NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 11, 2025
Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns to play a milestone game, the Sabres could host the 2028 Winter Classic, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns is one shift away from becoming the 23rd player in NHL history to play 1,500 regular-season games. He’ll join that illustrious group during Saturday’s game against the Dallas Stars.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns (NHL Images).
Burns, 40, played his first NHL game 22 years ago, making his debut with the Minnesota Wild in 2003-04. He also holds the active Ironman streak (927 games and counting), sitting fourth all-time among NHL skaters.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Burns will also become the eighth defenseman to reach that milestone, joining Zdeno Chara (1,680), Chris Chelios (1,651), Scott Stevens (1,635), Larry Murphy (1,615), Raymond Bourque (1,612), Nicklas Lidstrom (1,564), and Ryan Suter (1,526).
The report claimed Burns faced the Avalanche for the first time in his third NHL game. According to NHL.com, it was actually his fourth game. Nevertheless, he did face off against future Hall of Famers Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Teemu Selanne, Paul Kariya, and Rob Blake in that game.
ESPN.COM: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said there was “a good chance” that the Buffalo Sabres would host the 2028 Winter Classic.
The Sabres hosted the first Winter Classic in 2008. Bettman said discussions are underway about the league staging the 20th anniversary Winter Classic Game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, the new home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, which is scheduled to open next July.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Speaking of the Sabres, they’re awaiting word on the severity of Josh Norris’ upper-body injury suffered during Thursday’s season-opening game against the New York Rangers.
Defenseman Owen Power (illness) and forward Zach Benson (facial laceration) didn’t skate on Friday, but could be in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Boston Bruins.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers placed Jake Walman on injured reserve on Thursday. The move frees up a short-term roster spot for forward Jack Roslovic, who signed a one-year contract with the Oilers on Wednesday.
Walman, 28, missed most of the preseason with an undisclosed injury. He signed a seven-year contract extension with the Oilers on Monday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Walman’s injury isn’t serious, and he could return to action by this time next week.
NEW YORK POST: Islanders winger Jonathan Drouin received a one-game suspension by the league’s department of player safety for cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguins forward Connor Dewar in the face on Thursday.
OTTAWA SUN: Senators winger Drake Batherson could return to the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Florida Panthers. He missed Ottawa’s season opener with a pulled muscle suffered during practice on Sept. 24.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov was placed on injured reserve after suffering an upper-body injury during Thursday’s win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Uvis Balinskis will be his replacement.
TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs moved up the start time of Monday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings from 4 pm ET to 2 pm to avoid conflicting with Game 2 of the ALCS between the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners at the Rogers Centre.
Congratulations to Burns. New to the Avalanche. Hope he stays healthy and does burns like things! One thing I always feared about him on Sharks and Minnesota is he always gets his shot through from the point quickly and accurately .
I just wish he’d lose the flippin’ beard … then again, like Samson, maybe that’s the source of his strength 🙂
With Ottawa going with 22 players for their first two games in Florida, there won’t be any need for a roster adjustment when Batherson does return – whether tonight in Miami or Monday for the home-opener against Nashville.
But LD Tyler Kleven could also be ready to go on Monday and if Batherson is, indeed back, there will have to be some sort of move.
With the way RD Matinpalo emerged out of the blue last season, and his play through preseason and in Tampa, he’s not going anywhere, nor, likely, is LD Sebrango whose preseason and first game play overall – not to mention his size and physical presence seems to indicate he’ll be sticking around.
That leaves RD Jordan Spence as the odd man out. He was a healthy scratch for the Tampa game, and since the Panthers are also a physical team, it’s doubtful he dresses tonight either.