NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 13, 2024

by | May 13, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 13, 2024

The Panthers push the Bruins to the brink of elimination, the Canucks regain the lead in their series with the Oilers, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers overcame a 2-0 deficit to nip the Boston Bruins 3-2 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven second-round series. The Panthers got a controversial game-tying goal from Sam Bennett after he cross-checked Bruins center Charlie Coyle into goalie Jeremy Swayman. The Bruins challenged for goaltender interference but the goal was upheld. Nearly four minutes later, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov scored the winning goal. David Pastrnak and Brandon Carlo scored for the Bruins.

The series returns to Florida for Game 5 on Tuesday, May 14 at 7 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bennett was already Public Enemy No. 1 among the Bruins and their fans for his questionable hit on Brad Marchand in Game 3 that sidelined the Boston captain from this contest. There was no immediate explanation from the league as to why Bennett’s goal was allowed to stand.

Boston’s lack of offense in this series has put them on the verge of elimination. Since the Bruins’ 5-1 victory in Game 1, the Panthers have limited them to two goals or less over the past three games. If they don’t address this by Game 5, they’ll be emptying their lockers by Thursday.

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser (NHL Images).

Two-goal performances by Brock Boeser and Elias Lindholm and a 42-save effort by Arturs Silovs gave the Vancouver Canucks a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their second-round series. Boeser also collected an assist to finish the night with three points. Mattias Ekholm, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard replied for the Oilers. Game 4 is on Tuesday at 9:30 PM EDT with the Canucks holding a 2-1 lead in the series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers outshot the Canucks 36-7 during the second and third periods but Silovs’ strong goaltender enabled his club to hold off the Oilers. Lindholm’s goal late in the second made the difference after Draisaitl cut the lead to 3-2 earlier in the frame.

Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner gave up four goals on 15 shots and was replaced by Calvin Pickard for the third period. That’s raised criticism over Skinner’s performance in this series and questions about whether Pickard will get the start in Game 4.

Canucks defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Carson Soucy could face supplemental discipline for cross-checking Oilers captain Connor McDavid at the end of the game. Zadorov hit McDavid from behind while Soucy nailed the Oilers star in the face. Soucy got a two-minute minor with no time left on the clock. McDavid appeared to be unhurt following the incident.

Oilers forward Adam Henrique missed Game 3 with a nagging ankle injury. He missed Game 1 but returned to action in the following game.

PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK

NEW YORK POST: The Carolina Hurricanes have yet to decide if Frederik Andersen or Pyotr Kochetkov will get the start for Game 5 of their second-round series against the New York Rangers on Monday. Andersen played in three of the last four games but gave up a soft goal to tie Game 4 before Brady Skjei scored to give the Canes a 3-2 victory. The Rangers hold a 3-1 lead in this series and can wrap it up tonight.

The Rangers, meanwhile, are hopeful that center Filip Chytil will play in Game 5 after being sidelined from the previous game by an illness. Chytil skated in Game 3 in his first game since suffering a suspected concussion in November.

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Nicklas Backstrom denied false reports out of Sweden claiming the Washington Capitals center was not really injured but instead refused to play because of a “big schism” with head coach Spencer Carberry.

Backstrom, 36, appeared in eight games this season before taking an indefinite leave of absence related to his hip resurfacing procedure in June 2022.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Backstrom’s hip condition is well-documented. If healthy, he is contractually bound to play. Refusal to do so would violate the terms of his deal. The Capitals wouldn’t grant him a leave of absence because of a supposed dispute with the coach.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The International Ice Hockey Federation announced sanctions on Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov, his former KHL team CSKA Moscow, and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation for their roles in disregarding the contract he originally signed with the Flyers last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This won’t affect Fedotov’s new contract with the Flyers after CSKA released him from their deal earlier this year. He will be banned from playing in IIHF-sanctioned events for three years.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 12, 2024

by | May 12, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 12, 2024

The Hurricanes avoid elimination against the Rangers, the Stars take the lead against the Avalanche, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes avoided being swept by the New York Rangers with a 4-3 victory in Game 4 of their best-of-seven second-round series. Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei tallied the winner on the power play late in the third period after the Rangers overcame a 3-1 deficit. Frederik Andersen returned to the net for this contest and made 22 saves for the win. Igor Shesterkin stopped 27 shots for the Rangers as this series returns to New York for Game 5 on Monday, May 13 at 7 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes stormed from the gate in this one, taking a 3-1 lead in the first period. Nevertheless, they nearly blew it as the Rangers rallied back to tie it. Only three penalties were called in this contest with the Hurricanes the only team to cash in, going 1 for 2 and netting their first goal with the man advantage in this series.

Alexis Lafreniere continued to torment the Hurricanes. He had two goals in Game 2, a goal and an assist in Game 3 and scored the tying goal in this contest. His breakout performance in the regular season has carried over into this postseason, sitting third among the Rangers playoff scorers with 10 points in eight games.

Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin (NHL Images).

The Hurricanes avoided being swept but face the daunting challenge of overcoming a 3-1 series deficit. Expect the Rangers to step up their performance in Game 5 back on home ice as they attempt to close this out.

Dallas Stars forwards Tyler Seguin and Logan Stankoven each scored twice in a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche to take a 2-1 lead in their second-round series. Jake Oettinger turned aside 28 shots for the win. Mikko Rantanen replied for the Avalanche. Game 3 is Monday in Denver at 9:30 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those were Stankoven’s first two NHL playoff goals. Meanwhile, Seguin scored the winner for the second straight game.

The Avalanche controlled the play for most of this game but were thwarted by the Stars’ stingy defense and Oettinger’s solid goaltending. Neither team was able to score on the power play in this contest.

HEADLINES

THE SCORE: Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand is day-to-day with an upper-body injury following a collision with Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett during Game 3 on Friday. Marchand didn’t practice with his teammates on Saturday and his status for tonight’s game is uncertain. The Panthers hold a 2-1 lead in this series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bennett was not penalized on the play and did not receive supplemental discipline from the league. Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery believes there was intent to injure on Bennett’s part, alluding to the forward’s history of questionable hits.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet is contemplating changing his forward lines for Game 3 of his club’s second-round series with the Edmonton Oilers. Forward Nils Hoglander could become a healthy scratch after managing one assist and four shots through eight games in this postseason.

NHL.COM: Former Toronto Maple Leafs winger Ron Ellis died Saturday at age 79. A skilled two-way forward, Ellis spent his entire 16-season NHL career with the Leafs. He overcame a club foot to become one of the NHL’s best skaters and struggled with depression that in part led to his premature retirement in 1976.

Ellis’ first tenure with the Leafs was from 1963-64 to 1974-75, during which he won the Stanley Cup in 1967 and was part of Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series with the Soviet Union. Returning from retirement in 1977, he played four more seasons with the Leafs before hanging up his skates for good midway through the 1980-81 campaign.

In 1,034 career regular-season games, Ellis had 332 goals and 308 assists for 640 points. He also had 18 goals and 26 points in 70 playoff games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Ellis’ family, friends, former teammates and coworkers. He was one of the best two-way players I ever saw and was by all accounts a gentleman and a class act.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 11, 2024

by | May 11, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 11, 2024

The Oilers tie their series with the Canucks, the Panthers take a 2-1 series lead over the Bruins, the latest on the Leafs, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Evan Bouchard gave the Edmonton Oilers a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, tying their best-of-seven second-round series at a game apiece. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each had a goal and three assists for the Oilers. Elias Pettersson tallied his first goal of the playoffs while Nikita Zadorov and J.T. Miller each had two points for the Canucks. The series moves to Edmonton for the next two games with Game 3 on Sunday, May 12 at 9:30 pm EDT.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid and Draisaitl were the difference, answering criticism that they didn’t step up during the Oilers’ loss in the previous game. Draisaitl was a game-day decision after being listed as day-to-day after dealing with “cramping and equipment issues in Game 1.

Canucks starting goaltender Thatcher Demko has been sidelined since winning the opening game of their first-round series with the Nashville Predators. However, reports suggest he could be ready to return to action if this series reaches Game 6 or 7.

The Florida Panthers scored six goals for the second straight game to defeat the Boston Bruins 6-2 in Game 3 of their second-round series. Evan Rodrigues scored twice and Matthew Tkachuk collected three assists for the Panthers as they took a 2-1 series lead. Jake DeBrusk had a goal and an assist while Jeremy Swayman stopped 27 shots for the Bruins. Game 4 is on Sunday at 6:30 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins are in deep trouble. They were dominated for the second straight game, outshot 33-17 and allowing four power-play goals. Team captain Brad Marchand left this game after the second period with an upper-body injury and received little production from their other top-six forwards. Swayman did his best but couldn’t stem the onslaught.

Panthers center Sam Bennett returned to action after being sidelined by an injury during Game 2 of their first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke returned from a finger injury suffered during Game 2 of their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK

NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes remain confident despite facing elimination entering Game 4 of their series with the New York Rangers. They’re attempting to become the fifth team in playoff history to win a series after overcoming a 3-0 deficit. The Canes are vowing to address the mistakes that have put them into their current predicament, including a punchless power play.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes are putting up a brave front but some observers consider it empty talk. They’ve put themselves into a hole that history suggests is too deep to escape. Game 4 is Saturday at 7 pm EDT.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog appears no closer to returning to action a year after undergoing cartilage transplant surgery on his right knee. The timeline for his potential return was 12 to 16 months.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Landeskog’s last game was the Avalanche’s Cup clincher in 2022. He’s been traveling with the team and skating in morning practices in warm-up clothes. It remains unlikely he’ll return to the lineup in this postseason.

THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS

TORONTO STAR: Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley, Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan, and general manager Brad Treliving met with the Toronto press yesterday for their season-ending media session.

Pelley said the team’s goal remains winning the Stanley Cup while Shanahan and Treliving took responsibility for another early playoff exit. After years of patience with their roster core. they all indicated that changes could be afoot.

“Everything is on the table,” said Shanahan. “We will discuss everything.”

“We have really good players, but it hasn’t worked,” said Treliving. “We have to analyze why it hasn’t worked.”

Shanahan indicated a new head coach will have a say in those decisions. Treliving said they will conduct a thorough search for a new bench boss. Speculation suggests former St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube is the front-runner.

Treliving also provided details on the injuries suffered by several Leafs players in the first round. Auston Matthews battled an illness and suffered a head injury in Game 4 that didn’t clear until the day of Game 7. Migraines sidelined William Nylander from the first three games. Bobby McMann sprained a knee in the last game of the regular season while forward Connor Dewar was scheduled for shoulder surgery on Friday.

TORONTO SUN: The Leafs granted permission to the New Jersey Devils to speak with former head coach Sheldon Keefe, who was fired by the Leafs on Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve cited the main highlights of this press conference. Whether any of those issues are suitably addressed before the start of next season remains to be seen.

Asking Mitch Marner and John Tavares to waive their no-movement clauses could be what they’re referring to when they said everything was on the table. Both are eligible to become unrestricted free agents next July. Tavares previously indicated he intends to fulfill the final season of his contract with the Leafs while Marner remains hopeful of signing a contract extension.

The Leafs could hire someone other than Berube as their next coach but he appears to be the favorite for the job. His NHL experience and the Stanley Cup on his resume are strong enticements.

It was rumored Keefe might end up joining former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas with the Pittsburgh Penguins if bench boss Mike Sullivan resigned or was fired by Dubas. Another theory had Sullivan planning to leave Pittsburgh for New Jersey to fill their vacant head-coaching job. Both rumors seem unlikely with the Leafs permitting the Devils to speak with Keefe.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 10, 2024

by | May 10, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 10, 2024

The Rangers push the Hurricanes to the brink of elimination while the Stars tie their series with the Avalanche. Check out the details in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The New York Rangers are on the verge of sweeping the Carolina Hurricanes following their 3-2 victory in Game 3 of their best-of-seven second-round series. Artemi Panarin scored in overtime while Igor Shesterkin kicked out 45 shots as the Rangers took a commanding 3-0 series lead, leaving them with a 7-0 record in this postseason thus far. Andrei Svechnikov had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes, who will try to stave off elimination in Game 4 on Saturday, May 11 at 7 pm EDT.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes are getting scoring chances but Shesterkin has been outstanding in goal for the Rangers. His 7-0 record in this postseason matches the Rangers’ postseason record set by Mike Richter in 1994.

Meanwhile, Blueshirts scorers Panarin, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere have risen to the occasion in this series.

Filip Chytil’s return to the lineup gave the Rangers an emotional lift. He’d been sidelined since Nov. 2 with a suspected concussion.

This game was a must-win for the Hurricanes. They find themselves in a deep hole that only four teams have climbed out of in Stanley Cup playoff history. They replaced Frederik Andersen in goal for this contest with Pyotr Kochetkov, who made 25 saves and couldn’t be faulted for this loss.

A powerless power play is a big reason the Hurricanes find themselves in this situation. They’ve gone 0-for-15 with the man advantage in this series. If they don’t rectify this problem, Saturday’s game will be their last of this season.

The Dallas Stars held off the Colorado Avalanche 5-3 in Game 2 of their second-round series. Roope Hintz had a goal and three assists and Miro Heiskanen tallied twice as the Stars evened the series at a game apiece. The Avalanche made it interesting, rallying with three goals to cut the Stars’ lead to 4-3 before Esa Lindell put the game out of reach with an empty netter. The series moves to Denver for the next two contests with Game 3 on Saturday at 10 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hintz was due for a big game after managing just one point in eight postseason games. He certainly delivered in Game 2.

The Stars’ special teams went two-for-five on the power play and successfully killed off three penalties. They also got a lift with the return of Mason Marchment, who had an assist in his first game since being sidelined with an undisclosed injury suffered in Game 2 of their first-round series with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Given the Avs credit for not giving up after falling behind 4-0. However, their top offensive players (Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar) were held scoreless in this contest.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Edmonton Oilers could face Game 2 against the Vancouver Canucks without Leon Draisaitl and Adam Henrique. Draisaitl is listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed ailment while Henrique is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. An update on their statuses is expected before tonight’s game.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 8, 2024

by | May 8, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 8, 2024

The Rangers take a 2-0 series lead over the Hurricanes, the Avalanche win their series opener with the Stars, the Sharks win the draft lottery, the Hart Trophy finalists are revealed, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The New York Rangers took a 2-0 lead over the Carolina Hurricanes in their best-of-seven second-round series with a 4-3 victory in Game 2.

Vincent Trocheck scored in double overtime, Igor Shesterkin kicked out 54 shots, Alexis Lafreniere scored twice and Artemi Panarin collected three assists for the Rangers. Jake Guentzel tallied two goals, Sebastian Aho had three assists and Frederik Andersen stopped 35 shots for the Hurricanes.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).

The series moves to Carolina for the next two games with Game 3 on Thursday, May 9 at 7 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Another entertaining game between these Metropolitan Division rivals. It also got chippy at times with Shesterkin getting run over by Carolina’s Andrei Svechnkov and Guentzel punching Rangers defenseman Adam Fox during a scrum.

Special teams made the difference in this contest. The Rangers went 2-for-7 on the powerplay and held the Hurricanes scoreless in their five attempts with the man advantage.

Evgeny Kuznetsov was a healthy scratch as Max Comtois replaced him in the Hurricanes’ lineup. 

An overtime goal by Miles Wood capped a four-goal rally by the Colorado Avalanche to defeat the Dallas Stars 4-3 in Game 1 of their second-round series. Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichuskin each had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche. Jamie Benn had a goal and an assist and Wyatt Johnston netted his team-leading fifth goal of this postseason for the Stars. Game 2 is on Thursday in Dallas at 9:30 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche showed the rust from their layoff in the first period but regained their legs throughout this game. Meanwhile, the Stars faded a bit as this game went on having come off eliminating the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday.

Colorado’s special teams were a factor, going 2-for-2 on the power play and killing off three of four penalties.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: The San Jose Sharks won the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery, ensuring them the first-overall pick in this year’s draft, scheduled for June 28-29 at Sphere in Las Vegas. The Sharks had the best odds of winning the lottery after finishing last in the overall standings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks are expected to select Boston University center Macklin Celebrini. Winner of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player, Celebrini has family ties to San Jose. He played minor hockey in the Jr. Sharks program as a 13-year-old after his family moved from Vancouver to the Bay Area when his father took a job with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon are this year’s finalists for the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player to his team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the three finalists. McDavid is a three-time winner of the Hart (2016-17, 2020-21, 2022-23) while Kucherov took home the Hart in 2018-19. This is the fourth time MacKinnon has been named a finalist.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators officially named Travis Green their new head coach, signing him to a four-year contract. Green spent nearly five seasons as coach of the Vancouver Canucks and was named interim coach of the New Jersey Devils after they fired Lindy Ruff in early March.

STLTODAY.COM: The Blues announced they signed Drew Bannister to a two-year contract, officially removing the interim tag from his position as head coach. Bannister took over from Craig Berube after he was fired in December.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s no surprise that Blues general manager Doug Armstrong stuck with Bannister. Under his coaching, they went 30-19-5 over the rest of the season and narrowly missed a wildcard playoff berth in the Western Conference.

THE SCORE: cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reporting that Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko will be sidelined until Game 5 of their second-round series with the Edmonton Oilers. He’s been out with a knee injury since playing in Game 1 of the Canucks’ first-round series with the Nashville Predators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The solid play of Canucks’ first-round hero Arturs Silovs has bought Demko time to recover rather than rushing back into action.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks signed winger Lukas Reichel to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $1.2 million.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 6, 2024

by | May 6, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 6, 2024

The Stars eliminate the Golden Knights, the Rangers defeat the Hurricanes in Game 1 of their second-round series, the Selke Trophy finalists are announced, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: There will be a new Stanley Cup champion this year as the Dallas Stars eliminated the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights with a 2-1 victory in Game 7 of their first-round series. Radek Faksa snapped a 1-1 tie early in the third period, Jake Oettinger made 22 saves and Wyatt Johnston also scored for the Stars. Brett Howden tallied the only goal for the Golden Knights. The Stars will face the Colorado Avalanche in the second round with Game 1 starting on Tuesday, May 7 at 9:30 pm EDT.

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars prevailed with solid goaltending from Oettinger, who gave up two goals or less in six of the seven games. He had help from his teammates as their improved defensive play smothered Vegas’ offense.

The Golden Knights opened this series with 4-3 and 3-1 victories but managed only nine goals over the following five games. Jack Eichel was held scoreless in three games. 2023 playoff MVP Jonathan Marchessault was held to two goals and never scored again after Game 2. Mark Stone only scored twice and those came on the power play. Trade deadline acquisition Tomas Hertl was held to one goal.

New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad scored twice and collected an assist as his club held off the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1 of their best-of-seven second-round series. Vincent Trocheck and Chris Kreider each collected two points for the Rangers while Sebastian Aho had two assists for the Hurricanes. Game 2 is Tuesday, May 7 at 7 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was an entertaining contest as the Rangers and Hurricanes set the stage for what should be another thrilling series comparable to their 2022 second-round matchup. The Rangers struck first and opened a two-goal lead in the first period, forcing the Hurricanes to play catchup for the rest of this game.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: The full schedule for the second round was released following the completion of the Stars-Golden Knights series.

Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov, Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, and Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal are the finalists for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, honoring this season’s top defensive forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the finalists. It’s the third time in four years Barkov has been up for this award, winning in 2020-21. It’s the second time for Staal since 2009-10 when he was with the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s the first time for Matthews.

TSN: Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett will be unavailable for Game 1 of his club’s second-round series with the Boston Bruins. He’s been out with an upper-body injury since Game 2 of the Panthers first-round series with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators have narrowed their search for their new head coach to four candidates. They are former St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube, former Los Angeles Kings coach Todd McLellan, former Minnesota Wild bench boss Dean Evason and New Jersey Devils interim coach Travis Green.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garrioch reported his sources cannot confirm if the Senators have had formal discussions with Berube yet. He added Berube’s had serious discussions with New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald.