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!
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.”.