NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 27, 2024
The latest on Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Linus Ullmark, Rangers front office executive Glen Sather retires, the Canucks trade Ilya Mikheyev to the Blackhawks, rule changes for next season, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
TSN: Edmonton Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl played through injuries during the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Draisaitl injured his hand and ribs, leaving the training staff wondering whether he could play. Knoblauch declined to comment on McDavid’s undisclosed injury, saying he didn’t have much information on the injury.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl’s performance and production noticeably declined through the final two rounds of the postseason, prompting many observers to suspect he was battling an injury.
It’s speculated McDavid suffered an abdominal injury that might require surgery. We’ll likely learn more about his condition soon, especially if he has to go under the knife.
TSN: Draisaitl talked about a contract extension while speaking with the media on Wednesday. “I’m going to give you the most boring answer here,” he said. “I’m obviously going to sit down with my agents here and talk to the Oilers and see what their plan is, see what our plan is, and go from there.”
Draisaitl has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $8.5 million. He indicated that he wants to take a little time to think about what he wants and what the club wants. “Obviously I love being an Oiler more than anything.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That last line was overlooked by some nervous local observers who remain worried Draisaitl could depart as a free agent next summer. It’s far too early to get into that kind of speculation.
Draisaitl wants to win the Stanley Cup and be paid his true worth on his next contract. He came very close to accomplishing the former and the Oilers will open the vault for the latter. It’ll be surprising if he doesn’t re-sign.
TSN’s Chris Johnston reported last night that the Oilers and Draisaitl appear to be on the same page. The club doesn’t want him to leave and Johnston doesn’t they’ll allow that to happen.
SPORTSNET: A new general manager could handle negotiations for Draisaitl’s next contract. Elliotte Friedman reports multiple sources told him the club won’t renew GM Ken Holland’s contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s the end of an era in Edmonton. Holland had his critics but the Oilers never missed the playoffs during his five years as their general manager. That includes two appearances in the Western Conference Final and their recent run to the Stanley Cup Final.
SPORTSNET: Linus Ullmark looks forward to playing with the Ottawa Senators next season. The 30-year-old goaltender was acquired from the Boston Bruins on Monday. He also indicated that the Senators were never on his no-trade list.
Ullmark is entering the final season of his contract with a cap hit of $5 million. He said there’s been no extension talks with the Senators, adding he won’t get involved until his agent tells him there’s something to discuss.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ullmark will be in his contract year so he’ll be motivated to have a strong performance in 2024-25. He could find it challenging as the Senators aren’t as strong defensively as the Bruins. General manager Steve Staios will attempt to rectify that issue during the summer.
TSN: Speaking of Staios, he said he won’t be buying out any of his players. The buyout window expires on June 30 at 5 pm ET.
NEW YORK POST: Long-time Rangers front office executive Glen Sather is retiring. He spent 24 years with the Blueshirts, including 19 years as team president and 14 as general manager. Sather spent the past five years as senior advisor to the team owner and alternate governor.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sather, 80, spent nearly a half-century as an executive, starting with his successful run with the Edmonton Oilers from 1979-80 to 1999-2000. Before that, he spent 10 seasons as an NHL forward from 1966-67 to 1975-76.
THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks traded forwards Ilya Mikheyev and Sam Lafferty and a 2027 second-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick. The Canucks will also retain 15 percent of Mikheyev’s $4.75 million annual cap hit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a cost-cutting move by the Canucks. They’re rumored to be interested in signing Carolina Hurricanes winger Jake Guentzel if he heads to the free-agent market on July 1. They could also be clearing space to re-sign pending UFA defenseman Nikita Zadorov.
Meanwhile, the Canucks signed checking-line forward Teddy Blueger to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.8 million.
NHL.COM: The league announced several rule changes starting in 2024-25.
It has expanded the coach’s challenge to allow for a penalty to be taken down if a puck gets knocked out of play.
A defensive team whose goaltender accidentally dislodges the net won’t be allowed a line change on the ensuing play.
The center on offense on a faceoff will receive only one warning for a faceoff violation.
Teams will receive one warning for players sitting on the boards. After that, they will be awarded a bench minor.
TSN: The Utah Hockey Club signed forward Liam O’Brien to a three-year, $3 million contract.
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/THE SCORE: The Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings unveiled their 1990s throwback jerseys.
TORONTO SUN: Former NHL forward Sergei Berezin died on Wednesday in Florida at age 52. Drafted by the Maple Leafs in 1994, Berezin spent seven seasons with the Leafs, Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals from 1996-97 to 2002-03. He had 160 goals and 286 points in 502 regular-season games and 13 goals and 30 points in 52 playoff contests.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Berezin’s family, friends and former teammates.
After reading the article in the link below, which covers the thoughts of GM Steve Staios as he settles in in Vegas for the draft, it looks as though Joseph, Chychrun, Brannstrom and Bernard-Docker will all be playing elsewhere next season, while Hamonic will still be here filling the role of the 7th D. Also forget about any initiative to deal Chabot. As for moving back in the draft from # 7, while that remains a draft-day possibility, it will only occur for a deal that helps the team NOW.
https://ottawasun.com/ottawa-senators/lets-make-a-deal-senators-gm-steve-staios-is-ready-to-rock-in-las-vegas
As of this morning, CapFriendly shows Ottawa with a projected cap reserve of $11.300,953 with which to sign 8 to get to a full 23-man roster.
If Chychrun ($4.6 mil), Bernard-Docker ($805,000) and Joseph ($2,950,000) are all moved, that brings the reserve up to $19,655,953 with, of course, adjustments dependent upon what they receive back in the deals. If essentially picks/prospects, they likely won’t affect the cap this season. But if term, roster players are part of any deals, then the reserve will drop accordingly.
Even so, with only Tyler Kleven and his $916,667 ELC projected to move up from Belleville full time, they’ll still have more than enough to re-up RFAs C Shane Pinto (coming off an ELC of $775,000), LW Parker Kelly (expiring ELC of $762,500) and perhaps LW Boris Katchouk (expiring ELC of $758,333).
RFA Brannstrom is another story. The “next Erik Karlsson” (according to departed GM Pierre Dorion) is coming off an expired $2 mil per deal, and while his stats weren’t horrible (76gp 3g 17a 20 pts and a +5), and he is a fairly good rushing D, his small size can be a problem in the defensive zone. He could stay if he accept a pay cut – otherwise, they likely do not qualify him.
A busy few days ahead for Mr. Staios.
George O, I’m VERY interested in seeing what Staios can pull off. In my opinion, he’s got ALOT of pieces to be a major player this summer! Especially before/during the Draft!
Tightening up that D crp has GOT to be a priority, because I truly believe they’ve finally got their Goalie!
Well George O……I’m still waiting (maybe you didn’t see my post) since you and your boy Captain obvious criticized my choice for the 5th best all time behind Gretzky Lemieux Howe and Orr.
who is your pick care to step out on a limb
Captain ) ripped my choice of Crosby who is yours?
And following up on your teammates help you win..true
but Gretz had Coffee Messier Kurri Fuhr Anderson and a cast of all stars
Crosby in 2009 had Dupris Kunitz Max Talbot
yes Malkin was there and Letang but Sis willed that team
blackngold – easily Crosby is Top 5 all-time hockey player: in modern era 3 Stanley Cups, two gold metals including game winner, all the awards, and his age look at his stats compare his stats to other all-time greats at that the same age.
Captain Obvious clearly jealous of Sydney Crosby and the Penguins. Rangers only won single Stanley Cup (1994) in 84 years.
blackngold, my interjection yesterday had absolutely nothing to do with your differences of opinion on the various merits of the players discussed.
It had solely to do with your resorting to insulting epithets to get your point across. We do not need that in here, along with juvenile comments like “your boy Captain.” CaptainObvious and I have, over recent years, disagreed on a few issues … but never in an insulting way. The fact we do share common ground on most issues simply means that’s the way we see things. Agree. Disagree. That’s your prerogative. But hold the insults.
Personally, I don’t engage in greatest this or greatest that. Different eras, different heavy equipment to haul around, different training regimens (as HabFan30 pointed out yesterday, until Crosby came along with his devotion to remaining in shape, most players reported to annual camps out of shape), the lack of the best Europeans – especially Soviet-bloc players – in the mix – makes such comparisons absolutely pointless.
lol, this fan base…
First of all, jealous? Seriously?
Secondly, a bunch of Pens fans thinking Crosby belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of the top 5 players is beyond ridiculous. Crosby is a fantastic player. The term “ generational “ is a bit nonsensical.
By definition, (sports) “generational “ means once in a generation. Then you go add 3-4 current players and 3-4 more whose careers have overlapped each other. Doesn’t really make much sense , does it?
Other than subjective fan boy bs. Again I ask, in what statistical categories does Crosby belong in the top 5 players all time.
I’ll give you the answer. Absolutely ZERO.
Goals, ranks 21st all time. Zero chance he climbs into the top 5.
Assists ranks 14th all time. Will more than likely hit top 5, but will have to keep his current pace into late 30s-40 years old.
Points, currently 10th. Will need 202 points to tie 5th. Maybe? If he stays healthy (😄) and plays past 40 years old.
Championships, 3 tied with such “generational“ talent like Pat Maroon, (maybe pat Maroon should be enshrined into the top 5? Patrick Kane, Alec Martinez (make room on Mt. Rushmore!) Malkin etc.
He will not be winning another cup in his career in Pittsburgh. I’m willing to bet the farm on that. He more than likely gets passed by more than a handful of current players. And isn’t even in the top 10 today.
So again, keep your childish bs in check. This topic is subjective. I am allowed to have an opinion that doesn’t meet yours and vise versa.
But we can have this debate without being a fan boi child or slinging insults. Which is your first line of defense it seems. Grow up!
Avoiding top ten nonsense… based on how he plays the game… Crosby is the greatest third line center of all time. How bout dem apples.
Edmonton s injured players is reminiscent of Fla players last year! By the time they get to the finals most players are beat up! Fla used that experience to return and win the cup! I wonder if it is in the cards for the Oil next year!
Another “source” has Holland headed to Chicago in some capacity.
Here’s the source Johnny Z
https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2024/06/blackhawks-rumors-oilers-gm-heading-to.html
Tough call on what to watch tonight
Grumpier Old Men (and I’m not talking Lemon and Mathau) or the NHL awards
Just kidding
NHL awards all the way
Sens should keep Joseph.
They will be keeping Forsberg.
Linus’ comments were very positive.
Hamonic not being bought out seems goofy. But whatever.
JBD seems like a young Chris Phillips exactly what you need on the right side. Cost control, only going to mature and get stronger. Sure. Lets trade him.
Brannstrom…..too small to play defense.
Yeah, Dark G, I prefer they keep Joseph … it’s not as if his almost $3 mil cap hit is critical to their plans … unless something bigger is in the works in which that $2,950,000 is absolutely needed. Stay tuned. LOL
I don ‘t understand that Hamonic decision either, although I have heard he is a very positive personality on the team. Is that worth $1.1 mil? No doubt the coaches/GM have weighed all the pros and cons and have decided he adequately fills the 7th D role.
for me it’s not so much the money on Hamonic….it’s the roster spot. You can’t move him. If he’s so positive then buy him out and make him a playing coach who’s on the ice for practice.
That makes sense.
George I get that but again Captain Obvious can’t read I asked him for his opinion on who he might think should be number 5..and again he blast me about the Penguins this the Penguins that,,
he was calling me an angry drunk i believe can you scold him??
im not responding to captain obvious he truly is an idiot (i say that with love never answer the question goes off topic) so done with him.
I dont live on this site like he does now i know why SOME people he are weird
you dont want to answer that fine at least you gave a reason and your not a coward.
Thanks
I’m glad you’re a bruins fan cause I’d hate for you to give us real pens fans a bad rep.
Cannucks with Blueger for 2 more years at $1.8 M
But we have Accairi for 2 more at $2M!!
Blueger 6-22-28 plus 4; 3 years younger; 2” taller; stronger, faster, better defensively , better at face-offs
Accairi 4-3-7 and minus 7
Hmmmm? Didn’t Shakespeare quip Methinks something’s rotten in the state of Pennsylvania
A clip of Mark Spector asking Vincent Desharnais a question or making a statement showed up on my time line. I can see why Oiler players and fans have distain for Spector.
Spector to Desharnais with Connor Brown sitting to his right: You’re a guy, whose, your agent phone hasn’t rung every summer with a bunch of teams looking for Vincent Desharnais (laugh as he says his name) to play for them. (Brown snickers and shakes his head) but your phone is going to ring this summer.
That’s what i call a backhanded compliment.
He’s gross, Caper! IMO, more a critic than a fan, and that’s A-Ok by me! Definitely a prick though!
I don’t have any sites at the moment to share, but he’s had his fair share of “face palm/head shakers”!
I thought draisaitl was really good in 6 and 7 of SC but you could tell he was labouring before that. More respect for the Oil but you can’t get down 3-0 and come back to win in any series but give them credit they almost pulled it off!!
Want the Avalanche to focus on more toughness @ the draft: defenseman or forward. Trades or draft choice!! Central Division to me is the toughest division in hockey to exist,; every team plays a physical brand where you have to be prepared to bring it?
Congratulations to Panther’s they are a tough team and survived to win it. Tampa Bay and Florida are two toughest teams in East and are SC Champs!!
“what a player s worth to a team”….also can mean “what a player is worth in a given situation”. Draisail & the Oilers face a problem similar to the Lightning & Stamkos. How Good is Leon without 97? How Much is Steven worth on the power play if the guy feeding him the puck doesn’t have the skills of Kucherov? What do both look like away from an elite power play, as age may be eroding their overall speed and stamina tho not their smarts & leadership ability. Sometimes a continuing contract with a team pays players for what they have done as much as what they are going to do, accepting that the out years of a contract may be ugly for either the team or the player….as much as admire Syd’s loyalty to Pittsburgh, as a generic hockey fan I’d like to seem him get one more bite of the apple and think he might show us something special on the way out.
In hindsight, Ray Broque’s cup was generally celebrated. BUT: I think the Lightning window is still open; they have goaltending & a decent if thin roster. Like to see Edmonton generate the same for another bite; hard to see either Steven or Leon improving their situation much by moving; both can retain an ability to make thier own decision next year.
Whenever I hear how good would player A be if he didn’t have player B feeding him passes makes me wonder if the person asking thinks nothing of the skill player A has at being at the right spot, open, and get off a shot that will beat the goalie. I do believe that a good player B has to have good vision to see a guy open, but you can say that most players would be able to.
I don’t know…it’s a chicken vs the egg dilemma when all you’re looking for is a chicken dinner!
I ordered a chicken and an egg off Amazon…. I’ll let you know
Linus seems very positive about Ottawa. The statements of “having not discussed extension” needs to be just accepted as they CANNOT discuss until July 1.
Staios seems to have a very solid grasp of what is necessary moving forward and his two trades so far (I am including the Tarasenko one) have been solid decisions with no weird loyalties or attempts to save face.
I like JBD and Joseph, and would rather they stay depending on contract amounts. Brannstrom may still end up being a very good D-man, but I think he NEEDS yet another new environment if this is to happen.
Pinto will get a good contract an stay (cannot believe that Bruins fans actually thought they would get him for Ullmark…lmao) and that should be a priority. Especially with the HUGE question mark over Norris… I still have zero idea what is happening there.
I truly believe that Chychrun is out as of draft day. Staios knows he’s stuck with Chabot, and if he gets the right conditioning and coaching, I think he will finally have a good season. He has Sanderson who can MORE than share the load now.
Hamonic… I just don’t know… but there are worse guys who could be making a million. I think Staios is just happy to have only 1 million in dead cap right now (will be 1.675/1.875 I believe very soon) as he navigates forward.
Anyway, I do feel like tomorrow and/or tonight could end up being really fascinating to watch, and there are going to be some surprising faces wearing Sens jerseys next year.
Good summation, theSaint. And I agree … there will be at least 5 new faces wearing Senators jerseys next season (including Ullmark).
As for the draft, enjoy it this weekend … starting next year they go to a bland, antiseptic and what will likely be a largely boring affair without the crowd involvement/response.
Maybe Bettman was the catalyst to get away from the loud crowd boos whenever he went to the mic – 🙂
https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/draft-as-we-know-it-will-drift-into-history/wcm/0fdf5f01-3392-484b-8a46-7001c797ea84
Senator fans have to ask themselves, why was Ullmark a much better player in Boston than Buffalo?Would be careful on both parts for an extension!Wouldn t be surprised if this isn t an evaluation year for both parties!
Ullmark was great in Boston but he was pretty good in Buffalo as well
A “much” better player?
His Buffalo stats:
117gp W50 L47 13 OTL 3,527sa 3,218sv .912 save % and gaa of 2.78
His Boston stats:
130gp W88 L26 10 OTL 3,804sa 3,515sv .924 save % and gaa of 2.28
I wouldn’t describe differences of .012 save % and 0.50 gaa as being “much” better Sr — more like marginally better – with the qualifier that, in Boston, he an infinitely better team in front of him. In effect, he has been a solidly good goalie throughout his career. Why would that change now, with Staios concentrating on shoring up the entire defensive structure?
My exact point,if Ottawa doesn t get better defensively they will have a goalie who might not be willing to sign a long term contract!Soafter next season does he look like something closer to Boston or stay in Ottawa ,especially if they don’t make the playoffs!They have a lot of competition in Buffalo,Montreal and Detroit! Fla., Boston and Tampa Bay with a healthy Vasilesky is not going away!
Kent Ullmark was 50-47 in Buffalo, 88-26 in Boston , playoffs 3-6! In both places was it the team or the goalie?
Surely you’re not suggesting any positive comparisons between a team that has missed the playoffs for 13 straight years and one that last missed in the back-to-back seasons of 2014-15 and 2015-16 – well before Ullmark went there.
Ullmark wasn’t the reason Buffalo has been so incredibly inept over a decade + and that is borne out when comparing his stats in both locations. Except for the wins/losses, they are virtually identical, which only serves to underscore just how pitiful the Sabres have been in that span from the blue line out.
When you’re giving your team a .912 save % and gaa of 2.78 while facing a barrage of shots game in game out. you’re not the reason they can’t win for losing.
After looking at a guy like Brady Tkaczuk watch his brother skate around with the cup and celebrating with his family you wonder how he is feeling? If Ottawa doesn t make it to the dance does he follow his brothers lead and want out!