NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 19, 2025
How the acquisition of JJ Peterka will affect the Mammoth’s offense, a new potential buyer emerges for the Penguins, former NHL coach Gerard Gallant heads to the KHL, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: Belle Fraser considers the Utah Mammoth’s acquisition of winger JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres to be their best roster addition of this offseason. She pointed out that the Mammoth lost 13 overtime games last season because of an offense that ranked 21st overall.
Utah Mammoth winger JJ Peterka (NHL Images).
Peterka had 68 points last season, including 27 goals. At 23, his ceiling could be much higher, and if he gels with Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, and Dylan Guenther, it could really change things for the Mammoth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Mammoth made significant improvement during their first season in their new home, finishing with 89 points. They missed the playoffs by seven points, which is why management sought to improve their scoring punch with the addition of Peterka, who should fit in well with their promising young forwards like Cooley and Guenther.
Fraser also indicated that there is nothing new to report on a contract extension for Cooley. However, she isn’t concerned, given the steep rise in the salary cap this season, suggesting that players are likely pushing for more money.
Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston could be a potential comparable for Cooley. In March, the 22-year-old center signed a five-year, $42 million contract extension with an average annual value of $8.4 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With $6.6 million in cap space for this season, the Mammoth’s ownership has shown a willingness to spend near the ceiling. They have a projected $38.6 million available for 2026-27. That’s more than enough to re-sign a rising young star like Cooley and still have enough to re-sign or replace UFA-eligible forward Nick Schmaltz and RFA-eligible forward Barrett Hayton, and to add more talent to their roster.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: cites Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting that another buyer has emerged for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Hoffman Family of Companies, which owns the ECHL’s Florida Everblades, is the new suitor.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Former Penguins owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle are currently attempting to repurchase the franchise. However, recent reports suggest their offer is well below what Fenway Sports Group is presently seeking for the franchise.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former NHL coach Gerard Gallant was recently named the new bench boss of the KHL’s Shanghai Dragons. However, he’s frustrated about being snubbed for NHL coaching jobs.
“I’ve been out for two seasons and nothing has happened yet. Am I a little pissed off? Yes, but that’s the way it goes, you wait for your turn and your opportunities,” Gallant said.
Gallant indicated that his contract has an out clause after the first year. For now, he’s focused on heading to St. Petersburg and helping his new club reach the playoffs.
RG.ORG: Alexander Nikishin is looking forward to his first NHL regular season after debuting with the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2025 playoffs. He said that his main goal will be to contribute effectively without being the weak link on the roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nikishin is the Hurricanes’ top prospect and has considerable upside as a top-four defenseman. He’s likely to fill the left-side second-pairing role this season.
TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed former New York Islanders winger Hudson Fasching to a one-year, two-way contract.
David Hoffman is no doubt looking to relocate the Pens to Kansas City. Hoffman’s Companies have strong ties to Missouri, and KC would be an exceptional landing spot for the Pens.
If that’s the case, Brian, he can forget about it, but I doubt that’s why he wants to purchase the Penguins.
No doubt, breaking that PPG Lease would be difficult, not to mention getting approval to relocate. I would imagine Hoffman is looking at the immanent expansion and revenue from expansion teams.
Say YES to Mario
Can’t believe no team in NHL picked up Gallant.
Very strange.
Does he have very bad Halitosis ?
his first season the Rangers he had success but I feel it was from his ‘no coaching’ coaching style where he let the players almost just play their own games…and it stopped working by season 2.
the 7 game series loss to the NJD was brutal to witness
and i was very pro Gallant for the Rangers to hire him
Yes DJ and Georg; a big deal (ton) has been held over Gallant’s head re Devils over Rangers
Blame laid there (for that series) is valid; but that wasn’t the sole reason they lost that series. Players have to accept blame as well.
Setting aside that series and some perceiving a fault in some of his line-up/line-change/d-change strategies; I in no way believe he is worse than 32 current coaches. Not at all!!
I have been very transparent (as many critics have) with being upset with the hiring of Muse here.
There is no ifs ands or buts; Gallant would have been a much better choice than Muse, for working through this transition and getting team back to competitive hockey.
So would have Woodcroft, Boudreau, DeBoer, etc etc etc
Gallant is a good coach that got kicked in the knackers predominantly over the outcome of one series
Hr should not have had to resort to coaching overseas
8787, your post re-raised my curiosity on that very subject so I Googled the question “what is the knock against Gerard Gallant as an NHL coach” and this is the – I assume – AI consensus
“A primary criticism of Gerard Gallant as an NHL coach is a perceived weakness in strategic adjustments and in-game adjustments during a series or a game. While he’s known for building strong team culture and motivation, some argue that he struggles to adapt his systems when facing a well-prepared opponent or when his initial game plan isn’t working. This can lead to his teams becoming predictable and struggling to counter adjustments made by opposing coaches.”
For what it’s worth.
And, interestingly, that more or less jibes with what ds states above. which preceded my post.
all that shows why the recipe of the first season of Vegas was successful. he did a good job rallying the ‘offcasts’ and getting them to be a team.that first year team’s energy was unmistakable to see
I remember Gallant saying: we change our game for no one. Not an exact quote, but certainly that was the gist of it.
If that is an accurate recollection it fits with no in game adjustments.
The guy was once fired on the way to the airport. Forcing him to call a taxi for a ride.
The Blues have signed Milan Lucic to a pto I understand giving a guy a second chance especially given that is how Montgomery was able to resurrect his career l just don’t get the Blues angle.
Maybe he’s just a training camp body to instill some toughness or maybe he hangs around as an extra, but since the Blues are re tooling with younger players he doesn’t fit. And more power to him for his rehabilitation and getting his life back together but I don’t think he got any faster taking last year off. Just a very strange move.
Lucic is a huge quesiton mark! If he can play, I look at him being a 4th liner/press box kind of guy. That makes Joseph and Texier even more expendable.
Texier = 25 year old, 6’1″ 194 lbs
Joseph = 28 yr old, 6’1″ 190lbs
Lucic = 37 yr old 6’3″ 231lbs
That’s a lot more beef…once again, if he can play.
I think the biggest concern form the Blues perspective is that it appears Dvorsky just isn’t ready and Army knows it.
Maybe this provides for more support for a Carter Hart and company return to the NHL……….giving a second chance to those that have escaped legal punishment but have suffered years of social and financial punishment because of their actions and are given a 2nd chance. There are many other examples.
Johnny Z, fair point, it does stick out; but the NHL will surely be reinstating the 5 players as soon as the appeal period is done.
Otherwise the NHLPA would have no choice but to take the NHL to arbitration. And given that the 5 have been found not guilty there is no legal reason for the NHL to continue to declare them ineligible to play.
5 were all found NG!!!
If you read all of the daily testimony summaries (I did); I am confident that most would have no *issue with any of them back in the NHL
*of course that is wrt should they be allowed; talent-wise wrt signing them; is a completely different issue. Hart is the most talented; definitely NHL calibre; has been working out. Oilers would be absolutely foolish not to sign him:
Backlash you argue??? :
Hmmm… first of all … he’s not guilty!!! Read all of the daily testimony summaries; and I am well past just NG
Secondly (more importantly):
Oilers have set many precedents:
Bowman
Kane
Perry
Virtanenn
and let’s not forget a convicted (OF MURDER !) – Mctavish
HF30:
You correctly pointed out that I don’t make trade proposals, so instead of responding to yours, how about this:
Barrett Hayton for any two of Newhook, Engstrom, Struble, Beck, Roy or Laine.
The Mammoth have a lot of centers on their roster. They need help on D and Laine would help their PP just a little more.
Wow! Engstrom looks like a real keeper! (looking at his regular stats, but not his Corsi) I would trade Trudeau instead! Laine does not fit unless Le Habs retain salary, making a big gamble less of a gamble. And I don’t think Hughes can do that unless he has another buyer for Price’s contract. And Newhook is not a sought-after player. And Struble is probably more of a 6-7th D
Utah would want an NHLer and a prospect. But your NHL guys have problems. I thought of Dach, but he is another major ?????
LJ,
Utah recognized they need veterans added to their young core and scoring.
They did that with Peterka, Schmidt and Tanev.
Utah has a good prospect pool and remain full of draft picks and the Habs are in a similar situation.
The only two I’d go for in your offer are Newhook and Roy. He doesn’t move the needle enough to give up more but they don’t help Utah.