Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom donated $10K to his former youth hockey club.
Latest on Nicklas Backstrom, Patrick Marleau, Anthony Duclair & more in your NHL morning coffee headlines.
CSNMIDATLANTIC.COM: Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom donated his World Championship bonus check ($10,000.00 US) to his former youth hockey organization Valbo HC. Backstrom helped Sweden win gold at this year’s championship.
THE MERCURY NEWS: Patrick Marleau took out a full-page ad thanking the San Jose Sharks and their fans. After spending 19 seasons with the Sharks, Marleau signed a three-year contract in July with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
ARIZONA SPORTS: The Arizona Coyotes signed restricted free agent winger Anthony Duclair to a one-year, $1.2 million contract. After scoring 20 goals as a rookie in 2015-16, Duclair regressed in 2016-17 and was demoted to the Coyotes AHL affiliate in Tucson.
TSN: Former NHL forward Jack Skille is expected to sign a contract with KHL club Minsk. He played 55 games last season with the Vancouver Canucks.
BOSTON GLOBE: The short, tragic life of former NHL player David Gove, who was allegedly raped as a teenager by a Boston youth hockey coach.
THE DENVER POST: The former site manager of Mile High Hockey is suing Vox Media claiming the media company broke labor laws by underpaying its site managers. Mile High Hockey covers the Colorado Avalanche for SB Nation.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Phil Kessel scores the game winner against the Washington Capitals.
Notable highlights from last night’s games, injury updates, signings & more in your NHL morning coffee headlines.
NHL.COM: Phil Kessel scored the winner in a shootout to lift the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins to a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals. Marc-Andre Fleury made 39 saves for the win.
Brad Marchand scored twice and set up three others as the Boston Bruins netted five unanswered goals to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3.
Mark Scheifele scored in overtime and Patrik Laine tallied his first NHL goal as the Winnipeg Jets rallied to down the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4.
Brendan Gallagher scored twice to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, who also lost winger Evander Kane to a possible rib injury after he crashed into the end boards late in the second period.
Former Edmonton Oilers winger Nail Yakupov scored a goal and set up another to help the St. Louis Blues edge the Minnesota Wild 3-2.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Yakupov goes on to star with the Blues, it’ll provide further ammunition for those who are critical of how the Edmonton Oilers have handled their young players in recent years.
DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Prior to their season-opening game against the Anaheim Ducks, the Dallas Stars honored the five Dallas police offers murdered in an ambush in July. The Stars doubled up the Ducks 4-2.
LOS ANGELES TIMES: The Kings placed goaltender Jonathan Quick (lower-body injury) on injured reserve and recalled netminder Peter Budaj. Quick is listed as week-to-week.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This will be a significant early-season test for the Kings, who must rely on Budaj and Jeff Zatkoff to carry the goaltending duties for the foreseeable future.
TSN: The Buffalo Sabres yesterday announced general manager Tim Murray signed a multiyear contract extension.
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks claimed winger Emerson Etem off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks.
NHL.COM: The Vancouver Canucks signed forward Jack Skille to a one-year, one-way contract worth $700K.
SPORTSNET: A Montreal Canadiens fan upset over the club trading P.K. Subban took out a full-page age in the Montreal Gazette to voice his displeasure. The ad cost $20,000.00.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This Habs fan has the right to legally express his disdain over the Subban trade any way he chooses. However, I can think of better ways to spend $20 grand.
Team Europe’s Leon Draisaitl scores in overtime against Team Czech Republic in World Cup of Hockey preliminary action.
World Cup of Hockey scores and updates, latest on Valeri Nichushkin & more in your NHL morning headlines.
NHL.COM: Leon Draitsaitl’s overtime breakaway goal lifted Team Europe to a 3-2 victory over Team Czech Republic in World Cup of Hockey preliminary round play. Mats Zuccarello assisted on Draisaitl’s goal and also tallied earlier in the third period.
The European squad is now 2-0 in Group A, putting pressure on Team USA to defeat Team Canada tonight or fail to reach the semifinal. The Czechs picked up a point but need help if they’re to advance in the tournament.
Team Russia got four second period goals from Vladislav Namestnikov, Nikita Kucherov, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Vladimir Tarasenko and held on for a 4-3 victory over Team North America. Auston Matthews, Morgan Rielly and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored for Team North America, but goalie Matt Murray was driven from the net in the second period.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Team Europe has proven thus far to be the surprise club of the World Cup, as this largely veteran-laden squad made up of players from eight countries wasn’t expected to have much chance against younger, deeper clubs in this tournament. As for the North Americans, defensive breakdowns against the Russians proved costly. Their inexperience was evident in this game.
SUN-SENTINEL.COM: Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad suffered a mild concussion playing for Team North America against Finland in the World Cup of Hockey. He was sidelined for the North Americans game against the Russians.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ekblad’s absence was also a contributing factor in the North Americans loss to the Russians.
DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars restricted free agent winger Valeri Nichushkin is reportedly on the verge of signing a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow of the KHL. A report out of Russia claiming Nichushkin didn’t like playing for Stars coach Lindy Ruff was denied by Dallas GM Jim Nill.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sounds like this move could also be a pressure tactic by the Nichushkin camp to pressure Nill into making the winger a better offer. Given Nichushkin’s struggles and the fact he’s coming off an entry-level contract, it’s doubtful the Stars will give in to such pressure. If Nichushkin bolts, Nill’s addition of veteran winger Jiri Hudler this summer will take on more importance in the upcoming season.
NEWSDAY: While New York Islanders RFA winger Ryan Strome has until September 22 to re-sign or face missing the upcoming season, he’s confident he’ll be under contract and attending training camp. The Isles have a policy of cutting off all negotiations with their RFAs if unsigned when training camp opens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been an effective tactic by the Isles, as it sets a hard deadline for their RFAs to re-sign and avoids negotiations dragging on through training camp.
TWINCITIES.COM: The Minnesota Wild invited unrestricted free agent Tomas Fleischmann to training camp on a tryout basis.
THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks signed UFA forward Jack Skille to a professional tryout offer.
NBC SPORTS: The logo for the 2017 NHL All-Star Game has been unveiled.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Las Vegas NHL expansion club reached it’s season-ticket cap of 16,000.
