Trade Tracker – 2019 NHL Draft

by | Jun 22, 2019

Trade Tracker – 2019 NHL Draft

The list of the notable player trades during the 2019 NHL Draft. It will be updated throughout the day as trades take place.

Tampa Bay Lightning trade forward J.T. Miller to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a conditional first-round pick in 2020, a third-round selection in 2019 and goaltender Marek Mazanec.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning reporter Caley Chelios reports if the Canucks fail to reach the playoffs next season, that conditional first shifts to 2021. Like the Leafs and Predators trades earlier today, this was a salary dump by the Lightning. Shedding Miller’s $5.25-million cap hit through 2022-23 gives them extra dollars to re-sign restricted free agent center Brayden Point. The Canucks, meanwhile, add some two-way versatility to their forward lines. 

Nashville Predators trade defenseman P.K. Subban to the New Jersey Devils for defensemen Steven Santini and Jeremy Davies, a second-round pick in the 2019 draft and a second in the 2020 draft.  

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators shed Subban’s $9 million salary-cap hit, perhaps to pursue Matt Duchene via free agency. The Devils get a big boost to their blueline, which might also provide enticement for left wing Taylor Hall to re-sign before next summer. 

Toronto Maple Leafs trade Patrick Marleau to the Carolina Hurricanes (Photo via NHL Images)

Toronto Maple Leafs trade left wing Patrick Marleau, a conditional first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, and a seventh-round pick in the 2020 draft to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2020 draft. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, “Condition on first is if it is Top 10 — shifts to 2021.” This move frees up Marleau’s $6.25 million salary-cap hit from their books. He’s not likely to be with the Hurricanes for long. Word is they’ll buy out his contract. 

 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 22, 2019

by | Jun 22, 2019

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 22, 2019

The highlights from the opening round of the 2019 draft, the home-opening schedule for 2019-20 revealed, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines. 

NHL.COM: The New Jersey Devils selected American center Jack Hughes with the first-overall selection in the opening round of the 2019 NHL Draft. Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko was taken second overall by the New York Rangers. 

Jack Hughes (left) and Kaapo Kakko were the first and second overall selections in the 2019 NHL Draft (Photo via NHL.com)

A record-setting seven players from USA Hockey’s Under-18 team from the National Team Development Program were selected among the top 15 picks. Overall, eight players from NTDP were taken in the opening round. Click this link for the complete list of picks. 

Rounds two through seven will be held today at 1 pm ET. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was only one trade (a swap of first-round picks between the Arizona Coyotes and Philadelphia Flyers) in this round. Despite considerable speculation, no established NHL players were traded in this round. For the first time in 33 years, no players from the OHL were selected in the top-10 of the first round. 

The biggest surprise saw the Detroit Red Wings select German defenseman Moritz Seider. High-scoring right wing Cole Caufield dropped into the Montreal Canadiens’ lap at No. 15. Vasily Podkolzin, selected with the 10th overall selection by the Vancouver Canucks, was the only Russian player taken in the opening round. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning selected left win Nolan Foote with the 27th pick. He joins brother Cal Foote, who was taken by the Bolts with the 14th overall selection in 2017. Both are the sons of former NHL defenseman Adam Foote. Center Dylan Cozens, taken seventh overall by the Buffalo Sabres, is the first Yukon-born player in NHL history to be selected in the first round. 

Before the start of the opening round, the league released the home-opening schedules for its 31 teams. It begins on Oct. 2 with the Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues facing off against the Washington Capitals. 

During his introductory remarks, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman revealed Daniel and Henrik Sedin will have their numbers retired by the Vancouver Canucks next February. The twins were onstage with Bettman at Rogers Arena when the announcement was made.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Well-deserved honors for the two greatest players in Canucks history. 

VANCOUVER SUN: The Canucks announced former winger Alex Burrows to their Ring of Honour. He will join Orland Kurtenbach, Kirk McLean, Harold Snepsts, Thomas Gradin, Pat Quinn and Mattias Ohlund.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Former Penguins winger Chris Kunitz is said to be considering retiring as an active player and go into coaching. The 40-year-old winger spent last season with the Chicago Blackhawks, netting 10 points in 56 games. He’s a four-time Stanley Cup winner, including three with the Penguins. 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 14, 2019

by | Mar 14, 2019

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 14, 2019

Game recaps, McDavid reaches 100 points for a third straight year, injury updates, 2019 NHL Draft Lottery date revealed, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines. 

NHL.COM: The Chicago Blackhawks tallied four first-period goals then hung on for a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brendan Perlini had a goal and two assists, Alex DeBrincat scored his 38th goal of the season, and Patrick Kane collected an assist to reach 99 points on the season. John Tavares netted his 39th of the season and Morgan Rielly scored his 19th for the Leafs, who also revealed winger Kasperi Kapanen is day-to-day with a concussion. The Blackhawks (71 points) sit four points behind the Arizona Coyotes for the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid reached 100 points for the third straight season during a 6-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils (Photo via NHL Images)

The New Jersey Devils stopped a seven-game losing skid by beating the Edmonton Oilers 6-3. Oilers captain Connor McDavid had two assists to reach 100 points for the third consecutive season. The loss leaves the Oilers (69 points) six points out of a playoff spot in the West.

Tyler Motte scored twice within 11 seconds in the second period to give the Vancouver Canucks a 4-1 victory over the New York Rangers. Rangers forwards Chris Kreider and Brendan Lemieux were ejected, the latter for a hit to the head of Canucks winger Antoine Roussel, who suffered a season-ending knee injury while falling from the impact of that hit.  The Canucks also made veteran winger Loui Eriksson a healthy scratch and revealed recently-signed defenseman Quinn Hughes (bone bruise) is at least a week away from making his NHL debut. 

The NHL announced the 2019 Draft Lottery will be held on Tuesday, April 9, in Toronto. 

NBC SPORTS: The league has upheld the two-game suspension of Philadelphia Flyers winger Jakub Voracek for interference on New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk. 

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets captain Blake Wheeler skipped practice yesterday but is cleared to play tonight against Boston. Wheeler appeared to suffer a head injury following a collision with Logan Couture during Tuesday’s game against San Jose. 

NEW YORK POST: Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner vows to protect himself from opponents who attempt to run him after missing a week with a suspected concussion after a collision with Ottawa Senators winger Brady Tkachuk. 

NBC BOSTON: Bruins defenseman Torey Krug is ruled out from tonight’s game against Winnipeg with an upper-body injury. 

OTTAWA SUN: Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot is week-to-week with a broken toe. 

WGR 550: Buffalo Sabres blueliner Zach Bogosian is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. 

AFTONBLADET: Former NHL player Kristian Huselius is recovering from burns to his face and upper body following a mishap from attempting to re-start his fireplace. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Be advised that there’s a rather gruesome photo of Huselius from his hospital bed accompanying this piece. Here’s hoping he makes a speedy recovery. 










NHL Rumor Mill – August 14, 2018

by | Aug 14, 2018

NHL Rumor Mill – August 14, 2018

Update on the Senators’ Matt Duchene, some potential waiver-wire opportunities for the Oilers and an observation about the 2019 NHL Draft in your NHL rumor mill.

Unlike last summer, Matt Duchene’s name has popped up much in trade speculation (Photo via NHL Images)

DOES DUCHENE HAVE A FUTURE IN OTTAWA?

NHL.COM: During a recent mailbag segment, Dan Rosen was asked about where center Matt Duchene fits into the Ottawa Senators’ plans. He’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. The Senators owe the Colorado Avalanche an unprotected first-round pick in next year’s draft, as that was part of the cost of acquiring him last fall. As a result, that pick could become first overall. 

Rosen doubts Duchene will be moved anytime soon. “There is simply no way the Senators will be able to get back the value they gave up to get Duchene if they trade him now,” he said. Rosen also feels it’s too early to know what the center thinks of the Senators right now. That’s because we don’t know what kind of team they’ll be this season and what they might get in return from a possible Erik Karlsson trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Karlsson trade speculation and Mark Stone’s contract status has overshadowed Duchene’s situation. Unlike like summer, there’s been no conjecture over possible trade scenarios involving the 27-year-old center. Unless he requests a trade, the Senators have no reason to shop him right now.

Duchene and Senators management could wait and see how the first half of the season unfolds before opening any contract dialogue. If the Senators are once again floundering near the bottom of the standings in the new year, Duchene should once again surface in the rumor mill.

OILERS’ WAIVER-WIRE OPTIONS

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell recently examined several waiver-wire possibilities for the Edmonton Oilers to address general manager Peter Chiarelli’s intent to bring in a 14th forward. His suggested options include Toronto’s Josh Leivo, Tampa Bay’s Adam Erne, Buffalo’s Nicholas Baptiste and Montreal’s Michael McCarron. Mitchell also pitched Carolina Hurricanes’ prospect Lucas Wallmark and Florida Panthers winger Frank Vatrano as possible trade targets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mitchell noted Chiarelli’s recent comments about perhaps bringing in a free agent via professional tryout offer. With the Oilers carrying a projected $4.9-million in cap space for 2018-19 (stick tap to Cap Friendly) and defenseman Darnell Nurse to re-sign, Chiarelli appears to be seeking affordable depth options up front. In other words, we can probably rule out the Oilers swinging a major deal to add a forward before the start of the season. 

 

 











NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 28, 2018

by | Feb 28, 2018

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 28, 2018

Game recaps, 2019 NHL Draft host city revealed plus updates on Patrice Bergeron, Matt Murray and more in your morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: Eric Staal’s hat trick powered the Minnesota Wild to an 8-3 beatdown of the slumping St. Louis Blues. Staal had five points in the game, as did teammate Jason Zucker (one goal, four assists). Vladimir Tarasenko scored two goals for the Blues.

New Jersey Devils winger Taylor Hall set a franchise record with a 15-game points streak. (Photo via NHL Images).

 New Jersey Devils winger Taylor Hall set a franchise record by extending his points streak to 15 games as his club edged the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. Penguins goaltender Matt Murray missed the game with a concussion suffered during Monday’s practice and there’s no timetable for his return.

Evander Kane made an immediate positive impression in his first game with the San Jose Sharks, collecting two assists to help his new team defeat the Edmonton Oilers 5-2.

Ryan Hartman made a memorable debut with the Nashville Predators, scoring the winning goal in his club’s 6-5 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Hartman was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. Jets’ trade-deadline acquisition Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist for his new club.

The Boston Bruins scored four unanswered goals to overcome a 3-1 deficit and defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 on an overtime goal by Charlie McAvoy. The Bruins were playing without center Patrice Bergeron, who is sidelined at least two weeks with a fractured bone in his right foot.

Evgeny Kuznetsov scored two goals to lead the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. With the win, the Capitals (79 points) regained first place in the Metropolitan Division.

An overtime goal by Jared McCann gave the Florida Panthers a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Panthers have won seven of their last 10 and sit five points out of a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference.

Dallas Stars goaltender Ben Bishop made 38 saves as his club blanked the Calgary Flames 2-0. Devin Shore and Tyler Seguin were the goal scorers.

The Los Angeles Kings moved into third in the Pacific Division by beating the Vegas Golden Knights 4-1. Kings netminder Jack Campbell collected his first NHL victory by kicking out 41 shots.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets winger Josh Anderson will be sidelined four weeks with a sprained knee.

SPORTSNET: The Vancouver Canucks are expected to announce today that they’ll be hosting the 2019 NHL Draft.

The Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens hold the most draft picks in the 2018 NHL Draft. The Wings have 11 picks while the Rangers and Canadiens each hold 10. The Rangers also hold the most picks in the first three rounds (seven) while the Wings and Canadiens each have six.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If you’re fans of those teams, that’s at least something positive for fans of those clubs to pin their hopes to over the remainder of an otherwise miserable season.