NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 19, 2022

by | Aug 19, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 19, 2022

The Flames sign Nazem Kadri and trade Sean Monahan to the Canadiens, Carey Price appears unlikely to play this season, and the Predators will host the 2023 NHL Awards and Draft. Details and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

FLAMES SIGN KADRI, TRADE MONAHAN TO CANADIENS

CALGARY SUN: The Flames signed Nazem Kadri to a seven-year worth an annual average value of $7 million.

Calgary Flames sign Nazem Kadri to a seven-year contract. (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As of publication, the full details of Kadri’s new contract have not been revealed on Cap Friendly or Puck Pedia. I anticipate we’ll learn more about it in the coming days.

Kadri was the top player still available in the free-agent market. For weeks, the 31-year-old center was linked to the New York Islanders in the rumor mill. However, Flames general manager Brad Treliving quietly pulled off yet another major acquisition this summer that bolsters his club’s depth at center and replaces some of the snarl they lost by shipping Matthew Tkachuk to Florida last month.

Signing with the Flames may seem like a surprise on Kadri’s part given he spiked a trade to Calgary by the Toronto Maple Leafs three years ago. However, he later explained that he refused to waive his 10-team no-trade clause at the time because he wanted to stay with the Leafs. Kadri was subsequently traded to the Colorado Avalanche.

The $7 million cap hit reflects a player coming off a career-high 87-point season and a strong postseason performance. Kadri was underpaid on his previous contract, earning $4.5 million annually. It can be argued that the AAV is a little high by about $1 million but the Flames obviously believe he’s worth it.

It’s the term, however, that’s more concerning. A $7 million AAV over a three or four-year contract for a player who turns 32 on Oct. 6 could be considered a reasonable period of time. Paying that much for a player who will be approaching 39 by the time it’s over could prove burdensome for the Flames’ cap as his skills decline in the final half of that deal.

For Treliving, however, that’s an issue to deal with down the road. Signing Kadri and acquiring Jonathan Huberdeau should be suitable replacements for Tkachuk and the departed Johnny Gaudreau. These moves are expected to maintain the Flames’ place among the NHL’s top teams. No one will complain about the expense or length of Kadri’s contract if he helps them win the Stanley Cup.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens acquired Sean Monahan and a conditional first-round pick from the Flames in exchange for future considerations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames needed to clear cap space for Kadri’s contract. Trading Monahan and his $6.376 million cap hit for 2022-23 addressed that issue. The 27-year-old center said he’s looking forward to a fresh start after hip injuries hampered his performance over the past three seasons.

Monahan also indicated he’s recovered from hip surgery and is on the ice four days a week gearing up for the coming season. He’s hoping to be at 100 percent when training camp opens next month.

A strong performance will be crucial to Monahan’s playing career in the NHL. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer so a return to form in the coming season could earn him a new contract with the Canadiens or bolster his stock in next summer’s free-agent market.

The details surrounding the conditional first-rounder the Canadiens will receive are complicated. The Gazette’s Pat Hickey simplified it by explaining the Habs will receive one of the following: “Calgary’s choice in 2024, 2025 or 2026 or the Florida Panthers’ choice in 2025 or 2026. They could also get Calgary’s third-rounder in 2025 or a fourth-rounder in 2026.”

In other words, the Canadiens are guaranteed to get a first-round pick out of this sometime in 2024, 2025 or 2026.

PRICE TO GO ON LTIR, FUTURE OF PLAYING CAREER IN DOUBT

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens could afford to acquire Monahan because it appears Carey Price will be on long-term injury reserve for this season. General manager Kent Hughes explained the news on the 35-year-old goalie’s ongoing recovery from a knee injury is “pretty discouraging”, adding there’s been no improvement in his rehab process. Price’s AAV is $10.5 million through 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This news isn’t unexpected but it’s still rather sad. Price has been the face of the franchise for over a decade. However, he missed all but five games last season due to his ongoing rehab from last summer’s knee surgery, as well as a stint in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and a bout of COVID-19. Those five games may have been the last he’ll ever play.

Placing Price on LTIR provides the Canadiens with the wiggle room to take on Monahan and perhaps make other additions as required. However, they won’t find anyone who can replace Price.

This news should also put an end to recent speculation suggesting Canadiens backup Jake Allen might be available.

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators will host the 2023 NHL Awards and the 2023 NHL Draft. The award show is scheduled for June 26, 2023, and the draft will be held on June 28 and 29 at Bridgestone Arena.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Jim Rutherford blamed the mental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason why he stepped down as general manager of the Penguins last year. Given his age, he and his family rarely left home once the pandemic started. Confined to his home office, Rutherford said it affected his “mental toughness”.

“I don’t want to suggest I had mental health issues,” Rutherford told Jason Mackey. “The way I would describe it is I wasn’t mentally as strong as I should have been to be myself and continue to do that job. I was starting to react to things differently than I normally would, which led to where I got to.”

Rutherford insisted his departure had nothing to do with former Penguins president/CEO Dave Morehouse, whom he was rumored to be clashing with. He remains complimentary of his time with the team, saying he was well-treated by everyone (including Morehouse) throughout his tenure with the club. He’s now the president of hockey operations for the Vancouver Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think the pandemic has affected many people’s mental health to various degrees and continues to do so. The uncertainty and stress led me to reach out to a therapist earlier this year and I found it quite helpful in learning to adjust to this new reality.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 18, 2022

by | Aug 18, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 18, 2022

The Jets will honor Teemu Selanne and Teppo Numminen, what the Capitals can expect from Dylan Strome, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

WINNIPEG SUN: Teemu Selanne and Teppo Numminen have become the latest members of the Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame. The duo will be honored in a banner-raising ceremony on Nov. 17 prior to their game against the Anaheim Ducks.

Winnipeg Jets to honor Teemu Selanne and Teppo Numminen (NHL.com).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Selanne and Numminen were the last stars (along with Keith Tkachuk) on the previous version of the Jets before the franchise was relocated in 1996 to Arizona. Both players began their NHL careers in Winnipeg, with Selanne playing four seasons and Numminen eight.

Selanne was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017. Numminen’s No. 27 was enshrined into the Arizona Coyotes ring of honor for his 15 seasons with the franchise, including their incarnation as the Jets.

WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Having signed a one-year contract with the Capitals, Dylan Strome must now prove he can become a reliable, regular top-six center. He’ll be expected to replace the sidelined Nicklas Backstrom on the Capitals’ second line until the latter returns from hip surgery later this season.

Strome, 25, could be playing alongside T.J. Oshie and Anthony Mantha. He’ll have an additional incentive as he’ll be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Injuries and inconsistency dogged Strome during his tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks. He was also shuffled around their lineup over the past two seasons but still finished with 48 points in 69 games in 2021-22. A solid performance this season could ensure he gets a longer contract with the Capitals.

GOPHNX.COM: Nick Bjugstad signed with the Arizona Coyotes hoping to resuscitate his career. The 30-year forward wants to prove that he can still play meaningful minutes after years of injuries. He also hopes his experience and leadership can help the younger players on the Coyotes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A solid effort by Bjugstad in the coming season could also draw interest from playoff contenders seeking depth at the 2023 trade deadline.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche re-signed forward Shane Bowers to a one-year, two-way contract worth $750k at the NHL level.

PHILLY.COM: The Flyers recently signed forward Jackson Cates to a one-year, two-way deal worth $775K at the NHL level.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 17, 2022

by | Aug 17, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 17, 2022

The NHL and NHLPA release their COVID protocol for 2022-23, Wayne Gretzky has been hit with a $10 million lawsuit, Jets center Mark Scheifele clarifies his end-of-season comments and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: The NHL and NHLPA released their COVID-19 protocol for 2022-23. There’s little change from last season’s protocol.

Testing will only happen for asymptomatic players and those crossing the Canada-US border. Those who test positive must isolate for five days if asymptomatic and 10 days if experiencing symptoms. Unvaccinated players remain unable to cross the border.

The NHL can postpone, reschedule or cancel games and events due to a COVD-19 outbreak if it poses a health risk to players and others.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi and Edmonton Oilers forward Josh Archibald were the only two unvaccinated NHL players by the end of last season. Archibald, now with the Pittsburgh Penguins, received a medical exemption in May. The travel restriction for the coming season would only apply to Bertuzzi unless he gets vaccinated or receives a medical exemption.

NEW YORK POST: cites TMZ reporting Hall-of-Famer Wayne Gretzky has been hit with a $10 million lawsuit accusing him of lying about losing 35 pounds after using a weight-loss gum for two months.

TSN: Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele downplayed speculation about his future based on his end-of-season comments in May. He pointed out that he prefaced those remarks by professing his love of playing in Winnipeg and his desire to remain with the Jets. Scheifele claims his comment about thinking about his career and what was best for him after the club missed the playoffs was misconstrued by the media.

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (NHL Images).

“I was confident I was coming back until I saw all the media headlines and then all of a sudden it’s I’m getting traded and who knows where I’m going and all that stuff,” said Scheifele.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff played down Scheifele’s comments last spring. He said the exit interview between the two went well, dismissing Scheifele’s remarks as an emotional reaction to missing the playoffs.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft said Darnell Nurse and Leon Draisaitl are progressing well recovering from injuries suffered during the 2022 playoffs. Both are currently working out and Woodcroft expects they’ll be ready for training camp next summer.

NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: The Blackhawks signed Jack Johnson to a one-year contract worth $950K. The 35-year-old defenseman played for the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche last season, appearing in 74 regular-season games and 13 playoff contests.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Former NHL forward Cedric Paquette has signed a one-year contract with KHL club Dinamo Minsk in Belarus.

CAP FRIENDLY: indicates Derek Stepan has signed a professional tryout offer with the Carolina Hurricanes.

SALTWIRE: One of the two arenas at Summerside’s Credit Union Place was named in honor of New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to Gallant for this well-deserved honor by his hometown. Gallant is among the best-known hockey men from Prince Edward Island. He started his playing career in Summerside’s minor hockey program and went on to play 11 seasons in the NHL from 1984-85 to 1994-95.

Since 2014-15, Gallant has become one of the league’s top coaches. He won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in 2017-18 and guided the Vegas Golden Knights to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. He took over behind the Rangers’ bench last season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2022

by | Aug 16, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2022

Jonathan Huberdeau has pledged his brain for research on brain injuries, the Flames may have some contract leverage with MacKenzie Weegar, former Predators goalie Pekka Rinne is getting a statue, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

CALGARY SUN: Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau pledged his brain after his death to Project Enlist Canada for research on brain injuries. “As an NHL player, I’m very aware of the impact of traumatic brain injuries, concussions and the link to other mental health issues,” Huberdeau said in a statement.

Calgary Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau (NHL Images).

Huberdeau, former Canadian astronaut Marc Garneau, All-Ivy hockey star Kalley Armstrong and retired Major General Denis Thompson have joined 170 Canadian Forces members and veterans in pledging to donate their brains to Project Enlist Canada.

Former NHL players Ben Lovejoy, Dan Carcillo, Jeff Parker, J.T. Brown and Craig Adams and Hall-of-Fame women’s star Hayley Wickenheiser have also pledged to donate their brains for research.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow this link for information on Project Enlist Canada.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Flames, they could have more leverage in contract talks with MacKenzie Weegar than they had with Huberdeau and former Flames Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk.

Next to Aaron Ekblad, Weegar was the Florida Panthers’ best defenseman. However, he only cracked the 40-point plateau once and is a bit of a late-bloomer. His 44-points last season would’ve ranked third among Flames blueliners.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Acquired along with Huberdeau last month, Weegar has expressed an interest in signing a long-term extension with the Flames. However, he might have to settle in and establish a presence with his new club to earn that deal.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators are having a bronze statue made of goaltender Pekka Rinne which will stand outside Bridgestone Arena. Rinne spent his entire 15-season NHL career with the Predators and retired last year. His No. 35 was the first to be retired in Predators’ history.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rinne is the Predators’ single-season leader with 43 wins, a 2.12 goals-against average, a .930 save percentage and eight shutouts. He’s also their all-time goaltending leader in games played (683), wins (369), goals-against average (2.43) and shutouts (60).

TSN: Colton Sceviour signed a one-year contract with SC Bern in Switzerland. The 33-year-old forward spent 535 career NHL games with the Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Former Sharks players Tommy Wingels and Luca Sbisa are returning to the club as development coaches.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 15, 2022

by | Aug 15, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 15, 2022

The Rangers need their young forwards to step up in 2022-23, Marc Staal looking forward to playing for a contender in Florida, Avalanche season tickets are popular again, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers’ success in the coming season could depend upon young forwards such as Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere and Filip Chytil to build upon their promising performance in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. They’ll also need Vitali Kravtsov to prove he’s worthy of top-six/top-nine minutes in the NHL.

New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere (NHL Images)

Those youngsters will be expected to fill the gaps in their forward lines after Andrew Copp, Frank Vatrano and Tyler Motte departed via free agency this summer. The current roster accounted for 223 of the club’s 250 goals last season. That would’ve ranked 26th among last season’s teams.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of those 223 goals, 103 came from Chris Kreider (52), Mika Zibanejad (29) and Artemi Panarin (22). The Rangers definitely need more production from those youngsters going forward.

Lafreniere seems the best bet for a breakout season. He had 19 goals in 2021-22, showing promising signs of blossoming into the scorer he was projected to become when the Rangers chose him first overall in the 2020 draft.

Injuries limited Kakko to just seven goals in 43 games last season. Chytil had eight in 67 contests, missing 12 games to injury and being scratched from six others. They could improve if they can stay healthy this season. Kravtsov played in the KHL last season so we don’t know if he’s truly ready to become an NHL regular.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Marc Staal is excited to be joining a Stanley Cup contender after signing with the Panthers last month. The 35-year-old defenseman spent the past five seasons with rebuilding clubs like the Rangers and Detroit Red Wings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staal saw just three games of postseason action over that period as the Rangers fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in the qualifying round of the 2020 playoffs. He inked a one-year, $750K contract on July 13 with the Panthers.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche’s Stanley Cup run has had a positive effect on their season ticket sales. They’ve already reached their cutoff/capacity limit for the coming season which is thought to be around 13,500. There’s now a waiting list for season tickets.

LAS VEGAS SUN: Nolan Patrick is expected to begin the coming season on long-term injury reserve. The 23-year-old Golden Knights forward is still dealing with an upper-body injury that limited him to just 25 games last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The second-overall pick by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2017, Patrick battled migraine issues earlier in his career that cost him the entire 2019-20 season. It’s uncertain if his current injury is related to that.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Detroit Red Wings prospect Simon Edvinsson is enjoying a solid performance for Sweden at the ongoing 2022 World Junior Championship. Chosen sixth overall by the Wings in 2021, the 6-foot-six, 203-pound defenseman signed his entry-level contract in April. He’s expected to make his NHL debut this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Edvinsson plays up to his potential, he and current Calder Memorial Trophy winner Moritz Seider will give the Wings two of the best young defensemen in the league. They could become the foundation of a future Stanley Cup champion in Detroit.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 14, 2022

by | Aug 14, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 14, 2022

The Hurricanes plan to start the season without Max Pacioretty, Sharks defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov sidelined for six months, making the case for Logan Thompson to replace Golden Knights starter Robin Lehner, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell won’t make any immediate moves to replace Max Pacioretty. Recently acquired in a trade from the Vegas Golden Knights, the 33-year-old winger is sidelined for six months after suffering a torn Achilles’ tendon during training.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Max Pacioretty (NHL Images).

Waddell admitted it’s an unexpected setback but believes the Hurricanes have sufficient depth to offset Pacioretty’s absence until his return later in the upcoming season. The winger is expected to be placed on long-term injury reserve.

The Hurricanes GM said he’s received calls from clubs looking to dump salary. He didn’t rule out such a move if it made sense for his team but he also pointed out that they will need that space when Pacioretty returns.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was some speculation that Waddell might attempt to buy out Jake Gardiner but he indicated that’s not going to happen. The blueliner missed 2021-22 recovering from hip surgery but he’s resumed training in hope of playing this coming season.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of players suffering a torn Achilles’ tendon, Sharks defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov will be sidelined for approximately six months after undergoing surgery on Aug. 10.

The 24-year-old defenseman was the Sharks’ rookie of the year in 2020-21 by earning a top-four spot alongside Erik Karlsson. However, he missed all of last season to groin injuries and a post-surgery infection.

DAILY FACEOFF: Mike McKenna makes the case for Logan Thompson to fill in for Vegas Golden Knights starter Robin Lehner, who is out for the coming season due to hip surgery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lehner’s injury prompted speculation that the Golden Knights would attempt to find a short-term replacement via trade or free agency. However, the pickings are slim in both markets. Potential trade partners could also squeeze them to part with a promising young asset as part of the return. My guess is they’ll start the season with Thompson as their starter and see how things unfold.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Golden Knights, they signed depth forward Jake Leschyshyn and Paul Cotter to three-year contracts. Leschyshyn’s deal is a one-way contract worth an annual average value of $766K while Cotter’s is a two-way deal in the first year and one-way in the second year earning $775K at the NHL level.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders prospect Aatu Raty is hoping to earn a roster spot with the parent club this season. He spent most of last season in Finland and briefly played for the Isles AHL affiliate.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 19-year-old forward is among the leading scorers at the ongoing 2022 World Junior Championship in Alberta.