NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 12, 2022

by | Feb 12, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 12, 2022

​The Oilers win their first game under new coach Jay Woodcroft, Brad Marchand to appeal his six-game suspension, Flyers center Sean Couturier undergoes season-ending surgery, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers won their first game under new head coach Jay Woodcroft by downing the New York Islanders 3-1. Connor McDavid collected two assists, Mike Smith made 37 saves and Zach Hyman scored what proved to be the winning goal. With 51 points, the Oilers are four behind the Anaheim Ducks for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

An overtime goal by Jason Robertson lifted the Dallas Stars to a 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Robertson reached the 20-goal mark for the first time in his young NHL career while teammate Jamie Benn had a goal and an assist. Jets center Mark Scheifele also had a goal and an assist. The Stars sit one point ahead of the Oilers and three behind the Ducks while the Jets (46 points) are nine points out of a wild-card spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets have dug themselves a deep hole in the Western Conference standings. They could become sellers if they haven’t gained ground by the time the calendar flips to March.

The Ducks, meanwhile, dropped a 4-3 decision to the Seattle Kraken. Jordan Eberle broke a 3-3 tie late in the third period while teammate Ryan Donato scored twice for the Kraken. Ducks forward Isac Lundestrom tallied two goals.

Steven Stamkos scored two goals as the Tampa Bay Lightning held off the Arizona Coyotes 4-3. Teammate Corey Perry netted his 399th career goal. Clayton Keller had a goal and an assist for the Coyotes. With 68 points, the Lightning sits one point behind the first-place Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division.

HEADLINES

TSN: The NHL Players Association has filed an appeal on behalf of Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand over the six-game suspension he received by the NHL department of player safety. Marchand was handed the ban for roughing Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry and then high-sticking him on his mask during Wednesday’s game between the two clubs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand’s suspension history likely contributed to his latest punishment. League commissioner Gary Bettman will review the appeal and determine if it will stand or be reduced.

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: Flyers center Sean Couturier underwent season-ending back surgery on Friday. A decision whether Ryan Ellis (lower-body) will require surgery could be made in the coming weeks. Center Kevin Hayes could require a third abdominal surgery after having fluid drained from his adductor on Jan. 18.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Injuries to those three key players are significant reasons why the Flyers are on the cusp of missing the playoffs for the second straight year.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said he’d like to bring former client Vincent Lecavalier into the organization in some capacity. “It’s not going to be assistant GM, despite all the rumors,” said Hughes. “But if we can find a way to do it then we’d absolutely like to do it.”

NEW YORK POST: Rangers winger Kaapo Kakko will remain sidelined for another both with an unspecified upper-body injury.

TORONTO SUN: The Leafs yesterday signed Joseph Woll to a three-year contract extension on Friday. He’s currently playing for their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. The first year of the deal is a two-way contract and becomes a one-way deal in the final two years.

The Leafs also got some good news on forward Ondrej Kase, who was shaken up during Thursday’s game against the Calgary Flames but could return to the lineup on Saturday.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 11, 2022

by | Feb 11, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 11, 2022

Avalanche retake first overall, my reaction to the Oilers firing head coach Dave Tippett, plus the latest on Tomas Hertl’s contract talks and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Colorado Avalanche (70 points) retook first place in the overall standings by holding off the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2. Gabriel Landeskog opened the scoring to reach the 20-goal plateau for the ninth time in his career while Devon Toews had a goal and an assist. Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made 44 saves and teammate Braydon Point had a goal and an assist. With 66 points, the Bolts sit three points behind the first-place Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division.

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog (NHL Images).

Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen turned aside 34 points in a 6-0 shutout of the Boston Bruins. Andrei Svechnikov had a goal and two assists, Teuvo Teravainen had three assists and Sebastian Aho scored twice for the Hurricanes, who sit in first place in the Metropolitan Division with 67 points. The Bruins (55 points) maintain their hold on the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference with 55 points.

The Washington Capitals (61 points) widened their lead over the Bruins for the first wild-card spot by downing the Montreal Canadiens 5-2, spoiling the coaching debut of Canadiens bench boss Martin St. Louis. Washington goalie Ilya Samsonov made 42 saves while teammate Joe Snively scored his first two NHL goals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens put forth a better effort in this game but weak goaltending and a lack of scoring depth were their undoing. That’s something a coaching change won’t fix. It’ll require a lot of work by management leading up to the trade deadline and during the offseason to address some of their issues.

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Casey DeSmith turned in a 26-save shutout to blank the Ottawa Senators 2-0. Jeff Carter and Bryan Rust were the goal scorers. Senators goalie Matt Murray allowed just one goal on 43 shots in his first game against his former team since being traded to the Senators in 2020. The Penguins (66 points) remain one back of the Hurricanes in the Metro Division.

The Calgary Flames down the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2, snapping the latter’s six-game winning streak. Jacob Markstrom stopped 46 shots while Flames defensemen Rasmus Andersson and Noah Hanifin each had a goal and an assist. Leafs forward Mitch Marner’s goal streak ended at eight games. The Flames (56 points) vaulted into second place in the Pacific Division while the Leafs remain in third place in the Atlantic Division with 63 points. Leafs forward Ondrej Kase left the game in the first period following a big hit by Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

A five-goal third period carried the New Jersey Devils to a 7-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Nico Hischier scored twice and collected an assist while Yegor Sherangovich had a goal and two assists. Blues forward Brayden Schenn replied with two goals as the Blues (57 points) hold the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

An overtime goal by Jakub Voracek lifted the Columbus Blue Jackets over the Buffalo Sabres 4-3.

HEADLINES

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers yesterday fired head coach Dave Tippett and assistant coach Jim Playfair, replacing them on an interim basis with now-former Bakersfield Condor coaches Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers general manager Ken Holland had to do something as his club sits six points out of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference. While a coaching change can’t hurt, it probably won’t be enough to overcome their porous goaltending and defensive depth and lack of reliable secondary scoring. That’s on Holland, who will face considerable grilling by Edmonton fans and pundits if they miss the postseason.

This is the 11th coaching change by the Oilers since 2008. It’s the first under Holland’s watch but this revolving door of bench bosses was supposed to have come to an end by now. This move also raises concerns about the long-term futures of Oilers superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and it’s not just coming from the Toronto media.

Speaking of the Oilers, they also announced winger Zack Kassian will miss the next four to eight weeks with a fractured jaw while defenseman Duncan Keith is out for two to four weeks with a concussion.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Joe Will, the Sharks acting general manager, is in discussions with agent Craig Oster regarding a long-term contract extension for Tomas Hertl. The 28-year-old center is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No word if the two sides are closing in on a deal but the fact they’re talking over a month before the March 21 trade deadline appears a positive sign for his future in San Jose.

TWINCITIES.COM: Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno received a two-game suspension by the NHL department of player safety for kneeing Winnipeg Jets forward Andrew Lowry in the head during a scuffle in a game on Tuesday.

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is listed as day-to-day following their game against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois and defenseman Neal Pionk have emerged from COVID protocol and will play against the Dallas Stars on Friday.

GOPHNX.COM: The Arizona Board of Regents approved a plan that will allow the Coyotes to play games at Arizona State University for the next three seasons and perhaps beyond if needed. The Coyotes’ lease at Gila River Arena is being terminated by the city of Glendale at the end of this season, forcing the club to seek a temporary home while it seeks approval to construct a new arena in Tempe.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 10, 2022

by | Feb 10, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 10, 2022

Game recaps plus my reaction to the Canadiens replacing Dominique Ducharme with Martin St. Louis, Tuukka Rask’s retirement, the Blues re-signing coach Craig Berube, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Jacob Markstrom made 28 saves for his league-leading eighth shutout of the season as the Calgary Flames blanked the Vegas Golden Knights 6-0. Andrew Mangiapane scored twice, Matthew Tkachuk had a three-point night while Mikael Backlund had a goal and three assists. Golden Knights captain Mark Stone missed this game with an upper-body injury. With 54 points, the Flames sit four points ahead of the Dallas Stars for the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference and are three behind the St. Louis Blues. The Golden Knights (59 points) maintain a four-point lead over the Anaheim Ducks for first place in the Pacific Division.

Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).

Speaking of the Stars, they nipped the Nashville Predators 4-3 on a third-period goal by Luke Glendening. Jason Robertson tallied two goals and Roope Hintz had a goal and an assist. Roman Josi collected two assists for the Predators (60 points), who hold a one-point lead over the Minnesota Wild for second place in the Central Division.

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury kicked out 40 shots and Alex DeBrincat had a goal and two assists in a 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Kirby Dach, Dylan Strome and Brandon Hagel each had a goal and an assist. The loss leaves the Oilers five points behind the Flames. The Oilers also lost defenseman Duncan Keith after he crashed into the end boards in the first period.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers goalie Mike Smith got his second start in as many games with Mikko Koskinen in COVID protocol. He still looked rusty after being sidelined for over a month.

The Vancouver Canucks’ playoff hopes took a hit after falling 6-3 to the New York Islanders. Zach Parise scored in his 1,100th career game as the Isles tallied five times in the first period, including three goals 31 seconds apart, driving Jaroslav Halak from the net. The Canucks sit six points back of the Flames.

Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Robby Fabbri and Pius Suter each had a goal and an assist to give the Detroit Red Wings a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Wings defenseman Moritz Seider collected two assists.

Arizona Coyotes goalie Karel Vejmelka made 34 saves to beat the Seattle Kraken 5-2. Nick Schmaltz scored two goals while Phil Kessel and Alex Galchenyuk each had a goal and an assist.

HEADLINES

MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens yesterday fired Dominique Ducharme as head coach, replacing him with Martin St. Louis on an interim basis.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers question why the Canadiens would replace Ducharme now rather than at the end of this season, concerned that it will hurt the club’s chances of winning the draft lottery. However, making no changes risked worsening an already toxic atmosphere within the dressing room. It wasn’t that the Habs were losing so many games so much as they were such lopsided, dispiriting losses lacking any sustained level of competition on the players’ part. Leaving the situation unaddressed risked worsening the situation and making the anticipated rebuild that much tougher to accomplish.

Ducharme’s supporters point out he came into the role under difficult circumstances, not the least of which is the Canadiens’ reportedly on pace to exceed 600 man-games lost to injury and illness this season. Nevertheless, a number of veterans seemed to have tuned him out while the younger players were growing discouraged.

The hiring of St. Louis was a surprise. On the one hand, he has no coaching experience other than at the peewee level. He’ll have to rely heavily on the coaching staff and there’s no certainty he’ll be able to move the needle in a positive direction. On the other, he’s a Hall-of-Famer who was well-respected in part for his leadership one and off the ice during his playing days. He’s also in the role for only a couple of months and can be replaced in the offseason if he doesn’t pan out.

If this hiring succeeds, hockey ops VP Jeff Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes will look like geniuses for thinking outside the box. If it fails, it will shake whatever confidence Montreal pundits and fans have in the new management team, casting a shadow of doubt over their plans for this franchise.

Speaking of the Canadiens, former Tampa Bay Lightning star Vincent Lecavalier denied a report claiming he was about to be hired as assistant GM.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask officially retired yesterday, citing his body’s slow recovery from offseason hip surgery. He spent his entire 15-season NHL career with the Bruins, finishing as their all-time leader in games played for goalies with 564 and wins with 308, as well as second all-time with a 2.28 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and 52 shutouts. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2014, the Jennings Trophy in 2020 and backstopped the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Final in 2013 and 2019.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Rask and his family in their future endeavors. He was unappreciated at times by some Bruins fans but will forever rank among their greatest goaltenders.

Speaking of the Bruins, winger Brad Marchand received a six-game suspension for roughing and high-sticking Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry during Tuesday’s game. They also learned captain Patrice Bergeron has been ruled out of tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes after suffering an upper-body injury (head) in that game against the Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand’s supporters say the Bruins winger was in reaction to Jarry apparently slashing or spearing teammate Charlie Coyle. Regardless, his actions were over-the-top and has taken the oft-suspended scorer out of the lineup for a significant period of time.

STLTODAY.COM: The St. Louis Blues signed head coach Craig Berube to a three-year contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise there. Berube coached the Blues to their first-ever Stanley Cup (2019) and has made them a perennial playoff club during his tenure.

THE PROVINCE: Former US Women’s hockey star Cammi Granato will join the Vancouver Canucks as an assistant general manager. She joins Emilie Castonguay, who was also hired as an assistant GM by the Canucks earlier this year.

TSN: The Seattle Kraken claimed defenseman Dennis Cholowski off waivers from the Washington Capitals.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 9, 2022

by | Feb 9, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 9, 2022

Sidney Crosby tallies his 499th career goal, Brad Marchand could face another suspension, Tuukka Rask’s comeback could be over, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Sidney Crosby tallied his 499th career NHL goal and Danton Heinen scored twice as the Pittsburgh Penguins overcame a 2-0 deficit to double up the Boston Bruins 4-2. Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry made 43 saves for the win but was also on the receiving end of a punch and a stick to the head from Bruins winger Brad Marchand late in the game. Marchand received a match penalty and could face supplemental discipline for attempting to injure Jarry. David Pastrnak scored both Bruins goals.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

The Penguins are tied with the New York Rangers with 64 points but the latter holds second place in the Metropolitan Division with 30 wins while the Pens have 28. With 54 points, the Bruins remain four points behind the Washington Capitals, who hold the first wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins also lost captain Patrice Bergeron in the third period when he fell awkwardly into the boards following a collision with Crosby. He was assisted off and the Penguins captain received a minor penalty for roughing though the contact was minor and didn’t appear intentional on Crosby’s part. **CORRECTION: Crosby received the roughing penalty a minute later for a different incident.**

Speaking of the Capitals, they suffered their fourth loss in their last six games by falling 5-4 to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Boone Jenner snapped a 4-4 tie late in the third period while teammate Patrik Laine scored twice and collected an assist. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin picked up an assist after emerging from COVID protocol yesterday.

Alex Pietrangelo scored to collect his 500th career NHL point while Laurent Brossoit kicked out 28 shots as the Vegas Golden Knights blanked the Edmonton Oilers 4-0. William Karlsson and Reilly Smith each had a goal and an assist. Oilers goalie Mike Smith made 24 saves in his first start since Jan. 5. The Golden Knights sit on top of the Pacific Division with 59 points while the Oilers (49 points) remain three points behind the Calgary Flames for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.

The Winnipeg Jets got a 28-save shutout from Connor Hellebuyck in a 2-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Mark Scheifele and Nate Schmidt were the goalscorers as the Jets (49 points) sit seven points behind the Flames. The Wild remain in third place in the Central Division with 59 points. Wild forward Marcus Foligno received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for kneeing Jets forward Andrew Copp in the head during their third-period scrap.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson had three assists and winger Conor Garland scored against their former club in a 5-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes. With 48 points, the Canucks are four back of the Flames.

Ottawa Senators winger Brady Tkachuk scored two goals as his club held on to down the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3. The Hurricanes were down 4-0 but made it interesting with three goals in the third period. Anton Forsberg stopped 42 shots as the Senators have gone 5-2-2 in their last nine contests. The Hurricanes sit in first place in the Metropolitan Division with 65 points.

The New Jersey Devils snapped a seven-game losing skid by humiliating the lowly Montreal Canadiens 7-1. Michael McLeod scored twice for the Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some pundits are wondering how many more embarrassing lopsided losses the Canadiens front office is willing to endure before they start making changes. Apparently, they’re willing to endure many more over the remainder of this season.

Trades seem unlikely at the moment because they probably prefer waiting until the March 21 deadline when they hope the value of their trade candidates is at their highest. A coaching change would have a more immediate effect but they committed to head coach Dominique Ducharme for the rest of the season and seem reluctant to change their minds.

The Canadiens have been walloped by injuries and illnesses to key players throughout the season. Ducharme hasn’t been placed in the best position as a coach to deal with these unique situations he’s faced since becoming their head coach. Nevertheless, they’re now mired in a toxic atmosphere. Many veterans appear to have tuned out Ducharme knowing he’s a goner at season’s end while their younger players are growing discouraged with the constant losing. That’s not going to help improve the club’s culture going forward.

Bottom line is the Canadiens are a laughingstock and an easy two points for most clubs, including those fading in the playoff race like the Devils. That’s not going to change over the remainder of this season. It might help improve the Canadiens’ chances of winning the draft lottery, but it’s not a healthy mood for a franchise facing what could be years of rebuilding.

HEADLINES

THE ATHLETIC: Sources tell Fluto Shinzawa that the Boston Bruins don’t expect Tuukka Rask to continue his comeback. He felt discomfort in his surgically repaired hip following his last game on Jan. 24 and has been on injured reserve. He could finalize his retirement in the next several days.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Rask is calling it a career he’ll be retiring as one of the top goaltenders in Bruins history. He backstopped them to two Stanley Cup Finals (2013 and 2019), won the Vezina in 2014 and was a finalist in 2020, and is their franchise leader in games-played for goalies with 564 and win with 308.

CBS SPORTS: Anaheim Ducks defenseman Josh Manson (finger) was placed on injured reserve yesterday.

TSN: The Tampa Bay Lightning signed forward Patrick Maroon to a two-year contract extension worth an annual average value of $1 million.

The St. Louis Blues signed defenseman Robert Bortuzzo to a two-year, $1.9 million contract extension.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tucker Poolman remains sidelined with headaches and migraines and continues to meet with doctors.

CBS SPORTS: Blues defenseman Scott Perunovich was placed on IR with an upper-body injury.

TSN: The Seattle Kraken claimed forward Austin Czarnik off waivers from the New York Islanders.

ESPN.COM: The Anaheim Ducks named Hall-of-Famer and former captain Scott Niedermayer as a special advisor to their hockey operations department.

NHL.COM: The Philadelphia Flyers yesterday named Daniel Briere as special assistant to general manager Chuck Fletcher.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 8, 2022

by | Feb 8, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 8, 2022

The Leafs down the Hurricanes, the Senators defeat the Devils, the three stars of the week, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAMES RECAPS

NHL.COM: Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews each scored twice as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3. Marner tallied the winner in overtime to extend his goals streak to eight games while Matthews moved into third place (31 goals) in the NHL goal-scoring race. The Leafs (63 points) have won six straight and sit three points behind the second-place Tampa Bay Lightning in the Atlantic Division.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Ottawa Senators forwards Connor Brown and Nick Paul each had a goal and an assist while goaltender Matt Murray made 32 saves in a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils, handing the latter their seventh straight loss. Brown has missed nine games with a broken jaw.

HEADLINES

Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux, Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner and Florida Panthers forward Mason Marchment are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending Feb.6, 2022.

SPORTSNET: Jack Eichel skated in practice with the Vegas Golden Knights without a non-contact jersey yesterday for the first time since they acquired him last November from the Buffalo Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Eichel’s debut with the Golden Knights reportedly remains several weeks away. He could suit up by late February at the earliest but there’s talk his first game could take place in March.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins have shut down goaltender Tuukka Rask for the remainder of this week with a lower-body injury.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Netminder Mike Smith has come off injured reserve but his age and injury history suggest the Oilers cannot rely on him to carry the starter’s duties for the remainder of this season. He’s only appeared in six games this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers could turn to inexperienced Stuart Skinner if Smith gets hurt again and/or if Mikko Koskinen continues to struggle. General manager Ken Holland could also try to add a goalie before the March 21 trade deadline.

CBS SPORTS: The Ottawa Senators will be without center Josh Norris for two more weeks as he recovers from a shoulder injury.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers signed top prospect goalie Mack Guzda to a three-year entry-level contract. Guzda, 21, is an undrafted netminder with the Barrie Colts who was the OHL’s top goalie in December and January. He’ll continue to play for the Colts but could join the Panthers or their AHL affiliate in Charlotte at the end of the OHL season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Guzda signing prompted some observers to wonder if this move means the Panthers could shop young goalie Spencer Knight, perhaps to the Arizona Coyotes as part of a package for Jakob Chychrun before the March 21 trade deadline. However, I think that conjecture is premature. Trading away Knight this season would leave the Panthers without a reliable backup for Sergei Bobrovsky. They won’t toss an inexperienced kid into that role.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 7, 2022

by | Feb 7, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 7, 2022

Devils center Jack Hughes enters COVID protocol, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour considers the Panthers a juggernaut, the Wild look like Stanley Cup contenders, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

ESPN.COM: New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes was placed on the NHL’s COVID protocol list after participating in the 2022 All-Star Game over the weekend.

New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see how many other All-Star participants join Hughes on the protocol list.

SPORTSNET (via THE SCORE): Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour praised the Florida Panthers when asked about them during an interview on Friday. “That’s the juggernaut for me,” he said, commending the club’s management for the “great job” it did to construct the roster. “There’s no weaknesses,” said Brind’Amour.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers could get even better if they land a top-four, left-side defenseman before the March 21 trade deadline. Their only real weakness is the lack of playoff success. Perhaps that will change this year.

TWINCITIES.COM: Dane Mizutani points out the Minnesota Wild’s current record of 28 wins, 10 losses and three overtime losses is a franchise-best after 41 games. He cites several factors, including the one-two scoring punch of Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello, that makes them legitimate Stanley Cup contenders this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild’s lack of experienced depth at center could hold them back, but there’s no question they’ve become a rising force since last season in the Western Conference.

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW (via THE SCORE): Penguins president of hockey operations Brian Burke praised general manager Ron Hextall’s support of Tristan Jarry after the latter’s struggles during last year’s playoffs. Jarry is enjoying a bounce-back performance this season. He’s among this season’s top netminders and played in the 2022 All-Star Game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hextall ignored calls to find a replacement for Jarry via trade or free agency last summer. Some observers still believe the Penguins should go shopping for a goalie but those calls are now for a reliable backup for Jarry.

NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: The Blackhawks fired long-time Rockford Icehogs head athletic trainer D.J. Jones in November for sexual harassment that allegedly took place in 2014 but didn’t come to light until recently.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I can’t find the words to describe my reaction to this story given everything about the Blackhawks organization that’s preceded this report. Disgust doesn’t seem sufficient to cover it.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators are among the Canadian clubs that approached the NHL about playing some home games within the stringent rules in Ontario regarding large gatherings that are in place until March.