NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 19, 2023

by | Jul 19, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 19, 2023

The Flames will retire Miikka Kiprusoff’s number this season, Alex Galchenyuk enters the player assistance program and apologizes to police, Hockey Night in Canada’s panel to return, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: The Flames announced they will retire Miikka Kiprusoff’s No. 34 during a pregame ceremony when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 2. His banner will hang next to former teammate Jarome Iginla’s No. 12 in the Saddledome rafters.

Former Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff (NHL.com).

Kiprusoff backstopped the Flames into five straight playoffs following his acquisition from the San Jose Sharks during the 2003 offseason, including their run to the 2004 Stanley Cup Final. He won the Vezina Trophy and Jennings Trophy in 2005-06.

In a statement, Kiprusoff said he was honored and humbled by the recognition of his time with the Flames. He spent nine of his 12 NHL seasons with the Flames, retiring as their franchise leader in wins (305), shutouts (41), goals-against average (2.46), save percentage (.913) and games played by a goaltender (576). He also holds their single-season wins record with 45.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a fitting honor for Kiprusoff. For most of his tenure with the Flames (2003-04 to 2012-13), he was a workhorse between the pipes and ranked among the NHL’s top goaltenders. “Kipper” was the main reason they exceeded expectations during the 2004 playoffs and came within a game of winning the Stanley Cup that year.

ESPN.COM: Alex Galchenyuk is voluntarily entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program following his arrest last week. He has also apologized to the Arizona Coyotes and to Scottsdale police for his “deeply disrespectful and despicable behavior.”

The 29-year-old forward was arrested on July 9 for a hit-and-run incident resulting in misdemeanor charges. The Coyotes terminated his contract just 13 days after signing him to a one-year deal on July 1.

NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh said the players association is still contemplating whether to file a grievance on Galchenyuk’s behalf regarding the termination of his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I hope Galchenyuk gets the help he needs to address his personal issues.

TORONTO SUN: It appears Hockey Night in Canada’s panel will be returning for 2023-24. There was speculation earlier this month that host Ron MacLean and others on the panel would be replaced.

Longtime sportscaster and producer John Shannon recently tweeted that MacLean will be back for another year. Fellow panelist Kevin Bieksa also tweeted that he will be returning.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Former Avalanche forward Denis Malgin is returning to Switzerland, signing a five-year contract with the Swiss National League’s ZSC Lions. From 2016-17 to 2022-23, he had 41 goals and 80 points in 257 games with the Avalanche, Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs hired Derek Clancey as an assistant general manager. He spent last season as an assistant GM with the Vancouver Canucks. Before that, he worked as a pro scout in 2021-22 for Leafs general manager Brad Treliving when the latter was GM of the Calgary Flames.

ESPN: NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league isn’t looking to add an in-season tournament like the National Basketball Association. The NBA is adding a European cup-style competition to its 2023-24 regular-season schedule.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The stick used by Wayne Gretzky in Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Final is being offered at auction through Sotheby’s Sealed to July 25. The stick is estimated to rake up around $500,000 USD.

The Oilers won their fourth Cup in that game with Gretzky winning his second Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. It was this last championship as well as his final game with the Oilers before his trade to the Los Angeles Kings.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 18, 2023

by | Jul 18, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 18, 2023

Connor Bedard signs his entry-level contract with the Blackhawks, Ross Colton inks a four-year deal with the Avalanche, Anton Stralman is no fan of today’s NHL, and more in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Chosen first overall by the Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft, Connor Bedard celebrated his 18th birthday on Monday by signing his three-year entry-level contract.

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Connor Bedard (NHL.com).

The deal earns Bedard a maximum average annual value on entry-level deals of $950K. However, he could earn up to $4.45 million annually in performance bonuses.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bedard is the most highly touted prospect since Connor McDavid was drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015. He’s also the latest first-rounder in this year’s draft class to sign their entry-level contract, bringing that number up to nine thus far.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche avoided arbitration with Ross Colton by signing him to a four-year, $16 million contract with an average annual value of $4 million. The Avalanche acquired the 26-year-old forward from the Tampa Bay Lightning on June 28.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Colton is coming off a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.125 million. He’s also getting a full no-trade clause for 2024-25 and a modified no-trade for the final two seasons. This deal is a significant raise for Colton and an indication of how highly Avalanche management thinks of him. He could be slated for a larger role than the third-line spot he filled with the Lightning.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Anton Stralman is not a fan of how his NHL career ended because of the salary cap. “It’s not a dream employer regarding how you are treated and all that; it is a cut-throat business,” said the 37-year-old defenseman, who will play this season with HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League.

Stralman also cited the “difficult dynamic” of balancing a family with his NHL career. “No, there is no glamor in it really. It’s hard work and no glamor at all in being an NHL player.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stralman is coming off a 16-season NHL career, tallying 293 points in 938 career regular-season games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Arizona Coyotes and Boston Bruins.

There’s no question that it took a lot of hard work for Stralman to maintain a long NHL career. The movement involved in playing for seven teams combined with the games away from home would be stressful for his family. Nevertheless, the money Stralman earned during his NHL career should provide him some measure of comfort. Cap Friendly indicates his total career earnings at over $47 million.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Islanders winger Oliver Wahlstrom has signed his qualifying offer. It’s a one-year contract worth $875,125.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It had been reported that Wahlstrom had rejected his QO from the Islanders when there was no indication that he’d accepted it by Saturday’s 5 pm ET deadline. However, there was no deadline for the club to make the announcement.

TSN: Ondrej Kase has signed with HC Verva Litvinov in Czechia. He’d played 258 NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks, Bruins, Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes, netting 124 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A series of injuries, including concussions, derailed Kase’s once-promising NHL career.

WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets avoided arbitration with forward Morgan Barron as they agreed to a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.35 million.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Martin Kaut has decided to play for HC Dynamo Pardubice in the Czechia Extraliga rather than re-signing with the San Jose Sharks. He claimed that, during his tenure with the Sharks AHL affiliate, their coaches encouraged him to fight opponents as a way of getting into the NHL. The Sharks released a statement denying Kaut’s claim.

CBC NEWS: Nike announced it will permanently end its sponsorship of Hockey Canada in the wake of its handling of a high-profile alleged group sexual assault case.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Losing a major sponsor like Nike should be a major shot across the bow for Hockey Canada to get its act together and address its toxic culture.

As the report noted, it had used money drawn from player registration fees to quietly pay $8.9 million to 21 complainants since 1989. The entire board of directors and CEO all resigned last fall following months of public scrutiny.

The results of an NHL investigation into the alleged sexual assault involving members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team are expected to be released this month. Several of those players may have gone on to NHL careers.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 17, 2023

by | Jul 17, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 17, 2023

A roundup of the weekend’s notable headlines including the latest on Evander Kane, Tony DeAngelo and Alex Galchenyuk plus the recent contract signings and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DAILY FACEOFF: Evander Kane is leaving the Hockey Diversity Alliance, an organization he helped to create. In a statement, the Edmonton Oilers winger indicated that he believes the HDA is being led and influenced by members with individual agendas along with a combative approach with other organizations pursuing similar goals.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers placed Tony DeAngelo on waivers on Friday for the purpose of buying out the final season of his contract, which they did on Saturday.

Philadelphia Flyers bought out defenseman Tony DeAngelo (NHL Images).

The club believed they had a trade in place earlier this month that would send DeAngelo back to the Carolina Hurricanes. After it fell through due to a CBA clause, general manager Daniel Briere opted to buy out the final year of the 27-year-old defenseman’s contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The trade with the Hurricanes would’ve seen the Flyer retain 50 percent of DeAngelo’s $5 million average annual value. The buyout counts as $1.666 million against their cap for 2023-24 and 2024-25. He is now an unrestricted free agent.

SPORTSNET: The Arizona Coyotes terminated the contract of Alex Galchenyuk over a material breach of his deal following a report of the 29-year-old winger being arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona, on a number of different charges, including private property hit and run, disorderly conduct, failure to obey, resisting arrest and threatening or intimidating.

ARIZONA SPORTS: Details were released on Friday on what led the Coyotes to terminate Galchenyuk’s contract. The winger was heavily intoxicated when apprehended and made a series of threats and racial slurs toward the arresting officer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL Players’ Association is reportedly reviewing the matter. Galchenyuk could receive treatment and counseling via the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Whatever the outcome, this is likely the end of Galchenyuk’s playing career.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Coyotes, they have signed winger Matias Maccelli to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $3.425 million. When it expires, he’ll be 25 years old, eligible for arbitration and two years away from UFA eligibility.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maccelli had a solid rookie performance in 2022-23, netting 49 points in 64 games to finish fourth in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year.

ARIZONA SPORTS: The Coyotes signed forward Zach Sanford to a one-year, two-way contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sanford replaces Galchenyuk on the Coyotes roster.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: The Lightning avoided arbitration with winger Tanner Jeannot, signing him to a two-year contract with an annual average value of $2.665 million.

SPORTSNET: The St. Louis Blues avoided arbitration with Alexey Toropchenko by reaching an agreement on a two-year, $2.5 million contract. They also signed 2023 first-round pick (10th overall) Dalibor Dvorsky to a three-year entry-level contract.

TWINCITIES.COM: The Minnesota Wild avoided arbitration with winger Brandon Duhaime by signing him to a one-year, $1.1 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The signings of Jeannot, Toropchenko and Duhaime bring the number of players who re-signed with their clubs before their scheduled arbitration hearings to eight.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: New York Islanders winger Oliver Wahlstrom and goaltender Jakub Skarek elected not to accept the club’s qualifying offers. They both have until Dec. 1 to sign contracts with the Isles or face missing the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils signed forward Chris Tierney to a one-year, two-way contract.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins re-signed defenseman Ty Smith to a one-year, one-way contract worth $775K.

SEATTLE HOCKEY INSIDER: The Kraken signed 2023 first-round pick (20th overall) Eduard Sale to a three-year entry-level deal.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Anaheim Ducks re-signed goaltender Lukas Dostal to a two-year contract. It’s a two-way deal for 2023-24 with an AAV of $775K at the NHL level, becoming a one-way agreement for 2024-25 with an AAV of $850K.

CBC NEWS: Former NHL player and coach Billy MacMillan passed away on Friday at age 80. The Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island native had 151 points in 446 NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Flames and New York Islanders from 1970-71 to 1976-77. He also won a Memorial Cup in 1961 and was a bronze medalist for Canada in 1968.

MacMillan won a Stanley Cup with the New York Islanders as an assistant coach in 1979-80. He was also coach of the Colorado Rockies in 1980-81 and was the first head coach in New Jersey Devils history from 1982 to 1984. He also coached the Fort Worth Texans to a CHL championship in 1977-78.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacMillan had a successful, well-rounded career as a player and coach. Inducted into the PEI Sports Hall of Fame in 1985, he was an inspiration for young Islanders pursuing their hockey dreams. My condolences to MacMillan’s family, friends, former teammates, and those who played for him during his coaching days.










No Updates For July 15 & 16

by | Jul 14, 2023

No Updates For July 15 & 16

There will be no updates to this site for Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16 as my wife and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary.

Updates will resume on Monday, July 17. Cheers!










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 14, 2023

by | Jul 14, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 14, 2023

No Patrick Kane signing this summer plus the latest on Cam Atkinson, Tristan Jarry, Nazem Kadri and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski reports Patrick Kane intends to take his time recovering from major hip surgery that is expected to sideline him for four to six months. Once he’s ready to return (which could be by December), the 34-year-old right winger will select the suitor he feels will give him the best chance of winning the Stanley Cup.

Free agent winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

Wyshynski noted the drawbacks of this strategy. Kane can’t control how general managers will manage their rosters. Desirable clubs might not have the salary-cap flexibility in December that they currently have in the offseason. On the other hand, signing with a team now runs the risk of committing to a club that might not become a contender.

Kane’s agent, Pat Brisson, is unconcerned by this strategy. He noted that teams have called to express interest in his client. “You could offer me a one-year or a two-year deal right now at $7 million or so,” said Brisson. “I don’t even know if I want to entertain it, because it’s not what he needs. We’ll see, at the right time, how he feels, where he’s at, and then we’ll take it from there.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The flattened salary cap for 2023-24 likely means Kane will have to accept a one-year contract when he’s ready to return by December. Most Stanley Cup contenders in the market for a scoring winger with championship experience will have little cap room by that point.

Kane earned an annual average value of $10.5 million on his previous contract. At this stage of his career, he and his agent understand they won’t get anything close to that. Given the cap situation, he might have to accept a significant pay cut that could be well below what they anticipate.

It’s likely more important for Kane to show the hockey world that he’s fully recovered from his surgery and is still capable of being an effective scorer despite his age. A strong showing this season on a low-cost, one-year contract will set him up for a better deal next summer when the cap is projected to rise by at least $4 million.

TSN: After missing all of 2022-23 to an upper-body injury and neck surgery, Cam Atkinson is looking forward to returning to action this season with the Philadelphia Flyers. The 34-year-old winger said he’s fully recovered from his surgery and no longer experiences pain in his neck.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Atkinson’s absence was a contributing factor in the Flyers’ decline last season. A return to form in 2023-24 could help them become a better-than-expected team.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Nazem Kadri believes the Flames’ coaching change will re-energize the roster for 2023-24. He feels the elevation of Ryan Huska as head coach will have them playing more to their style. Kadri also said Huska is a coach who communicates well, adding he thinks that’s what the team needs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Huska’s predecessor, Darryl Sutter, was a taciturn old-school coach who reportedly clashed at times last season with several of the Flames’ roster core. The change of style could help this club unlock its potential.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry said he’s 100 percent healthy after struggling through injuries last season. He indicated that he’s changed his offseason training to get stronger and fitter in a different way. While the precise nature of his injuries last season hasn’t been divulged, Jarry denied that they were chronic issues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins management evidently believes Jarry has put his injury woes behind him, signing the 28-year-old goalie to a five-year contract worth an AAV of nearly $5.4 million. A healthy season by Jarry will be crucial to the club’s hope of returning to playoff contention.

THE ATHLETIC: The Arizona Coyotes placed Alex Galchenyuk on unconditional waivers on Thursday for the purpose of terminating his contract. The 29-year-old winger had signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Coyotes on July 1.

The decision was made after the club became aware of an off-ice issue involving Galchenyuk. It was subsequently reported he was arrested by Scottsdale police on July 9 on a number of charges including private property hit and run, disorderly conduct, failure to obey, resisting arrest and threatening or intimidating. The police indicated the hit and run was “only property damage and no injuries. Galchenyuk was released on his own recognizance and arraigned on Monday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was no comment from Galchenyuk’s agent or his attorney. We’ll likely learn more details of this story in the coming weeks.

TSN’s Rick Westhead tweeted yesterday that several NHL executives, sponsors and player agents are bracing for the NHL’s possible release of its investigation regarding an alleged sexual assault involving as many as eight players from Canada’s 2018 World Junior team.

If the league names and suspends the players allegedly involved, those players will likely appeal any sanctions with an arbitrator as per the CBA and might pursue defamation lawsuits against the league.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report of the NHL’s investigation was expected to be released sometime in July.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars re-signed forward Ty Dellandrea to a one-year, $900K contract.

TSN: The New York Islanders have promoted Rick Kowalsky as head coach of their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. He served as Bridgeport’s assistant coach for the past two seasons. He replaces Brent Thompson, who recently joined the Anaheim Ducks’ coaching staff.

BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: The Sabres have signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 13, 2023

by | Jul 13, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 13, 2023

The latest on Matthew Tkachuk, Spencer Knight, and Nick Foligno, a roundup of notable contract signings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DAILY FACEOFF: Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk is still recuperating from injuries received during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He suffered a fractured sternum and four broken ribs.

The best-case scenery for Tkachuk’s recovery is he could begin some upper-body workouts at the end of July. Nevertheless, he’ll spend his offseason focused on healing and training once he’s medically cleared to do so and hopes to be ready for training camp in September.

Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the severity of Tkachuk’s injuries and his shortened offseason, Panthers fans should expect that his performance at the start of 2023-24 might not be at the same level that made him a Hart Trophy finalist last season.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Panthers, goaltender Spencer Knight spoke publicly on Wednesday for the first time since leaving the club in February for personal reasons. He received special permission from the NHL to participate in the club’s prospect development camp as he works toward returning to action in 2023-24.

Knight felt it was important for him to get back with the team and resume organized hockey activities. He declined to speak about why he left the club and entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program but indicated he would do so when the time is right. It has been stressed that it was not due to drug or alcohol abuse.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It sounds like Knight needed time to deal with mental health issues. Here’s hoping he makes a full recovery and resumes his NHL career.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Former Bruins forward Nick Foligno was not happy about being a healthy scratch for Game 7 of their first-round series against the Panthers. The 35-year-old winger signed with the Chicago Blackhawks after they acquired his rights from the Bruins last month.

Foligno said he spoke with Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery about it. He indicated that the decision didn’t sit well with him. “It never will,” he said.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks signed Leo Carlsson to an entry-level contract. The 18-year-old center was the second-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. He could play for the Ducks, their AHL affiliate in San Diego or return to Sweden next season.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of 2023 first-rounders signing entry-level deals, the Red Wings inked center Nate Danielson. He was chosen ninth overall by the Wings.

STLTODAY.COM: Oskar Sundqvist is returning to the St. Louis Blues, signing a one-year, $775K contract. The 29-year-old forward spent nearly five seasons with the Blues prior to being traded to Detroit in 2021-22.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins signed former New Jersey Devils forward Jesper Boqvist to a one-year, $775K contract.

DAILY FACEOFF: Goaltender Thomas Greiss has announced his retirement after 14 NHL seasons with the San Jose Sharks, Arizona Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues. He finishes with a record of 162 wins, 130 losses and 37 overtime losses with a 2.77 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage and 16 shutouts.

LAS VEGAS SUN: The Golden Knights hired Dominique Ducharme and Joel Ward as their new assistant coaches. Ducharme is the former head coach of the Montreal Canadiens. Ward, an 11-year NHL veteran, spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with the Golden Knights AHL affiliate in Henderson, Nevada.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Arizona Coyotes hired Blaine Forsythe as an assistant coach. He spent the past 17 seasons with the Washington Capitals.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Kenny McCudden has resigned as a Blue Jackets assistant coach. He’d been with the club since 2015.

THE PROVINCE: Former NHL player Brendan Leipsic has reportedly applied for Russian citizenship, according to the head coach and owner of KHL club SKA St. Petersburg. Originally from Winnipeg, Leipsic has played in the KHL since 2020 after being released by the Capitals for making misogynistic comments about women and disparaging current and former teammates on a private group chat that was leaked on Instagram.