NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 28, 2024

by | Dec 28, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 28, 2024

Recapping Friday’s eight games and the notable news of the past four days in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen tallied his first career hat trick in a 4-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. Nathan MacKinnon collected three assists to become the first player this season to reach 60 points while Mikko Rantanen netted his 20th goal as the Avalanche picked up their fourth straight win. Nick Schmaltz replied for Utah as they’re winless in three straight (0-2-1).

Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche also announced on Friday that they signed Mackenzie Blackwood to a five-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $5.25 million. That’s a big raise over his current $2.35 million AAV. The 28-year-old goaltender was due to become an unrestricted free agent in July.

The Avalanche acquired Blackwood from the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 9. He’s won three of his four appearances for Colorado with a .931 save percentage. Nevertheless, this is a significant commitment by Avs management based on a short sample size of his work, raising skepticism among some observers.

In other Avs news, defenseman Cale Makar was the NHL’s first star for the week ending Dec. 22. Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander was the second star and Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine was the third star.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner scored a natural hat trick as his club clipped the Detroit Red Wings 5-2. John Tavares had two assists as the Leafs snapped a two-game losing skid. Lucas Raymond and Simon Edvinsson scored for the Red Wings, losing their fourth straight and the first under new head coach Todd McLellan.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McLellan replaced Derek Lalonde, who was fired as Wings head coach on Dec. 26. Assistant coach Bob Boughner was also relieved of his duties. McLellan has considerable NHL head-coaching experience but he’ll need some time to get the struggling Wings on a winning track.

Meanwhile, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews missed this game. He remains hampered by a nagging upper-body injury that sidelined him for nine games in November. Matthews isn’t expected to be in the lineup for Saturday’s game against Washington.

The Buffalo Sabres got their second straight win by defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2. Alex Tuch led the way with a hat trick while Jack Quinn and Dylan Cozens each had a goal and an assist. Tyler Bertuzzi and Seth Jones scored for the Blackhawks, who pulled goaltender Petr Mrazek following the first period after giving up four goals on 11 shots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres ended a 13-game winless skid on Dec. 23 by crushing the New York Islanders 7-1. Chicago has lost three in a row.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski collected four assists in a 6-2 upset of the Boston Bruins. Dmitri Voronkov scored two goals and had an assist while Sean Monahan tallied twice for the Blue Jackets, who are 3-0-1 in their last four. Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle were the Bruins’ goal scorers as their five-game points streak (4-0-1) ended.

A four-goal third period powered the Vegas Golden Knights over the San Jose Sharks 6-3. Alex Pietrangelo had three assists while Jack Eichel and Mark Stone were among four players with a goal and an assist each for the Golden Knights, who’ve won nine of their last 10 to take over first place in the overall standings with 51 points. Will Smith and Fabian Zetterlund each had two points for the Sharks, who are winless in their last six (0-5-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This game marked Tomas Hertl’s return to San Jose for the first time since the Sharks shipped him to the Golden Knights at last season’s trade deadline. He was held off the score sheet but received a video tribute from the Sharks before the game. Injuries kept Sharks forward William Eklund and defenseman Jake Walman out of the lineup for this contest.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom stopped 29 shots in a 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Luke Hughes had a goal and an assist as the Devils won for the sixth time in their last seven contests, sitting atop the Eastern Conference with 51 points. Eric Robinson and Brent Burns replied for the Hurricanes as they’ve dropped four of their last five.

The Minnesota Wild overcame a 2-0 deficit to nip the Dallas Stars 3-2 on an overtime wraparound goal by Brock Faber. Jonas Brodin and Marcus Foligno also scored for the Wild while Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves for the win. Evgenii Dadonov and Wyatt Johnston scored for the Stars as they’ve lost three of their last four (1-2-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov missed this game with a lower-body injury. Stars forward Mason Marchment was taken to a Dallas hospital after being struck in the face by a shot in the first period. There was no update regarding his condition.

St. Louis Blues defenseman Cam Fowler had a goal and two assists in a 7-4 victory over the Nashville Predators. Robert Thomas tallied twice while Jordan Kyrou and Dylan Holloway each had two points for the Blues. Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault each had a goal and an assist for the Predators, who pulled goalie Juuse Saros after he gave up five goals on 15 shots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: On Dec. 23, the Predators placed forward Cole Smith (lower body) on injured reserve. He’s expected to miss four-to-six weeks.

HEADLINES OF THE PAST WEEK

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a brief look at some notable news during my holiday break (Dec. 24-27).

The NHL’s holiday roster freeze ended at 12:01 am on Dec. 28.

NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby collected his 1,030 career NHL assist in a 7-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 23. He’s tied with Mario Lemieux for the most assists in franchise history.

SPORTSNET: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin) skated on his regular line with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas for a portion of Friday’s practice. Sidelined by a fractured fibula since Nov. 18, he could return to the lineup against Toronto on Saturday.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and center Elias Pettersson missed practice on Friday due to injuries. They could miss Saturday’s game against the Seattle Kraken.

OTTAWA CITIZEN: Senators starting goaltender Linus Ullmark could miss the next five games after experiencing tightness in his back in a Dec. 22 game against the Edmonton Oilers.

THE ATHLETIC: The New York Rangers raised eyebrows by scratching winger Chris Kreider from their Dec. 23 games against the Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That led to speculation that Kreider could be traded once the NHL’s holiday roster freeze ended. So far, there’s no indication a deal is afoot.

SPORTSNET: Jets defenseman Haydn Fleury is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Geekie is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens called up goaltender Jakub Dobes and intend to place Cayden Primeau on waivers Saturday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Primeau was expected to share the goaltending duties this season with starter Sam Montembeault. However, his shaky performance led to Montembeault starting the last 10 games. The Canadiens carried three goalies last season because they were concerned a rival club would pluck Primeau off waivers. This move indicates they’ve lost confidence in him as a backup.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 20, 2024

by | Dec 20, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 20, 2024

Recaps of Thursday’s games, Rangers GM Chris Drury meets with his team to clear the air following two recent trades, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust each had four points in a 5-4 win over the Nashville Predators. Rust scored twice (including the winner in overtime) and Crosby snapped a 10-game goal drought as the Penguins (35 points) remain one point behind the Ottawa Senators for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Filip Forsberg and Brady Skjei each had two points for the Predators, who remain at the bottom of the overall standings with 25 points.

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators placed captain Roman Josi on injured reserve and activated blueliner Jeremy Lauzon for this game. Josi is expected to be sidelined for at least one week.

Meanwhile, the Senators got an overtime goal by Brady Tkachuk to defeat the Calgary Flames 3-2. Goaltender Linus Ullmark turned aside 29 shots for his seventh straight win as the Senators have won five straight games. Blake Coleman and Jonathan Huberdeau scored for the Flames (37 points) as they remain one point behind the Colorado Avalanche for the final Western Conference wild-card berth.

The Avalanche netted three unanswered third-period goals to double up the San Jose Sharks 4-2. Joel Kiviranta tallied the winning and insurance goals and Mackenzie Blackwood made 32 saves in his first game against his former club. Luke Kunin had two assists for the Sharks.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins kicked out 40 shots to backstop his club over the New Jersey Devils 4-2, ending the latter’s three-game win streak. Sean Monahan had two goals and an assist for the Jackets as they snapped a five-game losing skid. Luke Hughes and Timo Meier replied for the Devils, who remain in first place in the Eastern Conference with 45 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils forward Jack Hughes fired a career-high 13 shots on Merzlikins, who robbed him of two sure goals with spectacular saves. That effort earned Hughes the praise of Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe, calling his effort “outstanding”.

Los Angeles Kings forwards Anze Kopitar and Kevin Fiala each tallied twice in a 7-3 romp over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Kings (42 points) have won eight of their last 10 games (8-1-1) and sit three points behind the first-place Vegas Golden Knights in the Pacific Division. Tyson Foerster scored two goals and collected an assist for the slumping Flyers as they’ve dropped three straight.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers head coach John Tortorella made Cam York a healthy scratch, saying the 23-year-old defenseman has struggled in his last 12 games since returning from an upper-body injury on Nov. 23.

Speaking of the Golden Knights, William Karlsson snapped a 1-1 tie in the third period as they defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-1. Brett Howden had a goal and an assist as Vegas has won six of their last seven contests. Teddy Blueger replied for the Canucks, who’ve won two of their last seven games (2-3-2).

The Edmonton Oilers overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Boston Bruins 3-2 on an overtime goal by Mattias Ekholm. Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid scored in the third period to set the stage for Ekholm’s heroics in OT as the Oilers have won six of their last seven games and 10 of their last 13. Elias Lindholm and Mark Kastelic tallied for the Bruins, who hold the first Eastern wild-card spot with 38 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers winger Viktor Arvidsson returned to the lineup after missing 15 games with an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, the Bruins placed forward Tyler Johnson on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract. The 34-year-old center signed a one-year contract on Nov. 3 but appeared in nine games, collecting two points.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov collected two assists to extend his points streak to nine games in a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 31 shots and Gage Goncalves tallied his first NHL goal as the Lightning won their fourth straight game. Pavel Buchnevich replied for the Blues as they’ve dropped four of their last five (1-3-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning played without defenseman J.J. Moser as he’ll be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks with a lower-body injury. An illness forced Blues rearguard Philip Broberg to be sidelined for this game.

The Chicago Blackhawks picked up their third straight win by downing the Seattle Kraken 3-1. Ilya Mikheyev scored twice and Nolan Allan got his first-ever NHL goal. Ryker Evans replied for the Kraken.

HEADLINES

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL holiday roster freeze is in effect from Dec.20 to 12:01 am on Dec. 28.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury addressed the entire team for the first time before their practice on Thursday. Afterward, the club engaged in a fun, energetic session that concluded with a full-team shootout game.

Following practice, Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck met with the media to deny a report claiming a recent players-only meeting was to criticize Drury. “That could not be further from the truth,” he said. “When we have closed-door meetings in here, it’s about us. It’s about what we can do.”

The Rangers have been the hot topic of speculation among pundits and fans in recent weeks following their slide in the standings and Drury’s league-wide memo last month indicating he was willing to entertain trade offers for certain players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jacob Trouba was on Drury’s list and was shipped to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6. Winger Kaapo Kakko was traded to Seattle on Wednesday but it’s not known if he was also on that list.

The report indicated a lighthearted mood among the players during practice following their meeting with Drury. Whether this marks the moment the Rangers snap out of their funk remains to be seen.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders placed goaltender Semyon Varlamov on long-term injury reserve, potentially clearing the way for sidelined winger Anthony Duclair’s return on Saturday.

SPORTSNET: Buffalo Sabres winger Jordan Greenway will be sidelined long-term following surgery for a middle-body injury. There is no timetable for his return but head coach Lindy Ruff expects he’ll be back later this season.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings sent goaltender Ville Husso to their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. The move suggests sidelined netminder Cam Talbot will soon return to action.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Minnesota Wild placed forward Yakov Trenin (upper body) on injured reserve.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 18, 2024

by | Dec 18, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 18, 2024

The latest on John Tavares and Ivan Provorov plus updates on the Islanders, Sabres and Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT ARE POSSIBLE COMPARABLE CONTRACTS FOR JOHN TAVARES?

TSN: Darren Dreger said there is ongoing dialogue between the Toronto Maple Leafs and John Tavares regarding a contract extension. The 34-year-old center is completing a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $11 million.

Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (NHL Images).

Dreger mentioned the contracts of Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar (two years, $7 million AAV) and Ottawa Senators forward Claude Giroux (three years, $6.5 million AAV) have been brought up as comparables in those discussions.

The Tavares camp hasn’t brought up Steven Stamkos’ four-year deal ($8 million AAV) with the Nashville Predators. Dreger believes the Leafs center aims to be lower than that if this gets done with the Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs would prefer something closer to Giroux’s contract. Everything will depend on how high the salary cap is set for next season. Original projections have it rising to $92.5 million but there’s speculation it could reach up to $96 million.

WILL THE ISLANDERS SELL AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears believes the Islanders core is running out of time to prevent some of them from hitting the block by the March 7 trade deadline. He feels there’s no point in keeping it intact if they’re going to be a .500 club and be in the mix for an underwhelming wild-card race in the Eastern Conference.

Sears noted this is the fourth straight season that general manager Lou Lamoriello has stubbornly stuck with a roster core that hasn’t won a playoff series since 2021. He doesn’t expect Lamoriello to be a seller if the Isles are in the playoff race, speculating the Isles GM could become a buyer by the deadline.

Nevertheless, Sears believes it would “amount to malpractice” if Lamoriello hung onto aging UFA-eligible forwards Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri if the Isles are only going to get bounced from the first round again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Isles keep sputtering along as they have thus far they’ll make it easy for Lamoriello to become a seller. They’re overdue for a roster shakeup and Nelson and Palmieri could fetch returns that provide for the future.

LATEST ON IVAN PROVOROV

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports agent Mark Gandler said his client Ivan Provorov would be open to contract extension talks with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 27-year-old defenseman is due to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Gandler said Provorov and his family spend a lot of time in Columbus and love it there. LeBrun suggests something that could sway the blueliner is his 16-year-old brother is committed to Ohio State University, though Gandler said that is two separate business decisions.

LeBrun said extension talks between the two sides haven’t started yet but he speculates it could happen sometime in the New Year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Much will depend on how much of a raise Provorov seeks over his current average annual value of $6.75 million and whether Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell believes he fits into the club’s long-term plans.

SABRES STILL IN THE TRADE MARKET

TSN: Chris Johnston reports the Buffalo Sabres remain in the trade market despite their owner’s recent meeting with the players to express support for them and clear the air regarding the rumors swirling around the club.

Johnston claims the Sabres have been pretty active in having discussions with other clubs. He said they’re telling teams if they want one of their best players the Sabres want one of theirs back.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres owner Terry Pegula told his players not to expect a big trade. That was before they got spanked 6-1 by the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. If they’re not doing a big trade, perhaps a change in management is coming. Stay tuned…

CANUCKS SEEK A DEFENSEMAN AND A WINGER

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Vancouver Canucks remain in the market for a top-four defenseman. They’re also looking to add a winger.

The defenseman is the priority. LeBrun indicates the Canucks haven’t been the same since Filip Hronek was sidelined by a lower-body injury. He underwent a procedure earlier this month and is expected to miss at least eight weeks.

CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal reported on “X” that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman clarified his recent remarks suggesting a trade that would see the Canucks ship Elias Pettersson to the Sabres for Dylan Cozens and Bowen Byram.

Friedman said he was merely spitballing but said the two teams have talked. He added that he can see the Canucks having an interest in Cozens and Byram and the Sabres being interested in Pettersson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman’s spitballing created a buzz on social media among Canucks and Sabres fans. However, the Sabres probably aren’t keen to add a player carrying an $11.6 million AAV, especially one as streaky as Pettersson.

NHL Rumor Mill – December 9, 2024

by | Dec 9, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 9, 2024

Jacob Trouba’s recent trade to the Ducks hasn’t stopped speculation he could be on the move again. Check out the latest plus recent conjecture on the Canucks and Flames in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LEAFS AND BLUE JACKETS WERE INTERESTED IN TROUBA

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons reports Maple Leafs management likes Jacob Trouba. The 31-year-old defenseman was traded on Friday by the New York Rangers to the Anaheim Ducks.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

Simmons believes the Leafs might be interested in Trouba if the Ducks or another team retains a large chunk of the blueliner’s $8 million cap hit. However, he thinks the Leafs, with their limited cap room, will attempt to add “a forward of prominence” by the March 7 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported that Canadian teams like the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens looked into acquiring Trouba before he was shipped to Anaheim. Those reports claimed Trouba wasn’t interested in returning north of the border, which suggests all seven Canadian clubs are on his 15-team no-trade list.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports the Columbus Blue Jackets were among the teams that pressed hard to acquire Trouba. However, he declined to remove them from his no-trade list.

The rearguard also declined a trade to the Detroit Red Wings and another Eastern Conference club.

It’s unclear what role general manager Don Waddell had in mind for Trouba. Portzline speculates he might’ve wound up on the top pairing alongside Zach Werenski. He also believes Waddell remains active and is willing to be aggressive in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline pointed out how much Waddell has changed the Blue Jackets’ defense corps since taking over as GM this spring. He brought in Dante Fabbro, Jack Johnson, Jordan Harris and Daemon Hunt and bid farewell to Jake Bean, Nick Blakenburg, Adam Boqvist and David Jiricek.

LATEST ON THE FLAMES AND CANUCKS

SPORTSNET: Pat Steinberg was asked if the Calgary Flames will sign or trade Rasmus Andersson. The 27-year-old defenseman is eligible for UFA status in 2026 and eligible to sign a contract extension starting next July 1.

Steinberg believes the Flames will try to keep Andersson but felt he could be peddled by the 2026 trade deadline if he’s interested in testing the 2026 free-agent market.

A reader asked Steinberg if the Flames would trade Dan Vladar. The club currently has Vladar and Dustin Wolf as their goaltending tandem with promising Devin Cooley with their AHL affiliate. Steinberg didn’t rule out a Vladar trade but felt there was no urgency to do so in early December. He believes the Flames’ asking price is a second-round draft pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames GM Craig Conroy could be unwilling to break up his goalie tandem if they’re in playoff contention before the trade deadline.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports Filip Hronek’s recent surgery won’t put additional pressure on the Vancouver Canucks to go shopping for blueline help. Hronek underwent shoulder surgery and is out until at least late January.

Jim Rutherford, president of hockey operations, said trading for a defenseman has long been on the table. However, he’s looking for their current blueliners to step up and play a few more minutes. Johnston points out the Canucks have a longstanding need for a right-shot defenseman on the second pairing.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 9, 2024

by | Dec 9, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 9, 2024

Upset victories for the Kraken and Blue Jackets highlight Sunday’s action, three players hit the waiver wire, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Seattle Kraken overcame a 3-1 deficit to upset the New York Rangers 7-5. Kraken forward Oliver Bjorkstrand scored two goals and collected two assists and Eeli Tolvanen had a goal and two assists. Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck and K’Andre Miller each had two points for the Rangers, who’ve lost seven of their last nine games.

Seattle Kraken forward Oliver Bjorkstrand (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken played this game with emergency backup goalie Michael Matyas. There was a brief moment midway through the first period where it appeared Matyas was getting into the game when Rangers center Filip Chytil clipped Kraken starter Philipp Grubauer. However, Grubauer shook it off and stayed in the game.

A two-goal performance by Kent Johnson carried the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 4-1 upset of the Winnipeg Jets. Elvis Merzlikins got the win with 24 saves as his club ended a three-game losing skid. Kyle Connor netted his 15th of the season for the Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot from Jets defenseman Colin Miller.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov had a goal and two assists as his club doubled up the Vancouver Canucks 4-2. Kucherov had missed the previous two games with an undisclosed injury. Brayden Point tallied twice and picked up two assists for the Lightning. Quinn Hughes and Kiefer Sherwood replied for the Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes left the game in the first period when a high stick from Lightning forward Brandon Hagel stuck him in the face. The Canucks captain got several stitches and returned to action.

Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko is expected to start Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Blues, meaning goalie Arturs Silovs was assigned to their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford. Center J.T. Miller is expected to return from his leave of absence on Thursday against the Florida Panthers.

Lighting center Anthony Cirelli left this game in the first period following a hit by Canucks defenseman Noah Juulsen.

The Colorado Avalanche got a 25-save shutout performance from Scott Wedgewood in a 4-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Casey Mittelstadt collected two assists and Ross Colton scored his first goal since returning from a 17-game absence with a broken foot. Devils goalie Jake Allen gave up three goals on 22 shots.

Four unanswered third-period goals lifted the Dallas Stars to a 6-2 win against the Calgary Flames. Thomas Harley scored twice, Jason Robertson had a goal and an assist, and Jake Oettinger made 29 stops. Jonathan Huberdeau and Conor Zary tallied for the Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames assistant coach Brad Larsen missed this game. He’s taking an indefinite leave of absence to deal with a family matter.

The New York Islanders defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-2. Ilya Sorokin kicked out 29 shots while Kyle Palmieri, Anders Lee and Noah Dobson each had two points for the Islanders. Senators forward Adam Gaudette tallied a career-high 13th goal.

Utah Hockey Club forward Logan Cooley had a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. It was Utah’s fourth straight road win. Joel Farabee and Owen Tippett replied for the Flyers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Goaltender Samuel Ersson and defenseman Jamie Drysdale returned to the Flyers lineup after missing several games due to injuries.

IN OTHER NEWS…

TSN: The Chicago Blackhawks placed goalie Petr Mrazek on injured reserve with a left groin injury.

DAILY FACEOFF: On Sunday, Blackhawks winger Joey Anderson, San Jose Sharks winger Givani Smith, and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Caleb Jones were placed on waivers.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 2, 2024

by | Dec 2, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 2, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: a look at Penguins trade candidates and the Wild, Avalanche, Blue Jackets & Predators might not be done dealing.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently looked at trade candidates for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Rickard Rakell are considered “as good as gone.” The 28-year-old Pettersson is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July. Rakell is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $5 million.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson will likely be on the move before the March 7 trade deadline but Rakell isn’t a certainty to join him. The 31-year-old forward is a streak scorer and those extra years on his contract could be a sticking point.

Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk and forwards Anthony Beauvillier, Michael Bunting, Noel Acciari, and Kevin Hayes are among those Yohe considers available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of those players will end up with other clubs by deadline day. Acciari’s physical style and penalty killing could make him the most sought-after player in that group.

Yohe believes the Penguins would trade Erik Karlsson if his contract wasn’t so expensive. However, he thinks it’s a possibility that Kris Letang could end up with another club. He doesn’t think ending his career in Pittsburgh is as important to Letang as it is for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If there is any way to dump Karlsson it’ll happen in the offseason when teams have more cap space and a willingness to gamble. As for Letang, I’ll believe it when I see it.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau noted the Minnesota Wild acquiring David Jiricek from the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Colorado Avalanche shipping Justus Annunen to the Nashville Predators for Scott Wedgewood.

He believes those trades were just the start for the four clubs, suggesting more moves could be in store before the March 7 trade deadline.

The Avalanche, Predators and Wild are determined to be playoff contenders, so Proteau sees them adding talent. Meanwhile, the rebuilding Blue Jackets will attempt to bring in talent that helps them now and over the long term.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Salary cap constraints will be a factor for some of those clubs. The Avalanche have $3.04 million in projected trade deadline cap space and the Wild just $1.14 million. It won’t be an issue for the Blue Jackets ($27.6 million in current cap space, over $90 million at the deadline) or Predators ($23.9 million).

The Wild supplanted the Winnipeg Jets atop the overall standings on Sunday. It’s rumored promising center Marco Rossi could be a trade chip in a player-for-player swap. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets are within two points of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. Their trade deadline plans could change if they’re in playoff contention by the deadline.

Predators general manager Barry Trotz could go from buyer to seller if his club fails to gain ground in the standings. The Avs remain all-in as playoff contenders but they have limited options to draw on for trade bait.