Monday LNN: Gauthier Returns to Philly, Staal's Number Retired, Brännström on Waivers, and more!
Cutter Gauthier got a "warm welcome" in Philadelphia, Eric Staal's number was retired in Carolina, the PWHL is setting records, and more!
- For the first time since he forced his way out of the Flyers organization, Cutter Gauthier returned to Philadelphia while playing for the Anaheim Ducks. Unsurprisingly, the Philly fans showed plenty of "brotherly love" with some excellent chants.
- Eric Staal's number 12 was retired by the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. He captained the team for seven seasons and he leads the franchise (post-Hartford) in games (909), goals (322), assists (453) and points (775).
- Erik Brännström was placed on waivers again, this time by the Vancouver Canucks. Considering the Senators didn't claim him last time, I doubt they would claim him this time.
- Speaking of jersey retirements, the Dubuque Fighting Saints also retired a number over the weekend: Johnny Gaudreau's #8. Gaudreau played in Dubuque in his draft year where he won a championship.
- People always love to discuss disappointing teams and players, and the writers at The Athletic give the biggest disappointment for each team in 2024-25.
- The NHL.com panel analyzed who is leading the way for the Vezina Trophy race, and it's no surprise that Connor Hellebuyck was the choice. Behind him are Filip Gustavsson and Jacob Markstrom, with Linus Ullmark ranking sixth.
- For the Norris Trophy, NHL.com has Cale Makar first and then Quinn Hughes and Zack Werenski behind him. They also had Spencer Carbery leading the way for the Jack Adams.
- The PWHL has been doing incredibly well on their Takeover Tour, as they set a US record in Denver with 14,081 people in attendance. Meanwhile, Vancouver had 19,038 fans, the highest of the season and third-highest in PWHL history. Hailey Salvian of The Athletic has a breakdown of these record-setting games.
- Old friend Marcus Högberg got his first NHL win with the New York Islanders on Saturday, which was his first in the NHL since April 28th, 2021 with the Senators. Högberg has an .898 SV% in 11 AHL games but a whopping .950 SV% in four NHL games this season.
- Connor Hellebuyck won his 300th NHL game after playing his 500th game, and the Winnipeg Jets had some pretty sweet jerseys to honour the accomplishment.
- With Alexander Ovechkin's 20th goal of the season, he joins just Gordie Howe as the only two players who have 20 consecutive 20-goal seasons.
- Pittsburgh Penguins winger Michael Bunting was in a car accident on Sunday, but luckily he was okay—for the most part. He didn't play on Sunday for undisclosed reasons.
