NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 6, 2025
Eleven players file for salary arbitration, three potential new duos formed by recent trades and free agency, the latest contract signings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHLPA.COM: Eleven players elected salary arbitration by the July 5 deadline.
Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi (NHL Images).
Three of them are with the Winnipeg Jets. They are forwards Morgan Barron and Gabriel Vilardi and defenseman Dylan Samberg. Two of them – goaltender Lukas Dostal and defenseman Drew Helleson – are with the Anaheim Ducks.
The others are winger Kaapo Kakko of the Seattle Kraken, forward Nicholas Robertson of the Toronto Maple Leafs, goaltender Arvid Soderblom of the Chicago Blackhawks, defenseman Jayden Struble of the Montreal Canadiens, defenseman Conor Timmins of the Buffalo Sabres, and winger Maxim Tsyplakov of the New York Islanders.
The deadline for club-elected salary arbitration notification is Sunday, July 6, at 5 pm ET. Arbitration hearings will be held from July 20 and August 4, 2025.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The schedule will be released in the coming days. These players are now ineligible to receive offer sheets from rival teams.
These players probably won’t require arbitration to receive new contracts. It’s often a tactic used to set a deadline in negotiations to avoid talks dragging on throughout the summer.
Both sides usually agree to contract terms before the arbitration date. Don’t be surprised if all of them end up settling before their scheduled hearings.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andre Leal looked at three new potential duos recently formed through trades and free agency that could dominate once they hit the ice together.
Right wing Mitch Marner is expected to skate alongside center Jack Eichel with the Vegas Golden Knights. The 28-year-old Marner was traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Golden Knights last week, signing an eight-year contract. He had a career-best 102 points last season, while Eichel reached his career best of 94 points.
The Montreal Canadiens acquired defenseman Noah Dobson on June 27 from the New York Islanders. Leal believes he’d be a perfect complement alongside 2025 Calder Memorial Trophy winner Lane Hutson on the Canadiens’ top defense pairing.
On June 23, the Anaheim Ducks traded forward Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers. Leal cited Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet suggesting the possibility of putting Zegras on the same line as scoring winger Matvei Michkov.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner with Eichel seems the most certain pairing, but it comes down to whether their styles will mesh.
Tocchet said the Flyers would be idiots not to consider at least putting Zegras and Michkov together, but seemed to leave the door open to the possibility that they’ll be playing on separate lines.
Dobson and Hutson seem the least likely pairing, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. They could see power-play time together.
Daily Faceoff’s roster projection shows Dobson on the top pairing with Kaiden Guhle, with Hutson on the second pairing with Jayden Struble. Meanwhile, PuckPedia has Dobson with Mike Matheson on the top pairing, with Hutson and Guhle on the second. That’s just their best guess, as we won’t know those pairings for certain until the start of the season in October.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed forward Dmitri Voronkov to a two-year, $8.35 million contract with an average annual value of $4.175 million.
Voronkov, 24, finished last season with a career-best 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points, sitting sixth among Blue Jackets’ scorers. He led the Jackets with eight power-play goals and was fourth in plus/minus with plus-17.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A reasonable bridge deal for Voronkov, who completed his entry-level contract last season. He had a solid sophomore season following his 18-goal, 34-point debut in 2023-24.
THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken signed forward Tye Kartye to a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.25 million.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Washington Capitals signed center Hendrix Lapierre to a one-year, one-way contract worth $850K.
THE DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche named Mark Letestu as the new head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Letestu spent 11 NHL seasons with five teams as a player, and spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.
NESN: Former NHL winger Lyndon Byers died on July 4 at age 61. He spent nine seasons with the Boston Bruins and one season with the San Jose Sharks from 1983-84 to 1992-93. An enforcer who became a fan favorite in Boston, Byers had 28 goals and 43 assists for 71 points and 1,081 PIMs in 279 games.
Following his playing career, Byers returned to Boston, where he became a member of a popular radio morning show from 1996 to 2019.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Byers’ family, friends, his former teammates, and coworkers.
And the Byram lunacy drags on and on.
It’s very likely that all 11 RFAs who have filed for arbitration will settle before it comes to an actual hearing, simply because those have become notorious for ruffling feathers as teams trot out all the perceived flaws in the player’s game. Among the most vocal about that over the years have been Dale Weise and Jeremy Swayman, among others.
Last year I think the only one to go that route was Nashville D Spencer Stastney who, as I recall, was seeking a one-way deal with a specific higher salary and terms that would make it more difficult for Trotz to send him to Milwaukee of the AHL. In the end, he received a 2-year contract with an AAV of $825,000, including a 2-way clause for the first year and 1-way for year two. In effect what he and his agent received was $825,000 in the NHL and $400,000 in the AHL for the first year, followed by a 1-way $825,000 salary for year two.
As of this morning he is listed in Puckpedia among the Nashville minor league players, and at season’s end he becomes a Group 6 UFA (a player 25 years or older who has played 3 or more pro seasons and less than 80 NHL games (28 where goalies are concerned).
Treliving said in an interview teams that know a player is going to ask for a significant pay hike and the team doesn’t want to waste their time just to end up at arbitration, simply don’t extend a qualifying offer. Eliminates the arbitration process and still allows the team to negotiate. Holmberg was an an example, even though he did sign with Philly
Hot off the Press – Just my prediction
Doug Armstrong is handling over the reigns to Alex Steen
Where does that leave Doug Armstrong !
Next PRESIDENT of the Leafs !
Hutson and Dobson will pair up on the PP but I think St Louis will opt for some balance for 5 on 5. Dobson will pair up with Guhle, whos a left shot. Hutson likely to play with right shot Alex Carrier, Struble is a left shot, but may wind up on the right side for the third pairing.
Howard,
My guess is that Hutson will move to the Right to start the season.
Hutson-Matheson
Dobson-Guhle
Carrier-Xhekaj
Struble 7th D.
Hughes said one reason they acquired Dobson is so the Habs would have a puck moving D to work with each of the top two lines. Leal is another journalist who threw out an idea to fill space without research or thought.
Doug Armstrong is handing over the reigns to Alex Steen
Where does that leave Doug Armstrong
Next PRESIDENT of the Leafs
This new guy in town -Pelley certainly has proved he isn’t afraid to make bold moves
Just a thought ?!?!
As George puts it – Hopefully the GM gets it Right !
Good luck to Treliving !
Ken, Armstrong is signed and committed to remain as president of the Blues after Steen takes over as his mentor. A couple of years down the road maybe.
The decision by Robertson to take the Leafs to arbitration is interesting.
Following the acquisitions of Maccelli and Pezetta, and the still possible return of UFA Pacioretty, it would seem that, if Robertson goes the full route and, based upon his 15g 7a 22pts in 69gp and limited ice-time, gets a substantial increase over his expired $875,000 ELC in the range of $1.8 to $2 mil, Treleving may just walk away and turn him into a UFA.
Right now he is committed to a full 23-man slate with $4,983,081 in cap reserve. If, say, Pacioretty is signed for the same just expired $873,770, he would need to replace someone like Reaves and his $1.3 mil cap hit who would likely be waived to be sent to the Marlies.
That $426,230 saving in cap hit, added to what he has now, would give Treleving just over $5.4 mil in cap reserve to use at the trade deadline.
Yogi, Ken, Ron … how do you guys see it unfolding?
Robertson got a QO of 918,750 which quite frankly is peanuts for his production given his limited TOI.
He’s 23y/o, on a team that won’t give him ice time or pay him for his production.
TML should move him for draft picks as he doesn’t seem to fit.
For one the QO is always the minimum, every team does it, including Montreal. Robertson has to earn his time time, just like the other players. If you watched Robertson, he’ll play hard for a couple of games then start to slack off. He still needs a reminder once in a while he needs to be consistant, the kid has talent, just hasn’t figured out that he can’t afford to take games off
Hey George you guess is as good as anyone else’s. The problem with Robertson, like all players like him, is his fit. On the Leafs I have no idea where or how to use him. There definitely is a player there but what exactly and for how much is the question.
Like the three players you mentioned, Patches most likely isn’t returning because like Robertson, exactly where does he fit? Plus he seems to be a redundancy in the lineup and like Robertson, can play the Berube style and fits the mold better physically. I don’t expect much from Pezetta who is a marginal NHLer at best and will be used as a face puncher when needed. Maccelli is a complete mystery box for fit and usage, we’ll have to see if he’ll anything worth watching.
What I’ll like to see is them move off of Jarnkrok and Kampf for similar reasons of redundancy and the limited use making them expendable assets however I believe they will need to move off Rielly sometime this year or next if they hope to ever sign a top six winger or something like gained cap space…also he is their only actual asset worth more than just low picks or other long shot options.
All these players can be useful to a lot of teams depending on fit. For the Leafs, like many teams, kinda have a lot of similar players that some excel in their role and some are poor fits. These players fall into the latter which in no way implies they are not good players for anyone else, it just here the Leafs have better options based on how they fit into the new system the coach and GM are requiring players to play. And that, especially when it comes to a player like Rielly, makes a really good player expendable (usually on the cheap)… but who knows what these fools will do but like everyone else, I’ll be there to watch.
Yeah, it’ll certainly all become a lot clearer throughout the league as we near the end of August or early September. In the meantime all we can do is watch – and critique (lol) – the decisions made.
Dobes has inked a two year extension with the Habs. 965K AAV. And with Struble filing for arbitration the Habs have no offer sheet eligible players. George, take note.
It’s being whittled down for sure, Howard. Thanks for the update.
If Pacioretty decides he’s going to play again, sounds like he’s going to now, Tre says there’s a place for him. Robertson needs to work on his consistancy. Maccelli is a passer, Matthews needs one. Jarncrock and Kampf, Tre said he’s looking to move them. Reilly and Carlo worked good together, not sure why you want to run Reilly out of town without giving them a longer look. You’re not going to replace Rielly and save money, that’s for sure.
habfan 30
What is your assessment of this guy berre-bouilet that the Avalanche signed?
Is he an NHL player or is he just ticketed for the AHL. I see he got a couple of games in with the habs!
Barre-Boulet is an AHL player.
He’s good in the locker room, , can fill in at the NHL level in a pinch.
He’s one of those guys who’s ceiling is the AHL, where he’s very good.
Habfan30 thanks. It sounded that way from reading about him.
The Avalanche seems to be trying to replenish their AHL cupboard because I believe from what I read and understand is one of the least fruitful in the league. They have dealt away a lot of picks/ prospects to stay a contender. They also got that guy Brindley from Columbus when trading Coyle and wood . He appears as though he has a shot @ making the team.
I think the Avalanche are up to something. They are always tight lipped, then they pounce, lol. We will see!!!
For one the QO is always the minimum, every team does it, including Montreal. Robertson has to earn his time time, just like the other players. If you watched Robertson, he’ll play hard for a couple of games then start to slack off. He still needs a reminder once in a while he needs to be consistant, the kid has talent, just hasn’t figured out that he can’t afford to take games off
” For one the QO is always the minimum, every team does it.”
That isn’t true.
Jakub Dobes base contract of 832,5000 +5% is 874,125 was the minimum that could have been given as the QO.
Habs gave a QO to Jakub Dobes of $965,000 which he accepted.
A QO is a negotiation tool that achieves a few things.
a) speeds up the process to not drag out to October.
b) takes away the offer sheet
As for Robertson, he was in the same situation last year quite frankly TML don’t know what to make of the kid or how to fit him in.
I understand management’s point of view but as his agent I’d ask for a significant increase and have the arbitrator decide what 15g is worth and hope the TML accept it or let him go UFA.
QO doesn’t eliminate an the offersheet and Dobes signed a 2 year deal which means it wasn’t his QO offer
Someone please correct me if I’m wrong but I believe that a QO can only be one year. So if Dobeš signed for 2, it must have been per agreement reached after the QO was extended.
The QO must be made by a team by June 30th to retain a players rights past that date. If a team doesn’ t extend the qualifying offer, the player becomes a UFA july 1st. It’s not a negotiating tactic really, it’s just the 1st step that the NHL requires teams to do and it dosn’t speed up the process at all. You’re mixing that up with arbitration, which will speed things up
Toronto does know what they have in Robertson and where they think he’ll fit in, that’s why they keep hanging onto him. Last year was different, Robertson thought he knew better and wanted to go elsewhere, this year he prefers to stay, he just wants more money
Keep going Yogi, eventually you’ll get to the original point.
Yogi how this kid Steeves that signed with Boston?
What that you’re wrong about everything, was trying to be polite about it
lol, keep it up, you love the rabbit hole. Eventually, maybe you’ll get to the original point which you studiously ignore.
Let’s see 1. Dobes did not sign his qualifying offer 2. QO do not prevent offer sheets 3. QO do not speed up the signing process 4. You need to stop watching the Matrix
Sr. You’ll like him, decent skater, not overly physical, soft hands, his AHL stats show that. But he’s been snake bit at the NHL level, but he gets chances,kinda like Bobby McMann. If Steeves can pop a couple get confidence up. He may surprise a few people, be a solid 3rd liner