Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports activities
That is Display screen Photographs, a daily THN.com characteristic through which we sort out a number of totally different hockey subjects and break them down in a number of quick paragraphs apiece. Onto the subjects we go along with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators and Arizona Coyotes:
The Tampa Bay Lightning received some unlucky information late this week when star goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy had to undergo back surgery, which is predicted to sideline him for greater than the primary two months of the season. Vasilevskiy’s absence can’t be adequately crammed by backup Jonas Johansson, who has simply 35 video games of NHL expertise beneath his belt.
Consequently, it’s a close to certainty Bolts GM Julien BriseBois will go to the free company, waiver or commerce markets to herald some veteran assist for Tampa Bay.
One possibility may very well be Martin Jones, who at present tasks to be the third possibility in internet for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Until the Leafs determine to hold three goalies on their NHL roster, they’ll seemingly waive Jones earlier than sending him to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. And the cap-strapped Lightning would see Jones’ $875,000 wage as one thing they may work with over the quick time period.
Different choices for Tampa may very well be greybeard Brian Elliott, who served because the Lightning’s backup final season and who’s a UFA. Veteran Jaroslav Halak, who spent his 2022-23 season with the New York Rangers, is perhaps another choice for BriseBois. In any case, the Bolts clearly need assistance, and with Vasilevskiy out for such a major time frame, their skill to remain within the playoff race within the powerful Atlantic Division may relaxation on the choice BriseBois makes to switch his high goalie over the quick time period. The established order is just not an possibility for them.
The Ottawa Senators made a significant administration transfer Friday, revealing they’ve employed former NHL participant Steve Staios as their new president of hockey operations. The hiring had been closely rumored, as Staios had labored carefully with new Sens proprietor Michael Andlauer within the OHL. That mentioned, Staios’ arrival underscores the pressures Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion and coach D.J. Smith are going through this season.
Staios isn’t prone to clear home immediately, but when issues go awry for Ottawa early within the season – or within the season in any respect, actually – Dorion and Smith are prone to pay for it with their jobs. Even when Ottawa does effectively this season, Staios will encompass himself with hockey administration members he trusts, so there’s sure to be change whatever the Senators’ win-loss document. However Andlauer clearly believes in Staios – who accepted the job after resigning from an advisory place with the Edmonton Oilers – and the message to all Sens workers now that he’s overseeing operations is crystal clear: win, or else.
Lastly, a short remark concerning the important thing to the Arizona Coyotes’ season: the Yotes might be improved at ahead, with star rookie Logan Cooley and free-agent pickups Alex Kerfoot and Jason Zucker in tow. And their goaltending is pretty stable, with starter Karel Vejmelka and backup Connor Ingram set to be their tandem. However the largest space of concern is their blueline.
Even with the commerce for younger defenseman Sean Durzi and the UFA signing of veteran Matt Dumba, the Coyotes’ protection corps is just not wherever near the very best group within the sport.
Including issues to the matter is the truth that 4 of their present top-eight D-men are scheduled to be UFAs subsequent summer season. Now, in the event that they carry out to expectations, a few of these veterans may very well be signed to contract extensions. However in the intervening time, the optics of the state of affairs paint this protection corps as considerably transitory. There’s no clear path ahead for them on ‘D,’ and that would show to be the distinction between them making or lacking the post-season this yr.
All issues thought of, the Coyotes have a lot to stay up for within the seasons forward. But when their lack of high quality on the again finish seems to be the rationale why they don’t make the playoffs this yr, nobody must be stunned
Information Abstract:
- Display screen Photographs: Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators and Arizona Coyotes
- Examine all information and articles from the most recent NHL updates.