NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 22, 2025

by | Jan 22, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 22, 2025

The Predators stage the first four-goal comeback win in franchise history, the Canucks reveal their Quarter-Century Team, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING TUESDAY’S NHL GAMES

NHL.COM: The Nashville Predators scored six unanswered goals to overcome a 5-1 deficit and defeat the San Jose Sharks 7-5, marking their first four-goal comeback win in franchise history.

Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault (NHL Images).

Jonathan Marchessault led the way with a goal and three assists while Filip Forsberg collected three points, extending his goal streak to six games as the Predators picked up their fourth straight victory. Sharks center Macklin Celebrini had a goal and an assist to surpass Patrick Marleau for the most points by an 18-year-old in franchise history.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators removed forward Cole Smith off injured reserve for this game. He’d missed the last 11 contests with a lower-body injury.

Montreal Canadiens center Jakes Evans scored with 2:15 remaining in the third period to nip the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2. Sam Montembeault stopped 33 shots for the win while Patrik Laine collected two assists for the Canadiens (52 points) as they moved into the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth, one point behind the Lightning for third place in the Atlantic Division. Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov extended his goal streak to 10 games with his 22nd of the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson collected an assist to tie Shayne Gostisbehere for the longest assist streak by a rookie defenseman (nine games) in NHL history. The 20-year-old blueliner leads all freshmen this season with 39 points in 47 games.

The Canadiens have the same number of points as the Boston Bruins but the Habs have one more win (24) and a game in hand. Meanwhile, the Lightning have lost seven of their eight road games.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves in a 5-0 shutout of the Ottawa Senators. Alexis Lafreniere had a goal and an assist as the Rangers extended their points streak to nine games (6-0-3). The Rangers (50 points) sit two points behind the Canadiens while the Senators cling to the first Eastern wild-card spot (52 points).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shesterkin also got into the middle of a scrum with Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk following a collision in his crease. Senators center Josh Norris left this game in the first period for precautionary reasons after falling and hitting his chin on the ice. Before this game, the Senators announced forward Zack MacEwen was taking a leave of absence for personal reasons from their minor-league affiliate in Belleville.

The Philadelphia Flyers (50 points) are two points out of the final Eastern wild-card berth following a 2-1 overtime victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Rasmus Ristolainen scored the winning goal while Samuel Ersson turned aside 27 shots as the Flyers extended their point streak to six games (5-0-1). Ben Chiarot replied for the Red Wings as they’ve dropped four of their last five games (1-3-1).

Washington Capitals center Pierre-Luc Dubois had a goal and an assist to beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2. Tom Wilson netted his 20th of the season as the Capitals stretched their points streak to 11 games (8-0-3), opening a four-point lead over the Winnipeg Jets for first place in the overall standings with 69 points. Edmonton forward Leon Draisaitl scored his league-leading 34th goal of the season as the Oilers dropped their second straight game, sitting second in the Pacific Division with 61 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers played without captain Connor McDavid as he’s serving a three-game suspension. They announced they won’t appeal the decision. The club also stated that it would be at least a week before newly signed defenseman John Klingberg plays his first game.

The Florida Panthers got a goal and an assist from Carter Verhaeghe in a 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, handing the latter their seventh loss in their last eight games. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 28 shots as the Panthers picked up their third win in their last four contests, sitting second in the Atlantic Division with 59 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anaheim forward Trevor Zegras returned to action after missing 22 games with a knee injury. The Ducks announced forward Brock McGinn underwent season-ending knee surgery last week while forward Isac Lundestrom is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Carolina Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi tallied twice to beat the Dallas Stars 2-1, giving his club their third straight win. Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 22 shots and Martin Necas collected two assists for the Hurricanes, who sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 61 points. Thomas Harley replied for the Stars, who’ve dropped three of their last four games and remain in third place in the Central Division with 59 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars center Roope Hintz returned to action after missing three games with an upper-body injury.

The Buffalo Sabres got a goal and two assists from Jiri Kulich in a 3-2 comeback win over the Vancouver Canucks. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen kicked out 31 shots as the Sabres ended a two-game losing skid. Phillip Di Giuseppe and Elias Pettersson replied for the Canucks (50 points), who have one win in their last four games and remain one point out of the final Western Conference wild-card berth.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: The Canucks unveiled their Quarter-Century Team on Tuesday.

The First Team comprises forwards Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Markus Naslund, defensemen Quinn Hughes and Alexander Edler, and goaltender Roberto Luongo.

The Second Team features forwards J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, and Ryan Kesler, defensemen Kevin Bieksa and Mattias Ohlund, and goaltender Thatcher Demko.

RG.ORG: Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov is settling in Boston and becoming more comfortable in his role as a more defensive-oriented blueliner. He admits he enjoyed his short stint with the Canucks last season, calling it “the coolest six months of my career”, praising the team and its fans.

WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets are staying mum on the status of captain Adam Lowry. The 31-year-old forward suffered an undisclosed injury during Monday’s loss to the Utah Hockey Club.

DAILY FACEOFF: Vegas Golden Knights winger Cole Schwindt is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

SPORTSNET: The Utah Hockey Club reportedly had several trademark applications denied as they continue to search for a permanent name. The name “Utah Yetis” was rejected to avoid confusion with the cooler brand Yeti. The names “Utah Blizzard” and “Utah Venom” were denied for similar reasons.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 20, 2025

by | Jan 20, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 20, 2025

Recaps of Sunday’s games, the Canadiens unveil their Quarter-Century Team, Connor McDavid faces an in-person hearing for cross-checking Conor Garland, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING SUNDAY’S ACTION

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Patrik Laine lifted the Montreal Canadiens to a 5-4 victory over the New York Rangers. Canadiens rookie goalie Jakub Dobes stopped 23 shots for his fifth win in as many starts while Brendan Gallagher and Christian Dvorak each had a goal and an assist. Rangers netminder Jonathan Quick made 33 saves while Adam Fox picked up two assists.

Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montreal (50 points) sits one point behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson tied Barry Beck for the second-longest assist streak for rookie defensemen (eight games). The Habs called up forward Owen Beck for this game.

This loss left the Rangers two points behind the Canadiens.

The Ottawa Senators got a 25-save performance (16 in the first period) from Anton Forsberg to nip the New Jersey Devils 2-1. Senators rookie Zack Ostapchuk scored his first goal of the season and Artem Zub tallied the game-winner. Tomas Tatar replied for the Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The win vaulted the Senators (51 points) over the Blue Jackets into the first Eastern wild-card spot, extending their points streak to six games (5-0-1). The Devils sit second in the Metropolitan Division (58 points) but are winless in their last four contests (0-2-2).

First-period goals by Matej Blumel, Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque gave the Dallas Stars a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Robertson extended his goals streak to five games while Jake Oettinger kicked out 33 shots for the Stars. Marco Kasper scored for the Red Wings (46 points), who sit five points behind the Blue Jackets in the Eastern wild-card race.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars (59 points) snapped a two-game losing skid and sit second in the Central Division. The Red Wings have dropped three of their last four contests.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: The Montreal Canadiens unveiled its Quarter-Century Team on Sunday.

The First Team consisted of goaltender Carey Price, defensemen Shea Weber and Andrei Markov, and forwards Saku Koivu, Tomas Plekanec and Alex Kovalev.

The Second Team featured goalie Jose Theodore, defensemen P.K. Subban and Sheldon Souray, and forwards Nick Suzuki, Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher.

THE SCORE: Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers face in-person hearings for cross-checking incidents that earned them match penalties on Saturday. The hearings are scheduled for Monday.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Oilers, they placed center Derek Ryan on waivers and loaned defenseman Josh Brown to their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres called up goaltender Devon Levi to replace sidelined netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. They also placed forward Ryan McLeod on injured reserve.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 15, 2025

by | Jan 15, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 15, 2025

The Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski’s home points streak puts him in elite company, Canadiens rookie Lane Hutson extends his lead in the rookie points race, the Bruins reveal their Quarter-Century Team, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING TUESDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski scored twice to extend his home points streak to 17 games in a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko scored in a shootout as the Blue Jackets won their fifth straight game. Bobby Brinks and Owen Tippett replied for the Flyers as their two-game win streak ended.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Werenski’s streak puts him in elite company among NHL defensemen. He joins Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey, Phil Housley, Brian Leetch, Ray Bourque and John Van Boxmeer with the longest home points streaks (17-plus games). Orr remains the all-time leader with 25 games. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets (48 points) hold the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson collected three assists to widen his lead in the rookie scoring race as his club downed the Utah Hockey Club 5-3. Kirby Dach scored twice and Cole Caufield tallied the winning goal for the Canadiens, who’ve won 10 of their last 13 games (10-2-1) and sit two points behind the Blue Jackets. Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz each collected two assists for Utah as they’ve dropped four of their last five games (1-3-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hutson leads all rookies with 35 points, four points ahead of Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers and Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks.

Canadiens winger Emil Heineman was struck by a car while walking in Salt Lake City and will be sidelined for three to four weeks recovering from his injuries. Meanwhile, Utah HC activated John Marino off injured reserve for this game. The 27-year-old defenseman was making his season debut with Utah after recovering from back surgery. He was acquired from the New Jersey Devils last June.

The Nashville Predators won their 1,000th game with a 5-3 upset of the Vegas Golden Knights. Steven Stamkos scored twice and collected an assist and Jonathan Marchessault got an assist in his first game against his former team since signing with the Predators last summer. Golden Knights forward Pavel Dorofeyev collected his first NHL hat trick as his club has dropped three of its last four games.

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson made 19 saves to shut out the Anaheim Ducks 3-0, extending their points streak to eight games (5-0-3). Brandon Duhaime, John Carlson, and Ethen Frank were the goalscorers for the Capitals as they hold first place in the overall standings with 63 points. The Ducks have dropped four of their last five contests (1-3-1).

A natural hat trick by Kyle Connor within a 6:38 span in the first period carried the Winnipeg Jet to a 6-1 romp over the Vancouver Canucks. Connor also collected an assist while Gabriel Vilardi collected three helpers. Nils Hoglander scored for the struggling Canucks as they’ve lost five of their last six contests (1-3-2).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets also have 63 points but the Capitals hold a game in hand. Meanwhile, the Canucks (48 points) remain one point behind the Calgary Flames, who hold the final Western Conference wild-card spot.

Speaking of the Flames, they dropped a 2-1 decision to the St. Louis Blues. Radek Faksa broke a 1-1 tie midway through the third period and Jordan Binnington stopped 26 shots as the Blues sit three points behind the Flames and two behind the Canucks. Kevin Bahl scored for the Flames.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon collected two assists to reach his league-leading 70th point as his team rallied from a 2-1 deficit to nip the New York Rangers 3-2. Artturi Lehkonen scored with 1:13 remaining in regulation and Devon Toews tallied the winning goal in overtime for the Avalanche. Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom scored for the Rangers, extending their points streak to five games (3-0-2).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers activated Chris Kreider (upper body) off injured reserve for this game. Blueshirts center Filip Chytil returned to action after missing the last two games with an upper-body injury.

The Boston Bruins built an early 4-0 lead on their way to a 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightnings. David Pastrnak scored his 20th goal of the season and collected two assists and Jeremy Swayman kicked out 43 shots as the Bruins won their second straight game. Connor Geekie and Victor Hedman scored for the Lightning.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning center Brayden Point was scratched from this game for missing a team meeting earlier in the day. Meanwhile, the Bruins placed defenseman Charlie McAvoy and center Mark Kastelic on injured reserve, blueliner Hampus Lindholm on long-term injury reserve, and recalled center Matthew Poitras and defenseman Michael Callahan from their AHL affiliate in Providence.

Dallas Stars forwards Matt Duchene and Logan Stankoven each had three points to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1, handing the latter their fourth straight loss. Jake Oettinger turned aside 27 shots for the Stars, who’ve won eight of their last nine contests. Auston Matthews scored for the Leafs, who were booed off the ice by their fans following this game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars center Roope Hintz left this game in the first period with an upper-body injury. There was no postgame update about his condition.

Shootout goals by Aleksander Barkov and Anton Lundell gave the Florida Panthers a 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. Jesper Boqvist scored in regulation for the Panthers while Nico Hischier tallied his 20th of the season for the Devils.

Ottawa Senators goaltender Leevi Marilainen made 24 saves for his second shutout in three games in a 2-0 win over the New York Islanders. Adam Gaudette and Artem Zub scored for the Senators, who’ve won three straight and sit one point out of the final Eastern wild-card spot. Marcus Hogberg stopped 25 shots for the Islanders as their three-game win streak is over.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot left this game in the first period after being struck in the face by a shot from Islanders blueliner Adam Pelech. He was ruled out of the rest of this game for precautionary reasons.

Three unanswered third-period goals by Jamie Oleksiak, Eeli Tovanen and Kaapo Kakko lifted the Seattle Kraken over the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2. Philip Tomasino and Bryan Rust scored for the Penguins, who have one win in their last eight (1-4-3).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins activated Evgeni Malkin from injured reserve after missing four games with an upper-body injury and sent winger Jesse Puljujarvi to their AHL affiliate in Wilke-Barre/Scranton. The Penguins also released a statement indicating Malkin’s home was burglarized on Saturday and his three Stanley Cup rings were stolen.

The San Jose Sharks clipped the Detroit Red Wings 6-3, snapping the latter’s seven-game win streak. William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli each had a goal and two assists for the Sharks while Vladimir Tarasenko tallied twice for the Red Wings, who also lost forward Tyler Motte in the second period to an upper-body injury.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: The Boston Bruins revealed their Quarter-Century Team on Tuesday.

Forward Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and Brad Marchand, defensemen Zdeno Chara and Charlie McAvoy, and goaltender Tim Thomas comprised the First Team.

Forwards Joe Thornton, David Pastrnak and Milan Lucic, defensemen Torey Krug and Dennis Seidenberg, and goaltender Tuukka Rask made up the Second Team.

The schedule for the 4 Nations Face-Off and the full team rosters were released on Tuesday. The series will be held from Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston with teams of NHL players from Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States.

Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe was fined $5,000.00 by the department of player safety for slew-footing Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid during Monday’s game between the two teams.

SPORTSNET: Former NHL defenseman Tony DeAngelo’s contract with KHL club SKA Saint Petersburg was terminated for family reasons.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 7, 2025

by | Jan 7, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 7, 2025

Recaps of Monday’s games, the three stars of the week are revealed, injury updates and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING MONDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews scored two goals and added an assist in a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. Mikko Rantanen extended his points streak to 14 games with an empty-net goal as the Avalanche have won seven of their last eight games. Carter Verhaeghe scored for the Panthers (50 points), who remain four points behind the first-place Toronto Maple Leafs in the Atlantic Division.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (NHL Images).

The Buffalo Sabres snapped a three-game losing skid by nipping the Washington Capitals 4-3 on shootout goals by Alex Tuch and JJ Peterka. Tuch also tallied twice and Peterka collected two assists in regulation. Tom Wilson scored two goals for the Capitals and teammate John Carlsson had two assists to become the seventh US-born defenseman to reach 700 regular-season points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals picked up a point to sit two points ahead of the Leafs for first place in the Eastern Conference with 56 points.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 21 saves and Dawson Mercer had a goal and an assist to down the Seattle Kraken 3-2, ending a four-game losing skid. Adam Larsson and Shane Wright replied for the Kraken, who are winless in their last three contests (0-2-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Twelve members of the Kraken’s roster were named to the club’s Quarter-Century Team. That’s not unusual since this franchise has existed since 2021-22. Jordan Eberle, Adam Larsson and Vince Dunn comprise part of their First Team while Matty Beniers, Brandon Montour and Philipp Grubauer are part of the Second Team.

Meanwhile, Devils forward Erik Haula is expected to miss several weeks with a sprained ankle.

An overtime goal by Nick Suzuki capped a three-point night for the Montreal Canadiens captain as he led his team over the Vancouver Canucks 5-4. Lane Hutson also had a goal and two assists and Cole Caufield tallied his 22nd goal of the season for the Canadiens, who’ve won eight of their last 10 and moved into the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 41 points. Canucks center J.T. Miller scored two goals and two assists and Quinn Hughes collected two assists after missing four games with an undisclosed injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens are one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the first wild-card berth but the Lightning hold three games in hand. The Pittsburgh Penguins also have 41 points but have played one more game and have two fewer wins. The Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets are one point back and the Philadelphia Flyers are two points behind.

Hutson leads all rookies this season with 30 points. The Canucks placed forward Dakota Joshua (leg injury) on injured reserve and recalled Jonathan Lekkerimaki, who scored his second goal of the season in this contest.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi, Anaheim Ducks winger Troy Terry, and Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending Jan. 5.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Minnesota Wild placed defenseman Jared Spurgeon (lower body) on injured reserve.

DAILY FACEOFF: Nashville Predators defenseman Jeremy Lauzon is on IR with a lower-body injury.

TORONTO SUN: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe (upper-body injury) was placed on IR. Meanwhile, Leafs forward Max Domi was fined $5,000.00 by the NHL’s department of player safety for elbowing Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway during Sunday’s game between the two clubs.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker was helped off the ice during practice on Monday after suffering an injury to his left leg.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers claimed winger Arthur Kaliyev off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former NHL forward Alex Chiasson announced his retirement. He spent 11 seasons in the league (2012-13 to 2022-23) with the Dallas Stars, Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings, winning a Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2017-18. Chiasson had 120 goals and 113 assists for 233 points in 651 regular-season games and seven points in 37 playoff contests.

ARIZONA INSIDER: Craig Morgan reports that newly elected Maricopa Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Galvin announced the formation of a committee dedicated to bringing the NHL back to the Phoenix Metro Area. The Arizona Coyotes relocated to Utah last spring after their former owner’s plans for a new arena fell through.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL hasn’t given up on returning to Phoenix. However, it will require stable ownership and a new arena in metro Phoenix.

TSN: Former NHL player, coach and executive Al MacNeil passed away at the age of 89. MacNeil played 11 seasons (1955-56 to 1967-68) as a defenseman with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

MacNeil was head coach of the Canadiens for one season, winning the Stanley Cup in 1970-71. He also spent six seasons with their AHL affiliate in Halifax, NS, winning three Calder Cup championships. He also spent three seasons coaching the Atlanta/Calgary Flames (1979-80 to 1981-82) and served as an interim coach with the Flames in 2002-03.

MacNeil also spent stints as the Flames’ assistant general manager and director of player personnel and scouting.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Former NHL forward Dwight Foster passed away at age 67. He spent 10 seasons in the NHL (1977-78 to 1986-87) with the Boston Bruins, Colorado Rockies, New Jersey Devils, and Detroit Red Wings. In 541 games, Foster scored 111 goals and 163 assists for 274 regular-season points and had 17 points in 35 playoff games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to the families, friends, former teammates, and associates of MacNeil and Foster.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 2, 2025

by | Jan 2, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 2, 2025

The Kings defeated the Devils in the first game of the New Year, the three stars and rookie of the month are revealed, plus updates on Auston Matthews, Kirill Kaprizov, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

KINGS SHUT OUT DEVILS

NHL.COM: Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 33 saves to shut out the New Jersey Devils 3-0 in 2025’s first NHL game. Andre Lee’s first-ever NHL goal was also the first goal of the New Year while Quinton Byfield and Adrian Kempe also scored for the Kings, who picked up their eighth straight home victory. Jake Allen stopped 21 shots for the Devils as they dropped their third consecutive game.

Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils (51 points) remain second overall in the Eastern Conference, one point behind the Washington Capitals. The Kings have won three straight and sit second in the Pacific Division with 49 points.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl, and New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom are the NHL’s three stars for December 2024. Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson is the league’s Rookie of the Month for December.

Forwards Shane Doan, Clayton Keller, and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson highlight the Arizona Coyotes’ quarter-century team.

Doan, Keller, Ekman-Larsson, bluliner Keith Yandle and goaltender Mike Smith were part of the Coyotes’ First Team. Hall-of-Famer Jeremy Roenick, forwards Nick Schmaltz and Martin Hanzal, defensemen Teppo Nunminen and Zbynek Michalek and netminder Ilya Bryzgalov formed the Second Team.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is uncertain that his nagging upper-body injury will be sufficiently healed before the end of this season. That could affect Matthews’ participation in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews missed nine games in November and five straight since Dec. 20. He’s resumed skating with his teammates but there’s no timetable for his return to action. I’ll have more about this situation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

PUCKPEDIA: Speaking of the Leafs, they placed defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (lower body) on long-term injury reserve.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (lower body) was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 23.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Marc-Edouard Vlasic has been practicing since mid-November but there’s no timetable for his return. The long-time Sharks defenseman has been sidelined since the beginning of training camp with an upper-back injury.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He’s already missed 13 games this season because of a nagging lower-body injury but it’s uncertain if this injury is related to the previous one.

SPORTSNET: Nashville Predators forward Zachary L’Heureux will have a hearing for his slew-foot of Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon on Tuesday.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers defenseman Zac Jones vented his frustration over being a healthy scratch in four of the last five games. “It f***ing sucks,” said Jones, adding that he felt like he was “rotting away a little bit.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jones’ remarks could lead to him getting traded if the Rangers become sellers by the March 7 trade deadline.

COLORADO AVALANCHE: placed defenseman Oliver Kylington on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 27.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former NHL superstar Jaromir Jagr will need dental work after losing several teeth in a recent game for Rytiri Kladno against Mountfield HK in the Czech Extraliga. Jagr, 52, also had two assists as Kladno won the game 4-2.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 22, 2024

by | Oct 22, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 22, 2024

The Leafs down the Lightning, the latest on Panthers center Anton Lundell and Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, and injury updates on Anthony Duclair, Alexis Lafreniere and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 in the only NHL game on Monday. William Nylander scored twice and collected an assist, Auston Matthews scored for the third straight game and Anthony Stolarz made 32 saves for the Leafs. Nick Paul and Brayden Point replied for the Lightning, who pulled goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy after he gave up four goals on 14 shots.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards reports Panthers center Anton Lundell is gaining more recognition for his two-way play. He’s performed well filling in for sidelined captain Aleksander Barkov on the Panthers’ first-line centering Sam Reinhart and Eetu Luostarinen.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lundell started drawing attention around the league during the Panthers’ run to the Stanley Cup last spring, earning the nickname “Baby Barkov”. The 23-year-old is off to a hot start this season, sitting second in team scoring with eight points in seven games.

Lundell will move out of that first-line role when Barkov returns but he’s shown that he can handle top-line minutes when required.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Lane Hutson is settling in well with the Canadiens. The 20-year-old defenseman has four assists in his first six games while averaging over 23 minutes of ice time per game, including over 30 minutes during the Canadiens’ 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hutson began this season among the favorites to win the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year. It remains to be seen how the rest of his season pans out but he’s off to a good start, drawing positive reviews from his coaches, teammates and Canadiens fans for his creativity and puck-possession skills.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said winger Anthony Duclair will be sidelined for a while. He injured his right leg during Saturday’s game against the Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lamoriello also said the injury won’t end Duclair’s season. Nevertheless, his absence will deplete the Isles’ popgun offense.

Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere missed practice on Monday with an upper-body injury but skated on his own after the session ended. He’s listed as day-to-day and isn’t expected to miss much time.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks GM Mike Grier said Macklin Celebrini is expected to be out for at least two more weeks as he recovers from a hip injury. The 18-year-old rookie center suffered the injury during training camp but played in the Sharks’ season opener on Oct. 10.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Grier indicated that Celebrini’s injury was an off-and-on issue, adding the youngster claimed he felt great in the lead-up to their season opener.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Kraken placed defenseman Vince Dunn (upper body) on long-term injury reserve retroactive to Oct. 17. The earliest he can return to action is Nov. 12.

OTTAWA SUN: Goaltender Linus Ullmark (strain) and center Ridly Greig (upper-body injury) are expected to return to action in Tuesday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils sent defenseman Seamus Casey to their AHL affiliate in Utica after eight games. Head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated the return of sidelined defensemen Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce is imminent.

DAILY FACEOFF: Vegas Golden Knights winger Victor Olofsson is week-to-week with a lower-body injury suffered during last Tuesday’s game against the Washington Capitals.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan Kennedy reports a source told him the next NHL collective bargaining agreement could include a rule permitting AHL eligibility for 19-year-old Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players.

Under the current CBA, CHL-eligible players must be 20 years old by Dec. 31 of the select calendar year or have played four years of Junior A hockey to become eligible for pro hockey in the AHL. Unless 18- and 19-year-old players play more than nine NHL games, they must return to their CHL team, which retains their rights until age 20.