NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 11, 2025
The Stars trade Matt Dumba to the Penguins, the Avalanche re-sign Josh Manson, Ilya Sorokin’s agent reacts to recent trade rumors, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins acquired defenseman Matt Dumba and a 2028 second-round pick from the Dallas Stars in exchange for defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a salary dump by the Stars, who were sitting over the salary cap before this deal took place. It clears Dumba’s $3.75 million cap hit from their books, giving the Stars $1.955 million in cap space with 21 active roster players under contract for this season, with no notable players to re-sign.
The Dallas Stars trade Matt Dumba to the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL Images).
The Athletic’s Josh Yohe considers this move more about the second-round pick for the rebuilding Penguins, continuing management’s theme of taking on bad contracts in the short term to add solid future assets.
Dumba’s performance has declined in recent years, but he won’t make the Penguins’ defense corps any worse than it already is. He’s also in the final season of his two-year contract, and he could be dealt at the March trade deadline for another draft pick if he has a decent performance this season.
Yohe also suggests Dumba can provide depth on the right side of the Penguins’ blueline if they trade Erik Karlsson.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche signed defenseman Josh Manson to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $3.95 million beginning in 2026-27. It’s a slight discount from his current AAV of $4.5 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Manson, 33, has been plagued by injuries in recent years. When healthy, however, he provides the Avalanche with a physical, right-shot presence on their blueline. It would cost them much more to replace him had he gone to market next summer.
TSN: Player agent Dan Milstein, who represents Ilya Sorokin, took to social media on Thursday to swat down recent trade rumors swirling around the 29-year-old New York Islanders goaltender.
Milstein reminded everyone that his client has a full no-trade clause, claiming Sorokin “has never been part of any trade discussions – not at any point.” He went on to scold those who originated the rumors. “There’s a difference between reporting facts and creating buzz about yourself.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before Milstein’s comments appeared, NYI Hockey Now’s Russ Macias dismissed the Sorokin speculation, citing his no-movement clause and why the Islanders have no reason to move him.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers signed restricted free-agent forward Mackie Samoskevich to a one-year, $775,000 contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This deal generated some buzz yesterday as some readers questioned why Samoskevich accepted less money than the AAV of his entry-level contract ($925,000).
The Panthers were already over the salary cap before re-signing Samoskevich, who had little leverage coming off his entry-level contract. Given their cap situation, it wouldn’t be surprising if management convinced the 22-year-old forward to accept this reduction with the promise of a more lucrative deal next summer, when the Panthers have over $23 million in cap space.
This signing leaves the Panthers sitting above the cap by $3.725 million. They’re allowed to exceed the cap by 10 percent during the offseason, but must be cap compliant when they begin the regular season.
It’s been rumored that Matthew Tkachuk could miss the start of the season if he undergoes surgery this summer to repair a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia. In that case, the Panthers would place him on long-term injury reserve, enabling them to remain above the cap when the season begins. However, they’ll have to shed salary or find another way to become cap-compliant if he returns to action during the regular season.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW/TORONTO SUN: The Sharks traded defenseman Henry Thrun to the Toronto Maple Leafs for winger Ryan Reaves.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks cleared a logjam on defense following their recent acquisitions of Dmitry Orlov and Nick Leddy. Reaves hasn’t fit within the Leafs’ roster for the past couple of years.
Thrun, 24, will be a decent depth addition to the Leafs’ blueline. Reaves could provide the Sharks with some muscle to ensure rival clubs don’t take liberties against their promising youngsters like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.
SPORTSNET: The new NHL-NHLPA collective bargaining agreement (CBA) contains a provision that will allow NHL teams to place one CHL player in the AHL per season. This would enable teams to transition a promising young prospect into professional hockey sooner. Players who are 18 years old would be ineligible for the new rule, which begins in 2026-27.
DAILY FACEOFF: London Knights head coach Dale Hunter has been selected by Hockey Canada to coach its 2026 World Junior team. His brother, Mark Hunter, will be part of the management group.
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston weighs in on Sportsnet’s recent announcement that it is hiking its fees for its subscription-only service from $75.00 (Canadian) to $324.99.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t use Sportsnet’s subscription-only service, but if I did, this significant rate increase would probably have me considering other options. Johnston believes fans aren’t currently getting their money’s worth, citing on-air quality and the degrading of the Hockey Night in Canada brand.
How many trades can one GM lose??
Nill was over the cap; HAD to dump a contract. Many in the media had talked about him wanting (needing) to move Dumba
If you HAVE to move a contract; you shouldn’t have the trading advantage. You HAVE to sweeten the pot to get a deal done
Ok, enter the ‘28 2nd rounder as a sweetner. But, that’s 3 years from now; so that’s much lesser value than ‘26 2nd; and lesser value than ‘27 2nd
But it’s s sweetener
Then why in hell did Dubas have to give up Kolyochonok in the deal
Kolyochonok’s value is about a 2nd , 3 years down the road…
So in actual fact; Dubas helped Nill out without anything in return. Doh!!!
The Silver lining though:
Now with $23.2 M in RHDs; Dubas MUST move Karllsson now; as that’s way too much for just your RHDs ; AND Pens can’t pay Clifton $3.5 M to be a 7th D
Retain 50% on Karllsson for max return!! Get a young NHLer AND an NHL prospect in return
Koluchuck has zero trade value and the second in 28 was to spread out the picks cause he has so many in 26 and 27. Plus there is a good chance he gets another mid round pick at the deadline. This was a win win. No loss for pens.
Hi Chrisms
A late ‘28 2nd is a maybe depth forward/4th liner OR depth/6th/7th player whose 1st year (if it happens) in NHL , would be 2030/31 (6 seasons away)
Kolyochonok is already a depth/7th D NOW (under contract); so has to be worth more than a 6th/7th/drpth D ; six (6) seasons away
Just For the sake of argument ; call the current value of late 2nd in ‘28 ; equal to Kolyochonok now. An over-evaluation of the chance pick in 3 drafts; but lets call it even
That means Pens took on Dumba (who Nill HAD to get rid of) for free
Dubas 100% lost this trade
The absolute only good thing about this is that with over $23 M on ; RDs and not wanting to pay Clifton $3.5 M to sit most nights; Dubas MUST now trade Karllsson
Don’t expect a win in that trade though! We’re talking Dubas who has an abysmal track record in trades
Kolchuck was free from waivers. Which means he wasn’t worth a 2nd round pick… or an 3rd round pick… or a 4th round pick… or a 5th round pick… or a 6th round pick… or a 7th round pick.
The second could also be decent trade bait in the coming years. Definitely a win win.
Looks like you are the only one besides Dubas who sees this as a win
It’s a clear loss
agree Kolyochonok not worth a 2nd in ‘26 (next year)
This was a late 2nd in ‘28
IF (big IF) that player does play in the NHL; it won’t be until 2030 (6 seasons from now) AND he would be an equivalent type of player (to Kolyochonok) then (6 seasons from now)
The here/now certainty of Kolyochonok is definitely worth MORE than an equivalent player (at best; again IF they play at all) ; 6 seasons from now
No ifs ands or buts; Dubas lost this trade (like almost all his past trades)
Don’t expect win trades coming from him
He’s pushed us into super-slide territory
Just watch; we’ll end up somewhere in the 25th-27th spot; picking 6th-8th; and Dubas will pick another very small player ranked late teens/early 20’s
And our Captain fuming on the Golf course in Mid April
Now you are trolling. But I’ll feed you anyway. No idea that’ll be a late second. Could be the 33rd pick for all you know. No idea the player drafted won’t amount to more than waiver bait. And we do know konolchuk was not worth even a 7th round pick. That’s proven fact. What planet are you on? The above post is so asinine I can only believe I’m being trolled.
Not trolling whatsoever Chrisms
A bird in the hand is better than a 2nd rounder in the bush
And worth way more than a 2nd rounder, 3 drafts from now (in the bush)
as close as you can get to a Zero chance it’s a 33rd OA pick (Dallas would have to finish last in League in 27/28; ain’t happenin’
No matter where in the 2nd round in ‘28 it is; that player may never make the NHL; and less than 5 % of 2nd round draft picks (per Bob McKenzie) become NHL roster players before 3 years post draft. So IF he does play in the NHL; 95% chance it’s in 30/31 or later
Uncertainty and down the road; vs a player who already has played in the NHL and whose worst case scenario is being sent to the AHL; and he’s on a League min contract. Pretty straight forward.
THW (The Hockey Writers) gave Nill an A- on the trade; and Dubas a C on the trade
It’s not trolling
Dubas lost the trade
He almost always loses trades
So you would trade 2nd round picks for ahl nhl tweener d men. Interesting. Man… Dubas has several of those next year. I can’t understand why he doesn’t trade them all for nhl ahl tweener D men right now. They definitely have more value than those picks.
Chrisms, you’re not the only one who thinks it’s a win win, seems like it to me too.
Dumba isn’t a star player, not even that good, but he is still an NHL player isn’t he?
They got a 2nd and I would expect he plays for the Pens on the NHL roster, which means they needed a guy.
Kinda falls into the who cares column, bottom pair guy gets traded, the pick is included as earns a bit too much. Hardly earth shattering news.
Agree Ray. Just a tidy bit of business to weaponize cap space. Dallas wins as they clear cap and don’t subtract draft capital for a few years. Pitt wins by getting a pretty good asset for the cost of cap space and a footnote in nhl history in the dman.
Chrisms
Where do you see anywhere in my post that I say I would “trade 2nd round picks for ahl nhl tweener d men.”
It’s 1 late 2nd round pick (not picks [plural]) ; and that pick is 3 years away
I never said Kolykonov was a tweener either
That 2nd round pick is likely to get a Kolykonov “type” of asset that MAY play in the NHL in 2030/31
Kolykonov has already played in the NHL now
Current value (present value) of an identical asset is less (at an increasing rate) for every successive year in the future
There is no challenge that we gained an asset. We did. It has some value.
The issue is that it (‘28 late 2nd pick) is not as valuable RIGHT NOW as Kolykonov
He filled in OK in bottom pairing. Didn’t excel; didn’t grossly disappoint
Just a typical young depth D; that’s all
Would I trade any ‘28 2nd rounder (even an early one) ; for a current 24 year old (of average or better size) depth D making league minimum? ABSOLUTELY
set that aside
Lets just for arguments sake; miraculously make s 2030/31 freshmen depth defenseman = to s current NHL depth defenseman
That means Kolyonokov was flipped for thr equal valued 2030/31 doppleganger; and therefore Nill dumped Dumba on Dubas and Pens; for Free
My argument; as with many in media (including THW); Pens lost that trade
The only silver lining is that this now “should” spark a Karllsson move
Proving one again why Jim Nill is a Wizard…(as George O has said)
No challenge re Nill as a Wizard. Has been. Is. Will be.
But we’re talking a trade with Dubas; which is a guaranteed win for any reciprocal GM/team
Nill a wizard just knowing he’s got a safe out by calling Dubas
That trade is going to have more GMs call Dubas; as he has now repeatedly proven that he’s an easy pushover
Glad U have Dubas and not Toronto
Hi Ken
I’m positive that every single Leaf fan will 100% agree with you on that
Your win was our loss
8787
2026 Penguins process three second round draft picks, and seven total picks for first three rounds – already lots of picks! Possible reason why Dubas wanted 2028 second round pick.
Dumba’s contract is only for one more season. Penguins could trade him before the trade deadline for another pick? Though what if Dumba returns being good Top 4 defenseman?
Now with at least four right handed shot defensemen good chance at least one will be traded. Erik Karlsson who heard rumor will waive his no trade clause for few teams including Maple Leafs.
Wait and see other Penguins trades. Possible next season Penguins playing for high 2026 draft pick? First few players heard All-Star potential and better prospects than anyone from 2025 draft?
Hi Speed Kills
I’m very confident that yhe ‘28 2nd was more like the only thing Nill was willing to give and NOT the ask by Dubas
If that is all he (Dubas) asked for ; then he really needs to go
It’s an asset; yep
Has value, yep
Could be added to early picks next year to move up; yep
BUT, that’s not mu point
An undetermined mid-late 2nd rounder that won’t br NHL bound (if in fact he does make ghr NHL) until 2030/31 at best
Kolykonov is already under contract; only 24; and already has played in the NHL; so he’d more valuable than that unknown 6 years from now
So we already lost in the flip of zKolykonov for a mid-late 2nd in 28
Which meand Nill gained in ghat snd dumped Dumba on us for free
The Hickey Writers (THW) rated Nill at A- on yhe trade; Dubas they gave a C
Agree on the Nill grade; I would have given Dubas s lower grade
Odds of Dumba playing at that top 4 level is zero with current roster (Tanger and Karllsson ahead of him). He’d play 3RD; Clifton as pressbox OF 7th D OR switching to 3LD
I’d think if Dubas can move Karllsson (a must in my opinion) ; then they’ll have to put Dumba at 2LD; and we keep ouf fingers crossed
Dumba , unless he does have an uptick year; will NOT be tradable at TDL; without a 50% retention.
We’re only allowed ANY retention on 3 players in any given year; AND Karllsson and one of Rust or Rackell SHOULD have 50% retention this summer to maximize return
IF we have s retention spot left at TDL; AND Dumba has an uptick year; AND 50% is retained; THEN maybe we get a late 2nd in ‘27
Lots of IFs
No retention; not traded
As at now; most likely scenario; is a 50% retention at TDL; with a return of a late 3rd in ‘27
Re ‘26 draft
We’ll have at least s 95% chance of NOT getting McKenna; and if we finish in bottom 10 (miss playoffs for 4th straight year); attendance continues to plummet and we just might get to the “straw that broke the camel’s back” with our Csptain
I absolutely wouldn’t blame him if he asked out then
Correction – 2026 Penguins possess six picks in first three rounds.
I sure as Hell don’t “urgently” need anything Sportsnet has to offer to fork over that much of a % increase. And if anyone thinks the $324.99 looks more appealing than $325.00 … wel, they need help. Fast.
Stick it in your ear Sportsnet.
Sportsnet!!!
$75 to $325!
Costs are going up everywhere; but more than a 300% increase? WOW
With you on this Lyle; this move HAS to be resulting in many looking for alternatives
An insane increase!!!
I believe that should read a $75 increase to $324.99 (previous price being $249.99). Still not great, but not a 300% increase.
Hi Tim
Was going by above: “subscription-only service from $75.00 (Canadian) to $324.99.”
That’s over a 300% increase
If you are right (up $75 [$250 to $325] ), then ya, increase is much lower (30%…. Still crappy)
Here’s an interesting article by Neil Paine at ESPN titled “Which NHL Teams Added, Or Lost, Most Value This Offseason?”
https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/45700988/which-32-nhl-teams-added-lost-most-value-offseason-three-year-gar-draft-free-agency
George, three of the most improved teams, according to the link, are in the same conference as the Sens – and Demidov is not factored into the writer’s assessment.
How do you feel this affects the Sens’ chances of making the playoffs – bearing of course it is now July.
LJ, as matters stand now, and with the Eastern Conference being THE most balanced – and therefore toughest – of the two, I’d legitimately say their chances of again making the playoffs are about on a par with their chances of slipping out. The NYR, Columbus, Detroit and the NYI are each capable of moving into the playoffs next season.
And I should add that, from this vantage point, I also see the improvements made by the Habs pushing them ahead of Ottawa.
Agree that Columbus has a chance.
But the Rangers are listed as one of the least improved teams – which I agree with; Detroit has to my knowledge done SFA to this point.
I don’t see major slippage from any of the teams that finished above the Sens in the conference, so IMO the two wild card positions are up for grabs again.
GeorgeO I see no reason why anyone can compete with Fla. in the east.None of the Eastern Conference teams can match up with the Panthers group. With the aid of the LTIR,they will be rested and ready for a three peat.Montreal and Ottawa we’re both one and done.
That’s a pretty definitive opinion on the Habs and Senators, Sr. On what do you base that, and what teams – in your opinion – will DEFINITELY replace them?
Sr,
Florida fan regarding an exchange with Patrik Laine:
Last night when we were leaving my friend told him he should come to Florida and his response was
“I think I’m good in Montreal, we beat you 4 times in the regular season”
Can’t even be mad at that response
– Florida Panthers fan
Don’t expect any kind of a reply … it’s more of a poke than any well thought out analysis.
GeorgeO,habfans30, I meant one and done in regards to making the playoffs after a layoff and being in one series and then out.Referring to the playoffs being a totally different game and officiated differently by the refs.I wasn t referring to either Ottawa or Montreal not making the playoffs next year.The eastern conference looks like a huge cluster F,and then Fla.It looks like a huge dogfight.Boston looks like a lottery pick.I expect Buffalo might be close to Montreal,Ottawa,Detroit,Toronto,TB.
Ahh, so that’s what you meant by one-and-done. Well, given that they were out of the playoffs for a while – Ottawa longer than Montreal – and although there’s no doubt they’d like to have gone deeper each … it’s “baby steps” … get there, put up a decent fight and absorb the playoff experience … get hungry for more.
Don’t know of too many teams over the years that, after being in the playoff wilderness for a while, finally get in and go deep. Columbus?
I’m sure someone will point to one or two … but regardless, overall it’s usually a one-and-done in this circumstances.
Ottawa and Montreal got a taste of the playoffs, the intensity, the officiating and know the feeling.
The expectations will be better understood, TDL might add a cup vet or two.
Styles make the fight and the Habs
did pretty well against Florida.
The Sens have goaltending which held them back for a while and the Habs have scoring now, which held them back.
I look forward to a changing of the guard, the Bruins are out, next is Tampa. TML have taken a step back.
The East is changing.
I have no idea why the Sharks were willing to take on Reeves; 2 assists, a tick over 7 minutes of ice time in 35 games, and not good enough to suit up for a single game in the playoffs. It’s as if they still believe it is the 1990’s, where every team needs a fighter that can’t skate on the roster. A waste of a roster spot if ever there were one.
My thought exactly … AND they gave up an asset to boot!
Here in the East we don’t see the Sharks all that much … were their better players being targeted last season to the point where they felt they needed a one-dimensional player?
That was a big win for Treleving, getting some legitimate D depth for a seat-warmer.
I wouldn’t go that far George, Thrun is expected to be about 10th on the depth chart, oh wait that was on SJ chart. It was you take a contract and Thrun was it. His numbers were awful in SJ and if he can add anything in Toronto, doubtful. Waiver bait
Well, to be fair, Yogi, he wasn’t alone with awful numbers in San Jose where they had a Gawd-awful goals for and against differential of minus 105!
At least he can be classified as a legitimate project with the Marlies, whereas Reaves, with his $1,350,000 cap hit, had run his usefulness into the ground.
You’re right, Thrun at 24 can still be considered a useful prospect. But when you’ve fallen to #10 on the depth chart of a team, that you pointed was -105 in the goal differencial, doesn’t bode well for you. The bonus is Toronto gains 250000 of cap space if he makes it to the Marlies. One thing that I heard was Reaves wants to play 2 more years and Tre did him a favour
Hi PullingTheGoalie
Sharks only got Reeves because Dubas was already on the phone bending over for Nill when Tre tried to call him(Dubas)
I’m suspecting the offer by Tre (knowing the weakness known as Dubas) would have been along the lines of:
Reeves + 4th (2032)
For
Pickering
Whew! We dodged a bullet there.