NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 12, 2025
The best remaining unrestricted free agents, the Sharks sign Jeff Skinner, the decentralized draft format could be here to stay, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
DAILY FACEOFF: Forward Jack Roslovic, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, and winger Max Pacioretty are among the best remaining players in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent class.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Roslovic has been linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but there’s no indication thus far that the 28-year-old forward is close to a deal.
Other notables include forward Victor Olofsson, goaltender James Reimer, winger Luke Kunin, netminder Ilya Samsonov, and center Evgeny Kuznetsov.
San Jose Sharks sign winger Jeff Skinner (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the top remaining UFAs could end up signing low-cost, one-year contracts once the calendar flips to September and training camp approaches. Some will end up accepting professional tryout offers (PTOs) in the hope of earning a contract during training camp. And some will end up heading to Europe.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Sharks signed winger Jeff Skinner to a one-year, $3 million contract. Skinner, 33, had 16 goals and 29 points in 72 games last season with the Edmonton Oilers, and two points in five playoff contests.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Skinner won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2010-11 as NHL Rookie of the Year. He is a 15-season NHL veteran who reached or exceeded 20 goals nine times and 50-plus points seven times. However, his performance has declined significantly from his career-best 82-point performance in 2022-23. He’ll likely skate at left wing on the Sharks’ third line, bringing an extra measure of experienced depth to this rebuilding club.
SPORTSNET: NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league continues to see support for maintaining a decentralized draft among its teams.
Daly indicated they will continue to poll the clubs, process the information, and make decisions regarding what next year’s draft will look like. He said the efficiency of not having to travel to a central location each year remains “very appealing to a number of clubs.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: From an entertainment standpoint, this year’s decentralized draft was a dud.
However, The Hockey News’ Ken Campbell reminds us that the NHL Draft is not an event to entertain fans or the media. It’s the most important time of year for a hockey operations department as they conduct the important business of procuring young talent that will dictate the direction of their franchises.
If the NHL sticks with the decentralized format, they must improve the presentation if they intend to broadcast it as a much-anticipated event for the fans. Campbell believes a decentralized draft can work if the league can fine-tune the process. Let’s hope he’s right.
STLTODAY.COM: John Kelly, the television voice of the Blues for the past two decades, will no longer be calling games for the club after his contract was not renewed. Instead, the Blues, FanDuel Sports Network, and 101 ESPN will switch to a simulcast model with Chris Kerber on play-by-play and Joey Vitale providing analysis.
THE SCORE: Ryan Reaves said a fractured relationship with the Toronto Maple Leafs led him to seek a fresh start elsewhere, resulting in his trade to the San Jose Sharks earlier this week.
Reaves claimed there was a “lack of trust” starting early last season, saying if he had a bad game, he’d be out of the lineup for several games, and if he had a good game, he’d still be out of the lineup for the next game.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reaves has had a 15-season career, but time has caught up with him. He is a 38-year-old forward with limited skills whose effectiveness has been hampered by age and the changing pace and style of the NHL product.
Biggest issue was with the draft was the live player/team video chat. Awkward and not needed.
After a pick, just show player highlights, talk about strengths, skills, & upside, talk about where he’l play next (college, juniors, etc) & talk about how he fits on the team.
Then move to next pick.
Analysis is greater than live chatting
this is so true, NHL should watch the NFL and NBA drafts to see how they do a decentralized draft. Ditch the hollywood entertainment (they were probably going to change anyway for next draft since it’s not in LA). They can continue to have the broadcasters interview the drafted players but cut the player/team interview
stop with the gimmicks like the trade button and such as well
Lyle, above I think you meant to write “However, The Hockey News’ Ken Campbell reminds us that the NHL Draft is NOT an event to entertain fans or the media.”
Fixed, thanks George!
With all due respect to Ken Campbell, I personally think he couldn’t be further from the truth.
The draft and trade deadline day are two of my favorite days as a hockey fan.
What about the fans? They wouldn’t have much to play for without us.
Am I alone on this hill, or is Ken Campbell correct?
I think it’s just a missed opportunity to attract new fans and to keep older fans entertained.
Not to mention the family’s of the boys being selected. It’s a BIG day for those folks.
I’m 100% with you on this, Shoreorrpark. Campbell is wrong. If fan consideration nd entertainment is not part of the equation, why the Hell televise it in the first place?
If it’s a repeat of that fiasco next year I, for one, won’t bother to watch. I’ll just watch for updates here.
I absolutely agree with you, Shorepark. And I concur with George on this too. I will not watch garbage like this year’s draft ever again.
Im 100% with you Shorepark. Once people lose any kind of hype & interest in this new format, they will realize the error of their ways & the lost revenue they get from TV & fan hype. This is just crazy thinking on behalf of the NHL & the GM’s
For a quick composite reference, here again is a list of UFAs still available, broken down by position – with position taken from Hockeydb.com listings for individual players – showing last team – age – size and most recent seasonal stats:
C
Evgeny Kuznetsov – Car – 33y/o – 6’ 1” 198lbs – GP63 in 2023-24 w. Wash & Car G8 A16 24PTS
Michael Carcone – Utah – 29y/o – 5’ 9” 185lbs GP53 G7 A12 19PTS – $775,000
Craig Smith – Det – 35y/o – 6’ 1” 205lbs GP59 (Chi & Det) G9 A9 18pts – $1,000,000
Luke Kunin – Clb – 27y/o – 6’ 196lbs GP75 (SJ & Clb) G11 A7 18PTS – $2,750,000
Joe Valeno – Sea – 25y/o – 6’ 1” 200lbs GP74 (Det & Chic) G8 A9 17PTS – $2,275,000
Robby Fabri – Ana – 29y/o – 5’ 11” 185lbs GP44 G8 A8 16PTS – $4,000,000
Trevor Lewis – L.A, – 38y/o – 6’ 1” 205lbs GP60 G6 A6 12PTS – $800,000
Kevin Rooney – Cgy – 32y/o – 6’ 2” 200lbs GP70 G5 A5 10PTS – $1,300,000
Luke Glendening – Tampa – 36y/o – 5’ 11” 190lbs GP77 G4 A3 7PTS – $800,000
Jakub Lauko – Bos – 25y/o – 6’ 196lbs GP38 G3 A3 6PTS – $787,500
LW
Victor Olofsson – Veg – 29y/o – 5’ 11” 183lbs GP56 G15 A14 29PTS – $1,075,000
Joel Kiviranta – Col – 29y/o – 5’ 11” 185lbs 79gp G16 A7 23PTS – $775,000
Nikolai Kovalenko – SJ – 5’ 10” 180lbs GP57 (Col & SJ) G7 A13 20pts – $896,250
Max Pacioretty – Tor – 36y/o – 6’ 2” 216lbs GP37 G5 A8 13PTS – $873,770
Jakub Vrana – Nash – 29y/o – 6’ 196lbs GP37 (Wash & Nash) G8 A5 13PTS – $775,000
Tyler Motte – Det – 30y/o – 5’ 10” 192lbs GP55 G4 A5 9PTS – $800,000
Jimmy Vesey – Col – 32y/o – 6’ 2” 204lbs GP42 (Col & NYR) G4 A3 7PTS – $800,000
Noah Gregor – SJ – 26y/o – 6’ 190lbs – GP52 (Ott & SJ) G4 A3 7PTS – $800,000
Klim Kostin – SJ – 26y/o – 6’ 4” 230lbs GP35 G1 A6 7PTS – $2,000,000
Matt Nieto – Pitt – 32y/o – 5’ 11” 200lbs GP32 G1 A2 3PTS – $900,000
Brock McGinn – Ana – 31y/o 6’ 192lbs GP26 G4 A4 8PTS – $2,750,000
RW
Jack Roslovic – Car – 28y/o – 6’ 1” 195lbs GP81 G22 A17 39PTS – $2,800,000
Brett Leason – Ana – 26y/o – 6’ 5” 220lbs – GP62 G5 A12 17PTS – $1,050,000
Christian Fischer – Clb – 28y/o – 6’ 2” 215lbs – GP46 (Det & Clb) G1 A6 7PTS – $1,125,000
Nathan Bastian – NJ – 27y/o – 6’ 4” 205lbs GP59 G4 A6 10PTS – $1,350,000
Cam Atkinson – Tampa – 36y/o – 5’ 8” 179lbs GP39 G4 A5 9PTS – $900,000
Daniel Sprong – NJ – 28y/o – 6’ 195lbs GP30 (Van-Sea-NJ) G2 A5 7PTS – $975,000
Hudson Fasching – NYI – 29y/o – 6’ 3” 205lbs GP40 G1 A2 3PTS – $775,000
LD
Matt Grzelcyk – Pitt – 31y/o – 5’ 10” 180lbs GPGP82 G1 A39 40PTS – $2,750,000
Ryan Suter – St.L – 40y/o – 6’ 1” 205lbs GP82 G2 A13 15PTS – $775,000
Calvin De Haan – NYR – 34y/o – 6’ 1” 194lbs GP47 (Col & NYR) G0 A8 8PTS – $800,000
Brendan Smith – Dal – 36y/o – 6’ 2” 200lbs GP32 G1 A5 6PTS – $1,000,000
Jack Johnson – Clb – 38y/o 6’ 1” 225lbs GP41 G0 A6 6PTS – $775,000
Jon Merrill – Min – 33y/o – 6’ 3” 205lbs GP70 G2 A4 6PTS – $1,200,000
Oliver Kylington – Ana – 28y/o – 6’ 1 85lbs GP19 (Col & Ana) G1 A4 5PTS – $1,050,000
RD
Jan Rutta – SJ – 34y/o – 6’ 3” 205lbs GP54 G3 A6 9PTS – $2,750,000
Erik Johnson – Col – 37y/o – 6’ 4” 225lbs GP36 (Pha & Col) G2 A3 5PTS – $1,000,000
Travis Hamonic – Ott – 34y/o – 6’ 2” 205lbs GP59 G1 A5 6PTS – $1,100,000
Robert Bortuzzo – Utah – 36y/o – 6’ 4” 205lbs GP17 G0 A2 2PTS – $775,000
Jani Hakanpaa – Tor – 33y/o – 6’ 7” 225lbs GP2 G0 A0 0pts – $1,470,000
Tucker Poolman – Col – 32y/o – 6’ 2” 200lbs did not play IR – $2,500,000
G
Ilya Samsonov – Veg – 28y/o – 6’ 3” 205lbs GP29 2.82gaa 0.891 save % – $1,800,000
James Reimer – Buf – 37y/o – 6’ 2” 200lbs GP24 (Buf & Ana) – 2.90gaa 0.901 save %
Chris Driedger – Wpg – 31y/o – 6’ 4” 205lbs – did not play – $795,000
Alexander Georgiev – SJ – 29y/o – 6’ 1” 180lbs – GP49 (Col & SJ) 3.85gaa 0.875 save% – $3,400,000
Georgii Romanov – SJ – 25y/o – 6’ 5” 207lbs – GP8 3.890gaa 0.877 save%
GeorgeO guys like Marchand and the retired Joe Pavalski are the exception.This list you presented should say that every player over 35, should be working on their golf handicap full time. They earned that,hanging on can be painful!
Totally agree, Sr. As Lyle suggests, some of the vast majority above who will not get offers could wind up accepting a PTO as a last resort and/or a minor league deal that might present an opportunity to get called up at some point.
As the Web says
“Retiring from professional sports, especially due to age, can be incredibly difficult for athletes due to a combination of factors including identity loss, financial adjustments, and the abrupt end to a structured life. Many athletes dedicate their lives to their sport, and the transition to a post-athletic career can be jarring, leading to mental health challenges.”
Patch was excellent in the playoffs. An NHL team would be wise to sign him, pace him, and let him loose in the post season. Ryan Suter is the other old dog on the list who can still really play.
Scott, agree … I can see Kunin, Olofsson, Kiviranta, Pacioretty, Roslovic, Grzelcyk & Samsonov all getting either basic or close to basic deals, or P.T.O.s at some point
I am DEVASTATED that the Blues have parted from John Kelly.
I first learned my love of game from father Dan in the 60s and 70s. Then John carried on the family tradition SO WELL!
Like in Detroit, Fan Duel has gotten rid of longtime favorite sports personalities by firing them or forcing them to retire. It is now officially a racket run by gambling “officials”.
Jeff Skinner having made well over $100M in his career will go down as one of the largest money to impact gaps in NHL history. Truly insane for such a mid player.
Thank the Sabres for the majority of that insanity.
700 points in about 1000 games. I doubt he’s even top 50 for money to impact wasted
And 2 points in 5 playoff games in his entire career.