NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 17, 2024

by | Aug 17, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 17, 2024

A poll indicates Red Wings fans are losing confidence in their club’s management, three Predators with the most to prove this season, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman examined a recent poll indicating Detroit Red Wings fans are losing confidence in the club’s front office led by general manager Steve Yzerman.

Two years ago, the Wings ranked third in The Athletic’s annual survey of front-office confidence. They dropped to 12th in 2023 and are 21st in this year’s ranking.

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman (NHL Images).

Wings fans aren’t happy with how the club has built the roster and managed its salary cap. They’re also critical of the club’s recent trades and free-agent additions.

Bultman believes Wings fans aren’t jumping ship but are losing faith despite the club’s upward trend in the standings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wings’ long playoff drought is taking a toll on their fans’ patience. They’ve missed the playoffs for eight straight seasons. That’s the longest drought in the franchise’s history, including the “Dead Things” era of the 1970s and early 1980s.

Yzerman took over as Wings GM in April 2019, by which point the Wings missed the postseason for the third straight year. Their fans were willing to be patient with him because of his great career as their team captain and his success building up the Tampa Bay Lightning into an eventual Stanley Cup champion.

The Wings have steadily improved over the past three years, narrowly missing last year’s playoffs. Nevertheless, the fans are getting restless awaiting their club’s return to playoff contention. Coming up short last season did little to restore their trust in Yzerman’s plans.

Yzerman isn’t in danger of losing his job yet. However, questions could be raised about his future if the Wings come up short this season.

THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty lists Tommy Novak, Gustav Nyquist, and Juuse Saros as the three Nashville Predators players with the most to prove this season.

Novak’s production dipped after signing his three-year, $10.5 million contract extension in March, especially during their playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks.

Nyquist is coming off a career-high 75-point performance, but the 34-year-old must repeat that output, potentially with different linemates. He clicked with Ryan O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg last season but could be moved down to make way for Steven Stamkos or Jonathan Marchessault.

Saros must rebound from a sub-par performance last season. He signed an eight-year, $61 million contract extension this summer, making him the fifth-highest-paid goaltender in the league.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Saros has the most to prove of the three given that huge contract extension. Daugherty believes the Predators will have immediate buyer’s remorse if Saros’ struggles continue.

SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes hired Tyler Dellow as their assistant general manager.

Dellow spent the past five seasons with the New Jersey Devils as senior vice president of hockey strategy and analytics. He previously spent two seasons (2014 to 2016) as an analytics consultant with the Edmonton Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dellow was a lawyer in Toronto who started making his name in hockey analytics in 2006 with his blog mc79hockey.com. He was also a hockey analytics columnist with The Athletic from 2017 to 2019.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 14, 2024

by | Aug 14, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 14, 2024

What are the Oilers’ options regarding the offer sheets for Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway? How could those offer sheets affect other clubs with still-unsigned restricted free agents? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Mark Spector looked at the options facing the Edmonton Oilers after Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway signed offer sheets with the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.

Broberg’s is a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4,580,917 while Holloway’s is two years with an AAV of $2,290,457. The Oilers have seven days from the date those offers were signed to match them.

The Oilers could afford to walk away as neither player constitutes the difference between winning or losing the Stanley Cup. However, both are former first-round picks on a club with an already thin prospect pipeline.

Edmonton Oilers forward Dylan Holloway (NHL Images).

They could opt to retain one or the other. Holloway’s is the most affordable but it would sting to let the promising Broberg let go for peanuts.

Of the two, Spector thinks the Oilers will retain Holloway. He believes it risky to sign Broberg when he might not play up to his cap hit, especially when they’ve got Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard to sign before next summer. He suggests using the second-round pick received from the Blues as trade bait to replace Broberg.

Holloway’s deal is cheaper plus the Oilers could use his speed after adding or retaining veterans like Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, Corey Perry and Adam Henrique.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers can’t afford to match both offers without shedding significant salary. It’s unlikely they’ll let both players walk. Holloway’s offer seems more likely to be matched given its affordability to Broberg’s. The latter’s departure will further weaken the Oilers’ blueline, forcing them into the trade or free-agent markets for an affordable short-term replacement.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Andrew Fantucchio doesn’t anticipate the Blues’ attempt to sign away Broberg and Holloway from the Oilers will inspire other clubs to try and sign Jeremy Swayman.

The restricted free-agent goaltender is expected to sign a multiyear deal with the Bruins between $7.75 million and $10 million based on comparable players. It’ll likely be close to $8.6 million, which the Bruins have in cap space.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols looked at what an offer sheet for Devils RFA forward Dawson Mercer would look like. Citing AFP Analytics, a two-year offer sheet would be close to $4 million annually. A six-year offer would have an AAV of around $6.5 million.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Connor Earegood speculates the Blues’ attempt to sign Broberg and Holloway could speed up the Detroit Red Wings’ signings of defenseman Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond.

Meanwhile, Carter Brooks wondered what effect those offer sheets might have on the Winnipeg Jets’ efforts to sign RFA center Cole Perfetti.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s understandable why fans of those clubs watching this situation play out might be worried that those players could also become offer sheet targets. However, that’s unlikely to happen because the Bruins, Devils, Red Wings, and Jets have more cap flexibility to match any offer sheet.

The Oilers face more difficulty matching those offer sheets. They were vulnerable because they were already over the $88 million salary cap.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng wondered if the Sharks could use the Oilers’ situation to their advantage. If the Oilers attempt to shed salary via trade, Peng suggests the Sharks try to prize away a defenseman like Cody Ceci or Brett Kulak along with a draft pick.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont suggests the Canadiens use their cap space to their advantage by acquiring Ceci or another player and a draft pick or landing a draft pick by becoming a third-party broker for the Oilers.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 8, 2024

by | Aug 8, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 8, 2024

The potential effect of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault on the Predators’ power play, Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond could take on leadership roles with the Red Wings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE TENNESSEAN: Last month’s signings of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault are expected to bolster the Nashville Predators power play. The Preds struggled with the man advantage during their playoff series with the Vancouver Canucks.

Stamkos and Marchessault will likely be part of the Predators’ top power-play unit alongside Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi and Ryan O’Reilly. Stamkos will mostly stay on the left side, Marchessault and O’Reilly will play around the net and in the slot, while Forsberg and Josi keep pucks in play and shots from the points.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators improved on the power play in 2023-24, finishing 16th overall with a PP percentage of 21.6. Adding Stamkos and Marchessault could push them into the top 10 this season.

THE SCORE: Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde intends to have Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond take on greater roles with the club this season.

In an interview with Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Lalonde said he’d spoken with the pair over the summer about an increased leadership role with the team.

Seider and Raymond are restricted free agents but Lalonde isn’t concerned that both remain unsigned.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seider and Raymond are expected to be under contract when training camp opens next month. They’ve already taken on larger roles as their play improves and their experience grows. They’ll play important roles with the Red Wings in the coming years.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald explained his recent acquisition of Paul Cotter from the Vegas Golden Knights. He anticipates the 24-year-old forward will replace the physicality the Devils lost when Miles Wood departed last summer as a free agent.

Cotter had 25 points in 76 games last season with the Golden Knights along with 233 hits and forcing 35 turnovers.

LAS VEGAS SUN: The Vegas Golden Knights are taking steps to expand their fan base by touring in Jackson, Wyoming; Boise, Idaho; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Billings, Montana; and Reno.

In addition to participating in on-ice clinics, fans will get the opportunity to meet players, broadcasters and other members of the organization.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Smart move by the Golden Knights to grow their fanbase by extending their reach outside the Las Vegas region, especially in areas with no NHL franchises.

TSN: Dillon Dube and Michael McLeod are listed on KHL rosters as they await trial in London, Ontario after being charged with sexual assault in February. Dube is listed on Dinamo Minsk’s roster and McLeod with Astana Barys.

Both players became unrestricted free agents when their NHL clubs declined to qualify their rights.

A trial date is expected to be set on Aug. 13.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 31, 2024

by | Jul 31, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 31, 2024

A look at the remaining notable restricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox and Rory Boylen updated their list of the notable remaining restricted free agents following the signings of Carolina Hurricanes winger Martin Necas on Monday and New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren on Tuesday.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman still tops the list. He’s coming off a one-year, $3.45 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nothing new to report on his contract negotiations. Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis cited AFP Analytics projecting the 25-year-old goaltender is in line for a five-year contract with an average annual value of $6.433 million. However, some recent media speculation suggests he could get around $9 million annually depending on the length of the deal.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and winger Lucas Raymond sit second and third on their list. They speculate Seider could get an AAV of $8.6 million on a long-term deal but Raymond could get a mid-term commitment akin to teammate Alex DeBrincat’s four-year contract.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been over a month since Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said he’d get Seider and Raymond signed “in due time.” There’s been nothing new since then but plenty of time remains to get both players under contract before the start of training camp in mid-September. AFP Analytics projects Seider getting a seven-year deal with an AAV of $8.125 million and Raymond seven years at $7.758 million annually.

Seth Jarvis is the focus for Carolina Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky now that Martin Necas is under contract. The versatile 22-year-old forward can play center or wing and has risen among the Hurricanes’ core players. He’s coming off an entry-level contract and there’s speculation he could get an eight-year deal worth around $8 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: AFP Analytics projects a seven-year deal worth $7.75 million annually for Jarvis. Unless Tulsky makes a cost-cutting move, the Jarvis camp will have to accept much less than that because the Hurricanes only have $6.44 million in cap space.

Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill could attempt to sign defenseman Thomas Harley to a bridge contract. That’s what he did with Jason Robertson when the winger came off his entry-level contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Harley is projected to get a seven-year deal with an AAV of $6.922 million. However, the Stars have $6.243 million in cap space. The 22-year-old blueliner could end up with a short-term contract worth under $5 million annually.

Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers’ sophomore slump compromises his bargaining position coming off his entry-level contract. The betting is the 21-year-old center gets a bridge deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: AFP Analytics projects a seven-year deal worth $6.66 million annually. The Kraken have the hammer here so it could be much shorter and for around $5 million annually.

Winnipeg Jets center Cole Perfetti seems a classic case for a bridge deal after a healthy but inconsistent 2023-24 performance under former head coach Rick Bowness. However, the Winnipeg Sun’s Scott Billeck recently reported positive communication between the Perfetti camp and new Jets bench boss Scott Arniel. That could sway Perfetti into signing a long-term deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The projection has Perfetti in line for a seven-year deal with an AAV of $5.584 million. That could become a real bargain for the Jets if he blossoms into the scorer he was projected to become when the Jets drafted him in 2020.

The New Jersey Devils could go the bridge route with Dawson Mercer. Comparables include Ottawa’s Shane Pinto (two-year, $3.75 million AAV) and Columbus’ Kirill Marchenko (three years, $3.85 million AAV).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: AFP Analytics projected a six-year deal at $6.52 million annually. However, the Devils only have $4.9 million in cap space. Mercer will likely get a bridge deal unless the Devils shed some salary.

Cole Sillinger enjoyed a bounce-back performance from his 2022-23 sophomore slump with 13 goals and 32 points in 77 games. Like teammate Kirill Marchenko, he could get a three-year deal.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 29, 2024

by | Jul 29, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 29, 2024

Alex Ovechkin is dealing with an offseason injury, the Blue Jackets sign Kirill Marchensko, Ryan Lomberg looks forward to reuniting with Jonathan Huberdeau in Calgary, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber cited a report out of Russia indicating Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is dealing with a minor knee injury. It’s not considered serious and he’s expected to begin ramping up his offseason training soon in preparation for his 20th NHL season.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images)

Silber noted that Ovechkin missed a handful of games last season with a lower-body injury, but it’s unclear if it’s related to his current ailment.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier this offseason, Ovechkin said he intended to change his training after getting off to a slow start last season. His production was down compared to previous years but he still tallied 30 goals, marking the 18th time he’s reached that plateau.

With 853 career NHL goals, the 38-year-old Ovechkin is 42 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894. He could do it this season with a better start and a healthier season.

SPORTSNET: The Columbus Blue Jackets avoided arbitration with winger Kirill Marchenko, reaching an agreement on a three-year, $11.85 million contract. Marchenko, 23, is coming off back-to-back 20-plus goal seasons. He’ll earn an average annual value of $3.85 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchenko was among the few bright spots in a forgettable season for the Blue Jackets, leading the club with 23 goals and sitting third with 42 points.

Marchenko recently said he hadn’t received a contract offer from the Blue Jackets, sparking some speculation he might become available. That’s not the case as he remains part of their rebuilding process.

Only two scheduled hearings remain. New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren’s is slated for Aug. 2 and Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas’ is Aug. 4.

Of the 14 players who filed for arbitration, only one required an arbitrator to settle. Nashville Predators defenseman Spencer Stastney was awarded a two-year, $1.675 million contract on July 24.

THE SCORE: Ryan Lomberg looks forward to reuniting with former Florida Panthers teammate Jonathan Huberdeau. He signed a two-year contract earlier this month with the Calgary Flames.

Lomberg is confident that Huberdeau will regain his high-scoring form. “There’s no doubt he’s one of the best players in the league,” he said, praising Huberdeau’s “world-class” skills. “There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s gonna get back to the level he was at.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Huberdeau’s production has significantly declined since arriving in Calgary in 2022. He had a career-high 115 points in 2021-22 but managed 55 points in 2022-23 and 52 points last season with a Flames team undergoing a significant roster shakeup.

TSN: The AHL’s Toronto Marlies signed forward Alex Nylander to a one-year AHL contract. Nylander, 26, is the younger brother of Leafs star William Nylander. Drafted eighth overall in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, he has 25 goals and 49 points in 121 career NHL games. The Marlies are the Leafs’ AHL affiliate.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings promoted Aaron Kahn as assistant general manager and director of hockey operations.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 13, 2024

by | Jul 13, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 13, 2024

The latest on the Rangers attempt to trade Jacob Trouba, Predators GM Barry Trotz weighs in on teams like his in “no-tax” states, and the latest signings in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS’ Stefen Rosner cited former New York Rangers general manager Neil Smith saying team captain Jacob Trouba blocked a trade to the Detroit Red Wings when he learned that’s where the Rangers wanted to trade him.

Smith said the Rangers asked Trouba for his 15-team no-trade list before his no-movement clause changed to a modified no-trade clause on July 1. As per his contract, the Trouba camp refused until July 1. When they did submit the list, Detroit was part of it because it had already been leaked to the media that the Rangers were talking about a trade with the Red Wings.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

That leaves Rangers management facing what Smith calls some “muddy waters” with their most important player, their team captain. He believes they’ll have to make Trouba feel wanted again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was clumsily handled by Rangers management but it did provide some intrigue to this summer’s trade market. That deal with Detroit was dead once it got leaked to the press. It seems that way based on all we’ve learned since late June.

Some Rangers supporters still blame Trouba for “putting himself above the team” by invoking his no-trade clause to block the deal to Detroit. However, he did nothing wrong by abiding by the terms of his contract.

The Rangers know which teams aren’t on Trouba’s “no-trade” list. They could attempt to move him to one of those clubs this summer, or before next year’s trade deadline, or at some point next summer. His $8 million cap hit will make that difficult to pull off, but it’s not impossible.

In the meantime, both sides will have to deal with the fallout from this situation. It’ll be interesting to see how this shakes out and what effect (if any) it has on the Rangers in 2024-25.

THE SCORE: Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz acknowledged that his team has an advantage playing in a state that doesn’t levy a state tax.

“It is an advantage because your dollar goes a little bit further,” he told TSN’s Overdrive on Wednesday. “There’s no question”.

The Predators made headlines this summer by signing unrestricted free agents Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei. Along with the Predators, the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars and Seattle Kraken also have the advantage of playing where there is no state tax.

Four of the last five Stanley Cup champions were from “no-tax” states. The Lightning won in 2020 and 2021, the Golden Knights in 2023 and the Panthers in 2024.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those clubs have played in “no-tax” states for years. It’s only been recently that three of them enjoyed championship success. Some observers believe this gives those teams an unfair advantage that should be addressed in the next round of collective bargaining. 

The lack of a state tax does help those teams retain their best players and add players via free agency. However,  it does not guarantee success. How management invests that money in building and maintaining a contender remains the determining factor.

The Predators have declined since reaching the 2017 Stanley Cup Final and winning the Presidents’ Trophy the following season. Their previous management was not renowned for making big splashes in the free-agent pool like those that Trotz just made. It remains to be seen how those moves pan out.

As for the Stars, they have had their share of ups and downs since their Stanley Cup victory 25 years ago. The Kraken have only existed since 2021-22 and are still trying to build themselves into a contender.

The Panthers were a laughingstock for over two decades until they finally brought in stable ownership and management. The Lightning endured some ownership and management turmoil following their first Stanley Cup in 2004, including a rebuilding phase directly responsible for their consecutive championships.

Meanwhile, the Golden Knights’ habit of swinging big trades for elite talent left them with a depleted prospect pipeline that could prove costly in the long run.

The salary cap eventually catches up with these clubs.

Limited cap space forced the Lightning to make cost-cutting moves that drained their roster depth, including the recent departure of Stamkos and trading away Mikhail Sergachev.

The Golden Knights recently lost Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson, William Carrier, Michael Amadio, and Logan Thompson due to cap constraints while the Panthers had to bid farewell to defenseman Brandon Montour.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers signed defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775K at the NHL level.

DAILY FACEOFF: The New York Islanders also signed forward Liam Foudy to a one-year, two-way contract.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Columbus Blue Jackets avoided arbitration with goaltender Jet Greaves, signing him to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $812,500.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Greaves is the fourth who filed for salary arbitration to sign with his club before his arbitration hearing was scheduled. The other three were Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser, San Jose Sharks blueliner Ty Emberson and Blue Jackets rearguard Jake Christiansen.