NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 10, 2026
The Wild’s Quinn Hughes talks about his contract negotiations, the Ducks and Chris Kreider agree to terminate his contract, plus the latest on Leo Carlsson, Zach Werenski, Cole Caufield, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Quinn Hughes said he’s not in a rush to sign a contract extension with the Minnesota Wild. The 26-year-old defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).
Hughes stated that it would be done whenever he feels it needs to be done. “I don’t feel backed against a wall. I’m very thoughtful. I want to make sure I’m taking my time on everything and make sure I’m making a decision that is going to be good for everyone. That’s kind of where my head has been at,” Hughes said.
The superstar blueliner still believes in the Wild, claiming he has a strong relationship with the coaching staff and general manager Bill Guerin and that Minnesota has been a great fit for him. However, he won’t feel pressure if his negotiations carry over into the regular season. Hughes declined to publicly discuss details of his extension talks, saying it was between him and Guerin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes seems to be taking a cautious approach in his negotiations with the Wild. Understandably, he wants what’s best for his future. He could wait to see how this season unfolds before committing to the Wild beyond 2026-27. Nevertheless, the longer he goes without a contract, the more speculation about his future in Minnesota.
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks placed winger Chris Kreider on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.
Kreider, 35, is in the final season of a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million, but his actual salary for this season is $4 million. The Ducks acquired him from the New York Rangers in June 2025. Kreider was fourth among Ducks scorers last season with 22 goals and sixth with 50 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kreider wants to be closer to his family, who live in the New York area. By terminating his contract, he can sign with any Eastern Conference team as an unrestricted free agent. It’s rumored he could refuse to report if claimed by a team that he doesn’t wish to join, but that scenario is unlikely because he’s expected to clear waivers later today.
This move could be a precursor to the Ducks signing restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier. They currently have $9.07 million in cap space, but the 21-year winger reportedly rejected a four-year deal worth $13 million last month. Clearing Kreider’s $6.5 million for this season should free up sufficient space for Gauthier’s new contract, which could come in at around $15 million annually.
SPORTSNET: Speaking of the Ducks, center Leo Carlsson said players are thanking him for signing a five-year offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers on July 3 worth $18 million AAV. The Ducks matched the offer six days’ later.
Carlsson acknowledged that his contract was “a huge deal for the league,” which is sure to have ripple effects for young, promising stars hoping to cash in as the salary cap rises.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those ripples have already been felt around the league.
Within three weeks of Carlsson’s new contract, San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year extension worth $18.8 million AAV. Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard inked a five-year deal worth $15 million. Carlsson’s deal also affected the Ducks’ efforts to re-sign Cutter Gauthier.
It’s not just rising young stars who benefited from Carlsson’s contract. Colorado Avalanche superstar defenseman Cale Makar recently signed an eight-year contract with a league-record $20.4 million AAV.
TSN: Florida Panthers winger Brady Tkachuk said it wasn’t an easy decision for him to request a trade from the Ottawa Senators.
“It was a really, really hard decision, and something that was emotional. It took a lot of time to get to that,” Tkachuk said, who was shipped to the Panthers in June.
Tkachuk’s first game back in Ottawa will be on Oct. 21. He’s not sure what kind of reception he’ll get from Senators fans. Whatever the reaction, he believes it’ll demonstrate how great the fan base is in Ottawa.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As a team, the Senators are tired of talking about Tkachuk’s departure and want to move on. To his credit, Tkachuk has spoken respectfully about his time in Ottawa, but it’ll be interesting to see the fans’ reaction when he returns in October.
NHL.COM: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski insists that he wants to stay in Columbus following an offseason of trade rumors.
Werenski believes the Blue Jackets will be in a good place this season, where people won’t question his future in Columbus. However, he admits that speculation will likely persist until next summer, when he can sign a contract extension.
Offseason reports indicated Werenski asked for a trade and that the Blue Jackets were close to moving him to the Dallas Stars. Werenski vetoed the trade, and he and general manager Don Waddell issued statements about his desire to stay in Columbus.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Werenski maintains it was all a misunderstanding, insisting that he wants to stay and help Columbus become a winner. Nevertheless, he’s right about the conjecture regarding his future will continue throughout this season.
SPORTSNET: Despite the recent trend of American stars like Brady Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, and Connor Hellebuyck requesting trades out of Canadian markets, Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield doesn’t see himself following that path.
“Only speaking for myself, I think being in Montreal, if you love hockey and have a passion for it, there’s no better place or city to teach you lessons through the good and the bad. You learn to embrace it throughout those bad times that there’s brighter days ahead,” Caufield said.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It can be difficult to play in high-pressure Canadian markets, and not everyone can handle that harsh spotlight. However, it’s easier to handle when the teams play as well as the rising Canadiens did last season.
We should note that Hughes and Hellebucyk made their trade requests after their clubs declined. Tkachuk’s request followed after back-to-back first-round playoff exits by the Senators. Those may be merely coincidences, but one wonders if those players would’ve made those requests if their Canadian clubs played as well as the Habs last season.
DAILY FACEOFF: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi is expected to miss training camp and the start of the regular season because of complications from offseason surgery.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers signed former Ottawa Senators winger Alex Formenton to a one-year, $850,000 contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the second controversial decision by Oilers management, having hired Mike Babcock as head coach earlier this summer. Formenton is one of five players from the 2018 Canadian world junior team found not guilty of sexual assault in London, Ontario last summer.
TORONTO SUN: NHL insider Elliotte Friedman and game analyst Kevin Bieksa have agreed to new contracts with Sportsnet.
DAILY FACEOFF: NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said expansion to Houston or Austin is not a done deal. The league is currently in the middle of a six-month review period with the Friedkin Group regarding a potential expansion franchise in Texas. It would require a $3.5 billion bid, part of which would go toward building a state-of-the-art arena.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not a done deal yet, but there’s a strong sense that it’s going to happen.
ESPN: Former NHL player, coach, and hockey analyst Barry Melrose died Wednesday at age 70.
Melrose played 480 professional games with the NHL and WHA from 1976-77 to 1985-86. He turned to coaching soon afterward, winning championships with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers (1987-88) and the AHL’s Adirondack Red Wings (1991-92). He spent three seasons as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings (1992-93 to 1994-95), guiding them to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. He also did a brief stint as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008-09.
For over 25 years, Melrose was a well-known NHL analyst with ESPN. He stepped down from his duties in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Former Canadiens forward Andre Pronovost passed away at the age of 90.
Pronovost played nine seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Detroit Red Wings from 1956-67 to 1964-65. He spent the rest of his career in the minors except for a brief stint with the Minnesota North Stars in 1967-68.
In 556 regular-season games, Pronovost had 94 goals and 104 assists for 198 points. He also scored 22 points in 70 playoff games and won four Stanley Cups with the Canadiens. He was also the grandfather of current NHL winger Anthony Mantha.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of Melrose and Pronovost.
Can t wait for the season to start. No disrespect but I am tired of hearing about Hughes,Helly,LARKIN,Gauthier,Verbeek and Briere just to name a few!
Agreed.
Watching the Jays (and everyone around them in the AL) play like dog crap. And then watching the results of not having starters play in the pre-season NFL games…..leading to that clunker of a superbowl rematch last night.
ya. Bring on hockey please.
Hughes needs to make a decision. If he doesn’t, his situation will be a cloud hanging over the Wild all season. Management tolled the dice giving up four assets for a player with little term left in his current deal.
I completely disagree with you. Have you read his full comments? I can’t quote the whole thing, but I know the start of it goes something like “it’s my life and it’s a big decision.” and it goes on to say he plans on taking his good old time to figure out where he wants to be. He’s a young man in the prime of his plane career. He doesn’t need to make a decision and it’s no one else’s to make but his. Especially this one it’s not about money it’s about where he wants to be. And if I had to guess he wants to play out the season to see how Minnesota is doing. It would be the smart thing to do. And he doesn’t owe it to anyone. He only owes it to himself to do the right thing. Sorry, but I completely disagree
Mike. You mean he hasn’t been thinking about this for the past year or two? What he wants to do and where he wants to be?
Make up your mind – it shouldn’t have to be as hard as you make it. Vancouver already went through this.
Quinn is a great player, but the world doesn’t evolve around him. Make a decision, at least move towards the decision. He has teammates too.
Agreed. Add in Brady Tkachuk
Sorry, bit of a long rant again. But agree boys.
I think Hughes has made a decision. The decision was not to make a decision right now. Which tells you there is a very real chance he does not re-sign with Minny. A very good team IMO.
Fair enough, I’m sure it isn’t an easy one to make as it is very important regarding the rest of his career.
But Minny now has to make one. Decide to wait, or decide to move him to recoup assets on one of their best players. Hughes has zero trade protection. They can trade him tomorrow.
But the bottom line is that players are now using their leverage to request trades while under contract with a full NMC. They are signing offer sheets to drive up their own salary to the detriment of their own teams, and hence their team mates. See Carlsson, and the loss of Kreider. Have a look at their blue line. The Ducks are not as good because of that contract, that is not in dispute.
If Carlsson can’t see that or doesn’t understand it, not sure what that says about him, because it is obvious.
It’s not like the Ducks were in decline either. They were a team on the rise. How is that looking now?
Teams need to start acting the same way as the players; they buy in to the plan, or you ship them out.
Some of these guys are self centered, again, fair enough, you’re allowed to be in a free society. But Guerin’s job is to build a team, and a team that can compete for a cup. If he waits he is putting that at risk long term for the hope of winning it all this year.
Hope is not a plan.
There is acceptable risk, and unacceptable risk. This falls into the latter.
Teams win cups, not individual players, to me this decision is easy, trade him right now.
One positive about Quinn, Ray, is that he has (so far) been less prone to missing time through injury .. and he has accomplished that while logging heavy minutes. Brother Jack, by comparison, thanks to his smaller frame combined with an aggressive style even in high contact areas, has missed considerable time to date over his career, with 2 shoulder surgeries and several other upper/lower body woes. Luke has also missed time due to shoulder surgeries, but not nearly as much as Jack,
By the time Ottawa hosts Florida on Oct 21, they will have played 9 games into the new season: @ Toronto Oct 3; @ Boston Oct 5; @ Detroit Oct 6; vs Philadelphia Oct 8; vs Nashville Oct 10; vs New Jersey Oct 12; vs St. Louis Oct 13; vs NYI Oct 15; @ Philadelphia Oct 17.
How the crowd reacts will depend – to a great degree – on how they fared in those 9 lead-up games. A bad losing record and they’re likely to be in a sombre “what if” mood … just under or over .500 and the mood will be mixed … but a solid winning record and Tkachuk can likely expect a reaction much like Tavares did on his first return to Long Island …. “we don’t need you.”
Players may be tha king Carlson but is greed is costing every fan. Tickets and merch are higher and now you need to pay for several.subscriptions to warch certain teams which will push all teams to the same model eventually.
AZHockeyNut: Carlsson’s “greed” has no bearing on the cost of tickets and merchandise. Each team charges what its market can bear. Players salaries has nothing to do with it. That’s why the New York Rangers are the most expensive team to watch live and the Buffalo Sabres are among the least expensive.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/202635/fan-cost-index-of-the-national-hockey-league/
Ticket and merchandise prices are a part of all greed in pro sports. Bills and Sabres have the same owner; Sabres are least expensive in the NHL but the Bills this year come out most expensive. Makes it easier for me to stay home.
Lyle. It may not be player greed and more “market can bare” as you claim.
However. Very soon the smaller markets won’t be able to bare it. There is no scenario where the Ottawa Senators, new building downtown or not, can afford 2-4 20,000,000$ hockey players on their team. Or even ONE for that matter. Michael Andlauer has money, but there are limits to an owners generosity. And once you price your 300 level people out of the building…..the end is near. I’m using Ottawa as an example. The other suspects in the same boat are well known.
Yes, it could become an issue for the smaller market teams. However, the league does have revenue sharing built into the CBA, and it has the ability to make it more robust if necessary. Nevertheless, the rising cost could eventually become an issue for small markets – one that trying to clamp down on player salaries won’t address, since that was supposedly the reason behind the salary cap and “cost certainty”, or at least that’s how it was sold to us by the league.
That’s why there is revenue sharing and teams like TML, Canadiens, NYR are the biggest contributors to the pool and CBJ, Buffalo and Florida the biggest receivers.
The 11 biggest revenue teams contribute to the rest of the league and changes in the new CBA ensure even more distribution.
To see that the rich don’t get richer, playoff teams now will contribute 50% of gate receipts to the revenue sharing pool.
If WE feel it as fans, you can be sure the owners do as well, they aren’t investing in a charity.
Input costs ALWAYS affect sale prices. Calling it “greed” on the behalf of one or more party or not doesn’t change the equation that increased input costs affect the final price. After that, “what the market will bear” is added on top. At some point the price exceeds what value the public attaches to the product.
The Relationship Between Players Salaries And Ticket Prices.
https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/72886/veteran-presence-the-relationship-between-player-salaries-and-ticket-prices/
The DOW of Professional Sports.
https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2001/09/the-dow-of-professional-html
I’m not so sure players should be celebrating the Carlson deal. There’s a hard cap. It’s a zero sum game.
On the surface, you see the huge numbers being thrown at star players and it looks great, but it’s not the owners or even the fans paying for the raise. It has to come from mid level players. It increasingly becomes a league of “haves” and “have nots”
It is human nature to compare others to how you would manage a situation but darn it, what epiphany is Hughes going to have in 3 days or 6 months from now that he hasn’t since having been traded to the wild lol.
I think at this juncture it is think it is pretty likely he is going to market next summer.
Seems like a good move for both the ducks and krieder. With salary of 4 mil he should be able to find a club giving him at least that much on the east coast. Heck get a few teams interested he may not only be closer to home but end up making more who knows.
I was hoping the bruins would have a crack at Gauthier what a future this kid has. Please Don no Kreider he was dynamite in his prime
if Don wants to go all out that’s fine the bruins need more that what they have right now,But I don’t think Chris adds much at this time.
John Apple – kreider still has some game left in the tank. Still potted 20g and 50 pts last season
On a 1 to 2 year deal – why not?
John, the Bruins were never going to “have a crack at Gauthier.” Even if he were available, they can’t afford what will be his significant AAV on his new contract.
John Apple,agree with Lyle,stop dreaming of Gauthier. Would be in favor of Kreider. They have plenty of spare parts to get rid of without hurting the chances of young kids to play. Middlestadt, Essiymont,Lohrei,Poitras,Steeves,Jokiharu. Not expecting a lot in return but who cares,get rid of the logjam. If it looks like they are out of the playoffs,move Zacha or even Kreider to a team desperate for playoff success.
Well, as I just mentioned in the other thread, he’s wide open to UFA negotiations now as he just cleared waivers
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/ducks-chris-kreider-clears-waivers-enters-unrestricted-free-agency/
The Bruins don’t pay people how would they have shot at Gauthier?
One could argue it is the third controversial hire by the Oilers after they brought in Stan Bowman… more than a few desperation signings there throughout the team.
But Formenton is a low-risk bargain-basement 2-way signing who will most likely start the season with their AHL affiliate to see if there’s anything left of his earlier skills (speed, pk ability) to handle the North American style of hockey (as opposed to the Swiss league where he’s played off and on since the scandal broke).
Seems likely he will stick with the big club to start the season, to be a pk option. Rangy, and quick and a defined role may be a fine way to get his footing back to start with anyway.
Time will tell if he can still produce at the nhl level.
Well, if he does stay up to start the season and given that Puckpedia shows them with 15F 9D and 3G for a 27-man roster – 3 above the normal complement of 23 – who gets bumped down to make room?
C: McDavid, Draisaitl, Nuhent-Hopkins, Dickinson, Samanski
LW: Podkolzin, Howard, Dach, Frederic, Janmark, Formenton
RW: Hyman, Kapanen, Joseph, Savoie
LD: Ekholm, Walman, Shea, Emberson, Stastney
RD: Bouchard, Murphy, Mukhamadullin, Regula
G: Andersen, Jarry, Levi
The only players mentioned above who are waiver except are Samanski, Howard and Savoie so if it’s likely they’ll be dropped to the AHL IF the intention is to keep Formenton up with the main club, how is that apt to go over with those who “paid their dues” for the organization before the arrival of the reclamation project?
And even if there 3 who are nursing injuries, they’d all have to go on LTIR before their spots could be filled by others. Formenton, on the other hand, could most likely go to the AHL out of camp without fear of being claimed. Ih foes well out of the gate there, he could be called up later.
” … if all goes well out of the gate there …”
George O
Lots of decisions to make for sure especially if everyone gets and stays healthy.
For the time being I suspect both savoie and Anderson to hit IR since they are out until late october.
Janmark when healthy is likely waived – loss of production, injuries recently, 1.45 mil contract – i dont think the Oilers would be too upset if he got claimed, but likely want him to get games in at bakersfield for a bit in any case.
Stastny and even Regula when healthy will be in tough to find a home on the roster.
I suspect there will be a minor trade or two. Not listed was Max Jones (1 way contract) and Lazar (pto) who will both try to muddy the picture moreso.
All in all it a headache I am happy I dont need to resolve.
But until savoie returns I foresee Formenton on the roster. What happens when Savoie returns well I think that depends on the play of Formenton Howard and samanski.
Why does Hughes “need to make a decision”?
The Wild made moves in the playoffs last year while missing a top 4 D and top 6 C.
With Brodin and Eriksson Ek playing who knows how far they could have gone.
If the Minnesota Wild look like a Cup contending team Hughes might have every interest in staying with a team that wants him.
It’s Vancouver all over again. Exact same public sound bites. I bet privately he has stated something different. There is no way teams will give up major assets to Minnesota for a guy who will be gone at the end of the season. Mark my words the wild are going to lose Hughes at the end of the season for nothing.
Very shocking to hear about Melrose’s passing.
The passing of Andre Pronovost marks the end of an era. He was the last living former player to play on any of the Habs 5 straight Cups from 1956-60. RIP great champions!
Can’t help but wonder, or maybe it’s likely that Kreider lands in Philly after being shaken lose with that offer sheet. Only fitting right?
Due to his age, he can sign a cap friendly contract filled with bonuses. Considering his stats last year and how he was on the American 4 nations team 2 yrs ago is a clear sign he would be a value signing….for them or anyone he agrees to sign with. Too bad he’s afraid of going north of the 49th parallel. 🤣
If Hughes doesn’t already know if he wants to sign a long term deal in Minnesota, it’s obvious he won’t. Tired of this rhetoric.
My two cents is he will not sign until he knows he can go to Jersey with his brothers AND get the max payday possible.
I too long for actual hockey to start so we can stop listening to those guys in interviews.
I would tend to agree theSaint. I don’t know the guy, but I would put my chips on leaving.
They’re a good team so it ain’t about winning.
One positive about Quinn, Ray, is that he has (so far) been less prone to missing time through injury .. and he has accomplished that while logging heavy minutes. Brother Jack, by comparison, thanks to his smaller frame combined with an aggressive style even in high contact areas, has missed considerable time to date over his career, with 2 shoulder surgeries and several other upper/lower body woes. Luke has also missed time due to shoulder surgeries, but not nearly as much as Jack,
Someone say it! Ok I will. In my opinion Quinn Hughes is looking like a self centered Prick. Don’t want him back. Don’t risk the locker room . Move him.
No team will pay the asking price on a really short term asking price! Minnesota is stuck with Hughes till his contract expires they are going to lose that sure bet!