NHL Today: Quick Re-Introduces Himself To LA; Gudbranson Goes After Cousins

Good morning, my name is Andrew Fantucchio. It’s Monday, December 11, and here’s what’s happening around the NHL today.

Quick Re-Introduces Himself To LA:

Jonathan Quick built much of his future Hall of Fame career as a member of the Los Angeles Kings for 16 years.

On Sunday night, he made his first-ever start against his former team, making 25 saves to lead the New York Rangers to a 4-1 win at Madison Square Garden.

Mika Zibanejad, Jimmy Vesey, Jonny Brodzinski and Will Cuyelle all scored for the Rangers. The win improved their record to 19-6-1 and extended their first-place lead in the Metropolitan Division.

Quick is having somewhat of a career renaissance at age 37. He’s 8-0-1 in nine starts this year for the Rangers, posting a 2.20 GAA and a .922 save percentage.

Barry Rips Into Barrie:

New York Islanders president Lou Lamoriello is a master at keeping information confidential. Clearly, that wasn’t a trait he passed on to Barry Trotz.

The former Islanders head coach and current GM of the Nashville Predators gave defenseman Tyson Barrie permission to explore trade options, but that wasn’t supposed to be made public.

In a recent interview, Trotz ripped into Barrie for the word getting out.

“We talked to the agent and were really disappointed it got out because there’s only four people in the world that know about any conversation about anything, and somehow it got out,” Trotz said. “So, I was very disappointed on that process, and it didn’t come from the Preds — I do know that 100 percent.”

Trotz is in his first season as general manager in Nashville.

Gudbranson To Have Hearing For Altercation With Cousins:

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson is scheduled for a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety as the result of an altercation with Florida Panthers forward Nick Cousins.

Erik Gudbranson is given seven minutes of penalties plus a game misconduct after his altercation with Nick Cousins. #CBJ | @BlueJacketsNHL pic.twitter.com/AJvlsbc2U6

— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) December 10, 2023

The incident was sparked by a hit Cousins delivered on Gudbranson earlier in the game.

"A dangerous hit to say the least."

A potentially scary situation after Erik Gudbranson takes a major hit in Columbus.

Stay tuned. #CBJ | @BlueJacketsNHL pic.twitter.com/ps1hibgbWR

— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) December 10, 2023

Gudbranson’s hearing with the department is under rule 46.2 (Aggressor).

Tony Granato Reveals Cancer Diagnosis:

Tony Granato endured many a battle throughout his 13-year NHL career. Now, he’s in the battle of his life after revealing he’s been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

pic.twitter.com/XQD3HVx7WV

— Tony Granato (@TonyGranato) December 11, 2023

Granato, 59, played in 773 career games for the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks.

He was the head coach of the U.S. men’s national team from 2017-18 and for the University of Wisconsin men’s hockey from 2016-23. Recently, Granato joined NBC Sports Chicago as part of the network’s coverage of the Chicago Blackhawks.

He is the older brother of Buffalo Sabres head coach, Don Granato.

Yesterday’s Scoreboard:

Panthers: 5, Blue Jackets: 2

Oilers: 4, Devils: 1

Capitals: 4, Blackhawks: 2

Predators: 2, Canadiens: 1

Rangers: 4, Kings: 1

Jets: 4, Ducks: 2

Wild: 3, Kraken: 0

Golden Knights: 5, Sharks: 4 (SO)

Today’s Schedule:

All times EST

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Islanders, 7 p.m.

Arizona Coyotes vs. Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.

Detroit Red Wings vs. Dallas Stars, 8 p.m.

Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche, 9:30 p.m.

More From National Hockey Now:

Philadelphia: Rumors are circulating, and it sounds like two Philadelphia Flyers defensemen will be highly coveted this trade season.

Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins have brought in a former top-five pick on a professional tryout contract.

Detroit: There’s no new word on the status of Dylan Larkin. In the meantime, it’s time to wonder if his scary injury could’ve been avoided and if the NHL is at fault.

Colorado: After undergoing offseason knee surgery, Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog hopes to begin light skating soon.

San Jose: Marc-Édouard Vlasic may not be the player he once was, but suggesting he’s lost his fire couldn’t be further from the truth.

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