NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 11, 2026
Lingering offseason questions remain to be answered. Check out the latest in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
YAHOO! SPORTS/USA TODAY: Mike Brehm recently looked at five offseason questions still to be answered before the 2026-27 NHL regular season begins next month.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).
The Detroit Red Wings’ search for a new general manager tops the list, followed by Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin’s trade request.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported last week that the Red Wings hired a search firm to help them find a new general manager. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated the search is ongoing.
For now, Larkin’s trade request will have to wait until a new GM is in place. Even then, there is no certainty that he’ll be moved quickly, if at all. A reconciliation is possible, though there’s currently no indication that a change of management will prompt Larkin to rescind his request.
Quinn Hughes’ contract extension negotiations with the Minnesota Wild must be resolved.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not for lack of trying by the Wild. General manager Bill Guerin said he’d been in ongoing discussions with the Hughes camp thus far, and recently met with them in Michigan. Guerin is preaching patience, pointing out that it’s a big decision for both sides.
Several notable restricted free agents remain to be signed. They include Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier, Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli, Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson, and Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Alexander Nikishin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some Blue Jackets and Red Wings fans remain concerned that Fantilli or Edvinsson could sign an offer sheet with another club. It’s possible but unlikely, given that the Jackets and Red Wings have plenty of salary cap space to match an offer.
Gauthier is ineligible to sign an offer sheet, but the Ducks could be forced to make a cost-cutting trade or two to free up cap sroom for his new contract. Meanwhile, speculation persists over whether the Hurricanes will sign or trade Nikishin.
Unrestricted free agents still available include forwards Vladimir Tarasenko, Michael Bunting, and Eeli Tolvanan, defensemen John Klingberg, Logan Stanley, and Nick Blankenburg, and goalie Connor Ingram and Cam Talbot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s now mid-August with no indication that those remaining UFAs are any closer to getting new contracts. Most could be signed before training camps open in September, but others might have to sign professional tryout offers to prove their worth during training camp.
NHL.COM: Speaking of questions, the Edmonton Oilers have three facing them for the coming season.
Mike Babcock’s impact as head coach is the main questions. They hired the controversial coach this spring, hoping he’ll be able to get them back into Stanley Cup contention following last season’s early playoff exit.
Goaltending depth and defensive play are the other questions that must be addressed.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The defensive game should improve under Babcock, but the goaltending could remain their Achille’s heel if Frederik Andersen and Devon Levi struggle to adjust with their new club. Andersen’s injury history and Levi’s development remain concerning issues.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Carolina Hurricanes will be holding a yard sale of game-used gear and signed collectibles at the Lenova Center on August 15.
OTTAWA SUN: A year after the Senators signed their agreement with Ottawa’s National Capital Commission for a new arena at LeBreton Flats, the club says there is plenty of activity behind the scenes to make the new venue a reality.
Senators ownership has agreed to pay $37 million for the 11 acres, with the option to purchase for additional acres. There is no firm date when construction will begin. Cleaning the site of more than 514,000 cubic acres of contaminated soil still has to take place.
The Senators have also held several meetings with Indigenous groups to secure a financial agreement, which is paramount to the project.
TSN: The Vancouver Canucks hired Ryan Stewart as their new director of hockey strategy and player evaluation. He spent the past four seasons with the San Jose Sharks where he oversaw their professional staff in North America and Europe.
In his article under Top Remaining Free Agents, one name conspicuous by its absence is that of Patrik Laine, with some reports indicating the Leafs may be a landing spot.
Another surprisingly absent under Issues To Be Resolved is Shane Wright who, like Larkin, has asked to be dealt, with Vancouver being reportedly his preference.
And perhaps not “key” .. but Bolduc and Xhekaj in Montreal, Korchinski in Chicago and Iorio of the NYR are also RFAs still awaiting new deals.
An interesting supposition … would Montreal match if a team offer-sheeted Xhekaj?
Probably not? And would anyone even bother doing that? He’s a fan favorite, not a coach favorite. His brother can barely skate. He plays a role. Matt Carkner type. If you could teach him to play effective defense maybe. But he’s such a liability on some draws that teams gameplan for his presence on the ice.
So, kinda like MacDermid in the Ottawa system.
George, you are being a cheeky boy today, normally you are very fair in your comments.
Dark G, not so much, and here we are in August. A whole season such comments to come?
No one sees Xhejak as a Norris candidate, but he averaged 11 minutes per game over 65 games. MacDermid averaged 4 minutes over 19 games, and almost assuredly the rest of the time he was scratched.
There is a reason why, as you George pointed out the other day, he is listed as a non-roster player because his 1 million hit, a pittance in today’s cap world, is still too much for the Sens to keep on their books.
MacDermid, Saborin, and Rempe are the type of players who are nearly extinct now, one dimensional. Maybe Dark G’s bitterness is because Xhejak pounded MacEwen in preseason last year, which resulted in the Sens trading for MacDermid. Bonus is Struble smoking Jenik:
https://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/n271871
Heh. Now it was ME who was being facetious when I posted that, LJ.
All things considered … and given my druthers … I’d sooner be giving Xhekaj a bit of a bump up from his expiring $1.3 mil deal than to continue paying MacDermid $1,150,000 – whether in Ottawa or Belleville.
In short, I think Xhekaj, who only turns 26 in January, can still improve the weak aspects of his defensive game, whereas with MacDermid, who turns 33 in March – what you see is what you get.
A defensively-improved Xhekaj will still be a formidable buffer against liberties being taken in teammates.
Ah. Well, then, peace and love George.
11 acres of contaminated soil, that will look beautiful when finished and be practically inaccessible by anyone in the city.
Horrendous piece of land to invest in. The NCC is about as corrupt a land “board” as they come. If you can even call them that. Aboriginals. Feds. Provinces…you’re literally sticking your toe into a pond of piranhas.
Vanier parkway site of the former RCMP HQ makes much more sense. Or. Leave it where it is, out of town, less congestion like many NFL stadiums. By the time the train gets there it’ll be 4 lanes both ways they can buy across the queensway and build a new one beside Tangers.
Yeah, I totally agree there Dark G. That whole issue portends one future problem after another.
The ONLY thing I can see that keeps Andlauer interested is, aside from a downtown arena making the team more accessible to fans on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, is as the base for a much broader live-work-play entertainment and residential district that could generate a multi-million dollar secondary revenue stream.
I also think the possibility of a whole new multi-faceted complex also becoming sort of a “summer-home training site” for Le Cirque du Soleil is still very much there.
I don’t know much about the ins and outs of these negotiations, and why right there is the best spot, but it’s positive that it’s moving forward and they’re already doing the work.
It looks like it’s close to down town and the bridges to Que, so that seems good doesn’t it? The commuter train goes there already too.
IMO the reason for that site is they think they can make more money there. For sure a new arena will help with that and if other development is part of the deal, then that’s good for the city, no?
It worked in Edmonton and everyone involved seems to be happy with the end result including the city and tax payers. The businesses involved and nearby have definitely benefited.
Folks making money, people getting jobs, folks having a good time, all good.
Andlauer seems very interested in extending the fan base into Quebec as he and the Sens are already spending money in Gatineau.
The entertainment area will have an additional draw from Gatineau as in that area borders are pretty much non-existent and people move back and forth for work.
That would make perfect sense to me HF30
The Ottawa arena situation has been spotlighted now for a number of years much like Calgary and Coyotes was. Hopefully it gets resolved for the sake of all of Canada and not become a team moving to the city with the highest bid. I would also like to see a team in Quebec again with there raucous fans and I’m from Buffalo.
Agree that getting Ottawa resolved would be a good thing Gary. Want that team to stay, be profitable and have success.
New football stadium for you folks in Buffalo this year I hear.
NFL games are great to attend, nothing like it. But never been to Buffalo. And as far a raucous fans go, you folks have to be near the top.
Need to get their for a Bills game before I die.
Methinks a combo trip to see the Jays in Toronto in the fall and head south to Buffalo for a bills game. Seems like a time well spent.
That’s a great idea, thanks Gary!
Gary, as has been posted here recently several times, while there can be no doubt whatsoever that an NHL team back in Quebec City would consistently fill the 18,259 seats, the area simply lacks the prerequisite corporate base.
Right now they are at or near the bottom of any list of logical new locations, which would be headed by Houston and Atlanta, and probably include Kansas City, Mo. – not to mention a second team somewhere within the limits of the GTA.
If New York City and immediate environs can accommodate the Rangers, Islanders and Devils. the huge GTA could easily support a second franchise.
Can t remember such a turbulent off-season as this one. Golf courses must be taken a beating where so many hockey management people haven’t t had the time to work on their handicaps!
I’m sure the most popular items for sale in Carolina will have the owner’s kids’ autographs.
Hey, Ray, while you’re in Buffalo for the Bills, how about a Leafs- Sabres game as a topper – offer?
And, if you see a Jays game that has as many twists and turns as the one last night, you’ll have hit a home run.
THAT was flipping bizarre … and some think NHL referees have trouble skating and chewing gum at the same time!
https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/breaking-news/article/even-umpires-had-trouble-explaining-why-red-sox-were-awarded-run-on-wild-fourth-out-play-vs-blue-jays-045206468.html?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-ca
Well BCLeaf Fan, that trifecta would be a good idea too. Would need to take a week off!
Just not sure who I would root for in that hockey game? Or root against?
Yep guys that ball game last night was crazy. If it takes 20 minutes to get the call right, perhaps it’s a rule that needs to be revisited. As Schneider said after, happy they didn’t lose by a run.
Jays are kinda still in the WC hunt which is amazing considering how they’ve played all season. If they can manage to get on a decent heater for a couple weeks, they’ll be in the thick of it.
Absolutely nothing in their play suggests that is possible, other than they’re still playing hard and haven’t thrown in the towel. Stranger things have happened.
I really can’t see the NHL trying Atlanta for a third time. There are lingering scars from the Olympics/Braves — Braves moviing out of downtown. Hockey hasn’t worked twice,
and the building is gonna be an issue, either sharing or buildiing. Too many other ready-made markets to be high on the list. I know with success in Tampa/Carolina/Nashville it looks like a perfect fit —
but it barely supports a ECHL team. I’d think one of the Texas markets would be a better bet.