Check out the latest on Jonathan Towes, Patrice Bergeron, Corey Perry, Jack Campbell and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee headlines.
sportscent: Marc Spector was asked about the Edmonton Oilers’ chances of signing Jonathan Toews in the latest Mailbag clip. He noted that the Oilers are among the many teams keeping an eye on the former Chicago Blackhawks captain, but the 35-year-old center does not give the impression that he wants to resume his playing career.
Toews has long been battling COVID-19 and several other ailments that have hampered his fitness. Spector reports that word has it he won’t be playing in 2023-24. When Toews sent out their list of free agents, the future Hall of Famer was not on their list.
Bystander note: Toews has also been diagnosed with injuries Chronic immune response syndrome This sidelined him for the entirety of the coronavirus-shortened 2020-21 season. His performance has declined steadily since 2019-20, collecting 37 points in 71 games in 2021-22 and 31 points in 53 games last season as he took time off due to illnesses.
Toews has not released a statement regarding his plans for his football career. The longer he goes without signing a contract this summer, the more likely he is to hang on his skates.
sportscent: Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said Friday that he is still waiting for word from Patrice Bergeron on whether to return for another season or retire. The only news from the 37-year-old Bruins captain is the recent birth of his first son.
Sweeney was asked about the condition of Bergeron’s ailing back. The general manager believes that will be part of his progress in making the decision.
Bystander note: Bergeron won the Selke Trophy last month as the NHL’s leading forward for a record sixth time. It was reported earlier this month that the Bruins are running their offseason as though Bergeron and fellow center David Krejci won’t be returning.
Chicago Sun Times: Corey Perry will serve as a mentor to young Blackhawks such as 2023 first pick Conor Bedard. The 38-year-old veteran winger signed a one-year contract with the Blackhawks after they acquired the rights to him last month from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Berry has talked about how veterans like Teemu Selanne and the Niedermayer brothers helped him during his early years with the Anaheim Ducks. He went on to play a similar role with the 2020-21 Montreal Canadiens, helping young players like Nick Suzuki and Cole Cofield.
Edmonton Journal: Kurt Levins shot down the notion among Oilers fans of the club buying out the remaining years of goaltender Jack Campbell’s contract. “My info is, there’s no chance of that. No one. Period.”
the athlete: Former New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow told Kevin Kurtz he would like to return to the NHL one day.
Snow, 53, was relieved of his duties as Isles GM in June 2018 in a five-year payout agreement with former owner Charles Wang that recently expired on July 1. The son of the inhabitants of the island.
Spectator’s note: Snow has picked up many current Islanders like Matthew Barzal, Ilya Sorokin, Brooke Nelson, Anders Lee, Ryan Pollock, and Adam Bellick during his years with the Islanders. So were former Islanders John Tavares, Josh Bailey, Jared Spurgeon, Devon Toews, Anthony Beauvilliers and Nino Niedereter.
GOPHNX.COM: The Arizona Coyotes have begun initial contract extension talks with head coach Andre Turenne.