The Penguins make an unusually long investment in Ville Koivunen, the Blue Jackets risk alienating their long-suffering fans, the latest on the Flyers, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins signed winger Ville Koivunen to an eight-year contract worth an average annual value of $4 million. Koivunen, 23, was a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract.

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Ville Koivunen (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is an unusually long contract for a player who has struggled to establish himself as an NHL forward. He had seven points in 39 games as a rookie last season with the Penguins, and has yet to show any indication that he’ll blossom into a top-six forward.

Koivunen’s new contract surprised those who follow and cover the Penguins. Josh Yohe of The Athletic was particularly critical of the deal, calling it one of the stranger moves by general manager Kyle Dubas.

If Koivunen fails to meet expectations, Yohe observed that he would be an affordable buyout candidate if the move is made before he turns 26, when the cost would be one-third of the remaining value over twice the remaining tenure.

Penguins management obviously believes in Koivunen, but it remains to be seen if this pays off in the long run.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports the Columbus Blue Jackets’ recent decisions to part ways with popular radio play-by-play broadcaster Bob McElligott and beat writer and ambassador Jeff Svoboda angered a large number of the club’s fans.

Team president Mike Priest acknowledged the discontent, saying he understood how some of them felt. However, he believes the media changes will help the club adapt and better serve the fans.

However, the decisions to part with McElligott and Svoboda have created the impression that the Blue Jackets are being cheap and callous. Portzline believes the club risks losing the fans that have stuck by them through thick and (mostly) thin.

“The Blue Jackets, it’s been said, are the team that parity forgot, and parody won’t let free,” wrote Portzline. He feels if the club loses its fans, there will be dark days at Nationwide Arena.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The reaction to the layoffs of McElligott and Svoboda could be the last straw for a long-suffering fan base that has seen little payoff for their support. This year has been especially rough, with the club stumbling out of playoff contention late in the season, and the trade rumors swirling around superstar defenseman Zach Werenski and scoring winger Kirill Marchenko.

The Blue Jackets aren’t in any danger of relocation, but that could change over the next several years if things don’t improve.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen believes talk of Nazem Kadri’s decline is premature as the 35-year-old Colorado Avalanche center enters his 18th NHL season.

Kadri’s scoring dropped from 35 goals in 2024-25 with the Calgary Flames to 16 goals and 50 points with the Flames and the Avalanche last season. However, Deen believes a healthier shooting percentage, a full training camp, and a defined role with the Avs should improve his production.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Deen acknowledged that Kadri’s unlikely to return to 35 goals, but believes his output should be comfortably higher than 16. It’ll also depend on whether he’s filling a second- or third-line role and who he has for linemates this season.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers signed winger Nikita Grebenkin to a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.1 million. Grebenkin, 23, had 14 points in 55 games in his rookie debut last season.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber looked at what the Washington Capitals can expect from rookie defenseman Cole Hutson, who had 10 points in 14 games last season when he joined the club late in the season from the NCAA.

Hutson, 20, is the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson. He’s spent this summer training with his brothers, working on getting stronger and fine-tuning his game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like his older brother, Cole is a skillful puck-moving defenseman. If he can reach the same level of success that Lane has enjoyed thus far in Montreal, the Capitals will have themselves a superstar in the making.