The Leafs’ secondary scoring, three encouraging stats from last season for the Avalanche, what must go right for the Devils this season, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes a trio of secondary scorers will decide the Toronto Maple Leafs’ fate this season.
Proteau examines how the play of Nick Robertson, Bobby McMann, and Matthew Knies could come under increasing scrutiny this season. If they flourish, the Leafs could become one of the league’s most dangerous teams this season. If not, management won’t waste time bringing in players who can fill those roles.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The “Core Four” of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares have carried the bulk of the Leafs offense since 2018, powering them to three of the franchise’s five best regular-season records.
However, the lack of reliable secondary scoring contributed to their pathetic postseason record over that period. It’ll be the same story this season if Robertson, McMann, and Knies fail to step up or if suitable replacements cannot be found.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Evan Rawal looked at three encouraging stats from last season for the Avalanche.
One of them was Miles Wood’s solid penalty-killing skills. Casey Mittelstadt’s five-on-five production was another. The third was Jonathan Drouin’s numbers when not playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m interested in Mittelstadt’s performance throughout a full season with the Avs. He was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres on March 7 and fitted in well over the remainder of last season. A strong effort throughout this season will be crucial to the Avs’ hopes for a Stanley Cup run.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols recently listed three things that must go right for the Devils in 2024-25.
Good health will be a must after injuries to core players such as Dougie Hamilton, Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier derailed their 2023-24 campaign. They’ll also need better goaltending and an improved performance from Meier.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The injury bug shouldn’t bite the Devils as deeply as it did last season, though there could be some concern over Hughes’ growing injury history. Offseason addition Jacob Markstrom and trade-deadline pickup Jake Allen should improve their goaltending. A healthy 2024-25 should result in a bounce-back effort from Meier.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars have the furthest travel distance in the upcoming season. It’s expected they’ll travel an estimated 56,700 miles.
The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are second with 51,100 miles, followed by the Anaheim Ducks (51,000), Edmonton Oilers (50,000) and the Utah Hockey Club (48,700).
The teams that will travel the fewest miles are the Pittsburgh Penguins (31,700), Ottawa Senators (32,800), Columbus Blue Jackets (33,400), New York Rangers (35,300) and Philadelphia Flyers (35,500).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some older players prefer playing in the Eastern Conference because of that lighter travel schedule.