NHL Rumor Mill – January 15, 2024

by | Jan 15, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 15, 2024

Check out the latest on Leon Draisaitl, Jeremy Swayman, and Jacob Markstrom in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Following the Toronto Maple Leafs’ of re-signing William Nylander, Mark Spector believed Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl will be the next big Canadian contract to watch.

Draisaitl, 28, will be entering the final season of his eight-year, $68 million contract on July 1, which is the earliest that the Oilers can open contract extension talks with him. His current deal became the most team-friendly among the Oilers given his rise as an NHL superstar.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

Entering that final season, Draisaitl will have to choose between another eight seasons with the Oilers or perhaps moving on to a bigger market such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boston or New York as an unrestricted free agent once his current deal is done.

Draisaitl could sign a short-term deal with the Oilers but Spector considered that to be unlikely.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This isn’t a rumor but it is worth noting Draisaitl’s contract situation.

Speculation about Maple Leafs forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares has already started but there’s been very little regarding Draisaitl, who is a much bigger star. Where he plays following this contract and how much he’ll earn on his next deal will become hot topics for media conjecture later this year.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy wondered if Jeremy Swayman was sending a shot across the bow of Bruins management regarding his comments about being selected for the 2024 All-Star Game by NHL fans.

Swayman first praised his teammates for putting him in this position. However, he also revealed that his arbitration process last summer was not a pleasant experience, talking about having to deal with what he went through and “hearing things that a player should never hear.”

Murphy noted that Swayman got a one-year, $3.47 million contract award via arbitration. He also pointed out that the process is an uncomfortable one for players and teams. The 25-year-old netminder and his agent have declined to talk with the media this season about his contract negotiations with the Bruins.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently speculated that Swayman could re-sign with the Bruins in January. Murphy wonders if the goalie’s comments suggest things haven’t gone as Friedman expected.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Arbitration is bruising to a player’s ego and can sometimes cause irreparable damage to his relationship with management, greasing the skids for his departure to another club via trade or free agency.

Swayman is slated to once again become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. It’ll be worthwhile to monitor his situation if he hasn’t re-signed by then.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols believes Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom is an unlikely trade target for the Devils. He reached that decision after hearing Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman’s report on Saturday indicating it will take a lot for the Flames to consider parting with their starting netminder.

Friedman noted Markstrom carries a full no-movement clause and the Flames have no intention of asking him to waive it unless it’s to a destination he wants to go to. Nichols thinks there could be more desirable locations than New Jersey for Markstrom.

The Flames’ asking price is also a sticking point. Nichols speculates they could ask for promising defenseman Simon Nemec or forward Dawson Mercer as part of the return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils can free up $9 million in cap space by placing sidelined defenseman Dougie Hamilton on long-term injury reserve. They could afford Markstrom’s $6 million average annual value but not what would be a significant asking price from the Flames. If they go goalie shopping they could consider more affordable short-term options.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 15, 2024

by | Jan 15, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 15, 2024

The Rangers defeat the Capitals, the Red Wings rally to beat the Leafs, the head coaches for the 2024 All-Star Game are announced, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The New York Rangers snapped a four-game losing skid by holding off the Washington Capitals 2-1. Igor Shesterkin made 24 saves for the win while Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere scored for the 27-13-2 Rangers as they sit in first place in the Metropolitan Division with 56 points. T.J. Oshie scored and Charlie Lindgren turned aside 29 shots for the Capitals (20-15-6) as they sit three points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 46 points.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals played without captain Alex Ovechkin, who missed his second straight game with a lower-body injury.

Three unanswered third-period goals by Daniel Sprong, Andrew Copp and Lucas Raymond left the Detroit Red Wings to a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dylan Larkin had a goal and an assist while James Reimer stopped 29 shots for the 22-16-5 Red Wings, extending their points streak to six games and moving into the first Eastern wild-card spot with 49 points. Mitch Marner scored to collect his 600th career NHL point for the 21-12-8 Maple Leafs, who sit third in the Atlantic Division with 50 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ilya Samsonov made 23 saves in his first game back with the Leafs since being recalled from their AHL affiliate. He couldn’t be blamed for the sloppy defensive play that contributed to the Leafs’ third-period collapse.

Detroit winger Patrick Kane left this game with a lower-body injury and will receive further evaluation. It’s not believed to involve the hip that he had a resurfacing procedure on last June. The Wings also activated forward Klim Kostin off injured reserve but he didn’t participate in this game.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Rick Bowness of the Winnipeg Jets, Jim Montgomery of the Boston Bruins, Peter Laviolette of the New York Rangers and Rick Tocchet of the Vancouver Canucks were named the head coaches for the 2024 NHL All-Star Game on Feb. 3 in Toronto.

The first 10 participants in the All-Star Skills competition were announced by the NHL. They are Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Auston Matthews and William Nylander, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar, Edmonton Oilers centers Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes, Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak, and Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The final two participants will be chosen by fan voting that concludes on Jan. 18.

THE ATHLETIC’s Jesse Granger reports the Vegas Golden Knights have placed center Jack Eichel on injured reserve.

TSN: Ottawa Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg will be sidelined by a groin injury until at least after the All-Star Game.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Columbus Blue Jackets activated forward Sean Kuraly off injured reserve. He’s missed the last eight games with an abdominal injury.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former NHL forward Cody Hodgson is hoping to make a comeback after retiring eight years ago after being diagnosed with malignant hypothermia. The 34-year-old has been skating since the summer after receiving a clean bill of health.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Several NHL clubs have expressed an interest in former San Jose Sharks forward Sasha Chmelevski. He played 24 games with the Sharks in 2020-21 and 2021-22 before heading to KHL club Salavat Yulayev-Ufa. The Sharks still hold his NHL rights and the earliest he can return to the NHL is next season.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 14, 2024

by | Jan 14, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 14, 2024

The latest on Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom and Penguins winger Jake Guentzel, an update on Corey Perry plus some Blackhawks and Senators speculation in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LATEST ON MARKSTROM AND GUENTZEL

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Calgary Flames aren’t commenting about recent trade rumors regarding Jacob Markstrom. He doesn’t believe they’ve approached the 33-year-old goaltender about a trade.

Friedman also noted that Markstrom has a full no-movement clause and the Flames have set a high bar in terms of what it would take to prompt them to approach the former Vezina Trophy finalist. It would have to be a massive return for the Flames or somewhere that Markstrom would want to go before they’d consider going to him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers feel the Flames should strike while Markstrom’s trade value is high to move out an aging, expensive asset to make room for promising netminder Dustin Wolf. Perhaps if the Flames were near the bottom of the standings they would consider it now. However, I don’t see them making that move now after climbing back into playoff contention.

Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).

Even if trading Markstrom were possible during the season, his cap hit ($6 million through 2025-26) would be difficult to move with so many teams carrying so little cap space. The Flames would have to do a dollar-for-dollar swap or retain up to half of his cap hit to make the deal work. It’s not impossible but it’s still not easy to pull off, especially as the Flames would want a significant return.

If the Flames want to move Markstrom or if he wants out, the best opportunity would be this summer when the salary cap is projected to rise by $4.2 million. His trade value would remain high if he continues playing well over the remainder of this season and they’d have an easier time moving his contract.

Friedman also reported there have been no determinations made yet regarding Jake Guentzel’s future with the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, he thinks the biggest factor could be where the Penguins see themselves going in a few years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guentzel, 29, is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 unless he and the Penguins agree to a contract extension before then. His agent raised some eyebrows in a recent interview where he suggested contract talks could get difficult though he remains hopeful of working something out.

I don’t see the Penguins moving Guentzel while they’re jockeying for a playoff berth. That could change if they tumble down the standings but I think general manager Kyle Dubas will allow his current roster to prove itself as a playoff contender.

THE LATEST ON THE BLACKHAWKS

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus recently looked at what could be in store for the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks in 2024.

They wondered if the Blackhawks would re-sign or trade forwards Nick Foligno and Jason Dickinson and goaltender Petr Mrazek (SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was written before Foligno signed his two-year contract extension).

Powers followed up two days later by reporting general manager Kyle Davidson is considering re-signing or trading Dickinson and Mrazek. He’d like to keep them as he’ll have to go shopping for a two-way center and a starting goaltender if they should decide to leave. Powers has heard the Blackhawks would sign them to more than fair contracts provided they’re not seeking long-term deals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There could be interest in Dickinson and Mrazek in the trade market if those two don’t intend to re-sign. Mrazek, however, sounds like he’d prefer to stick around, crediting the move to Chicago with saving his career.

Davidson hinted he might not be as busy as a seller at this year’s trade deadline compared to last year’s. Part of the reason is they don’t have as much desirable trade bait this time around but also whether they have too many draft picks and need to start spacing out when their prospects turn pro.

Despite a recent rumor linking Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson to the Blackhawks, don’t expect them to sign the 25-year-old restricted free agent to an offer sheet. For that matter, don’t hold your breath waiting for them to pursue Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos, Florida’s Sam Reinhart, Toronto’s Tyler Bertuzzi or Carolina’s Teuvo Teravainen in this summer’s free-agent market.

Davidson is playing the long game with the rebuild with the blessing of team ownership. Maybe in 2025, he’ll be ready to spend to the salary cap. With so many of their high-end prospects due for new contracts in the coming years, most of their cap space will be spent internally.

UPDATE ON COREY PERRY

Elliotte Friedman also spoke about Corey Perry receiving permission from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to speak with other clubs. It’s believed interested teams are conducting due diligence while Perry is also doing the same with those clubs.

SENATORS STILL SHOPPING FOR VETERANS

Elliotte Friedman reports the Ottawa Senators continue to shop for “pros” who can help them with the overall play and direction of the club. The club has also made it clear that some “real untouchables” are on their roster. While the new front-office staff are trying to gauge the market value of their players, Friedman doesn’t think anything’s imminent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those untouchables likely include captain Brady Tkachuk, center Tim Stutzle and defenseman Jake Sanderson. 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 14, 2024

by | Jan 14, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 14, 2024

The Oilers and Kraken maintain their win streaks while the Jets’ and Panthers’ streaks come to an end and the final 12 players are announced for the All-Star Game. Details and more from a busy Saturday in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers set a franchise record with their 10th consecutive win by nipping the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 on an overtime power-play goal by Evan Bouchard. Leon Draisaitl tied the game in the third period for the Oilers (23-15-1) as they hold the final Western Conference wild-card berth with 47 points. Sam Montembeault stopped 39 shots and Cole Caufield scored for the 17-18-7 Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens called up Joshua Roy from their AHL affiliate in Laval to replace sidelined winger Josh Anderson.

Seattle Kraken winger Jared McCann scored twice and added an assist as his club won their franchise-record ninth straight contest by downing the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-4, extending their points streak to 13 games. Joey Daccord made 30 saves for his eighth straight win while Oliver Bjorkstrand had a goal and two assists for the 19-14-9 Kraken, who sit just behind the Oilers with 47 points. Ivan Provorov tallied twice for the 13-21-9 Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets made rookie defenseman David Jiricek a healthy scratch from this contest.

The Winnipeg Jets’ eight-game win streak came to an end as they fell 2-0 to the Philadelphia Flyers. Samuel Ersson made 35 saves for the shutout while Cam Atkinson scored twice to snap his goalless streak that stretched back to Nov. 11. With a record of 23-14-6, the Flyers sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 52 points. Connor Hellebuyck turned aside 34 shots for the 28-10-4 Jets, as they slipped into second place in the overall standings with 60 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers played without Jamie Drysdale (illness) and Sean Couturier (“minor injury”) while Jets center Mark Scheifele sat out with a lower-body injury.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko made 26 saves to blank the Buffalo Sabres 1-0. Sam Lafferty netted the only goal for the 29-11-3 Canucks for their fifth straight win as they vaulted over the Jets into first overall with 61 points. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 22 shots for the 18-21-4 Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson left the game in the second period after taking an elbow in the face from Canucks blueliner Filip Hronek.

A 36-save performance by Nico Daws carried the New Jersey Devils over the Florida Panthers 4-1, snapping the latter’s nine-game win streak. Jesper Bratt scored what proved to be the game-winner for the 22-15-3 Devils (47 points) as they sit one point out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Sam Reinhart extended his goal streak to six games for the Panthers (27-13-2) as they sit second in the Eastern Conference with 56 points.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (NHL Images).

An overtime goal by Charlie McAvoy gave the Boston Bruins a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues. McAvoy and Brad Marchand each had two goals for the 25-8-9 Bruins, who sit first overall in the Eastern Conference with 59 points. Jordan Binnington stopped 31 shots for the 21-18-2 Blues, who are three points out of the final Western wild-card spot with 44 points.

Third-period goals by Nic Dowd and T.J. Oshie lifted the Washington Capitals over the New York Rangers 3-2, leaving the latter winless in their last four games (0-3-1). Charlie Lindgren made 25 saves for the 20-14-6 Capitals (46 points) as they sit two points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. Adam Fox tallied both goals for the Rangers (26-13-2) as they hold first place in the Metropolitan Division with 54 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin missed this game with a lower-body injury.

The Carolina Hurricanes extended their points streak to eight games by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on an overtime tally by Brett Pesce, who finished the game with two goals. Antti Raanta made 38 saves for the 24-13-5 Hurricanes (53) as they sit one point back of the Rangers in the Metro Division. Bryan Rust had a goal and an assist for the Penguins (20-15-6) as they sit two points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot with 46 points.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin scored two goals to lead his club to a 5-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, extending the latter’s winless skid to eight games (0-4-4). Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist while Alex Lyon stopped 33 shots for the 21-16-5 Red Wings (47 points), who are one point out of the final Eastern wild-card berth. Quinton Byfield scored two goals for the 20-11-8 Kings, who remain third in the Pacific Division with 48 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kings head coach Todd McLellan is facing the heat from the club’s fans as they chanted for him to be fired. They could get their wish if the Kings don’t soon reverse their current slide.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos tallied twice to beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-1. Nikita Kucherov collected three assists to remain the league’s scoring leader with 72 points as his club improved to 22-17-5 and sit in the first Eastern wild-card spot with 49 points. Lukas Dostol turned aside 36 shots for the 14-27-1 Ducks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak missed this game with an upper-body injury.

Five unanswered goals rallied the Colorado Avalanche to a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Jonathan Drouin and Ross Colton each had a goal and an assist for the 28-12-3 Avalanche (59 points) as they sit one point behind the first-place Jets in the Central Division. Martin Jones stopped 28 shots for the 21-11-8 Leafs as they sit third in the Atlantic Division with 50 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson returned to action after missing the last two games with an undisclosed injury.

The Dallas Stars netted three unanswered third-period goals in a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Goalie Jake Oettinger picked up the win for Dallas after Scott Wedgewood left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury. With a record of 25-12-2, the Stars are third in the Central Division with 55 points. Petr Mrazek stopped 27 shots for the 12-29-2 Blackhawks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones returned to the lineup after missing 15 games with a shoulder injury.

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram made 38 saves for his fifth shutout of the season in a 6-0 win over the Minnesota Wild. Nick Bjugstad had a hat trick as the Coyotes (21-18-2) moved to within three points of a Western wild-card spot with 44 points. Goaltender Filip Gustavsson and winger Kirill Kaprizov returned to action for the 17-20-5 Wild after missing several games with injuries.

The Nashville Predators defeated the New York Islanders 3-1 on late goals by Alexandre Carrier and Juuso Parssinen. Juuse Saros stopped 24 shots for the 24-18-1 Predators as they hold the first Western wild-card berth with 49 points. Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored for the Islanders (19-13-10) as they cling to the final Eastern wild-card spot with 48 points.

Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 31 saves while Blake Coleman had a goal and an assist to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1. Chandler Stephenson had the only goal for the Golden Knights (24-14-5) as they sit second in the Pacific Division with 53 points. The Flames improved to 20-18-5 (45 points) to move within two points of the final Western wild-card berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Golden Knights center Jack Eichel missed this contest with an undisclosed injury.

The Ottawa Senators ended a five-game losing skid with a 5-4 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Vladimir Tarasenko tallied the game-winner with five seconds remaining in the third period while Artem Zub picked up three assists for the 15-23-0 Senators. MacKenzie Blackwood kicked out 36 shots while Mario Ferraro had three assists for the 10-30-3 Sharks, who’ve lost 13 of their last 14 games.

DAILY FACEOFF: Toronto Maple Leafs William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly and Vancouver Canucks Elias Pettersson, JT Miller, Brock Boeser and Thatcher Demko have been named to the 2024 NHL All-Star Game as voted by the fans. The others included Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, Florida Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev, Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 13, 2024

by | Jan 13, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 13, 2024

Can the Blue Jackets find a trade partner for Elvis Merzlikins? Did the Flyers try to acquire Bowen Byran from the Avalanche? What’s the latest on the Bruins and Canucks? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CAN THE BLUE JACKETS FIND A TRADE FOR MERZLIKINS?

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Brian Hedger reports learning that the Blue Jackets are seeking potential trade partners willing to acquire Elvis Merzlikins and the remainder of his contract.

The 29-year-old goaltender yesterday confirmed his agent spoke with Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen about a trade. He’s unhappy over what he considers his demotion since December from being the Jackets’ starting goalie to their third-stringer.

Merzlikins is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5.4 million and a 10-team no-trade list. Hedger believes the Jackets might have to absorb part of that cap hit as well as package Merzlikins with a prospect or draft pick “in exchange for, essentially, nothing but completing an addition-by-subtraction move.”

Hedger thinks that not playing Merzlikins prevents him from damaging his trade value with a poor performance. However, it also prevents him from improving it.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (NHL Images).

Trading Merzlikins seems the most likely conclusion. They could attempt to buy out the remainder of his contract this summer but that’s at two-thirds of the remaining value of the contract over twice the remaining term. They could also put him on waivers and if he clears send him to their AHL affiliate, freeing up just $1.15 million of his $5.4 million cap hit.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Merzlikins hasn’t requested a trade but he and the club have reached a mutual decision to pursue a “new scenario” for him. Kekalainen, meanwhile, declined to comment that he’s seeking a trade for the netminder, adding that Merzlikins must play his way back into the starter’s job or they’ll find someone else.

This decision might’ve made sense at the end of last season when Merzlikins was statistically among the NHL’s worst goaltenders with a 4.23 goals-against average and a .876 save percentage. He’s been much better this season, sitting 14th in save percentage (.907) and 26th in goals-against average (3.25).

Nevertheless, Merlikins’ play this season and his contract will make it difficult to move him even though several NHL clubs could use help between the pipes. Kekalainen said he has not discussed Merzlikins’ “no-go” list with the goalie.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples suggested a deal in which the Oilers send Jack Campbell to the Blue Jackets for Merzlikins. He cited their near-identical AAVs as well as the fact that both goalies could use a change of scenery. From the Oilers’ point of view, he thinks it’s better to roll the dice on Merzlikins.

Staples also observed several clubs possess the cap space to acquire Merzlikins or a pressing need to upgrade in goal. However, they might not want his contract or currently have goaltenders who are better than the Jackets netminder.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moving any player with a significant cap hit and several years remaining on their contract is difficult to do during the regular season under a salary cap. Doing so in a season like this one with so many teams carrying so little cap space is a daunting challenge.

As Hedger pointed out, the Jackets’ best option could be retaining part of Merzlikins’ cap hit and packaging him with a draft pick or prospect.

A swap of Merzlikins for Campbell could work for the Oilers but I doubt the Blue Jackets would be warm to that idea The Oilers would get the better goalie while the Blue Jackets would be saddled with one whose confidence is so rattled that he hasn’t played his way back into the NHL.

FLYERS ATTEMPTED TO ACQUIRE BYRAM FROM THE AVS

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying he believes the Flyers attempted to trade Cutter Gauthier to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Bowen Byram. However, Friedman doesn’t think the Avs were willing to go there, that it had to be more than just Gauthier for Byram.

The Flyers instead shipped Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a draft pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I suspected the Ducks weren’t the only club the Flyers talked to regarding Gauthier. So what do you think, Avs fans? Did your team make the right decision? How about you, Flyers fans? Would you have preferred this deal instead of the one with the Ducks? Let us know in the comments section below.

LATEST ON THE BRUINS AND CANUCKS

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss cited ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reporting that Bruins GM Don Sweeney is in the market for some depth at forward. She’s heard the Bruins are scouting “middle-six forwards, especially someone who could add a scoring punch.”

Goss conceded the Bruins could use more offense this season. However, he noted that many other contending clubs have better trade assets. Their prospect pool has improved but isn’t among the top 15. They also lack a first-round pick in 2024 and they don’t have second-rounders in 2024 or 2025.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That won’t deter Sweeney from shopping around as any GM in his position would. Nevertheless, he could find it more difficult to bolster his roster this year compared to recent years when he has more cap space and depth in tradeable assets.

THE SCORE: Sean O’Leary cited The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reporting Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford would like to add another top-six forward to his roster.

Rutherford said he and his management team will still keep an eye on their defense but felt they’ve done a good job this season. He thinks adding a top-six forward would give his club a better chance.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks have been the busiest team in this season’s trade market, swinging four deals involving players thus far. Their most significant move was their Nov. 30 acquisition of defenseman Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames. I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a move to land a top-six forward before the March 8 trade deadline.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 13, 2024

by | Jan 13, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 13, 2024

Recaps of Friday’s games, Elvis Merzlikins confirms a trade has been discussed with the Blue Jackets, the Blackhawks re-sign Nick Foligno, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly had a goal and two assists in a 6-3 victory over the Dallas Stars. Roman Josi collected three assists while Filip Forsberg had a goal and an assist for the 23-18-1 Predators, who hold the first Western Conference wild-card spot with 47 points. Matt Duchene had a goal and an assist for the Stars (24-12-5) as they sit third in the Central Division with 53 points.

Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (NHL Images).

The Philadelphia Flyers overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Minnesota Wild 4-3. Joel Farabee scored twice, including the winner in overtime, while Travis Konecny collected two assists and Owen Tippett had a goal and an assist for the 22-14-6 Flyers, who sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 50 points. Ryan Hartman had a goal and an assist for the 17-19-5 Wild.

HEADLINES

TSN: Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins confirmed to the media on Friday that a trade has been discussed between his agent and Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.

Merzlikins, 29, had not played since Dec. 29 as the club is evaluating Danill Tarasov’s potential as a starting goaltender. “I just wanted to be treated as the No. 1 (goaltender). I believe I am the No. 1,” he told the press. “It didn’t get to the point where I’m requesting (a trade). It went to the point where both sides agreed.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Merzlikins also said he’s not sure what’s going to happen now. He stressed that he wants to play his best for his teammates. “This is my family, I’m dead serious,” he said. However, he doesn’t want to be put into a lesser role behind Tarasov and backup Spencer Martin.

Merzlikins is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5.4 million. He has a record of 7-8-6 this season with a 3.25 goals-against average and a save percentage of .907.

I’ll have more on this situation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: The Blackhawks signed forward Nick Foligno to a two-year contract extension. The average annual value is $4.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier this season, Foligno said he was interested in staying with the Blackhawks and helping them through their roster rebuild. They need veteran experience and leadership from players like Foligno to help guide their promising young players.

DAILY FACEOFF: Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland recently said captain Gabriel Landeskog could return to action in time for the 2024 playoffs. Landeskog, 31, hasn’t played since the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022 as he’s undergone two knee surgeries. He recently resumed skating but there remains no timetable for his possible return.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets center Mark Schiefele is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury suffered during Thursday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins winger Reilly Smith could be sidelined longer than expected due to an upper-body injury suffered during Thursday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks.

DAILY FACEOFF: Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov is in concussion protocol after leaving Thursday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks following a collision with Ducks forward Isac Lundestrom.

The Tampa Bay Lightning placed forward Tanner Jeannot on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 6 with an upper-body injury. He’s listed as week-to-week.

OTTAWA SUN: Shane Pinto resumed skating with his teammates on Friday as his 41-game suspension for violating the league’s wagering rules nears its end. He is scheduled to suit up when the Senators face off against the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 21.

THE ATHLETIC: Anaheim Ducks prospect winger Cutter Gauthier said he received death threats via social media for his decision not to play for the Philadelphia Flyers, who traded him to the Ducks earlier in the week.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s one thing to be upset over Gauthier’s decision. Threatening his life behind the anonymity of social media is beyond the pale.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Members of the Maloof family have sold their interests in the Golden Knights to majority owner Bill Foley.