NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 8, 2019

by | Sep 8, 2019

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 8, 2019

The latest on Connor McDavid, Zdeno Chara, Auston Matthews, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers captain Connor McDavid show no ill-effects from a knee injury suffered during the final game of last season during an informal skate on Saturday. He claimed he felt great but remains uncertain about being in the lineup for next month’s season opener.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid remains uncertain if he’ll be ready for the start of the season (Photo via NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s a promising sign that McDavid said he feels like nothing’s changed regarding his skating. Still, he’ll have to test it during training camp with his teammates and preseason play to determine if he’ll be good to go for the season opener. The Oilers won’t take any chances and could ease him into limited preseason play.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Bruins captain Zdeno Chara can’t say for certain if he’ll be ready for the club’s season opener next month. He’s recovered from the broken jaw suffered during the Stanley Cup Final. However, he’s now recovering from a “small elbow procedure” this summer that might not be fully healed in a month.

THE SCORE: Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews is disappointed over speculation by Sportsnet’s Brian Burke suggesting he’ll head to an American market when his current contract expires. “We haven’t even started my first year (on the new contract) and then this?” he said.

Matthews grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and recently said he hopes the Coyotes become successful. That sparked speculation over his plans. He insists he loves playing in Toronto, praising the city and its fans.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews also pointed out Burke’s comments came in late August, suggesting they were made to stir up controversy and generate internet traffic. It’s way too early to start pondering Matthews’ plans. Worry about it if he hasn’t signed a contract extension in the final season (2023-24) of his current deal.

WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets re-signed goaltender Eric Comrie to a two-year contract worth $700K per season. The first season is a two-way deal, meaning he’ll earn $200K at the AHL level.

TSN: The Los Angeles Kings re-signed goaltender Jack Campbell to a two-year, $3.3-million contract extension. The annual average value is $1.65 million. The annual cap hit of his current deal is $675K.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 7, 2018

by | Sep 7, 2018

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 7, 2018

Latest on Vladimir Tarasenko, Corey Crawford, Tyler Seguin, Milan Lucic and more in your NHL morning coffee headlines.

SPORTSNET: After recovering from offseason surgery on his left shoulder, St. Louis Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko hopes to be ready when training camp opens next week.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Blackhawks president John McDonagh is confident, but not certain, goaltender Corey Crawford will be taking part in training camp next week.

Chicago Blackhawks remain hopeful goaltender Corey Crawford will attend training camp next week. (Photo via NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crawford missed most of last season to a suspected concussion. His absence contributed to the Blackhawks missing the playoffs last season so it’s understandable why there’s concern over his current status. 

NHL.COM’s Mike Zeisberger reports center Tyler Seguin said contract negotiations with the Dallas Stars have picked up since last week. He remains hopeful of getting an extension in place before the season opens next month.

EDMONTON SUN: Oilers left wing Milan Lucic hopes to overcome last season’s poor performance and prove he’s still an effective top-six forward. Lucic managed just 10 goals and 34 points in 82 games last season, including just one goal in his final 46 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Lucic doesn’t regain his scoring touch the Oilers will have a very expensive checking-line winger on their hands. As per Cap Friendly, he’s entering the third season of his seven-year, $42-million contract. 

LAS VEGAS SUN: Golden Knights general manager George McPhee claims supplements provided by the team to Nate Schmidt weren’t responsible for the defenseman’s 20-game suspension for violating the NHL’s PED policy. Schmidt said he only used what was provided to him by the club, suggesting cross-contamination may be been responsible for his testing positive for a trace amount of a banned substance. McPhee claimed his team’s supplements are all league-approved but continues to stand by the defenseman.

USA TODAY: The NHL has begun “a formal investigation into former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov 2015 domestic-abuse conviction to determine whether he should be allowed to return to the NHL”. Earlier this summer, Voynov was granted a dismissal of his conviction by a Los Angeles Superior Court.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Even if the league grants Voynov’s reinstatement, teams could pass on signing him over concerns of a negative reaction by fans and media. 

THE TENNESSEAN:  The NHL will announce its punishment for Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson by Sept. 13. In July, Watson pleaded no contest to a charge of misdemeanor assault for reportedly hitting his girlfriend outside a gas station in June. He was placed on three months probation, “26 weeks of batterer intervention and an inpatient program for alcohol and drugs.”

WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets re-signed goaltender Eric Comrie to a one-year, two-way contract worth $650K at the NHL level.

NBC SPORTS: The Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed team president John Davidson, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and assistant GM Bill Zito. Contract terms weren’t disclosed. 

SPORTSNET: NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said December is the earliest the league board of governors could vote on approving a new franchise in Seattle. He also added the league wasn’t changing its marijuana policy as Canada legalizes cannabis on Oct. 17. 

 











NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 16, 2017

by | Feb 16, 2017

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 16, 2017

Florida Panthers winger Jaromir Jagr becomes the second player in NHL history to tally 1,900 career points.

Game recaps, another milestone for Jagr, Nyquist suspended & more in your NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: Florida Panthers right wing Jaromir Jagr became only the second player in NHL history to reach 1,900 career points, picking up an assist in his club’s 6-5 win over the San Jose Sharks.

Jonathan Huberdeau scored the winner in overtime while Nick Bjugstad and Aleksander Barkov each scored twice for the Panthers. Joe Pavelski scored twice and set up two others for the Sharks. Cramps forced Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo from the game late in the third, but he’s not expected to be ready for their next game.

Alexander Wennberg, Seth Jones and Zach Werenski each collected two assists as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2. Nazem Kadri scored both of the Leafs goals.

Matthew Tkachuk tallied a goal and set up another while Brian Elliott made 33 saves to give the Calgary Flames a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Flames forward Alex Chiasson was ejected from the game for spearing Flyers forward Nick Cousin. Earlier in the day, the Flames also signed free-agent defenseman Matt Bartkowski to a professional tryout offer. 

Carter Hutton made 25 saves for his second straight shutout as the St. Louis Blues extended their win streak to five games by blanking the Detroit Red Wings 2-0. Before the game, the Wings honored their late owner Mike Ilitch, who passed away Friday at age 87. Earlier in the day, the Wings learned forward Gustav Nyquist received a six-game suspension for high-sticking Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon in the face last Sunday. 

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Anaheim Ducks center Antoine Vermette faces an automatic 10-game suspension as a result of his slashing a linesman during the Ducks’ 1-0 win over the Minnesota Wild. 

TSN: The new contract of recently-hired Montreal Canadiens head coach Claude Julien is a five-year deal at $5 million annually. 

WASHINGTON POST: The Capitals yesterday acquired defenseman Tom Gilbert from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in 2017. He cleared waivers earlier this month and will report to the Capitals’ AHL affiliate in Hershey. 

THE TENNESSEAN: For the first time in franchise history, the Nashville Predators are poised to sell out every home game.

NBC SPORTS: Former NHL forward Mike Comrie is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police after a woman claimed he repeatedly raped her at his residence. 

THE PLAYERS TRIBUNE: Former NHL goaltender Corey Hirsch writes about his battle with obsessive compulsive disorder, which nearly drove him to suicide during his playing career.