NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 24, 2023

by | Aug 24, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 24, 2023

The Leafs sign Auston Matthews to a four-year contract extension while teammate William Nylander hopes to stay in Toronto, Canucks center Elias Pettersson is in no rush to sign an extension, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs reached an agreement with Auston Matthews on a four-year, $53 million contract extension that begins in 2024-25. The average annual value is $13.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Starting in ’24-’25, Matthews will have the highest AAV in the league, surpassing Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon ($12.6 million) and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid ($12.5 million).

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (NHL Images).

The deal is front-loaded, paying $16.7 million in actual salary for ’24-’25, $15.2 million in 2025-26, $11.080 million in 2026-27 and $10.020 million in 2027-28. Of that $53 million total, $50 million will be paid out as signing bonuses. That means he’ll get $15.925 million of his actual salary on July 1 of the first season, $14.425 million for the second season, $10.180 million in season three and $9.120 million in the final season.

Matthews turns 26 on Sept. 17 and will be 27 when the ’24-’25 regular-season schedule begins. He’ll be 30 when his new contract expires. If he maintains his annual 40-plus goal pace, he’ll be in line for yet another lucrative deal.

Top NHL stars usually sign expensive contracts for the maximum number of years under the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). That’s eight years for re-signing with their current team as a restricted free agent and seven years if they sign with a new club as an unrestricted free agent.

Matthews, however, is breaking that trend. Signing deals that are four or five years in length ensures he’ll remain among the highest-paid players during most of his career.

It also ensures that Matthews is not locked into one team for too long, especially if management decides to rebuild the roster. Had he signed an eight-year extension and the Leafs ended up rebuilding four years from now, he’d be stuck on a club with no chance of winning the Stanley Cup over the remaining term of a contract that would prove difficult to trade.

Other NHL superstars are likely taking notice. Don’t be surprised if we start seeing similar deals among the league’s current and future top players in the coming years.

TORONTO SUN: Speaking of the Leafs, William Nylander claims there’s no other place he wants to play. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The 27-year-old winger indicated his representatives have spoken with Leafs management but doesn’t think there’s much going on right now. He’s unconcerned about the situation, adding that his focus is on getting ready for the coming season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported earlier this summer that negotiations between the Leafs and Nylander’s camp weren’t going well, with speculation claiming he seeks $10 million annually on his next deal.

With Mitch Marner due for a hefty raise in 2025, it’s believed the Leafs could retain Nylander for this season as a self-rental as they chase that elusive Stanley Cup and let him depart via free agency in July. Time will tell if that comes to pass.

THE PROVINCE: Elias Pettersson told Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman that he’s not in a rush to sign a new contract with the Vancouver Canucks. The 24-year-old center is in the final season of his three-year deal with an AAV of $7.35 million but he’ll earn $10.25 million in actual salary in 2023-24. He’ll become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July.

Pettersson indicated that contract discussions are on hold as he focuses on preparing for the coming season. He wants to ensure that he gets the right contract for himself, be it a short or long-term deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report goes on to point out that the Canucks performance this season could determine the length of Pettersson’s next contract. It also noted that his camp has positioned itself well given the anticipated rise in the salary cap to over $90 million within the next two seasons.

Because Pettersson signed his current contract after the 2020 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) extending the CBA, it won’t cost the Canucks $10.25 million to qualify his rights next summer. It will instead cost them $8.82 million to do so.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers signed winger Alexis Lafreniere to a two-year, $4.65 million contract. The AVV is $2.325 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise that Lafreniere agreed to a bridge contract. The 2020 first-overall pick has struggled to play up to expectations with the Rangers. Only 21, he still has plenty of time to reach his full potential and perhaps land a more lucrative deal when the new one expires as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

SPORTSNET: The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly finalizing a two-year, $7.8 million contract for defenseman Evan Bouchard. The AAV is $3.9 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That deal will leave the Oilers with just over $382K in cap space for this season with 21 roster players under contract.

The puck-moving Bouchard, 23, gets a decent pay raise for now on a short-term contract. He stands to cash in down the road when the Oilers have more cap space, especially with the cap projected to rise to $92 million for 2025-26 when he’ll become an RFA with arbitration rights.

NHL.COM: As expected, the Arizona Coyotes formally announced the re-signing of head coach Andre Tourigny. He has received a three-year contract extension.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: The Lightning signed defenseman Darren Raddysh to a two-year extension with an AAV of $975K.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Lightning also inked former Ottawa Senators forward Austin Watson to a professional tryout offer.

Speaking of PTOs, the Columbus Blue Jackets have added goaltender Aaron Dell and defenseman Nicolas Meloche.

TSN: The Anaheim Ducks signed defenseman Scott Harrington to a PTO.

NHL: The league and the NHL Players Association are working on plans to begin a rotation of international competition starting with a tournament in February 2025 and followed by tournaments every second year starting with the 2026 Winter Olympics.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s about damn time too. The last tournament involving NHL players was the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. The last Olympic participation was in 2012.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 23, 2023

by | Aug 23, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 23, 2023

The Lightning sign Brandon Hagel to an eight-year contract extension, the Coyotes extend coach Andre Tourigny’s contract, a columnist joins Kris Letang for a workout, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Tampa Bay Lightning yesterday announced the signing of Brandon Hagel on an eight-year, $52 million contract extension. The 24-year-old winger is currently on the final season of his three-year, $4.5 million deal.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hagel’s getting a significant annual pay raise from $1.5 million to $6.5 million when his new contract kicks in for 2024-25. However, the 24-year-old winger earned it by quickly becoming a key part of the Lightning roster following his acquisition from the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2021-22 season.

Hagel reached career highs last season with 30 goals and 34 assists for 64 points. He’s now in his playing prime and should remain an important part of their core forwards over the life of his new contract.

GOPHNX.COM’s Craig Morgan reports the Arizona Coyotes have reached an agreement on a contract extension with head coach Andre Tourigny. Terms were not announced. It’s also believed his assistant coaches will also receive extensions.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tourigny is entering his third season on his current deal with the Coyotes. The club showed improvement last season with 70 points, up from 57 from the previous year.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Columnist Matt Vensel recently took part in an offseason workout in Montreal with Penguins defenseman Kris Letang and his personal trainer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vensel’s brief foray as Letang’s workout partner is a fascinating look at the hard work that the 36-year-old blueliner puts himself through in preparation for the upcoming NHL season.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings signed center Joe Veleno to a one-year, $825K contract.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche signed center Peter Holland to a professional tryout offer.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: The Flyers signed 2023 first-round pick Oliver Bonk to an entry-level contract. The 18-year-old defenseman was chosen 22nd overall.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Edmonton Oilers have hired Rick Pracey as their Director of Amateur Scouting, parting ways with Tyler Wright.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: cited TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie reporting the NHL has cleared defenseman Logan Mailloux to play with the Canadiens. Mailloux, 20, played his final season of junior hockey in 2022-23 with the OHL’s London Knights.

Three years ago while playing in Sweden, Mailloux was charged under Swedish law with defamation and offensive photography when he shared explicit, non-consensual photos with his teammates.

Mailloux was fined for the offenses and was suspended by the OHL for all but 12 games of the 2021-22 season. He also had to receive permission from league Commissioner Gary Bettman to play in the NHL following his junior career.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As per the report, Mailloux has expressed remorse for his actions and has taken part in a series of educational events involving the Montreal Canadiens Foundation. He could start the season with the Canadiens AHL affiliate in Laval.

Mailloux appears to have earned the opportunity for a second chance. It’s up to him to make the most of it.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 22, 2023

by | Aug 22, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 22, 2023

Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey will be ready for training camp, Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner hopes to improve in his sophomore season, Jakob Chychrun prepares for his first full season with the Senators, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Josh Morrissey said he’s fully recovered from his season-ending lower-body injury suffered during the Winnipeg Jets’ first-round playoff series with the Vegas Golden Knights. The 28-year-old defenseman said his recovery timeline was four-to-six weeks.

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A healthy Morrissey is good news for the Jets and their playoff hopes for the coming season. He’s coming off a career-best 76-point performance in 2022-23.

Stuart Skinner hopes to take the lessons learned from his 2022-23 rookie campaign to be even better in his approaching sophomore season. Skinner appeared in the 2023 All-Star Game and was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Perhaps the biggest lesson learned for Skinner was handling NHL postseason pressure. He outplayed Jack Campbell for the starting goalie job during the regular season but struggled in the playoffs and at times was spelled off by Campbell. His inconsistent play was among the reasons why the Oilers failed to get past the second round against the Golden Knights.

OTTAWA SUN: Jakob Chychrun is preparing for his first full season with the Senators. The 25-year-old defenseman was traded from the Arizona Coyotes before the March 3 trade deadline.

Frequently sidelined by injuries, Chychrun’s taking a different approach to his offseason training with a group in Toronto to help him stay healthy this season. He’s working on improving his skating as well as incorporating a workout routine that includes pilates and treatment for the hamstring injury that hampered him last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Having Chychrun healthy and productive will be crucial for the Senators as they hope to finally qualify for the playoffs following several seasons of rebuilding.

WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Anthony Mantha is hoping to improve his speed and performance in his contract year. The 28-year-old Capitals winger has committed to trimming his playing weight from last season’s 242 to 232 in the hope that it will bolster his game.

Mantha is coming off a poor performance last season, tallying just 27 points in 67 games. He understands that he needs to have a successful effort in the final year of his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A solid season from Mantha will not only improve his free-agent value next summer but also the Capitals’ chance of reaching the playoffs. This is an aging club coming off a season where they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2013-14.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Carolina Hurricanes signed defenseman Nathan Beaulieu to a professional tryout offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As the report points out, the Hurricanes already have a stacked blueline featuring Brent Burns, Dmitry Orlov, Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei, Tony DeAngelo, Dylan Coghlan and Caleb Jones.

Pesce and Skjei have surfaced as trade candidates this summer due to their UFA eligibility next July. Signing Beaulieu to a PTO could stoke speculation of management’s intent to move one of them for a scoring forward before the season begins in October.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of PTOs, winger Alex Chiasson signed one with the Bruins.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former Arizona Coyotes forward Alex Galchenyuk pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge on Monday for uttering threats at a police offer. He was arrested in July on six charges, including private property hit and run, disorderly conduct, failure to obey, resisting arrest and threatening or intimidating.

Five other charges against Galchenyuk were dismissed. He was ordered to spend 30 days in jail but 27 of those will be suspended if he completes an alcohol recovery program and goes 12 months without consuming or possessing alcohol.

NHL.COM: Jonathan Bernier announced his retirement yesterday after 14 NHL seasons. The 35-year-old goaltender did not play last season due to a hip injury.

Selected 11th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2006 NHL Draft, Bernier compiled a record of 165 wins, 163 losses and 40 overtime losses as well as a 2.77 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage and 18 shutouts. He played 404 regular-season games with the Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils, winning the Stanley Cup in 2012 with the Kings as Jonathan Quick’s backup.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 21, 2023

by | Aug 21, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 21, 2023

A look at players who could reach significant milestones this season, the favorites to win the Selke Trophy following Patrice Bergeron’s retirement, the highest-scoring UFAs still available, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ian Kennedy looked at several NHL players who could reach significant career milestones in 2023-24. Among the notables:

Free agent Phil Kessel (992 points) and Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares (975 points) are within reach of 1,000 career regular-season points.

Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (NHL Images).

Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand could achieve 500 career regular-season assists, 1,000 career regular-season PIMs and 1,000 career regular-season games.

Marc-Andre Fleury of the Minnesota Wild needs just 15 more games to become the fourth goaltender in NHL history to play 1,000 career regular-season contests.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin can reach the 500-goal plateau. He currently has 471.

THE SCORE: Kayla Douglas recently sized up the favorites to win the Selke Trophy this season in the wake of Patrice Bergeron’s retirement. Among them are Vegas Golden Knights winger Mark Stone, Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar, Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner, Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov and New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier.

DAILY FACEOFF: The pickings are slim for scorers in what’s left of this summer’s unrestricted free-agent class. Nevertheless, a few familiar names remain, including Patrick Kane, Tomas Tatar, Phil Kessel, Zach Parise and Eric Staal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane is the biggest name on this list. If he wasn’t rehabbing from a hip resurfacing procedure in early June he would’ve been signed within hours of the free-agent market opening on July 1. The 34-year-old winger is expected to be ready to return to action in December and intends to sign with a team that gives him the best chance to win the Stanley Cup.

Tatar is coming off a respectable 20-goal, 48-point performance with the New Jersey Devils last season. He has been linked to the Penguins in the rumor mill. Parise tallied 21 goals last season at age 38. The New York Islanders are waiting to find out if Parise, who turned 39 on July 28, intends to return or retire.

Kessel said he has no plans for retirement but there’s no word if he’s any closer to landing with a new team. The same goes for the 38-year-old Staal.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Hall of Fame defenseman Slava Fetisov is auctioning some of his memorabilia with the proceeds going directly to a special fund to assist in the care of former Detroit Red Wings teammate Vladimir Konstantinov’s ongoing non-medical care.

Konstantinov’s career was ended by a debilitating brain injury suffered in 1997. The state of Michigan is still covering his health insurance but he and his family need help with his other therapy costs.

Czech hockey greats of the past and present gathered in Litvinov on Saturday for a charity hockey game honoring the memory of Petr Klima, who passed away in May at age 58. Boston’s David Pastrnak and Carolina’s Martin Necas were among the current NHL players who took part along with former stars such as Patrik Elias, Ziggy Palffy, and Robert Reichel.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Former Sharks defenseman Ryan Merkley has signed with KHL club Kunlun Red Star.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 20, 2023

by | Aug 20, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 20, 2023

Former Islanders GM Garth Snow opens up about his tenure with the club, a recent ranking of the top wingers, the Jets re-sign Logan Stanley, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears reports Garth Snow is finally free to speak his mind five years after being replaced as general manager of the New York Islanders. He’d been prevented from doing so or working in the NHL because of the terms of his five-year payout.

Among the topics he discussed was John Tavares’ departure from the Islanders to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018, a month after Snow was fired. “He didn’t do anything wrong,” said Snow, who laid the blame at the feet of Isles co-owner Scott Malkin.

Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares (NHL Images).

Islanders fans perceived Tavares was at fault for stringing along the club by leaving open the possibility of re-signing him when they could’ve moved him for assets at the 2018 trade deadline. Snow revealed that Malkin made the decision to keep Tavares even at the risk of losing him to free agency later that year.

Snow said Malkin has taken over contract talks with the Tavares camp. Despite setting aside $10 million annually to re-sign their captain, the club made little progress in negotiations. He said he felt bad for Tavares getting trashed by the fans for something that wasn’t his fault.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Snow also revealed the threat of the Islanders relocating was real prior to their move to Barclays Center in 2015 during their attempts to get a new arena constructed. While that decision prevented relocation, the difficulties involved in playing there hung over the club and made game days difficult.

Snow has been coaching the PAL Junior Islanders but he indicated he’s spoken with several NHL clubs about front-office roles.

NHL.COM: Boston’s David Pastrnak topped the NHL Network’s recent ranking of the league’s top 20 wingers. Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk, Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov, Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen and Dallas’ Jason Robertson rounded out their top five.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link above for the complete ranking.

TSN.CA: The Jets signed defenseman Logan Stanley on Saturday to a one-year, $1 million contract.

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Speaking of the Jets, Cole Perfetti hopes to fill the gap left by center Pierre-Luc Dubois’ departure via a trade to Los Angeles. The promising 21-year-old had 30 points in 51 games before his rookie season was cut short by an upper-body injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Selected 10th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, the Jets have high hopes for Perfetti. He could get his wish with a healthy performance in his sophomore campaign. That might also make it easier for the Jets to part ways with Mark Scheifele if the latter decides to test next summer’s free-agent market.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: KHL club Salavat Yulaev will honor the memory of Rodion Amirov by retiring his No. 27. The 21-year-old Maple Leafs prospect spent three seasons with the club until his career was cut short by a brain tumor. Amirov passed away last Monday in Germany where he was receiving treatment.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Arizona Coyotes forward Jan Jenik has requested a trade. The 22-year-old restricted free agent has played 17 games over three seasons with the Coyotes, spending most of that time with their AHL affiliate in Tucson.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 19, 2023

by | Aug 19, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 19, 2023

Former NHL stars turn out for Marian Hossa’s “Goodbye Game” in Slovakia, the Sabres trade Ilya Lyubushkin to the Ducks, the Sharks add Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek to their hockey operations staff, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE SCORE: A number of former NHL stars participated in Marian Hossa’s “Goodbye Game” in Slovakia on Friday. Hossa’s playing career was ended prematurely following the 2016-17 season by a rare skin condition. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020.

Hockey Hall of Fame winger Marian Hossa (NHL Images).

Many of the players were former teammates of Hossa, who played for the Ottawa Senators, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks during his 19-season NHL career.

Among the notables were Nicklas Lidstrom, Zdeno Chara, Daniel Alfredsson, Duncan Keith, Henrik Zetterberg, Jonathan Toews, Peter Bondra, Dustin Byfuglien, Patrick Sharp, Martin Havlat and Miroslav Satan.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hossa, 44, delighted the crowd with a breakaway goal in the third period.

BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: The Sabres traded defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2025.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: To quote Cap Friendly, “There’s nothing like a Friday night trade in the middle of August.” I jokingly suggested that they did it to see if we were paying attention. The timing could in fact be due to the Sabres and their fans mourning the passing of broadcasting icon Rick Jeanneret.

The Sabres had nine defensemen under NHL contract and had to clear the logjam on their blueline. Lyubushkin, 29, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. This move also frees up $2.75 million from their cap payroll.

For the Ducks, Lyubushkin adds another measure of size, physicality and experience to their blueline after signing Radko Gudas earlier this summer.

SPORTSNET: The San Jose Sharks added former Sabres Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek to their hockey operations department. The pair are former teammates of Sharks general manager Mike Grier.

Miller will scout draft-eligible goaltenders for the Sharks and will assist in the development of their goalies. Vanek, meanwhile, becomes an amateur scout in the Minnesota region.

TVA SPORTS: The Montreal Canadiens hired former NHL forward Fernando Pisani as an amateur scout. He played for the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks from 2002-03 to 2010-11, with seven of those seasons with the Oilers.

NHL.COM: Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid topped the NHL Network’s recent ranking of the top 20 centers for the 2023-24 season. Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon, Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl, Toronto’s Auston Matthews and Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby.