NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 2, 2026
Recaps of Thursday’s games, Commissioner Gary Bettman isn’t happy about the recent rise in trade requests, the latest contract signings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPPING THURSDAY’S ACTION
NHL.COM: Evan Bouchard reached another early-season scoring milestone while Connor McDavid had a five-point game as the Edmonton Oilers held off the Vancouver Canucks 9-7.
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (NHL Images).
Bouchard had a goal and two assists, becoming the first defenseman in NHL history to record at least eight points in his first two regular-season games. McDavid had a goal and four assists, and Leon Draisaitl scored twice and collected an assist for the Oilers, who held 5-0 and 8-2 leads before the Canucks rallied to make it interesting. Forwards Marco Rossi (two goals, one assist) and Elias Pettersson (one goal, two assists) each finished with three points for the Canucks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was 80s night in Vancouver as the Oilers and Canucks offered up an entertaining offensive game that also exposed their respective defensive weaknesses. Oilers goaltender Devon Levi gave up seven goals on 22 shots in his Oilers’ debut while Canucks starter Kevin Lankinen was chased from the net after allowing eight goals on 20 shots.
Before the game, the Oilers announced that winger Zach Hyman could miss a couple of weeks with an undisclosed injury. They also placed center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (lower body) on injured reserve.
Igor Shesterkin became the first goaltender in New York Rangers history (and the 18th in league history) to score a goal in a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Shesterkin also made 24 saves while Pavel Dorofeyev and Mika Zibanejad each had a goal and an assist. Nikita Kucherov replied for the Lightning.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Rangers announced backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo is week-to-week with a lower-body injury and placed him on injured reserve. They recalled Dylan Garand from their AHL affiliate in Hartford.
Winger Matthew Knies had a three-point debut (two goals, one assist) as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-3. Charlie Coyle had three assists, and Zach Werenski had two helpers. Noah Ostlund and Owen Power each collected two assists for the Sabres.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Knies was acquired in a six-player trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday, and played like he wanted to prove a point to his former club and to impress his new team.
Before the game, the Sabres announced defenseman Louis Crevier agreed to a four-year contract extension with an average annual value of $4 million. He was acquired in the trade that sent blueliner Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The San Jose Sharks blew a 3-0 lead, but went on to beat the Florida Panthers 4-3 on an overtime goal by rookie defenseman Luca Cagnoni. Will Smith (two goals, one assist) and Macklin Celebrini (three assists) led the way offensively for the Sharks. Eetu Luostarinen tallied twice for the Panthers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov left this game after his left knee buckled when he was battling for the puck along the boards. Head coach Paul Maurice said Barkov will be evaluated on Friday. The Panthers center suffered a season-ending injury to his right knee during training camp last year.
Utah Mammoth goalie Karel Vejmelka made 15 saves to shut out the Chicago Blackhawks 6-0. Dylan Guenther netted two goals, and Anders Lee scored in his Mammoth debut. Arvid Soderblom made 26 saves for the Blackhawks.
An overtime goal by Jack Hughes lifted the New Jersey Devils to a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Luke Hughes also scored, and Jake Allen stopped 23 shots for the Devils. Travis Sanheim had a goal and an assist, and Justin Woll kicked out 41 shots for the Flyers.
The Seattle Kraken doused the Calgary Flames 6-1. Vince Dunn had a goal and two assists, and Jared McCann collected three assists for the Kraken. Ryan Strome replied for the Flames.
Minnesota Wild forward Blake Coleman scored the winning goal in a 3-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Marcus Foligno and Kirill Kaprizov also tallied for the Wild, while Roman Josi scored for the Predators.
HEADLINES
SPORTSNET: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman doesn’t think it’s a good thing that there’s been a recent rise in trade requests by players with no-movement clauses.
It started in early June when Dylan Larkin requested to be traded away from the Detroit Red Wings. Later that month, the Ottawa Senators shipped Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers after he requested a trade following the first round of the 2026 playoffs. In August, Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck revealed he requested a trade earlier in the offseason. He is currently suspended without pay by the Jets for not reporting to training camp.
“As I look at what’s happened or is happening now, I don’t think that’s a good thing,” Bettman said. He claimed the purpose of no-trade/no-movement clauses was to ensure players could stay with their clubs for the duration of their contracts.
“This notion now where, a) you can select where you want to go, and b) you can demand a trade…that was never the original intention,” Bettman said. “If this becomes a problem – I don’t think one off-season a problem makes – but if this becomes a problem, it’s something we’re going to have to discuss with the players’ association.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s important to note that Bettman doesn’t believe it’s a problem yet. Time will tell whether these trade requests are the start of a trend.
Tkachuk was successful with his request, partly because he and the Senators kept it quiet and worked together to make the trade happen. Larkin and Hellebuyck went public, which may have hampered efforts to move them. Larkin has returned to the Red Wings while Hellebuyck is holding out to force a trade, which could backfire if it takes months before a deal takes place.
The NHL Players’ Association will push back if the league attempts to impose restrictions in the next round of collective bargaining.
They’ll point out that teams have full control over their players until age 27 or seven accrued seasons, whichever comes first, meaning players can be demoted, claimed off waivers, or traded anywhere without their consent.
The PA will also argue that NMCs/NTCs are freely negotiated as part of contract talks between general managers and the players’ representatives, including what those clauses will look like.
For example, Larkin has a full no-trade clause in the first five years of his eight-year contract, reverting to a 10-team trade list in the final three years. Hellebucyk has a full no-movement clause in the first four years of his seven-year deal, reverting to a 10-team trade list in the final three years.
General managers can negotiate to have a no-trade/no-movement clause voided if the player requests a trade as part of the contract. If the player and his agent reject that pitch (which they likely would), the GM can propose the player offer up a broad number of trade destinations. Failing that, the GM can refuse to include full no-trade/no-move protection in the contract, or negotiate for partial no-trade protection.
Going forward, it won’t be surprising if those types of restrictions end up being negotiated into future contracts, which wouldn’t require the league having to get involved.
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks signed promising defenseman Tristan Luneau to a six-year contract extension worth an AAV of $7.2 million.
Luneau, 22, is in the final season of his entry-level contract. He has only 14 games of NHL experience.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek used to play hardball with players coming off their ELCs. That’s changed after being forced to match Leo Carlsson’s expensive offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers, which also led to re-signing Cutter Gauthier to a lucrative long-term deal.
This seems like a bit of an overcorrection given Luneau’s limited NHL experience. It could be a bargain in the long term if he meets expectations, or a salary-cap headache if he doesn’t.
MLIVE.COM: Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin will miss the club’s first two games of this season with an upper-body injury that he suffered during training camp.
RG.ORG: Utah Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong believes his club has crossed the line from rebuilding into a playoff contender. He’s built around young core players like Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley, while the Mammoth’s improvement last season has made it easier to attract veterans like Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee through trades and free agency.
Armstrong isn’t done making big moves to improve his roster. “If something comes up, certainly we have the assets to go after that piece. We’ve been aggressive in the past, and we’re going to continue to be aggressive.”
I got the centre ice package again much to the chagrin of my wife. I’ll have to look later didn’t see it on any channel tonight right now I’m at work but couldn’t find it on my centre ice or normal sports channels I’m from Ontario hope it’s not a blackout was looking forward to that game.
I have had the NHL Centre Ice since 1996. My wife likes to watch some games too.
It’s a happy household.
Man you’re lucky my wife despises hockey.
John Apple,veteran move,buy her a TV and put it in another room. Problem solved!
Reminds me of one of my favorite movie reviews of all time. For Jerry Maguire. “It’s a movie about sports. And it’s a movie about relationships. So couples that need 2 TV sets can enjoy it together”.
Anders Lee when asked between periods to describe his teammates….while huffing and puffing could only manage to say an exasperated …. “fast.”
Well that was something.
This is the same formula that has haunted the Oilers for so long. They can outscore the opponent and play a good all around game but they just allow teams to come back into the game and other teams know the door is never locked tight.
Frederic looks much better this season. Happy to see Michaels and Samanski pot goals. Happy to see other lines and people producing.
Dach, jones, wallman and Mak combined -10 in the game. Ouch.
Jarry and Levi…both had good 40 minutes and then things went off the rails. That cannot be put all on them. Its not like they forgot they had to stop pucks between intermission.
What are the Oilers doing different in the 3rd? Well old habits die hard. I suspect we see walman and Mak swapped for Spencer and ebberson next game. Not many options for the forwards with all the injured.
But 3 out 4 pts…could be worse.
Jarry can, and often does, forget how to stop pucks. Usually in the first 10 shots of the game and the last 20 minutes.
Hard to figure Levi. Sabres had him a few years, then kinda gave up after they plucked Ellis off of waivers last year, keeping Levi in development in Rochester. Sabres’ fans wish him the best wherever he ends up.
Some Old Guy – so i am coming to terms with that.
TSP – Levi had no chance on 3 or 4 of the 7 he let in. Not saying that he couldn’t have made saves on the others but it is still ugly. I am sure he will be capable NHLer long term whether that means back up, 1b or a clear starter…who knows.
Oilerfan- Levi just hasn’t developed into the solid NHLer the Sabres expected him to be. Of course, you could attribute that to Sabre incompetence, an easy target. Hope he does well in Edmonton.
It was a weird game. Unless your an Oiler fan and see this happen from time to time.
Oilers played exactly the way they want to for most of it. Gave up next to nothing defensively for the first 40, especially the 1st. Then started bleeding again. Just get lazy when up 8-2?
We have a decent sample size on Jarry, not good. Levi has never been full time NHL tender, but the skill set is there physically, work ethic is top shelf by all accounts, just need to find out the mental part. It ain’t easy on the head being an NHL goalie, especially for the Oilers.
I know it was the Nucks who are in full rebuild mode, but the Oil were totally dominant for a long stretch to start that game and blew them out. Easy to forget that. Plus new coach, new system, short preseason.
As 1Oilerfan said, 3 out of 4 points to start the year.
Hey you are back. I turned off the radio end of the
2nd Oilers leading 8-2. Two shorties on one PP.
Then the sh*t hit the fan in the 3rd. I missed it
but read about it this morning.
Now for your skill testing question….Hahaha!
Who GOES IN NET next game? Levi or Jarry???
I await your reply
Reply to my reply…Both are putrid.
I would think Babcock’s head is about explode after two games of the Oilers playing “the right way” and 13 goals against.
You don’t know Babs like I know Babs.
He will SIMPLY turn to his PHONE!
Really Fred, good for you.
Hang with him at Emma in the summer? In his 4 some at Elk Ridge from time to time?
I don’t await your reply.
Knies endeared himself in his first star of the game interview on the bench by happily praising the Jackets’ front office, the city and CBJ fans. He seemed genuinely happy to be a Blue Jacket.
CBJ is going to be very happy with this trade for a long time.
Aside from the production of Knies, you got an undersized, mobile, quick transition kid in Andrae who slots in well alongside the big D on the team.
He looks even smaller next to Soucy but that makes for a good wingman.
Wouldn’t be the first small guy who’s style worked.
Maybe, but he could just as easily end up as the 7th D, or even in Cleveland, once Provorov, Severson and Fabbro return from injuries.
I asked #1 oilers fan who do the Oilers put in net
next game. Now I will ask everybody else.
The E Bug and Unger are off limits
FRED020 – no one knows, no one cares. Lol. There are 2 options. They both sucked all in all. I would alternate until one proved they are outshining the other…so back to Jarry for me.
But until they clean up their play its not going to matter who is in net.
No one knows and no one cares???
That is the wrong answer. The website I post to
normally is FULL of caring people.
Jarry it is then. Stink out the joint before
putrid. Good on you.
Shouldn’t you be fretting over Detroit’s continued erosion?
As long as the list is only limited to 4-6 teams you could be traded for I think its fair. And there is also the case of being open to signing a new contract as well as a card to play to get where you want to go
Re NTC- “It’s important to note that Bettman doesn’t believe it’s a problem yet.”
He did serve notice though that it wasn’t being used as intended in some cases and would need to be looked into if it became a trend.
He can’t say more than that now but it’s a clear warning to the NHLPA, player agents and players to play nice.
Isn’t the fix that an NT/NMC applies to both the team and the player? I know it doesn’t now, but going forward? Am I missing something?
Nope LJ, you’re not missing anything.
Rant alert:
I think what these guys are doing is total BS, they’re trying to have their cake and eat it to.
They want the security of a long term contract, negotiated in good faith by the team who assumed they were dealing with an agent and player dealing in good faith.
Wrong you weren’t, you’re dealing with whinny, self centered a******s.
When things don’t go as well as they hope, they demand to be traded. AND control where they go. I like that neither Detroit or WPG haven’t traded them for pennies on the dollar.
Did Brady demand to be traded or did he simply tell them he isn’t going to extend long term? To me, that is different and all good. It’s honest. A deal was still a deal. Then they found a trade that worked for both.
No different than a team asking in the final year for a pending UFA if they don’t plan on resigning them. Then it’s up to the player to say yes or no. They don’t get to withhold their end of the deal and not pay or play them.
The guy who did this right was McDavid. He only signed for 2 years when he could have easily got another 8 year commitment from the Oil and been the highest paid guy. Everybody is clear on the others intentions. He wants to win in Edmonton, but best get on it.
Fuq these other guys.
The gms and owners of the teams with these players just need to publicly come out and say the players signed on the dotted line and they will play out their contracts or not play and get paid at all. Period. Done. That will stop this nonsense. Then if a trade materializes great. But strap on two and tell them where to stick it in front of a mike.
LJ,
It does apply to both now and that is why Hellebuyck isn’t being paid while he’s sitting out.
There is no penalty for disruption to locker room, fans or negative impact to the team being iced.
There’s no monetary penalty for working to rule, Hellebuyck can just play and not stop the puck, he continues to be paid.
That’s where contracts have to go beyond small print and use language to account for the weaponization of NTC/NMC.
Ray, rant noted and mostly yes.
Small counterpoint: I get that Helly feels he has given enough, is nearing his twilight and wants a chance to play for a Cup. Remember the Bs did Bourque a favour trading him to Colorado; not quite the same, but kinda. But Helly is selfish & self harming at the same time by sitting out. Hard to understand why he thinks this is wise.
HF30: Good take. I guess if a player contract stipulated that the Nt/NTC applied equally the team could take the player to arbitration and have him fined, but that would be ending up in the same place as Helly is now.
I dont mind players asking for trades when they have a ntc, just like I dont mind gms asking the player if interested in waiving.
But the deal has to make sense. It may take hours days or months. In the meantime do your job.
And really how bad is your current team/city if there are only 4 places you’d rather be 😉
What a great game played by the Rangers last night. Solid 3 periods of hockey at both end of the ice. Igor is looking locked in, and his goal was icing on the cake. I have full confidence this team will be making the playoffs this year.
In response to George O’s question the other day asking at who’s expense. I think the Pens, Flyers and Sens all got weaker this off season and will have a difficult time making the dance this year.
Nhblueshirt94. I woke up your Rangers last night.Igor is the best,love that Madison Square Garden chant. Have ties to your club through the coaching staff,especially the Boston guys!
Thanks Sr, hopefully your motivation carries them thru the entire season.
I have Carolina and Washingotn separating themselves from the rest of the Metro, but that 3rd seed is for the taking.
You could literally pencil any of the other teams in that slot and I could see it.
I dont see a 4th team in that division being a wc option though.
1Oilerfan,the 3-8 seed all play in the Atlantic,although that’s impossible the way the playoffs are structured.
SR – I mean 1-3 in the metro will quality, feel that 3rd seed is wide open to any of the metro teams, but both wc teams will be from the Atlantic.
Who are the 5 Atlantic teams you have locked in those spots? I personally see both WC spots wide open to both Divisions.
Tough break for Barkov. While I have no love for the panthers I admire Barkov as a player and its a shame if he is out long term once again
Amen, brother.
Most pundits have Columbus not making the playoffs this season. They did not look bad against Buffalo last night. They have size and a good mix of young players and veterans. They do have a slow defense that the Sabres took advantage of but didn’t capitalize on as much as they should have. Special teams won the game for them. For those who forgot, the Jackets had 92 points last season. That is a number of points that has been good enough to make the playoffs in some seasons. They are a team I would keep an eye on this season.
Ray Bark you appear to be unaware of Babs.
He had a small problem in Columbus, all to do
with players phones. The NHLPA had to be called
in. Babs and I aren’t intimate but if you need help
let me know.
We all know about the phones in CLB Fred, but thanks anyway uncle tips. You don’t know him better than anyone else, you’ve never met him.