NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 10, 2026
Questions facing the Hurricanes and Avalanche, the top defensemen for 2026-27, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Who steps up for the sidelined Seth Jarvis and Jordan Staal’s uncertain future are among the three questions facing the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.
Jarvis, 24, underwent shoulder surgery in late June and faces a recovery period of 4-to-6 months. It could open the door for prospects such as Bradly Nadeau and Felix Unger Sorum to fill Jarvis’ role until his return.
Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal (NHL Images).
This season could be the final one for Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal. The 38-year-old center won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP and is entering the final season of his four-year-contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staal is entering his 21st NHL campaign. Another solid performance on his part could convince him to return, though it could be on a one- or two-year contract.
Questions about their goaltending linger with the departure of veteran starter Frederik Andersen. Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov will be their goalie tandem this season. Bussi excelled after taking over for the injured Andersen in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final and the final three games of the series, but he must prove he can do it again.
NHL.COM: The biggest question facing the Colorado Avalanche is, “When will Cale Makar sign?” The 28-year-old superstar defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He can sign an extension now, but so far, there’s no indication that a deal is close.
Avalanche president Joe Sakic isn’t concerned. In June, he claimed that Makar would finish his career in Colorado.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: How much Makar will be paid and for how long are the main questions. He could become the first NHL player to earn an average annual value of $20 million. It could be an eight-year contract if he signs before the change to the maximum term for extensions drops to seven years on Sept. 16.
Whether the goaltending and the power play can improve are the other notable questions facing the Avalanche this season.
NHL.COM: Speaking of Cale Makar, he topped the NHL Network’s ranking of the top-20 defensemen in the league heading into 2026-27.
Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets finished second and third, respectively, followed by Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres and Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars.
Other notables included Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens, Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders, and Jake Sanderson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: You can see the complete list by following the link. Let us know what you thought in the comments section below.
TSN: The Toronto Maple Leafs promoted Patrick O’Sullivan as their director of NHL development. He’d served as their development coach since 2023-24.
Even though he has 1 season left on his contract, I kind of thought Staal might have decided there was no better way to bow out than to be on a Cup winner.
Top-20 defensemen: not sure how Devon Toews makes this list over Jakob Chychrun?
Darryl, whenever someone puts together a list of the top 10, 20 whatever you can bet there’ll be valid questions like yours because, without a single, widely accepted metric to rate total player value, such lists are subjective as Hell. Objective stats like goals, assists, “hits” are always at the forefront of those lists, whereas traits like the ability to read and react instantly to given situations are based upon personal opinion.
George O, as you know I am a Boston fan but I do not think Mcavoy should be rated that high. Same for Fox. Fox is soft defensively and Mcavoy is average offensively and is injured all the time. The USA hockey people seem to love Mcavoy!
We differ on McAvoy Sr.
I think he’s our most important/valuable player. Plays tough minutes and both special teams. The guy is a gamer come playoff time too.
The list is fine I suppose.
I would have had the 2 rookies a little lower and in the 10-15 range.
Both are great offensively, and are play drivers. Like high end that way.
Not as well rounded as some others because they are rookies. And I prefer the all around guys for D. I have no doubt they get there, they’re both too good not to.
That list of the NHL’s top 20 D-men covers 18 teams. Just 2 of the teams have 2 players listed – Colorado with Toews and Makar and Minnesota with Fabor and Hughes.
Totally agree to focus on the pp and goaltending are / or should be the priority with the Avalanche, not on how long makar will sign for.
I have and I think many Avalanche fans have been discouraged by the pp. To me, MacKinnon and makar make a lot of bad choices with the puck being too casual and reckless with it; the other teams aren’t stupid and they learn to pounce on those opportunities; either to just clear the puck out / or look for a shorthanded chance. As far as goaltending Mackenzie Blackwood needs to be healthy and solid if he wants to keep his job.
Expect a little Carolina hangover but remember other than Washington improving dramatically the rest of the division is pretty weak!Evaluating their goaltending will take the whole year.