NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 15, 2025
NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 15, 2025
Previewing Saturday’s 4 Nations Face-Off Games and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
4 NATIONS FACE-OFF NEWS
TSN/SPORTSNET/THE SCORE: Canada and the United States practiced Friday in preparation for their much-anticipated match-up on Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Players from both clubs look forward to the next chapter in the ongoing rivalry between the two hockey nations.
Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby called it a game that you love to be a part of, regardless of previous experience. “Excited for the challenge,” he said. Teammate Brad Marchand said there was no bigger rivalry. “They’re the games that everybody dreams about playing growing up.”
Matthew and Brady Tkachuk led Team USA to their 6-1 victory over Finland on Thursday. Brady considers Saturday’s tilt against Canada the biggest game he’s ever played in his career. “Bigger than just the guys on the ice,” he said.
The last time Matthew Tkachuk faced Canada was in a 4-2 victory for Team USA in the preliminary round of the 2016 World Junior Championship. “I think I’ve thought about this game for nine years, so we’ll be ready for it,” said Tkachuk.
Team USA center J.T. Miller expects his team to be fired up when they face Canada on their home turf. Teammate Noah Hanifin expects it will be the most intense environment he’s ever been a part of.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the marquee matchup of the tournament. The two clubs could also end up facing each other again in the championship game in Boston on Feb. 20.
Travis Sanheim will replace Shea Theodore on Canada’s defense. Theodore was sidelined by an upper-body injury in Canada’s 4-3 win over Sweden and is considered week-to-week.
Sam Bennett will replace Travis Konecny among Canada’s forward lines. He skated alongside Marchand during practice on Friday.
Canada’s top defenseman Cale Makar skipped Friday’s practice due to illness but is expected to play against the Americans on Saturday. Canada has been granted permission to bring in blueliner Thomas Harley if Makar remains sidelined.
Team Canada defenseman Drew Doughty spoke out against Canadian fans booing the American anthem before Thursday’s game between Team USA and Finland. “I know what’s going on and I understand Canadians’ frustration,” said Doughty. “But I think we should respect the anthems…I don’t think anyone should be booing.”
Canadian coach Jon Cooper hadn’t named his starting goalie for Saturday’s game. Jordan Binnington allowed three goals on 26 shots against Sweden on Wednesday. Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights and Samuel Montembault of the Montreal Canadiens are Canada’s other goalies.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Is this a mind game Cooper is playing against the Americans or a genuine lack of confidence in Binnington on his part? We’ll know for sure by game time if not sooner.
NHL.COM: Kevin Lankinen of the Vancouver Canucks will get the start in goal for Finland in Saturday’s game against Sweden on Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal (1 PM ET). Juuse Saros gave up six goals on 31 shots against the Americans on Thursday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a must-win game for Finland. A regulation loss will eliminate them from reaching the championship game on Feb. 20.
NHL.com writers selected Sweden’s Quarter-Century Team on Friday.
The First Team comprised goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, defensemen Nicklas Lidstrom and Erik Karlsson, and forwards Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Nicklas Backstrom.
The Second Team featured forwards Peter Forsberg, Mats Sundin and Henrik Zetterberg, defensemen Victor Hedman and Niklas Kronwall, and goalie Jacob Markstrom.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some might question why Forsberg and Sundin aren’t on the First Team. That’s because most of their best seasons occurred in the 1990s. Forsberg won the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy in 2002-03 but injuries hampered him throughout the first decade of this century.
IN OTHER NEWS…
NEW YORK POST: Kaapo Kakko has found the role with the Seattle Kraken that he always wanted with the Rangers. He’s seeing first-line duty alongside center Matty Beniers and winger Jaden Schwartz as well as playing on the top power-play unit. Following a period of adjustment where he scored one goal in his first three games, Kaako improved in his next 21 games with 16 points over that stretch.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski recently reported the Sabres have opened contract extension talks with Jason Zucker. The 33-year-old winger is currently on a one-year, $5 million deal.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars signed versatile forward Sam Steel to a two-year, $4.2 million contract extension. The average annual value is $2.1 million beginning in 2025-26.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins traded minor-league winger Corey Andonovski to the St. Louis Blues organization for minor-league forward Mathias Laferriere.