Evan’s NHL Daily: Kovalenko MIA, Bedard Attention ‘A Little Much’

Right now, Connor Bedard is the golden child in the NHL, getting tons of media attention and being showcased on national TV a lot in the first two weeks. Even his linemate, a former 1st overall pick, thinks it’s all a bit much right now.

The Colorado Avalanche practiced in San Jose Monday, but all the news around the team came from a few of their prospects in Russia.

All that and more in this Tuesday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

Mikhail Gulyayev’s arrival to North America will be one year later than originally anticipated, as he signed an extension in the KHL that sees him under contract until 2026.

Meanwhile, it’s been a few weeks since Nikolai Kovalenko played a game, and now, it appears the Avalanche have gotten involved with his injury recovery.

On Tuesday, the Avalanche will take on the Seattle Kraken in Seattle, and one NHL insider believes Patrick Kane is an option for the Avalanche.

Around The NHL

Taylor Hall would know a thing or two about hype. After all, he was selected 1st overall by Edmonton, so he’s been through the media ringer up in Canada. And right now, even he thinks the media attention around Connor Bedard is a bit too much right now.

“It can be a little much for him at times. He doesn’t say that, but it feels like it is.”

Taylor Hall believes the media attention surrounding his teammate Connor Bedard is a little much. pic.twitter.com/8w81vG1USi

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 16, 2023

It’s hard to disagree, but it’s also partly due to his schedule. The NHL scheduled the Chicago Blackhawks in two of the biggest cities in the league in his first week, Montreal and Toronto, so he is naturally the center of attention. He’ll be in Colorado this week, but maybe the league can tone it down with the in-game interviews, at the very least. The league does deserve credit for at least trying to market a new face. They usually aren’t any good with that, but interviewing him 4 times a game is not necessary.

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, went into Toronto and shut down Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs on Monday.

Another brilliant night of scheduling by the NHL. Every game started at 5 PM EST, so there were no late games, and all the games hit intermission at the exact same time.

National Hockey Now

Former Avalanche great Lars Eller is off to a penalty-filled start with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The history behind David Pastrnak’s latest penalty shot gem.

The Washington Capitals got their first win of the season, thanks to new dad, Darcy Kuemper.

The long-term injury to Kirby Dach means Alex Newhook is moving back to center in Montreal.

The Nashville Predators are one team interested in Conor Garland.

Will New Jersey extend Akira Schmid?