Morning Hits: Olympics, Cowen, Scouting and Islanders
Jared Cowen loses grievance with Toronto Maple Leafs
Letsgoleafs.com
On the 2018 Winter Olympics …

John Shannon: The NHL Board of Governors meetings get underway today in Florida. There will be an update on the 2018 Olympics, but they are not planning on voting. The NHL doesn’t have a deadline set in January for an Olympic decision, but the IOC and IIHF have internal deadlines in January. Sounding like the IOC’s deadline is around the 15th, with the IIHF at the end of the month.

On the Toronto Maple Leafs …

Bob McKenzie: The Maple Leafs won the arbitration case versus defenseman Jared Cowen. Cowen remains bought out.

Cap Friendly: The Leafs will continue to get a $650,000 salary cap credit for buying out Cowen. They will have a $750,000 cap hit next year.

On the Arizona Coyotes …

Bob McKenzie: The Coyotes put Matia Marcantuoni on unconditional waivers for a mutual termination of his contract.

Scouting the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers (Tuesday night) …

Chad DeDominicis: Scouts listed to attend the Sabres-Oilers game: Canadiens (3), Blues (2), Bruins, Predators, Stars, Hurricanes, Ducks, Golden Knights, Lightning, Coyotes, Sharks, Kings, Rangers, and Flames.

Scouting the New Jersey Devils and Vancouver Canucks (Tuesday night) …

Dan Rice: Scouts listed to attend the Devils-Canucks game: Predators, Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Sabres, Lightning and Rangers.

Scouting the Philadelphia Flyers and Florida Panthers (Tuesday night) …

Adam Kimelman: Scouts listed to attend the Flyers-Panthers game: Senators, Ducks, Oilers, Red Wings and Golden Knights.

On the New York Islanders …

Elliotte Friedman: “Further to story about Jonathan Ledecky’s search for information, sounds like Mike Gillis on list of people to talk to. I think if there is one concern, it’s that people don’t want to be seen as undercutting current administration, very wary of doing it. Gillis declined to discuss it via text. He is still under contract to VAN.”

Darren Dreger: “Will be interesting to see how Isles ownership moves forward. Lafontaine, Flatley, Healy among the group of ex Islanders talked to. Ex-Canucks execs, Gillis and Gilman connected thru rumour over last 2 days. Vancouver has not been asked for permission to speak with either. How any of the discussions Isles ownership has had with the aforementioned men impacts current Hockey Ops, is unclear.”

Chris Botta: “Ledecky has to do this right. If he wants to change current admin, HE should do it and then hand keys to new Prez.”