Good morning Hockey fans,
Hope all is well with you. We have some big news from around the league and in the world of hockey. Check it out below:
- Carey Price, the leading netminder for the Montreal Canadiens has confirmed in a recent interview that he won’t be back to play in the NHL. Price, 36, has been dealing with a nagging knee and hip injury that has prevented him from returning and missing the entire 2022-23 season. Selected fifth overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Price is the best of a quartet of elite netminders to come out of the class, he has played for 15 seasons and been one of the best goalies in the game. He has played over 712 NHL games, the second most of all-time among goalies who spent their entire NHL career with one franchise, just behind Henrik Lundqvist. We wish him all the best and hope to see him back involved with the Canadiens sooner rather than later.
- We also have word that Tomas Tatar has signed a 1-year, $1.5 million dollar agreement with the Colorado Avalanche (after Evan and I chatted about him in our season 5 episode 1 of being a free agent). Tatar, 32, who played with the New Jersey Devils last season put up 20 goals and 48 points in 82 games last season (safe to say this is a steal of a deal and with the loss of their captain Landeskog, they will need some depth up front).
- There is an evolving story out of Columbus, with the Blue Jackets and Paul Bissonnette, of the Spittin’ Chiclets podcasts. Seems like there were some players who reached out privately to Paul and his associates and let them know that the newly hired head coach Mike Babcock had asked some players to see the photos on their phone. Quickly there was an immediate response not only from the Blue Jackets organisation, but the NHL & NHLPA. Later it was revealed by both Mike Babcock and captain Boone Jenner , that this was blown out of proportion and that this was just a way they connected and built rapport, rather than violate the forward’s privacy. Boone Jenner noted this was a big nothing and that they were just connecting about family and summer events. This also led other reporters to ask other Blue Jacket players like Johnny Gaudreau being asked about it, all who have said they have had positive interactions with their new head coach. Paul “Biz” then quickly doubled down on his comments, saying this rumour was 100% true and that he had proof from multiple sources. Although we don’t know if more of the story will emerge, we do wish to note that Babcock is no stranger to controversy and alleged mistreatment of players. During his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, it was revealed that Babcock made Mitch Marner rank his teammates’ work ethic, and then read the list aloud to the rest of the team. He has also been accused by players like Johan Franzen, who starred for the Detroit Red Wings, of verbally abusing him. Wherever you stand on the case, you have to be very cautious about how to approach such delicate cases and accusations as it can create further problems. We will be monitoring this situation in Columbus.
- The New Jersey Devils have signed goaltender Keith Kinkaid to a 1-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 (and $350,000 at the American Hockey League level). Kinkaid, 34, returns for a second stint with New Jersey after playing nine seasons with the organization (from 2011 to 2019). He had played 151 games with 64 wins for the Devils, but also played for the Colorado Avalanche and Eagles (their AHL affiliate) last season.
- The Winnipeg Jets have announced that they have named Adam Lowry as the new captain of the NHL team. Lowry, 30, who was drafted 67th overall, and has been a Jet since 2011, fills in after the ‘C’ was removed from Blake Wheeler 2 seasons ago, and now has gone on to sign with the New York Rangers. Lowry put up 13 goals and 23 assists in 82 games in the 2022-23 season and is a good hard working player. In his time with the Jets, he has played 621 games, putting up 93 goals and 111 assists, as well as 335 penalty minutes, while in 44 career playoff games he has 9 goals and 9 assists. He also follows his dad, Dave Lowry, who was back in the day captain of the Calgary Flames. His dad is currently an associate coach with the Seattle Kraken. We wish Adam all the best as the Jets continue to try to compete for the playoffs and deal with their roster.
- Also the Vancouver Canucks have named Quinn Hughes as their 15th captain in the franchise history, after the departure of previous captain Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders. During that period, Hughes, 23, had been given the alternate captain role. Hughes is also coming off his best season where he put up 7 goals and 69 assists in 78 games, as a defenceman. He was selected 7th overall in the 2018 NHL draft and made his debut with the team during a game against the Los Angeles Kings in 2019. He is also the “fastest defenseman in NHL history to get 200 assists by reaching the milestone in 263 games” according to the NHL analytics. He also shows a lot of leadership and exemplary status as a player in his community and shows that he is deserving of the role. His brothers Jack and Luke also are in the NHL and play for the New Jersey Devils.
- Finally, it sounds like forward Zach Parise will not be at New York Islanders training camp, according to general manager Lou Lamoriello. Parise, 39, is currently an unrestricted free agent and the belief is that he will not be seeking an NHL job at this time. Parise played 82 games for the Islanders last year, putting up 21 goals and 13 assists. He is famously known for signing a 13-year, $98 million contract with the Wild which began in the 2012-13 season, but were bought out by Minnesota before he signed with the New York Islanders. It seems like he can still play but will we see Parise back in the game or will he plan to retire?
Thoughts? Lots is ramping up as we near the beginning of the season. Therefore remember to tune in each week to get all the latest news in the world of hockey.
For more hockey news, different takes or if you want to chat about anything hockey give me a follow @hockey_two on TWITTER and give us a follow on YouTube, or at https://twoguysandhockeytalk.com/.
- Pawel ‘The Cat’
