NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 28, 2024

by | Mar 28, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 28, 2024

Recaps of Wednesday’s games, Martin Brodeur believes today’s goaltenders are babied, the players could have half of their escrow returned to them for this season, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Boston Bruins 3-1. Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point each scored their 42nd goal of the season for the 40-25-7 Lightning (87 points). They hold the first Eastern Conference wildcard berth and sit two points behind the third-place Toronto Maple Leafs in the Atlantic Division. Danton Heinen replied for the 42-17-15 Bruins (99 points) as they slipped into third in the overall standings, one point behind the league-leading New York Rangers.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kucherov regained sole possession of the points lead with 124, one up on Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon. The Lightning improved to 8-1-1 in March.

A five-goal first period gave the Ottawa Senators a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Shane Pinto had a goal and three assists while Joonas Korpisalo made 34 saves for the Senators (31-36-4). JJ Peterka tallied his 25th goal of the season for the Sabres as they slipped to 34-34-5.

HEADLINES

THE ATHLETIC: In an interview with Pierre LeBrun, Martin Brodeur lamented how NHL clubs handle their goaltenders.

“I think we baby our goalies,” said Brodeur. “I see it. I’m part of it. It’s like, my goalie coach will say, ‘He’s played five games in the past eight days.’ I’m like, ‘So?’”

The Hall-of-Fame goalie is now the executive vice president of hockey operations for the New Jersey Devils. He played 70 or more games 12 times during his 22-year NHL career.

Brodeur acknowledged the game has changed and so has the position. He noted how volatile it has become in recent years where a netminder can be the top goalie one year and struggle the next. He blames the 1A and 1B system that result in split workloads.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We discussed this Wednesday night on the Face Off Hockey Show. The decline in quality goalies in recent years could be another reason as there are fewer standout starters compared to Brodeur’s era. The increase in the game’s speed and the skaters’ improved scoring skills are other potential factors.

DAILY FACEOFF: With this season’s NHL revenue projected to reach $6.2 billion, the players can expect to receive half of the escrow withheld from the contracts returned to them after final accounting and auditing.

The salary cap for next season is projected to rise to $87.5 million. With revenue projections higher than expected and the players’ $1.1 billion in debt from pandemic-related losses repaid to the owners, there is a window to negotiate a higher cap for next season provided both sides are willing to agree to this. If not, the cap will continue to rise by five percent with escrow remaining at six percent annually as agreed under the 2020 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that extended the CBA to Sept. 15, 2026.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The cap could reach $92 million for 2025-26, the final year of the CBA. The players could receive another escrow refund next season if revenue growth remains robust.

THE PROVINCE: The Canucks placed goaltender Thatcher Demko on long-term injury reserve. However, he remains on track to return from a lower-body injury sometime around April 6.

Meanwhile, Canucks center Elias Lindholm missed practice yesterday after being scratched from Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Head coach Rick Tocchet said he wasn’t concerned, claiming it was “something a little nagging, that’s getting better every day.” Still, there’s no timeline for Lindholm’s return.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during Monday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. He will undergo surgery and be reevaluated in six months.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of season-ending injuries, Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield recently underwent successful surgery to treat a lower-body injury. He’s expected to make a full recovery.

CBS SPORTS: Anaheim Ducks winger Brock McGinn underwent disc surgery on his back and will be sidelined for four months. He’s expected to be recovered by late July but it remains to be seen if he’ll be ready for training camp in September.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals defenseman Ethan Bear entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. He will be out indefinitely, returning to on-ice competition once cleared by the program administrators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Bear. Here’s hoping he receives the treatment he needs that enables him to continue his career and lead a more fulfilling life.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Earlier this week, the Avalanche signed goaltender Justus Annunen to a two-year, one-way contract extension with an average annual value of $833K.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS: An arena deal that would’ve moved the Washington Capitals and the NBA’s Washington Wizards to Virginia has fallen through. The clubs’ ownership reached an agreement on a publicly-funded arena deal with the city that will keep them in Washington until 2050.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 29, 2023

by | Dec 29, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 29, 2023

The Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho achieves a franchise first in his club’s win over the Canadiens, a milestone game for Flyers coach John Tortorella, the latest injury updates, the Capitals finally sign Ethan Bear, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho collected four assists and Andrei Svechnikov tallied a hat trick in a 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Brent Burns set up three goals and Jesper Fast scored twice as the Hurricanes improved to 19-13-4 to move into third place in the Metropolitan Division with 42 points. Mitchell Stephens, Mike Matheson and Josh Anderson scored for the Canadiens as they slipped to 15-14-5.

Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Aho became the first player in Hurricanes/Whalers history to collect four points in consecutive games and the first player in the NHL to do so since Jeremy Roenick on Nov. 25-26, 1999.

A three-goal second period powered the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Joel Farabee had a goal and an assist while Samuel Ersson made 18 saves before leaving the game early in the third period with an undisclosed injury. The Flyers improved to 19-11-4 and hold second place in the Metro Division with 42 points. Teddy Blueger scored for the 23-10-3 Canucks as they remain in first place in the Western Conference with 49 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a milestone game for Flyers head coach John Tortorella as he moved into 10th place on the all-time wins list for NHL coaches with 723. The Flyers have the same number of points as the Hurricanes but sit ahead of them with two games in hand.

The Vegas Golden Knights snapped a four-game losing skid by holding off the Los Angeles Kings by a score of 3-2. Logan Thompson stopped 32 shots while Jack Eichel, Michael Amadio and William Karlsson scored for the Golden Knights (22-10-5) move into a tie with the Vancouver Canucks with 49 points. Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist while Trevor Moore also scored for the Kings (20-8-4) as they remain in third place in the Pacific Division with 44 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks still hold first in the West with one more victory as well as a game in hand.

A four-goal first period and 25 saves by goaltender Stuart Skinner gave the Edmonton Oilers a 5-0 shutout over the San Jose Sharks. Zach Hyman tallied his 20th of the season as the Oilers improved to 16-15-1. Kaapo Kahkonen stopped 17 of 18 shots in relief of Magnus Chrona for the 9-24-3 Sharks.

HEADLINES

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski is out with an undisclosed leg injury on a week-to-week basis.

SPORTSNET: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano returns to action on Friday against the Blue Jackets after missing a month with a broken finger.

CBS SPORTS: Nashville Predators blueliner Tyson Barrie is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

THE SCORE: The Washington Capitals officially signed Ethan Bear on Thursday to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.0625 million. The 26-year-old defenseman is returning to action following offseason shoulder surgery.

TSN: The Buffalo Sabres placed center Tage Thompson on their non-roster list as he is dealing with a personal issue.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils sent goaltender Akira Schmid to their AHL affiliate in Utica after recalling Nico Daws. They’re hoping Schmid can regain his rhythm after struggling this season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Detroit Red Wings goalie Michael Hutchison and Sabres forward Tyson Jost hit the waiver wire on Thursday.

Nikolai Khabibulin is returning to action as the 50-year-old goaltender signed a one-year deal with the KHL’s Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. His last professional game was on Nov. 16, 2013, with the Chicago Blackhawks.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former NHL defenseman Cody Franson has been hired as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Iowa Wild.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: A lawsuit alleges the Kraken violated the Seattle Metropolitans trademark with their Winter Classic jerseys.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 21, 2023

by | Dec 21, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 21, 2023

Recaps of Wednesday’s games, the league reached an agreement with Diamond Sports Group to continue local broadcasts for this season, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Seattle Kraken upset the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 as Joey Daccord matched a franchise record with 42 saves for the win. Brandon Tanev and Jordan Eberle scored for the 11-14-9 Kraken (31 points), who move within three points of a wild card berth in the Western Conference. Blake Lizotte replied for the Kings (18-7-4), who remain in third place in the Pacific Division.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Kraken announced that center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a fractured leg bone suffered during their game against the Dallas Stars earlier this week.

Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi (NHL Images)

Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi scored for the fourth straight game and added two assists in a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. The win vaulted the Jets (19-9-3) one point over the Dallas Stars into first place in the Central Division with 41 points. Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist for the 15-13-4 Red Wings (34 points), but they’ve dropped four straight games and slipped two points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite missing 18 games with a knee injury, Vilardi has six goals and seven assists for 13 points in as many games. Meanwhile, Pierre-Luc Dubois (the player Vilardi was traded for this summer) has 12 points in 29 games in the first season of his eight-year, $68 million contract with the Kings.

As for the slumping Red Wings, they placed goaltender Ville Husso on injured reserve and signed netminder Michael Hutchinson to a one-year, two-way contract before the start of the holiday roster freeze on Dec. 20.

An overtime goal by Dylan Strome lifted the Washington Capitals over the New York Islanders 3-2. Darcy Kuemper stopped 30 shots while Hendrix Lapierre had a goal and an assist for the Capitals (16-9-4) as they moved into the final Eastern wild-card spot with 36 points. Hudson Fasching and Anders Lee scored for the Islanders (15-8-9) as they sit in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 39 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of the Capitals, they’re expected to sign defenseman Ethan Bear once the holiday roster freeze is lifted on Dec. 28. Bear participated in their optional morning skate yesterday.

HEADLINES

THE ATHLETIC: The NHL reached an agreement with Diamond Sports Group to continue local broadcasts to the end of 2023-24. This affects 11 franchises: the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning.

It also ends those clubs’ agreements with Diamond, which filed for bankruptcy in March. The deal is similar to the one reached between Diamond and the NBA

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: cited a report in the Wall Street Journal indicating Amazon is discussing possible investment with Diamond Sports Group. If an agreement is reached, Amazon Prime Video would become the streaming home for regional broadcasts, including those of the Blue Jackets.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Dish Network has dropped the Golden Knights’regular-season games on channel Vegas 34 because of a carriage dispute. Those games are still available on other means, including the team’s streaming service KnightTime+.

Speaking of the Golden Knights, goaltender Logan Thompson is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lighting defenseman Mikhail Sergachev missed practice yesterday nursing an injured left foot. It’s uncertain if he’ll be able to participate in Thursday’s game against the Golden Knights.

DAILY FACEOFF: Edmonton Oilers winger Connor Brown is expected to be a healthy scratch for Thursday’s game against the New Jersey Devils.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Ex-Flyers forward Nolan Patrick has not retired from hockey. He was listed as a “Retired pro with significant NHL experience” in his profile with The Power Play, a hockey coaching and mentorship program. The site has since edited his profile to read that he’s a “4X NHL Pro with significant experience.”










NHL Rumor Mill – December 15, 2023

by | Dec 15, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 15, 2023

Zach Parise eyes a return this season, more speculation about Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro, plus updates on free-agent Ethan Bear, the Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko and the Red Wings Jonatan Berggren in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

PARISE AIMING AT RETURNING THIS SEASON

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston reports a source claims unrestricted free-agent winger Zach Parise is ramping up his conditioning with an eye on returning to action this season.

Parise, 39, wasn’t willing to face the grind of an 82-game schedule this season. He remained home with his family in Minnesota but has regained his desire to play and has been working on getting into game shape.

Unrestricted free agent winger Zach Parise (NHL.com)

Johnston said there’s no timeline when Parise would return but multiple clubs are aware of his progress and expressed an interest in signing him. Among them are his former club, the New York Islanders. It’s believed Parise wants to pursue the Stanley Cup and some of the teams looking at him are those with legitimate championship ambitions this season.

Parise will have to sign a contract before the March 8 trade deadline to be eligible to play in the postseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Parise will also be an affordable signing. His last contract with the Islanders was a $750K base salary with another $750K in performance bonuses.

COULD THE SHARKS TRADE FERRARO?

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka recently noted the trade rumors swirling about San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro. Unlike other Sharks popping up in the rumor mill, Ferraro is signed beyond this season (through 2025-26) plus he carries an affordable $3.25 million average annual value on his contract.

General manager Mike Grier has said he’s willing to listen to offers on just about anyone on the Sharks roster. Trading Ferraro, however, would say something about how long the Sharks rebuild is expected to last.

Ferraro’s teammates and head coach David Quinn praised the blueliner’s skills, work ethic and positive attitude. Meanwhile, he recently said he wants to remain with the Sharks and be part of a possible resurgence.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The attributes and team-friendly contract that make Ferraro so valuable to the Sharks also make him an enticing target in the trade market. Unlike the Sharks’ pending UFAs, Grier doesn’t have to move him this season. The Sharks GM can afford to be patient and wait for the right offer.

TIDBITS FROM FRIEDMAN’S LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” COLUMN

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman suggests the Washington Capitals could offer free agent Ethan Bear a two-year contract. Other clubs interested in the 26-year-old defenseman were proposing a one-year deal with the possibility of an extension next offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Chris Johnston and others had Bear all but signed with the Capitals to a two-year deal. It hasn’t happened yet but that doesn’t mean it won’t. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Friedman noted that the Canucks still haven’t taken Andrei Kuzmenko off their first power-play unit. “If he was removed from that, I’d be worried about his status in Vancouver,” he writes. He’s not convinced the 27-year-old winger will be traded soon but he believes the Canucks are “going to know the possibilities.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks insist they want to work with Kuzemenko to improve his overall game. He seems to have responded well in his last two games, tallying two goals including one on the power play.

Jonatan Berggren has two goals in his three games since his recent callup with the Detroit Red Wings. Friedman isn’t sure if the 23-year-old winger has gone so far as to request a trade but he wants more of an opportunity.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 13, 2023

by | Dec 13, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 13, 2023

An update on the Flames’ Chris Tanev, the latest on the Blue Jackets and Sharks, Ethan Bear could sign with the Capitals, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATE ON CHRIS TANEV

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Calgary Flames have told teams they’re not ready yet to trade Chris Tanev. They’ve told them to be patient as they want to see how the trade market plays out. If Tanev’s value right now is a second-round pick, perhaps that could rise to a first-rounder as interest continues to build for the gritty 33-year-old blueliner.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has Tanev at the top of his list as he seeks help for his injury-depleted blueline. The Vancouver Canucks have also “kicked tires”.

Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tanev is currently listed as day-to-day following an injury suffered on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. That’s unlikely to hurt his value in the trade market unless he ends up sidelined longer than expected.

Treliving is the former GM of the Flames so he knows how valuable Tanev would be to his defense corps. Whether he can land the rugged rearguard remains to be seen if more clubs start showing interest in him.

LATEST FROM GARRIOCH’S “INSIDER TRADING”

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the talk around NHL circles is there could be changes coming to the Columbus Blue Jackets front office if things don’t improve soon. It’s believed the heat has been turned up on president of hockey operations John Davidson and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen as ownership grows impatient over the club’s poor performance this season.

There’s been talk that Patrik Laine could be traded but the struggling Blue Jackets winger hasn’t asked to be moved. He’s signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $8.7 million. Unless the Jackets agree to retain part of that cap hit he’s not going anywhere.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kekalainen’s in his 11th season as Jackets general manager. During his tenure, they’ve reached the playoffs five times but things have gone off the rails in recent years. Barring a miraculous turnaround they’re going to miss the postseason for the fourth straight year. As Garrioch observes, it’s only a matter of time until there’s a change in management.

Laine’s contract is difficult to move during a season when most teams have limited cap space. He would draw more interest if he were scoring at the same pace as earlier in his career.

If the Jackets were to shop Laine, it would have to be an offseason trade when clubs have more cap space to work with. Even then, the Jackets could face retaining part of his salary to make it work.

Mike Hoffman could be an attractive option for clubs seeking scorers near the March 8 trade deadline. The San Jose Sharks winger has eight goals and 11 points in 27 games. Other potential Sharks trade bait include forwards Anthony Duclair, Alexander Barabanov and Kevin Labanc.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All four are slated to become unrestricted free agents next July.

The Carolina Hurricanes are among several clubs in the market for a goaltender. It’s also believed the Seattle Kraken, Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, and Toronto Maple Leafs have been calling around for help between the pipes. Garrioch suggests they call the Montreal Canadiens as they’re taking calls on Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens have been carrying three goalies since the start of the season. They recently re-signed Sam Montembeault so he’s not going anywhere. General manager Kent Hughes has a reputation for being patient in the trade market so it could be a while until he find a suitable offer that prompts him to part with Allen or Primeau.

REPORT: BEAR TO SIGN WITH CAPITALS

TSN: Chris Johnston reported that is appears free-agent defenseman Ethan Bear will sign a two-year contract with the Washington Capitals that could be worth around $2 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston said the final details were still being ironed out. Perhaps we’ll get an announcement as early as today.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2023

by | Dec 12, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2023

The latest on the Canucks, some possible Canadiens trade bait, and an update on Blues winger Jakub Vrana in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE CANUCKS

SPORTSNET: Iain MacIntyre reports Vancouver Canucks president Jim Rutherford said his club won’t lock itself into a long-term position on Andrei Kuzmenko as trade speculation swirls around the struggling winger.

MacIntyre’s colleague Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that clubs have inquired about Kuzmenko, whose 39-goal performance last season earned him a two-year, $11 million contract. He’s struggled this season, seeing his playing time reduced and was scratched from two games in late November.

Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko (NHL Images).

Rutherford insists his club will keep an open mind about Kuzmenko in the hope that the coaching staff can improve his all-around play. Head coach Rick Tocchet recently indicated he wants the winger to forecheck more and compete for pucks rather than have his teammates get them for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks made that two-year commitment to Kuzmenko because of his scoring last season. However, as Friedman pointed out over the weekend, they’re also looking to free up salary-cap space. If Kuzmenko remains in Tocchet’s doghouse, they could pay more serious attention to those trade inquiries.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston believes the Canucks are out of the bidding for Ethan Bear. They’d hoped to bring back the free-agent defenseman but their salary-cap constraints could price them out of the market for his services. The Washington Capitals appear to be the front-runners.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We could learn by some point this week where Bear will play the remainder of this season.

POSSIBLE CANADIENS TRADE BAIT

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: recently noted that Canadiens goaltenders Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau sat fourth and fifth respectively on TSN’s latest Trade Bait listing. Versatile center Sean Monahan is ninth and defenseman Mike Matheson is 20th.

Regarding Allen and Primeau, Marc Dumont listed the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings as possible suitors for one or the other.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All four clubs are believed to be monitoring the trade market for depth between the pipes. The Hurricanes and Devils may have the more pressing need as they’ve slipped out of playoff positions in the Eastern Conference.

The Oilers were very much shopping around for goaltending help in November. However, their recent seven-game win streak (in part due to improved play from their current goalie tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard) could reduce their level of urgency to address that issue.

The Kings, meanwhile, are rolling along well thus far with veteran Cam Talbot though backup Pheonix Copley has struggled at times this season. They could be content to stick with their current tandem for the time being.

Whether any of those teams make a pitch for Allen or Primeau remains to be seen.

WHAT NEXT FOR VRANA?

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford reports St. Louis Blues winger Jakub Vrana is in limbo after first being told he would be placed on waivers on Monday and then not having that come to pass.

Rutherford explains the Blues “are looking at every avenue in terms of how to part ways with Vrana, including the possibility of a trade.”

Acquired from the Detroit Red Wings before the March trade deadline, Vrana scored 10 goals in the final 20 games of the season. However, he’s been unable to replicate that performance this season. The 27-year-old winger has two goals and six points in 19 games and was a healthy scratch in eight contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It appears Vrana’s days with the Blues are numbered. While he has a $5.25 million cap hit for this season (the final one of his contract), the Red Wings retained half of it to facilitate his trade to the Blues last season.

At $2.625 million, perhaps a club seeking scoring might take a chance on Vrana. So far, however, there don’t seem to be any takers. As Rutherford observes, Vrana has terrific speed and a great shot but doesn’t use either asset that effectively plus he’s a defensive liability at even strength.