NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 30, 2023

by | Jun 30, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 30, 2023

The 2023 Draft is completed, the Blackhawks acquire Corey Perry and Josh Bailey, the Red Wings acquire Klim Kostin and Kailer Yamamoto, plus updates on David Krejci, Tyler Bertuzzi, Jesse Puljujarvi and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

2023 NHL DRAFT NEWS

NHL.COM: The 2023 NHL Draft finished up yesterday with the completion of Rounds 2 through 7. You can see the complete list of each player selected (including Round 1) by following this link.

Among the notable numbers emerging from this year’s draft:

PICKS BY POSITION

Defense: 69
Center: 63
Right Wing: 34

Left Wing: 32

Goaltender: 26

PICKS BY BIRTH COUNTRY

Canada: 86
United States: 50
Sweden: 24
Russia: 19
Finland: 15
Czechia: 7
Slovakia: 7

Belarus: 5
Germany: 4
Kazakhstan: 1

France: 1
Switzerland: 1
Norway: 1
Italy: 1
Denmark: 1

Austria: 1

PICKS BY AMATEUR LEAGUE

USHL: 39 (includes NTDP)
OHL: 35 

WHL: 33 

SWEDEN-JR: 22 

RUSSIA-JR: 15 

QMJHL: 12 

FINLAND-JR: 11 

BCHL: 4 

BIG 10: 4 

FINLAND: 4 

HIGH-MN: 4 

RUSSIA: 4 

SWEDEN: 4 

AJHL: 3 

CZECHIA: 2 

ECAC: 2 

GERMANY-JR: 2 

HOCKEY EAST: 2 

RUSSIA-2: 2 

SLOVAKIA: 2 

SWEDEN U-18: 2 

SWEDEN-2: 2 

SWISS-JR: 2 

GERMANY: 1 

GOJHL: 1 

HIGH-CT: 1 

HIGH-IN: 1 

HIGH-MA: 1 

HIGH-ON: 1 

KAZAKHSTAN U-20: 1 

MJHL: 1 

NAHL: 1 

NCHC: 1 

SWISS: 1 

USMAAAE: 1 

Chicago Blackhawks acquire Corey Perry (NHL Images).

The second day of the draft also saw three trades involving NHL veterans:

The Chicago Blackhawks acquired winger Corey Perry from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round draft pick. The Blackhawks subsequently signed Perry to a one-year, $4 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning couldn’t afford to re-sign Perry so they shipped out his rights for a draft pick. As for why the 35-year-old winger signed with the rebuilding Blackhawks, the $4 million salary was one reason but the opportunity to play with a potential generational talent like Connor Bedard also likely appealed to him. If Perry plays well, the Blackhawks can peddle him to a playoff contender before next season’s trade deadline.

Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson was reportedly a big fan of Perry’s going back to when he coached the winger in Montreal two years ago. His experience and leadership will be invaluable to this team.

The Blackhawks also acquired winger Josh Bailey and a 2026 second-round pick from the New York Islanders in exchange for future considerations. They placed him on waivers for the purpose of buying out the final year of his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a straightforward salary dump by the Islanders. Bailey was their longest-serving active player but the cap-strapped club had to offload his $5 million cap hit for 2023-24 to free up space for other moves.

The Blackhawks can afford the buyout, which will count as $2.66 million against their salary cap for 2023-24 and $1.166 million for 2024-25. With 16 active roster players under contract, they’ll be roughly $3.2 million within range of the $61.7 million cap minimum for 2023-24.

Bailey, meanwhile, becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

The Detroit Red Wings acquired forwards Klim Kostin and Kailer Yamamoto from the Edmonton Oilers for future considerations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was also a cost-cutting move as shipping out Yamamoto clears $3.1 million from the Oilers’ books. Kostin, meanwhile, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights whom the Oilers evidently believed they couldn’t afford to re-sign. Part of that cap space could be spent on signing UFA Connor Brown on July 1 as well as re-signing RFA defenseman Evan Bouchard.

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff believes Kostin was the main prize for the Red Wings while Yamamoto could be a buyout candidate. If so, the Wings have until 5 pm ET today to do so.

IN OTHER NEWS…

TORONTO STAR: The Maple Leafs have confirmed that Sheldon Keefe will return as their head coach next season. He has a year remaining on his contract but general manager Brad Treliving indicates that an extension will be discussed during this summer.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: cites a report out of Czechia indicating that Bruins center David Krejci remains undecided whether he’ll return to the club for another season. There was speculation he will retire or return to play in Czechia.

SPORTSNET: Speaking of the Bruins, winger Tyler Bertuzzi is expected to head to free agency when the market opens at noon ET on Saturday (July 1).

TSN: Jesse Puljujarvi will become a UFA as the Carolina Hurricanes will not issue him a qualifying offer. The 25-year-old winger recently underwent double hip surgery and could be sidelined for some time.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This could also spell the end of Puljujarvi’s NHL career. The fourth overall pick by the Oilers in the 2016 draft struggled to play up to expectations as a scoring winger.

DAILY FACEOFF: Buffalo Sabres rookie forward Jack Quinn will be sidelined for four to six months following surgery to repair his Achilles tendon. The 21-year-old winger suffered the injury during training this week.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Patric Hornqvist’s NHL playing career appears to be over following two concussion injuries this season. However, the Florida Panthers are hoping to bring him back in another role.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 29, 2023

by | Jun 29, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 29, 2023

Results and reaction from the first round of the 2023 Draft, Jim Nill is named NHL GM of the Year, Mike Babcock receives a two-year contract from the Blue Jackets, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RESULTS AND REACTION OF THE FIRST ROUND OF THE 2023 NHL DRAFT

NHL.COM: To no one’s surprise, the Chicago Blackhawks chose top prospect Connor Bedard with the first-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft on Wednesday evening in Nashville.

Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson (left) poses with 2023 first-overall pick Connor Bedard (NHL.com).

With the second-overall pick, the Anaheim Ducks chose Swedish center Leo Carlsson. The Columbus Blue Jackets chose Hobey Baker Award-winning center Adam Fantilli with the third-overall pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bedard is the most highly-touted prospect since Connor McDavid in 2015 and Auston Matthews in 2016. He’s considered a potential generational talent who could form the foundation of a Blackhawks resurgence over the next several years.

The Ducks choosing Carlsson over Fantilli was a bit of a surprise as the latter was expected to go second overall. Nevertheless, both players have the potential to become future stars with their new NHL clubs.

The Montreal Canadiens had the highest pick among the Canadian teams at No. 5 overall. They chose Austrian defenseman David Reinbacher.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The reaction on social media among Canadiens fans ranged from disappointment to outrage. Most were hoping the Habs would select Russian winger Matvei Michkov, who was subsequently chosen by the Philadelphia Flyers with the No. 7 selection.

Reinbacher is considered the top defenseman in this year’s draft class. Canadiens GM Kent Hughes explained that their selection was based in part on roster need (depth among right-handed defensemen) and the inability to scout Michkov in person because of NHL and IIHF travel restrictions to Russia due to that country’s ongoing war with Ukraine.

With the sixth overall pick, the Arizona Coyotes chose KHL defenseman Dmitriy Simashev.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This choice was a bigger surprise than the Canadiens taking Reinbacher. Simashev is a promising blueliner who was considered a top-10 prospect by some experts while others had him going outside the first round.

Others who went higher in the draft than I expected included the Coyotes selecting forward Daniil But at No. 12, the Nashville Predators choosing defenseman Tanner Molendyk at No. 24 and the Toronto Maple Leafs taking forward Easton Cowan 28th overall.

The St. Louis Blues held three picks in this round. They chose center Dalibor Dvorsky at No. 10, center Otto Stenberg at No. 25 and defenseman Theo Lindstein at No. 29.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was expected the Blues might trade one or two of their lower first-rounders for more immediate roster help. However, they couldn’t find any suitable deals and opted to retain those picks.

Here is the complete list of first-round selections:

1. Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard, C

2. Anaheim Ducks: Leo Carlsson, C

3. Columbus Blue Jackets: Adam Fantilli, C

4. San Jose Sharks: Will Smith, C

5. Montreal Canadiens: David Reinbacher, D

6. Arizona Coyotes: Dmitriy Simashev, D

7. Philadelphia Flyers: Matvei Michkov, RW

8. Washington Capitals: Ryan Leonard, RW

9. Detroit Red Wings: Nate Danielson, C

10. St. Louis Blues: Dalibor Dvorsky, C

11. Vancouver Canucks: Tom Willander, D

12. Arizona Coyotes (from Ottawa Senators): Danill But, LW

13. Buffalo Sabres: Zach Benson, LW

14. Pittsburgh Penguins: Brayden Yager, C

15. Nashville Predators: Matthew Wood, RW

16. Calgary Flames: Samuel Honzek, LW

17. Detroit Red Wings (from New York Islanders via Vancouver Canucks): Axel Sandin Pellikka, D

18. Winnipeg Jets: Colby Barlow, LW

19. Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay Lightning): Oliver Moore, C

20. Seattle Kraken: Eduard Sale, LW

21. Minnesota Wild: Charlie Stramel, C

22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Los Angeles Kings via Columbus Blue Jackets): Oliver Bonk, D

23. New York Rangers: Gabriel Perreault, RW

24. Nashville Predators (from Edmonton Oilers): Tanner Molendyk, D

25. St. Louis Blues (from Toronto Maple Leafs): Otto Stenberg, C

26. San Jose Sharks (from New Jersey Devils): Quentin Musty, LW

27. Colorado Avalanche: Calum Ritchie, C

28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Boston Bruins via Washington Capitals): Easton Cowan, RW

29. St. Louis Blues (from Dallas Stars via New York Rangers): Theo Lindstein, D

30. Carolina Hurricanes: Bradly Nadeau, LW

31. Colorado Avalanche (from Montreal Canadiens via Florida Panthers): Mikhail Gulyayev, D

32. Vegas Golden Knights: David Edstrom, C

DAILY FACEOFF’s Frank Seravalli tweeted that this was the first draft since 2007 in which no trades were completed in the opening round.

Steven Ellis listed the best prospects available during Day 2 of the NHL Draft. They include WHL winger Andrew Cristall, University of Michigan winger Gavin Brindley, and QMJHL winger Ethan Gauthier.

Rounds 2 through 7 go today at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville beginning at 11 am ET.

NHL.COM: Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill was named the winner of the James Gregory General Manager of the Year Award.

TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets will officially name former Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock as their new bench boss on Saturday. He will receive a two-year contract worth $4 million per season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The announcement comes Saturday because Babcock’s contract with the Leafs officially expires at midnight on Friday, June 30.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: The Flames signed forward Yegor Sharangoivich to a two-year, $6.2 million contract. He was acquired from the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday as part of the return for Tyler Toffoli.

ARIZONA SPORTS: Coyotes president and CEO Xavier Gutierrez said his team is focused on multiple sites for a new arena in the East Valley (Phoenix) area. They will be seeking locations that will not be subject to a public vote for approval.

The Coyotes recently lost a public vote on a proposed arena project in Tempe. They do not have a hard deadline from the NHL for locking down a new location.










Notable Trades and Free Agent Signings Before the 2023 NHL Draft

by | Jun 28, 2023

Notable Trades and Free Agent Signings Before the 2023 NHL Draft

NOTE: The following moves occurred on June 28 prior to 6 pm ET. Any subsequent notable trades involving NHL players during the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft will be duly noted in a separate post following the completion of that round.

The New Jersey Devils sign Timo Meier to an eight-year, $70.4 million contract extension. The average annual value is $8.8 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Meier, 26, is now the highest-paid forward on the Devils and the second-highest-paid player next to Dougie Hamilton ($9 million AAV).

New Jersey Devils winger Timo Meier (NHL Images).

Joining the Devils in a trade from the San Jose Sharks before the March trade deadline, he had nine goals and 14 points in 21 regular-season games with the Devils. Including his totals with the Sharks, he finished the regular season with 40 goals and 66 points in 78 games.

Meier’s signing now gives the Devils an impressive core of scoring forwards, joining Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Dawson Mercer, Ondrej Palat and the recently-acquired Tyler Toffoli. This club will be difficult to contain offensively next season.

The Vegas Golden Knights trade Reilly Smith to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a third-round pick in 2024. They also re-sign forward Ivan Barbashev to a five-year, $25 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With limited salary-cap space, the Golden Knights are forced to trade one of their few remaining “misfits” from their original expansion roster to free up the dollars to re-sign Barbashev.

Smith, 32, was a reliably productive top-six forward for Vegas, coming off his fourth 50-plus point season (56) in six years. He carries a $5 million AAV through 2024-25. He has a 12-team no-trade clause for 2022-23. In all likelihood, the Penguins weren’t on it.

The Penguins are trying to build around aging stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang for a quick turnaround after missing the playoffs this season. Smith should be a solid fit alongside Crosby or Malkin on their top two lines. He likely replaces pending UFA winger Jason Zucker.

Barbashev, 27, is five years younger than Smith and plays a more physical style. He’s a year removed from a 60-point performance with the St. Louis Blues.

Acquired from the Blues before the trade deadline, he had 16 points in 23 regular-season games with Vegas, finishing the season with 45 points. He also had 18 points in 22 playoff games helping the Golden Knights win their first Stanley Cup.

The Colorado Avalanche acquired forward Ross Colton from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for the 37th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche wasted little time filling the gap after trading Alex Newhook to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. Colton, 26, is a versatile middle-six forward with Stanley Cup experience who should fit in well with the Avs. He’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights but should be an affordable re-signing.

Salary-cap constraints force the Lightning to lose yet another player as their roster depth continues to whittle away. Some folks envisioned Colton as a potential replacement for Alex Killorn if he departs as an unrestricted free agent.

This move also gives the Lightning one pick in the first five rounds. The second-rounder originally belonged to the Canadiens, who shipped it to the Avalanche in the Newhook deal.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 28, 2023

by | Jun 28, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 28, 2023

The 2023-24 schedule is released, the Leafs and Senators will retain their head coaches for next season, Bruins are preparing for life without Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, plus more news heading into the 2023 Draft in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NOTE: The 2023 NHL Draft opens tonight at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville with the first round starting at 7 pm ET.

Follow this link for my take on yesterday’s notable trade activity.

NHL.COM: The league released its schedule for 2023-24 starting with a tripleheader on Oct. 10 featuring the Vegas Golden Knights’ 2023 Stanley Cup banner raising before facing off with the Seattle Kraken at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Also on that night, the Nashville Predators will meet the Tampa Bay Lightning while the Chicago Blackhawks journey to Pittsburgh to square off against the Penguins.

All seven Canadian teams will be in action on Oct. 11 with the Montreal Canadiens against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Ottawa Senators facing the Carolina Hurricanes, the Winnipeg Jets meeting the Calgary Flames, and the Edmonton Oilers meeting the Vancouver Canucks.

Notable dates include the Tim Hortons Heritage Classic between the Flames and Oilers on Oct. 29 at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium, the Jan. 1 Winter Classic between the Golden Knights at Kraken at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, and the NHL All-Star Weekend from Feb 1-4 in Toronto.

The regular-season schedule ends on Apr. 18.

TORONTO STAR: Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving confirmed that Sheldon Keefe will return as head coach for 2023-24. He also expressed confidence in getting Auston Matthews and William Nylander signed to contract extensions this summer.

Keefe has a year remaining on his contract. Treliving said he’s open to signing him to an extension.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators GM Pierre Dorion confirms head coach D.J. Smith and his coaching staff will be back for 2023-24.

Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The performances of both clubs will determine if those coaches will remain in those jobs beyond 2023-24. Another early playoff exit will likely spell the end of Keefe’s tenure behind the Leafs bench while another missed postseason will see Smith receive his walking papers.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins are preparing for next season under the assumption that centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci will retire at some point this summer. Team president Cam Neely said they’ll give both players the time they need to reach their decisions but the club has to press on with their offseason plans.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins created salary-cap space by trading Taylor Hall to Chicago but most of that will be taken up attempting to re-sign or replace key players. If Bergeron and/or Krejci decide to return it’ll be on low-cost one-year contracts provided the Bruins can still squeeze them in.

DAILY FACEOFF: Teams that have met and interviewed Matvei Michkov have come away impressed by the young Russian prospect. Stories have circulated about the 18-year-old KHL winger questioning his attitude. Michkov is considered the best Russian prospect in years and could be chosen among the top 10 in this year’s draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Any NHL club that selects Michkov will have to be patient. He’s signed with KHL team SKA St. Petersburg through 2025-26. It could be worth the wait if he follows in the footsteps of Washington’s Evgeny Kuznetsov and Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov, who quickly matured into NHL stars following their KHL tenures.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks signed Nick Foligno to a one-year, $4 million contract. They acquired the 35-year-old forward the day prior from the Bruins. He was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Foligno wouldn’t have gotten that much money on a one-year deal on the opening market. If he has a good season the rebuilding Blackhawks can attempt to move him to a contender at the trade deadline for a draft pick. This signing also helps the Hawks reach the $61.7 million salary-cap floor for 2023-24.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars re-signed winger Evgenii Dadonov to a two-year, $4.5 million contract. The average annual value is $2.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dadonov struggled through most of last season with 18 points in 50 games skating with the rebuilding Montreal Canadiens. He regained his scoring touch after being acquired by the Stars on Feb. 26 with 15 points in 23 regular-season games along with 10 points in 16 playoff contests.

SPORTSNET’s Elliotte Friedman reports the Anaheim Ducks are unlikely to give winger Max Comtois a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A once-promising young winger, Comtois’ production has declined since his 33-point performance in 55 games during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. The 24-year-old could become an affordable reclamation project.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Speaking of the Ducks, they’ve named former captain Ryan Getzlaf a player development coordinator.

DAILY FACEOFF: Seattle Kraken defenseman Carson Soucy intends to test the free-agent market on July 1.

SPORTSNET: The New Jersey Devils have given winger Miles Wood permission to speak with other clubs. Wood, 27, is scheduled to become a UFA on July 1.










Notable NHL Trades for June 27, 2023

by | Jun 27, 2023

Notable NHL Trades for June 27, 2023

The New Jersey Devils acquire winger Tyler Toffoli from the Calgary Flames in exchange for forward Yegor Sharangovich and a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils will be a very scary team to face in 2023-24. Imagine a first line centered by Nico Hischier with Ondrej Palat and Jesper Bratt on the wings with Toffoli skating on right wing on the second line centered by Jack Hughes with Timo Meier on the left wing.

Toffoli had requested a trade from the Flames after indicating he wasn’t interested in a contract extension. He’s coming off a career-best performance with 34 goals and 39 assists for 73 points. If he meshes well with Hughes and Meier, the Devils will possess an even more lethal scoring punch than what they had this season.

This move leaves the Devils with $19 million in cap space with 15 active roster players under contract. Meier remains to be re-signed which could eat up a big chunk of that cap space.

The Flames, meanwhile, get a decent return in Sharangovich. A restricted free agent coming off a two-year contract with an annual cap hit of $2 million, he should be an affordable re-signing.

A versatile forward who can play center or on either wing, the 25-year-old Sharangovich is a year removed from a career-best of 24 goals and 46 points. His production dropped this season to 13 goals and 30 points as he was dropped to the Devils’ third line. He’ll get an opportunity to earn top-six minutes in Calgary.

The Winnipeg Jets trade Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forwards Alex Iafallo, Gabriel Vilardi and Rasmus Kupari as well as a 2024 second-round pick. The Kings also signed Dubois to an eight-year contract believed to be worth an average annual value of $8.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a major move by the Kings as they attempt to move from playoff contention status into a Stanley Cup contender.

Dubois, 25, is a top-six forward who can play center or wing. The 6’4”, 214-pounder is coming off a career-best 63 points with the Jets, reaching the 60-point plateau for the third time in five years. He can play a two-way game but does his best work in the offensive zone.

Coming off a one-year, $6 million contract, it was assumed the Dubois camp would seek over $9 million annually for their client. He’s still getting a healthy raise here on a long-term deal.

Winnipeg Jets trade center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings (NHL Images).

Dubois comes with some baggage having forced the Jets (and before them, the Columbus Blue Jackets) into trading him. Nevertheless, Kings general manager Rob Blake believes he’s worth the investment. He’ll likely skate as their second-line left wing alongside Kevin Fiala.

The Jets wanted a return that helps them now and in the future.

Vilardi is the main addition here. The 23-year-old winger shook off early injuries that threatened his career to enjoy a career-best 23 goals and 41 points in 63 games this season. A restricted free agent with arbitration rights, he should be an affordable re-signing for the Jets. If Vilardi can stay healthy, he should a productive forward in Winnipeg.

Iafallo, 29, plays a solid two-way game and should fit in well on the Jets’ checking lines. He’s signed through 2024-25 with an average annual value of $4 million. He had 36 points in 59 games this season, marking the fifth straight season he’s exceeded the 30-point plateau.

The 23-year-old Kupari is completing his entry-level contract. He’s split the past three seasons between the Kings and their AHL affiliate. He has potential as a playmaking forward who can play center or wing.

The Philadelphia Flyers traded center Kevin Hayes to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2024. The Flyers also retain 50 percent of Haye’s $7.14 million average annual value through 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the aftermath of a reportedly attempted trade by the Flyers and Blues that would’ve included defenseman Travis Sanheim going to St. Louis with Hayes and blueliner Torey Krug going to Philadelphia. Krug, however, nixed that deal by refusing to waive his no-trade clause.

The Flyers really wanted Hayes gone after he butted heads at times this season with head coach John Tortorella. They settled for retaining half of his cap hit to move him. It’s the second significant trade by new general manager Daniel Briere, who shipped Ivan Provorov to the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this month in a deal involving the Los Angeles Kings.

With half of Hayes’ salary off their books, the Flyers have over $10 million in projected cap space for 2023-24 with 15 active roster players under contract. One wonders what other moves Briere might have up his sleeve in the coming days.

As for the Blues, GM Doug Armstrong appears committed to making a quick turnaround for next season after missing the 2023 playoffs. They’re getting a 31-year-old center who put up 54 points with this season’s floundering Flyers. He’ll likely slot in as their second-line center, which likely means they won’t be bringing back former captain Ryan O’Reilly, who was dealt to Toronto before the March trade deadline.

The Colorado Avalanche traded center Alex Newhook to the Montreal Canadien in exchange for the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the 37th overall pick and prospect Gianni Fairbrother

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is an affordable gamble by the Canadiens, who already possess a promising prospect pool along with several talented youngsters already on their roster.

Kent Hughes made one notable reclamation project last season by acquiring Kirby Dach from Chicago. Newhook looks like the latest one. He’s coming off his entry-level contract.

The 22-year-old is a former first-round pick by the Avalanche who has two 30-plus point seasons under his belt. Capable of playing center or wing, the 5’10”, 190-pounder he has good speed and playmaking abilities. He’s also of the right age to fit into the Canadiens’ rebuilding program.

Colorado, meanwhile, now holds two picks in the first round and one in the second of this year’s draft. They had no selections from rounds two through four before this trade so this move puts them in a much better position. They can retain those new acquisitions to restock their prospect pipeline or perhaps use them as trade bait to add to their current roster.

The New Jersey Devils traded goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2023.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Once considered a future starting goalie for the Devils, Blackwood has been hampered by frequent injuries. The 26-year-old was limited to 47 games over the past two seasons.

A restricted free agent who’s a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility, Blackwood was no longer a fit with the Devils with Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid as their current tandem. They might not be done making trades involving a goaltender as they’ve been linked to Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck.

Blackwood will now get a chance at a fresh start with the rebuilding Sharks. He could get a one-year “show-me” contract with the opportunity to earn a longer-term deal based on performance. Failing that, they could ship him to a playoff contender at next year’s trade deadline.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 27, 2023

by | Jun 27, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 27, 2023

Connor McDavid tops the list of winners at the 2023 NHL Awards, the First and Second All-Star Teams and All-Rookie Teams are announced, the Bruins trade Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno to the Blackhawks and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

2023 NHL AWARDS, ALL-STAR AND ALL-ROOKIE TEAMS

NHL.COM: Connor McDavid was the big winner at the 2023 NHL Awards. The Edmonton Oilers captain took home the Hart Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player to his team and the Ted Lindsay Award as the league’s most outstanding player as voted by fellow members of the NHL Players Association.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

McDavid had already won the Art Ross Trophy as this season’s leading scorer and the Maurice Richard Trophy as the top goal scorer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid is just the third player to win the Lindsay Award four times, joining Wayne Gretzky (five times) and Mario Lemieux (four times). He also joins Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (2007-08) as the only two players to win the Hart, Lindsay, Ross and Richard trophies in the same season.

The Boston Bruins had three trophy winners. Captain Patrice Bergeron won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward for the second straight season and a record sixth time. Linus Ullmark won the Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender and Jim Montgomery was the winner of the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year.

Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the top defenseman. It’s the third time he’s been honored with this award.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson joins Paul Coffey as the only two blueliners to go eight-plus years between Norris Trophy wins. Frequently mentioned in trade rumors, this could further boost his stock in the trade market. He led the Sharks and all defensemen with 101 points, becoming the first blueliner since Brian Leetch in 1991-92 to reach the 100-point plateau.

Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers took home the Calder Memorial Trophy as the rookie of the year. He’s the first player in the club’s two-year history to win an NHL award. He led all rookies this season with 57 points in 80 games.

Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the league’s most gentlemanly player. It’s the second time he’s been honored with this award.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some folks denigrate this award but I think it’s worthwhile to honor players such as Kopitar who play with a high level of skill while taking few penalties. They should be singled out for their disciplined play in a physical sport like hockey.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang was the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy honoring his perseverance and dedication to the game. He endure a stroke (the second of his career) and the death of his father yet finished the season with 41 points in 64 games.

Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his charity work.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Backlund’s future with the Flames remains uncertain after he was noncommital in April about signing a contract extension. He told reporters that he’s since spoken with new Flames general manager Craig Conroy as well as his agent but said the situation is out of his hands. “We’ll see what happens,” he said.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos took home the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.

McDavid, Karlsson and Ullmark also joined Dallas Stars left winger Jason Robertson, Boston Bruins right winger David Pastrnak and New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox as this season’s First All-Star Team.

McDavid’s teammate Leon Draisaitl, Rangers left winger Artemi Panarin, Florida Panthers right wing Matthew Tkachuk, Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm and Colorado Avalanche blueliner Cale Makar and New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin are this season’s Second All-Star Team.

Beniers joins Stars forward Wyatt Johnston and Arizona Coyotes winger Mattias Macelli, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power and Ottawa Senators blueliner Jake Sanderson and Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner as the NHL’s 2022-23 All-Rookie Team.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW/NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: Prior to the NHL Awards, the Bruins traded left wing Taylor Hall and the rights to forward Nick Foligno to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defensemen Alec Regula and Ian Mitchell.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a salary dump by the cap-strapped Bruins, shipping out Hall’s $6 million average annual value through 2024-25 to the rebuilding Blackhawks. Reports indicate the Hawks were not on Hall’s 16-team no-trade list.

The move gives the Bruins over $10 million in cap room for 2023-24. That’s prompted speculation they’ll use some of it to re-sign winger Tyler Bertuzzi, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Adding Hall should provide the Blackhawks with an experienced linemate and mentor for Connor Bedard, who is expected to be their selection with the first-overall pick during the opening round of this year’s draft on Wednesday. Hall was chosen first overall by the Oilers in the 2010 draft. His cap hit also helps them reach the salary-cap minimum ($61.7 million) for 2023-24.

Foligno is slated to become a UFA on July 1. This move gives the Blackhawks a few days before that date to negotiate a potential contract with him.

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: The Flyers attempt to trade defenseman Tony DeAngelo back to the Carolina Hurricanes has been held up because of a rule in the collective bargaining agreement regarding trades and salary retention.

The rule states that a team cannot reacquire a player whom they have retained salary from for a minimum of one year after the date of the transaction. The Hurricanes traded DeAngelo to the Flyers on July 8, 2022, meaning they’ll have to wait until July 8 of this year before the trade will be finalized.

The league is to meet with both clubs about this issue during the upcoming draft before reaching a decision.

TSN: Former St. Louis Blues forward Alex Steen has rejoined the club in their hockey operations department working with the club’s prospects. He spent 12 of his 15 NHL seasons with the Blues.

NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: The Predators announced they’ve hired former goaltender Pekka Rinne as their European development coach and scout.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Anaheim Ducks goalie coach Sudarshan “Sudsie” Maharaj has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He has been undergoing treatment and is scheduled for surgery. He anticipates returning to his role with the Ducks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Maharaj for a quick and full recovery.