NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 24, 2025
The top remaining unrestricted free agents, plus the latest on Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
DAILY FACEOFF: Forward Jack Roslovic, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, and winger Max Pacioretty are among the notable players still available in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.
Goaltenders James Reimer, Ilya Samsonov, and Alexandar Georgiev, and center Evgeny Kuznetsov are among the other noteworthy UFAs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Roslovic was linked to the Vancouver Canucks earlier this summer, but recent reports indicate he’s no longer on their radar. It’s also rumored that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in signing him once they free up sufficient cap space.
The Leafs have reportedly left the door open for Pacioretty’s return, but that could depend on whether they land Roslovic.
RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports a source claims Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson was excluded from Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp partly because he skipped playing in the 2025 World Championships. However, the 21-year-old Calder Trophy winner could still make their Olympic roster if he has a strong start to this season.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored that Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki was passed over for Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off team for the same reason.
The main reason why Hutson didn’t get an invite is likely the depth of the USA’s defense. Zach Werenski, Adam Fox, Charlie McAvoy, Jaccob Slavin, Noah Hanifin, and Jake Sanderson were on their 4 Nations team. Quinn Hughes was also part of that roster, but was sidelined by an injury.
All seven have more NHL experience and international experience involving pro talent. That matters more. If healthy, all of them will likely be part of their Olympic roster.
THE ATHLETIC: Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson is open to contract extension talks with management. The two sides have yet to begin those discussions, but that could change once the calendar flips to September and training camp draws near.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gustavsson is entering the final season of his three-year deal with an average annual value of $3.75 million. The Athletic’s Michael Russo noted that promising netminder Jesper Wallstedt’s future is murky following a disappointing 2024-25 performance. He speculated that might prompt Wild management to get a jump on re-signing the 27-year-old Gustavsson.
TSN: Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong recently indicated there will be an open competition to fill the goaltending positions for their Olympic squad.
Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues, Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights, and Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens were the only goalies invited to Canada’s orientation camp. The trio served as Canada’s netminders in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February.
Other potential goalie options include Logan Thompson of the Washington Capitals, Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings, and Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Binnington appears to be a lock for the starter’s role after backstopping Canada to gold in the 4 Nations tournament. However, strong early-season performances by Thompson, Kuemper, or Skinner could earn them a place on Canada’s Olympic team if Hill or Montembeault struggle.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: With the Red Wings finally retiring Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91, Bob Duff looked at other Wings greats who could receive a similar honor by the club.
Hall-of-Famer Pavel Datsyuk (No. 13) tops the list. He won two Stanley Cups (2002, 2008) with the Red Wings, along with multiple Selke and Lady Byng trophies.
Henrik Zetterberg (No. 40) could be another. He had 960 points in 1,082 games with the Wings and won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2008, leading them to their last Stanley Cup.
Chris Osgood (No. 30) was a three-time Cup champion with the Wings. The underappreciated goaltender was twice their go-to starter for two Cup runs. He’s 13th all-time in regular-season wins with 401, ninth in playoff wins (74), and tied for fifth in postseason shutouts with 15.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Datsyuk is the favorite among those three, given his Hall-of-Fame credentials. He was the top defensive forward in the league from 2007-08 to 2009-10 and one of the dazzling puckhandlers in NHL history.
Stuart Skinner invited to Canada’s Olympic team????
Very hard to believe.
I don’t think Skinner is as bad as Oiler fans and some in the media believe. I suspect he could be a very good starter for another team ‘when’ given the chance.
Skinner’s improved when their D plays d, however with McD and Drais forgetting to cover the slot and Nurse somewhere playing left wing, Skinner is exposed to high danger shots. Walman should improve their defense this season.
Go Jets!
Hutson not
invited has nothing to do with the 4 nations D…. USA invited many other D…. and Hutson is better than many of them…so yes i believe that the world no show is partly it. .but his size is also a reason…. other D in the team are small
Here’s a quick-reference list of UFAs with a realistic chance of being offered a contract or a P.T.O (it includes those who already have a P.T.O. since they can still be offered a firm contract by any team). Also included are those acquitted of any crime in the sex scandal (marked *), but although the Crown has decided NOT to appeal the judicial ruling, they have yet to be cleared by the NHL:
C
Robby Fabbri 29 y/o 5’ 11” 185lbs Anaheim 44gp 8g 8a 16pts exp. cap hit $4,000,000;
Kevin Rooney 32y/o 6’ 2” 200lbs Calgary 70gp 5g 5a 10pts exp. cap hit $1,300,000;
Evgeny Kuznetsov 33 y/o 6’ 1” 200lbs Carolina 2023-24 20gp 2g 4a 6 pts exp. cap hit $7.8 mil
*Dillon Dubé 27y/o 5’ 11” 185lbs Calgary 2023-24 43gp 3g 4a 7pts exp. cap hit $2,300,000;
*Michael McLeod 27 y/o 6’ 2” 190lbs NJ 2023-24 45gp 10g 9a 19pts – exp. cap hit $1,400,000;
LW
Max Pacioretty 36y/o 6’ 2” 216lbs Toronto 37gp 5g 8a 13pts expired cap hit $873,770;
Noah Gregor 26y/o 6’ 190lbs 52gp (Ott & SJ) 4g 3a 7pts expired cap hit of $800,000;
Connor Sheary 33y/o 5’ 8” 182lbs Tampa 5gp 0pts – 59gp w. Syracuse AHL 20g 41a 61pts expired cap hit $2,000,000 (P.T.O. from NYR);
Milan Lucic 37y/o 6’3” 235lbs last played 2023-24 w. Boston although just 4 games – exp. cap hit $1,000,000 (P.T.O. from St.Louis);
RW
Jack Roslovic 28y/o 6’ 1” 195lbs Carolina 81gp 22g 17a 39pts exp. cap hit $2,800,000;
Brett Leason 26y/o 6’ 5” 220lbs Anaheim 62gp 5g 12a 17pts exp. cap hit $1,050,000;
LD
Matt Grzelcyk 31 y/o 5′ 10″ 180lbs Pittsburgh 82gp 1g 39a 40pts exp. cap hit $2,750,000;
Jack Johnson 38y/o 6’ 2” 225lbs Columbus 41gp 0g 6a 6pts exp. cap hit $775,000 (P.T.O. from Wild);
Marc-Edouard Vlasic 38y/o 6’ 1” 205lbs San Jose 27gp 1g 2a 3pts – buy-out of his last season $7 mil per cap hit
Brendan Smith 36y/o 6’ 2” 200lbs Dallas 32gp 1g 5a 6pts exp. cap hit $1 mil (P.T.O. from Columbus);
RD
Jan Rutta 34y/o 6’ 3” 205lbs San Jose 54gp 3g 6a 9pts exp. cap hit $2,750,000;
*Cal Foote 26 y/o 6’ 3” 225lbs New Jersey 2023-24 4gp 0g 1a 1pt exp. cap hit $800,000;
G
Ilya Samsonov 28y/o 6’ 3” 205lbs Vegas 29gp 2.82gaa 0.891 save% exp. cap hit $1,800,000;
Alexander Georgiev 29y/o 6’ 1” 180lbs 49gp (Col & SJ) 3.85gaa 0.875 save% exp. cap hit $3,400,000;
Georgii Romanov 25y/o 6’ 5” 207lbs San Jose 8gp 3.80gaa 0.877 save% exp. cap hit $910,000;
*Carter Hart 27y/o 6’ 2” 200lbs Pha 2023-24 26gp 2.88gaa 0.906 save% exp. cap hit $3,979,000.
Thanks for taking the time to list these all out George
Many, well most, of the above, that do get an NHL contract (if at all) will be at 1 year @ league min.
This (league min) is a zero risk move as you can’t pay an NHLer less, AND more importantly, if after pre-season, they are not one of your top 23; you waive them; and their either picked up by a competitor (no loss to you as you weren’t going to play them anyway); OR they play on your AHL team
So absolutely worst case; is a Billionaire owner overpaying an AHLer
Setting aside the 5 from 2018 team; many above are older/waning in their careers
What I don’t understand is no one at least offering a PTO to the younger guys on here like Gregor and Leason
Gregor is just below average in size (according to some reports the average NHLer is about 6’ 1/4 “. 202 lbs); but Leason is one of the big boys
Leason 82 game pace – 7-16-23 playing 10 mins/game on Ducks
Compare that to the almost 8 years older; 6 1/2” shorter, 20 pounds lighter Accairi (82 G pace of 5-8-13 playing 11 mins/game on Penguins
Signing Leason at League min; burying Accari; gets Pens younger, stronger, bigger , better (exactly what they are [per Dubas] supposed to be doing with every move)
This is not unique to Pens. I would think there are other older and similar (to Accari) players out there that would have team improved by burying them; playing guys like Leason
If any of those guys have a Cap hit between $775 K and $1.15 M; that player buried; replaced by Leason, actually nets a REDUCTION in Cap
Again, worst case scenario on any league minimum signing is that they don’t mesh out as top 23 out of training camp/Pre-season and a billionaire owner has to overpay an AHLer
Most of these guys should get their passports updated for international play.
Yep
Or just retire (Jack Johnson for one)
I wonder if Johnson has recovered any retirement security after the fiasco with his parents losing his money?
Sr, with the possible exceptions of Roslovic, Fabbri and Pacioretty, I doubt any will be offered firm contracts.
Several could be offered P.T.O.s — including the above 3 if not offered firm deals: Leason, Grzelcyk, Vlasic, Rutta, Samsonov
Fabbri is rumoured to be nursing an injury, Paccioretty doesn’t seem to be skating with any group, which probably means he’s leaning to retirement side of things. Roslovic must have some kind of plans, can’t see him wanting to be unsigned going into training camp. Shorter camps makes it even harder for walk ons and PTO’s making clubs. A few of these guys will be signing AHL deals soon trying to find a place to play
Or somewhere in Europe.
Why do the Habs players think they’re too good to represent their respective countries?
Someone needs to figure that debacle out.
You are having us on, SOP, but you will be pleased to hear that Gorton and Hughes are seriously considering your suggestion of blowing things up.
SOP plenty of Habs players have played in the world championships over the years and every team has players who’ve turned down invites. You can’t blame guys for passing on the tourney after a long NHL season.
Any country passing on a top player for the Olympics because he didn’t go to the worlds is ridiculous and self defeating. I don’t think past international experience is as big a factor as some might think. NHL players play against the best players in the world every game.
Yes, Howard, but I blatantly choose to fling mud at the Habs because…….well, just because. Facts be damned!
SOP so I guess you’ll be announcing a run for political office soon?
8787, see my reply to Sr, which crossed with your post.
I agree re Gregor – when he came to Ottawa from Toronto (as a UFA in 2024 after he had made their team as a P.T.O.), he immediately infused that 4th line (Gaudette – Cousins) with some effective 2-way speed and effort.
I was sorry, in a way, to see him go in a deal which sent him back to his original team – San Jose – with Zack Ostapchuk, a 2025 2nd rounder for Fabian Zetterlund (although happy to see him arrive), minor leaguer Tristan Robins and a 2025 4th rounder.
As an aside, it’s apparent Ottawa didn’t think much of Tristan Robbins because they didn’t even offer him a QO at the end of the season in Belleville (where he was assigned after the trade).
He’s now among the throngs of UFAs looking for employment.
There was a lot of chat about why Guerin took a stand with Rossi, with attendant speculation that this was done with ego. Guerin, quoted in the Athletic before Rossi was signed:
“We have a structure in our pay that we have him slotted in at a certain level, and that’s just the way we’re doing our business. This is nothing personal. We want him back, and we’ll hopefully get to a resolution sooner than later.”
Re comments that Guerin blew the negotiations and now Rossi will remember this in future:
“I think he’s just scratching the surface,” Guerin said. “And I think this three-year contract gives him a good runway to turn into the player he can eventually become.”
Re Rossi being upset with Guerin:
When asked whether he’s happy where things are right now — considering the summer trade rumblings and his desire to be in a top-six role — Rossi said, “100 percent.”
“I’m excited now that a deal is done,” he said. “I can’t wait to get back on the ice with the guys.”
I bet Rossi gets the last laugh with that contract. It’s a bargain for Minnesota in my opinion. He can file for arbitration for a one year contract at the end of this contract and walk himself to a ufa with Guerin having no control. I would have opted for a two year or 8 year contract if I was Guerin.
Dave Guerin has control he can trade him!
The above quotes are meaningless, contract’s signed you have to put the best face on it.
Grudges, ill will stays in the head and you hold your tongue, if there is any.
As this contract comes to a close, assuming that both Guerin and Rossi are still with the team, the results of this contract will get borne out.
Realistically speaking, Rossi’s production today is worth more money on the open market.
Projecting forward, the first 4 years of his next contract will be for a lot more than than the $7m the Wild could have locked in and probably for a longer term and given the rising cap I’d guesstimate $9m+
If Rossi was a Hab I’d have given him the $7mx7 he wanted in a heartbeat.
But….maybe that’s why Geoff didn’t hire me as GM 🙂
What’s the last laugh, Dave? As the quotes above clearly show – and as is the case for any GM – market value drives negotiations. Guerin is aware a big payday may be coming for Rossi. If he gets a big payday in the future it’s because he will have earned it. Wouldn’t that performance also benefit the Wild?
Dave, there was no way the Wild was going to give Rossi 8 years at the money he wanted. Guerins not sold on him yet. If he has a solid next two seasons, then the Wild will offer a max contract at big money.
Guerin better resign Gustavsson quick since there aren’t a lot of 1A goalkeepers around and Gustavsson is a top10-20 goalkeeper. He will have a lot of suitors next summer if available