2019 has been a very busy year throughout the hockey world. There have been several big trades and free agent signings (including a record-setting contract), plenty of changes behind the bench, and much more. Over the last few weeks, PHR has taken a look at the top stories from around the game on a month-by-month basis. Finally we get to December, which provided plenty of news after teams started to realize exactly where they stood for the 2019-20 season.
Coaching Changes: Both the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars made changes behind the bench in December, firing Peter DeBoer and Jim Montgomery respectively. The moves came for very different reasons however, as DeBoer’s Sharks were vastly underperforming expectations while Montgomery was dismissed for “unprofessional conduct.” Assistant coaches took over in both situations, with Bob Boughner taking over in San Jose and Rick Bowness getting another head coaching shot in Dallas.
Calgary Gets A Rink: Though it had been expected for some time, the city of Calgary and the Flames officially signed an agreement to build a new taxpayer-funded arena. The rink is expected to be ready for the 2024-25 season, but there’s obviously no guarantee in that timeline so far out. The fight over a new arena was very contentious and public, but hopefully the Flames can gain some stability now that fight is behind them.
Andersson Wants Out: After being unable to secure a full-time role with the New York Rangers through his first few professional seasons, Lias Andersson requested a trade and left the organization. He was subsequently suspended, and it appears his time in the NHL is over until such a time when GM Jeff Gorton decides he wants to move on. The seventh overall pick in 2017, Andersson has just nine points in 66 career NHL games.
Kovalchuk Terminated Again: Speaking of players leaving their organization, Ilya Kovalchuk became a free agent once again after his final bonus payment was made. The Los Angeles Kings and Kovalchuk agreed to terminate the remaining year and a half on his contract after they removed him from the lineup in November. The enigmatic winger eventually signed in Montreal, though it would take a few weeks.
Hall & ’Yotes: The New Jersey Devils didn’t wait around the move their best trade asset, benching Taylor Hall for a few games and then trading him to the Arizona Coyotes in the middle of December. The former Hart Trophy winner secured the Devils several assets, though some critiqued the quality of each as Kevin Bahl—who was recently part of the gold medal-winning Canadian World Junior team—was really the best of the bunch.
#OskarStrong: The most devastating news of the month came when the Philadelphia Flyers announced young forward Oskar Lindblom was diagnosed with cancer. The entire hockey community came together to wish Lindblom the best and help raise awareness.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Lol Hall & ‘Yotes