Reaction to the Oilers hiring Stan Bowman as their new GM, the Sabres sign Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a long-term contract, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers announced they hired Stan Bowman as their new general manager and vice president of hockey operations. He becomes the 11th general manager in Oilers history.

Bowman spent over 20 years with the Chicago Blackhawks, 12 of those as general manager. He resigned from the Blackhawks in 2021 after an independent investigation found he and others mishandled sexual assault allegations by player Kyle Beach in 2010 against the club’s then-video coach Bradley Aldrich. Bowman was suspended by the NHL until lifted earlier this month by league Commissioner Gary Bettman.

During his introductory press conference, Bowman admitted his response to the Beach situation was inadequate and mishandled, saying it was something he regrets. He worked with Sheldon Kennedy and his organization, Respect Group, as part of the process of learning about the prevention of bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination. Kennedy recently endorsed Bowman’s effort to return to the NHL.

Edmonton Oilers hire Stan Bowman as new GM. (NHL.com).

Bowman also said that he reached out to Beach with Kennedy’s encouragement. The two have kept in touch since last year, including Bowman spending a day and a half working with Beach at Trinity Western University in British Columbia, where Beach works as an assistant coach. Bowman said he called Beach the day before his hiring by the Oilers, calling it an encouraging conversation.

Nevertheless, Bowman’s hiring by the Oilers was not well received on social media.

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus reviewed Bowman’s work as Blackhawks general manager. He knows how to win by building around a superstar core and bold enough to go for it with a team in contention. In that regard, he makes sense for an Oilers team in “win-now” mode.

Lazerus also noted Bowman’s mistakes, such as his reputation as a poor contract negotiator and his inability to stick to a rebuilding plan. The Blackhawks had poor player development under his watch, and his trades of Patrick Sharp, Phillip Danault, Teuvo Teravainen, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Artemi Panarin didn’t pan out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bowman inherited a strong Blackhawks roster and managed it well for several years, winning three Stanley Cups from 2009-10 to 2014-15. However, the wheels quickly fell off during the latter years of his tenure.

He should do well with the current Oilers roster but it remains to be seen if he learned from his mistakes with the Blackhawks. Otherwise, the Oilers could face a swift, ugly decline in a few years.

Kennedy’s endorsement was crucial to Bowman’s return to the management ranks and I trust his judgment. Bowman’s efforts to learn and grow helped him establish a positive relationship with Beach.

Nevertheless, I’m having difficulty accepting this news. The Beach situation was bad enough but Lazerus also pointed out it was the failure of people like Bowman that led directly to the sexual abuse of a minor by Aldrich.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres avoided salary arbitration with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as the two sides agreed to a five-year deal with an average annual value of $4.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Luukkonen earned that new deal with a solid performance in an otherwise disappointing season for the Sabres. He’s established himself as their starter going forward.

Some wondered what this means for promising netminder Devon Levi, especially after the Sabres signed James Reimer to a one-year contract. Levi will likely spend this season developing his game with the Sabres AHL affiliate in Rochester.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers formerly introduced winger Matvei Michkov to the media on Wednesday. Michkov, 19, was their first-round pick (seventh overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft.

“We don’t see him as a saviour,” said Flyers GM Daniel Briere. “That’s certainly not what we’re putting on his shoulder. He’s 19-years-old. He’s coming in to learn, to expand his game.”

Flyers fans have high hopes that Michkov could blossom into a scoring superstar. He said he’s overwhelmed by the fans’ reaction and how welcoming they’ve made him feel.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Michkov has the potential to become an NHL scoring star. Nevertheless, the Flyers must carefully manage his usage in his rookie season and those heightened expectations by their fans.

NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: An arbitrator awarded Predators defenseman Spencer Stastney a two-year contract. The first year is a two-way deal with a cap hit of $825K at the NHL level. He’ll earn $850K in the second year.

SJ HOCKEY NOW: The San Jose Sharks re-signed defenseman Henry Thrun to a two-year contract with an AAV of $1 million.

SPORTSNET: Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia said he’d be interested in returning the NHL to Arizona one day.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t doubt Ishbia’s sincerity but it’ll take more than words to make that a reality, like a suitable NHL venue and the dollars to make a suitable expansion bid. Build a new arena and put up $1 billion and then I’ll believe you’re serious. Otherwise, this is just empty talk no one wants to hear anymore.