NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 27, 2021

by | Jul 27, 2021

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 27, 2021

The Panthers re-sign Sam Bennett and trade Anton Stralman to the Coyotes, the Jets re-sign Paul Stastny and acquire Brenden Dillion from the Capitals, the Golden Knights close to re-signing Alec Martinez and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Florida Panthers were busy on Monday. They signed forward Sam Bennett to a four-year deal worth an annual average value of $4.4 million. The club also traded defensemen Anton Stralman and Vladislav Kolyachonok plus a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft in exchange for a seventh-round pick in 2023.

The Florida Panthers re-sign forward Sam Bennett to a four-year deal (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not surprising the Panthers re-signed Bennett. Slated to become a restricted free agent on July 28, the 25-year-old netted 15 points in his first 10 regular-season games after being acquired at the trade deadline from Calgary. He also had five points in as many playoff games. Bennett should be a key part of their top-two forward lines.

The Stralman trade was a straightforward salary dump by the Panthers. He had a year remaining on his contract worth an annual average value of $5.5 million. The 35-year-old blueliner reportedly had to be convinced to waive his modified no-trade to go to Arizona. He’ll likely become a bargaining chip at next season’s trade deadline if the rebuilding Coyotes are out of playoff contention by then.

WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets also had a busy day, re-signing center Paul Stastny to a one-year, $3.75 million contract and acquiring defenseman Brenden Dillon from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a second-round pick in 2022 and a second-rounder in 2023.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stastny isn’t the offensive talent he once was. Nevertheless, the 35-year-old should be an affordable short-term answer to their need for a second-line center while management seeks a long-term solution. Dillon will help address a glaring need for reliable stay-at-home depth on their blueline, though the cost of two second-rounders seems a little high.

The Capitals, meanwhile, freed up $3.9 million in annual cap space for the next three seasons. They now have over $12 million in cap room if they call up Martin Fehervary as expected for next season. That gives them some additional wiggle room to re-sign Alex Ovechkin and goaltender Ilya Samsonov.

LAS VEGAS SUN: The Vegas Golden Knights are reportedly close to signing Alec Martinez to a three-year contract extension. The 35-year-old defenseman would receive an annual cap hit close to $5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Martinez proved his worth to the Golden Knights this season, especially in the playoffs where he was their best all-around blueliner. The contract is a bit long for a shot-blocking rearguard of his age but that seems the price the Golden Knights are willing to pay to remain in Stanley Cup contention.

That signing could push them over the $81.5 million salary cap. They could make a cost-cutting trade before the start of next season involving Marc-Andre Fleury or Robin Lehner.

ARIZONA SPORTS: The Coyotes expected to sign forward Dmitrij Jaskin to a one-year, $3.2 million contract. The 29-year-old spent seven seasons with the St. Louis Blues and Washington Capitals before spending the past two seasons playing for the KHL’s Moscow Dynamo.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Coyotes have been everyone’s favorite dumping ground for unwanted contracts this summer. General manager Bill Armstrong has been clearing up long-term cap space while restocking with draft picks and prospects.

Most of the contracts he’s taken on have only a year or two remaining, with most belonging to still-serviceable players who could become trade bait to playoff contenders later next season. He also did a great job shedding Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s hefty contract by shipping that off to Vancouver during the recent NHL draft.

THE SCORE: Several notable restricted free agents didn’t receive qualifying offers at yesterday’s deadline. Among them were Boston’s Nick Ritchie, Chicago’s Pius Suter, Edmonton’s Dominik Kahun and Anaheim’s Danton Heinen. They are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 28.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Just because they didn’t get qualifying offers doesn’t mean they can’t re-sign with their now-former teams. Sometimes teams don’t offer a QO because they want to sign those players to a more affordable contract. That’s what the Blackhawks did with Adam Gaudette, inking him to a one-year deal worth just over $997K.

TORONTO STAR: Defenseman Zach Bogosian won’t be back with the Maple Leafs. He’s likely headed to an American market via free agency on July 28.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers are expected to sign Patrik Nemeth when free agency opens tomorrow. The Colorado Avalanche allowed the pending UFA defenseman to speak with other teams.

TSN: The New Jersey Devils traded forward Nick Merkley to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Christian Jaros. The Devils signed Jaros to a one-year, two-way contract.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: The Flyers re-signed defenseman Sam Morin to a one-year, $750K contract.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan is expected to be named head coach of the United States’ Men’s hockey team for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 22, 2019

by | Aug 22, 2019

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 22, 2019

The Wild hire Bill Guerin as their new general manager, the Senators re-sign Colin White, the Islanders sign Derick Brassard and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

TWINCITIES.COM: The Minnesota Wild yesterday named Bill Guerin as their new general manager. Guerin spent 18 seasons as an NHL player and the past decade as an executive with the Pittsburgh Penguins, including the past five years as assistant GM.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild hope Guerin, a proven winner as a player and in management, can right the ship and change the culture after they missed the playoffs last season. He didn’t waste any time getting started, re-signing forward Joel Eriksson Ek to a two-year, $2.975-million contract.

Guerin must also re-sign restricted free agent winger Kevin Fiala. He must decide if defenseman Jared Spurgeon still has a future with the Wild as he enters the final season of his contract.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators yesterday re-signed center Colin White to a six-year, $28.75-million contract. Cap Friendly indicates the annual average value is $4.75 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Ottawa Senators re-sign center Colin White to a six-year contract (Photo via NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: White is considered a core player for the rebuilding Senators. The 22-year-old played 23 games between 2016-17 and 2017-18. Last season was his first full NHL campaign and he didn’t disappointed, tallying 41 points in 71 games to finish fifth among NHL rookies.

A swift, versatile two-way forward, White should prove worthy of his new contract over the next six years. Given his upside, this deal could turn into a bargain for the Sens.

NEW YORK POST: The New York Islanders yesterday signed center Derick Brassard to a one-year, $1.2-million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: So much for recent speculation claiming Brassard was on the verge of joining the Edmonton Oilers. The Isles hope the 31-year-old will provide some much-needed depth at center on their bottom-six.

MILE HIGH HOCKEY: (stick tap to Shawn Lamba) cites a report out of Finland indicating Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen “is set to travel to Hamar, Norway next week to begin training with Storhamar of the GET league.” Rantanen reportedly intends to keep his options open if a new contract with the Avalanche isn’t in place when training camp opens next month. Meanwhile, Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston believes a new contract with the Avs isn’t far off.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The site reports Rantanen is believed seeking an annual average value in the range of $10 million. There’s also speculation he could get a four-year deal worth around $9 million per season. We’ll find out soon enough when Rantanen is signed and for how much for how long.

TSN: cites The Columbus Dispatch’s Brian Hedger reporting Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski seeks a three-year contract with an annual salary-cap hit around $5 million.

Hedger also said he’s heard Philadelphia Flyers blueliner Ivan Provorov’s camp has asked for $10 million per season, likely on a long-term contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Werenski probably thinks he’s not going to get more than Seth Jones’ $5.4 million AAV as Jones is a better all-around rearguard. As for Provorov, I’ll be stunned if the Flyers pay him $10 million annually. He’s a talented defenseman yet to reach his full potential but he’s not worth that much.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes are still awaiting word from winger Justin Williams if he’ll return for another season. GM Don Waddell said he doesn’t want to set a deadline for Williams to reach a decision but noted time is getting short. Williams, meanwhile, is visiting family in Northern Ontario and has “nothing to report.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wouldn’t surprise me if Williams makes his decision following the Labor Day weekend.

TSN: Former Washington Capitals winger Dmitrij Jaskin is expected to sign with the KHL’s Moscow Dynamo.

SPORTING NEWS: Mark Pavelich, a member of the 1980 USA “Miracle on Ice” team and a former NHL player, was arrested Monday for reportedly attacking a neighbor with a metal pole following a fishing trip.

The charges include “second- and third-degree assault, possession of an illegal shotgun and possessing a gun with a scratched off serial number.” Pavelich was ordered by a Minnesota judge to undergo a mental evaluation before standing trial.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 3, 2018

by | Oct 3, 2018

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 3, 2018

The 2018-19 NHL regular season opens tonight. Check out the latest contract signings, waiver news and more in your NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: The Washington Capitals will raise their 2018 Stanley Cup banner before their season-opener against the Boston Bruins as the curtain rises tonight on the NHL’s 2018-19 regular season.

TSN.CA: The city of Seattle is one vote away from getting an NHL expansion franchise after the league’s executive committee unanimously recommended to proceed with the city’s bid. It will be put toward a full Board of Governors vote on Dec. 3.

San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton’s lengthy beard is history (Photo via NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The BoG vote is merely a formality. For all intent and purpose, Seattle will become the NHL’s 32nd franchise. 

NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton had his lengthy beard shaved off by teammate Brent Burns during a season-opening party. Thornton had been growing the beard since 2015-16. 

THE SCORE: Detroit Red Wings defenseman Mike Green could be sidelined at least a month as he continues to recover from a liver virus.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Anaheim Ducks forward Ondrej Kase is out indefinitely due to a concussion suffered during a preseason game last Saturday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Another blow for the injury-ravaged Ducks. Kase joins Corey Perry (knee surgery) and Ryan Kesler (offseason hip surgery) among their regulars currently on injured reserve. 

LAS VEGAS SUN: The Golden Knights placed winger Alex Tuch (ankle) on injured reserve. He’s not expected to be sidelined for long.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens forward Jacob de la Rose suffered a cardiac incident during a recent preseason game and hasn’t been cleared by team doctors to travel with the club to Toronto for tonight’s game against the Leafs. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Coach Claude Julien said the move was a precautionary one as de la Rose’s condition isn’t considered to be serious. 

SPORTSDAY: Dallas Stars defenseman Stephen Johns is coping with post-concussion symptoms. 

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers yesterday signed defenseman Jason Garrison and forward Alex Chiasson to one-year contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE:Cap Friendly indicates both players are each worth $650K.

SPORTSNET: The Toronto Maple Leafs lost two goaltenders via waivers yesterday. The Philadelphia Flyers claimed Calvin Pickard while the Carolina Hurricanes picked up Curtis McElhinney.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both clubs have goalies currently on the sidelines. The Flyers have Michal Neuvirth (undisclosed) and Alex Lyon (lower body) are on injured reserve while Hurricanes starter Scott Darling is out two weeks with a lower-body injury. 

NBC SPORTS WASHINGTON: Anticipating a lengthy suspension for right wing Tom Wilson, the Capitals claimed forward Dmitrij Jaskin off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.

THE PROVINCE:  The Vancouver Canucks have loaned forward Sam Gagner to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. The move was made to put Gagner closer to his family. The Canucks retain the right to recall him at any time.

COURIER-POST: The Flyers placed Dale Weise and Taylor Leier on waivers.

STARTRIBUNE.COM: The Minnesota Wild put defenseman Gustav Olofsson on waivers.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON’s Joe Haggerty reports the Bruins will keep forward Lee Stempniak on tryout basis for the time being. He’ll continue practicing with the club as he hopes a roster spot will open up for him soon.

 











NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 8, 2018

by | Jul 8, 2018

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 8, 2018

Updates on Alex Ovechkin and Mathew Barzal plus the latest notable free-agent signings in your NHL morning coffee headlines. 

NBC SPORTS:  Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin dazzled Moscow during his day with the Stanley Cup. He shared a moment with the Cup with his father, who held it for the first time. Ovechkin also skated a few laps with the big mug at his old arena and took it to the World Cup Fanfest. 

NEWSDAY: With John Tavares gone to Toronto, Mathew Barzal becomes the new face of the New York Islanders. Barzal, 21, won the Calder Trophy as the 2018 rookie of the year. 

Mathew Barzal will be expected to replace the departed John Tavares as the New York Islanders’ franchise player (Photo via NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barzal has big skates to fill and will face tremendous pressure entering his sophomore campaign. This will be the biggest challenge of his young NHL career. 

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Vegas Golden Knights re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Colin Miller to a four-year, $15.5-million contract. The 25-year-old Miller led all Golden Knights blueliners in goals (10) and points (41) last season. 

STLTODAY.COM: The St. Louis Blues avoided arbitration with forward Dmitrij Jaskin as they reached agreement on a one-year, $1.1-million contract. 

NBC SPORTS: The San Jose Sharks signed defenseman Dylan DeMelo to a two-year, $1.8-million deal. Last month, the Sharks didn’t issue DeMelo a qualifying offer. 

PHILLY.COM: The Philadelphia Flyers avoided arbitration with goaltender Alex Lyon by re-signing him to a two-year contract worth $750K per season.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Hall-of-Famer Teemu Selanne has put his Coto de Caza estate up for sale, seeking $6.9 million. 

 











Latest Blues & Predators Speculation – September 25, 2017

by | Sep 25, 2017

Latest Blues & Predators Speculation – September 25, 2017

St. Louis Blues probably won’t get into the bidding for Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene.

A look at possible moves by the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators in your NHL rumor mill. 

STLTODAY.COM: Replying to questions from his readers, Jeff Gordon believes finding a No.1 center for the St. Louis Blues will be difficult this season. That’s why Blues general manager Doug Armstrong hopes Brayden Schenn can play at that position. If he can’t, Gordon thinks Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene would be a great fit but salary-cap space and the Avs asking price are two big obstacles.  Regarding Dmitrij Jaskin, Gordon suggests he could get dealt for a draft pick if he doesn’t find a higher gear soon. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues haven’t come up as a possible destination for Duchene, likely for the reasons cited by Gordon. With only $1.55 million in cap space entering this season, the Blues would have to move considerable salary to clear space for Duchene’s $6 million cap hit. If Schenn pans out as hopes and if Paul Stastny can stay healthy, they won’t have any need to pursue Duchene this season.

THE TENNESSEAN: In a recent mailbag segment, Adam Vingan believes defenseman Alexei Emelin will be the odd man out when Ryan Ellis reclaims his top-four spot on the Nashville Predators’ blueline. Ellis is currently sidelined by a knee injury. His return will push Emelin to the third pairing and he could become a trade chip if the Predators need something else. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Emelin is eligible next July for unrestricted free agency. Depending on how this season shakes out, he could get shopped by the Feb. 26 trade deadline if there’s another short-term roster need to be addressed. Otherwise, the Preds will keep him for another shot at reaching the Stanley Cup Final

 











NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 15, 2017

by | Mar 15, 2017

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 15, 2017

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane beats Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price. The Hawks downed the Habs 4-2.

Game recaps, playoff race update and more in your NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: Patrick Kane scored a goal and set up two others as the Chicago Blackhawks doubled up the Montreal Canadiens 4-2. The win vaults the Blackhawks into first place in the Central Division and atop the Western Conference standings. Kane is also tied with Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid atop the NHL scoring race with 76 points.

It was a costly win for the Hawks, as center Artem Anisimov is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.  Meanwhile, Montreal’s Carey Price became only the third goaltender in Canadiens history to play 500 games, joining Patrick Roy (551) and Jacques Plante (556). 

Alex Ovechkin scored to snap a 10-game scoreless drought and Nicklas Backstrom had three assists as the Washington Capitals downed the Minnesota Wild 4-2. It’s the Wild’s fifth loss in their last seven games, costing them top spot in the Central Division and the Western Conference. 

John Tavares’ overtime goal as the New York Islanders overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2. Isles rookie Joshua Ho-Sang scored a goal and set up Tavares’ game winner. 

Victor Hedman’s overtime goal lifted the Tampa Bay Lightning to their fourth straight win by edging the Ottawa Senators 2-1. With the win, the Bolts move past the Toronto Maple Leafs into a tie with the Islanders for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Senators did pick up a point, moving within one of the Canadiens for first in the Atlantic Division. 

Jonathan Marchessault scored twice and Thomas Vanek collected four assists as the Florida Panthers thumped the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-2. The loss leaves the Leafs one point out of the final wild-card spot in the East. 

Anthony DeAngelo scored in the 11th round of a shootout as the Arizona Coyotes edged the Los Angeles Kings 3-2, leaving the Kings four points behind the St. Louis Blues for the final wild-card spot in the West. 

Joe Pavelski’s two goals powered the San Jose Sharks to a 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. The Sharks now sit two points behind the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks. 

Patrick Maroon tallied a goal and set up another while Milan Lucic, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Kassian each collected two assists as the Edmonton Oilers crushed the Dallas Stars 7-1. The Oilers hold the first wild-card spot in the West. 

Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg yesterday donated more than 2,500 smoke detectors to local fire department representatives in Michigan. 

Last night’s game between the Winnipeg Jets and New Jersey Devils was postponed due to a snowstorm. The game was rescheduled for March 28. 

STLTODAY.COM: St. Louis Blues forward Dmitrij Jaskin will miss tonight’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.