NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 7, 2025
Condolences pour in honoring Ken Dryden, plus the latest on Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, Oilers winger Zach Hyman and defenseman Mattias Ekholm, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Condolences from across Canada poured in Saturday as Canadians remembered the life and legacy of Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden, who died of cancer on Friday at age 78.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney cited Dryden’s career as a player, author, and public servant, saying he was the reason he became a goaltender in his youth. Former PM Justin Trudeau expressed his admiration for Dryden, citing his commitment to social justice and his early work on a national daycare program while serving as a member of the Canadian parliament from 2004 to 2011.
Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden.
Montreal mayor Valeri Plante, Quebec premier Francois Legault, and Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre were among other Canadian and Quebec politicians who honored Dryden’s life and legacy.
Fellow players took to social media to express their condolences.
Former Canadiens goaltender Carey Price thanked Dryden for his support during his early career. Hall-of-Famers Martin Brodeur and Chris Pronger praised Dryden for revolutionizing the goaltending position and showing how a player can make an impact following their playing careers.
Hall of Fame defenseman Larry Robinson expressed shock and sadness over his friend and teammate’s passing, saying he had no idea Dryden was ill. Speaking about their playing days, Robinson praised Dryden’s goaltending, reliability, and intellect.
RDS: Hall of Fame blueliner and former Canadiens captain Serge Savard also remembered Dryden’s career and impact on the sport, calling him “ahead of his time.” He considers Dryden’s book, “The Game”, to be the best book ever written about sports.
Savard said Dryden knew two years ago that he had cancer and had been informed for several months that it was incurable. He said Dryden wanted to keep the news of his health within his family circle.
TSN: Former Canadiens forwards Vincent Damphousse and Guy Carbonneau praised Dryden as a great role model and a true Canadian.
RG.ORG: Russian legend and Hall of Fame goaltender Vladislav Tretiak called Dryden a remarkable person, calling him one of Canada’s greatest goalies and a man of integrity, kindness, and intelligence. “Ken Dryden was more than a rival. He was my friend,” Tretiak said.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The reaction to Dryden’s passing is a testament to his remarkable life. He was an inspirational, modern-day Renaissance man. As I wrote on Saturday, the hockey world never saw anyone like Dryden before, and we haven’t seen another like him since. He will be missed by those who love this sport and strive to make it better.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported Friday that Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said re-signing Jack Eichel remains a priority. The 28-year-old center is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
“He’s been a great player for our organization. I think our organization has been great for him,” McCrimmon said. “So, lots of interest, obviously, I think from both sides to make something work.”
LeBrun indicated that there have been a few discussions between the two sides, but the negotiations are still in the early stages. While he doesn’t believe a deal is imminent, he wouldn’t be surprised if they get it done.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s the consensus among the hockey punditry. Some believe Eichel will get between $13 million and $14 million annually on a long-term extension before July 1.
SPORTSNET: Zach Hyman remains uncertain if he’ll be ready to return to action at the start of this season.
The 33-year-old Edmonton Oilers winger is still fully engaged in rehab after surgery to repair the dislocated wrist and damaged ligament suffered during the 2025 Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars. He admitted he hasn’t reached the stage yet where he can shoot the puck.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hyman pointed out that there’s still another month to go before the season begins. Nevertheless, it doesn’t sound like he’ll be fully recovered in time.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Speaking of the Oilers, Mattias Ekholm said he’d love to stay in Edmonton. The 35-year-old defenseman said he’s recovered from the lower-body injuries that hampered him during the final months of their season.
Ekholm is in the final year of his contract and UFA-eligible next summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal praised Ekholm’s steadiness and reliability as a top-pairing defenseman when healthy. However, he’s concerned that the veteran blueliner is now at an age when his career is on a “steep, slippery slope.”
RG.ORG: Lane Hutson being passed over from the Team USA Olympic orientation camp didn’t sit well with his father, Rob. He made a tongue-in-cheek comment suggesting his son could find a taker with Team Canada because he has dual citizenship.
However, Lane’s agent indicated that his client remains committed to the United States. The Canadiens blueliner last week stated he’d be honored to play for Team USA at the Olympics.
TSN: Former Ottawa Senators forward Alex Formenton signed a contract with HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland. He is among the five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team who were recently found not guilty of sexual assault following a 2018 incident in London, Ontario. However, the five remain ineligible to play in the NHL.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports this season’s NHL trade deadline will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026.
DAILY FACEOFF: Derek Ryan announced his retirement after 10 NHL seasons. The 38-year-old center had 82 goals and 127 assists for 209 points in 606 regular-season games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, and the Oilers from 2015-16 to 2024-25. He also had 10 points in 60 playoff games.
People have read about the trophies, the Stanley Cups, the Vezinas, how many in such a short career but his real strength was the aura he gave the team, resolute, calm, refusing to lose.
People would say this was a team of Lafleur, Shutt, Savard, Robinson, Lapointe and that’s true but in the years Ken Dryden played, the team averaged 12 losses per year.
The one year he sat out, the same team lost 24 games.
The man had such a presence , he was so imposing, he commanded so much respect while always being humble.
A real life Superman/Clark Kent , a role model for a generation of what we should aspire to be.
Very Well said Habsfan !!!
Went on to be a lawyer , author as well
What a Resume …….
HabFan, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Dryden was the epitome of a winner. Excelled in everything he did. Had many talents and was so humble about them. He was the backbone of a team of superstars and made everyone one of his teammates better. As Marc Dumont posted today on MHN, Ken Dryden represented the best of us.
I posted late last night so I’ll repeat my story of meeting him as an 8 year old. I was with my father at a sports banquet and Dryden was the guest of honor. My dad took me up to the head table to meet him and get his autograph. He was very friendly and gracious. Asked me my name, age, what grade I was in. Of course as a shy 8 year old, I could only stammer in response. But I’ve always remembered what a gentleman he was. I told my son this story last night and he couldn’t believe I’d never told him this story. There will never be another like #29.
I’ve read The Game several times, and it’s certainly worthy of the many accolades it’s received. Dryden was a terrific human being in all he did, and one of my heroes. I’m enjoying all the kind words for him on this forum, including yours, Habfan.
Dryden was the dominant goaltender of my youth. The anchor of great Canadian teams.
Although Ottawa retains the NHL rights of RFA LW Alex Formenton, there’s been no indication from the team that they have any intention bringing him back into the fold once the NHL gives clearance to return for the horny 5.
His contract with HC Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss League lasts to the international break at the end of this December and includes an option through the end of the 2025-26 season.
The Senators have, however, indicated they have no plans to re-sign minor league RFA RD Maxence Guenette, and it’s expected he will be dealt, likely in a minor-league exchange for a different-position player at the same level of development.
Just as Ottawa still retains the NHL rights to Formenton, there are 17 other teams who have had RFAs sign somewhere in Europe and who retain their NHL rights – for now:\
CALGARY – LD Nikita Othotyuk; COLORADO – LW/RW Sampo Ranta & LD Sergei Boikov; COLUMBUS – LD Tim Berni; DETROIT – LD Eemil Veero; FLORIDA – C/RW Logan Hutsko, C/LW Aleksi Heponiemi & LW Oliver Okulier; NYR – RW Lauri Pajuniemi & C/LW Karl Henriksson; NYI – C /LW Ruslan Iskhakov; PITTSBURGH – C/LW Vasily Ponomarev & G Filip Lindberg; SAN JOSE – C Alexander Chmelevski & RW Martin Kaut; SEATTLE – LD Peetro Seppela; ST. LOUIS – C/LW Mikhail Abramov; TAMPA – RW Waltteri Merela & G Hugo Ainefelt; TORONTO – C/RW Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, C/LW Roni Hirvonen & RD Topi Niemela; VEGAS – C Ivan Morozov; WASHINGTON – LD Tobias Geisser; WINNIPEG – LW/RW Kristian Versalainen & C/RW Rasmus Kupari;
Let us be fair with our epithets, George: that should read the horny 6.
Heh. OK, I’ll bite. Who was the 6th? And if you’re thinking of the target of their runaway libido, I don’t think she’ll ever need to be cleared by the NHL for any purpose..
LOL! Ohhh, match point to George.
Yes yes George. But Ottawa is unique with being the only team that retained the NHL rights of their Horny One. Then he retired. Which, probably wasn’t the best advice from the agent. His rights didn’t change with that. Ottawa hasn’t said one way or the other what it might do WHEN (not IF) the league reinstates these individuals. The push from the NHLPA will come soon enough. I suspect they’ll see how he looks in the Swiss league. The NHL will do it’s thing. And early spring he’ll sign in Bellville on a 2 way deal.
For those who have not read The Game, and perhaps wonder if it’s praise is hyped by sentiment, consider this on how professional athletes are often viewed:
“We are allowed one image, one angle; everything must fit. So normal in one thing begins to look like normal in the rest. Unlike the Greeks, who gave their gods human imperfections, for us every flaw is a fatal flaw. It has only to be found, and it will be found.”
In that last sentence he might have been looking into a crystal ball and witnessed that London 5 fiasco.