Kevin’s Morning Hash: Georgiev Possible Trade Bait and Bruins Clean up Krejci Fallout

Over the past 51 years, Tony Esposito (Chicago Blackhawks, 1969-70) is the only goalie to record 15 shutouts in a season. He is one of four goalies in NHL history to do it.

The Blackhawks announced Tuesday Esposito died after battling pancreatic cancer.

After being selected in the NHL intra-league draft from the Montreal Canadiens, Esposito won the Vezina and the Calder Trophy in his first season. Frank Brimsek, Tom Barrasso and Ed Belfour also accomplished the rare double.

Tony Esposito is Phil Esposito’s younger brother. The two never played on the same NHL team together. In Tony’s first NHL start, Montreal and Boston tied 2-2. Phil scored both goals for the Bruins. In his first Stanley Cup series in 1970, Tony and the Blackhawks swept the Red Wings. All four games finished with a final score of 4-2.

The New York Times offered a comprehensive obituary:

If a Hall of Famer can be underrated, this is the one. After the #Blackhawks glory years, Tony Esposito made the playoffs 7 straight years ON HIS OWN. Never really recognized for how great he was when the Hawks were terrible. Amazing performer. Thanks for the memories. RIP Tony-O pic.twitter.com/sb3sb8sPan

— Barry Rozner (@BarryRozner) August 10, 2021

Tony Esposito was the victim on both the final regular-season and playoff goals tallied by Gordie Howe during his Red Wings career.

Rumor of the Day

Now that the Rangers have extended Igor Shesterkin’s contract, the big question is whether the Rangers will move backup goalie Alexandar Georgiev. A few teams are interested in Georgiev as a potential starting goalie.

Around the NHL

Toronto: Sportsnet reports the Toronto Marlies hired a goalie coach on Sunday and then fired him by Tuesday. He allegedly “liked” racist tweets and social media posts supporting the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol and anti-vax sentiments. 

Detroit: The Detroit Red Wings and Jakub Vrana agreed to a three-year deal to avoid arbitration. 

Boston: Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy cleared up confusion about what happened in the David Krejci situation