NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 27, 2025
The NHL and NHLPA are expected to announce a new CBA extension, the first round of the 2025 draft begins Friday, the latest on pending free agents Mitch Marner and Nikolaj Ehlers, the Stars re-sign Jamie Benn, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports sources indicate the NHL and NHL Players’ Association could announce the framework of a four-year extension to the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) before the NHL Draft on Friday.
The two sides are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), followed by a formal ratification that isn’t expected to face any obstacles. Once ratified, the extension would take effect for 2026-27 and expire at the end of the 2029-30 season.
Among the notable potential changes:
The NHL will move to an 84-game regular-season schedule starting in 2026-27. The preseason would be shortened to four games per team. Players with 100-plus games of NHL experience can play a maximum of two preseason games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL veteran players should be happy with that change. Most find the preseason too long or a waste of time.
Player contracts will be term-limited from eight years to seven for players re-signing with their current clubs, and from seven years to six for unrestricted free agents starting in 2026-27.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Many players won’t have an issue with this change. The average length of an NHL contract is three years. The longest contract most can expect to see is four years.
A comprehensive playoff salary-cap mechanism will be implemented to remove the long-term injury reserve loophole that allowed teams to pad their playoff rosters by using injury relief cap space.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the biggest problem in the current CBA that drew criticism from teams, players, and fans around the league. It’ll be interesting to see the details of this mechanism.
Other notable changes include outlawing deferred salary in player contracts to reduce the salary cap hit, signing bonuses capped at 60 percent, significant increases in the playoff bonus pool, establishment of a full-time emergency backup goalie for each team, improved player benefits such as health insurance and post-playing career insurance stipends, and the elimination of a mandated player dress code for arriving and departing games.
The next three seasons of the salary cap will be $95.5 million for 2025-26, $104 million for 2026-27, and $113 million for 2027-28.
NHL.COM: The New York Islanders are looking forward to the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles on Friday. They hold the first-overall pick and are expected to select defensemen Matthew Schaefer of the OHL’s Erie Otters. The 17-year-old Schaefer is considered the top prospect in this year’s draft class.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I conducted an updated mock draft of the first round for Bleacher Report earlier this week. It’ll be fun to see how things shake out because there are always surprises. Some players go higher or lower than expected, and there might even be a trade or two involving first-round picks.
TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving anticipates Mitch Marner will test the unrestricted free-agent market on July 1. The 28-year-old left winger spent nine seasons with the Leafs and will be the top player among this year’s UFA class.
WINNIPEG SUN: Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff intends to continue contract talks with Nikolaj Ehlers. However, recent reports indicated the 29-year-old winger intends to head to the UFA market on July 1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprises here. There’s been no contract discussions between Marner and the Leafs, and there’s been an expectation that this season could be Ehlers’ last with the Jets. Both will land lucrative contracts with new clubs next month.
TSN: The Dallas Stars re-signed captain Jamie Benn to a one-year, bonus-heavy contract. The deal has a base salary of $1 million, with $3 million in bonuses.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Benn completed an eight-year contract with an AAV of $9.5 million. The 35-year-old center has spent his entire career with the Stars and took a significant pay cut to stay in Dallas. The reduction also reflects the recent decline in his play. He had 16 goals and 49 points during the 2024-25 regular season, but only three points in 18 playoff games.
THE MERCURY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks placed defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic on unconditional waivers to buy out the final season of his eight-year contract. Vlasic, 38, spent his entire 19-season NHL career with the Sharks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The buyout counts as $4.66 million against the Sharks’ cap for 2025-26, dropping to 1.16 million for 2026-27.
During his playing prime (2008-09 to 2017-18), Vlasic was among the league’s best shutdown defensemen. However, his performance steadily declined, and injuries limited him to 27 games this season.
THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly set to sign winger Conor Garland to a six-year, $36-million contract. The average annual value is $6 million, and would begin in 2026-27.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garland currently earns an AAV of $4.95 million. He’s a fast and hardworking forward whose energetic style has made him a fan favorite among Canucks fans. Garland will be 30 when this deal begins, which could become burdensome if his play declines.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW/THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Panthers acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Tarasov will back up starting goalie Sergei Bobrovsky next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This could be another instance of Florida GM Bill Zito acquiring a struggling player who goes on to shine with the Panthers. Zito was assistant GM with the Blue Jackets when they drafted Tarasov in 2017.
This move opens the opportunity for promising goalie Jet Greaves to earn a full-time roster spot with the Blue Jackets. He played well in call-up situations over the past couple of seasons.
Meanwhile, the Jackets’ intentions for struggling starter Elvis Merzlikins remain uncertain. He has two seasons remaining on his contract. There’s speculation he could be traded or bought out. It’s also believed that they might not be done making other moves in this summer’s trade market.
THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken acquired center Frederick Gaudreau from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former NHL center Evgeny Kuznetsov will attempt a comeback next season. The 33-year-old had 37 points in 39 games in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg.
Was looking at the consolidated prospect rankings site (tabulates from more than a dozen ranking sites to come up with the consolidated rankings [average ranking spot]
Schaeffer is number 1 on all sites; almost every single site has Misa/Martone at 2nd/3rd; and then variances happen
The 3 above will go in that order, but 4 onward; things change on day ; surprises happen; then pre-set picks are altered when a player thought to be unavailable at a point; does become available. Trades up and down happen as well.
For fun I’ve listed below the current order of the top 20 in the consolidated rankings; and which team is currently slotted to pick there.
Beside each players name is position; which way they shoot; height; and weight; and which team (as at now) is picking in that slot
For me as a Pens fan; unless Dubas can swing a trade to move up; I’d love McQueen and Mrka to each slide 2 spots from current 9th and 10th
Top 20 List:
1)Schaeffer (LD) -L-6’2”; 185: Ilses
2)Misa (C)- L-6’1”, 185:Sharks
3)Martone (RW)-R-6’3”, 205: Blackhawks
4)Frondell (C)-L; 6’1”,205: Mammoth
5)Desnoyers (C)-L;6’2”, 172: Preds
6)Hagens (C)-L- 5’10”, 180: Flyers
7)Eklund (C/W)-R; 5’11”, 170: Bruins
8)O’Brien (C)-R;6’2”, 170: Kraken
9)McQueen (C/W)-R; 6’5”, 192: Sabres
10)Mrka (D)-R;6’6”,220: Ducks
11)Martin (C)-R; 6’, 187: Pens
12)Smith (D)-L;6’3”, 190: Pens
13)Bear (C/W)-L; 6’0”, 179: Red Wings
14)Cootes (C)-R; 6’; 183: Jackets
15)Aitcheson (D)-L; 6’1”, 200: Cannucks
16)Lankovic (C/W)-L; 6’4”, 190: Habs
17)Carbeneau (RW)-R;6’1”,192: Habs
18)Reid (D)-L; 6’,174: Flames
19)Hensler (D)-R; 6’2”, 195 : Blues
20)Kindell (RW)-R; 5’10”, 181 :Jackets
Of note, only 3 sub 6 footers (Hagens @ 6; Eklund @7; Kindell @ 20). Dubas, stay clear of them!!
Happy Draft Day!
Many mock drafts / draft shows have Anton Frondell selected by the Blackhawks (3rd) and lately Frondell drafted by the Sharks (2nd). Is this smoke screen or realistic?).
Yesterday watching Flyers draft show, she saying Flyers staying put at #6 and looking move up to Penguins #11 or #12, HAH! (implying Penguins move down). Quick thought is she aware the Penguins have 11 draft picks and if possible, looking move up from #11 / #12.
I truly think Misa at 2 is the right move. All sites have Schaeffer at 1; and ALMOST all sites have Miss at 2
The “shake-up” in collective thought is Martone vs Frondel at 3
This obviously comes down to need. Martone is already in a man’s body and growing; much stronger; may have the future upside over Frondel. BUT he’s a winger, Frondel a C. That I’m sure is a key deciding factor in the pick.
Hagens was consensus 1OA pre season but has slid in every prospect rating; most seem to say because of his slow start; average year; and mainly because he’s small. Very interesting to see where he goes.
Re the Flyers show; are you saying that they said “staying put” AND “looking to move up”? LOL. What a brilliant analyst. No hedging there! Doh!
Pens moving to top 6 will be costly. Pairing 11&12 to get 1 top 6 pick is the wrong move (1 asset vs 2). If they could get Misa or Schaeffer out of it; yes then.
Under no circumstances should Dubas trade up for the small Hagens. Very bad move.
Thr focus should be in trying to get both McQueen and Mrka
If they luckily nab one at 11 but the other is already gone; trading down a few spots (to gain a later pick) and grab either Aitcheson (supposed to have a ton of grit) or Lankovic would be an OK move
8787: Hagens is listed as the same size as Crosby (5’11”).
Would you tell Dubas to avoid Crosby because he is sub-6′?
I’m not saying Hagens is Crosby…. just saying a 1 in difference between 5’11” and 6′ does not make or break a player
I think Lakovic and Aitcheson will be there at 11 and 12, no fear!
High Foley
Hagens is listed at 5’10” 180 and did not have the year that was expected
The other Cs (after pick 4) in the 5-9 OA range are coming with (per scouts/prospect raters) a suggested better projected NHL career and are bigger
There is zero chance Hagens turns in a Crosby career
However, he may surprise thses scouts snd end up better in the NHL than Desnoyers, Eklund, I’Brien et al
Time will tell
As at now; to me; I would pick those 3 ahead of Hagens (IF I’m looking for a C; If I’m already loaded at C with prospects; different story; maybe move down pick a needed position; gain a pick)
Tonight will be interesting
For me; Dubas paying assets to move up and pick Hagens would be another Dubas blunder
Moving up and paying assets to get Misa ; now your talking
Johnny Z
Of course they will be therr at 11/12
They will be there at 14-16 likely; so if we don’t get both McQueen snd Mrka; why not trade 12th; move down; gain an asset and then pick Aitcheson or Lankoviv
8787;
Well yes you go ahead and aim for the moon, but the vast majority of the ones that do……… hit nothing!
Just shooting (hoping) to move up 2 or have either/both of them slide 2 spots
Not really shooting for the moon
Lordy … do you REALLY believe that, when it comes to hockey management, you are more astute than Dubas? Because that’s the way it’s coming across through many of your posts.
And don’t get me wrong … I don’t see him as a GM of the year candidate either … but then, neither are more than 75% of the existing GMs.
I have to saw all the changes outlined for the new CBA feels like a win for the owners, players and fans.
Less preseason imo great. Addressing playoffs and ltir also great regardless of what the mechanisms are something is needed and it would be hard to fathom that something being worse than having nothing.
I also like the reduction in term. I think that works well for both sides.
The extra reg seasons game…meh. if I am not mistaken they had an 84 game season before had they not?
92-93 and 93-94 had 84 games to account for games at other sites
Yep. 1992-93 and 1993-94 were 84 games each
1992-1993 was the initial season for Ottawa and Tampa
Really like those CBA proposed changes, especially the shorter contracts and the cap on bonus %’s.
I wonder (hope) there is a way they can pull in the salary cap playoff adjustment for the upocoming playoffs next year (instead of having to wait for the 2027 playoffs).
They can’t do that for next year right now as it is part of current CBA.
They could separately negotiate a change to current CBA rules (both sides needing to agree).
It may take a while for the super mathematicians to script an algorithm that works in the playoffs that doesn’t either provide another advantage or a serious detriment to a team in the playoffs; ‘twill bd very interesting to see
with Dobson’s agent asking for a $10-11M AAV (ridiculous based on one good season) I wouldn’t be surprised if the Isles deal him to Utah for the 4th overall pick, so they can select Hagans. Their future would be set with Hagans and Eiserman in the NCAA pipeline. Could then see the Isles sign Ekblad or acquire a right side dman
I agree that Dobson could be a trade chip, especially if the Isles pick D Schaefer #1 overall.
But I read from some local Long Island reporting that some of the holdup around Dobson is that he still carries some weight on where he goes, because nobody is going to trade for him without assurances that he will sign an extension, and if he really wants a long term deal for $10M+, that is going to be hard for anyone to execute.
Seems high mikep. Beware the 1 year wonders, at least for the big point numbers for him.
But, he’s a proven #1 guy, and when you look where the cap is going, which is way up, is it crazy?
I get Evan Bouchard (agent) asking for $10M AAV because he QB’s their top QB with his booming shot
Dobson has had 1 great year (2023-24) and a few good seasons, does that mean he should make more than Bouchard?
I don’t think so, but maybe some desperate teams do. We’ll see what Darche does there
I think we have to get accustomed to the costs.
Dobson, Bouchard, and Geekie come up everyday in the comments as asking for or rumored to be getting too much.
But then for D, Nurse gets 9.25, Chychrun 9. Hard to argue that Dobson and Bouchard should not be at or above those numbers.
As for Geekie, Garland just signed for 6M.
This is where it is at. No one loves it but it is just where things are at.
Is this the same Garland that’s 29 years old and averages 17 goals a season that got the 6/6 ?
Joe, yep that’s the one.
I saw the Garland 6x$6M proposal (not sure if it’s actually final yet). Big overpay and I’m sure they’ll be buying that out 1/2 way through.
And Nurse is way overpaid – – – that contract is really hampering Oilers flexibility.
I get that agents will try to use those as comps, but that doesn’t mean GMs and Owners need to use a really bad contract as the starting point for their player.
As for Chychrun, he always produces and as long as he’s healthy I think that remains a good contract. And if I’m a GM negotiating a deal for Dobson, he isn’t getting more than Chychrun.
I wrote just signed for Garland…I didn’t realized that it wasn’t finalized and just rumors for the time being. My bad.
Way too much to give up for 4OA. Proven (in prime) top pairing D for 4OA
And then taking that pick to select the small Hagens??
If they are moving Dobson to get a future C; go for the 1-2 picking punch of Schaeffer and Misa
Not sure Grier would be looking at Dobson in the first place; but that move by Isles would be the right one
I’d rather they take Misa over Schaeffer anyhow. They need goals not defense.
Makes sense re Ilses re needed goal scoring; but picking up Schaeffer; then trading Dobson for scoring works as well
Kuznetsov to Edmonton?
why EDM? they have MacJesus, RNH and Draisaitl to rotate between C and W
don’t see a fit for Kuznetsov there
only because he might want a contender and oiles low budget depth needs
Kuznetsov now, I think the Oilers would rather take a flyer on a younger player. I don’t see much upside in Kuznetsov at this point in his career.
Oilers to get older still?
They should pass on Kuznetzov unless he signs for $1.15 M or less (can be buried and no Cap hit above the line making zero risk to Oilers)
Huge jump in the cap over next few years, over $23M from this past season.
So the teams that locked up their best guys for long term deals over last couple years will have some bargains going forward and have the space to add quality around them.
So the opposite of what happened to teams that locked up their core 6 or 7 years ago who got handcuffed in a flat cap world. Looking at you Leafs! Tough luck, and not trolling when I say that because it was tough luck.
McDavid is going to get paid, if he signs long term for $15M- $16M (seems unlikely now) it will look like a bargain 2-3 years from now.
With 84 game season; I’m assuming they would do the logical:
-Home/Away vs 16 non Conference (32 games)
-2 Home, 2 Away v each Division Rival (28 games)
-*3 games vs each non Division same conference rivals (24 games)
*Home and away vs each; extra home game vs 4, extra away game vs 4 ; then reversing the opponent extra home/away to other 4 in alternating years
Like the reduction in contract term (7 and 6 yrs vs 8 and 7).
Really like the cap on SB’s (lessoning advantage of rich clubs )
Love the suggested playoff Cap(?) balancing algorithm to thwart the LTIR advantages. Not sure how they will do it; but proper step in the right direction
Staios has said he has no interest in trying to move up from # 21 in the draft, but is open to moving down “if the price is right” – such as another pick.
Bruins Draft … just say Porter Martone is sitting there at 7 and so is Martin would the B’s take Porter or just grab a center
I would say go with Martone if that is the case if you feel that he is the better player.
With little exception, I feel it is best to take the best player availible. If you feel the projection of either is a toss up, then consider your need and factor it in.
But that is my armchair philosophy lol
Can’t possibly see Martone get to 7. Somebody would have to reveal some very harsh negative stuff sometime today for him to slide to 7
C & P reading material
It’s always interesting when you get to see front offices start overthinking things at the NHL Entry Draft in real time. One of those scenarios could currently be happening with the 2025 class, as Porter Martone is trending from a top-five lock into possibly falling out of the top ten. If it’s up to Don Sweeney and the Boston Bruins, Martone might not get the chance to fall that far.
Sweeney was adamant in his pre-draft press conference that the Bruins would take the best player available when it was their turn to pick. He made it clear that it didn’t necessarily have to be a center or even a forward, and that’s why Martone should be a name that fans watch. Add in the fact that the Bruins had a late interview with him in the lead-up to Friday’s first round, and you could be looking at the next Bruins right winger.
I saw one mock where Desnoyer fell to 7 and the Bruins take him. I highly doubt that but would make my day!
B’s next Bergy??
Dare to dream.
The lowest (and only once) raking Martone has is 6th (Cosentino)
His consolidated ranking is 3rd
A couple of sites have him at 5; the rest at 3rd or 4th
Dropping to 7th; as I said, something major negative (personal or physical) has to be revealed today for him to drop to 7th
6’ 3” , 205 and growing still
Last 10 games 7-6-13 and +6
Reg season :
37-61-98 in 57 Games; plus 19; 6th in League in Pts/gme (players playing at least 1/2 season’s games)
Joe take the player who can play at Boston the quickest!
Dobson had one super season and 3 really good ones, a big smooth skating RHD minute muncher and he’s only 25y/o.
His stats are similar to Evan Bouchard if you look at the past 4 years,.
Bouchard- 58 pts/season
Dobson-52 pts/season
Dobson plays a “bigger” game and better in the D-zone than Bouchard.
I don’t know if $11 million is the right number but it’s close to Bouchard numbers so it doesn’t seem out of line or far-fetched
He’ll probably be a Hab by the end of the day.
Congratulations. I’m ecstatic for your fanbase.
Insert vomiting emoji here.
You nailed that one!
George, Broken clock, something, something. Lol
11 million is not the right number, HF30. Not for the Habs. As has been reported widely the Habs will stick to the long view. No to Dobson at anywhere near that number. Single digit or no, no no!
Besides which, Gorton has stated he will not do anything that causes SOP nausea.
LJ,
I didn’t say the Habs should get him, just stating his contract value.
“and the elimination of a mandated player dress code for arriving and departing games.”
This is a bad move, I always thought it was very classy that there was a dress code and laughed at the NBA and how their players dressed going to their games.
Maybe I am just getting old,
I understand the Canucks are concerned about an impatient and declining fan base, but 6 million for Garland is an overpay. Yes, pesky, but too much for a perpetual 50 point a season guy who is undersized for the role he tries to play.
Glad I’m not a Canucks fan. Rivals the Sabres for worst managed franchise.
Habs want a backup goalie.. Can have Korpisalo for a draft pick … Come on Sweeney wake up
Bruins Fans … got to check this out on YouTube
A first look at the Bruins new jersey featuring Michael J. Fox