There was tonnes of news in the hockey world yesterday, but let's start with Jack Hughes getting stepped over by Blayre Turnbull at the NHL All-Star runway.
According to my mom, when I was trying to take a picture with Blayre Turnbull, Jack Hughes thought I was trying to take a picture with him so he leaned in and then realized and walked away LOL sorry Jack I have my priorities pic.twitter.com/4gmYvffgdQ
— Maya🇵🇸 🦅 (@ilyasamsHOEnov) February 2, 2024
Brigs has a midseason Prospect Pyramid. This is a great primer for the value of Leafs prospects as trade season heats up.
Brian S
My partner and I were very upset to miss Sidney Crosby on Thursday's All-Star Draft, but he arrived in Toronto on Friday to cheer on the other All-Stars. Before the event, he answered for Bettman's comments about the 2018 case in a mature, respectful way.
A reporter asked Sidney Crosby if there's a problem with hockey's culture. Crosby said he didn't think this huge scrum of "15-second soundbites" was a good venue for such a topic, and said he'd be happy to talk privately with the reporter after. Then he actually did. Good on him.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 2, 2024
Here were Bettman's comments, for reference.
Gary Bettman makes a statement on the 2018 World Juniors investigation. pic.twitter.com/4CC1C0a3Ru
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 2, 2024
Marty Walsh of the NHLPA called out the Arizona Coyotes for being the second tennant in a college rink while claiming to be a professional NHL team. This is the second season in the ASU building.
Marty Walsh says the #coyotes have missed two deadlines already to move forward with an arena project.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 2, 2024
"How long do you wait to get a home? They're playing in a college arena and they're the second tenant in that arena. ... This is not the way to run a business."
Late last night, the Coyotes fed a story to one of their reporters to fast-track an announcement for a new arena proposal in north Phoenix. Clearly, things have been desperate for a while – and might I say more expensive by the day. Meanwhile Utah wants a team and Atlanta city council is looking to out-spend Cop City.
Confirmed. We have every intention of staying in the desert. We owe it to the best fans in the world to make it happen. #YotesForever https://t.co/wp3hVN0UHe
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) February 3, 2024
Back to better news, Sarah Nurse spoke at the Friday presser and how she notices the increased attention women's hockey is getting with the launch of the PWHL. Also, baby mic is best mic!
Not to brag but that baby mic is mine. https://t.co/CZqCoSBFCI
— Shireen Ahmed (@_shireenahmed_) February 2, 2024
Some douchebag called the cops on some hockey players skating at a public rink. They didn't back down from the pathetic tough-guy act.
The Kings fired their coach.
The @LAKings have relieved Todd McLellan of his duties and named Jim Hiller interim head coach for the remainder of the season, according to Vice President and General Manager Rob Blake.https://t.co/2Inm9q6BIS
— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) February 2, 2024
The Jets spent a first on Sean Monahan.
Details:
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 2, 2024
To #GoJetsGo:
Sean Monahan
To #GoHabsGo:
2024 1st Rd Pick
Conditional 2027 3rd Rd Pick
No salary retained.
There's going to be a four-team midseason tournament between Canada, USA, Sweden, and Finland in February 2025 with lots of stars, but missing lots of others. Off the top of my head, no David Pastrnak (CZE), Leon Draisaitl (GER), or Kristians Rubins (LAT).
Details on 2025 4 Nations Face-Off:
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 2, 2024
*7 games in 9-day period
*Feb. 12 to Feb. 20, 2025
*23 man rosters, must be on NHL contract
* 3 game round robin
* Top 2 teams advance to 1-game, winner-take-all final pic.twitter.com/DgRuTvxdg4
Friday prospect highlights!!!!!
Minten:
#LeafsForever prospect Fraser Minten with some nifty moves and scores on his own rebound for his 13th goal of the season. It's his third straight game with at least one goal. He's up to 30 points in 24 games.pic.twitter.com/6FTjFNiiAo
— More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) February 3, 2024
#LeafsForever prospect Fraser Minten scores his second goal of the game, following up on a missed shot attempt and banking it in off the goalie. He has 9 goals in this last 9 games, and is up to 31 points in 24 games.pic.twitter.com/IXOwjqfruE
— More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) February 3, 2024
Cowan:
#LeafsForever prospect Easton Cowan capitalizes on a turnover by the opposing goalie to set up Denver Barket for ANOTHER shorthanded goal. Cowan's up to 11 short handed points, and 62 points in 34 games this year.pic.twitter.com/JY9MEER3nc
— More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) February 3, 2024
#LeafsForever prospect Easton Cowan, noted PK menace, scores his fifth short handed goal of the year and league leading 10th short handed point. He extends his point streak to 16 games, and brings his season totals to 61 points in 34 games.pic.twitter.com/pJygQbl9sl
— More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) February 3, 2024
Moldenhauer:
#LeafsForever prospect Nick Moldenhauer scores off the rebound for his 7th goal of the season. He's up to 17 points in 25 games in his freshman year in the NCAA.pic.twitter.com/EXgeNHCUig
— More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) February 3, 2024
Malinoski:
#LeafsForever prospect Hudson Malinoski snipes his sixth goal of the season on the powerplay. He's up to 11 points in 24 games in his freshman NCAA season.pic.twitter.com/2DMbgJPy7h
— More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) February 3, 2024
Greb:
#LeafsForever prospect Nikita Grebyonkin fights through some checks and threads a perfect backhand pass into the slot for the primary assist. He had two assists today bringing him to 36 points in 59 KHL games.
— More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) February 2, 2024
He's on a heck of a hot streak, with 20 points in his last 20 games. pic.twitter.com/uQXKPHgyAl
