NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 28, 2025
The latest on Nicklas Backstrom, Oilers GM Stan Bowman defends his lengthy contract for Trent Frederic, the Sabres avoid arbitration with Conor Timmins, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom is expected to resume his playing career where it began in Sweden.
Swedish Hockey League (SHL) club Brynas IF is expected to hold a press conference on July 28 to announce the signing of the 37-year-old Backstrom to a one-year contract.
Former Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (NHL Images).
Backstrom stepped away from the NHL eight games into the 2023-24 season amid complications arising from hip resurfacing surgery he underwent in 2022.
A first-round pick (fourth overall) by Washington in the 2006 NHL Draft, Backstrom played three seasons with Brynas IF from 2004-05 to 2006-07. He headed to the NHL in 2007-08, amassing 271 goals and 762 assists for 1,033 points over 17 seasons with the Capitals, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2018.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s unlikely that this will lead to a return to the NHL for Backstrom. It’s more of an opportunity to finish his career with his hometown team.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers general manager Stan Bowman defended his signing of forward Trent Frederic to an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value (AAV) of $3.85 million.
Bowman acquired the 6’3”, 220-pound Frederic before the March 2025 trade deadline. He praised the 27-year-old’s character, physical play, and scoring touch, citing in part his 18-goal, 40-point performance with the Boston Bruins in 2023-24.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The AAV in Frederic’s contract is affordable, especially with the salary cap rising significantly. However, the length of the deal still raised eyebrows.
As long as Frederic remains a decent checking-line forward, it shouldn’t be much of an issue. However, it could still become a burden for their salary cap payroll as his performance declines during the latter half of the deal.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres avoided salary arbitration with Conor Timmins, signing the 26-year-old defenseman to a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.2 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Timmins’ arbitration hearing was scheduled for Aug. 2. Three players – Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg, Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nicholas Robertson, and Montreal Canadiens blueliner Jayden Struble – are slated for hearings.
Samberg’s is July 30, Robertson’s is August 2, and Struble’s is August 3. Like the other players who filed for arbitration, those three will likely sign new contracts with their respective clubs before those dates.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Former NHL defenseman Chris Chelios was named to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. He spent nearly 10 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, helping win the Stanley Cup in 2002 and 2008.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A 26-season NHL veteran and a three-time winner of the Norris Trophy, Chelios was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former NHL forward Peter Mueller announced his retirement at age 37.
Chosen sixth overall in the 2006 NHL Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes, Mueller had a promising rookie season in 2007-08 with 22 goals and 54 points in 82 games.
However, injuries would hamper his performance during his five-season NHL career with the Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, and Florida Panthers until 2012-13. He finished with 63 goals and 160 points in 297 games.
Apart from one season in the AHL, Mueller spent the remainder of his professional playing career in Europe. He won a championship with Brno Kometa in Czechia last season.
I bet we hear of Samberg’s signing either today or tomorrow, with Struble being finalized later in the week – Thursday or Friday. However, I still think the Leafs’ Robertson will be the only RFA to go through the hearing.
Struble signed at a 2 year for 1.41 cap hit.
Boston should have just signed Frederic instead of Jeannot. He s a better offensive player and he can play higher in the lineup. Rumors oout of Boston said several teams were in on Jeannot. I highly doubt it.With that lineup at forward that Boston is putting out Frederic would have been a second line wing.
I agree George O. I’m hoping for an 8 year extension for Samberg in the 6 to 7 million range.
Dave, with Cheveldayov sitting on $10,548,810 in cap reserve with 21 committed to for the coming season (12F 7D 2G), I’m a bit puzzled as to why Samberg’s settlement has dragged on this long?
Is it term – with perhaps Samberg looking to hasten his UFA status by insisting on a shorter term?
This guy is not only huge (6’ 4” 215lbs), but in 60gp this past season, at a cap hit of $1.4 mil, he had a decent offensive output of 6g 14a 20pts while logging a solid +34 defensively. Offensively, that’s more or less in keeping with his career 82-game averages over 216gp – 3g 16a 19pts.
I would agree that an AAV of $6.5 to $7 mil is more than fair in this case. But while he and his agent might agree on the $$ maybe they want to bet on themselves with a shorter 4-year term.
How do you see it?
As for Sandburg:
Filings:
Team: $2.5MM
Player: $6MM
Midpoint: $4.25MM
Looks like he would be lucky to get $5M AAV on a 1 or 2 yr deal
Howard,
You got your wish
Struble signed two-year (one-way) contract with an AAV of $1.4125M
Yep. The Habs are now $5,931,667 over the cap with 23 committed to – 14F 7D 2G + Price’s $10.5 mil ticketed for LTIR.
Do you think the trade of his rights is the next order of business?
There may still be a depth forward signing but other than that this is it for the summer. I expect Prices contract to be traded but not until after his huge bonus is paid in September.
I think the Habs will ride Price into the season and put him on LTIR making them cap compliant.
The team is set for now despite the fanbase concern over 2C.
Any trade coming won’t be for picks and prospects, it will include roster players.
Example, not an offer just a hypothetical.
Habs/Flames
Dach, Struble, Kapanen. 2nd round
to Flames.
Kadri to Habs.
$3.36m+$1.41m+$925k(waiver eligible) out
$7m in.
Habs get a 2C and remain cap compliant if done after Price goes on LTIR or if done now Habs remain within the 10% allowed overage.
Not a suggested trade, just showing possibilities.
HabFan I don’t see the Flames trading Kadri at this time. They believe they can get into the playoffs. If they stumble in the upcoming season then maybe they’ll look to trade him.
Nor do I see the Habs trading for a 34 year old with four years left on his contract.
Howard,
I’m not about to discuss Kadri because I did say
Example, not an offer just a hypothetical.
and
Not a suggested trade, just showing possibilities.
My way of showing how trading Price’s contract isn’t a necessity.
Yes I did. I was afraid it would be closer to $2m. after the Timmins signing yesterday. Fair deal.