NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 8, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 8, 2024

The potential effect of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault on the Predators’ power play, Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond could take on leadership roles with the Red Wings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE TENNESSEAN: Last month’s signings of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault are expected to bolster the Nashville Predators power play. The Preds struggled with the man advantage during their playoff series with the Vancouver Canucks.

Stamkos and Marchessault will likely be part of the Predators’ top power-play unit alongside Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi and Ryan O’Reilly. Stamkos will mostly stay on the left side, Marchessault and O’Reilly will play around the net and in the slot, while Forsberg and Josi keep pucks in play and shots from the points.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators improved on the power play in 2023-24, finishing 16th overall with a PP percentage of 21.6. Adding Stamkos and Marchessault could push them into the top 10 this season.

THE SCORE: Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde intends to have Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond take on greater roles with the club this season.

In an interview with Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Lalonde said he’d spoken with the pair over the summer about an increased leadership role with the team.

Seider and Raymond are restricted free agents but Lalonde isn’t concerned that both remain unsigned.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seider and Raymond are expected to be under contract when training camp opens next month. They’ve already taken on larger roles as their play improves and their experience grows. They’ll play important roles with the Red Wings in the coming years.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald explained his recent acquisition of Paul Cotter from the Vegas Golden Knights. He anticipates the 24-year-old forward will replace the physicality the Devils lost when Miles Wood departed last summer as a free agent.

Cotter had 25 points in 76 games last season with the Golden Knights along with 233 hits and forcing 35 turnovers.

LAS VEGAS SUN: The Vegas Golden Knights are taking steps to expand their fan base by touring in Jackson, Wyoming; Boise, Idaho; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Billings, Montana; and Reno.

In addition to participating in on-ice clinics, fans will get the opportunity to meet players, broadcasters and other members of the organization.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Smart move by the Golden Knights to grow their fanbase by extending their reach outside the Las Vegas region, especially in areas with no NHL franchises.

TSN: Dillon Dube and Michael McLeod are listed on KHL rosters as they await trial in London, Ontario after being charged with sexual assault in February. Dube is listed on Dinamo Minsk’s roster and McLeod with Astana Barys.

Both players became unrestricted free agents when their NHL clubs declined to qualify their rights.

A trial date is expected to be set on Aug. 13.










Notable Trades – Day 2 Of The 2024 NHL Draft

Notable Trades – Day 2 Of The 2024 NHL Draft

The Tampa Bay Lightning traded Mikhail Sergachev to the Utah Hockey Club in exchange for JJ Moser, Conor Geekie, a second-round pick in the 2025 draft that originally belonged to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and a seventh-rounder in this year’s draft.

Tampa Bay Lightning trade Mikhail Sergachev to Utah Hockey Club (NHL Images).

The Vegas Golden Knights traded goaltender Logan Thompson to the Washington Capitals for pick No. 83 in this year’s draft and a 2025 third-rounder. 

The New Jersey Devils traded goaltender Akira Schmid and forward Alexander Holtz to the Vegas Golden Knights for forward Paul Cotter and a 2025 third-round pick. 

Toronto Maple Leafs acquired the rights to defenseman Chris Tanev from the Dallas Stars in exchange for minor-league forward Max Ellis and a seventh-round pick in the 2026 Draft. 

The Utah Hockey Club trades the 49th overall pick and a 2025 second-rounder (originally belonging to the Edmonton Oilers) to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman John Marino and a fifth-rounder that originally belonged to the Colorado Avalanche.

Los Angeles Kings acquire winger Tanner Jeannot from the Tampa Bay Lightning in return for a pick in this year’s draft (#118) and a second-round pick in 2025. 

The St. Louis Blues have traded forward Kevin Hayes and a 2025 second-rounder to the Pittsburgh Penguins for future considerations. 

Buffalo Sabres acquired forward Beck Malenstyn from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a second-round pick (43rd overall) in this year’s draft.