NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 11, 2020

by | May 11, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 11, 2020

An update on the league’s return-to-play plans, the Ducks re-sign two players and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NEWSDAY: Andrew Gross reports a source claiming the NHL’s return-to-play plans have been narrowed down to two scenarios. The first involves a 24-team format in which the top four teams play for playoff seeding while the bottom teams would have postseason play-in games. The second involves going straight into the usual 16-team playoff format with no attempt to salvage the regular season.

Completing the regular season might not be possible for the NHL.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told Gross via e-mail every option considered by the league remains on the table.  “Obviously, some may be being explored more extensively than others. But no decisions have been made,” wrote Daly.

Many health and logistic issues confront any of the league’s attempts to return to action, including self-quarantining of players and international travel restrictions. Some players expressed concern over the possibility of spending up to three months separated from their families while playing in four neutral-site host cities.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gross also reports his source claiming the NHL was hell-bent on including regular-season games if play resumed. It would recoup more of its losses by completing the regular-season schedule. With the pandemic ongoing and social-distancing rules varying from market-to-market, that might not be possible. The health, logistic and family concerns cited by Gross could force the league into returning with a shorter format.  

Gross also pointed out there’s been no clarity over determining which teams would return under 16 or 24 team playoff scenarios. However, it’s assumed points percentage will be the measuring stick.

THE SCORE: NHL legend Bobby Orr told TSN’s James Duthie he doesn’t see anything wrong with the NHL attempting to restart the season, but he cautions against trying to do it too quickly.

“We just cannot come back until the players are safe, the families are safe, anybody connected with those games, around the games, if they do come back, (we have to make sure) that everyone is safe.”

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks re-signed defenseman Brendan Guhle and center Sam Carrick to contract extensions Sunday. Guhle signed a two-season, $1.6-million contract and Carrick signed a one-season, $700,000 deal. 

EDMONTON JOURNAL: A Russian hockey website claims Oilers forward Markus Granlund will sign with KHL club Ufa Salavat Yuleaev next season. He’s an unrestricted free agent at season’s end and struggled to earn playing time with the Oilers this season. It’s believed the two sides have already agreed on a contract.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Concussion injuries have brought Ben Sexton’s playing career to a close. The 28-year-old forward spent most of his professional career in the minors, seeing two NHL games with the Ottawa Senators in 2017-18. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sexton missed all of this season with a concussion. Best of luck to him in his future endeavors.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sam McCaig looks at the all-time single-season scoring and wins leaders for all 31 NHL teams. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of the names on these lists might surprise you. 










Making The NHL: Top Draft Prospects Credit Multi-Sport Approach for Success

by | May 10, 2020

Making The NHL: Top Draft Prospects Credit Multi-Sport Approach for Success

 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 10, 2020

by | May 10, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 10, 2020

Latest on the league’s plans for the schedule and the draft, the 50th anniversary of Bobby Orr’s legendary Stanley Cup-winning goal, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

THE BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont cites Bruins president Cam Neely pointing out the NHL and its TV partners would have the opportunity of trying new camera angles if the schedule resumes without fans in arenas. That would include perhaps mounting some cameras in lower-bowl seats or along the top of the glass that surrounds the boards.

“Even closer to the action, league broadcast executives also have toyed with the idea of embedding cameras directly into the boards, or perhaps mounting them directly behind the boards with lenses shooting the action through small portals drilled into the boards.”

Another option could be mounting small Go-Pro cameras to players’ helmets, though the NHLPA would have to agree to it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sounds like a great opportunity to provide fans watching on television with some different angles they otherwise wouldn’t see. It would be a great way to give them the feeling that they’re in the game, especially for those who’ve never attended a live NHL contest. 

 

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas (Photo via NHL.com).

SPORTSNET: Mixed feelings persist among NHL executives over the league’s proposal to stage the 2020 Draft before the resumption of the season. Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas was diplomatic when questioned about his take. “We’re just going to try to prepare as though it’s going to happen,” he said. “It’s not going to be normal regardless of what it is, so we’re fine with whatever is decided.”

Player agent Allan Walsh, however, said most general managers he’s spoken with aren’t happy with the idea. “I have not talked to one GM who likes it, and I talk to almost all of them.”  Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is among them. “I haven’t heard a good reason why we should do it prior to the end of the season if we do conclude the season over the course of the summer,” he said. Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake, however, indicated he and his staff are “quite comfortable with either scenario.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m against it, and not because I’m some old-school guy who’s against “outside-the-box” thinking. I’m against it because the league higher-ups believe it’s going to draw big TV ratings and generate excitement among sports fans heading toward the restart of the schedule. I doubt it, especially when the most exciting component of the draft – the possibility of a major trade involving established players – probably won’t be permitted.

What will generate fan excitement is training camp and exhibition games taking place leading up to the proposed resumption of the schedule in July. Save the draft for when the season is over.   

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Today is the 50th anniversary of Bobby Orr’s legendary Stanley Cup-winning goal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That was the first Stanley Cup Final game I ever saw. I was seven-years-old at the time, and the only reason I got to see it was because it was an afternoon game. That goal was seared into my memory and made me a life-long Bobby Orr fan. He did many amazing things throughout his career and truly changed the game with his style of play, but it’s that goal everyone remembers. It wasn’t the prettiest goal Orr ever scored, but it’s certainly among hockey’s most memorable.

CALGARY SUN:  Flames center Sean Monahan hopes the season resumes this summer. “Everybody is just looking forward to get back with one another and push each other to get to that end goal,” he said. That end goal being, of course, the Stanley Cup. 

THE SCORE: If the league resumes play this summer, Vegas Golden Knights winger Mark Stone will be ready to return from the lower-body injury that sidelined him before the schedule was paused by the pandemic. 

TRIBLIVE.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang made an unspecified donation intended to provide meals to the Students and Families Food Relief Fund and the Knead Community Cafe in the Pittsburgh area.










Making the NHL: Shattering The Myth Of Youth Sports Specialization

by | May 9, 2020

Making the NHL: Shattering The Myth Of Youth Sports Specialization

 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 9, 2020

by | May 9, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 9, 2020

The latest on the league’s plans for the schedule and the draft, the Capitals place Brendan Leipsic on waivers, the Canadiens sign Alexander Romanov, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

LATEST ON NHL’S PLANS TO RESUME ITS SEASON

TSN: Frank Seravalli reports half of the NHL’s 31 markets would have been permitted to open team facilities as of Friday. That includes those in the province of Ontario. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said things are moving in the right direction. However, he adds it’s still not an acceptable mass for the league to move into Phase 2 of its Return To Play protocol to allow smalls groups of players to resume practicing in their respective team facilities.

The NHL isn’t ready yet to direct its teams to reopen training facilities (Photo via NHL.com).

That number could rise to 22 clubs as restrictions are eased by May 15 in Arizona, California, Minnesota, and Nevada. The league hasn’t yet determined what an “acceptable mass” would be and it likely won’t be a set number.

Daly also said the league is considering alternative plans for teams in markets unable to reopen. Seravalli reports the league still hasn’t outline specifics that would ensure safety for entering Phase 2.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is unfolding daily and the NHL still has details to work out before moving to its second phase. The league set mid-to-late May as its Phase 2 timetable. While it appears to be getting closer, ensuring the safety of everyone involved in reopening team practice facilities remains the main sticking point. Until that’s sorted out, the fact players can return to their facilities doesn’t necessarily mean they will

Ryan Rishaug reports the Edmonton Oilers are still working on their proposal to the province of Alberta to become a hub city when the NHL resumes its schedule.

CALGARY SUN: Whenever the Flames return to the Saddledome, they’ll find a facility that has been scrubbed and disinfected to within an inch of its life.

LATEST ON THE 2020 NHL DRAFT

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports it’s still unclear when the NHL will decide on their plans for this year’s draft. “One of the many matters that are being analyzed and worked on. There is no urgency to reaching a decision on this, at least currently,” said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It seemed a certainty the NHL would announce an early draft before resuming the season entering this week. That they’re not saying there’s no current urgent to make a decision suggests considerable pushback from the board of governors and the general managers, or maybe dealing with the conditional picks in this year’s draft proved too complicated to sort out, or perhaps the NHL brain trust is realizing holding the draft early won’t be the rating bonanza they thought it might be. We’ll hopefully know more in a week.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NBC SPORTS WASHINGTON: The Capitals placed forward Brendan Leipsic on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract for his offensive comments made on social media.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leipsic was the author of his demise and every NHL club probably would’ve handled his situation the same way. His big-league career is probably over. However, I doubt the punishment for his misogynistic comments would’ve been as harsh if Leipsic was an NHL star. In that scenario, he’d make a big public apology followed by several weeks of counseling and rehab. He’d return to action and the entire incident would be treated as a minor speedbump in an otherwise stellar career.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens yesterday signed KHL defenseman Alexander Romanov to a three-year entry-level contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Romanov is a promising young puck-moving defenseman who’s been compared to former Hab Mikhail Sergachev and Los Angeles Kings star Drew Doughty. He’s achieved almost mythical status among some Canadiens fans before he’s even donned their sweater. Despite the favorable comparisons to Sergachev and Doughty, Romanov’s yet to make his NHL debut. It will probably take him some time to adjust to the pace. Habs fans should temper their expectations until they see what this kid can do.

SPORTSNET: The NHL and NHLPA announced the postponement of their 2020 international games. The Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators were to stage their 2020-21 season openers in Prague, Czech Republic. The Colorado Avalanche and Columbus Blues Jackets were also to stage a pair of games in Helsinki, Finland.

OTTAWA SUN: The American Hockey League’s board of governors held a conference call Friday to discuss canceling the remainder of its season. An official announcement could be made on Monday.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs assistant coach Paul McFarland will leave the club at the end of this season to take over the head-coaching role with the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 8, 2020

by | May 8, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 8, 2020

Potential playoff formats are under consideration, plans for the 2020 Draft remain uncertain and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

LATEST NHL SCHEDULE AND DRAFT NEWS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the NHL/NHLPA “Return to Play” committee discussed returning with 16, 20, or 24-team playoff formats. Of the three, the 24-team format appears to be garnering some traction. That format would see non-playoff clubs like Montreal and Chicago getting postseason berths. “But again, let me stress. Nothing is decided. These are just the conversations that are being had between both sides this week,” said LeBrun.

Darren Dreger suggests a “play-in” format that trims those 24 teams down to the traditional 16 playoff clubs, rather than playing out the remainder of the regular season. This format would allow the league to get through the process quickly in case there’s a second COVID-19 wave in the fall. “If the NHL once again has to shut down in September, maybe October, maybe drift into November, there’s a built-in break, and then they reset and get going on the 2020-21 season again as late as December,” he said.

Frank Seravalli said the cost of COVID-19 testing and sterilizing dressing rooms and the rest of the facility could reach tens of millions of dollars. “So far, to this point, the NHL has determined that the juice would be worth the squeeze but we’ll see as these continue to add up,” said Seravalli.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The league and the PA had considered resuming the remainder of the 2019-20 schedule and the playoffs. The New York Post’s Larry Brooks reports one reason they’re exploring other options is it would avoid bringing back teams with no chance of reaching the playoffs and having them play a month’s worth of meaningless games.

He also said it would reduce how long players would have to spend in hub cities, especially those that go deep into the postseason. Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk recently said he and his fellow players with families aren’t keen to spend up to four months separated from their families. “Nobody with kids is going to want to be away for three or four months at a time. I think that’s a lot to ask out of guys.” Dubnyk missed part of this season to be with his wife while she was dealing with a serious medical condition, so he has an additional reason not to be away from his family for a long period.

Brooks added going directly to a playoff tournament would allow for a draft lottery in which the seven clubs that don’t make the playoff cut could be eligible for the first-overall pick in this year’s draft.

While I understand the league’s desire to recoup some of its losses by completing the regular season, returning immediately with a postseason format makes the most sense. Nevertheless, we still await a final decision. With the pandemic still ongoing, cancellation of the season and playoffs remains a real possibility.

SPORTSNET: Chris Johnston reports debate continues over the format of the 2020 NHL Draft. It appeared an early-June draft was a foregone conclusion, but deputy commissioner Bill Daly said everything is still on the table.

June 5 was believed the target date, though options later in the month are also under consideration. Some NHL teams are uncomfortable with staging the draft before resuming the season, while some general managers aren’t happy over being prevented from making trades involving active players while the schedule is paused.

TSN: Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said he’s among the majority of GMs who prefer staging the draft after the season is completed. “I think most of the managers would like it to happen in a natural order,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston’s colleague Elliotte Friedman believes no decision this week would mean the date to stage the draft would be pushed later than the June 5-6 timeframe originally proposed by the league. The fact there hasn’t been a decision yet suggests the league may have encountered more pushback from team owners and general managers or perhaps unforeseen issues arose that require more time to address.

WINNIPEG SUN: Ted Wyman cites an Angus Reid poll indicating one-quarter of hardcore Canadian sports fans polled indicate they wouldn’t attend a sports event in October or November until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed. “Another 40% said they would have to do some deliberating before making up their minds and 35% said they would attend with no reservations.” Wyman suggests this underlines the difficulty for pro sports in returning to normal following the pandemic.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL revenue will likely feel the effects of this pandemic beyond 2020. That could take a toll on the salary cap for 2021-22. 

IN OTHER NEWS…

TSN: Montreal Canadiens star Carey Price reached out to give support to two boys who lost their parents during last month’s mass shooting in Nova Scotia.

THE SCORE: The New Jersey Devils interviewed Dallas Stars assistant coach John Stevens for their head-coaching job.

TORONTO STAR: Maple Leafs center Alex Kerfoot’s family rink gives him a training advantage over his fellow players during their self-quarantine period.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ken Campbell believes Brendan Leipsic’s recent offensive comments on Instagram could cost the winger his NHL career.

SPORTSNET: The Kontinental Hockey League will not name a champion after stopping its season part-way through the playoffs because of the coronavirus pandemic.