NHL News: McDavid plays beer league, Jeník trade request, Stanley re-signs, and more
Ryan Gagne
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Today’s NHL news follows up on the latest regarding Connor McDavid playing beer league, Jan Jeník requesting a trade, Josh Morrissey’s health, Logan Stanley’s extension, and Cheryl Pounder becoming the new color commentator for EA Sports NHL 24.
Whether you are into the latest trade buzz, signing news, and more, stick with The Daily Goal Horn.
Connor McDavid becomes the latest NHL star to play beer league this summer
In case you missed it, Edmonton Oilers’ forward Evander Kane suited up for a game in Division 1 of the Capital City Recreation Hockey League earlier this summer. Going by an alias “Fa Afo,” a term he used in a post-game interview several months before, Kane scored two goals in a 7-5 loss.
Interestingly, this past weekend, reigning NHL MVP and 153-point scorer Connor McDavid was busy skating with some buddies in a men’s league championship game in Newmarket, Ontario. Surprisingly, just like Kane, McDavid found himself on the losing end, except this time, the Art Ross Trophy winner had to watch his opponents hoist a trophy after a 9-4 win.
Arizona Coyotes prospect and RFA Jan Jeník requests a trade out of the desert
According to local media personalities, restricted free agent Jan Jeník has requested a trade from the Arizona Coyotes organization. After turning down the team’s latest offer at the beginning of the summer, the 22-year-old, who is still a restricted free agent, remains without a contract heading into training camp.
As it stands, Jeník, who has played just 17 games in the NHL since 2020, hopes to play with another team to prove he can play in the league. Despite a minus-35 rating with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL), the Czech native has 94 points in 110 games, with his best campaign coming in 2021-22 with 17 goals and 47 points.
Winnipeg Jets’ Josh Morrissey is ready for season opener
The Winnipeg Jets sneaked into the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs and immediately found themselves at a disadvantage when one of their best defensemen, Josh Morrisey went down with an injury. After a career year with 16 goals and 76 points, he played in Games 1 and 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights before exiting in Game 3 after 1:14 of ice time.
On Saturday before a recent charity game, Morrisey said, “Been taking my time with it, really trying to do it right, using all the different modalities and things you can do. I’m 100 percent ready to go. No lingering issues at all.”
Ultimately, this is excellent news for Jets fans, who find themselves in a tough Central Division with the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and Nashville Predators. Heading into 2023-24, all four teams pose serious threats to keep Winnipeg from contending for a playoff spot within the division, regulating them to a wild card position at best.
Logan Stanley signs a one-year extension to remain in Winnipeg
Meanwhile, after receiving positive recovery news from Morrisey, the Jets re-signed Logan Stanley to a one-year deal worth $1 million. Statistically, the 25-year-old took a step back in 2022-23, collecting just three points in 19 games, compared to 13 in 58 games the previous season.
According to projected lineups from DailyFaceoff.com, Stanley appears to be the odd man on the defensive corps, possibly fighting for a spot out of training camp. Although he last skated in the AHL in 2019-20, seeing how he gets into the Jets’ lineup this year after limited playing time in 2022-23 will be interesting.
EA Sports replaces Ray Ferrero with Cheryl Pounder as color commentator for NHL 24
In NHL15, veteran announcer and former player Ray Ferrero became the newest color commentator for the video game franchise. After eight years in the game providing insights, Ferrero will not return with two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Cheryl Pounder stepping into the role. Historically, she will be the first commentator in an NHL video game.
Statistically, Pounder is one of the best female hockey players to play for Canada, winning six gold medals at the World Championships in a professional career from 1992 to 2009. Upon retiring, she got into broadcasting, working for Canadian broadcaster TSN, covering the Winter Olympics in 2014, 2018, and 2022. Additionally, she works regionally for the Ottawa Senators and helps with significant events like the NHL Trade Deadline.
The Daily Goal Horn Trivia
On Aug. 20, 2021, Henrik Lundqvist announced his retirement. In honor of that anniversary, can you name which current Hockey Hall of Fame member scored the most goals (10) against the Swedish netminder?
Hint: This former Art Ross Trophy winner played in New York for two seasons.
Saturday’s trivia answer: Patrick Roy, Jim Carey, and Braden Holtby