NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 5, 2025
Recaps of Tuesday’s games, the Bruins ship Trent Frederic to the Oilers in a three-team trade, the Canadiens re-sign Jake Evans, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov became the third player to reach the 90-point plateau in a 6-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kucherov had a goal and two assists, while Jake Guentzel and Victor Hedman each scored two goals and collected an assist for the Lightning, who sit third in the Atlantic Division with 76 points. Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski scored twice as his club clings to the first Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 68 points.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kucherov is third among the scoring leaders. Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon leads the pack with 93 points, while Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl is second with 92 points. Werenski reached the 20-goal plateau for the second time and sits second in goals and points behind Colorado’s Cale Makar among defensemen.
Earlier in the day, the Lightning placed forwards Cam Atkinson and Logan Brown on waivers.
Speaking of MacKinnon and the Avalanche, he collected two assists in a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Artturi Lehkonen scored twice for Colorado, who have won three straight games and hold the first Western Conference wild-card spot with 74 points. Rickard Rakell replied for the Penguins, who’ve dropped seven of their last eight contests.
The Anaheim Ducks upset the Edmonton Oilers 6-2, handing the latter their sixth loss in their last seven outings. Mason McTavish tallied twice for the Ducks, while Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid each had a goal and an assist for the slumping Oilers.
New York Islanders center Brock Nelson had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 upset of the Winnipeg Jets. Kyle Palmieri netted his 20th goal of the season and Ilya Sorokin stopped 26 shots as the Islanders (63 points) sit three points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final Eastern wild-card berth. Josh Morrissey and Nikolaj Ehlers scored for the Jets, who remain in first place in the overall standings with 88 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nelson was named the game’s first start. He gave an emotional postgame interview about what it meant to him to have spent his career with the Islanders. Trade rumors continue to swirl around the 33-year-old center. He’s eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1.
Speaking of the Red Wings, they dropped a 2-1 decision to the Carolina Hurricanes. Jordan Martinook led the way with a goal and an assist and Frederik Andersen turned aside 24 shots for the Hurricanes, who’ve won three of their last four and sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 76 points. Elmer Soderblom replied for the Wings.
Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley scored with five seconds remaining in the third period to nip the New Jersey Devils 4-3. Roope Hintz had a goal and two assists as the Stars have won 11 of their last 14 games, sitting second in the Central Division with 82 points. Nico Hischier and Timo Meier each had a goal and an assist for the Devils, who are in third place in the Metro Division with 72 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton left this game with a lower-body injury. There was no postgame update on his condition. The Devils were playing without Jack Hughes, as he’s still being evaluated for an upper-body injury suffered during Sunday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary tallied twice in a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Dustin Wolf made 26 saves while Morgan Frost collected two assists against his former team as the Flames (67 points) moved two points ahead of the Vancouver Canucks in the final Western wild-card berth. Former Flame Andrei Kuzmenko had a goal and an assist for the Flyers (62 points), who remain four points out of the final Eastern wild card.
The Minnesota Wild held off the Seattle Kraken 4-3. Mats Zuccarello, Frederick Gaudreau and Jared Spurgeon each had a goal and an assist as the Wild sit third in the Central Division with 76 points. Kraken winger Kaapo Kakko collected two assists.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kraken center Yanni Gourde returned to the lineup after spending the past two months recovering from sports hernia surgery. He’s frequently appeared in the rumor mill as the March 7 trade deadline approaches.
Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly scored two goals and had an assist in a 6-3 victory over the Boston Bruins, snapping a six-game road losing skid. Predators forward Steven Stamkos had a goal and two assists, including his 600th regular-season assist. Charlie Coyle, Jordan Oesterle and Morgan Geekie replied for the Bruins (64 points), who remain two points out of the final Eastern wild card.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bruins captain Brad Marchand missed this game as he’s week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
The San Jose Sharks beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-2. Sharks rookies Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini each scored, with Smith also collecting an assist. JJ Peterka and Tage Thompson scored for the Sabres.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: San Jose defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic become the NHL’s all-time leader with 2,165 blocked shots. The Sharks held goaltender Vitek Vanecek out of the lineup for trade purposes.
IN OTHER NEWS…
NHL.COM: The Boston Bruins traded forward Trent Frederic to the Edmonton Oilers in a three-team deal involving the New Jersey Devils.
The Bruins sent Frederic to the Devils for unsigned forward Petr Hauser and retained 50 percent of his $2.3 million cap hit. The Devils flipped him to the Oilers for unsigned forward Shane Lachance while retaining 50 percent of their share of his cap hit ($575K). The Bruins traded Hauser and forward Max Jones to the Oilers for defenseman Maximus Wanner, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-rounder.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Frederic is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He’s week-to-week with an upper-body injury but is expected to return to action in two weeks. Frederic and Jones will provide some affordable depth to their checking lines for the postseason.
The move signaled that the Bruins are sellers as the March 7 trade deadline draws near. They’re expected to entertain offers for UFA-eligible players like Justin Brazeau but not for team captain Brad Marchand. They could also listen on Morgan Geekie, a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights.
SPORTSNET: The Montreal Canadiens signed Jake Evans to a four-year contract extension with an average annual value of $2.85 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Evans was slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He’s completing a three-year contract with an AAV of $1.7 million. The 28-year-old center has become an effective checking-line center for the rebuilding Canadiens. His name surfaced in the rumor mill, but they see him as an important part of their roster moving forward.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers signed center Jesper Boqvist to a two-year contract extension worth $1.5 million annually. He was scheduled to become a restricted free agent this summer.
Although Ottawa didn’t play last night I’m sure they were scoreboard-watching and had to be encouraged with the regulation-time losses of 4 teams bunched up around them in the battle for a WC spot – Bruins, Red wings, Blue Jackets and Flyers. Only the Islanders pulled out a win to bring them to 63 pts and now just 5 back of Columbus.
What the Senators CAN’T do now is lose tonight in Chicago. They do that and it’s Goodnight Gracie.
Knight may have another good night.
He could also have a bad night – like any of us – lol
Or, a 3rd option we didn’t consider … he doesn’t play at all.
Free agency,be careful what you wish for! Boston/ Lindholm,Zadorov. Seattle Montour,Stephenson. Nashville Stamkos,Marchessault,Sjel all went big game hunting and struck out! Adding insult to injury all will be available for early tee times this spring!
Big game players have a shelf life. Many are past their best date on that list. Lesson to be learnt, don’t over pay for past performance.
That’s what pro scouting is for, the Zadorov and Lindholm signings were panned at the time by most except the fanboys.
Monahan was always a better choice than Lindholm in both Xancouver and Boston.
Zadorov is a big bottom pairing D who was overpaid in Vancouver and even more overpaid now.
It’s interesting considering Boston usually has team friendly contracts
HF30, we agree on Lindholm and disagree on Zadorov, he is not a bottom pair D and hasn’t been for the majority of his career.
Watching him it becomes pretty obvious, but you likely watch as many Bruin games as I watch Hab games.
Even a quick look at his stats, AKA results, in what matters for D, and it seems pretty clear that he has played very well for BOS, just like he did for VCR in the playoffs last year, which is likely why BOS grabbed him.
ATOI – 3rd. (actual minutes is 1st)
Zone starts – majority 56% in his own end
Strength of competition – most minutes against elite on the team, ahead of McAvoy. Likely would be 2nd if Lindholm was healthy.
Plus minus – + 14 (best on B’s) on a team that is a collective -82
Leads D in hits by a mile, 2nd on team.
Zadorov is a #3 all day, and this season with Lindholm out is their #2. He hasn’t struggled, and in fact has played very, very well.
I think if the B’s were actually thinking rebuild, they could trade him for a reasonable return. He got an opportunity this year because of injury and came through.
Ray Bark,
I don’t see a lot of Bruins but in Hab games Zadorov is a pylon, flailing with his stick as the Habs skate circles around him.
Granted the Habs play with pace and maybe he looks better against slower teams….but that is what makes him 3rd pairing and nowhere near the $5 million he’s being paid.
Think of it, that contract is higher than any Hab D.
HF30, he skates very well for a big man. But isn’t terrible against the rush and makes a good first pass. But ya, his strength is breaking up the cycle, and most importantly defending the fort. Most goals, are scored from home plate in front of the net.
He absolutely excels in that area, which is hugely important, as again, that is where goals get scored. Take that and multiply it in the playoffs. B’s won’t get there this season, probably, but sure as heck isn’t his fault.
You can’t ignore his results, and it really doesn’t matter how eye friendly it is, because fact is, he has been very effective. Just reality.
Ray Bark,
To my eyes, the cost of Zadorov is the same as Arber Xhekaj AND Alex Carrier.
You’re rationalizing Zadorov not justifying..
Every player has a value point and $5million is not Zadorov’s value.
I get the salary HF 30, he was a UFA, so not a news flash. As the cap rises it will be just fine. I am debating the 3rd pair comment, and we have in the past as well.
Not rationalizing at all, I dare say you just projected, his results are impossible to argue against, which is why I assume you are not?
So explain to me why the coaches are playing him so much then? They’re stupid I guess.
And how the F is he +14 on a team that is a combined -82? All the while getting mostly D zone starts against the toughest competition? It ain’t luck, that doesn’t happen without being a good player and excellent defender.
I dare say that should carry a bit more weight than you opinion on the 2 games you have seen this year against the Habs, where he was +1 and +2 by the way.
You often have good takes HF30, especially on the team you watch regularly, but I think you are wrong on this one.
But, not going to convince you otherwise, best to move on.
“Zadorov is a big bottom pairing D who was overpaid in Vancouver and even more overpaid now.”
The Flames signed his previous contract, not the Canucks. Vancouver got him for a 3rd round pick for his last 54 regular season games on the $3.75 m contract plus 13 playoff games in which he was highly effective. Boston’s 6 x $5 m seems like an overpay.
Overall I agree that he’s a 3rd pairing D, though he has size, snarl and the occasional game-breaking moment which give him additional value.
EVF, all I know of his time in VCR is the 7 games I watched every minute of against EDM in RD 2 last year. It was a great, intense, highly competitive series and he was a beast and very effective. Can’t believe what’s happened in VCR this year. They need to get in and wash some of that away.
He got moved out of Calgary after the comments below, may have even asked out. May have something to do with the return. Wasn’t thrilled with what was going on in the room.
I have watched him a lot this year, the guy has been very good in Boston. But I have a great appreciation for D first D men and what they do.
“Last season was different,” Zadorov said. “It was Darryl. Now there’s no Darryl, so there’s no excuses. You know what I mean? You guys don’t like hard coaches? You don’t like soft coaches? You don’t like good coaches? Fair. It’s a new-day league. You come up here, you play hard, and you leave everything on the ice. I think that’s how simple it is.”
“Zadorov is a big bottom pairing D ….”
LOL. Once more we see the importance of a comma and a hyphen. From the above it would appear he is being called a “fat ass” – should read “Zadorov is a big, bottom- pairing D …”
Notable that Nelson and Palmieri each notched their 20th goals of the season in what may be their final game with the Isles.
Not sure the win is what they needed. The Isles are now only 3 points out of a playoff spot and that may encourage Lou to hold onto the two of them for a run at the playoffs. It is more likely they fall short and bringing the two mid-30s veterans back on new contracts would not be a good move. Nor is losing them for nothing.
Bruins should be actively shopping Marchand, Coyle, Carlo, Brazeau, Wotherspoon, and if there’s a return that gets a bonafide #1 centre, Swayman. I’d try and resign Geekie if he’s good at no more than 4 per on a 4-5 year deal. Also, I’d consider trading Zacha if the offer was a Lawson Crouse type of return.
The Bruins desperately need a reawakening and a return to some form of identity.
Rob. I do not think anyone is off the table except. 73 88
I wonder if they can move Carlo to flames who supposedly have interest. For one of their late 1sts and. D man they want to move Daniil Miromanov
Rob, you could trade all of those guys to one team and not get a #1 C. They are usually drafted or you overpay when they are a UFA and older (Lindholm) and end up regretting it.
And if you want a #1C that can actually help you win a cup, like elite level, they are almost always drafted in the top 5. There are guys like Bergeron you get later in a stacked draft year, but doesn’t happen often.
Hate to be a downer but I see the B’s becoming the Islanders for a few years, trying to hang on without scoring enough, until it gets worse, and then we get serious about starting over.
Happy Weds!
Like how you think Rob. This roster needs a huge talent infusion. Ullmark and Swayman covered up the fact that this roster has been trending down for two years.
They need picks, prospects and cap room.
The terrifying thought is if Sweeney is still around how bad will the drafting be?
We do not need more Fabian Lysell.
Latest on Leaf
1. Prius Suter
2 . Soucy
Hearing Treluving isn’t interested in trading Minten or Cowan
Prius Suter has 16 goals , I was watching video reels, as I am naive on the player
Drive a Prius?
The key piece to that trade was Frederic; and hence the 3 good assets given up by Oilers
However, technically because of the 3-way deal and the order traded; on paper looking at only the final move:
Jones (and unsigned ) Hauser are worth : Wanner, 2nd and 4th
That trade line is going into the Jones family scrap book !
LOL
Oilers should have offered a bit more to get Brazeau in deal instead of Jones
8787 they should have given Boston a 3rd for Brazeau thus wiping out their 2025 draft!
Of the small group of teams that are (as at now) with highest odds of making the finals;
Only Caps, Jets, Canes still own a 1st in ‘25
Re, Oilers trade
Good pick up by the Oil,
However i thought they would have picked up a 2nd pairing RD man 1st
As thats the bigest Hole to cover up Nures………❓
Can the oilers please trade for a goalie! I can see them making an early exit with that D and goalie combo. Did anyone watch last night’s game? If you did, that’s not a winning team for the playoffs.
Ron, they haven’t looked like the team that went on a run last year in a month.
In fact, the haven’t looked like a playoff team since the tourney.
Their energy has been bad, their team D has been even worse, and they usually lose the goaltending battle.
Can they get it turned around, absolutely, and I include Stu Skinner in that. He did last year.
Sure wouldn’t hurt to have a back up plan in net though as that is harder to predict a turnaround in. Just not sure where that guy is? They’re not gonna pay big$ or big capital to get one of the big names.
Time to get it going is now, decision on a tender is the same. My guess is they don’t go get one due to cost.
Williew,have to be careful with Frederic! Boston thought it would be at least 2 more weeks before he was ready!See him signing as a UFA with Sl. Louis,his home town and Montgomery who got the most out of him in Boston!Seems like strictly a rental!
What’s going on with the oilers
They haven’t been playing well at all , yet no urgency to look at an alternative goaltender
Elias Pedersen should be moved before his no trade clause kicks in on July 1st , but I imagine that albatross contract is a hindrance to getting a deal done
Jackets just re-signed Olivier 6×3. Money is about right. Term maybe a couple yrs long but dude has earned it.
Pup I’ll be all over that. Term isn’t terrible especially with the cap expected to continue to rise it won’t be an issue to move if ever desired. Like the player and contract.
What’s going on with the oilers
They haven’t been playing well at all , yet no urgency to look at an alternative goaltender
Elias Pedersen should be moved before his no trade clause kicks in on July 1st , but I imagine that albatross contract is a hindrance to getting a deal done
Bettman weighs in on the potential impact of the current tarrif tiff on the Canadian franchises along with the adverse effect it could have on the $ generated by those teams – especially Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton.
https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/bettman-nhl-could-take-hit-tariff-battle