NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 18, 2024

by | Sep 18, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 18, 2024

The Stars re-sign Esa Lindell and Thomas Harley, Canucks forward Dakota Joshua reveals testicular cancer diagnosis, plus other notable signings and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars signed defenseman Esa Lindell to a five-year contract extension with an average annual value of $5.25 million. They also signed a two-year contract with blueliner Thomas Harley with a $4 million AAV.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindell and Harley are among the Stars’ top three blueliners along with Miro Heiskanen.

Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (NHL Images).

Lindell, 30, was slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He’s taking a pay cut on his next deal as his current AAV is $5.8 million. His new deal comes with a full no-trade clause in the first three years and a 20-team no-trade list in the final two years. He also gets signing bonuses during the first three years.

Harley, 23, is coming off his entry-level contract. He’s accepting a bridge deal but his next contract will likely be longer and more lucrative. He enjoyed a breakout performance in 2023-24, tallying 47 points in 79 games.

THE PROVINCE: Canucks forward Dakota Joshua revealed he was diagnosed with testicular cancer during the summer. The tumor was successfully removed and the 28-year-old is expected to make a full recovery. Joshua hopes to resume playing soon but there is no timeline for his return to the Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Here’s hoping Joshua makes a complete recovery. Testicular cancer is no joke. Thankfully, nearly 100 percent of cases are curable.

Joshua can draw inspiration from Phil Kessel. He was also diagnosed with testicular cancer early in his NHL career. He made a full recovery, going on to become the NHL’s reigning Ironman and a three-time Stanley Cup champion.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Spencer Lazary reports the Los Angeles Kings signed winger Arthur Kaliyev to a one-year contract worth $874, 125.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaliyev, 23, reportedly requested a trade after the Kings were eliminated from the opening round of the 2024 NHL Playoffs. However, he was completing his entry-level contract and had little leverage to force a trade.

BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: The Sabres signed restricted free-agent forward Peyton Krebs to a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.45 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Krebs was another player coming off his entry-level contract. He was part of the trade that sent Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights in November 2021. The young forward has struggled to establish himself with the Sabres, relegated to fourth-line duty last season.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers general manager Daniel Briere hopes goaltender Alexei Kolosov changes his mind and returns to the club from Belarus. Until then, Briere said the club is moving on.

Kolosov, 22, is under an entry-level contract with the Flyers. They’re unwilling to loan him back to KHL club Dinamo Minsk, who have also moved on and carry three goalies on their roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report claims Kolosov wanted assurances of a guaranteed roster spot with the Flyers. That won’t happen with Samuel Ersson and Ivan Fedotov as their tandem for this season. Given his contract status, Kolosov has no choice but to return to the Flyers if he wants to keep playing this season.

TSN: The Toronto Maple Leafs signed goaltender Jon Gillies to a professional tryout offer (PTO). Gillies, 30, last played in 2022-23, splitting time between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers agreed with Broward County on a lease extension for Amerant Bank Arena that could keep the club in Sunrise through 2043.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report indicated this deal should end rumors of the Panthers looking into constructing a new arena closer to Ft. Lauderdale. It also noted that potential new development around their current venue would likely keep them there.

SPORTSNET: Alexander Edler will sign a one-day contract to officially retire from the NHL as a member of the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 11. The 38-year-old defenseman spent 15 of his 17 NHL seasons with the Canucks, becoming a key part of their blueline and helping them reach the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.

Edler played in 1,030 career regular-season games with the Canucks and Los Angeles Kings from 2006-07 to 2022-23, finishing with 104 goals and 335 assists for 439 points. He also had 40 points in 93 playoff contests.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former NHL forward Tyler Ennis announced his retirement on Tuesday. Ennis, 34, played 13 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers from 2009-10 to 2021-22. He spent the last two seasons playing in Europe.

Ennis played 700 career regular-season games in the NHL, scoring 144 goals and 202 assists for 346 points. He also collected 12 points in 24 postseason games.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Former NHL blueliner Chris Wideman also retired on Tuesday. The 34-year-old spent six seasons in the NHL from 2015-16 to 2022-23, finishing with 20 goals and 78 points in 291 regular-season games along with 4 points in 15 playoff contests.

SPORTSNET: The Edmonton Oilers and assistant GM Brad Holland mutually agreed to part company. He’d been in that role since 2022-23. Holland is the son of former Oilers GM Ken Holland.

TSN: The Washington Capitals will wear their black “screaming eagle” jersey for six games in 2024-25.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 17, 2024

by | Sep 17, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 17, 2024

Updates on Cole Perfetti, Alexei Kolosov and Dawson Mercer plus some recent Sabres speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TIDBITS FROM FRIEDMAN’S LATEST “32 THOUGHTS”.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports one executive told him negotiations between the Winnipeg Jets and restricted free agent Cole Perfetti are “the politest in recent memory.”

Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti (NHL Images).

Perfetti has represented the Jets in some recent NHL/team events, saying he’s not unhappy in Winnipeg and wants to stay. Sources told Friedman that Shane Pinto’s contract with the Ottawa Senators is challenging for the Jets. The two players have similar career numbers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pinto is entering the first season of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.75 million.

The Philadelphia Flyers are trying to determine what to do with Alexei Kolosov. The 22-year-old Belarussian goaltender did not report to training camp and remains in Russia.

Friedman said teams that inquired about Kolosov were told the asking price is a second-round draft pick. They must also figure out if the young netminder will join them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kolosov’s apparent reluctance to leave home is likely the bigger sticking point. Some teams in desperate need of goalie depth would probably part with a second-rounder for him.

Friedman is sticking to his prediction of Dawson Mercer getting a bridge contract from the New Jersey Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mercer is coming off his entry-level contract. He has no leverage other than not reporting to training camp, which won’t do him or the Devils any good.

COULD THE SABRES STILL PURSUE A TOP-SIX FORWARD?

THE ATHLETIC: A reader asked Matthew Fairburn if he felt it was still possible for the Buffalo Sabres to make a big trade for a top-six forward to replace the departed Jeff Skinner. They possess the cap space and prospect depth to swing a deal this season.

Fairburn believes it’s still possible but noted it might not take place until later in the season. He suggested Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers as a trade target, noting he’s in the final season of his contract and the Jets must decide if they’ll keep or trade him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers, 28, was the subject of trade speculation earlier this offseason but that died away as general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and head coach Scott Arniel praised his performance.

Despite that praise, Cheveldayoff hasn’t committed to signing Ehlers to an extension. The winger’s future in Winnipeg could depend on him and his teammates this season. He could become available if the Jets drop out of the playoff race by the March 7 trade deadline. Whether the Sabres will be interested in him will depend on where they are in the standings by that point.










NHL Headlines and Rumors – September 14, 2024

by | Sep 14, 2024

NHL Headlines and Rumors – September 14, 2024

Check out the latest on Ilya Sorokin, Phil Kessel, the latest Flyers speculation, and more in today’s NHL Headlines and Rumors.

DAILY FACEOFF: New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said Ilya Sorokin suffered an injury during offseason training. The 29-year-old goaltender is skating and could miss the first couple of days of training camp. Lamoriello doesn’t believe Sorokin’s ailment will keep him out of the lineup for the regular season.

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported last week that Sorokin was dealing with something. We’ll likely learn more about his status following his training camp medical next week.

NEW YORK POST: Speaking of the Islanders, they’ve invited winger Matt Martin to training camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Martin, 35, spent 13 of his 15 NHL seasons with the Islanders.

SPORTSNET: Phil Kessel isn’t ready to hang up his skates. Elliotte Friedman reports the 36-year-old winger still hopes for another NHL opportunity. The league’s reigning Ironman’s last NHL game was an Apr. 13, 2023 playoff contest with the Vegas Golden Knights.

The report suggests interest in Kessel among NHL clubs is lacking given his age and that he missed all of last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maybe someone will take a chance on Kessel with a PTO but it’s unlikely that he’ll land a job at this stage.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen won’t be a full participant when training camp opens next week. The 29-year-old had shoulder surgery during the offseason and there’s no timetable for his return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avs were already facing the start of the season without Valeri Nichushkin as he’s in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and remains suspended until mid-November. Team captain Gabriel Landeskog hopes to stage a comeback from knee surgeries but his status remains uncertain.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers hired Wayne Simmonds as a community relations ambassador and hockey operations consultant. Simmonds, 36, spent nearly eight seasons with the Flyers, scoring 203 goals and 175 assists for 378 points in 584 games.

THE ATHLETIC: Speaking of the Flyers, Kevin Kurz believes forward Joel Farabee will be in the spotlight early on this season. The 24-year-old forward struggled last season and Kurz doesn’t have him pencilled in among their top-six forwards.

Training camp will determine how things shake out. Kurz suggests Farabee and his $5 million average annual value through 2026-27 could hit the trade block if the Flyers try to free up cap space for next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Farabee sometimes popped up in last season’s rumor mill due to his inconsistent production. This season could determine if he has a future in Philadelphia beyond this season.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Rob Couch suggests Flyers prospect goaltender Alexei Kolosov could be a good option for the Nashville Predators to replace the departed Yaroslav Askarov, who was traded last month to the San Jose Sharks.

Kolosov, 22, is not attending Flyers training camp despite being on an entry-level contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed the Flyers will toll Kolosov’s contract a year if he stays in Europe this season. However, they might be willing to entertain trade offers for him.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs performance coach Greg Harden passed away Thursday from complications due to surgery. He was 75.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Harden’s family, friends and the Leafs organization.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 10, 2024

by | Sep 10, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 10, 2024

The Blue Jackets, Flames, and NHL dignitaries pay respects to the Gaudreaus, Sidney Crosby is optimistic he’ll get a new contract with the Penguins, the latest on the Senators, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames and the NHL joined the Gaudreau family in memorializing Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau during the funeral for the brothers on Monday in Philadelphia.

An alleged drunk driver killed the brothers while they were riding bicycles on Aug. 29.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau (NHL Images).

Groups from the Blue Jackets and Flames attended the funeral along with NHL dignitaries including league commissioner Gary Bettman and former Blue Jackets Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic. Pallbearers included new Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan and former Blue Jackets Eric Robinson.

Johnny’s wife Meredith revealed she is pregnant with the couple’s third child as she eulogized her late husband.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The tragic, senseless deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau has been a blow to the hockey world, but the grief and pain that their loved ones are going through is unimaginable. Once again, I send my sincere condolences to the Gaudreau family.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Sidney Crosby remains optimistic he’ll have a new contract in place soon with the Penguins.

“I don’t know what day specifically, but it’s been really positive and hasn’t been a difficult process,” said the Penguins captain.

Crosby remains hopeful that the Penguins can be a playoff contender, pointing to the club’s strong finish last season despite missing the cut. He believes they can get over the hump if they can gain consistency in a few areas of their game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The lack of news over the status of Crosby’s contract extension negotiations with the Penguins has sparked rising speculation about his future with the retooling club. His comments on Monday provide some clarity to the issue but no timetable for when a deal could be done.

TSN: Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle denied rumors that his change of agents during the offseason is related to any desire to be traded. “I love being in Ottawa,” he told reporters during the club’s charity golf tournament on Monday.

The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch reports the change is related to marketing opportunities in Europe for the German forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The rebuilding Senators’ difficulties in ending their long postseason drought have some observers wondering how long core players like Stutzle are willing to stick around. That’s why his changing agents gave rise to those trade rumors. Another struggling effort this season will only prompt more questions about their futures in Ottawa.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Senators, Thomas Chabot admitted a wrist issue hampered him for the past two seasons. The 27-year-old defenseman said he took care of it during the offseason and is fully healthy for the coming season. He appeared in just 51 games last season. Injuries have prevented Chabot from playing a full season during his seven-year NHL career.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A healthy Chabot will be crucial to the Senators’ playoff hopes this season.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks center Brock Boeser will be taking preventative measures to prevent another blood-clotting issue like the one that caused him to miss Game 7 of his club’s second-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers last spring.

Boeser is now off blood thinners and has resumed contact training. His condition will be carefully monitored, including getting up and moving every hour during flights rather than sleeping and wearing compression socks.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports the Seattle Kraken are close to signing Adam Larsson to a four-year contract extension worth between $5 million and $6 million. The 31-year-old defenseman is in the final season of a four-year, $16 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the AAV on Larsson’s extension will be $5.25 million. It’s expected to be announced on Tuesday.

NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW/THE TENNESSEAN: The Predators signed forward Juuso Parssinen to a one-year, one-way contract worth $775K. They also signed defenseman Marc Del Gaizo to a one-year, two-way deal.

DAILY FACEOFF: Goaltender Alexei Kolosov is not expected to attend Philadelphia Flyers training camp. If so, his contract will likely be tolled forward to allow the Flyers to retain Kolosov’s rights at the same details and pay.

TSN: Mike Gartner will succeed Lanny McDonald as Chairman of the Board for the Hockey Hall of Fame after McDonald’s 10-year term limit next June.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 28, 2024

by | Jul 28, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 28, 2024

Kings GM Rob Blake is on the hot seat, questions linger over Jeff Marek’s departure from Sportsnet, Oilers captain Connor McDavid ties the knot, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes Los Angeles Kings general manager Rob Blake is under huge pressure to produce real postseason success for his club. The Kings qualified for the playoffs during the last three seasons but were eliminated from the opening rounds by the Edmonton Oilers.

Los Angeles Kings general manager Rob Blake (NHL Images).

Entering his eighth season as Kings GM, Blake must assemble a roster that can do damage in the playoffs or risk losing his job. He’s brought in good players like Phillip Danault, Kevin Fiala and Quinton Byfield. However, the mistakes are piling up, including his ill-fated acquisition last summer of Pierre-Luc Dubois, who was traded in June to Washington.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blake’s recent moves have observers ranking the Kings among this offseason’s losers. The coming season will determine if those assessments are correct, which could spell the end of Blake’s tenure as general manager.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Steve Warne noted the recent confirmation from broadcaster Jeff Marek of his departure from Sportsnet after 13 seasons. However, questions remain as to why he and the network parted ways.

Marek worked the opening day of the 2024 NHL Draft, interviewing the first-rounders after they were selected, then returned home on a red-eye flight, leaving Elliotte Friedman to host their popular “32 Thoughts” solo, which was pre-planned.

Friedman indicated during that episode that he and Marek would do their final episode of the season following the start of the July 1 free-agent market. That episode never occurred and Marek was silent until this past Friday, when he confirmed his departure from Sportsnet.

No one is saying what led to Marek’s departure. An early report claimed the split was due to “unconfirmed draft reasons”, creating speculation that something happened during the draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s unusual for a popular broadcaster like Marek to suddenly disappear from the airwaves with no explanation for weeks. Naturally, the speculation was going to grow the longer he was absent. He indicated on Friday that there was more to come about his plans. Maybe then he’ll share details about his departure from Sportsnet.

CTV EDMONTON: Oilers captain Connor McDavid married long-time girlfriend Lauren Kyle on Saturday in Ontario.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the happy couple. May they enjoy a long and joyful life together.

TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed forward Kent Johnson to a three-year, $5.4 million contract with an average annual value of $1.8 million. Johnson, 21, was selected fifth overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2021 NHL Draft. He has 22 goals and 37 assists in 130 career NHL games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnson had a promising rookie season in 2022-23 with 16 goals and 40 points in 79 games. However, he struggled last season under head coach Pascal Vincent and split the season between the Blue Jackets and their AHL affiliate in Cleveland before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in March.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers goaltending prospect Alexei Kolosov told the club he didn’t want to return to North America after they saddled the Belarussian in a hotel in Allentown, Pennsylvania for a month during his sting with their AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley.

Kolosov saw action in only two AHL games. He was otherwise left to himself in the hotel and felt isolated partly because of his limited English. The young netminder was not paired with or surrounded by anyone he could communicate with on a meaningful level.

Flyers GM Daniel Briere acknowledged the issue during an interview last month. He indicated the Flyers had no Russian-speaking players with their AHL affiliate and regretted that the youngster had no friends or loved ones with him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers will probably chide Kolosov over this but put yourself in his shoes. He comes to the United States for the first time, speaks little English and knows no one. The club provides little support and he’s pretty much left to fend for himself when he’s not at the rink. The culture shock can be intimidating for a young person. No wonder he’s having second thoughts about pursuing an NHL career.

The report points out it was an “incredibly short-sighted move” by the Flyers, especially considering how quickly Ivan Fedotov joined the club last April, where he had a couple of Russian teammates to lean on.

Kolosov skipped attending the Flyers’ recent development camp, creating an uncertain situation regarding his status for this season.