NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 29, 2024
Highlights from the first round of the 2024 Draft, and the latest on Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, Sam Reinhart, Sidney Crosby, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FIRST ROUND OF THE 2024 NHL DRAFT
NHL.COM: The San Jose Sharks selected Macklin Celebrini with the first-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft at Sphere in Las Vegas on Friday evening. You can see the full list of first-round picks by following the link provided.
Macklin Celebrini (right) poses with Joe Thornton after being chosen first overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2024 NHL Draft (NHL.com).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise here. Celebrini was the consensus top player among prospect evaluators. Sharks general manager Mike Grier has recently mentioned the Boston University center among his top prospects. Celebrini and promising Will Smith should give the Sharks a solid one-two punch at center in the coming years.
The Anaheim Ducks selected Oshawa Generals winger Beckett Sennecke third overall. He projects to be a top-six winger alongside one of the Ducks’ promising young centers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This one was a surprise as most evaluators expected Sennecke to be chosen in the middle of this round. However, a strong second half and postseason bolstered his stock. The Ducks are loaded with young centers like Leo Carlsson, Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish. Sennecke could one day line up alongside one of them.
Russian winger Ivan Demidov was chosen fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens fans were angry about their club passing over Matvei Michkov in the first round of last year’s draft but they should be pleased with this choice. Demidov was projected to go second overall by many evaluators. However, the Chicago Blackhawks took defenseman Artyom Levshunov with that pick, the Ducks chose Beckett Sennecke and the Columbus Blue Jackets went with center Cayden Lindstrom.
The 18-year-old Russian winger has been compared to Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov. If he develops as projected, the Canadiens could have a scoring superstar on their hands.
The Utah Hockey Club selected Tij Iginla with the sixth overall pick, the first since the teams relocated from Arizona this spring.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Iginla is the son of Hall-of-Famer Jarome Iginla and is a goalscorer like his father. A versatile forward, Iginla can play center or on the wing. He faces heightened expectations because of his famous dad but has the potential to become an NHL star in his own right.
University of Denver defenseman Zeev Buium was chosen 12th overall by the Minnesota Wild. They traded up from 13th overall with the Buffalo Sabres to land him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This year’s draft was notable for a crop of high-quality defense prospects including Buium, Levshunov, Carter Yakemchuk (chosen seventh by the Ottawa Senators), Zayne Parekh (ninth overall, Calgary Flames), Anton Silayev (10th, New Jersey Devils), and Sam Dickinson (taken 11th by the Sharks).
I expected Buium to be chosen among the top 10. He helped Denver win the Frozen Four tournament and was part of Team USA’s gold-medal squad at the 2024 World Juniors. This pick could end up becoming a steal for the Wild.
The New York Islanders selected Cole Eiserman of the USNTDP with the 20th overall pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Concerns about Eiserman’s defensive play sent the young scoring winger’s stock tumbling. However, this could work out well for the Islanders as they attempt to restock their depleted prospect pool. Eiserman broke Cole Caufield’s record for most goals in a USNTDP career. This kid has the potential to become an NHL scorer.
History was made in this draft as two Norwegians were chosen in the opening round for the first time. The Detroit Red Wings selected winger Michael Brandsegg-Nygard with the 15th overall pick while the Ducks chose defenseman Stian Stolberg at No. 23.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I love it when players from smaller hockey nations get chosen in the opening round of the NHL Draft. It shows how much the game is growing internationally.
Several notable prospects projected to go in the first round remain available heading into Day 2 of the draft on Saturday beginning at 11:30 am ET. They include KHL forward Igor Chernyshow, Prince Albert Raiders forward Ryder Ritchie, Medicine Hat Tigers winger Andrew Basha, Swedish defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius, and Brandon Wheat Kings defenseman Charlie Elick.
HEADLINES
TAMPA BAY TIMES: After 16 seasons, Steven Stamkos could be leaving the Lightning. General manager Julien BriseBois said Friday morning he’s uncertain if a deal can be done to keep the 34-year-old winger from heading to the free-agent market on Monday.
The issue is limited salary-cap space. The Lightning have 18 players under contract for 2024-25 with $5.335 million in cap space. That alone isn’t enough to re-sign Stamkos, let alone fill out the rest of the roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports Stamkos’ agent said his client is heading to market on July 1. It will be remembered that he appeared to be going to market in 2016 before signing an eight-year extension at the last minute. That doesn’t seem likely this time unless the Bolts free up sufficient cap space to make it happen.
BriseBois seems more optimistic about signing Victor Hedman to a contract extension. The 33-year-old defenseman has a year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $7.875 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Stamkos departs, it will be interesting to see how that affects the Lightning’s efforts to re-sign Hedman.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the Panthers could have a deal in place to re-sign Sam Reinhart. It’s expected to be worth $9 million annually and would have to be announced on June 30 if it’s to be for a maximum of eight years.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Negotiations between the Reinhart camp and Panthers management have been ongoing for months. The 28-year-old winger has repeatedly expressed his wish to remain in Florida. It appears he’ll get his wish, taking one of the biggest names off this summer’s free-agent market.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Sidney Crosby indicated preliminary contract extension discussions with Penguins management have begun. The 36-year-old Penguins captain has one year remaining on his contract. He declined to elaborate but said they’ve had some conversations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby’s not going anywhere. He’ll likely get a four-year deal for around his current annual cap hit of $8.7 million and finish his career as a Penguin.
NHL.COM: The initial 24 players for the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face Off were announced on Friday.
Penguins center Sidney Crosby, Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand, and Lightning forward Brayden Point make up the first six of Canada’s roster.
Team USA’s first six players include Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox, and Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy.
Sweden’s first six include the Lightning’s Victor Hedman, Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander, Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg, New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad, Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson and Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling.
Panthers center Aleksander Barkov, Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen, Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho, Predators goaltender Juuse Saros, and Dallas Stars defensemen Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell are Finland’s first six players.
The rest of the rosters will be announced between Nov. 29 and Dec. 2. The tournament will be held in Montreal and Boston from Feb. 12-20, 2025.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers will buy out the final year of Cam Atkinson’s contract.
THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov will head to free agency on July 1.
TSN: The Edmonton Oilers signed backup goaltender Calvin Pickard to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $1 million.
STLTODAY.COM: The St. Louis Blues acquired Alexandre Texier from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a 2025 fourth-round pick. The Blue signed the 24-year-old forward to a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.1 million.
Will be interesting to see where Stamkos ends up he is from from done. Sweeney made an interesting pick at 25 Lots of upside. Will have to wait 3 years or so to see if he continues to grow his game. But being compared to Tage Thompson not a bad thing
I bet Stamkos signs with his former GM in Detroit, and Kane returns to the NYR, especially if Trouba is traded to DET. I bet the Rangers also sign Tanev
Priceless reaction by Beckett Sennecke. A true WTF moment for the lad
Glad to see some trades on the floor this year.
I truly believe Columbus got a great player in Lindstrom. Time will tell.
Columbus has their future down the middle (Fantilli, Sillinger, Lindstrom) and also has Jenner, Kuraly, Johnson, and others in the system (Brindley, Del Bel Belluz, and 6 more listed as C’s on CapFriendly) to play Center
There has already been media suggestion of a Laine trade to Pens (that includes Smith going to Jackets)
With all these Centers in their system, is there a bigger deal that nets Jenner or Kuraly (to play third line centre for Pens)?
Pens still need to persue:
Smith + Accairi + Eller, and one of Gruden/Broz for
Laine and 3rd (this year)
An aside:
Reflecting back on how Dubas got kicked in the knackers by Waddell on the Guentzel deal (reminder that almost every media had posted an expectation of 1st + Roster + A level prospect)…. Had Dubas not been throttled in the deal; we’d have had 27th pick (Vaneker or any that followed: Gredin, Hemming, Emery, Danforth, Oreily).
Or, as we saw, could have moved up 5 or 6 spots at a cost (on average) of 2nd + late rounder
That would have opened the door to: Surin or Beudoin or Letourneau or Greentree
Now we don’t pick until 44 and 46 ; true shots in the dark
Dubas, you’re killing this team
Smashville has over $26 M in space; and no state tax; I really wouldn’t be surprised if Stamkos gets a call from Trotz and takes serious consideration of Trotz’s offer
Some nice moments at the draft – the utter shock on the face of Beckett Senecke at going # 3 (projected at # 13), the drafting of two Norwegians by Detroit and Anaheim, the heart-tugging stories of Cayden Lindstrom and Michael Hage, and the Habs having Vegas legend Céline Dion make their first pick. Great stuff.
Although I half-expected Ottawa to conclude a trade involving that 7th pick, I can’t say I was disappointed with big RD Carter Yakemchuk. Not only can this kid skate and score from the back end, he plays with an edge and hopefully one day should be a great complement to Jake Sanderson.
Good call williew!
At least the odds for Yakemchuk developing into a bona-fide NHLer are decent when looking at the players chosen at # 7 since 2010, the majority of whom have succeeded at varying levels: Jeff Skinner, Mark Scheifele, Matt Dumba, Darnell Nurse, Haydn Fleury, Ivan Provorov, Clayton Keller, Lias Andersson; Quinn Hughes, Dylan Cozens, Alexander Holtz, William Eklund, Kevin Korchinski, Matvei Michkov.
Thanks George👍
My first Choice for RD man was Zayne Pareakh being going on about him all month Calgary got a good one there.
But i was quit excited when the Sen’s pick My 2nd Choice for
RD Cater Yakemchuck, 6ft.3 & 203 lb, talked to two freind’s & Edmonton who are well connected in Calgary and Big Yak got a Glowing Report’s
They both said apart from his 30G and 41A offence skill set,
He is Quit Aggressive 120 penalty minutes
Can skate for days, he thinks he is 2 years away from the NHL,
Sens will decide that one…..just in time for ZUB who will have 1 year left bye then,
Now they just need to sign Shane Pinto and fill in a couple of Gaps and get a 2nd paring RD d/man for 2-3 years
Then Sen’s will make the Playoffs 100%
Boston has to come away from free agency with a top 6 center and wing! Preferably a top 4 LHD! Extend Swayman in a bridge
deal and off they go!
Habs got what most fans were hoping for but thought unlikely at #5.
Ivan Demidov is considered as the top offensive player in the draft, surpassing Kucherov’s numbers.
A personable kid, when asked who was better, him or Michkov he smiled and said…next question.
The Habs rebuild is looking good and they haven’t even begun to use any D capital to trade for offense yet.
I was hoping for Eiserman but he was picked right before Michael Hage at #21.
Seeing Eiserman go that late was a bit of a surprise.
When I see his assessment say “Whether it’s fair or not, he’s been labeled as a one-dimensional player, but it’s a very important dimension,” Central Scouting director Dan Marr said. “In the National Hockey League, scoring is one of the best parts of the game. That’s what he’s going to bring to the table with the team” I am reminded of a similar assessment years ago of one Mike Bossy.
Al Arbour wasn’t deterred … “get me the goal scorer … I’ll teach him to check” – or words to that effect.
This kid has a wicked shot and as the draft wore on and he hadn’t been taken, I began to hope that the rumored trade of Chychrun would be announced with Ottawa getting, among other assets, one of those late picks, and grab him.
George O
Upon being drafted by the Islanders Mike Bossy promptly told Bill Torrey and Al Arbour on the draft floor…”I’m going to score 50 goals for you next year”
Apparently Rocket Richard was pushing for Bossy to be drafted by Montreal.
Daryl, yeah, I recall reading about that years ago. When Bossy went # 15 to NYI the Habs had taken RW Mark Napier at # 10. Not a bad pick … but ultimately no Mike Bossy.
Eiserman’s stock plummeted due to his poor defensive game.
Now, that CAN be trained/corrected; but not guaranteed
I was not surprised at when (approximately) he was picked more than by who picked him
Lamarillo is more of a D first mentality type of guy
Time will tell; but later in first round; at least as at now; was appropriate for him to be picked
With any draft there will be busts and surprises
We’ll only truly find out re Eiserman’s game; in 2 (maybe 3) years
Poor defensive play was also why Bossy dropped to # 15 in the NHL draft and Round 5 – 44th overall – in the WHA draft. That was later covered quite adequately by his overwhelming scoring ability.
I watched the video of Beckett Senecke’s reaction when selected 3rd. What an awesome response. I also liked seeing Tij Iginla being the 1st draft pick of the Utah Hockey Club. These kids are so fortunate to have the family support that it takes to get to this level. The character and composure that hockey players have at such a young age is nice to see. When I hear some of my buddies bitch about the youth of today I just remind them to remember what the old folks thought of us back in the 60’s. The only thing that baffled me about this draft is why did the Hurricanes trade away their 1st round pick. As a die hard fan I didn’t get that one. Let the trades begin and the UFA signings get going.
The Leafs drafted away off the board
A player rated as number 70
The Leafs traded down
Anaheim drafted the exact player – Stian Solberg , I was hoping for
In the initial 23 rd spot , in which the Leafs were picking ..
FRUSTRATING being a Leaf follower
Ken, I was intrigued when someone referred to Solberg as being a “throwback” type of D – in other words, he loves playing the physical game. Going to be interesting to watch his development.
@George
I viewed highlites on this prospect – Stian Solberg
I was really excited , hoping he would still be available when it was Leafs turn at # 23
I couldn’t believe it , Leafs traded down , Anaheim scooped him up !
This kid is going to be good , open ice checks , exciting to watch
Leafs trade down and drafted someone right off of the board ???
They might as well of traded down once again …
I am totally boggled with Leaf management, same old, same old , here we go again