NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 17, 2024

by | Dec 17, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 17, 2024

Recaps of Monday’s games, the three stars of the week, an update on Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers nipped the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 in their first game since Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. Carter Verhaeghe snapped a 5-5 tie in the third period and Sam Reinhart tallied his 20th of the season for the Panthers as they ended a two-game losing skid. Zach Hyman scored two goals and Connor McDavid collected three assists for the Oilers as their five-game win streak ended.

Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An entertaining game between the 2024 Cup Finalists. Defensive breakdowns proved costly for Edmonton, who blew a 4-2 lead. Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl had a goal and an assist in extending his multipoint streak to six games. Hyman left the game in the second period after being struck by a puck under his visor but returned in the third period sporting a fishbowl visor protecting his face and swollen nose.

Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood collected his first NHL hat trick in a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko stopped 30 shots for his first win of the season since his season debut last week. Valeri Nichushkin replied for the Avalanche as they cling to the final Western Conference wild-card berth with 36 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks fans serenaded Sherwood after he scored his third goal by chanting his name as he sat on the bench.

Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz tallied twice and Jason Robertson collected two assists to defeat the Washington Capitals 3-1, snapping the latter’s 10-game road win streak. Dylan Strome replied for the Capitals, who remain in first place in the Metropolitan Division with 44 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars rookie defenseman Lian Bichsel scored the winning goal as he makes the case to remain in the lineup. Called up to provide blueline depth as injuries and illness struck their blueline corps, the 20-year-old has two goals in three games, averaging over 15 minutes of ice time per game.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, and Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending Dec. 15, 2024.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson is listed as week-to-week with an undisclosed injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson’s been Pittsburgh’s best defenseman this season. He’s also been considered a prime candidate to be moved if the Penguins become sellers at the March 7 trade deadline. How long Pettersson is out of the lineup and his performance once he returns will be closely monitored by contenders seeking blueline depth in the New Year.

TSN: Detroit Red Wings forward Jonatan Berggren was fined $2,148.44 by the NHL’s department of player safety for cross-checking Toronto Maple Leafs forward Conor Dewar on Saturday.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Minnesota Wild placed forward Devin Shore on waivers.

SPORTSNET: Zach Dietz’s efforts to get to Canadian Tire Centre to join the Ottawa Senators as an emergency backup goaltender (EBUG) recently went viral. The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees’ goalie and his girlfriend were stuck in traffic so Dietz grabbed his gear, left his car, and was filmed sprinting toward the arena. A couple later picked him up in an SUV and drove him the rest of the way.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dietz replaced an injured Anton Forsberg but his services weren’t required as Linus Ullmark backstopped the Senators to a 3-2 overtime win over the Penguins.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Former Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz has announced his retirement at age 34. He spent 12 seasons in the NHL with the Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals and Seattle Kraken from 2012-13 to 2023-24.

Schultz won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins and had a career-best 51-point performance in 2016-17. He had 324 points in 745 regular-season games and 42 points in 81 playoff contests.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 24, 2024

by | Oct 24, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 24, 2024

The Capitals defeat the Flyers, Blues forward Robert Thomas and Utah defensemen Sean Durzi and John Marino sidelined by injuries, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Washington Capitals downed the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3 in Wednesday’s only game.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

Connor McMichael tallied twice, Pierre-Luc Dubois had a goal and an assist and Alex Ovechkin scored his 855th career goal for the Capitals. Owen Tippett and rookie winger Matvei Michkov each had a goal and an assist for the Flyers as they scored three goals after falling behind 4-0 before Dubois and Ovechkin put the game out of reach.

The Capitals have won five straight games while the Flyers have lost six in a row (0-5-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin is 40 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894.

The Flyers are struggling but Michkov has been a bright spot for them. He leads all rookies with seven points in as many games.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues forward Robert Thomas will miss six weeks with a fractured ankle after blocking a shot during Tuesday’s loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

NHL.COM: The Blues activated Oskar Sundqvist (knee) from injured reserve. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues could find it difficult to replace Thomas’ offense during his absence. He led the club with a career-best 86 points in 2023-24 and is second in points with six this season.

THE SCORE: Utah Hockey Club defensemen Sean Durzi and John Marino will be sidelined for a while. Durzi will miss four to six months following surgery on his right shoulder while Marino will be out three to four months after having a procedure on his back.

Durzi had two points in four games this season before his injury. Marino was acquired from the New Jersey Devils during the offseason but had yet to suit up with Utah because of his back.

In a related move, Utah called up defenseman Maveric Lamoureux.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Utah is 4-2-1 despite the absences of Durzi and Marino. If their right-side defense begins to suffer as the season progresses, they could seek help in the trade market.

SPORTSNET: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Justin Barron is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury following a hit by New York Rangers blueliner Jacob Trouba on Tuesday. There was no penalty on the play and Trouba won’t face supplemental discipline.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: The Lightning placed forward Conor Sheary on waivers. It’s unlikely that another club will claim Sheary and his $2 million annual average value through 2025-26. Instead, he could be demoted to the Lightning’s AHL affiliate in Syracuse.

TSN: Justin Schultz signed a one-year contract with HC Lugano in Switzerland. The 34-year-old defenseman spent 12 seasons in the NHL (2012-13 to 2023-24) with the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and Seattle Kraken, tallying 71 goals and 324 points in 745 regular-season games and 43 points in 82 playoff contests, winning two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schultz reportedly had offers of two-way contracts from some NHL clubs but was waiting for a one-way deal. He was expected to play in Europe if he didn’t get a suitable NHL proposal.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche assigned forward Calum Ritchie back to the Oshawa Generals of the OHL.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former NHL goaltender Michael Leighton is among the 2025 inductees into the American Hockey League Hall of Fame. He’s fifth all-time in wins (250) and the league’s all-time shutout leader with 50. He made the All-Rookie team in 2002 and won the Baz Bastien Memorial Award as best goaltender in 2008.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leighton played 110 games in the NHL from 2002-03 to 2016-17 with the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes. He’s best known among NHL fans for backstopping the Flyers to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 14, 2024

by | Oct 14, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 14, 2024

Check out the latest on Igor Shesterkin, the possibility of the Jets adding to the roster this season, the Oilers linked to some UFA defensemen, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston was asked by a reader if New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin will go to free agency next summer.

Johnston believes the path to a deal remains open between Shesterkin and the Rangers. The latter isn’t in a place yet to make him their highest-paid player but they are willing to make him the league’s highest-paid goalie. He considers it “incredibly likely” that the two sides will find common ground.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Rangers don’t re-sign Shesterkin they should start rebuilding their roster. There’s no one within their system or the trade and free agent markets to replace him. Team owner James Dolan wants to win the Stanley Cup and that’s only possible if Shesterkin is between the pipes.

The Rangers will make Shesterkin the NHL’s highest-paid goalie. It’s just a matter of when and how much.

Another reader asked Johnston if he sees the Winnipeg Jets adding a center or defenseman by the March 7 trade deadline. He replied that he wouldn’t be surprised if they boosted their depth at center.

Johnston also noted the Jets have to decide what to do about Nikolaj Ehlers. The 28-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. So far, the two sides appear comfortable playing this out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets’ plans for the trade deadline and Ehler’s future depends on their place in the standings by March 7 and how well Ehlers is playing by that point. Right now, it’s too early to tell.

Johnston and colleague Pierre LeBrun also reported the Edmonton Oilers have been linked to a pair of UFA defensemen.

They indicated the Oilers are believed to be among the teams to have spoken with Kevin Shattenkirk. They also included the Oilers among “appealing possibilities” for Mark Giordano.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins noted the talk linking the Oilers to Shattenkirk but criticized his skating and decline in his play. Leavins believes former Oiler Justin Schultz might be a better option.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers could consider an affordable veteran addition to their blueline if they continue to stumble as they’ve done through their first three games. However, aging veterans like Giordano, Shattenkirk and Schultz won’t improve their need for a fleet-footed, defensively-responsible rearguard.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks wondered if Steve Yzerman might put in a call for Joel Quenneville to replace head coach Derek Lalonde if the Detroit Red Wings get off to a sputtering start to this season. He also suggested a projected contender might turn to Quenneville.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Quenneville was banned from coaching in the NHL following revelations in 2021 that he played a role in mishandling sexual assault allegations from player Kyle Beach against the Chicago Blackhawks’ video coach during the club’s run to the 2010 Stanley Cup. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman lifted the ban in July.

Hiring Quenneville would be a controversial decision. Nevertheless, the door was opened this summer when the Edmonton Oilers hired Stan Bowman as general manager. Bowman was Blackhawks GM at the time that Beach made his allegations and played a significant role in how the front office mishandled that situation. Bettman also lifted his ban in July.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 11, 2024

by | Oct 11, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 11, 2024

The latest on Igor Shesterkin, Mikko Rantanen, Sam Bennett and Alexis Lafreniere, an update on the Islanders, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN: Darren Dreger provided updates on the contract negotiations between Igor Shesterkin and the New York Rangers.

Dreger said Shesterkin is just focusing on playing his game now that the season has begun. The recent report claiming he rejected an eight-year, $88 million offer hasn’t fazed him at all. Some believe his range is $11.5 million and $11.7 million, which would make him the highest-paid Ranger.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico cited a source who believes Shesterkin wants to set the market for goaltenders so high that no one will top him for a while. He knows that the Rangers need him and have to sign him.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).

D’Amico’s source said the Rangers don’t have an issue making him the NHL’s highest-paid goaltender. “Where the number starts with an 11 or 12, he will be the standard.

Both sides are still negotiating. Shesterkin wants to stay in New York and the Rangers want to keep him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’re not even a week into this season and Shesterkin’s contract situation is dominating the rumor mill. This risks becoming an unnecessary distraction for the Rangers this season.

Turning to Mikko Rantanen, Pierre LeBrun doesn’t think anything’s imminent regarding his contract talks with the Colorado Avalanche. He believes Rantanen’s agent will factor in the rise of the salary cap and the percentage of the cap.

LeBrun thinks Nathan MacKinnon’s $12.6 million average annual value is a bit of an internal cap for the Avalanche. This could get done but not everyone knows for sure if it will.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: $12.5 million annually for eight years could do it but the Avs could be trying to keep it in the $11 million range.

The Florida Panthers signing Carter Verhaeghe to a long-term extension earlier this week prompted Dreger to wonder whether they’ll re-sign versatile two-way forward Sam Bennett.

Dreger believes the Panthers want to keep Bennett. However, he could become a big-ticket player in next summer’s free-agent market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bennett is that guy you hate to play against but love to have on your team. He’s making over $4.4 million annually on his current contract and could seek an average annual value of around $7 million.

THE SCORE: cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reporting the Rangers have been working on a new contract with Alexis Lafreniere since the summer. Different options are on the table, including an eight-year deal with an AAV of $8 million.

Lafreniere, 23, is in the final season of a two-year deal with an AAV of $2.33 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lafreniere’s breakout performance last season signals better things to come for the 2020 first-overall pick. Getting him locked into a new long-term deal as soon as possible could pay significant dividends against the salary cap down the road.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey believes New York Islanders winger Pierre Engvall could be a great trade target for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Engvall, 28, cleared waivers earlier this week and was sent to the Isles’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. He’s in the second season of a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $3 million.

Bailey believes Flyers head coach John Tortorella might be able to unlock something more from Engvall, whose inconsistent play with the Isles led to his demotion. He pointed to the winger’s size, speed and solid puck possession numbers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of you might suggest that if the Flyers wanted him they could’ve claimed him off waivers without giving up anything in return. However, trading for him now means he doesn’t have to pass through waivers again if the Flyers decide to demote him to their AHL affiliate.

Nevertheless, I doubt the Flyers will be interested. Engvall may be an analytics darling but his overall game needs improvement. He failed to produce more offense as a middle-six forward. The length of his contract is also a concern.

TSN: Chris Johnston reports Mark Giordano, John Klingberg, Kevin Shattenkirk and Justin Schultz remain available. The four defensemen are unrestricted free agents still hoping to land NHL jobs. Johnston indicated Schultz turned down some NHL offers and could play in Europe if he doesn’t find the right fit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They could still land jobs if injuries strike early in the season or if cap-strapped clubs find themselves seeking affordable blueline depth.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 28, 2024

by | Sep 28, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 28, 2024

How will the Kings replace the sidelined Drew Doughty on their blueline? What’s the latest on Flyers goalie Alexei Kolosov? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman wondered how the Los Angeles Kings will replace sidelined Drew Doughty. The 34-year-old defenseman requires surgery to repair a broken ankle and is listed as month-to-month.

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (NHL Images).

Friedman pondered which right-handed defensemen remain available in the free-agent market, mentioning Justin Schultz and Kevin Shattenkirk. He also suggested a rearguard could become available via waivers.

The Kings could also promote Kyle Burroughs, Brandt Clarke or Jordan Spence as Doughty’s replacement. Friedman doubts they’ll move Clarke because they added Joel Edmundson to pair with him.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens also examined the Kings’ options to replace Doughty.

Stephens thinks it’ll have to be a collective effort by the Kings blueline to offset Doughty’s absence. He noted they already planned to lean more on Clarke and Spence this season. He Stephens also suggested Tyson Barrie, Shattenkirk, or Schultz as external free-agent options if Doughty is out long-term.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have over $1.7 million in cap space to put toward adding a defenseman via waivers, trade, or free agency. They could also exceed the cap by placing Doughty and his $11 million annual cap hit on long-term injury reserve to address that issue.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Kings address this situation. They could look to within but it wouldn’t be surprising if they also opt for an affordable veteran addition.

RG.ORG: Sergey Demidov cites a source claiming Alexei Kolosov returned to North America to personally meet with Philadelphia Flyers management to terminate his NHL contract.

The source said the 22-year-old netminder’s goal is to negotiate the termination of his contract and return to KHL club Dinamo Minsk, where his salary has been reserved for this season. He doesn’t want to play in North America, but the KHL won’t allow him to play for Dinamo while under an NHL contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kolosov participated in the Flyers’ practice on Friday. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes he might get into one of their four remaining preseason games and could start this season with their AHL affiliate. The goalie also has a European assignment clause and could return to the KHL if he hasn’t played in the NHL by a certain date.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines & Rumors – September 8, 2024

by | Sep 8, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines & Rumors – September 8, 2024

Canucks captain Quinn Hughes on his goals for the upcoming season, the Wild attempted to acquire Patrik Laine, an update on Ryan Johansen, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

HEADLINES

SPORTSNET: Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes is proud of winning the Norris Trophy in 2023-24 but is putting that behind him to focus on his club’s goals and his personal ones for the upcoming season.

Hughes, 24, finished last season with a career-high 17 goals and 75 assists for 92 points. He believes he can reach 20 goals and doesn’t rule out 100 points this season, explaining that he felt he missed a lot of scoring opportunities last season.

The Canucks captain also believes his club will be better in 2024-25, pointing to the addition of forwards Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, Kiefer Sherwood and Daniel Sprong and defenseman Derek Forbort.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Hughes doesn’t see his club enduring the inconsistency of the previous years before last season’s improvement, noting that they’re no longer an up-and-coming club as they were back then. He indicated core players like himself, Elias Pettersson, Thatcher Demko, J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser are older and more experienced.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes and his teammates will face significant pressure to build on their 109-point performance last season, the third-best record in franchise history. How they handle the heightened expectations could determine the outcome of this season.

SI.COM: Nick Horwat cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman claiming the Minnesota Wild attempted to acquire Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets before the 26-year-old winger was traded to the Montreal Canadiens last month.

Friedman believes the Wild were “very interested” in Laine. However, Horwat pointed out the cap-strapped Wild would’ve had to ship out some salary to absorb the winger’s $8.7 million cap hit through 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored last month the Wild could look into acquiring Laine. There was also talk that they were on his 10-team “no-trade” list.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports the Philadelphia Flyers hope to receive further clarification regarding their efforts to void Ryan Johansen’s contract.

According to Kurz, whether Johansen was healthy enough to report to the Flyers’ AHL affiliate following his acquisition from the Colorado Avalanche is at the heart of the disagreement. The Flyers originally thought they’d receive clarification before the start of the season but a team source suggests it’s “going to be a few weeks”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johansen has a year remaining on his contract. The average annual value is $8 million, of which $4 million was retained by the Nashville Predators when they traded him last summer to the Avalanche. The Flyers took on that portion of his AAV when they acquired him earlier this year.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Steve Warne wonders if veteran winger Mike Hoffman has played his final NHL game. A 70-point producer in 2018-19 with the Florida Panthers, the 34-year-old winger has been unable to land a contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hoffman’s production has tumbled since then, partly due to two COVID-shortened seasons but also because of three injury-shortened campaigns with rebuilding clubs in Montreal and San Jose.

The knock on Hoffman is he’s a one-dimensional offensive player whose defensive play leaves something to be desired. Age could also be catching up with him.

DAILY FACEOFF: Edmonton Oilers winger Corey Perry helped WWE wrestler Kevin Owens in his triple-threat match against Austin Theory during WWE Smackdown in Edmonton on Friday night.

Perry got involved when Owens and Theory battled outside the ring, grabbing Theory and holding back his arms, allowing Owens to deliver a chop across Theory’s chest. Owens high-fived Perry afterward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nice little bit of cross-promotion there.

SPORTSNET: Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder paid tribute to the Gaudreau brothers during a concert in Philadelphia on Saturday.

Vedder noted he and bassist Jeff Ament lost people close to them in tragic accidents. He cited his friend, Hall of Famer Chris Chelios, saying what good men the brothers were. Hearing the Gaudreaus came from Philadelphia and grew up watching games in that city, the band dedicated the song “Given To Fly” to the brothers, their families, loved ones and teammates.

RUMORS

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cites Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying he expects a bridge deal between the Devils and Dawson Mercer. The 22-year-old winger completed his entry-level contract last season.

Friedman doesn’t see how a long-term deal is possible given the Devils’ limited cap space. They have just over $4.9 million for 2024-25.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll probably be a two or three-year contract with an AAV between $3.5 million and $4 million.

Nichols also tweeted on Friday that former New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck remains focused on signing an NHL contract. He indicated a handful of teams have inquired about professional tryout offers.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins believes a reunion between the Oilers and Justin Schultz is possible, saying the two sides have talked. He also noted the rumors linking the club to Kevin Shattenkirk but feels it’s more likely they sign a more affordable defense option like Travis Dermott.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schultz, 34, began his NHL career with the Oilers, playing 3 1/2 seasons before getting traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 27, 2016.