Canadian goalies hope to silence critics in the men’s Olympic hockey tournament, Leon Draisaitl is named captain of Team Germany, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper defended his goaltenders against criticism that they are the team’s Achilles heel in the upcoming Men’s Olympic hockey tournament.
Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper (NHL.com)
“We have all the faith in the world in them,” Cooper said. “To me, it’s not a story. I don’t know where it comes from.”
Cooper pointed out that Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues and Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings are Stanley Cup winners. He also noted Logan Thompson’s rise as a starting goalie with the Washington Capitals.
Meanwhile, the three netminders said they’re looking forward to silencing the doubters. “Excited to go out there and prove everyone wrong,” Thompson said.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Binnington was considered Canada’s weakest link in last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, but rose to the occasion in the gold-medal game against the United States with an MVP-worthy performance in a 3-2 overtime victory.
Kuemper is no stranger to winning international gold, backstopping Canada to victory in the 2021 World Championship.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (VIA THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS): Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars, and Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins give Team USA one of the best goaltending trios in the upcoming men’s hockey tournament.
USA head coach Mike Sullivan has full confidence in his netminders. “Regardless of which guy we put in, we have three elite goaltenders, all of which will give us an opportunity to win,” Sullivan said.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck backstopped Team USA to the gold-medal game in last year’s 4 Nations tournament. Swayman was the starting goalie for their gold-medal team in last year’s World Championships, sporting a 7-0 record.
SPORTSNET: Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl was officially named captain of Team Germany. The alternate captains are Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle. Draisaitl was also Germany’s flag bearer during last Friday’s opening ceremonies.
TSN: Former NHL forward Tomas Tatar was named captain of Team Slovakia. Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak and Washington Capitals blueliner Martin Fehervary are the alternate captains.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tatar spent 14 seasons in the NHL from 2010-11 to 2024-25 with the Detroit Red Wings, Vegas Golden Knights, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, and Seattle Kraken.
TVA SPORTS: Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky was on the same line as Tatar and former NHL center Adam Ruzicka during Slovakia’s practice on Monday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Slafkovsky was tournament MVP in the 2022 Winter Olympics, leading all players with seven goals as Slovakia won its first medal in men’s hockey.
Ruzicka spent four seasons in the NHL from 2020-21 to 2023-24 with the Calgary Flames and Arizona Coyotes. Since 2024-25, he’s played for KHL club Moscow Spartak.
NCAA: The Boston College Eagles defeated the Boston University Terriers 6-2 to win the Beanpot tournament for the first time since 2016.
Boston Bruins prospect center James Hagens had two goals and three assists and was named tournament MVP. The Bruins chose Hagens with the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
TSN: The preliminary hearing for top NHL prospect Gavin McKenna in an alleged assault case in Pennsylvania has been postponed until March 11.
McKenna, 18, faces charges of misdemeanor simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct following an alleged incident on Jan. 31 in State College, PA.