NHL Rumor Mill – January 8, 2025

by | Jan 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 8, 2025

The latest on Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, proposed trade targets for the Leafs, updates on the Rangers, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATES ON PETTERSSON AND MILLER

TSN: Chris Johnston reports sources claim the Vancouver Canucks remain active in trade discussions with rival clubs regarding center Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller. Management is gauging the trade market on both players before determining a course of action.

Johnston believes the Canucks are giving serious consideration toward moving Pettersson. Multiple teams have shown interest in the 26-year-old center. The Canucks and Hurricanes had discussions about Pettersson last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those talks between the Canucks and Hurricanes took place before Pettersson signed his eight-year contract extension.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman also reports the Canucks are gauging the market value of Pettersson and Miller, stressing there is no certain outcome.

New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (NHL Images).

Friedman cited The Athletic’s Josh Yohe reporting the Canucks turned down an offer of Zibanejad from the Rangers for Miller, but doesn’t know if Zibanejad was approached about waiving his no-movement clause. Friedman also believes the Canucks were interested in defenseman Braden Schneider but the Rangers don’t want to part with him.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports an NHL executive claims the Boston Bruins are talking to the Canucks about Pettersson and Miller. The source indicated the Bruins want to get younger, which suggested they’re more interested in Pettersson, but it’s not about who they want but which center the Canucks intend to move.

Another source told D’Amico that the Canucks would want a top-six center or a top-four defenseman and a top prospect or a first-round pick in return.

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma weighed in on the recent trade speculation about Pettersson and Miller. General manager Patrik Allvin could trade one or the other or both, but either scenario would be a difficult sell to Canucks ownership. Miller would also have to waive his NMC.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Talking to other teams is one thing. Finding a suitable return is another. Pettersson’s expensive contract ($11.6 million annually for seven more seasons) and Miller’s no-movement protection could complicate things.

The Leafs and Bruins would love to have Pettersson or Miller. However, they lack the cap space and tradeable assets to pry either guy away from the Canucks. The Hurricanes have players that would entice the Canucks (hello there, Martin Necas and Seth Jarvis) but they’re also hampered by limited cap room this season.

The Zibanejad-for-Miller proposal works cap-wise because the former carries an average annual value of $8.5 million and the latter $8 million. However, their respective no-movement clauses are obstacles that could be too difficult to overcome.

PROPOSED CENTER TRADE TARGETS FOR THE LEAFS

TSN: Darren Dreger doesn’t believe the Toronto Maple Leafs are involved in the Pettersson trade talks. He considers Pettersson, Miller, Mika Zibanejad of the New York Rangers and Dylan Cozens of the Buffalo Sabres in the “high-rent district”. He also noted a lot of teams are interested in New York Islanders center Brock Nelson.

The Leafs are believed to have identified a more diverse group of centers to target in the trade market. Dreger suggested Ryan Strome of the Anaheim Ducks, Mikael Granlund of the San Jose Sharks, Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken, and Nick Bjugstad of the Utah Hockey Club.

Dreger also wondered about bringing back Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators. He noted Scott Laughton is also out there but the Philadelphia Flyers seek a first-round pick in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Diverse is another way of saying “affordable”. The Leafs must go bargain-hunting to add a center unless they’re looking at a dollar-in, dollar-out scenario. That’s assuming they don’t put Auston Matthews on LTIR before the March 7 trade deadline if he becomes sidelined again by his nagging upper-body injury.

O’Reilly lacks no-trade protection, but the 33-year-old has two more years left on his contract, with an AAV of $4.5 million. He turns 34 in February, and his best seasons are behind him.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes the Leafs want a center with term remaining on his contract. “Might not be what ends up happening, but it’s what they prefer,” he writes.

“32 THOUGHTS” RUMOR TIDBITS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the following in his latest “32 Thoughts” column:

He believes the Detroit Red Wings were (are?) looking at Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Line forms to the left, Red Wings. Lots of teams have looked (or are looking) at Cozens. However, the Sabres are trying to add to their roster instead of subtracting. That doesn’t mean he won’t be traded but they’ll probably want a good player in return instead of draft picks and prospects. That offer has yet to emerge.

The New York Rangers gave unhappy defenseman Zac Jones permission to speak with other teams. There’s interest but teams with a smallish blueline are unlikely destinations.

Vincent Trocheck is the most coveted Ranger in the trade market but they’re not interested in moving him. Friedman believes he could become their next captain.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have indicated they have forwards, defensemen and goaltenders available. They’re willing to use their cap space to retain salary provided they get young players, prospects and draft picks in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Josh Yohe reports Penguins GM Kyle Dubas doesn’t feel any extreme desire to trade Rickard Rakell. They love how he and Bryan Rust are playing as they give the Penguins a couple of wingers worthy of playing alongside Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Yohe claims the Canucks and Edmonton Oilers are interested in Marcus Pettersson. The 28-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible on July 1. Given his expiring contract, Yohe will be surprised if Pettersson isn’t moved by the March 7 trade deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2025

by | Jan 2, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2025

Could the Canucks trade Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller? What’s the latest Leafs speculation? Could the Penguins attempt to trade Jesse Puljujarvi? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE CANUCKS FACE A CHOICE BETWEEN PETTERSSON AND MILLER?

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston observed Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin’s recent comments about Elias Pettersson during his year-end interview with Sportsnet.

Allvin said he believes Pettersson has the tools to become a No. 1 center but needs more maturity and accountability. He also didn’t dismiss the possibility of a trade.

Johnston suggests Allvin could be trying to encourage improvement from Pettersson, or perhaps signal to his team that everyone must be held accountable. Another option could be trying to re-set the trade market for Pettersson, whose hefty contract and recent struggles could be difficult to move.

“Will they trade (Pettersson)? Almost certainly not,” writes Johnston. “But that doesn’t mean they won’t”.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes Canucks management is leaning closer toward making a major roster change, citing the feud between Pettersson and J.T. Miller. “Don’t be surprised if we start hearing the Canucks are willing to take calls on Miller,” writes Kypreos.

Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In the middle of this speculation came recent remarks by former Canucks forward Brad Richardson regarding Miller’s interactions with Pettersson.

Richardson said he loves Miller but felt the veteran center was being too hard on Pettersson. “Listen, J.T., he’s the man. But there is a lot of tension. And something’s gonna give. I’m not saying you’re going to love every guy on your team – it helps – but something’s gonna give here. We’ll see.”

Johnston believes Richardson’s remarks jibe with what others have said about the relationship between Miller and Pettersson. He considers both players demanding and exacting but Miller’s brash, outspoken personality hasn’t sat well at times with the introverted Pettersson.

Both players recently denied a rumored rift. However, Allvin’s and Richardson’s remarks add fuel to the fire. It could come down to Allvin and president of hockey ops Jim Rutherford having to choose between them.

THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos took note of Auston Matthews’ nagging upper-body injury and its potential effect on the remainder of the season for the Maple Leafs captain.

If the setbacks continue, Kypreos speculates the Leafs could place him on long-term injury reserve before the March 7 trade deadline to help him get healthy for the playoffs. They could use the salary-cap savings ($13.25 million) to trade for another top center and give them a healthy boost when Matthews returned for the postseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Putting Matthews on LTIR for the remainder of the regular season would enable Leafs management to add more than a center. They could also buttress their blueline, especially on the right side. Whether they go that route remains to be seen and requires sufficient medical evidence to pass muster with league HQ.

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons believes the Leafs should attempt to acquire Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders. He thinks they need a second or third-line center to provide additional depth at that position for the playoffs.

Nelson, 33, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. With the Islanders struggling, he could be shopped by the trade deadline if he hasn’t signed a contract extension.

Simmons acknowledged the cost of acquiring Nelson won’t be cheap. A source suggested acquiring a player like him could cost a first-round pick plus other pieces. More affordable trade targets could include Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken, Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers, Alexander Wennberg of the San Jose Sharks, or Ryan Strome of the Anaheim Ducks.

Nelson’s cap hit is $6 million but he also has a 16-team no-trade list that could affect where he ends up if the Isles attempt to move him before the deadline.

SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN: Elliotte Friedman recently said the Maple Leafs are trying to improve their roster. It’s been reported they’re trying to add a center, preferably one with term remaining on his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton, Wennberg and Strome would fit the bill. Laughton and Wennberg each have a year remaining on their contracts while Strome has two years.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Leafs will have to clear some cap space to make additions before the March 7 trade deadline. He recommends forwards Pontus Holmberg, David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, Nick Robertson and defenseman Conor Timmins as trade candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson was a fixture in last summer’s rumor mill when he requested a trade rather than re-sign with the Leafs. His lack of leverage forced him to ink a one-year deal before training camp opened in September. The 23-year-old could have the most value of that bunch but that’s not saying much.

WHAT NEXT FOR JESSE PULJUJARVI?

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Vensel reports Jesse Puljujarvi may have asked Penguins GM Kyle Dubas to be moved to a place where he can play. He was placed on waivers Tuesday but went unclaimed.

Puljujarvi is in the final season of a two-year contract. He’s been a healthy scratch since Dec. 7, during which the Penguins went 5-4-1. Having cleared waivers, he can be sent to their AHL affiliate but the Penguins are keeping him on their roster as injury insurance as they prepare to face the Florida Panthers on Friday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A team could attempt to acquire Puljujarvi via trade since he cleared waivers and wouldn’t have to go on them again to be sent to the minors. That seems unlikely given his struggles throughout his NHL career.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 30, 2024

by | Mar 30, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 30, 2024

A four-goal game for Sabres center Tage Thompson, the Wild’s Marc-Andre Fleury talks about his future, a milestone for Predators captain Roman Josi, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Buffalo Sabres captain Tage Thompson scored four goals in a 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Alex Tuch collected two assists and Devon Levi stopped 28 shots for the 35-34-5 Sabres (75 points)as they kept their faint playoff hopes alive, sitting six points out of the final Eastern Conference wildcard berth. Jesper Bratt and Max Willman scored for the Devils (36-34-4), who remain five points out of that wildcard spot.

NHL.COM: Marc-Andre Fleury is willing to return for another season. However, the 39-year-old goaltender indicated it will only be with the Minnesota Wild. “Yeah, it’s probably Minnesota or retirement. I wouldn’t want to move and take my three kids out of their environment. They’ve moved enough already.”

Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (NHL Images).

Fleury said he’ll sit down with Wild general manager Bill Guerin to discuss the club’s plans for next season and whether there’s a place for him.

NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: Predators captain Roman Josi reached a milestone during his club’s 8-4 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. He collected three assists in that game to become the first Swiss-born NHL player to reach the 500-assist plateau.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Russian goaltender Ivan Fedotov’s long journey to join the Flyers ended Friday when he arrived in Philadelphia and was introduced to reporters by general manager Daniel Briere.

Fedotov signed his one-year, entry-level contract in May 2022. However, he was detained by his home country of Russia for allegedly evading military service. Following his service, he signed a two-year contract with KHL club CSKA Moscow despite his valid contract with the Flyers. The contract was tolled ahead to this season.

On Thursday, CSKA Moscow terminated Fedotov’s contract and wished him well.

“I’m so excited and happy to be here,” said Fedotov. “Great feelings because it was a really difficult two years.”

Fedotov is available to play for the Flyers as early as Saturday. However, it’s uncertain when he’ll debut with the club.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram was recently fined $5,000.00 by the NHL department of player safety for his blindside hit on Wednesday on Ottawa Senators forward Angus Crookshank.

NHL.COM: Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Strome was fined $5,000.00 for cross-checking Seattle Kraken forward Tye Kartye Thursday.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle received a one-game suspension for slashing Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny on Thursday.

NHL.COM: Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway was fined $2,000.00 for embellishment during a March 23 game against the Boston Bruins.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves has been diagnosed with a concussion. There is no timeline for his return.

CBS SPORTS: Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (illness) has joined the club on its current road trip. He could return to the lineup for the first time since March 17.

TORONTO STAR: The Maple Leafs signed defenseman Simon Benoit to a three-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $1.35 million.

CALGARY SUN: The family of former NHL defenseman Bob Murdoch said the two-time Stanley Cup champion suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive and fatal disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murdoch is among 18 NHL players to be posthumously diagnosed with CTE.

The others include Hall-of-Famers Henri Richard and Stan Mikita, six-time Stanley Cup champion Ralph Backstrom, two-time 52-goal scorer Rick Martin, defensemen Steve Montador and Zarley Zalapski, wingers Dan Maloney, Marek Svatos and Jeff Parker, and enforcers Bob Probert, Reg Fleming, Derek Boogard, Wade Belak, Todd Ewen, Gino Odjick, Rick Rypien and Larry Zeidel.

The family of former NHL enforcer Chris Simon believe he suffered from CTE that contributed to his death by suicide last week at age 52.

To date, the NHL maintains the link between CTE and repeated head trauma suffered in hockey is inconclusive.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 12, 2023

by | Dec 12, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 12, 2023

John Tavares and Jamie Benn reach personal milestones, the three stars of the week are named, while suspensions are handed down to David Perron and Erik Gudbranson. Details on these stories and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares had a goal and an assist to reach his 1,000th career NHL point in a 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders. Tavares collected his assist in the game-tying goal against his former club as the Leafs overcame a 3-1 deficit but Bo Horvat’s overtime goal gave the Islanders the victory. The Leafs (14-6-5) sit third in the Atlantic Division with 33 points while the Islanders (13-7-7) picked up their third straight victory and sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 33 points.

Toronto Maple Leafs captains John Tavares (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders fans lustily booed Tavares’ accomplishment. They still haven’t forgiven their club’s former captain for signing with the Leafs in 2018.

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn collected his 500th career NHL assist as his club clipped the Detroit Red Wings 6-3. Miro Heiskanen scored two goals and set up another for the 16-8-3 Stars (35 points), who sit one point back of the first-place Colorado Avalanche in the Central Division. Shayne Gostisbehere picked up two assists for the 14-9-4 Red Wings, who dropped their third straight game and hold the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings were without winger David Perron following his six-game suspension by the NHL department of player safety for a dangerous cross-check against Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Red Wings placed captain Dylan Larkin, J.T. Compher and Klim Kostin on injured reserve and recalled Zach Aston-Reese, Jonatan Berggren and Austin Czarnik. Larkin was knocked unconscious following hits from Senators forward Mathieu Joseph and Parker Kelly, sparking the melee that led to Perron’s cross-check on Zub.

The Colorado Avalanche tallied three unanswered third-period goals to overcome a 5-3 deficit in a 6-5 win over the Calgary Flames. Nathan MacKinnon scored the game-winner to push his points streak to 12 games while teammate Mikko Rantanen had a goal and two assists for the 17-9-2 Avalanche. Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman each had a goal and an assist for the 11-14-3 Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames also lost defenseman Chris Tanev early in the first period after being hit from behind into the boards by Avalanche forward Ross Colton, who was not penalized on the play. There was no postgame update on Tanev’s condition.

Buffalo Sabres forwards Kyle Okposo and Eric Robinson each had a goal and two assists to beat the Arizona Coyotes 5-2. Michael Carcone netted his team-leading 14th goal of the season for the Coyotes (13-12-2) as they cling to the final Western Conference wild-card spot with 28 points. The Sabres sit at 12-14-3.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sidelined Sabres forward Alex Tuch (hamstring) participated in his club’s morning skate but didn’t play in this game. He’s expected to be in the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Avalanche.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl, and Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart are the league’s three stars for the week ending Dec. 10, 2023.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson received a one-game suspension from the department of player safety for his retaliation on Florida Panthers forward Nick Cousins on Sunday. Gudbranson was hit from behind into the boards by Cousins, who initially received a five-minute major penalty that was reduced to a two-minute minor on review. Later in the game, Gudbranson grabbed Cousins, slammed him to the ice and rained six punches on the Panthers forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: None of this would’ve happened had the on-ice officials properly handled this situation from the outset. It’s part of what The Athletic’s Ian Mendes calls “a consistency problem” for NHL officials regarding hits from behind. Mendes fears it could lead to another Steve Moore-Todd Bertuzzi incident.

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Strome will not face supplemental discipline for a knee-on-knee hit on Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor on Sunday. It was determined that Strome had planted his foot and did not intentionally attempt to injure Connor, who underwent an MRI on his knee on Monday. No word yet from the Jets regarding Connor’s status. Strome received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins winger Bryan Rust is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas continues to support head coach Mike Sullivan as his club struggles through its lengthy slump.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubas may be sincere in his support of Sullivan but he’ll face growing calls to do something to snap the Penguins out of their current funk. If a trade isn’t possible because of salary cap constraints, a coaching change could be his only recourse.

TSN: Montreal Canadiens winger Tanner Pearson will miss four-to-six weeks with an upper-body injury.

St. Louis Blues winger Jakub Vrana was not placed on waivers despite an earlier report indicating he was about to hit the waiver wire.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ll have more about Vrana in today’s Rumors update.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Chicago Blackhawks placed defenseman Jarred Tinordi (concussion protocol) on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 5.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 11, 2023

by | Apr 11, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 11, 2023

The Sharks’ Erik Karlsson reaches the 100-point milestone, the Flames are eliminated from playoff contention, the Stars’ Joe Pavelski and the Senators’ Claude Giroux reach 1,000 career points, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The San Jose Sharks’ Erik Karlsson became the first defenseman in 31 years to net 100 points in a season in a 6-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Karlsson scored twice to reach the milestone last achieved by Brian Leetch in 1991-92. Meanwhile, Jets blueliner Josh Morrisey had a goal and two assists as his club moved closer to clinching the final Western Conference wild-card spot with 93 points.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 32-year-old Karlsson is only the sixth NHL defenseman to reach the 100-point plateau and the oldest to do so. He’s considered the front-runner to win the Norris Trophy. Meanwhile, the Sharks revealed that Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Alexander Barabanov, Andreas Johnsson and Oskar Lindblom are out with season-ending injuries.

Shootout goals by Cody Glass and Tommy Novak lifted the Nashville Predators to a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames, officially eliminating the latter from playoff contention. Juuse Saros made 44 saves in regulation and overtime for the 41-31-8 Predators, who kept their slim playoff hopes alive with 90 points. Jacob Markstrom stopped 27 shots for the Flames (37-27-17) as they sit one point ahead of the Predators and two back of the Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators and Jets have two games remaining while the Flames have only one. The Jets can clinch that wild-card spot with a win tonight over the Minnesota Wild.

The New York Islanders’ chances of securing a wild-card spot got slimmer as they were upset 5-2 by the Washington Capitals. Dylan Strome tallied twice and Darcy Kuemper stopped 38 shots for the Capitals while Hudson Fasching and Casey Cizikas replied for the 41-31-9 Islanders as they held the final Eastern wild-card berth with 91 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders sit one game up on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who hold a game in hand and now control their own fate. Speaking of the Isles, center Bo Horvat said his recent comments praising the fan support his club is receiving weren’t meant as a slight against the Vancouver Canucks or their fans. Horvat was the Canucks’ captain until traded to the Islanders in January.

Meanwhile, the Capitals announced winger T.J. Oshie had been shut down for the remainder of the season with an upper-body injury.

An overtime goal by John Tavares gave the Toronto Maple Leafs a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. Auston Matthews netted his 40th goal of the season for the Leafs as they sit second in the Atlantic Division with 107 points. Brandon Montour replied for the 42-31-8 Panthers (92 points) as they failed to clinch the first Eastern Conference wild-card berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers have one game remaining in their schedule. They could still be overtaken by the Islanders or Penguins.

Matthews set two Leafs records with the most consecutive 40-goal seasons (four) and the most in franchise history with five. Things also got interesting for the Leafs in goal as they were forced to bring in an emergency backup on an amateur tryout contract when they were denied a goaltending salary-cap exemption. It’s believed this may have been an emergency of their own making by signing prospect forward Matthew Knies to his three-year entry-level contract over the weekend.

Speaking of the Eastern wild card race, the Buffalo Sabres kept their playoff hopes alive by nipping the New York Rangers 3-2 on a shootout goal by Casey Mittelstadt, who also tied the game in the third period. Devon Levi made 26 saves to pick up his fourth win in five games for the 40-32-7 Sabres (87 points) as they sit four points behind the Islanders with three games remaining in their schedule.

Dallas Stars winger Joe Pavelski scored to reach the 1,000-point plateau as his club dropped the Detroit Red Wings 6-1. Jason Robertson had a goal and two assists as the Stars sit in second place in the Central Divison with 104 points. David Perron replied for the Red Wings.

Ottawa Senators forward Claude Giroux also reached 1,000 career points with two goals and an assist in a 3-2 upset of the Carolina Hurricanes. Martin Necas collected two assists for the Hurricanes (109 points) as they remain one point ahead of the New Jersey Devils in first place in the Metropolitan Division.

The Los Angeles Kings blanked the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 on a 20-save shutout by Joonas Korpisalo. Arthur Kaliyev, Vladislav Gavrikov and Drew Doughty scored for the Kings, who sit third in the Pacific Division with 102 points. Collin Delia stopped 25 shots for the Canucks.

Two third-period goals by Marcus Johansson gave the Minnesota Wild a 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Filip Gustavsson kicked out 40 shots for the Wild as they’re sitting third in the Central with 102 points. Joey Anderson and Anders Bjork replied for the Blackhawks.

The Seattle Kraken picked up their fifth straight win by beating the Arizona Coyotes 4-1. Jared McCann and Justin Schultz each had a goal and an assist for the Kraken as they reached the 100-point plateau for the first time in franchise history and hold the first Western wild-card spot. Jack McBain scored for the Coyotes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of the Kraken, they signed prospect David Goyette on Monday to a three-year entry-level contract. He’s been assigned to their AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley along with center Shane Wright, whose junior season recently ended when his Windsor Spitfires were eliminated from the opening round of the 2023 OHL playoffs.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Seattle Kraken winger Jordan Eberle, and Florida Panthers goaltender Alex Lyon are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending April 9.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Professional Hockey Writers Association unveiled each team’s nominees for the 2023 Bill Masterton Trophy. They included Dallas Stars winger Jamie Benn, New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton, New York Islanders winger Zach Parise, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang, Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner Mark Giordano, Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser, Vegas Golden Knights winger Phil Kessel and Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlsson are among the notable players nominated for this award.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Click the link above for the full list, which will be whittled down to three finalists and will be handed out during the 2023 NHL Awards on June 26 in Nashville.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning winger Tanner Jeannot (injured leg) is expected to miss the early part of his club’s opening-round series against the Maple Leafs next week. However, he could return to action at some point in that series.

NHL.COM: Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Strome was fined $5,000.00 by the department of player safety for unsportsmanlike conduct during his club’s overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday.

SEATTLE HOCKEY INSIDER: The Kraken signed prospect David Goyette on Monday to a three-year entry-level contract. He’s been assigned to their AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley along with center Shane Wright, whose junior season recently ended when his Windsor Spitfires were eliminated from the opening round of the 2023 OHL playoffs.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 14, 2022

by | Jun 14, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 14, 2022

Mikko Rantanen hopes to maintain his scoring streak entering the Stanley Cup Final, an update on Brayden Point, the latest Rangers news, Mikko Koskinen heads to Switzerland and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).

 THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen hopes to extend his four-game goal-scoring streak when the Stanley Cup Final begins on Wednesday.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lighting center Brayden Point (lower-body injury) was a full participant in practice on Monday for the first time since the first round of the playoffs. He’s hoping to play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant explained his decision to make winger Kaapo Kakko a healthy scratch in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. “He’s a good young player, but we just thought that was the best lineup for trying to win that game,” said Gallant, who replaced Kakko with Dryden Hunt.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was speculation Gallant’s decision to sit Kakko might spur the 21-year-old winger to sign an offer sheet with a rival club as a restricted free agent this summer. However, he doesn’t believe that will affect his contract negotiations with the Rangers. “I don’t think so,” he said. “I like to play here, so I don’t think so.”

Gallant also dressed Ryan Strome for Game 6 but he played less than nine minutes before leaving the game with a pelvis injury. The 28-year-old center is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 13 but prefers to remain a Ranger. “My heart is here,” he said. However, he’s rumored to have rejected an initial offer from the Blueshirts worth between $5.25 million and $5.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers have limited cap space for next season. Strome seems interested in the length of his next contract, pointing out that his three-year deal with the New York Islanders earlier in his career was the longest to date.

Strome also indicated he could require surgery for the pelvis injury that hampered him during the postseason. Meanwhile, Barclay Goodrow confirmed he fractured his ankle during Game 1 of the opening-round series with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Defenseman Ryan Lindgren suffered an ankle injury during the Rangers’ final regular-season game.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen is leaving the NHL for Switzerland, signing a two-year contract with HC Lugano. He spent four seasons with the Oilers, sporting a record of 83-59-13 with a .907 save percentage and a 2.98 goals-against average.

TSN: The Oilers re-signed depth forward Brad Malone to a two-year, two-way contract paying him $762,500 at the NHL level.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators signed Jeremy Lauzon to a four-year, $8 million contract. Acquired from the Seattle Kraken at the trade deadline, the 25-year-old defenseman was slated to become a restricted free agent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly indicates the Predators have $21.5 million in cap space with 19 players under contract for 2022-23. Left winger Filip Forsberg is the biggest name among their notable free agents.

SPORTSNET: A Winnipeg brewery is offering Barry Trotz free beer for life if he signs with the Jets. Little Brown Jug Brewing Company and a local sports show launched the campaign on Monday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I can’t speak for Trotz but I know what my reaction would be to that offer.