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Morning Skate - Monday, September 5

Morning Skate - Monday, September 5

Morning Skate - Women's Worlds Wrap Up & Staying Put

September 05, 2022

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Last Night's News 📰

GOLDEN AGAIN: In yet another gold medal showdown between Canada and the United States, Canada claimed victory at the women's world hockey championship by a score of 2-1, thanks to a pair of goals from Brianne Jenner. Canada has now won three straight world championships following a nine-year drought at the event.

CZECH IT OFF THE LIST: Czechia defeated Switzerland 4-2 to win its first-ever Women's World Championship medal in its sixth tournament appearance, taking home bronze on Sunday. It was the first time Czechia reached the semifinals, having never finished higher than sixth.

MILLER TIME: On Friday, J.T. Miller agreed to a seven-year, $56 million contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks. Miller, 29, had a career year last season with 99 points (32 goals, 67 assists) in 80 games for Vancouver.

DEPTH DELIVERED: With the opening of NHL training camps around the corner, teams continue to bolster their depth. On Friday, the Edmonton Oilers signed defenseman Ryan Murray and the Winnipeg Jets came to terms with veteran forward Sam Gagner, with each agreeing to separate one-year, $750,000 deals.

2022 Women's World Championship Recap

On Sunday, the 2022 edition of the IIHF Women's World Championship concluded when Canada held off the United States to win gold for the second straight year. Morning Skate

has you covered with a recap of the biggest stories and best performers.

Brianne Jenner provided scored both of Canada's goals in a 2-1 gold medal win over the United States (Josh Kim / The Hockey Writers)

Noteworthy Moments

Thrice as Nice

The two clear-cut favorites, Canada and the United States met in the final after encountering very little resistance up to that point. As they did in the World Championship last year and in the Beijing Olympics in February, the Canadians prevailed over the Americans, holding on to win this one 2-1 and avenge a 5-2 loss in group play. Brianne Jenner provided all the scoring for Canada, notching two goals in under two minutes to give the team a 2-0 lead in the second period. Abby Roque got one back for the Americans. However, Canadian goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens stopped the comeback there. Canada has now won gold at the last three major international tournaments.

Heise Punch

Although her team had to settle for the silver, American forward Taylor Heise took home MVP honors. In her first tournament with the senior team, the 22-year-old led all scorers with 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists), the second-most ever by an American at the Worlds (behind Cindy Curley). Heise scored in six of the United States seven games and posted two five-point performances. During her senior season at Minnesota this past year, she led the NCAA in scoring with 66 points (29 goals, 37 assists) in 39 games and

won the Patty Kazmaier Award

as the top women's college hockey player.

Czech It Out

The best non-North American team was Czechia, dominating Group B by outscoring opponents 21-2 on the way to a 4-0-0 record in the preliminary round. Czechia beat Finland 2-1 in overtime to advance to the semifinal, where it ran into an American buzzsaw, losing 10-1 to the U.S., before defeating Switzerland 4-2 in the bronze medal game. It was the first time Czechia finished higher than sixth in the tournament.

Tournament Leaders

Players

Teams

Points: Taylor Heise, USA (18)
Goals: Heise, USA (7)
Assists: Heise and Amanda Kessel, USA (11)
Save Percentage: Lisa Jensen, Denmark (94.68)
Goals Against: Ann-Renée Desbiens, Canada (0.80)

Offense: United States (7.57 Goals Per Game)
Defense: United States (1 Goal Allowed Per Game)
Power-Play: Japan (42.86%)
Penalty Kill: Canada (86.96%)

On Second Thought, You Can Stay

Those hoping for a wave of trade activity and player movement this summer didn't leave disappointed, as names like Matthew Tkachuk, Jonathan Huberdeau, Kevin Fiala, Johnny Gaudreau, and Nazem Kadri all changed addresses. However, not everyone was on the move. Believe it or not, some players who found themselves in trade rumors are still with that team from last season.

An old saying goes, "sometimes the best moves are the ones you don't make." These players, who appear to be staying put despite murmurs, could be poised to reward their clubs for their loyalty. Or, you know, make them look foolish for not finding them a new home.

J.T. Miller - Vancouver Canucks

J.T. Miller, Vancouver Canucks (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

With one year remaining on his current contract, the future of J.T. Miller in Vancouver was up in the air for most of the summer. After signing a seven-year, $56 million extension over the weekend, that's no longer the case. Miller will be a Canuck for the foreseeable future, which put the organization firmly in win-now mode with a scoring leader who will turn 30 before the end of the season.

John Gibson - Anaheim Ducks

John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

It's probably not all that surprising to see John Gibson remain in Anaheim, despite his struggles last season and the fact that the 29-year-old doesn't fit the timeline of the young Ducks. Though open to exploring a trade, the club wanted a return package befitting a top netminder. The problem is, Gibson wasn't that player last year (.904% save percentage, 3.19 goals-against average), and teams probably weren't too excited to part with future assets when they also were taking on the five years and $32 million left on his contract.

Blake Wheeler - Winnipeg Jets

Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg Jets (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Whatever locker room unrest plagued the Winnipeg Jets last season is now water under the bridge. Save for Paul Maurice's resignation and Rick Bowness' hiring, Winnipeg didn't do much to change personnel after last year's disappointing finish. That includes captain Blake Wheeler, who will stick around for a 12th season with the Jets to help oversee a change in culture after acknowledging issues at the end of last season.

Player Spotlight – John Gibson

John Gibson has been patrolling the Anaheim Ducks crease since the 2013-14 season. Since then, the 29-year-old has been an NHL all-star and was part of the goaltending tandem who won the William M. Jennings Trophy for his performance during the 2015-16 season. Fans know plenty about what the netminder brings on the ice, but what about his life off the ice? Let’s check-in.

John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Heading into the 2022-23 season, the Morning Skate will introduce The Hockey Writers team contributors as they share some quick thoughts on what has been happening with their respective clubs this summer.

Today, we feature our Arizona Coyotes contributor

Haynes Evans

and the Detroit Red Wings team of writers

, and

to preview their teams.