NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 2, 2024

by | Oct 2, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 2, 2024

Recapping Tuesday’s preseason action, the Canadiens get some good news on Patrik Laine’s condition. notable news from the latest Board of Governors meeting, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

RECAPS OF TUESDAY’S NHL PRESEASON GAMES

NHL.COM: The San Jose Sharks lost to the Utah Hockey Club 3-1 and lost promising center Macklin Celebrini to a lower-body injury. Celebrini, 18, crashed hard into the end boards during the second period. He played one more shift before leaving the game. Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky had no update on the youngster’s condition following the game.

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (NHL Images)

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin left in the first period with a lower-body injury during his club’s 5-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Kevin Labanc had two goals and an assist for the Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said Panarin was still be evaluated following the game. It’s the second time in this preseason that a lower-body injury has sidelined the high-scoring winger.

Ottawa Senators forwards Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk suffered injuries during their 5-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens. During the second period, Stutzle was on the receiving end of a late blindside hit by Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj. Tkachuk was hurt during the subsequent tussle with Xhekaj, who received a match penalty for the second straight preseason game. Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot left in the third period for precautionary reasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stutzle, Tkachuk, and Chabot will all be re-evaluated on Wednesday. The injury news overshadowed the return of defenseman Artem Zub and oft-injured forward Josh Norris to the Senators’ lineup for this game.

Xhekaj was fined for his actions against Toronto Maple Leafs forward Cedric Pare following his knee-on-knee hit on Canadiens winger Patrik Laine. He could be suspended for his dangerous hit on Stutzle.

Speaking of the Canadiens, they got some good news on Laine as what appeared to be a season-ending knee injury was a sprain that will sidelined him for two-to-three months. Considering the circumstances, Laine was lucky to avoid a more serious injury.

Canadiens prospect defenseman David Reinbacher also suffered a knee injury during that Leafs game. He didn’t get off as lucky, facing a five-to-six-month recovery following knee surgery.

The Boston Bruins got a tie-breaking goal from Tyler Johnson in the third period to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1. Bruins captain Brad Marchand played over four minutes in his preseason debut before leaving the game with an illness.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and three assists as his club rolled to a 7-2 drubbing of the Chicago Blackhawks. Jared Spurgeon tallied twice and Mats Zuccarello collected three assists for the Wild. Connor Bedard scored the Blackhawks’ second goal.

Detroit Red Wings prospect Nate Danielson tallied the go-ahead goal late in the third period to lift his club to a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Goaltender Ville Husso kicked out 43 shots for the Red Wings.

The Columbus Blue Jackets got two assists from Adam Fantilli to down the St. Louis Blues 3-1. Blues goalie Joel Hofer stopped 32 shots.

Zach Aston-Reese scored twice for the Vegas Golden Knights as they thumped the Colorado Avalanche 6-1.

HEADLINES

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun provided highlights from the latest NHL Board of Governors meeting.

League commissioner Gary Bettman said he’d be happy if negotiations for an extension to the collective bargaining agreement were completed by the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. However, he said there’s been no discussion with the NHLPA regarding a timetable for those talks.

LeBrun indicated that Bettman recently said CBA talks could start as early as November, though he noted both sides still had homework to do. The commissioner also believes the relationship with the PA is “in a good place.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The current CBA expires in September 2026. There’s plenty of time to negotiate an extension and little apparent rancor between the two sides. Fingers crossed it stays that way once they start getting down to serious discussions.

Bettman also made an early projection on next season’s salary cap, suggesting it could come in at $92.5 million. This season’s cap is $88 million.

The commissioner also said the topic of expansion never came up during this meeting, saying it is not a front-burner issue.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun believes expansion is eventually coming down the road “to Atlanta and maybe Houston.” He also didn’t rule out a return to Arizona. “But not quite yet.”

SPORTSNET: The NHL and NHLPA have agreed that the Columbus Blue Jackets will not need to reach this season’s $65 million salary cap minimum by the roster deadline of Oct. 7. This exemption comes with the expectation that the Blue Jackets will rise about the cap floor “in a reasonable time.”

The death of winger Johnny Gaudreau removed his $9.75 million annual average value through 2028-29 from their payroll. The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline reports the Jackets are expected to be under the cap minimum by $1.4 million when the season begins.

RG.ORG: Jimmy Murphy reports Anaheim Ducks head coach Greg Cronin expects more of a competitive effort from Trevor Zegras this season. The 23-year-old forward struggled through an injury-shortened 2023-24 campaign. Cronin acknowledged Zegras’ offensive skills but wants to see a better effort from him battling for pucks along the boards and in front of the net.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zegras’ willingness to “get his nose dirty” was questioned before last season. His performance this season could determine whether he still fits within the Ducks’ long-range plans.

CBS SPORTS: Speaking of the Ducks, winger Troy Terry missed practice yesterday with a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day.

THE SCORE: Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella didn’t mince words when asked about the state of his goaltending. “It scares the crap out of me,” said the outspoken Flyers bench boss.

Tortorella praised Samuel Ersson but pointed out that this is his first full season as their starter. Backup Ivan Fedotov is also beginning his first full NHL season. There’s also uncertainty as to where Aleksei Kolosov fits into the equation.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 22, 2024

by | Sep 22, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 22, 2024

Check out the latest on the Ducks and Blue Jackets in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens reports Cam Fowler hopes the trade talk surrounding him won’t be a distraction to his Anaheim Ducks teammates during training camp.

The Ducks and the 32-year-old Fowler are looking at a potential trade that might be mutually beneficial, though when that happens is anyone’s guess. The veteran defenseman said he remains focused on being the best player he can be for the Ducks, adding that he has a good relationship with general manager Pat Verbeek.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (NHL Images)

Meanwhile, the Ducks and goaltender John Gibson are also believed to be open to finding a trade. However, his contract and the decline in his play make it difficult to move him.

Young forward Trevor Zegras “has had to fend off suggestions that he isn’t the type of player Verbeek wants as a long-term leading piece.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fowler seems the more likely to be traded during this season. He’s an established veteran top-pairing defenseman with two years remaining on his contract who would be enticing to a playoff club. He carries a $6.5 million annual cap hit but the Ducks could be willing to retain part of it to facilitate a deal near the March 7 trade deadline for the right return.

Gibson’s been a fixture in the rumor mill since 2022. He has an average annual value of $6.4 million running through 2026-27 and a 10-team no-trade list. No one will be surprised if he’s still with the Ducks after the March 7 deadline.

Zegras had a difficult 2023-24 campaign. He missed training camp because of his contract negotiations and most of the season due to injuries. His performance this season could determine his future in Anaheim.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports the Columbus Blue Jackets are currently projected to be $3.4 million under this season’s $65 million salary cap minimum due to the recent death of Johnny Gaudreau.

The Blue Jackets are awaiting word from the league and the NHL Players’ Association as to whether they’ll get a one-time concession given the circumstances. They don’t have to be cap-compliant until rosters are settled two days before their Oct. 10 season opener.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox wonders how Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell will wield his $24.8 million in cap space this season.

“Does he try to trade for an impact forward? Pound the waiver wire like crazy when spendy teams get forced into cap compliance in a couple of weeks?

Does he weaponize that budget by taking on a problem contract and further stocking the Jackets’ pool of picks and prospects? Or by acting as a third-party broker, eating money in deadline deals?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fox pointed out that Waddell has options and could make news this season with some significant moves. The Jackets will be a team worth monitoring in the rumor mill.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 21, 2024

by | Sep 21, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 21, 2024

Jake Guentzel’s role with the Lightning, new contracts for Utah’s Dylan Guenther and the Devils’ Dawson Mercer, injury updates, and more today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE SCORE: Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper shuts down the notion that offseason acquisition is replacing former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos.

“Nobody is replacing Stammer,” said Cooper. “He has created a legacy here, and I think that is unfair to say. Jake is coming in here to create his own legacy.”

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel (NHL Images).

Stamkos signed a four-year contract with the Nashville Predators on July 1. A day earlier, the Lightning acquired Guentzel’s rights from the Carolina Hurricanes and signed him to a seven-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cooper is trying to take pressure off Guentzel and quell any unrealistic expectations among some Lightning followers. Nevertheless, there’s no question he was brought in to fill the offensive void on left wing created by Stamkos’ departure.

The Lightning coach is right that Guentzel isn’t replacing Stamkos’ role as captain and long-time franchise star. He’s there to fill the role of trigger man on their top forward line, especially on the power play.

NHL.COM: The Utah Hockey Club signed winger Dylan Guenther to an eight-year contract extension. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Puckpedia indicates the average annual value is $7.142 million with a modified no-trade clause starting on July 1, 2030. The 21-year-old Guenther earned this deal by scoring 18 goals and 17 assists for 35 points in 45 games last season, spending time on Utah’s top power-play unit.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils signed forward Dawson Mercer to a three-year contract with a $4 million AAV. The 22-year-old reached the 20-goal plateau last season for the second straight year. He reached 42 points as a rookie in 2021-22 and netted a career-best 27 goals and 56 points as a sophomore.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mercer’s production dropped last season to 33 points but that was because the versatile forward was used in several different roles as injuries depleted the Devils. He remains an invaluable member of their roster.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Seattle Kraken winger Andre Burakovsky looks forward to reuniting with Chandler Stephenson, who joined the Kraken this summer as a free agent. The two were teammates with the Washington Capitals for five seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in 2018.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Burakovsky has been hampered by injuries that limited him to 49 games in each of the last two seasons. A healthier season for him will be crucial to the Kraken’s hope of rebounding from last season’s disappointing performance.

SPORTSNET: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe confirmed he’s in contract extension talks with management. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

“Yeah, we’ve talked a couple times,” said McCabe. “I love it here, and think they enjoy my game too.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McCabe, 30, is earning an AAV of $4 million on his current contract.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets defenseman Ville Heinola is out indefinitely following an infection in his surgically repaired ankle. He missed all of last season after breaking the ankle in training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Poor Heinola, if it weren’t for bad luck, he’d have no luck at all.

DAILY FACEOFF: Chicago Blackhawks rookie Artyom Levshunov is expected to be sidelined for four more weeks as he recovers from an injury to his right foot suffered in offseason training. The 18-year-old defenseman was chosen second overall by the Blackhawks in this year’s draft.

NHL.COM: The Columbus Blue Jackets named Rick Nash as director of hockey operations.

Nash, 40, is the Blue Jackets’ franchise leader in goals (289), assists (258) and points (547) and served as team captain from 2008 until traded to the New York Rangers in 2012. He returned to the club as special assistant to the general manager in 2019 and was promoted to the position of director of player development in 2021.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators reached a sale agreement in principle with the National Capital Commission to purchase 10 acres of land at LeBreton Flats, about 10 minutes west of Parliament Hill. The Senators intend to construct a new arena at that location.

It’s hoped that the sale will be completed next year. Senators president Cyril Leeder said there’s no expectation that the city will have to pay for the arena.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s no timetable yet for construction, but this is the first real positive step toward the Senators’ dream of a downtown arena.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 18, 2024

by | Sep 18, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 18, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, the latest on the notable remaining restricted free agents and the Blue Jackets are looking to make a trade.

UPDATES ON SWAYMAN, SEIDER AND PERFETTI

TSN: Chris Johnston reports the status quo remains in contract negotiations between Jeremy Swayman and the Boston Bruins. He wondered if they might go the short-term route if they can’t bridge the gap on a long-term contract.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored the Swayman camp seeks around $8.5 million annually while the Bruins countered with $6.2 million. One report had the 25-year-old goalie seeking $10 million annually.

The Detroit Red Wings and Moritz Seider are working on an eight-year deal but it sounds like it could be something a little shorter, perhaps six or seven years. That’s because the Wings are reluctant to exceed captain Dylan Larkin’s team-leading $8.75 million annual cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wings recently signed winger Lucas Raymond to an eight-year deal with an average annual value of $8.075 million. Seider’s AAV could be around $8.5 million.

Darren Dreger reports contract talks remain delicate between the Winnipeg Jets and forward Cole Perfetti. There’s a significant gap in negotiations, prompting Dreger to suggest Perfetti could miss some time in training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently said the Jets were reluctant to offer Perfetti a deal similar to that of Shane Pinto’s with the Ottawa Senators. Pinto is on a two-year deal with a $3.75 million AAV.

The Jets have $5.77 million in cap space for this season but they probably want to keep as much of that available as possible for other roster moves, especially near the March 7 trade deadline.

BLUE JACKETS SEEK A TRADE

Chris Johnston reports the Columbus Blue Jackets are looking to add a forward through the trade market.

They recently signed free-agent winger James van Riemsdyk to a one-year contract. However, general manager Don Waddell wants to add more forward. They’ll also look at professional tryout offers and the waiver wire.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 16, 2024

by | Sep 16, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 16, 2024

The Blue Jackets sign James van Riemsdyk, the Devils bring in Kevin Labanc on a PTO, and Antti Raanta ends his NHL career. Check out the details on these stories and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets signed free-agent winger James van Riemsdyk to a one-year, $900K contract.

The 35-year-old van Riemsdyk had 38 points in 71 games with the Boston Bruins last season. He’s a 15-season NHL veteran with previous stops with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers.

Columbus Blue Jackets sign winger James van Riemsdyk (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This signing came shortly after Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell indicated his intention to shore up his forward depth by signing veteran players. Waddell probably isn’t done making additions via free agency and we can’t rule out a trade.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils are reportedly close to signing Kevin Labanc to a professional tryout offer. The 28-year-old winger spent the past eight seasons with the San Jose Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Labanc was once a promising forward with the Sharks, reaching a career-high of 17 goals and 56 points in 82 games during the 2018-19 season. He hasn’t regained those heights as his production and ice time declined.

DAILY FACEOFF: Antti Raanta is ending his NHL career after 11 seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, Arizona Coyotes, New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks. The 35-year-old Finnish goaltender intends to continue his playing career in Europe.

Raanta had a record of 139 wins, 80 losses, and 20 overtime losses in 277 NHL regular-season games with a 2.48 goals-against average, a save percentage of .915, and 20 shutouts. He also had a 9-9 record in the playoffs with a 2.48 GAA, a .911 SP and one shutout.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Jack Quinn hopes to bounce back from a torn Achilles tendon and a broken left fibula that limited him to 19 points in 27 games during his sophomore campaign last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Quinn showed considerable promise as an offensive forward during his rookie season with 37 points in 75 games. He also put up solid numbers despite last season’s setbacks. A healthy 2024-25 could see the 22-year-old winger become invaluable to the Sabres’ offense.

SPORTSNET: Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten left Sunday’s prospect game in Montreal during the second period following a hit by Canadiens defenseman David Reinbacher. He did not return as he was held out of the remainder of the game for precautionary reasons.

RG.ORG: Speaking of the Canadiens, top prospect Ivan Demidov scored his first career goal in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg. Former Washington Capitals star Evgeny Kuznetsov picked up the primary assist. The 18-year-old Demidov was chosen fifth overall in the 2024 NHL Draft.










NHL Headlines and Rumors – September 15, 2024

by | Sep 15, 2024

NHL Headlines and Rumors – September 15, 2024

Several Capitals face pressure this season, Oilers winger Evander Kane to undergo surgery, plus the latest on the Canucks and Blue Jackets in today’s NHL Headlines and Rumors.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes Washington Capitals forwards Alex Ovechkin, Pierre-Luc Dubois and defenseman Jakob Chychrun will feel the heat entering this season.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images)

Ovechkin is chasing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record of 894. Dubois seeks a bounce-back performance after a lackluster 2023-24 campaign with the Los Angeles Kings led to his trade with the Capitals. Meanwhile, Chychrun hopes to re-establish himself as a top-pairing defenseman in his contract year after being traded by the Arizona Coyotes and Ottawa Senators in successive years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin is already well-established as a future Hall of Famer and the greatest player in Capitals history. Few fans and pundits will fault the 39-year-old winger if it takes him a couple of seasons to break Gretzky’s goal record.

Dubois and Chychrun have much more at stake. They must silence the growing criticism about their recent performances and prove they still belong among the league’s best players.

THE SCORE: Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane is scheduled to undergo sports hernia surgery within the next 10 days or so.

Kane, 33, played through the injury last season. It affected his performance, limiting him to 24 goals and 20 assists in 77 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane has a $5.125 million annual salary cap hit through 2025-26. He could end up on long-term injury reserve to start the season. The Oilers could use that cap relief to bolster their roster during his absence but must be cap-compliant when he’s ready to return to action.

CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal reported Friday that the Vancouver Canucks offered a one-year contract to free-agent goaltender Kevin Lankinen. However, it’s believed worth under $1 million, which is less than the $2 million the 29-year-old netminder earned last season with the Nashville Predators.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the Canucks also reached out to free-agent goalie Antti Raanta but the 35-year-old is not interested in playing in the NHL anymore.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks seek a veteran insurance policy between the pipes in case starter Thatcher Demko hasn’t recovered from a nagging undisclosed injury when the season opens next month. They’re bumping against the $88 million cap ceiling and don’t want to go into LTIR to address the issue. Perhaps they’ll consider a trade if a dollar-in, dollar-out deal can be found.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH’s Brian Hedger reports Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said he’s down to 10 healthy forwards with Justin Danforth seeing a doctor on Monday for a wrist/hand issue that required offseason surgery.

Waddell indicated he’ll look at pursuing unsigned free-agent veterans to fill the void at forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline reports Waddell wants to sign players to actual contracts and not professional tryout offers. Portzline listed James van Riemsdyk, Kevin Labanc and Kyle Okposo among the notable UFA forwards still available. He also noted Phil Kessel is looking for an opportunity to play in the NHL after going unsigned last season.

Portzline also noted that Waddell could sign free agents currently on PTO contracts with other clubs.

Waddell also said he’s spoken with the league and the NHL Players’ Association for guidance about how to measure the Blue Jackets’ salary-cap figure for this season following the death of Johnny Gaudreau last month.