Sidney Crosby talks about his new contract with the Penguins, the Red Wings re-sign Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren, plus the latest on Ilya Sorokin, Alex Ovechkin and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Sidney Crosby spoke to the media on Monday after signing a two-year contract extension worth $8.7 million per season with the Penguins.
Crosby claimed the negotiations went smoothly. The 37-year-old center indicated the number of years on the deal was the sticking point on his part given the difficulty in determining how much longer he’ll be playing, adding he wanted it to make sense for himself and the team.
The Penguins captain also received assurances from general manager Kyle Dubas that the ownership was committed to building a winning franchise.
“You want to try to find every way possible to get back in (to the playoffs) and make sure we compete for the Stanley Cup,” said Crosby. “So I think that was reassuring to hear, and that helped.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby’s comments indicate Penguins management will keep retooling the roster rather than rebuild. The focus this summer was adding more youth to the lineup and restocking their depleted prospect pool.
The Penguins captain made Dubas’ job easier by accepting less than market value, maintaining his usual average annual value of $8.7 million. Speculation out of Pittsburgh earlier this summer suggested Crosby could get a three-year extension with an annual cap hit of $10 million.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings signed winger Lucas Raymond to an eight-year contract with an AAV of $8.075 million.
Raymond, 22, was a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. He led the Wings last season with a career-high 72 points. The young Swede was red-hot down the stretch, scoring seven goals and five assists in the Wings’ final eight games and 14 goals over their final 18 contests.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Raymond bounced back from a disappointing 45-point sophomore season in 2022-23 following his promising 57-point debut. His performance last season suggests bigger things ahead for the skillful young winger.
Raymond’s new contract puts him just below captain Dylan Larkin’s team-leading AAV of $8.75 million.
The Wings still have Moritz Seider to re-sign but his new deal should be announced before they hit the ice for training camp on Thursday. He’ll also likely get an eight-year contract while his AAV could be just under Larkin’s.
TSN: The Wings also signed defenseman Jonatan Berggren to a one-year contract worth $875K.
NEW YORK POST: Islanders head coach Patrick Roy inadvertently revealed starting goaltender Ilya Sorokin underwent offseason back surgery.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s why Sorokin struggled in 2023-24 following strong performances over the previous three seasons, including being named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy in 2022-23.
Isles GM Lou Lamoriello recently said Sorokin is expected to miss only a few days of training camp. Nevertheless, he’ll now be under increased scrutiny by fans and pundits as the start of the season approaches.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin left Monday’s informal skate with his teammates after several minutes in apparent discomfort and didn’t return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No word from the team or Ovechkin regarding his condition. The report indicates he’s scheduled to speak with the media on Thursday. His early departure may have been for precautionary reasons.
Ovechkin turned 39 today.
TSN: Winger Cutter Gauthier is looking forward to his first full season with the Anaheim Ducks and putting behind the drama that led to his midseason trade from the Philadelphia Flyers.
Gauthier, 20, forced the trade after telling the Flyers he wouldn’t play for them. He claimed he and his family received death threats in the weeks and months following the trade.
“At the end of the day, I don’t really care what other people think,” said Gauthier. “It’s what I think and feel as a person and what my family thinks. I can’t let all the outside noise distract me or else I’m going nowhere.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Being upset that a promising young player doesn’t want to play for your team is one thing. Feel free to voice your displeasure by booing him whenever he plays the Flyers in Philadelphia.
Making death threats is beyond the pale.
If you’re that triggered over Gauthier spurning the Flyers, step back, take some deep breaths, and seriously evaluate where you are in your life right now. That rage has no place in our game or society.
And if that friendly advice upsets you, leave this site and don’t come back.
TSN: Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach said he’s fully recovered from the knee injury that ended his 2023-24 campaign just two games in.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A healthy Dach will be crucial to the Canadiens’ hope of significant improvement this season. The 23-year-old could be reunited with Juraj Slafkovsky or recently-acquired winger Patrik Laine could be a linemate.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche forward Logan O’Connor said he’s good to go after undergoing season-ending hip surgery in March.
THE PROVINCE: The Canucks recently signed journeyman goaltender Dylan Ferguson to a professional tryout offer (PTO). He has three NHL games under his belt (one with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017-18 and two with the Ottawa Senators in 2022-23. The 25-year-old spent last season with KHL club Dinamo Minsk.