NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 7, 2025
Bowen Byram and Jack McBain are being taken to arbitration by their respective teams, Ilya Kovalchuk thinks Connor McDavid’s contract decision could shake up the league, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Buffalo Sabres have elected for arbitration with defenseman Bowen Byram, and the Utah Mammoth with center Jack McBain. Both players are restricted free agents.
THE SCORE: Josh Wegman pointed out that Byram and McBain are no longer able to sign offer sheets. Since their teams took them to arbitration, the two players can pick the term of the arbitration award. They could opt for two-year contracts, making them eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July 2027.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The arbitration period is from July 20 to August 4. Both players will learn their arbitration dates when the schedule is released shortly.
Like the 11 players who recently filed for arbitration, Bryam and McBain can continue their contract negotiations with their respective teams up to their scheduled hearing dates.
Both players could agree to new contracts before their hearings. They could also be traded.
Byram’s been a fixture in the rumor mill for weeks. The latest scuttlebutt claims the St. Louis Blues were “trying hard” to acquire him.
RG.ORG: Sergey Demidov recently interviewed former NHL star Ilya Kovalchuk, who weighed in on the looming contract decision for Connor McDavid.
The Edmonton Oilers captain is a year away from UFA eligibility. That’s prompted speculation over whether he’ll re-sign and stay in Edmonton or test the market when his current contract expires.
Kovalchuk believes McDavid’s decision won’t just affect the Oilers, but the entire league.
“Honestly, I think this is bigger than just McDavid or the Oilers,” said Kovalchuk. “He’s the face of the NHL. If he leaves, it’ll be like when Wayne Gretzky was traded from Edmonton to LA in 1988.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Gretzky trade paved the way for the NHL’s expansion into the Sun Belt. It’s uncertain what the overall consequences of McDavid signing elsewhere would be, but the ripples from that decision could be felt around the league for years.
The Oilers would feel the effects immediately. Like Gretzky’s departure, the loss of McDavid could lead to an exodus of other core players, turning them into an also-ran as management scrambles to rebuild.
Unlike the Oilers of the late 1980s, however, the current version has stable ownership and operates under a league-wide salary cap system. They wouldn’t be dealing with threats of relocation while struggling to maintain a competitive roster, putting them in a better position this time to retain some core talent and perhaps attract others. Those factors give them the opportunity for a quick turnaround if management can act shrewdly in rebuilding the roster.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael Augello looked at the five worst contract signings in the 2025 NHL offseason thus far. Among them are the Columbus Blue Jackets re-signing Ivan Provorov to a seven-year contract and the Boston Bruins inking forward Tanner Jeannot to a five-year deal.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens signed goaltender Jakub Dobes to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $965,000.
NEW YORK POST: The Islanders inked winger Marc Gatcomb to a one-year, one-way deal worth $900,000.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: The New York Rangers re-signed forward Brendan Brisson to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 at the NHL level.
VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights re-signed restricted free-agent forwards Raphael Lavoie, Jonas Rondbjerg, and Cole Schwindt to one-year deals.
We go away for the extra long weekend and when we get back I read through the last few days posts only to find out that the rocket scientist also known as Nick Kypreos, is trading Crosby for the betterment of the NHL!!!
How does Kypreos still have a following?
I’ll say it again. Crosby moves on from Pens IF and only IF he wants to. Dubas is not asking him to waive his NMC.
That said; I will not in any way blame Sid if he asks out. He says he is staying; he’s nixed the rumors; he’s a Penguin through and through.
BUT I will not blame him if he moves on. I’d hate to see him go. But I would fully understand if he wants out before his career is over.
Crosby is massively competitive and hates to lose. 3 years of no playoffs. Not a chance; literally ZERO chance; that he is embracing his last 5 years of hockey, missing the playoffs
Dubas made a promise to Sid to get him to re-up. He promised him that he would be making moves to improve the team to get them into the playoffs over the next two years.
Dubas has publicly reiterated that statement several times ; including during his post-draft interview a week and s half ago.
Yet, he literally has done ZERO to improve the club for this year or next. Loads of assets and picks that may help the team to the playoffs in 5-7 years; but team has not improved from last year (when we finished 24th)!
IF Sid leaves; it will be a very sad occasion; but absolutely no one should blame him. ALL blame (if Sid leaves) needs to go on Dubas.
Dubas, you have trade-able aging assets that can be used to improve the team now!!
I could say the same thing about the Oilers. Mcdavid has NOT won the Stanley Cup threw his stay with them.
Sidney Crosby has at least won the Cup. Be thankful
you have draft picks and prospects. Oilers have none or very, very minimum.
Oilers have just been to two cup finals and a goal away from 7th game OT where anything can happen.
Oilers will be strong again this year ; AND getting to their 3rd straight final is much more likely than unlikely
McD is in a “wait and see” mode
I’ll be (as well as so many fans all around the league) very very ill if he jumps to the Leafs next July as some Leaf posters have suggested.
“Everybody to Leafland”… 🤮
Golden opportunity for Pens:
Stars over Cap and must shed; and they would like to get rid of Dumba for a replacement
Pens want to re-build; get younger; shed crap/aging ; currently have a great deal of space; won’t be spending to cap ceiling for at least 4 years
Propsal:
Stars get:
Rust (@ 50%);
Karllson (50% of current balance retained);
Mcgroarty;
Kindell
Pens get
Robertson
Bischell;
Dumba;
Back
Stars go from $1.8 M over Cap to $2.9 M under;
Karlsson replacing Dumba; McGroarty replacing Back;
Rust in place of Robertson;
gain Kindell as a prospect
Now Pens have a very valuable asset in Robertson (and a few viable trading partners)
If Pens then trade with Sabres:
Sabres get Robertson, Hayes, Lyzotte
Pens get: Byram, Doan, Krebs
If Pens Trade with Jets
Jets get Robertson, 2nd, Novak
Pens get Vilardi and Barron
Trade with Ducks?
Ducks get Robertson
Pens get McTavish and Solberg
If Pens instead trade with Leafs:
Leafs get Jason Robertson (50% retained by Pens) and then Leafs re-up his brother at $1.50 M
Pens get: McMann, Cowan, and take on Reeves crappy conteact
Leafs go from $5 M in space and needing a points replacer for Marner exit; to being $2.9 M in plus space and having J Robertson replace McMann on roster; N. Robertson replace Reeves; and $2.9 M for future (TDL??) moves
Pens would waive/bury Reeves&Hayes&Accairi; qet considerably younger; bigger; stronger; faster
Trade with Devils?
Devils get Robertson (50% retained) and Novak;
Pens get Mercer snd Nemec
Trade with Rangers (unlikely but):
Rangers get Robertson (50% retained) and a 2nd
Pens get either:
Lafrenier and Rempe and a 3rd
OR
Schneider and Rempe and a 1st
Reasonable mid 20’d UFAs still available for Pens definitely at $1.5 M or less:
Leason: 26 (RW/C); 6’5”, 225
82 Game pace of 15-23-38 playing 10 1/2 mins/gme for Ducks
Bastian: 27 (W); 6’ 4” , 210
8787 and if Oilers get to their third straight cup final , the Panthers will be there waiting for them!
How does Kypreos have a following? Quite simple. He’s a crazy lunatic throwing out far fetched “Scoops”. That’s what attracts followings these days. Like people staring at roadside car crashes. It’s been the new normal for quite a while.
Another crazy story going around, seemingly from Seravelli, is the Habs continuing to pursue Kyrou. Not gonna happen. The Habs already tried and it didn’t work out. And they then traded one of their top trade chips to St. Louis for another young forward.
The blues would be crazy to trade Kyrou. A consistent 70 point scorer with cost certainty of just above $8m for five more years. A player like that will now cost $10m going forward.
8787
2026 draft heard not just Gavin McKenna few of these players would of been drafted #1 overall in this past 2025 draft. Could Penguins tank for the 2025 season for lottery pick? Yet be determined.
Kyle Dubas signed few forwards. Penguins rooster now includes 15 forwards not including Koivunen which would be 16 forwards. Who could be leaving?
Who plays defense? Will Owen Pickering play? Heard Harrison Brunicke (age 19) potential be star and chance next season could make the team?
Do you believe rooster is set? Will any trades happen?
Following off-season many Penguins players contracts end.
Hi Speed Kills
Mckenna is by far the catch of the ‘26 draft class
The absolute worst I can see Pens falling would get them in the 5%-7% range of getting McKenna; leaving 93%-95% that Pens DON’T get McKenna
Fantastic if they get him; but 93%-95% chance of tanking; having increasing numbers of empty seats and increasing lost revenues in the process; only to NOT get McKenna. The rest of the prospect are not in his league
Re Roster set; It better not be
They still need to improve
Trading two of Karllson/Rust/Rackell and retaining 50% brings back (cumulatively) 2 young NHLers (with term) AND 2 NHL ready (expected to play in NHL in 25/26) prospects (under contract)
Hayes and Accairi untradeable without big sweetners ; BUT nothing from stopping them being waived to WBS. Let younger and far better players play in their space
There are still 26 and 27 year old UFAs available; with size and available at low cost; and far better than Hayes and Accairi
Pickering an absolute MUST for the team
Yes maybe Brunicke crackd the line-up
Absolutely true Howard
Kypreos must be staring at Rorchach ink blots all day and guessing from those; “definite” moves by players, GMs; owners; and then saying them out loud to find out which ones sound the most outrageous and worthy of stirring up a click-a-thon
“Insider” …. Yep, all inside his head
There you go using that “promise” word again 8787. No one in their right mind would make that promise with the Pen’s roster the way it was and is. Nor would anyone with Cosby’s intelligence and experience in hockey think it was something anyone could promise.
Did he say he would give it his best effort, that’s believable, at it seems like he did at the start. Didn’t work and I would suggest was a long shot. Now he is doing what is clear to almost anyone, they need to retool/rebuild, whatever you want to call it.
Send the quotes, if I’m wrong, then I’m wrong.
He can’t cause the only people who know what was said is Dubas and Crosby. And probably agent and Kathy.
I cringe every time 8787 posts such nonsense. Needless to say, I cringe a lot.
Hi Ray
Dubas publicly stated on several occasions (including his post-draft interview) that he would be making (again he used future tense) moves to get the team into the playoffs within the next 2 years.
This was a broadcast interview
Did he use the word “promise” in that interview, NO
Did he say “I swear” ; NO
He made a statement that he will be making moves for Pens to be in playoff contention
To me that’s a public promise without using the word “promise” or “I swear”
That recent interview was AFTER the draft and before UFA doors opened.
He’s got 23 signed; and that roster is not an improvement over last year’s (24th place)
Moves (plural) must be made for Pens to move upward in any fashion
Hi Chrisms
True
The word “promise” may or may not have been used
That said; Dubas on more than one occasion said that he (Dubas) had told Sid that he would be making changes geared toward
Since the first time Dubas said that was only a couple of days after Sid signed; it is definitely not unreasonable that he made that statement to Sid BEFORE he signed
It makes no sense that Sid would have waited so long to sign; then signed ; and then and only then (after signature and before Dubas interview a couple of days later) did Dubas say to Sid; “guess what, I’ll be making improvements to get us in playoff contention during this extension”
Making the public statement just a couple of days after the signing means the latest hd could have actually said that to Sid was 5 minutes before the interview
Makes no sense
He said he told Sis; so he did.
Logic tells us it was before he signed and not in the 2 dayd after signing and before the interview
“Promise” … who knows if that word was actually stated
“I will be…”…. basically is a promise
Was Dubas lying at the time?
Only he knows.
He certainly has not done moves towards improvements yet
With no improvements bu TDL and Pens bottom 10; I would not at all blame Sid if he asks out
I hope you wouldn’t blame him either
I’d hate to see him go; but I would not blame him
8787, odd that you would keep using the word promise then? We all screw up typing on here too fast, but that has a pretty clear definition.
Whatever, not a big deal, but your handle is Crosby twice and you’re suggesting he’s so naive he would actually think that and signed a contract he now regrets because of it.
I have no idea if he requests a trade in the future, as I can see him wanting to chase a cup. Competitive guy. I can also see him wanting to stay and finish his career in Pittsburgh. What would I know about that?
Either way I just can’t see it being because Dubas lied to him or tricked him into signing an extension. That would shock me.
Hi Ray
I hope your right that he stays
I’m not saying Crosby (if he asks out) would be leaving solely due to Dubas’ lie
My guess on a main reason to go (again IF he decides to leave) would be that he doesn’t want to end his career with 5 straight seasons out of the playoffs
The lie doesn’t help though
I am 100% convinced that there is no way he ever envisioned ending his career with 5 straight seasons out of the playoffs
Now if Dubas does make some moves; team does improve but falls to make playoffs this year; that’s a different story; there is some hope; and I’ve got pretty strong confidence Sid staying into next season
I’m convinced (I realize you are not) that Dubas made every indication to Sid (I’m calling it a “promise”) that he’d improve the team enough for a playoff spot shot in the next 2 years PRIOR to Sid signing; AND NOT JUST in that couple of days post signing and before he (Dubas) said that publicly
Could it have been in that 2 -3 day period? Anything is possible . But that possibility has to be extremely extremely low
Why would he publicly state it but not have said it to Sid prior to signing? No logic to yhst.
One thing I’m sure you agree with me on:
0% chance Dubas told Sid, prior to signing; that his (Dubas’) plan was for missing playoffs in 25/26 and 26/27; getting great draft picks; that would make Pens a competitor again—in 4-7 years; but please Sid, do me a solid and extend for 2 years; we still need to sell tickets when we’re in the dumpster
That in no way happened
You and I have a different version of reality 8787.
Ray, you and 99% of the rest of us that frequent these pages. As it was with “Pengy” he can’t tell you the time without a detailed explanation of how to build a clock.
I’m with Some Old Guy on this one.
Well, at least it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who thought the signing of Cody Ceci was among “the worst free-agent signings”
Term on that one George; is more the shocker than the AAV
$4.5 M for 2 would have been “an overpay”
4 * $4.5 M is just screaming buyout in a year or two
You’re in great company George. Before the Dobson trade I was hoping the Habs would pick him up on a short term low cost deal to replace Savard till Reinbacher was ready. I never dreamed he’d get that type of term and money.
For the record, I never said it was a good contract, I said it was too much $$ for a bit too long.
What I said was – I didn’t blame Holland for doing it as he was tasked with trying to win now. He determined he needed a quality RD that can play in the playoffs and succeed. Almost every UFA signed wasn’t a “good” contract. What other RD was there?
Feel free to disagree and you may not think Ceci is a quality RD, but, look at his minutes reg and playoff (2nd pair) and who he was playing for and how those teams did in the playoffs. To save you time, they did very well.
If you want to dive a little deeper look at where his shifts start (his own zone like over 70% of the time). Where he gets his over 20 minutes/game is EV and PK.
He is a D first, right shot d man who kills penalties and can play in the top 4 on teams that have had excellent playoff success. Coming off a contract that paid him $3.25M and the cap is climbing. He is 31. Lots of D are signed to 35 in this situation and longer.
He is what he is. A reliable, D first, right shot, who kills penalties and can do it in the playoffs. You can question the contract, but you can’t dispute that he isn’t a quality NHL player as he has done it 3 of the last 4 playoffs where he made to a minimum of the conference finals, and in the other one made it to 2nd round. That’s just a fact. Codi Ceci doesn’t suck, and he keeps proving it even if some fans disagree.
Is he that different than Tanev? Not as good IMO, but also 4 years younger. Neither is a good contract, but the Ceci one isn’t worse. Both were signed as UFA’s.
Ray, the bottom line with Ceci is, since 2019 – 6 years – he’s been with 6 different teams – Ottawa, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Edmonton, San Jose, Dallas.
There has to be an underlying reason for his being observed as THAT dispensable.
Or in that much demand George. And being a right shot D likely contributes to that. Not many out there that were available, because they are hard to find. Kinda like the lefty relivers in baseball. (How ’bout them Jays by the way)
Bottom line – he ends up in the playoffs and plays well in a top 4 role. The evidence is right in front of us.
He played well in Pittsburgh, played well in Edmonton. They needed cap space and traded him to SJ, who had space and needed vets, played well on a crappy team. Then got picked up by Dallas for the playoffs and played well again.
Not flashy. All he does is perform in the role he is asked to play and contribute to winning games, including playoff games.
The Rodney Dangerfield of the NHL!
It doesn’t look like Lyle mentioned it but Byram is now ineligible for an offer sheet. If he chooses a two year deal which I expect he will then if the Sabres don’t trade him before the hearing it’ll be impossible for them to get fair value because he’d be a UFA in two years and couldn’t even talk extension till next year
Read it again, Howard.
My apologies Lyle. Must have missed it. Too early in the morning. But the points still the same. If Byram chooses two years, any post hearing trade becomes more difficult for at least a year
Yep. He sure did.
“THE SCORE: Josh Wegman pointed out that Byram and McBain are no longer able to sign offer sheets.”
Sounds like Sabres are going the trade route. This sounds almost similar to the Tkachuk situation in Calgary. Buys Sabres time to get the best deal before the arb date & remove the risk of an offer sheet that might force a trade with a team they may not be interested in the returns that could be had & didnt just want futures. Guess we’ll be hearing the rumours for at least another month hahaha.
The Sabres might think the arbitration process will come back with a more reasonable # than an offer sheet as well. Easier to trade that way.
Sure seems that neither party wants a long term commitment?
RIP LB …