Rangers prospect K’Andre Miller targeted by a racial slur during a live chat with fans, an update on Johnny Boychuk, five Penguins’ players donate to food banks and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NEW YORK POST: A hacker posted a racial slur hundreds of times during a fan live chat yesterday with Rangers prospects K’Andre Miller. It’s unknown if Miller saw the slurs during the chat.

New York Rangers prospect K’Andre Miller was the victim of multiple racist slurs during a recent live chat with fans (Photo via NHL.com).

The Rangers disabled the chat within 17 seconds. They released a statement condemning the actions and will be investigating the matter. The NHL also released a statement condemning the disgusting behavior.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers’ Jacob Trouba and Ryan Strome immediately took to Twitter to slam the hacker and express support for Miller. I hope whoever did this is caught and prosecuted.

The live chat was held on Zoom, which the FBI warned was targeted by multiple hacks in recent weeks. Until Zoom improves its security, the league should look into a more secure means of conducting live chats to protect its players from such vile attacks.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk was left almost unrecognizable for several days after being cut for 90 stitches when he was struck in the face by a skate blade during a March 3 game against the Montreal Canadiens. He’s since recovered with only minor scarring.

It was the third incident this season in which an NHL player was seriously injured by a skate blade. Boychuk suggested some injuries could be prevented by wearing cut-proof socks and wrist guards. “For mine, it couldn’t be avoided — unless you’re wearing a full cage, but that’s not ever going to happen.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Helmets and visors were once dismissed as a means of protection. Now, they’re commonplace. I can see a day where NHL players were full cage masks.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Penguins’ Bryan Rust, Zach Aston-Reese and Marcus Pettersson purchased 500 personal pizzas that were delivered to local community distributions sites. Zach Trotman and his wife, Jeanna, donated 715 food items to a Detroit food bank. Casey DeSmith and his wife, Ellie, made a similar donation to a Pittsburgh food bank.

TSN: Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi said his city’s ban on public events until June 30 include all NHL and CFL games.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators have offered the Canadian Tire Centre to the Ontario government for temporary use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WINNIPEG SUN: True North Sports and Entertainment, owners of the Winnipeg Jets, have outlined a plan to supplement its laid-off employees who file employment insurances claims through the federal government.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes announced a plan to make whole the salaries of its full-time employees during the NHL’s schedule suspension because of the coronavirus crisis.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Vegas Golden Knights foundation donated $1 million to the Nevada COVID-19 Response, Relief and Recover Task Force.