NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 10, 2026
The Hurricanes get a critical win in the Stanley Cup Final, Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog wins two awards, the latest on the Oilers’ efforts to hire Mike Babcock, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Stanley Cup Final is tied again as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 to even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
The Hurricanes jumped to a 3-1 lead in the first period on goals by Logan Stankoven, Jackson Black, and Jordan Staal. However, Golden Knights forwards William Karlsson and Brett Howden scored in the second period to tie the game. Howden leads this postseason with 14 goals, setting the Golden Knights’ single-season playoff record.
Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal (NHL Images).
Staal put the Hurricanes back on top in the third period with a diving backhand goal that left him sprawling on the ice. Nikolaj Ehlers netted an empty-net insurance goal late in the period as his clearing effort from behind his own net travelled the length of the ice.
This series returns to Carolina for Game 5 on Thursday at 8 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a critical win for the Hurricanes. A loss would’ve put them behind three games to one. Instead, they’re heading home with the series tied at two.
Staal has a series-leading five goals and has scored in each game of the Final. Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella admitted his team has had difficulty containing the Hurricanes’ captain. “He’s killing us in front of the net,” Tortorella said. “We’ve gotta do a better job around the blue paint.”
Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi picked up his first win in his first start in an NHL playoff game. He relieved starter Frederik Andersen after the second period of Game 3 when the latter gave up four goals. Pyotr Kochetkov was Bussi’s backup while Andersen was listed as a healthy scratch. Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said he felt Andersen needed a break, but some observers wonder if the veteran netminder might be nursing an injury.
It was another rough outing for Carter Hart. The Golden Knights goalie entered this series considered a candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. However, he’s become the first netminder in Stanley Cup Final history to give up at least four goals in each of the first four games.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy and the Mark Messier Leadership Award.
Landeskog was a finalist for the Masterton last season for his efforts in resuming his playing career after being sidelined for over two seasons recovering from knee surgeries. This season was his first full campaign, finishing with 35 points in 60 games.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the NHL Players’ Association has asked the league to conduct a full investigation into Mike Babcock’s departure from the Columbus Blue Jackets before the Edmonton Oilers can officially hire him as head coach.
The league’s initial position was that it had to be informed that the Oilers intended to hire Babcock before stepping in. However, sources told Friedman that what’s at issue is the fact the league was prepared to investigate what happened with the Blue Jackets before Babcock resigned as their head coach in September 2023.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Babcock stepped down over allegations he was invading his players’ privacy by requesting to see personal photos on their cellphones.
Friedman said it’s expected the PA’s request will be granted and an investigation will be conducted. He’s not certain if it will prevent the Oilers from hiring Babcock in the meantime, but he thinks it’s hard to see them doing so knowing an investigation is imminent.
TWINCITIES.COM: The Minnesota Wild signed center Michael McCarron to a six-year, $20-million contract extension. McCarron, 31, will earn an average annual value of $3.333 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: PuckPedia indicates he also has a full no-movement clause for the first three seasons. The NMC remains in place in the final three seasons to prevent him from being demoted to the minors, but he will have a 15-team no-trade clause.
Acquired from the Nashville Predators at the trade deadline, McCarron’s physical style and versatility made him a good fit with the Wild. This is the best contract of his career, coming off a two-year deal with an AAV of $900K.
With all due respect to McCarron, it’s unusual for a player of his caliber to get a six-year contract. It was likely done to ensure his cap hit would be an affordable $3.333 million. However, the full no-movement clause is rare for someone like him, and could come back to haunt the Wild if they need to make a cost-cutting move down the road.
This signing could also complicate the Wild’s efforts to acquire Dylan Larkin. The Detroit Red Wings center has Minnesota on his three-team list of trade destinations. McCarron’s signing leaves the Wild with over $9.4 million in cap space for next season.
Larkin carries an AAV of $8.7 million through 2030-31. The Wings won’t be open to retaining part of his cap hit for the next five seasons. The Wild will have to include one or two roster players in that deal to ensure they have sufficient salary-cap flexibility next season.
It shows what I know…. I figured this Cup Final would feature a series of 2-1 games, or similar.
I have to say this series between The cane and Vegas is one the best series of the playoffs it’s going to go 7 games lots of overtime. Now that Larkin appears to be out of picture who do you think the bruins go after. The only guy I would avoid is Pettersson.
That McCarron deal is proof that GMs – like some notable D in the league – can deliver brain farts.
Either that, or McCarron brings something exceedingly valuable to the table other than offense.
In fact, considering his 82-game averages over 381 career NHL games work out to 8g 9a 17 pts, and that he’ll be turning 37 in March of the final year of that extension, it HAS to be something like that.
I’m with you on this one George. Seriously? A 6 year deal for McCarron? An AAV of $3.3m., nearly quadruple what he had been making? An NMC? The guys a journeyman fourth liner. I’m not saying he has no value. He has size and plays a physical game. But his type is easily replaceable. This is worse that Lou’s deal with Engvall.
And management always complains that trades can be hard to make. Certainly if they give out NMCs like candy.
I could not believe any GM would give a 31 year old – 4th liner a 6 year contract. This contract was bad the moment the ink was dry.
This makes no sense whatsoever.
This is a Frederic contract
Congratulations to landeskog ; well deserved. “The Viking”!!
This series is the best SC Final I can recall in quite some time. Pretty dramatic with a lot of twists and turns. I had Vegas in 6 or 7 and I am going to stick with that but Carolina could win . Staal is something else
I thought vegas squandered their PP opportunities obviously. Reminded me of the AVS; they weren’t moving their feet. To me they missed out big time and leaves the door open for hurricanes to feed off!
Will Larkin move at the draft or will Yzerman dig in ? Noted late yesterday both Flo and VGK do not need Center men. The latter can’t afford him with Dorofeyev and Andersson to deal with. It’s Minnesota. I would ask for one of their goalies and Stramel to start the conversation .
Down to best of 3
Detroit does not need a goalie, they will need to start trading them in a few months.
I read he had expanded the list to Ducks, Utah and Islanders of all places, but I cold be mistaken about the list getting longer
Hi, Kent. You are mistaken. Those teams were suggested by Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press (who broke the news of his three-team trade list) as possible teams that he could include if he expanded his list.
That is totally unsubstantiated, Kent. More like someone’s musing that “he should have included ,,,,”
Hey Johnny, Detroit doesn’t need to start trading goalies this off season. None of them need to clear waivers if that is what your thinking. I did too, until I found out goalies don’t become waiver eligible as quickly.
There is an opening with the NHL team, play 2 others in the AHL. It’s goalies, so who the heck knows how they play next year.
Might trade one as it is an opportunity to deal from a strength position. Oilers supposedly working to try and get Cossa out of there.
You can say what you want about Yzerman, but no one can accuse him of not being patient.
Posted the goalie comment on wrong thread.
Shouldn’t assume the Wings are high on McTavish or think he is the long term answer.
I have read that his feet are a little slow which concerns some teams. Haven’t seen him live so can’t say personally.
I think Yzerman waits this out a while if someone doesn’t give up a decent return. There will pressure on both parties when the season gets close to starting, so I would bet Yzerman will cast a wider net so he can present options. Make Larkin say no to them.
Utah makes sense too. Up and coming team. Still have some quality prospects. Start with Iginla and go from there.
Wonder if Detroit decides to do a reset and focuses on prospects and picks in the deal. Their core after Larkin is gone becomes younger other than DeBrincat. Move him too.
Worked out for Buffalo the 2nd time around on the rebuild, but tough to tell ownership we’re not going to be competitive for another 2-3 years. Not good for job security either. But might be the right decision. Can’t see them getting a replacement for Larkin, or why trade for him if your sending someone like him back?
Ray, Cossa is waiver-eligible for 2026–27.
I need to change the sight I go on for this info Johnny, you’re right.
Still don’t need to make a move though. Cossa moves up to Detroit.
Edmonton will overpay for him, pretty darn sure about that.
Yzerman is a bum. Even the players know it. I don’t blame Larkin.
Still thinks the Ducks makes the most senseSending McTavish takes care of the cap issue from the Ducks end and Detroit gets a 2C and some prospects and picks. Now where to find a 1C? I still thinks sending a prospect and something can get the aav of Pettersson down to 8,5 which would be bearable and he did actaully look good when paired with Raymond at the Olympics. At least thats what I would do.
The buzz has been Thomas, Trocheck, to a lesser degree McTavish now Hischier and Larkin and I wouldn’t pitch for any of them for the Habs.
I’d set my eyes on Byfield first , then Eriksson Ek whether direct or 3-way.
Minnesota needs a 1C
LAK need a 1C and help for an aging D-corp.
Detroit needs LW, bottom 6, a C after Larkin trade.
habfan30: Byfield isn’t available. The Kings are trying to find a replacement for the retired Anze Kopitar. Why would they trade away Byfield? It would further deplete their center lines. Makes no sense!
Why would the Wild trade away Eriksson Ek when they’re trying to add a center such as Larkin? If they trade Eriksson Ek, now they have to find a replacement. Makes no sense!
habfan30
MIN isn’t trading Eriksson-Ek. He’s their best C now. They’re looking to deepen their C depth, not swap a 2C for another 2C
I was floored when I saw the AAV and term for McCarron. Talk about an overpayment.
If Montreal is serious about acquiring a 2C they will need to include premium assets in any deal.
I don’t think LA is trading Bayfield, especially not for prospects.
Why would any team trade the C’s who’s names keep coming up? A team that trades feels they have other holes to fill and they are better serves in a multi player deal.
If a winger and young D can improve your team with a 3C stepping up, Like Jake Evans did in the playoffs and Kapanen during the reg season.
Hage, Reinbacher, Kapanen for Byfield isn’t something LAK would slam the phone down on.
Minnesota would look hard at it too for Eriksson Ek.
Hey so what are the likely outcomes of the Babcock investigation. A fine. Suspension. I guess what is the end game for the nhlpa?
I feel like this should have long been addressed…did they not think one day he may be offered a job in the nhl again?
The situation created enough noise that he resigned but not so loud that the NHLPA felt it pertinent at the time to continue the situation and request the investigation then.
Now some years later they want an investigation which is going to rely on memories, and perceptions that may have changed (in both directions).
Am I not pro Babcock at all. And if it comes to fruition for the oilers i’ll reserve my judgment based on his results with the oil.
I am just wondering if there is a precedence into anything akin to what this is becoming.
I mean they allowed Bowman and Quenville back.
And then i read an article that states it was the NHL that didnt follow through on the investigation after the resignation…makes a bit more sense. What a circus.
Need to wait and find out 1Oilerfan. Makes me start to wonder if there is more to this story than I originally thought. Did he resign because he didn’t want to go through the investigation? Or did he do it because the team said “hey, too much noise, some young key guys are pissed, best to move on”.
I dunno.
The NHLPA acting like this is not something I remember previously, so why are they now? Just following proper process? Maybe.
I now have more questions than I had yesterday.
Heard on Gregor driving home, talking to Yaremchuk who covered university hockey before, that a lot of the staff at the U of S couldn’t stand Babcock because he is a dick. But we kind of knew that.
And, holy f*ck Oilers, get you act together man. Regardless of whether or not they should hire Babcock, or the players are cool with him and want to hard ass, why are you flippin’ rushing through this?
This stinks of Katz sticking his strangely altered nose into this again.
Is there a lineup to hire Babcock that you need to do this right flippin’ now? Can’t wait to see if Vegas is full of crap or not when they say they are focused on the playoffs not releasing Cassidy from his contract?
Torts keeps saying his deal is done after the playoffs, fits the mold that the players seem to be asking for.
Stop acting like a panicked rookie Bowman, for F sakes man, not the time to get all squirely. Your the GM of an NHL team with 2 of the bast players in the world on it, start acting like it.
It’s like the movie Airplane where they keep slapping the same person when she is freaking out in the back of the plane. I want to do that to Bowman.
If it is Bowman.
Ray Bark – agree with all of your points.
Pretty sure the Oilers AHL affiliate just hired Babcock’s son as a coach.
Frankie Corrado was on the Team 1200 this morning and made some great points about Bab’s. Not sure you can find it to listen to, but it was well said. And he played for him on that leaf team in 15/16
Stall and Stone both on the ice and in the room ,where would these two teams be without them