NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 3, 2024

by | Oct 3, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 3, 2024

Recapping Wednesday’s preseason action, injury updates, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF WEDNESDAY’S NHL PRESEASON GAMES

NHL.COM: Four first-period goals powered the Nashville Predators to a 6-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Jonathan Marchessault tallied twice for the Predators while rookie forward Felix Unger Sorum had a goal and two assists for the Hurricanes.

Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes raised nearly $300K from ticket revenue, donations, and a silent auction from the sellout crowd which will be used for Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

The Florida Panthers nipped the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on an overtime goal by Sandis Vilmanis. Spencer Knight made 26 saves for the Panthers. Nikita Kucherov scored for the Lightning.

Winnipeg Jets winger Nino Niederreiter scored two goals and Gabriel Vilardi collected three assists in a 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames. Niederreiter snapped a 2-2 tie with 6:38 remaining in the third period. Dustin Wolf stopped 22 shots for the Flames.

The Seattle Kraken thumped the Edmonton Oilers 6-2. Shane Wright scored twice and Philipp Grubauer made 28 saves for the Kraken. Leon Draisaitl scored and picked up an assist and Darnell Nurse logged 22:17 of ice time in his preseason debut. Nurse has been dealing with an undisclosed injury since the Stanley Cup Final in June.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kraken winger Jared McCann was a late scratch with a lower-body injury. Head coach Dan Bylsma listed him as day-to-day.

Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson had a goal and two assists in a 5-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. Lukas Dostal kicked out 35 shots for the Ducks. Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka stopped 32 shots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Utah defenseman John Marino will miss the club’s season opener with an upper-body injury. He’s missed all of training camp and preseason dealing with this ailment.

HEADLINES

OTTAWA SUN: Senators forwards Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle and defenseman Thomas Chabot are all okay after leaving Tuesday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens with injuries. Meanwhile, Carter Yakemchuk is making the case to start this season with the Senators. The 19-year-old defenseman is their leading scorer in this preseason with five points, including two goals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators can keep Yakemchuk in their lineup for up to 10 regular-season games without using up the first year of his entry-level contract. He was chosen seventh overall in this year’s NHL draft.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Sharks and their fans are breathing a sigh of relief after Macklin Celebrini was listed as day-to-day after crashing hard into the boards during Tuesday’s game against Utah. The 18-year-old center was chosen first overall in this year’s draft.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE/CBS SPORTS: Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Winger Blake Lizotte is out indefinitely with a concussion after being struck by a puck during last Sunday’s preseason game against Ottawa.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk looks forward to a healthy season after nursing ankle and shoulder injuries that limited him to 60 games in 2023-24.

SPORTSNET/THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks forward Pius Suter is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. They also lost goaltender Jiri Patera off waivers yesterday to the Boston Bruins.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Washington Capitals could keep promising prospect Andrew Cristall on their roster for the opening games of this season. The 19-year-old had a strong training camp and performed well in preseason action.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings released forward Alex Chiasson from his professional tryout offer.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury didn’t play in his club’s preseason home game on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Nevertheless, he still found a way to get on the ice, pranking his teammates by disguising himself as an ice crew member and chirping the Wild bench during a TV timeout.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Admit it, folks, we’ll miss Fleury when he retires at the end of this season.










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 Rumor Mill – August 20, 2024

by | Aug 20, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 20, 2024

A look at potential trade destinations for Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tony Ferrari listed five NHL trade destinations for Yaroslav Askarov.

The 22-year-old Nashville Predators goalie prospect informed the club he wouldn’t report to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee and requested a trade.

Ferrari noted Askarov may no longer fit in the Predators’ plans after they signed starting goalie Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract extension.

Nashville Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (NHL Images).

He suggested the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and the Utah Hockey Club as possible trade destinations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored teams inquired about Askarkov leading up to the NHL Draft in late June. Those clubs could revisit their interest, though his reluctance to return to the AHL could dampen their enthusiasm if they see him as a future piece rather than an immediate member of a goalie tandem.

Askarov has potential as a future NHL starter. He and his agent believe he’s ready to challenge for that role. However, the Predators don’t see him as ready, hence their contract extension to Saros and signing veteran backup Scott Wedgewood this summer to a two-year contract.

The Leafs have cycled through Frederik Andersson, Jack Campbell, Matt Murray, and Ilya Samsonov in recent years before settling on Joseph Woll this season with Anthony Stolarz as his backup. Askarov would likely end up with the Marlies unless Woll should become sidelined again.

The rebuilding Blackhawks and Sharks need all the help they can get at every position. Utah has Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram as their tandem but Askarov could supplant one of them.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont believes the Canadiens are currently set in goal. They have the underrated Sam Montembault as their starter with Cayden Primeau as his backup. Both goalies put up solid numbers last season backstopping a young defense while enduring a three-goalie system. The Habs also have promising Jacob Fowler within their pipeline who could push for the starter’s job within four years.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Rob Couch included the Sharks on his three-team list of possible destinations. He believed Askarov could fit in well with the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils and Kings could use some prospect depth between the pipes. However, the Devils have Jacob Markstrom as their starter through 2025-26 with Jake Allen as his backup this season. Askarov would end up in the minor this season if they acquire him. The same goes for the Kings, where they’ve got Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich.

Julian Gaudio believes the Seattle Kraken should look into acquiring Askarov. He points out that starter Philipp Grubauer hasn’t played to the expectations of his expensive contract. Meanwhile, backup Joey Daccord remains unproven despite his stellar play last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Grubauer’s performance and contract will make it difficult to move him. The Kraken could trade or demote Daccord to make room for Askarov.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey believes the Flyers should pursue a trade for Askarov because of the uncertainty surrounding Alexei Kolosov’s willingness to play for them.

Bailey noted the Flyers have Samuel Ersson as their starter and Ivan Fedotov as their backup. He believes they would offer up Ersson to the Predators as part of the return for Askarov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers might provide Askarov with the best opportunity to be part of an NHL goalie tandem this season. It remains to be seen if they feel he’s worth the pursuit.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 10, 2024

by | Aug 10, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 10, 2024

Predicting which players will fill six captain vacancies, the club Ryan McDonagh considers a team to beat this season, Oliver Kylington explains why he signed with the Avalanche, a make-or-break season for Ilya Samsonov, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman recently predicted which players he believes will fill the vacant captaincies for the Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Seattle Kraken, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Utah Hockey Club.

Wegman thinks Mason McTavish will become the Ducks’ next captain in 2025-26, filling a role last filled by Ryan Getzlaf from 2010 to 2022. He predicts Rasmus Dahlin will fill the vacant Sabres captaincy after Kyle Okoposo was traded to Florida in March.

Connor Bedard could be the next Blackhawks captain in 2025-26, filling the role previously held by Jonathan Toews from 2008 to 2023. Wegman believes Yanni Gourde should be tapped for the captaincy of the Seattle Kraken, a position last held by Mark Giordano during their inaugural season (2021-22).

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (NHL Images).

Victor Hedman is Webman’s choice as Lightning captain, replacing the departed Steven Stamkos (2014-2024). Clayton Keller is his pick to captain Utah, whose previous one was Oliver Ekman-Larsson from 2018 to 2021 during the franchise’s incarnation in Arizona.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hedman is the obvious choice for Tampa Bay. Time will tell if the others get the job with their respective clubs. Bedard could be named Blackhawks captain if he establishes himself as a leader on and off the ice. Dahlin would be a solid option for the Sabres.

TSN: Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh believes the Nashville Predators could be a force to be reckoned with this season. The 35-year-old defenseman spent the past two seasons with the Predators before being traded back to Tampa Bay in May.

McDonagh cited how the Predators rallied in midseason after being counted out by observers to reach the playoffs. “There’s no question that they’re going to be a team to beat this season,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The additions of Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei and former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos should also bolster the Predators this season.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Former Calgary Flames defenseman Oliver Kylington explained why he chose to sign with the Colorado Avalanche this summer. He indicated the Flames were in the picture for a long time but the Avalanche made him feel like they really wanted him.

“It was a very compelling factor that they wanted me so much that I felt that all the pieces beyond that felt natural to choose. It felt good considering how hungry they are. I am involved in a new start with a new organization,” he said.

Kylington also remains grateful for the support he received from the Flames and their fans when he took time away to deal with his mental health.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Anthony Larocco wonders which version of Ilya Samsonov the Vegas Golden Knights will be getting as their new backup goaltender this season. The 27-year-old Samsonov is on his third team in five years and this season could be his last chance to prove he belongs in the NHL.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Consistency has been an issue for Samsonov in his five-season NHL career. He’s on a one-year contract with the Golden Knights and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Another shaky performance could make this season his last in the NHL.

THE ATHLETIC’s Aaron Portzline reported on X.com that the Columbus Blue Jackets are getting closer to a new contract with forward Cole Sillinger. It’s believed to be a two-year deal.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars general manager Jim Nill is still confident he’ll get restricted free agent defenseman Thomas Harley under contract soon. He said that talks continue between the two sides. “We’re going to get him signed,” said Nill.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Training camps don’t open for another month – plenty of time for Sillinger, Harley, and other RFAs to be signed to new deals. The time to start worrying is when training camp opens if they aren’t under contract. Until then, enjoy what’s left of the summer.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 6, 2024

by | Aug 6, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 6, 2024

In today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines: lingering questions about the Rangers defense corps, the latest on the Senators’ Josh Norris and the Kraken’s Shane Wright, and the Avalanche sign Oliver Kylington.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers are set to return with five of the six regular defensemen they had last season. Talk of retooling the blueline by trading captain Jacob Trouba failed to materialize.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

The Rangers must determine who fills the sixth defense position following Erik Gustafsson’s departure as a free agent. It remains to be seen if K’Andre Miller was playing with Trouba or Braden Schneider. Questions linger over who quarterbacks the second power-play unit and how the depth chart adjusts in case of injury.

Training camp could see Zac Jones and Chad Ruhwedel jockeying with Ben Harpur, Connor Mackey, and Brandon Scanlin.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Steve Warne looked at the many layers of concern about Josh Norris. The 25-year-old Ottawa Senators center is a former 35-goal scorer whose career has been hampered by shoulder injuries.

The Senators’ chances of reaching the playoffs will improve with a healthy, productive season from Norris. However, questions remain over whether he can play a full season, regain his 35-goal form, if Shane Pinto has passed him on the depth chart, and how the club will adjust if he becomes sidelined again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: When healthy, Norris is a productive center for the Senators. Another injury-hampered season, however, could force them to seek a more reliable top-six center. Norris’ contract will also complicate things. He’s in his third season of an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $7.95 million.

THE SCORE: Shane Wright hopes to earn a full-time roster spot with the Seattle Kraken following his impressive play during his call-up late last season. He had four goals and an assists in five games.

Wright, the fourth-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, spent most of last season with the Kraken’s AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley, scoring 22 goals and 47 points in 59 regular-season games and 13 points in 12 postseason contests.

Former Coachella Valley coach Dan Bylsma is now the Kraken’s bench boss. Wright is excited about making the step to the NHL with Bylsma, praising his communication skills and motivation.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche signed Oliver Kylington to a one-year, $1.05 million contract.

Kylington, 27, departed the Calgary Flames as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He missed the entire 2022-23 season to take care of his mental health. He returned to action last season, with eight points in 33 games.

Having also signed Calvin de Haan and Erik Brannstrom, the Avalanche will have a crowded blueline for 2024-25. Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Josh Manson and Samuel Girard are the only locks. Sam Malinski will also be in the mix.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kylington isn’t a physical defenseman but his puck-moving skills could fit well into the Avs’ style of play. He was expected to re-sign with the Flames but those negotiations failed to result in a new deal.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 1, 2024

by | Aug 1, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 1, 2024

Proposed trade destinations for Patrik Laine plus the latest on the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

PROPOSED DESTINATIONS FOR PATRIK LAINE

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman listed what he believes are the five best fits as trade destinations for Patrik Laine.

The 26-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets winger requested a trade two months ago. Interested teams can speak with him directly since his recent exit from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. He carries an $8.7 million average annual value through 2025-26 with a 10-team no-trade list.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

Wegman considers the Pittsburgh Penguins the best fit for Laine to rejuvenate his career. They need someone with his scoring touch on their power play. They carry $3.5 million in cap space and could create more room by adding a depth forward like Lars Eller or Noel Acciari in the deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wegman pointed out this is the type of deal general manager Kyle Dubas must make to give his aging club one last chance at a playoff run. Whether Dubas believes that’s the case remains to be seen. His attitude seems to have changed since his big acquisition of Erik Karlsson last summer failed to provide the expected big boost to their roster.

The Colorado Avalanche could be a good fit if wingers Gabriel Landeskog (knee surgery) and Valeri Nichushkin (serving a six-month suspension as part of Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program) fail to return this season. He could slot in alongside center Casey Mittelstadt and fellow Finn Artturi Lehkonen on their second line.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avs will need more clarity on the status of Landeskog and Nichushkin before pulling the trigger. Even then, Laine could prove too expensive for them to acquire.

The Vegas Golden Knights are known as big-game hunters in the trade market. They have limited cap space but sending someone like Nicolas Roy and/or Brett Howden in the deal might make it work.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule anything out with the Golden Knights. However, they’re facing a serious cap crunch, sitting above the $88 million cap by over $3.6 million. That’ll be offset by placing permanently sidelined goaltender Robin Lehner and his $5 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve. Nevertheless, it could prove too expensive for the cap-strapped Golden Knights to pull off.

The Seattle Kraken could use someone with Laine’s game-breaking offensive ability. They have over $6.4 million in cap space but most of it will be used to re-sign Matty Beniers. They possess plenty of mid-size contracts that they could presumably move out for Laine.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It would be a bold move by Kraken GM Ron Francis but he already made his big addition up front by signing Chandler Stephenson on July 1.

The Buffalo Sabres possess plenty of promising young wingers but none of them have Laine’s goal-scoring upside. GM Kevyn Adams has shown a willingness to draw from his prospect pool for trade bait to improve his roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wegman wondered how well Laine would perform under Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. The Sabres could also be on his 10-team no-trade list.

LATEST ON THE CANADIENS

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports sources suggesting the Montreal Canadiens could be well-positioned to shop for a scorer after re-signing their restricted free agents.

The Canadiens have $5.4 million in cap space and if needed could get an additional $10.5 million by placing permanently sidelined netminder Carey Price on LTIR. Should GM Kent Hughes seek to pursue a top-six forward like Patrik Laine or the Winnipeg Jets’ Nikolaj Ehlers, Price’s contract will be of utmost importance.

D’Amico’s source said the Canadiens are attempting to weaponize their cap space by calling teams looking to shed salary. They indicate GM Kent Hughes is “looking to do something, but not at the expense of next summer or the coming years.”

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: D’Amico also pointed out that the Canadiens have two first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. In addition to their own, they have the Calgary Flames’ first-rounder. If the Flames struggle this season, the Habs could use that pick as a trade chip to land a more proven asset.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Keep an eye on the Canadiens for the rest of the offseason. I have a feeling that Hughes isn’t done tinkering with his roster.

D’Amico pointed out Hughes has made some surprising moves over the past two summers. In August 2022, he acquired Sean Monahan from the Calgary Flames and last summer was part of the three-team deal that saw Erik Karlsson land with the Penguins.