NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 26, 2025
The latest on Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm and Canadiens forward Kirby Dach, blueliner Tyson Barrie announced his retirement, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm believes his club must find what their culture will be under a new head coach and with the additions to the roster for the coming season.
Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm (NHL Images)
Appearing last week on “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Lindholm said he likes the Bruins’ young prospects, and he also believes they still have some really good veterans who know how to win in the NHL.
“We just need to figure out how to build around that,” Lindholm said. “People are going to underestimate us, but I’m very optimistic. I think we’ve got some good things ahead.
Lindholm, 31, missed most of last season with a broken patella. He spent most of his recovery watching the Bruins implode, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. He will be ready when training camp opens next month.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins hope to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance with a healthier roster and a bounce-back effort from starting goaltender Jeremy Swayman. How quickly they adjust to new coach Marco Sturm’s system will determine the outcome.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Canadiens forward Kirby Dach was on the ice testing his surgically repaired knee at the club’s training facility in Brossard on Monday. The 24-year-old center has missed 129 games since being acquired by the Canadiens in 2022.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens hope that Dach might be ready for the start of the season or within the opening weeks of the campaign. However, they won’t rush his return to the lineup.
Dach was acquired to fill the Canadiens’ second-line center position. However, injuries have hampered his development, leaving that position a nagging issue for the rebuilding club.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Former Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie announced his retirement on Monday.
The 34-year-old spent eight of his 14 NHL seasons with the Avalanche from 2011-12 to 2018-19. He also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, and Calgary Flames.
During his career, Barrie had 110 goals and 398 assists for 508 points in 822 regular-season games, and 21 points in 47 playoff contests. The puck-moving blueliner had seven seasons with 41 or more points, including four seasons with over 50 points.
RG.ORG: Former Vancouver Canucks assistant coach Sergei Gonchar revealed that family matters were behind his decision to depart the club earlier this year. He was invited to stay on as the Canucks’ defense coach following head coach Rick Tocchet’s departure, but couldn’t commit to a full-time position at the time.
“Right now, my projects are mostly family-related. I’ve spoken with one NHL team, but there’s nothing concrete yet,” Gonchar said. “The main issue is relocation – teams want you around full time, and at the moment that’s not possible.”
DAILY FACEOFF: Jan Rutta has signed a two-year contract with Geneve-Servette HC in Switzerland.
The 35-year-old defenseman spent the past eight seasons in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, and San Jose Sharks. He helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021.
Rutta has 23 goals and 75 assists for 98 points in 417 NHL regular-season games, and 11 points in 49 postseason games.
Kirby Dach has all the tools but he’s a coulda. woulda, shoulda.
I get giving him the opportunity to take the spot envisioned for him 2C but I don’t get leaving it open for him.
Habs lost the faceoff guy and didn’t replace him (Dvorak)
2C Hope underwent knee surgery and didn’t replace him (Dach)
Signed Joe Veleno as C, he sure moves the needle.
May as well sign Luke Glendening for a year and use him for faceoffs.
I loved Glendening on the Stars in 23-24 season… perfect 4th line center… wins just about every face off, when it is important. Kills penalties, goes into corners, hard on the puck, hard to play against….not gonna dazzle anyone, a solid 4th liner.
When they lost him and Radek Faksa, that put dampers on our bottom 6 and the penalty kill. since Luke is signed another year with Tampa for another year, I’m guessing that is why Nill went out and brought Faksa back.
Glendening is an unsigned UFA, still.
According to this assessment in Daily Faceoff, 18 teams currently possess the “Top 25 NHL-Affiliated Goalie Prospects” heading into 2025-26. Many, of course, are years away from actually making an appearance in the NHL – but it at least must be some measure of comfort for the teams concerned (5 of which hold more than 1 as indicated):
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/top-25-nhl-affiliated-goalie-prospects-2025-26-askarov-fowler-augustine
New Jersey, Utah, Columbus, Buffalo, Minnesota, Colorado, Nashville, Vancouver, Vegas, Philadelphia, Carolina, New York Rangers, Chicago – all with 1 each.
San Jose, Montreal, Ottawa – each with 2 and Detroit and Los Angeles with 3 each.
Interesting, Toronto who has no one on that list says they have 2 prospects who are ready to make the jump, Hildeby, who’s had a cup a coffee already and Ahktyomov. That’s why I’ve thrown Stolarz name out there for trade bait. Depending on his next contract demands, he or even Woll could be on the move
I hopeLindholm can stay healthy.He and Mcavoy have had trouble with injuries .If Boston wants to even be close to making the playoffs those2 and Swayman have to have career years.There forwards look like a collection of spare parts outside of Pasta and Geekie.