NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 15, 2020

by | Jul 15, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 15, 2020

​Ted Lindsay Award nominees announced, exhibition and Stanley Cup qualifying round schedules revealed, plus the latest on Johnny Gaudreau, Shea Weber, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHLPA.COM: Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, and New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin are the 2020 finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award, presented annually to the NHL’s most outstanding player as voted by the NHL Players Association membership.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon is among the finalists for the 2019-20 Ted Lindsay Award (Photo via NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All are worthy finalists. They could also be in the running for the Hart Memorial Trophy. The finalists for that award will be announced on July 21.

NHL.COM: The league released its schedule of exhibition games and the Stanley Cup qualifiers schedule for Phase 4 of its return-to-play plan. All Western Conference games will be played at Rogers Place in Edmonton and all Eastern Conference games at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

SPORTSNET: Johnny Gaudreau’s separation from his linemates and the main group during the opening two days of the Calgary Flames’ training camp is raising eyebrows. Flames coach Geoff Ward claimed the move was due to “circumstances that became apparent last week.” He declined to elaborate.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The first-line winger continues to participate in the Flames’ practices with a smaller group, and Ward suggested he could be reunited with his linemates at some point. The NHL’s tight controls over the players’ medical status could cause imaginations to run wild over Gaudreau’s situation. If he were suffering COVID-19 symptoms, he wouldn’t be at practice. Perhaps he’s nursing a recent injury.

TSN: Montreal Canadiens captain Shea Weber was “unable to practice” yesterday but took to the ice afterward with assistant coach Luke Richardson for some individual work. Canadiens coach Claude Julien anticipates Weber will return to practice on Wednesday.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets center Pierre-Luc Dubois missed practice yesterday with what is believed to be a minor issue. Because of the league’s return-to-play rules, the team didn’t provide details.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues defenseman Colton Parayko returned to the ice yesterday with his teammates after missing the first day of training camp. Teammate Robert Bortuzzo remained absent. Both are believed to have recently tested positive for COVID-19. Blues coach Craig Berube expects Bortuzzo will return soon.

THE WASHINGTON POST: Capitals forwards Lars Eller and Carl Hagelin intend to leave the protective bubble during the playoffs to be with their expectant wives. Eller’s wife is due to give birth on Aug. 8 while Hagelin’s spouse is due in September. Both players must isolate and test negative for four consecutive days before returning to the lineup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Players are allowed to leave and return to the host cities for family reasons.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Blackhawks defenseman Calvin de Haan missed practice yesterday for a family emergency. Teammate Corey Crawford remains “unfit to play” for the second straight day.

WGR550.COM: Buffalo Sabres winger Michael Frolik has reportedly received a contract offer from KHL team Avangard Omsk. The 32-year-old is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks re-signed winger Troy Terry to a three-year, $4.35-million contract extension. Terry, 22, is completing his entry-level contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Terry is among several promising youngsters the Ducks hope to rebuild around over the next several years. He’s tallied eight goals and 28 points in 81 games over the past three seasons.

NHL.COM: The Vancouver Canucks signed prospect defenseman Jack Rathbone to an entry-level contract.

SPORTSLOGO.NET: cites The Athletic reporting the Ottawa Senators will be switching to a slightly modified version of the 2d Senator Head logo they wore from 1997 to 2007.










2020 NHL Free Agent Class Could Be Adversely Affected By a Flat Salary Cap

by | Jun 24, 2020

2020 NHL Free Agent Class Could Be Adversely Affected By a Flat Salary Cap

 










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 7, 2020

by | Jun 7, 2020

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 7, 2020

​Should the Buffalo Sabres listen to trade offers for Jack Eichel? Should the Canadiens target Mikhail Sergachev, Pierre-Luc Dubois, or Torey Krug? Check out the latest in the Sunday NHL rumor roundup.

SHOULD THE SABRES ENTERTAIN OFFERS FOR EICHEL?

NHL.COM: In a recent mailbag, Dan Rosen was asked if he thought any of the non-playoff NHL clubs might attempt to acquire Jack Eichel. Rosen doesn’t believe the Buffalo Sabres’ captain is on the trade block. He also thinks it would take a significant offer (high draft picks, top prospects, at least one high-end NHL player) to get him.

Should the Buffalo Sabres listen to offers for Jack Eichel? (Photo via NHL Images)

If the Sabres were willing to trade Eichel, Rosen doubts they’d limit their market to just the six non-playoff clubs. Nevertheless, he thinks those teams (New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks) should at least ask about Eichel’s availability. He also believes it costs nothing for the Sabres to hear what other clubs feel their 23-year-old captain is worth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I doubt Sabres general manager Jason Botterill has any plans to move Eichel unless he requests a trade. And no, I don’t believe Eichel’s reached that point where he wants out of Buffalo.

I agree it doesn’t hurt for Botterill to at least listen to offers for Eichel or for those clubs to inquire into his availability. But unless the Sabres front office has decided to tear down their roster and start another rebuild, I don’t see Eichel going anywhere. He’s their cornerstone player, the guy they have to build around if they hope to become a playoff contender next season.

LATEST CANADIENS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC (subscription required): In a recent mailbag segment, Arpon Basu was asked if he’d prefer seeing the Montreal Canadiens sign Mikhail Sergachev or Pierre-Luc Dubois to an offer sheet, or Torey Krug via unrestricted free agency.

Basu doesn’t see the Canadiens prying Dubois away from the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have lots of cap space and love the 21-year-old center’s game. If Krug doesn’t re-sign with the Boston Bruins, he’d love to see the Canadiens sign the 29-year-old defenseman.

He thinks the Tampa Bay Lightning would have a difficult time matching an offer sheet for Sergachev, making the 21-year-old blueliner a tempting target if Habs GM Marc Bergevin fails to make progress with Krug.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of the three, the Canadiens stand a better chance of signing Krug than Sergachev or Dubois. That’s assuming, of course, he’s willing to sign with the Habs if he tests the UFA market.

Dubois’ not going anywhere. Neither is Sergachev. While the Bolts have limited cap space, it’s assumed they’ll shed a salary or two to clear up cap space for Sergachev and fellow RFA Anthony Cirelli. We also shouldn’t assume Sergachev is open to an offer sheet.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 2, 2020

by | May 2, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – May 2, 2020

Check out recent speculation on the Canadiens, Sharks, and Devils in today’s NHL rumor mill.

COULD MANTHA BECOME A CANADIENS’ OFFER-SHEET TARGET?

TVA SPORTS: Jean-Charles Lajoie suggested Detroit Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha would be an intriguing offer-sheet target for the Montreal Canadiens. He feels they would benefit from having a sniper such as Mantha at right wing. He also pointed to the winger’s tumultuous relationship with Detroit coach Jeff Blashill. While Lajoie feels Blashill might not be back behind the Wings’ bench next season, Mantha might be willing to entertain an offer sheet.

Could the Montreal Canadiens try to sign Detroit Red Wings forward Anthony Mantha to an offer sheet? (Photo via NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maybe Mantha would listen to an offer from the Canadiens, but it’ll have to be a significant one to pry him away from the Wings. They have over $46 million invested in 11 players. Unless it’s a mind-blowing offer, they can easily match it. 

Lajoie also noted Columbus’ Pierre-Luc Dubois and the New York Islanders’ Mathew Barzal could be interesting options. He thinks the Blue Jackets would match almost any offer for Dubois, but the Isles might be less inclined to do so for Barzal because their GM is Lou Lamoriello.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets will match an offer for Dubois. As for Lamoriello, he’s already bluntly stated he’ll do the same for Barzal. Don’t expect to see either guy wearing a Habs sweater next season. 

COULD THE SHARKS BE UFA BUYERS?

NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: Brian Witt believes the San Jose Sharks could benefit if the salary cap remains around $81.5 million for 2020-21. Several teams will enter the off-season with less than $1 million in cap space, while half the league will have more than $3 million. The Sharks could have between $8 million and $15 million available.

Some of that will be used to re-sign some pending free agents, but Witt feels their notable ones (Joe Thornton, Kevin Labanc) could be affordable re-signings. That would leave sufficient room for some prominent free agents.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly indicates the Sharks have over $66 million invested in 13 players. All of their core players except for Thornton are under contract for next season. As Witt indicated, Thornton and Labanc should be affordable signings.

General manager Doug Wilson has a history of pulling off surprising moves, so we shouldn’t dismiss the possibility he’ll land a noteworthy free agent, especially if a flat cap makes other clubs reluctant to invest in the UFA market. However, he might be reluctant to pursue a big-ticket player when he’s already got over $41 million tied up in just six players. 

LATEST ON THE DEVILS

THE ATHLETIC (subscription required): In a recent mailbag segment, Corey Masisak was asked if there was any chance the New Jersey Devils could make a move for St. Louis Blues defenseman Vince Dunn following their re-signing of Marco Scandella. While Dunn could be a good fit, Masisak is skeptical about the Blues moving him. He also speculated they could ask for Kyle Palmieri or Nikita Gusev, or perhaps a promising player like Ty Smith or Nolan Foote in return. 

Masisak doubts the Devils could entice whoever wins this year’s draft lottery to part with the first-overall pick by offering up their three first-rounders. 










NHL Free Agents & Trade Candidates – Columbus Blue Jackets

by | Apr 6, 2020

NHL Free Agents & Trade Candidates – Columbus Blue Jackets

 










NHL Unfinished Business: The Salary Cap

by | Mar 20, 2020

NHL Unfinished Business: The Salary Cap