NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 22, 2025
Hall of Famer Bernie Parent passes away; the Predators and Luke Evangelista remain apart in contract talks; Islanders fans serenade prospect defenseman Matthew Schaefer in his first preseason game, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Hall of Famer goaltender Bernie Parent passed away Sunday at age 80.
Hall of Fame goaltender Bernie Parent
Parent backstopped the Philadelphia Flyers to Stanley Cup championships in 1973-74 and 1974-75, becoming the first player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in consecutive seasons. He also won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender during those seasons.
In 13 NHL seasons (1965-66 to 1978-79) with the Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs, Parent had a record of 271 wins, 198 losses, and 119 ties in 608 regular-season games, with a 2.55 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage, and 54 shutouts. He also had a record of 38-33 in 71 playoff games with a 2.44 GAA, a .916 SP, and six shutouts.
Parent suffered a career-ending eye injury during a game against the New York Rangers in 1979. The Flyers retired his No.1 in October 1979, and he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984. He spent several years with the Flyers as a goalie coach and was later employed by the team as a hockey ambassador.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Parent’s family, friends, former teammates, and the Flyers’ organization.
The Flyers’ image as the Broad Street Bullies in the 1970s garnered a lot of headlines, but the play of stars like Parent, Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Reggie Leach, and Rick MacLeish made them winners.
Of those stars, Parent shone the brightest during their championship years. Few goaltenders dominated a game the way he did at that time. He was one of the greatest goalies I ever saw.
TSN: The Nashville Predators and winger Luke Evangelista remain far apart in contract talks. Discussions are ongoing, but money is the sticking point on a two-year term. While the talks proceed, the 23-year-old winger has returned to Canada to continue training.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Evangelista popped up last week in trade rumors, but Predators general manager Barry Trotz reportedly has no intention of trading the young winger.
NEW YORK POST: Islanders fans chanted Matthew Schaefer’s name during his first NHL preseason game on Sunday. Chosen first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old defenseman played over 24 minutes and collected an assist in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Flyers.
“Definitely got shivers,” Schaefer said. “We thought it was for (Scott Mayfield), but I guess it was for me. Obviously, you get chills.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schaefer has an opportunity to earn a roster spot with the Islanders this season. The youngster is facing high expectations, but seems to be handling it well so far.
THE ATHLETIC’s Michael Russo reports Minnesota Wild winger Mats Zuccarello has a doctor’s appointment out of town to determine if he’ll require surgery.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zuccarello is listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
NHL.COM’s Walt Ruff reports Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour said defensemen Jaccob Slavin and Jalen Chatfield might not play any preseason games for precautionary reasons. The duo is nursing minor injuries.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Slavin and Chatfield are expected to be in the lineup when the regular season begins next month.
CBS SPORTS: Seattle Kraken winger Jared McCann is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
SPORTSNET: Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven left Sunday’s preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs with an undisclosed injury. There was no postgame update regarding his status.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Kaedan Korczak is getting a long-awaited opportunity as a regular defenseman with the Golden Knights. With Alex Pietrangelo on long-term injury reserve and Nic Hague traded to Nashville this summer, the 23-year-old Korczak is expected to see more playing time.
According to Garrioch in this morning’s Ottawa Sun, “Ottawa Senators defenceman Tyler Kleven appeared to hurt his ankle, hitting the boards hard in the third period, and didn’t return after leaving.”
There was better news on veteran RD Nick Jensen who is back skating with the team and, while not yet involved in scrimmages or dressing for exhibition games, is close to returning.
https://ottawasun.com/sports/ottawa-senators-nick-jensen-injury?itm_source=sports&tbref=hp
23 year old returning home because the millions he is making aren’t enough. One season was more than mom.and dad spent for him to play the game. 2 was more than their house. Greed is a killer
I think if you check, the issue with Evangelista isn’t about dollars but rather term. with the team insisting he sign a longer deal at slightly more per than he and agent are seeking over a shorter term.
These aren’t you average joes here. NHL players (like all pros in any skilled based profession) will always and rightfully so, get the most bucks.
What they feel they are worth as much as to any average joe would see as a bounty, is none of our business. They earned it by giving up what most of us would call a normal childhood or life. I don’t see why someone that completely dedicates their life and giving up on a lot of things and become successful where most aren’t, have to be criticized for wanting a better payday.
Exactly. And as I point out, he’s prepared to take less per but on a shorter term than Trotz wants. The fact he wants to lock him up longer at what would be ultimately more advantageous to the team than for the player is a clear indication that Trotz believes the kid is only going to get better.
I can see why he’d want to go that route … but at the same time the player has every right to play hardball as well.
As Sr posts, that team is OLD for the most part and with diminished offensive output and so can ill afford to cut themselves off right at the start of a season from an infusion of good, young talent. Trotz. with 22 signed (12F 8D 2G) is sitting on a cap reserve of $9,341,039 and should still have a healthy chunk of wiggle room even after Evangelista is signed.
Not surprising that Vegas is giving Korczak every opportunity to make the main roster. With only Theodore and Whitecloud to play RD, they really don’t have many other options … unless one of Coghlan, Kmec or Fleming from their minor system surprises in the preseason, or in mid-October they take a flyer on Cal Foote from the London 5.
RIP to Bernie Parent. The flyers were tough to beat. The bruins did underestimate them back then because the bruins were so good. Especially Esposito! Clarke ate his lunch and Parent stopped everything.
The problem with Nashville is that their forward group is old and headed the wrong way. Trotz swung and missed on his free agent signings. Most of those guys have NTC and NMC protection.They desperately need young talented forwards like Evangelista!
Trotz is WAY out of his depth as a GM. His biggest move this past summer to rectify what was the second-worst goal production and among the worst in goals against in the entire league, was to trade for soon to be 35 y/o Erik Haula and sign, as a UFA, a quasi-goon in Sabourin! That’s it.
Haula joins Josi and Stamkos (both 35 y/o), Marchessuaelt and O’Reilly (both 34 y/o), Oesterle (33 y/o) and Skjei and Saris (both 31 y/o) – and all but O’Reilly holding NMC or MNTC.
Does he truly expect his group to all improve as they get older?
Go back to doing what you do best, Barry – coach.
should read “all but O’Reilley ….”