Teams will not wear special warm-up jerseys for 2023-24, four Flames stars uninterested in signing contract extensions, potential winger Matvey Michkov to meet teams before the draft, and more headlines today’s NHL Morning Coffee.
sportscent: In an interview with Elliott Friedman, NHL commissioner Gary Pittman said the league would no longer have teams wear themed jerseys in pre-game pregame workouts. This includes Hockey Fights Cancer, Military Recognition, and Pride Night.
The decision came as a result of a small number of NHL players making headlines this season by refusing to wear Pride jerseys. Bateman said it became a distraction away from honoring guest nights for various groups and causes.
Bateman noted that these events will continue as before only without the warm-up jerseys. Various T-shirts will continue to be manufactured and sold to raise funds for these causes.
Spectator note: I offered my thoughts on Ivan Provorov’s refusal to wear the Pride Jersey in January. His decision prompted many players on a few other teams to follow his lead while some clubs chose not to have their players wear Pride jerseys.
At the time, the story was considered a stumbling block on the NHL’s path to inclusivity. There seems to be more to come.
I think this decision is a surprising reaction by the league. Judging by the reactions on social media, I’m not the only one who shares this opinion, although there are people who support this decision as well.
It’s nice to know the NHL will continue to stage those events for those causes they support but his decision still doesn’t work for them. Warm-up T-shirts have been the most visible way to show their support, especially for causes that support minorities and the LGBTQ+ community who feel shut out by hockey culture.
The NHL has made some progress addressing these issues in recent years but there is still a long way to go. I share Friedman’s hope that there can be a better solution in the future.
daily face: Frank Serravalle reports that the Calgary Flames may have a different look next season. Four of their best players – Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifen, Mikael Backlund and Tyler Toffoli – Do not intend to sign an extension of the contract or tend to do so. They are all eligible to become unrestricted free agents this coming July.
Bystander note: This doesn’t necessarily mean they will all be in circulation this summer. However, it is likely that at least one of them will be purchased, possibly by the end of the NHL Draft next week (June 28-29).
The Flames hired Craig Conroy as general manager a month ago. He didn’t have enough time to get comfortable in his new role and now He faces big decisions Four key players will make up his roster the next several years. I’ll be getting more into the NHL rumor mill today.
Calgary hockey nowSpeaking of flames, they’ve hired Marc Savard as an assistant coach. A former NHL forward, Savard has spent the past two seasons as coach of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires.
San Jose Hockey NowCites: TSN’s Bob McKenzie indicated that prospective Russian player Matvey Michkov will meet with NHL teams ahead of next week’s draft. Concerns have been raised among clubs interested in the promising young winger, after reports that he has rejected interview requests this season.
Those concerns grew after Michkov skipped Buffalo’s NHL draft earlier this month. However, Mackenzie reported that his agent was scheduling interviews with several clubs.
Bystander note: One theory has Mitchkov giving some teams the cold shoulder as an attempt to game where he would be picked in the draft. Most experts predict he will be picked in the top 10, perhaps between No. 4 and No. 9 in the rankings.
TSN: Eric Johnson’s 13 seasons with the Colorado Avalanche may be coming to an end. Multiple reports indicate that he will hit the free agent market on July 1. He is the longest serving member of the Avalanche, acquired from the St. Louis Blues before the 2011 trade deadline.
Note: Age and injuries have slowed the 35-year-old Johnson, who has managed just eight points in 63 games this season. However, he was held to just one year of 25 points in 77 games as he helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022. Contenders looking for an affordable veteran defenseman with playoff experience on a short-term contract could turn up July 1. .
TSN: The New Jersey Devils have officially named former Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green as an associate coach.
Florida hockey now: Former Panthers assistant coach Derek McKenzie has been hired by the Nashville Predators as an assistant coach.
Hockey news: The Washington Capitals hired former AHL coach Mitch Love as an assistant coach.