NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 2, 2024

by | Sep 2, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 2, 2024

Clayton Keller looks forward to Utah’s upcoming season, Patrik Laine arrives in Montreal, Dylan Holloway talks about the Oilers’ reaction to his offer sheet from the Blues, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

ALLCITY NETWORK: Craig Morgan reports Clayton Keller believes Utah Hockey Club’s offseason additions will push his team in the right direction.

After relocating from Arizona to Utah in the spring, the club bolstered its blueline by acquiring Mikhail Sergachev, John Marino and Ian Cole.

Utah Hockey Club forward Clayton Keller (NHL Images)

“All the guys that we traded for and signed are great players and guys that have won Stanley Cups or been in those high-pressure situations,” said Keller. He believes his team is ready to take the next step and wants to win. “I think we’re a fun team to watch.”

The 26-year-old winger looks forward to showing what he can do in postseason competition. “I’ve had some decent seasons, but I haven’t really proven anything really. When you really make the noise is in the playoffs; when you’re in those high-pressure situations.

Keller’s father, Bryan, dismissed rumors claiming his son was upset over moving from Arizona to Utah and wanted a trade. “That’s 100 percent BS”, he said, adding his son “can’t wait” for this season after seeing the excitement and support for the team in their new home state.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Keller was his club’s best player over the past three seasons and should continue in the role for the foreseeable future. Utah’s crop of emerging young talent combined with their recent veteran additions should make them a better club this season. Nevertheless, Keller will be looked on to lead the way.

TVA SPORTS: Patrik Laine arrived in Montreal last week to begin skating with his new teammates before training camp starts in mid-September. The Canadiens acquired the 26-year-old winger from the Columbus Blue Jackets last month. He will wear jersey No. 92.

RG.ORG: Speaking of the Canadiens, an opportunity to get a second-round pick from the New Jersey Devils could be dashed because of the conditions in the Jake Allen trade between the two clubs in March.

The conditions state that the 2025 third-round pick the Devils owe the Canadiens would become a second-rounder if Allen plays in at least 40 games this season and the Devils (or another team he’s traded to) qualify for the playoffs.

However, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald indicated his club intends to lean heavily on offseason acquisition Jacob Markstrom as their starting goaltender. It’s unlikely that Allen will reach the 40-game plateau backing up Markstrom.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited former Oilers winger Dylan Holloway claiming his former club was aware of the St. Louis Blues’ intention to sign him and teammate Philip Broberg to offer sheets well before the pair received them.

Appearing on the “Hockey Sense” podcast, Holloway said his camp was trying to get a deal done with the Oilers and wasn’t asking for “anything crazy at all.” He claims they explained to management that an offer sheet was an option but was still hoping to stay in Edmonton. He said it was “weird” how the Oilers handled it, leaving him no choice but to accept the offer.

Holloway said it was bittersweet leaving Edmonton and doesn’t expect to get a warm reception from Oilers fans when he comes to town with the Blues. However, he said his former teammates understood his decision.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers management hoped no rival club would exploit their salary-cap constraints by signing Holloway and Broberg. They gambled and lost.

THE PROVINCE: Latvia national team goalie coach Arturs Irbe said Arturs Silovs should be fully recovered from his knee inflammation soon enough and ready to start the 2024-25 season with the Vancouver Canucks. Irbe said the inflammation was caused by Silovs overtraining in preparation for joining Latvia for their Olympic qualifier.

OLYMPICS.COM: Speaking of Latvia’s men’s team, they qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics along with Denmark and Slovakia.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen has officially retired as a player to pursue a new career as a player agent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Koskinen, 36, was drafted by the New York Islanders in 2009 and played four games with them in 2010-11. He spent six seasons in the KHL from 2013-14 to 2017-18 until joining the Oilers in 2018-19, where he spent four seasons before finishing his career in Switzerland.

Koskinen’s NHL record was 85-60-13 in 168 games with a career goals-against average of 3.01, a save percentage of .906 and six shutouts.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 30, 2024

by | Aug 30, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 30, 2024

Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau has passed away. Details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau have died after being struck by a vehicle while riding their bikes in Oldman Township, Salem County, New Jersey. The accident occurred on Thursday evening.

The Blue Jackets confirmed the tragic news this morning. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement expressing shock and sadness over Gaudreau’s tragic passing.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau (NHL Images).

The Gaudreau family was together for the wedding of their sister Katie, who was supposed to be getting married on Aug. 30.

Gaudreau emerged as an NHL star with the Calgary Flames in 2014-15. Nicknamed “Johnny Hockey”, he was regularly among the Flames’ leading scorers, tallying a career-high 115 points in 2021-22 and 99 points in 2018-19.

Signed by the Blue Jackets as a free agent, Gaudreau was their leading scorer during the last two seasons. He was entering the third season of his seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets.

In 763 NHL regular-season games, Gaudreau had 243 goals and 500 assists for 743 points. He also had 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points in 42 playoff contests.

Gaudreau leaves behind his wife Meredith and two young children. Johnny was 31 years old, his brother Matthew was 29.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m in shock right now over this devastating news. My heart goes out to Gaudreau’s family, his friends, his current and former teammates. My sincere condolences as well to the Blue Jackets and the Flames.

*****

OTTAWA SUN: Senators head coach Travis Green said his players should be ready to work when they report for training camp on Sept. 18.

Green was named head coach of the Senators on May 7. He indicated he’s met with all of his players, informing them of his expectations for this season, emphasizing their offseason conditioning, and the importance of being in shape for camp.

Center Josh Norris is fully recovered from his season-ending shoulder surgery. Green said Norris will be a full participant in training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A healthy Norris will be crucial to the Senators’ playoff hopes this season. He had a promising 35-goal, 55-point performance in 66 games during 2021-22 but has been derailed by shoulder surgeries limiting him to 58 games over the past two seasons.

The Senators also announced free agent forward Nick Cousins signed a one-year $800K contract. Cousins, 30, won the Stanley Cup last season with the Florida Panthers.

Meanwhile, team president Cyril Leeder said the club expects to have a decision on the future of their proposed LeBreton Flats arena project by the end of September. Leeder admitted he’s disappointed there hasn’t been more progress in negotiations with the National Capital Commission (NCC) but remains cautiously optimistic they’ll get a deal in place.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report indicated Senators owner Michael Andlauer remains bullish on constructing an arena in downtown Ottawa but seeks a lease agreement that is fair to both sides. The Senators play at Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, over 22 km (13.6 miles) from downtown.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers winger Evander Kane posted a video on Instagram alleging a white man on a bicycle spat on his vehicle and used racist language toward him.

“That’s what you just said: “You people don’t belong here,” Kane is heard addressing the man. A third man identifying as Kane’s friend adds, “That’s not a good statement.”

“It’s incredibly disappointing,” said Kane following the incident. “There are still people like this today.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s beyond disappointing.

THE ATHLETIC: In an interview with Michael Russo, Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz explained why he traded promising Yaroslav Askarov to the San Jose Sharks last week.

Trotz believes Askarov has the skills and confidence to become an excellent goaltender. However, he felt the 22-year-old netminder currently lacks the elite mindset and mental preparation to reach that level.

He based that opinion on his years working with well-respected goaltending coach Mitch Korn. “The mental part, the physical part, the emotional part all have to get to a very mature state to have a lot of consistency in this game.”

The Predators signed starting goaltender Juuse Saros to an eight-year extension and added veteran backup Scott Wedgewood last month with a two-year contract. Askarov told the club he wouldn’t report to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee and requested a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trotz believes Askarov will reach that elite level with more consistency. However, he’s invested in Saros for the next eight years as he’s attempting to build the Predators into a Stanley Cup contender.

The Predators are in “win-now” mode following their offseason signings of wingers Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault and defenseman Brady Skjei. Trotz wanted established NHL goalies on his roster. He and his staff had a plan to develop Askarov’s game but the young netminder saw that as an obstacle in his path to becoming an NHL starter.

DAILY FACEOFF: Carolina Hurricanes winger Jesper Fast is expected to miss the 2024-25 season following neck surgery on Aug. 6. The 32-year-old winger is in the final season of his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fast will be placed on injured reserve rather than long-term injury reserve. That’s because the Hurricanes have over $6.4 million in cap space this season.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs won’t be playing for Latvia in their upcoming Olympic qualifier this weekend. The 23-year-old goaltender is dealing with knee ligament inflammation but it’s not expected to keep him out of Canucks training camp, which opens on Sept. 19.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks are already dealing with the potential absence of starter Thatcher Demko during training camp and preseason as he rehabs a nagging undisclosed injury.

They’re reportedly considering their options to shore up their goaltending depth. Silovs’ ailment could put more urgency into their search.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs announced Steve Sullivan will join their AHL affiliate as an assistant coach.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 17, 2024

by | Jul 17, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 17, 2024

Stars winger Joe Pavelski retires, Blues defenseman Torey Krug faces a potentially season-ending injury, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Joe Pavelski officially announced his retirement after 18 NHL seasons with the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars.

Dallas Stars winger Joe Pavelski (NHL Images).

The 40-year-old winger netted 476 goals and 592 assists for 1,068 points in 1,332 regular-season games, sitting sixth all-time among American-born players. He also tallied 74 goals and 69 assists for 143 points in 201 playoff contests.

Pavelski appeared in seven Conference Finals and two Stanley Cup Finals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of Pavelski’s stats were accumulated during his 13 seasons with the Sharks. He’s second among their all-time leaders with 355 goals, third in points with 761, and fourth in games played with 963. Pavelski played a significant role in the Sharks’ rise as a Western Conference powerhouse from 2007-08 to 2010-11 and their run to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.

The Sharks reportedly looked into bringing Pavelski back next season but he’d made up his mind that it was time to retire. He was a model of consistency throughout his career, exceeding the 60-point plateau 11 times, including a 67-point performance last season.

Pavelski will be remembered among the best American-born players in NHL history. One day soon, he will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues defenseman Torey Krug was diagnosed with pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle and will be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks. The injury is a cumulative result of a bone fracture earlier in Krug’s playing career.

If Krug requires surgery, he will be sidelined for the 2024-25 season. That would enable left-shot defenseman Scott Perunovich to receive more playing time.

Krug carries an average annual value of $6.5 million. He would be eligible to be placed on long-term injury reserve if he’s sidelined for the season. However, the Blues currently have more than $7 million in salary-cap space, meaning they would only place him on LTIR to free up more cap room.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford indicated Krug was being mentioned in trade rumors after the Blues signed Ryan Suter last week to a one-year contract. That created a logjam of nine defensemen on one-way contracts. Rutherford points out there won’t be a trade market for Krug even if he agrees to waive his no-trade clause.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars will induct Brenden Morrow and Jim Lites into their Hall of Fame in October.

Morrow spent 13 of his 15 NHL seasons with the Stars, seven as team captain. Lites was president and CEO of the Sharks from 2011 until 2020 when he was named team chairman.

The Stars also signed 2024 first-round pick Emil Hemming to a three-year entry-level contract. Hemming was selected 29th overall by the Stars.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders signed forward Simon Holmstrom to a one-year, $850K contract.

THE GAZETTE: The Montreal Canadiens hired former Columbus Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent as the new bench boss of their AHL affiliate in Laval.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks signed goaltender Arturs Silovs to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $850K. Silovs, 23, stepped in during the first round of the Canucks series against the Nashville Predators after Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith were sidelined, backstopping them to a six-game series victory.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers goaltending prospect Alexei Kolosov didn’t appear in the club’s recent prospect development camp and is reportedly attempting to get out of his NHL contract.