The questions facing the Blues this season, the Senators’ move to name a new captain, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: How well offseason additions Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael boost the offense is among the three questions facing the St. Louis Blues entering this season.

St. Louis Blues center Mason McTavish (NHL Images)

MacTavish, 23, was acquired in a trade from the Anaheim Ducks while the 25-year-old McMichael was part of the return in the deal that sent Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals.

Both players are part of the Blues’ ongoing roster retool toward younger talent.

Whether Joel Hofer can replace Jordan Binnington and who becomes the next captain are the other questions the Blues must address this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McTavish is among the NHL players expected to bounce back this season. Difficult contract negotiations with the Ducks forced him to miss training camp last fall, and he struggled to adjust under new Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville. How well he adapts to this change of scenery will be a key factor for the Blues’ playoff hopes.

Binnington was a fixture in trade rumors last season. He’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July and could be moved by the March 1 trade deadline if Hofer nails down the starter’s job.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators general manager Steve Staios and head coach Travis Green are close to naming a new team captain. They could make the announcement when training camp opens on Sept. 16.

Garrioch’s suggested candidates include long-time defenseman Thomas Chabot, blueline star Jake Sanderson, and first-line center Tim Stutzle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chabot’s longevity and loyalty to the Senators make him the favorite, but Staios and Green could opt for a younger captain such as Sanderson or Stutzle.

TORONTO STAR: Rising ticket prices are leaving Maple Leafs fans shocked and frustrated, especially for single-game tickets.

Some of them believe the Maple Leafs are squeezing out regular fans in pursuit of corporate dollars. Others believe the club has little incentive to improve its product as long as their arena is sold out and there’s a wait list for season tickets.

A team spokesman pointed out that the recent ticket price increase was two percent, which is lower than the national inflation average. He also indicated that the club’s dynamic pricing continues to provide fans with a range of options, with higher prices for the most in-demand games and lower prices for other games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs are charging what their market will bear, with a significant portion coming from corporate support. For decades, there were dire predictions that escalating costs would hurt the league at the gate. However, that has yet to materialize given its rising popularity and record-setting attendance numbers.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres’ success last season created so much demand that they’ve sold out of season tickets for 2026-27. For the first time in a decade, they’ve opened a wait list for tickets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buffalo was a strong hockey town for decades. Their stunning improvement last season has brought back fans who were turned off by nearly 15 years of mismanagement and mediocrity.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic believes it’s only a matter of time until his rebuilding club becomes a playoff contender.

“The sooner we establish that goal as a team, the more realistic it can be,” Vlasic said. He believes the Blackhawks’ improvement will be driven by a maturing core of young talent and the offseason additions of Patrick Kane and Bowen Byram.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be challenging for the Blackhawks to get off to a good start to this season with first-line center Connor Bedard recovering from shoulder surgery earlier this summer. Overcoming that issue would be a significant step in the right direction.

TSN: Veteran forward Kevin Hayes signed a one-year contract with KHL club AK Bars Kazan.

Hayes, 34, began his 12-season NHL career in 2014-15 with the New York Rangers. He also played for the Winnipeg Jets, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins. In 805 regular-season games, Hayes scored 185 goals and 261 assists for 446 points, and 26 points in 58 playoff contests.

TSN: The Washington Capitals signed goaltender Cal Petersen to a professional tryout offer. A six-year NHL veteran, the 31-year-old Petersen spent last season with the AHL’s Iowa Wild.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Calgary Flames signed forward Alex Nylander to a PTO contract.

Nylander, 28, has 126 games of NHL experience over seven seasons but has spent most of his professional career in the AHL.

DAILY FACEOFF: According to a report by Chris Johnston of The Athletic, all NHL emergency backup goaltenders (EBUGs) will be required to wear the number 00.