NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 5, 2026
Mason McTavish looks forward to a fresh start with the Blues; the Capitals are becoming a prime destination for notable talent; and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Lou Korac reports Mason McTavish is looking forward to a fresh start with the St. Louis Blues.
After spending the first five seasons of his NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks, the 23-year-old center was traded to the Blues on June 26.
St. Louis Blues center Mason McTavish (NHL Images)
McTavish struggled last season after his contract negotiations kept him out of last fall’s training camp and the preseason. After signing a seven-year deal, his production dropped to 41 points in 75 games, and he was a healthy scratch in two regular-season games and two postseason contests.
Anxious to put that season behind him, McTavish said he’s motivated and excited about the coming season with his new team. He said he enjoyed his time with the Ducks, but believes this is the right time to move on and experience something different.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McTavish is part of the Blues’ retooling process that began last season under former general manager Doug Armstrong, who handed over the reins to Alexander Steen. He’ll slot in as their second-line center between wingers Pavel Buchnevich and Jake Neighbours.
A bounce-back performance by McTavish could help the Blues reach the playoffs next season. He could also provide a boost to Buchnevich’s sagging production.
McTavish joins winger Connor McMichael and defenseman Brandon Carlo as the Blues’ new additions for this season. McMichael was acquired from the Washington Capitals in the Jordan Kyrou deal, while Carlo was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber reports the Washington Capitals are becoming a desired destination for some of the league’s notable talent.
The Capitals have been busy bolstering their roster this summer. They acquired winger Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres and winger Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues, and signed free agent forward Boone Jenner and defenseman Vincent Desharnais.
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery is pleased that players want to come to Washington. Tuch said he wanted to play for a club that would be competitive for a long time while he’s in the prime of his career. Jenner is excited to join a team that wants to win at this stage in his career, while Desharnais said he heard good things about the organization and how they treat their players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: For all the talk of players wanting to go to Sun Belt teams in no-tax states, the comments by Tuch, Jenner, and Desharnais about the Capitals indicate that playing for a competitive club with a strong team culture that treats its players well and wants to win remains the biggest motivating factor in where most of them want to go.
THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators signed forward Mavrik Bourque to a six-year, $33 million contract with an average annual value of $5.5 million.
Bourque, 24, was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. The Predators acquired him and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin from the Dallas Stars on July 1 in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-round pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bourque is getting a significant pay raise after earning $950,000 on a one-year contract last season. A versatile forward who can play center or right wing, he had a career-best performance in 2025-26, scoring 20 goals and 21 assists for 41 points in 82 games. He’s expected to center the Predators’ second line.
TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs signed defenseman Emil Andrae to a two-year contract worth an AAV of $1.55 million.
Andrae, 24, was a restricted free agent. He was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers on June 16.
TSN: The Edmonton Oilers signed defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin to a two-year contract worth an AAV of $1.75 million.
Mukhamadullin, 24, was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. The Oilers acquired him from the San Jose Sharks as part of the Darnell Nurse trade.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets center Isac Lundestrom is expected to be sidelined until December with a ruptured right Achilles tendon. He suffered the injury during a training session.
The Ducks traded McTavish before Philadelphia inked Leo Carlsson to an Offer Sheet.
Hind sight is 20/20.
I’m sure the Ducks would not have traded McTavish if they had known Carlsson was going to sign Philly’s offer.
I wonder if Danny Briere (Flyers GM) targeted Carlsson specifically just to hurt Cutter Gauthier’s production. Of course Carlsson is a great player, so the Flyers getting him was paramount. But Briere hurting Cutter simultaneously may have played a role in his decision to ink Leo.
Let Leo play in Philly. Someone will then Offer Sheet Zegras!
Agree. If Philly pull it off, then their own RFAs are now fair game.
Zegras & Drysdale filed for Arbitration, they can’t receive/ sign an offer sheet now.
Let’s not overthink things folks. Briere targeted Carlsson because the Flyers need a first line center and he was a great fit. Briere’s a smart guy. He knows that acting out of spite never works.
Word is that Carlsson was presented with 4 offer sheets. And other teams were interested too. I guess a lot of teams want to hurt Gauthier,
The Caps have been in the playoff mix during the Ovi era. That being said the fact that they had a lot of cap space and were able to overpay for players and give them term was the overriding factor.Of course the players are going to say good things about the Caps organization now.
You don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
The Carlsson deal makes Jason Robertson and his reps look smart turning down $15 million a year. Wonder what his figure will be?
“You don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” Unless your name is either Tkachuk, Giroux or Larkin and you leave on the basis that you “just want to win.”.
GeorgeO those will not be the last guys! I like what the new GM in Nashville is doing adding young pieces to a lineup that got torched in free agency. He took advantage of teams young players that would have been left out by rising salaries of top players.Now all he has to do is find a taker for Saros!
George, c’mon… you are faulting players that want to “win”?
What kid skates on the pond when he’s 7 years old thinking, “I hope I make the NHL and play on a team that never makes the playoffs”.
I get loyalty, but until GM’s and team owners show real loyalty, that’s not fair …I know that you’ve referred to your age before, and I said this in a post a couple of days ago, but this isn’t 1962 where there are only 6 teams. Lots of options these days, why be stuck and miserable?
Again … and as I replied to Ron Moore in the other thread … where in Hell do I say that demanding to dealt is not their right? Point to one instance where I’ve ever taken that position. I my not like it … but that’s immaterial.
What I AM saying is, forcing a player to play out his contract with a bunch of guys he effectively just described as losers is going to do absolutely nothing for team morale. Even worse if they have him continue wearing the C.
George, we are seeing modern day pro sports at work in the NHL. It’s just catching up, a wee bit, to the NBA and MLB.
If I mention Harold Ballard, will it make it easier to accept?
Apparently players sticking up for themselves is not your thing! 🤔
Ya, players say things to the media that they want out there and how they want to be perceived. Also I don’t doubt for a second that they all want to win. Of course they do.
Tuch said he went to Wash to be on a team that would be competitive for a long time. Uhhh, he left the Sabres who are exactly that, and were better than Wash last season. The Caps offered more money because they had a bigger need. Buf has more young guys pushing for spots, so paying a 30 yr old Tuch a big # for a long time, didn’t make as much sense. They had a limit.
Wouldn’t those young guys keep them competitive for a long time? Just sayin’.
Tuch’s dad sat across the table from me during game 5 of the Bos/Buf series and said his kid wanted to head to one of the southern teams. I didn’t ask why, I was joking with him about going to Boston.
No room left at the Inn down there for most of those teams, especially after Brady went to FLA.
Multiple things go into these decisions, and every player in his prime says it’s about winning, because of course it is. But it sure ain’t the only thing.
Again, I have NO effing issue with that.
But if I’m a teammate and this guy has no option but coming back to the team he just dissed as “not being good enough” then I don’t want you being the C or AC voice for me.
And do NOT try to tell me there’ll be no resentment in those circumstances – maybe not by everyone still there, but enough that. to say things will be “strained” is putting it mildly. No one likes to be publicaly labelled a “loser.”
Clear enough for you?
Robertson didnt turn down the 15 because of money but because Seattle is going nowhere. I would say 15 is a slight overpay him being a winger. 13-14 is a more fair range. Dont compare to Tuch, his is a big overpay
I don’t think Briere has the luxury of using Cutter’s production in a $90M contract. Carlesson is an excellent player, probably will get better. But his contract will be a burden to whichever team ultimately wins his services. His annual will factor into every other young player’s deal.
While I’d like to have the player on my team, I wouldn’t want to try and justify other contracts to existing players.
Im not so sure given the rising cap. Give it 3-4 years and it might me an average contract. Look at Pettersson. Its been considered a bad contract, and it is even if not as bad as some from Vancouver says. With the rising cap the last two years and the lack of centers, suddenly its only a slight overpay. Right now with just some better wingers and a better coach, he is a 10m guy easy
Jason Robertson never asked to be traded, in fact he never said anything negative publicly.
He refused a trade to Siberia.
The Stars put themselves in this position by signing Rantanen to a long term $12m contract without planning for a Robertson payday despite him being their premium goal scorer.
They have $10m cap space after freeing up Lyubshkin’s $3.25m and trading RFA Mavrik Bourque who just got $5m.
Sometimes it’s just about feeling disrespected, he’s given team friendly contracts and has performed well and from the outside, he appears to have been taken for granted.
habfan30
“Siberia” seems a little harsh; I lived in Seattle in the early 90’s, and it was a great city. I haven’t been back since 1995, so I can’t vouch for it now. I suspect it’s still a lot nicer the Winnipeg in the winter.
PTG,
I’m sure Seattle is still a great city and so is Winnipeg btw, franchises are a different matter and while there are ups and downs, the Kraken aren’t a destination of choice now.
HF30
Couldn’t agree more.
If you listen to what Robertson says, “it’s just business” it reflects to the last contract he signed.
He outperformed that contract and wants to be paid accordingly. If he’s the premium point getter, and goals are worth more than assists, asking for a salary to match is fair.
It’s not his fault that management didn’t look far enough ahead to have the money available.
Losing a player like Bourque for a 2nd and 3rd is awful asset management. I wonder how many teams approached Nill about his availability?
We should find out in the next couple of hours how serious the situation is. Robertson has until 5pm EST to file for arbitration.
I wonder if his agent has an offer sheet or two on the desk. Does Robertson take whatever Dallas is offering, whatever offer sheet might be there, or does he file for arbitration and force a release? Dallas could lose him for nothing.
If Buchnevich and Neighbors are playing on the second line the Blues are in big trouble. More likely McMichael and Dvorsky are there with McTavish. Buchnevich was relegated to the 4th line at times last year.
I’m sure as well that Steen is looking for Montgomery to take a long look at Stenberg and Berggren there also. Carbonneau almost made the team last year, he could break out this year too.
On a side note I think Montgomery will be on a short leash with a new gm in place. I don’t mean in terms of where they are in the standings but in terms of young players development. Steve Ott is breathing down his neck after the great job he did in Springfield last year.
Lyle, appreciate the Blues reflections as the lead in to today’s post. I also felt incumbent to comment on the lead in given the fact that I’m apparently the only regular on this site that is a Blues fan. Where have you gone Iowa Prince, you were the other one.
Snold49, I am a Blues fan since 1967 and almost always enjoy your comments. LGB!
Jakub thank you for your comment, I’m also a fan since then as well. My cousin and her husband and myself split 2 season tickets in 67 when I was a senior in high school. Been a die hard ever since.
Speaking entirely and purely for myself, and NOT trying to suggest I am one more among a growing trend in my generation. I’m just tired of the endless pursuit of the dollar and the growing “I just want to win” mantra in the rising demand to be traded or “I don’t want to go there” attitude. I have had enough.
I sure as Hell don’t have a lot of time left, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to waste whatever it turns out to be by blindly following a “sport” that can’t seem to grasp the fact that there is an ever-growing stark contrast between player compensation and the wages of the everyday working class or income of the retired elements of the various fan bases. To me, these exorbitant salaries are stark proof that the league and its players are simply out of touch with the very foundation of their fan base.
Add in corporate greed (that in keeping with ALL aspects of everyday life), constantly rising ticket, merchandise and food/drink costs to the fact that free TV/cable access has been overtaken by costly premium streaming subscriptions and for many it has just become untenable.
No doubt enough of the younger generation will disagree and continue to bear the upward spiral in order to keep the game solvent for years to come … but that’s it for this old crock. I guess, in effect, I’m a dinosaur completely out of step with the “accepting-without-question” set and need to find something else to fill my time.
Take care Lyle and all. I truly enjoyed the many years of back-and-forth banter and opinions. But too much has changed for my liking.
George, please don’t go anywhere…EVERYONE on this sight will miss your banter and insight…Hell, you’re one of the reasons i read the comments each day.
I was playing devil’s advocate above…I just know you’ve been around long enough to know that the game has changed and the players along with it. We’re still not the NBA or MLB…. Jesus, I just heard some undrafted player got like 140 million for 4 years. Even when Carlson gets his 18 million, that’s still peanuts compared to 35 million a year… we still support guys, who for the most part, are still brought up with morals and dignity and humilty. And yes it is hard to swallow that the players have nothing in common with the average fan.
But, nothing against Lyle, but this sight needs your input…I think Lyle would agree
This, George. There were times I logged on and saw no George O. comments and worried about your well-being. Claude Giroux is, after all, a former Filth-flyer and is unworthy of your admiration or your wrath. I understand loyalty, which is why I remained with my last firm (where I was the longest serving partner) until the me-first and “I’m worth the most” mentality caused me to leave. Hang in there. You’re wanted and needed on this board!
Sorry to see you go George, but just like Larkin and Carlson, you wish to find your niche and experience acceptance from a different group of people. Of course with you there is no money involved, so bon voyage and we will all miss you terribly!
😞🤗 (virtual hug and NOT sarcasm)
I also grow weary, George. I think it’s the instant gratification era that’s started it.
I’m just here so I dont get fined.
George,
I’m a younger senior than you but I also remember not needing names on the jerseys and recognizing players by their skating strides.
Analyzing players by what they actually do on the ice as opposed to stat lines exclusively and never on betting lines.
The Habs just locked up Demidov for 8 years at $9m, Dobes for 5 years at $5m, the entire core signed team friendly contracts long term.
The Bruins were doing it for years.
Hockey players driving motivation is winning and dream of the Stanley Cup before money.
With that being said players, for the most part, are locked into their teams for the prime time of their careers. It’s up to management to put together the players and define the culture.
Fundamentally nothing has changed on the ice, NHL players are still good eggs and fans love them for it.
We talk of player loyalty but that’s crock, it didn’t stop Bobby Hull, Gordie Howe, Derek Sanderson, JC Tremblay, Gerry Cheevers, Bernie Parent and more to jump ship and go to the WHA.
All to say there are many things to enjoy in and around the sport while letting annoyances be water off a duck’s back.
Sleep on it.