Recapping Friday’s preseason action, Drew Doughty sidelined for months, plus the latest on Darnell Nurse, Robin Lehner, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL PRESEASON RECAP
NHL.COM: Buffalo Sabres forward and Munich native JJ Peterka scored in his homecoming game in a 5-0 victory over EHC Red Bull Munchen 5-0 in the 2024 NHL Global Series in Germany. Tage Thompson had a goal and an assist while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi combined for a 12-save shutout.
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (NHL Images).
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek netted two goals and collected three assists as his club downed the Winnipeg Jets 8-5. Kirill Kaprizov also scored twice for the Wild. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck gave up eight goals on 29 shots through two periods.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets announced before this game that defenseman Logan Stanley underwent knee surgery to repair a meniscus issue. He’s expected to be sidelined for four weeks.
The Dallas Stars doubled up the Colorado Avalanche 4-2. Matt Duchene scored two goals and picked up an assist and Tyler Seguin tallied a goal and chipped in two assists.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli collected a hat trick and Mathieu Olivier scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Washington Capitals. Alex Ovechkin scored one of the Capitals goals.
The Carolina Hurricanes thumped the Florida Panthers 8-2. Seth Jarvis tallied twice and Sean Walker picked up three points for the Hurricanes.
Detroit Red Wings goaltenders Alex Lyon and Cam Talbot combined for a 22-save shutout in a 2-0 blanking of the Chicago Blackhawks. Christian Fischer and Vladimir Tarasenko were the goal scorers.
The New York Islanders defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-1. Semyon Varlamov stopped 16 of 17 shots through two periods for the Isles.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils scratched Jack Hughes from the lineup to give him an extra day of rest before their departure to Czechia to face the Buffalo Sabres in the 2024 Global Series. Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said Hughes suffered a minor charley horse in his previous game.
Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord turned aside 19 shots in a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Brandon Montour scored his first preseason goal for the Kraken.
The Vegas Golden Knights beat the Utah Hockey Club 5-2. Jack Eichel led the Golden Knights with a goal and two assists.
The Tampa Bay Lightning postponed Friday’s game against the Nashville Predators at Amelie Arena after Hurricane Helene’s effect on the bay area.
HEADLINES
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Kings defenseman Drew Doughty requires surgery to repair his broken left ankle and will miss most of this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Doughty’s absence leaves a gaping hole on the Kings’ blueline that will be difficult to fill. They could promote Brendt Clarke or Jordan Spence to replace him but those young rearguards lack the experience and leadership he brings to the defense corps. I’ll have more about this in today’s Rumors.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers hope for a bounce-back performance from Darnell Nurse after he struggled through 2023-24 and the 2024 playoffs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A strong rebound effort by Nurse would go a long way toward improving the Oilers’ hopes for a Stanley Cup run next spring.
TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs forwards Auston Matthews and William Nylander practiced on Friday and showed no ill effects from their recent upper-body injuries. Meanwhile, John Tavares is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks forwards William Eklund (upper body) and Mikael Granlund (lower body) and defenseman Matt Benning (lower body) missed practice on Friday. They’re listed as day-to-day.
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Goaltender Alexei Kolosov finally took to the ice at Flyers training camp on Friday. It remains to be seen if he’ll get into any of their four remaining preseason games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kolosov is expected to see action this season with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley or he could be loaned back to KHL club Dinamo Minsk. I’ll have more about this in today’s Rumors update.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL: Golden Knights netminder Robin Lehner had his assets frozen by a federal bankruptcy judge on Friday. Lawyers from one of his creditors allege Lehner engaged in frivolous spending and made improper fund transfers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lehner has been sidelined since 2022 following hip and shoulder surgeries. He’s not expected to play this season and will be placed on long-term injury reserve. This season is the last of his five-year contract.
WINNIPEG SUN: Bryan Little will sign a one-day contract to officially retire with the Jets on Oct. 20.
Drafted 12th overall in the 2006 NHL Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers, Little spent his entire NHL career with the franchise, moving with them to Winnipeg when the team relocated in 2011. The 36-year-old center’s career was cut short by a perforated eardrum early in the 2019-20 season.
Little scored 217 goals and had 304 assists for 521 points in 843 career regular-season games from 2007-08 to 2019-20. He also had 12 points in 27 playoff contests.