NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 26, 2021
The Canucks crush the Senators, last week’s three stars are announced, the latest on Pierre-Luc Dubois and David Pastrnak, plus injury/illness updates and much more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.
NHL.COM: Brandon Sutter tallied his first career NHL hat trick and Thatcher Demko made 35 saves as the Vancouver Canucks thrashed the Ottawa Senators 7-1. Bo Horvat collected two assists while Tanner Pearson had a goal and an assist. The Senators have dropped five straight games.
Vancouver Canucks center Brandon Sutter (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A big win for the Canucks as their recent struggles were cause for concern among their followers. The two clubs meet again on Wednesday and finish their three-game series on Thursday.
Montreal Canadiens winger Tyler Toffoli, Dallas Stars center Joe Pavelski and Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending Jan. 24.
TSN: Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen refuted any notion that last year’s contract negotiations with Pierre-Luc Dubois led to the 22-year-old center being traded on Saturday to the Winnipeg Jets.
Dubois suggested in a recent interview that those discussions led in part to his trade request. “That’s just flat out not true at all and he knows that, so I don’t know why he would say that or even insinuate something like that, because it’s not true,” said Kekalainen.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The real reason for Dubois’ trade request will be a hot topic for some time. Some believe it was his relationship with Jackets coach John Tortorella but Dubois has denied this.
There are also lots of guessing behind the trade request of Patrik Laine, who the Jackets swapped for Dubois. Some condemn Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, head coach Paul Maurice and Jets leaders Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele for creating a supposed toxic atmosphere that drove Laine away. Others blame the winger’s perceived lackadaisical approach.
CBS SPORTS: David Pastrnak could return to action with the Boston Bruins as soon as Saturday. The 24-year-old winger has been sidelined by offseason hip surgery.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s good news for a Bruins’ offense that has been inconsistent without their leading goal scorer.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Blackhawks winger Alex DeBrincat and defenseman Adam Boqvist were added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list on Monday. There’s no confirmation either player has tested positive for the coronavirus.
THE SCORE: The NHL postponed Tuesday’s games between the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning. It’s the fourth consecutive Hurricanes game to be postponed. The club currently has five players on the COVID-19 protocol list with three confirmed to have tested positive. The league has released new dates for each of the postponed contests.
TSN: Edmonton Oilers winger Tyler Ennis and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Greg Pateryn were placed on waivers Monday. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mitchel Stephens is sidelined indefinitely with a lower-body injury while defenseman Erik Cernak is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
TRIBLIVE.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins center Evan Rodrigues is sidelined indefinitely with an apparent lower-body injury suffering during a collision with New York Rangers forward Filip Chytil on Sunday.
ARIZONA REPUBLIC: Former Coyotes GM John Chayka has been suspended to the end of 2021 by the NHL for conduct detrimental to the league and the game. The suspension is reportedly due to Chayka’s departure from the Coyotes last summer.
THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators goaltender Connor Ingram will be away from the club for an indefinite period as he voluntarily entered the league’s player assistance program.
NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: Goaltender Scott Darling has signed a professional tryout offer with the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate in Rockford, Illinois. Darling spent three seasons with the Blackhawks from 2014-15 to 2016-17, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2015.
Any team who needs help on D should grab Pateryn. hello Pittsburgh, Boston.
Solid stay at home physical D, consistent day in and day out player.
Habfan. Agree, but a lot of teams right up against cap. 2.2 isn’t a huge cap hit, but more than most teams can fit. Poor guy might be on 3rd team already after splitting 6 games with 2 teams.
Agree Slick
$2.25 M is the issue not the player
Pens can’t take that on
When all D back healthy someone has to be sent down; and then if it’s Pateryn and he clears; only $1.07 M is buried; $1.18 M still counts against Cap
He (Pateryn) comes “free” (nothing in trade) now but it might be better for Pens to try and acquire someone like Dermott who shouldn’t cost much in trade but is only $874 K in Cap hit
VGK are pinched right up to the cap ; continuously only placing 20 players on it to get under
Holden even though down; is still showing $625 K towards the cap
Perhaps McCrimmon would add a sweetener to take him
Boston doesn’t need him.if anything we are missing an offensive D. The kids are doing a great job but thanks.
True that Bergyboyzzz. Let’s hope it continues. In theory, the more offence should come with confidence/experience.
Zboril looked fine QB’ing the PP against Philly with Grz out.
Agreed we are looking great seems they shook the rust off at the flyers expense lol I was never worried going 1-1-1 to start the season just the lack of threat from the blue line. Hopefully Grizz stops throwing his body around like Kase. It’s gonna be exciting to see what Zboril Fredrick and Studz can do long term this season.
Nice to see that Hat Trick by Brandon Sutter. It was fun to watch and and I laughed so hard when I realized that Braden Holtby threw his hat on the ice.
I guess I don’t understand the NHL protocol for cancelling games due to players being placed on the Covid list. Carolina has 5 players on the Covid list, and are cancelling games. Detroit also has 5 regulars on the list, but hasn’t missed a game. What gives ?
Excellent point Iago!
I hadn’t realized that 5 Wings were out with Covid
Yeah – Fabbri, Zadina, Erne, Gagner, and Merril. The Wings didn’t play well in Chicago, but losing 2 forwards off your second line hurts – especially a team lacking scoring depth like Detroit. And yes, I know who the Hawks are missing due to injury – and maybe the Covid guys missing from the Wings would not have affected the outcome, but those were two brutal games.
Depends on the number of players who actually tested positive for COVID-19. Some are on the list due to false positives or awaiting word of suspected close contacts.
Thanks for the clarification Lyle
That makes more sense
Regarding Pateyrn, the last thing the Pens need is another d-man who can’t play d … what good is physicality if you can’t skate and/or move the puck?
IF CBJ need a center to accomodate Laine,the best in the business at playmaking is in the final year of his contract,Bruins D. Krecji.Expand trade w/ Debrusk as a sweetner.