NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 27, 2025
The Hurricanes avoid elimination in the Eastern Conference Final, updates on the Oilers and Stars ahead of Game 4 of the Western Conference Final, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
HURRICANES STAVE OFF ELIMINATION FROM THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes avoided being swept from the Eastern Conference Final by blanking the Florida Panthers 3-0 in Game 4.
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (NHL Images).
Frederik Andersen returned in the net for the Hurricanes and turned in a 20-save shutout while Logan Stankoven, Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov were the goal scorers. Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 25 shots.
Panthers forwards Sam Reinhart and A.J. Greer and defenseman Niko Mikkola missed Game 4 with undisclosed injuries. They’re considered day-to-day.
The series returns to Carolina for Game 5 on Wednesday, May 28, at 8 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the first win in a Conference Final game for the Hurricanes since 2006. Unlike the previous three games in this series, they played a better, disciplined defensive game and received solid goaltending from Andersen, who had been benched for Game 3 after two shaky outings earlier in this series.
The Hurricanes still face elimination heading into Game 5, but this win should boost their confidence and determination to atone for their two previous disappointing efforts on home ice.
LATEST ON THE OILERS AND STARS
TSN: Sidelined Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard and defenseman Mattias Ekholm could suit up for Game 4 of the Western Conference Final on Tuesday. Pickard’s been out with an undisclosed injury since May 10, while Ekholm’s been on the shelf since Apr. 11 with what’s believed to be a lower-body injury.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pickard took over for starter Stuart Skinner in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings and won six straight before he got hurt in the next round against the Vegas Golden Knights. He’ll be backing up Skinner, who has regained his form by winning four of his last five, including three shutouts.
Ekholm’s return will likely send Troy Stecher to the press box, but he understands the situation. Stecher’s played well, filling in for the sidelined Ekholm, but admits the latter is a better player than he is.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars are hoping that Roope Hintz will return to action in Game 4. The first-line center suffered a lower-body injury in Game 2 that kept him out of the following game.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars also hope that leading scorer Mikko Rantanen snaps out of his slump. He has nine goals and 21 points but only two assists in three games against the Oilers, who lead the series 2-1.
IN OTHER NEWS…
RG.ORG: NHL Players’ Association Executive Director Marty Walsh said there is a shared desire with the league to get things done right as negotiations on a new CBA continue between the two sides.
Walsh shared the view of league commissioner Gary Bettman that an agreement could be reached well before the September 2026 expiration of the current CBA. He indicated there is no timetable for negotiations to be completed.
Regarding possible changes to LTIR, Walsh said the two sides have been exchanging ideas, and the discussion remains open. He believes that topic “will find its way and progress in accordance with the whole conversation on a new CBA.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation suggests an agreement could be reached by the end of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, perhaps by the 2025 NHL Draft (June 27-28). It could take longer than that to hammer out a new CBA, with talks stretching throughout the offseason.
Considering the fractious labor relations history between the two sides, the fact that they believe a deal could be reached well before next September is good news. Nobody wants another work stoppage threatening to shorten or derail another season.
IIHF.COM: Former NHL players Henrik Lundqvist, Zdeno Chara, Frans Nielsen and David Vyborny were formally inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame on Sunday, May 25.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Class of 2025 was announced back in January. Congratulations once again to Lundqvist, Chara, Nielsen and Vyborny, and the other inductees.
EVZ.CH: New Jersey Devils winger Tomas Tatar will be playing overseas next season. The 34-year-old signed a two-year contract with EV Zug in Switzerland’s National League. He is expected to play center.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stick tap to Alexander Wirdzek. Tatar spent 14 seasons in the NHL from 2010-11 to 2024-25 with the Detroit Red Wings, Vegas Golden Knights, Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, Seattle Kraken and the Devils. He scored 227 goals and 269 assists for 496 points in 927 regular-season games, and had 13 points in 56 playoff contests.
SPORTSNET: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Erik Brannstrom is also heading to Switzerland, signing a three-year contract with Lausanne Hockey Club.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brannstrom, 25, was a highly-touted defense prospect when the Vegas Golden Knights selected him 15th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. Traded to Ottawa, he spent six of his seven NHL seasons with the Senators.
Brannstrom bounced around the league this season. He signed with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent last summer but was traded to the Canucks before the start of the regular season. He played 28 games with the Canucks before being shipped to the New York Rangers in the J.T. Miller trade in January, and to the Sabres at the trade deadline. Brannstrom had 77 points in 294 NHL games.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Minnesota Frost are the PWHL champions for the second straight season. Liz Schepers scored in overtime to defeat the Ottawa Charge 2-1 in Game 4 of the Final to win the Walter Cup.
“stick tap” to why having good – REALLY good pro and amateur scouts is important. Brannstrom was the centerpiece in the Mark Stone trade as “Pierre from Orleans” said it was was proudest moment or day or some crappola when he traded Stone away. Mark hasn’t really accomplished much since he left the Sens so it wasn’t all that bad…. (eyeroll)
I think Sens fans knew Mark looked at the bonkers ownership and was leaving regardless the issue was getting better returns.
Dark G, to be fair to Dorion (which, I admit, isn’t easy to do, all things considered), Brannstrom was highly regarded in his draft year, when Vegas took him 15th overall (after previously taking Nick Suzuki and Cody Glass just before him in that draft).
So, there was still some considerable overall scout consensus that, despite his size, he would become a very good puck-moving D in the NHL.
Stone, meanwhile, a 6th round pick (178th overall) by Ottawa in 2010 (by which time chief scout Pierre Dorion had become director of player persoinnel), had developed into one of the NHL’s best 2-way Fs by the time of the trade in Feb 2019, after almost winning the Calder as Rookie Of The Year in 2014-15 (losing out to Johnny Gaudreau who he had tied, in points, with 64.
In hindsight, should Dorion have held out for a better return? From that lofty perspective, yes. But hindsight is .10 cents a pound, and at the time most thought the exchange was, at the very least, “reasonable” given that Stone more or less dictated as to his destination.
Erik Brannstrom never got a look for the Rangers which was odd as they needed D that could transport the puck
he has 23 pts in 27 AHL games…seems a decent 6D option in the bigs…not sure other than size why he didnt get more looks?
I was down with a stomach flu yesterday, so I just read yesterday’s coffee headlines. I have a challenge for the “no state income tax advantage” crowd. How many of those teams have made it to the conference finals in the last ten years. If your theory is correct, those team would dominate the playoffs.
Only IF their GMs made the right moves in developing their rosters. “Having an advantage” is only an advantage if used properly. The Florida teams seem to have that figured out nicely.
Exactly. I won’t deny that some players will think that no income tax is good for them. But I’ve lived in Nevada and Florida. Sure, no income tax, but the price of everything is higher because the state legislatures have compensated by instituting hidden taxes on pretty much everything.
I would think that winter weather in Texas, Florida and Southern Nevada would be a big draw.
George, surely it goes without saying and advantage is only an advantage when used properly.
We’re in Forrest Gump territory here, mate.
S%$it happens – as he allegedly coined
And I was stating the obvious for the benefit of anyone who can’t see the obvious.
Much like Lyle had to do yesterday.
One piece I noticed wasn’t discussed yesterday… the political ramifications if the nhl “punished” those states for not having that tax. All I believe are republican leaning states. The nhl wants no part of the conservative media circus if they decide to do this to those states.
Paul, this calls attention to a factor that is very much overlooked. Players on Canadian teams get paid in US dollars. But most of their expenses, especially in season, are in Canadian dollars. So that’s pretty much a 30% increase in salary. That does serve to negate much of the tax advantage. Especially in Montreal where the cost of housing is not as high as Toronto, Vancouver and most major US cities.
It’s funny how the Rangers didn’t mind the advantage they had in signing free agents before there was a salary cap. Now that another teams have an advantage over them, however small it may be, they aren’t happy about it. lol
As far as i can tell, Paul, every Cup winner since 2020;
Tampa twice. According to the internet, Colorado has a 4.4 individual state income tax, which is close enough to zero for me; Nevada has not state income tax on individuals, and of course there is the Panthers this year, who will surely be at least a Cup finalist.
So that is 5/5 and may be 6/6.
Does that answer your question, if not the debate?
Further, 3 of the losing finalists during this period were from non tax states, Tampa and Florida again, and Dallas. The Habs appearance was, let’s face it, an anomaly. Only the Oilers buck the trend.
Yes LJ, the results over the last 5-6 years have definitely gone the no-tax state way. And yes they all have competent management these days.
2 things can be true at the same time.
Yep. It isn’t always “either” “or.”
Bruins …. Money talks and he may have to pay extra but Sweeney is going to have to do a serious sell job on any UFA he wants to sign .. this team right now is going to have a hard time making the playoffs next season … needs a Center ( Bennett) a # 3 Dman ( who can play both O & D … and two scoring wingers .. Sweeney it’s time to name a HC
Joe
I think bruins will be better than most expect. I will be surprised if they don’t get to the pkayoffs
No, take your time, Boston, no need to rush the rebuild, keep your goalie, get those high draft picks, it’s all good.
Strangely enough, I’m with BC LeafFan on this?
MB4, if they sign some of the best UFA’s like a Bennett, they have a shot to contend for a playoff spot. Why Bennett would want to come to Boston is an open question, unless they overpay significantly.
Call it bubble team, mushy middle, purgatory, whatever.
I get why an owner would want to do that being a business and all, but as a fan, either try and build a contender or what are you doing?
Joe Don t see it happening unless Mcavoyand H. Lindholm are healthy all year,and Swayman is lights out.Who is going to score for them besides Pasta and Geekie.They are talking about trading Zacha.
Ray
I doubt they sign Bennett. But they will sign another scorer maybe 2 Would not be surprised if they grab a nhl player where team wants to move for cap space Such as ZiB or Krieder. Etc Time will tell. They won’t be wasting prime Pasta years that is a given
Mrbruin4, the team they should be contacting is Dallas who are headed for Cap Hell, as outlined in the other thread.
George
Mi am sure they are contacting most teams as probably all teams are doing except the 4 remaining that is. Yes. Lots of work for stars. Yes bruins will take Marchment and or Robertson. 🤞😀
Punt it and grab Eichel next year.
That’s the guy we should be targeting.
Cheers to that SOP
Here the Stars’ term players still under contract for next season:
Forwards
Rantanen – $12,000,000 to 2033
Seguin – $9,850,000 to 2027-28
Hintz – $8,450,000 to 2033
Johnston – $8,400,000 to 2030
Robertson – $7,750,000 – next season only
Marchment – $4,500,000 – next season then UFA
Steel – $2,100,000 next 2 season then UFA
Back $825,000 next 2 seasons then UFA
Defense
Heiskanen – $8,450,000 to 2029
Lindell – $5,250,000 to 2030
Harley – $4,000,000 – next season then RFA
Dumba – $3,750,000 next 2 seasons then UFA
Lyubushkin – $3,250,000 next 2 seasons then UFA
Bichsel – $918,333 – next 2 seasons then RFA
Goal
Oettinger – $8,250,000 to 2033
DeSmith – $1,000,000 next season then UFA
Brent Burns, the ironman at 40 years old, logged 24:45 minutes last night including 3:55 short handed. Thats hard minutes against a team like Florida. He still skates well enough to play a few more years. Especially if he is playing with Slavin.