson Mercer scored for the Devils, who sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 72 points.
Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s trade deadline moves didn’t earn a positive review from Paul Friesen of The Winnipeg Sun. Cheveldayoff made two depth moves, acquiring veteran defenseman Luke Schenn and energy winger Brandon Tanov.
On Friday, the Devils announced that defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler will miss the remainder of the regular season with a lower-body injury. Blueliner Dougie Hamilton is expected to miss “an extended period of time” with a lower-body injury.
Speaking of the Capitals, they overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Detroit Red Wings 5-2. Aliaksei Protas had two goals and an assist and Tom Wilson netted a goal and an assist. Dylan Larkin and Moritz Seider scored for the Red Wings (66 points), who’ve dropped five straight games and sit one point behind the Ottawa Senators for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
The Vegas Golden Knights blanked the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0. Ilya Samsonov made 22 saves for the shutout while Mark Stone had a goal and two assists for the Golden Knights, who sit in first place in the Pacific Division with 82 points. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 23 shots for the Penguins.
A late goal by Kiefer Sherwood lifted the Vancouver Canucks to a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. Elias Pettersson and Teddy Blueger also scored and Kevin Lankinen kicked out 37 shots for the Canucks, who moved ahead of the Calgary Flames into the final Western Conference wild-card spot with 69 points. Brock Faber replied for the Wild, who hold the first wild-card berth with 76 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild GM Bill Guerin explained that a lack of cap space prevented him from making any significant additions at the trade deadline. He couldn’t place Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek or Jonas Brodin on long-term injury reserve because they’re expected to return before the end of the regular season.
The St. Louis Blues held off the Anaheim Ducks 4-3. Brayden Schenn tallied twice while former Duck Cam Fowler collected two assists for the Blues, who sit one point behind the Canucks. Frank Vatrano and Troy Terry each had two points for the Ducks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn frequently surfaced in the rumor mill as a trade candidate leading up to Friday’s deadline. Blues GM Doug Armstrong declined to comment on whether he’d had trade talks with other teams involving his captain. Schenn has a full no-trade clause this season, which likely explains why he wasn’t moved. That clause becomes a 15-team no-trade list on July 1.
An overtime goal by Connor Bedard lifted the Chicago Blackhawks to a 4-3 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. Spencer Knight picked up his second straight win with the Blackhawks by stopping 36 shots. Clayton Keller and Mikhail Sergachev each had two points for Utah (66 points) as they sit three back of the Canucks.
HEADLINES
SPORTSNET: Carolina Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky said he didn’t regret his acquisition of Mikko Rantanen from Colorado in January, even if it didn’t end the way he would’ve liked.
Unable to sign Rantanen to a contract extension, Tulsky traded him to the Dallas Stars on Friday in exchange for rookie forward Logan Stankoven, two first-round picks and two third-rounders.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tulsky bungled this situation. He should’ve sought assurances that he could sign Rantanen to a contract extension before making the trade with the Avs. When Rantanen wouldn’t commit, the Hurricanes GM was forced to trade him for a return that could pay long-term dividends but doesn’t move his club closer to the Stanley Cup this year.
TSN: Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane won’t be ready to return for the rest of the regular season as he recovers from abdominal surgery.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres signed winger Jason Zucker to a two-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $4.75 million.
NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders are negotiating a two-year contract extension with winger Kyle Palmieri. The AAV is expected to be below his current cap hit of $5 million.
THE MERCURY NEWS: San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier explained his decision to trade top-six forward Fabian Zetterlund to the Ottawa Senators on Friday was to acquire forward Zack Ostapchuk. Grier envisioned the 21-year-old Ostapchuk developing into a third-line center who could grow with their cadre of young forwards like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and William Eklund.
Can someone please explain to me how Florida only had to give up a 2nd round pick for Marchand , AND Boston retains 50 %
Why didn’t Treliving toss in a second and include him in the Brandon Carlo deal , probably because of the CAP ?
Toronto gave up a 1st and Minten , and a fourth , got Carlo , Sweeney swung for the fences on that deal
What do I know , maybe Brandon Carlo will be the next Zdeno Cara in Toronto ?
All the hype on Rantanen – McKinnon was a huge part of his success in the past , we will see , now a Dallas Star..
Colorado will likely play Colorado in the 1st round , both built up to final in , unfortunately 1 will BOW out …
I take Colorado to come out of that conference and contender for the cup
Ken, the 2nd for Marchand is conditional and turns into a 1st if Marchand plays 50% of Florida’s playoff games, which he will if he is healthy.
But he is out week to week with an upper body injury, hence the conditions.
The 1st can be in 27 or 28.
The 50% retention isn’t that much $$ with only 20 games left. Easy to say when not my $$, but in NHL terms…..
Folks that though Marchand would bring back a massive haul were mistaken and haven’t been watching the B’s this year.
Sweeney did 63 a solid and moved him to the team he wanted took less of return. And left door open for him to resign as ufa. Class act IMO
Yeah I suspect this is very much the case. Gave Marchand an unwritten movement clause where Marchand could decide the destination. If the return was palatable they’d do it.
I am so looking forward to the little stuffed rats in Jerseys with Marchands number being tossed in the ice.
Mr Bruin4
Marchand rotated his pyjamas between Bruins and Leafs !
Him playing along side Bennett , as per the 4 Nations – is Trouble !
Better read your last paragraph. I’d take Colorado too!
Ken you will like Carlo in Toronto but after watching his entire career in Boston I will tell you that he isn t overly physical for his size! Offensively he is limited! Skills are just average! But his locker room presence is a plus! Has fought concussion issues in the past! He is a great kid that has a team first attitude!
I don`t think any Leaf fans will be disappointed in Carlo, whether they like the price the Leafs paid or not. He is the type of defenceman the Leafs needed
The Atlantic conference got much stronger yesterday! Toronto,Fla. and TB made significant improvements! The Metropolitan top 3 did very little! Wash,NJ,and Carolina did little to move the needle!Hurricanes vets must be scratching their heads! They lose Rantanen,Necas,and Drury for a young physically challenged player in Stankoven,and draft picks! To add insult to injury the GM finds out its too late to use the draft picks for players this year!Wow
You watch Carolina win the cup using this as motivation. No one wants to play for them kind of thing. Us against the world.
A team needs extra motivation to win the Cup?
Typo above above , Lol..
Colorado will likely play Dallas in the first round. , not play Colorado ??
Yikes
Key upcoming dates:
March 14: Stars @Jets
March 16: Stars @ Avs
April 10: Jets @ Stars
All 3 absolutely need to finish 1st in Central; not wanting to face either of the other 2 in first round
Similarly (but I believe not with the same magnitude ): Atlantic matchups:
March 13: Panthers @ Leafs
April 2: Panthers @ Leafs
April 8 : Leafs @ Panthers
April 9: Leafs @ Lightning
April 10: Panthers @ Lightning
Love the all-in by Avs and Stars
Hard to consider any other Western team but one of those two, in the SCF.
With the Panthers load-up; hard to consider another Eastern team in the SCF
Draft week/day winners: (in no particular order): Avs, Stars, Panthers
Missed an opportunity: Oilers, Knights, Kings
Biggest loser: Canes
re: Biggest loser: Canes
They couldnt turn those picks or something else into Boeser or Rakell or another RW?
I’m sure they worked the phone on that; but definitely fell short
Great set for future; doesn’t move the needle now.
They might beat Devils; but not Caps or Panthers
The big loser move was the first “secret” acquisition of Rantenen; having blind faith that he’d sign with them
I think it would be a mistake to sleep on the Pacific teams, not so much the Kings, although they are still a good team, but the Knights and Oilers can still get it going and play at a really high level.
If you get out of the Pacific, and get to final 4, you can win. The Oil improved and added some of what they needed – top 4 D and size, speed and spice up front. Kane is the wild card, how effective can he be after missing a full season? Not sure if he will even be back, but the schedule is early in the playoffs.
Bottom line with the Oil will be if their best guys will be the best players on the ice and out play the other team’s best.
I don’t know if they will, but they have before. We will find out soon enough.
Biggest loser. Jackets. The fans and players deserved more.
I don’t see it that way Chrisms.
Waddell clearly didn’t want to do anything to a team that drew closer together as a result of that off-season tragedy and, as a result, have played well enough to have them situated in a playoff spot with about 20 games to go.
In addition, getting Boone Jenner and Kiril Marchenko back from injuries not long before trade deadline was akin to landing two pretty potent offensive players to an already decent team. The additions of experienced bottom 6-type F s in Kunin and Fischer won’t hurt either.
Tulsky stated he intended to use those picks for a player but ran out of time because he had to wait for Dallas to sign Rantanen. I guess Nill was experienced enough to do things in the right order 🙂
Hi Ray
I’m not totally counting out Pac Div,anything can happen in playoffs.
But I would be quite surprised if none of those 3 central teams aren’t representing the West
Chrisms
Agree with George
They are playing very well; on the rise; if they make playoffs ; it’s out first round
Better to save the assets and build upon an already good up and coming team
The team I can’t figure out in terms of deadline trades is Detroit, whose only deal was to send Joe Veleno to Chicago for Craig Smith and goalie Petr Mrázek. What the heck did they need another goalie for?
I can understand the approach of standing pat if you’re a young, talented and building team like Montreal, but that does not describe the Red Wings who, incidentally, had lost 4 straight leading up to March 7 … and dropped their 5th straight last night after blowing a 2-0 lead.
Stevie should have kept sitting on his hands rather than make that ridiculous trade! He created a 3 goalie carousel that none of them will like and picked an aging vet that likely retires after this season.
I understand that the very high prices on players made meaningful moves dangerous to future developments to a team that was likely to go nowhere in the playoffs and it would justify DOING NOTHING!
Three more puzzles were L.A., Calgary and Vancouver, each among the 10 lowest-scoring teams in the entire league, who did nothing to address that issue (ok – L.A. did acquire the underachieving Andrei Kuzmenko from Philadelphia – big whoop).
In recent seasons relying on their D and goaltending has been sufficient to get L.A. into the dances, but in the end the lack of scoring did them in, and it likely won’t be better this time around. Given they have 22 games left – among the most of a few – and that enough will come against bottom-dwellers, they will likely get in, but they are also not a lock to do so.
Right now they sit 3rd in the Pacific with 71 pts in 60gp, just 2 up on Vancouver and 3 on Calgary. Since Minnesota or Colorado have a lock on the 1st WC slot (those two will either get in there or in 3rd in the Central), L.A. figures to be in a dog fight with the Flames and Canucks for the honour of bowing out in Round 1.
Ten Lowest-Scoring Teams In The Entire League
Calgary – 163
Nashville – 164
Anaheim – 165
NYI – 168
L.A. – 169
S,J. – 169
Vancouver – 171
Boston – 172
Ottawa – 174
Chicago – 176
Pretty much all have no chance of making it. although out West at least one of L.A., Calgary or Vancouver will by default, while in the East Ottawa has to hope that Cozens can find his scoring touch with his new linemates, and that Zetterlund can boost the scoring of their bottom 6. Otherwise, the last two spots will go to Columbus and NYR.
Actually, let me re-phrase that line above where I post “although out West at least one of L.A., Calgary or Vancouver will by default… ”
I should not have over-looked St. Louis and Utah who sit 1 and 3 pts back of Vancouver today for the 2nd WC spot. And I lean towards the Blues getting in as the 2nd WC.
Over the past 10 games for each, St. Louis is the hottest at 7-2-1 15 pts, 2 ahead of Utah (6-3-1 13 pts). Calgary is struggling at 4-4-3 9 pts, while L.A. is barely hanging in above .500 at 4-3-3 11 pts. The Canucks are holding their own at 6-4-0 12 pts.
“Calgary is struggling at 3-4-3 9 pts” – sheesh
I can only guess that Yzerman saw his team at best, just making it in and losing in 4 to Caps; so why do anything major
If he does the tiny trade he did; gets in and ousted in 4; it is what was going to happen anyway
If he makes any move bigger; futures are given up just to (at best) be ousted in first round (maybe in 5)
Catch-22
Damned if you do; damned if you don’t
Caps are beating lowest Eastern WC for sure
Top Wildcard likely to meat Panthers; same result
Zero chance of getting into top 3 in Atlantic
Yes, George, but the Wings’ strategy may just well be – better be, if Yzerman has a clue – a longer term thing. Even if the Wings make the playoffs they are out in the first round. Why give up assets in a bidding competition at the trade deadline? Perhaps Yzerman has a goal to beef up his team in the off season.
I think that is what the Habs are going to do. Surely acquiring a 2nd line center is a must.
In all honesty, I have to conclude (and GSAA numbers definitely support) that the goaltending has sunk the wings this season, more than their still-lacking depth among the skaters. If they had the same team with Ulmark back there, they likely would be comfortably in the top wild card spot, at least.
So, Lyon will be gone next year, and apparently Steve Y did not like the look of the free agent market for goalies, trades are costly, etc., so Mrazek gives them another guy to go to and hope for improvement. Although, of course, odds are that netminding will sink this team again next year. They are in serious trouble if one of their prospects doesn’t emerge back there soon.
Cossa is coming eventually to DET. Has 3 years of pro behind him and played well. Have to think he competes for the #2 job next season, or a very least gets a few games up there.
Happy the Habs chose to stand pat, Hughes rewarding the players second half growth and showing they mean it when they want to establish a culture.
I think a lot of fans and pundits got a surprise on the values placed on some players, most less than presumed.
Tampa did what they always do, “overpay” to get what they need for what is probably their swan song.
Sens did well in getting Fabian Zetterlund who’ll supplythe offense lost by Norris.
Is Tkachuk losing Norris really a thing? Did Staios read the room wrong and handcuff Cozens? We’ll see.
habfan30, the more I examine Zetterlund’s career so far the more I like. A solidly-built (5′ 11″ 220 lb) right-shot LW, he was taken by NJ in Round 3 (63rd overall) in the 2017 draft and, in 2022-23 was part of that 9-player deal with San Jose that sent Timo Meier to the Devils.
In 146gp with the Sharks over the past two seasons he has posted 82-game averages of 23g 22a 45 pts, and although a minus 34 last season over 83gp with a bad Sharks team, in his 64gp this season he has turned that around to a plus 8 – still with a bad Sharks team. He also has 17g 19a 36 pts and, just as importantly, 115 hits and 63 blocked shots while averaging 16:59 ice time.
He was certainly one who flew under the radar in terms of trade-bait names being bandied about.
Re Brady Tkachuk, he’s a pro and, I’m sure from his dad, understands the business side of the game. Sure, he was emotional in that interview but that’s understandable given that he and Norris have been long-time friends and teammates.
Zetterlund is a sneaky good acquisition. I thought earlier before this season started and wondered if this Ottawa team was still struggling to get over the hump and finally end the 7 year playoff drought to shake up their core since they’ve seemed to exhaust their options otherwise risk entering a stalled rebuild and being similar to Buffalo and Detroit (to mention two).
They did in a big way and did good adding exactly what they needed with their adds including Zetterland. I’ll be surprised if they don’t make it in this year but if they don’t get in, their future hasn’t looked this good since the year they won the offseason.
Yeah I like the Zetterlund trade too, his goals will more than make up any goals they might of lost in the Norris trade
The Bolts might not be the only team that overpaid, HF30.
The don’t have a first round pick for the next three years.
Neither do the Leafs. Clearly both teams are banking on their core players being in their prime for the next while, but it takes time for draft picks to achieve metamorphosis.
In that sense both teams have taken big risks given how several other serious contenders have strengthened their line ups.
These two teams are likely not the only ones who forfeited futures, but that doesn’t make it better for them.
I just got in
I was listening fan 590
Comment was , I wonder how Morgan Reilly feels today that he was almost traded
1ST, I have heard of that rumour ???
Rielly has a full NMC in his contract, so I doubt very much he was worried about anything and Treliving said in an interview prior to the deadline he was interested in subtraction.
Probably something someone associated with Fan 590 overheard at a local pub.
Hi George
R U happy with your new addition !
Ottawa traded away Tkachuks “buddy”
lol !
Reasonably so. And I’m sure that every player dealt yesterday left behind buddies to varying degrees.
As I keep saying, there is NO place in professional sports for sentimentality and “loyalty” if and when it gets in the way of improving your team – at least insofar as envisaged by the guy being paid to make those decisions. If and when they backfire, that GM will pay with his job.