NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 16, 2026
Stanley Cup win a bittersweet moment for Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers, the league officially opens an investigation into Mike Babcock’s 2023 resignation from the Blue Jackets, the final order of the upcoming draft is set, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
THE WINNIPEG SUN: Following the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup win on Sunday, winger Nikolaj Ehlers got emotional when he was asked about his former team, the Winnipeg Jets.
Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers (NHL Images)
“I loved being in Winnipeg,” Ehlers said in a quivering voice. “This (winning the Stanley Cup) was the dream there.”
Ehlers began his NHL career with the Jets in 2015-16, spending a decade in Winnipeg before signing with the Hurricanes last summer as a free agent.
“I’m obviously sad I wasn’t able to do that with the guys in Winnipeg and the city of Winnipeg,” Ehlers said. He added that the team and the city hold a special place in his heart. He said it was a hard decision to leave and how much he loved his time there.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers isn’t the only former member of the Jets who spoke fondly of their time in Winnipeg after winning the Stanley Cup. Following the Florida Panthers’ Cup win in 2024, head coach Paul Maurice said he hoped the Jets would one day win hockey’s holy grail.
SPORTSNET: The NHL has officially opened its investigation into Mike Babcock’s resignation from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023.
Babcock stepped down as the Blue Jackets’ head coach in September 2023 regarding concerns over invasion of privacy after he reportedly asked his players to share personal photos from their cellphones.
The Edmonton Oilers hope to hire Babcock as their new head coach, but the NHL Players Association has requested that the league look into the details of his resignation from the Blue Jackets. It’s since been reported that there were other issues beyond looking at players’ phones that got him into trouble.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers’ attempt to hire Babcock has garnered mixed reactions. Some observers condemn it, while others feel he deserves another chance.
BETMGM.COM: The Colorado Avalanche and the Hurricanes are the way-too-early favorites to win the Stanley Cup in 2027.
NHL.COM: The final order of the 2026 NHL Draft was set following the end of the Stanley Cup Final.
The Golden Knights traded their 2026 first-round pick to the Calgary Flames in March 2024. That pick is now 30th overall. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes pick is 31st, while the Ottawa Senators hold the 32nd and final pick in the first round.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Chicoutimi Sagueneens forward and Anaheim Ducks prospect Maxim Masse is the Canadian Hockey League’s player of the year. He led his club to the 2026 Memorial Cup Final, and was the QMJHL’s leading scorer with 102 points as his club won the Gilles-Courteau Trophy as the league’s playoff champions.
SPORTSNET: Medicine Hat Tigers and Montreal Canadiens prospect Bryce Pickford was named the CHL’s top defenseman. Pickford was named the Western Hockey League’s MVP and top blueliner.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Barrie Colts center and Utah Mammoth prospect Cole Beaudoin was named the CHL’s Sportsman of the Year.
The New York Islanders signed defenseman Ethan Bear to a one-year, two-way contract.
The St. Louis Blues hired Vinny Prospal and Greg Cronin as assistant coaches.
SPORTSNET: The Florida Everblades won the ECHL’s Kelly Cup for the fourth time in five years, defeating the Kansas City Mavericks 5-4 in double overtime of Game 6 on Monday.
The Everglades are affiliated with the Blues, and the Mavericks are an affiliate of the Seattle Kraken.
CALGARY SUN: Flames co-owner Alvin Libin passed away at age 95. He’d been part of the club’s ownership group since 1994.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Libin’s family, friends, and the Flames’ organization.
And now, apparently, there’s the possibility that Connor Hedllebuyck could be the next one to speak fondly of his time in Winnipeg as he basks in the glory of a cup elsewhere.
https://thehockeywriters.com/nhl-rumors-vladar-deal-golden-knights-next-coach-markstrom-oilers-06-15-2026/
Hellebuyck has not requested a trade. Yes, he expressed concern and frustration over the direction of the Jets following this season. However, some observers have looked at his Team USA teammate Dylan Larkin’s trade request and are musing over whether Hellebucyk will follow suit. So far, there’s nothing from his camp or the Jets to indicate that’s the case. He seems to be waiting to see what Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff does this summer to improve the club.
Oh, I fully understand that. It’s why I referred to it as a “possibility.”
There has been that speculation that New Jersey could use their plethora of 1st round picks and deep pool of prospects to try and engineer a blockbuster deal for Hellebuyck IF they can move Markstrom. And the Hockey News has pointed to the fact he hails from Michigan and his expressed interest in one day playing in a U.S.-based market.
That’s a lot more than is backing the frequent mention of Brady Tkachuk.
What bothers me regarding the Hellebuyck speculation is some writers are construing his comments as though he “wants out” of Winnipeg when he never said that at all. Expressing frustration and calling for changes is one thing, and totally understandable why he would do so. But they don’t mean that he wants to be traded.
So, exactly like the Tkachuk “speculation.”
Bingo!
Lyle, the name is Florida Everblades, not Everglades. You must have been swamped when you wrote this.
Fixed, Ed. Looks like my spellchecker was “swamped” and autocorrected “Everblades”
Womp womp.
I’m wondering if the bruins should take a gamble on Lafrenière of the rangers maybe a first and Lohrei. He’s had twenty goals in the past and appears to have fallen out of favour in New York?
I don’t think I’d trade a first and Lohrei, but I’d trade a second, Lohrei, and a fringe player like Essymont (spelling?).
The Bruins must think Lohrei just won’t develop in their system. Maybe it’s the system and not the player. Ottawa was the same with all these “mid first, second round” D man prospects. Get rid of a terrible coaching regime, PLAY THEM the correct way and in the right circumstances. Support them and BAM. Klevin, Mattinpalo, Sebrango, Lassi Thompson. Look how it finally comes together with a some stability.
maybe they should keep the kid and teach him how to play defense
It has also worked wonders for Chabot, whose game was “slipping badly” under Smith’s “system.” Since Green took over and formulated a system that has the team ranked at or near the top in several defensive categories, he has been a much more effective d-man. That also applies to some extent to Jordan Spence, some of whose D attributes have improved compared to his time in L.A.
It’s not the coaching system in Boston Dark G, they’re good at developing D-men. In the AHL Providence gave up the 2nd fewest goals in the league, and consistently do well in that regard. IMO he could have spent more time in the AHL, but I say that about D-men all the time.
We don’t know if it’s the player yet as he hasn’t even played 200 games in the NHL yet. Takes D time, most of them anyway.
I think the frustration is he he gets sheltered minutes, and gets the least amount of ice time against elite opponents of any regular D-man. And still makes too many mistakes in some folks opinion.
He has plenty of veteran D around him to learn from as well, with McAvoy, Zadorov, Lindholm.
I think they stay patient with him as he has physical tools and puck skills. And he is 6’5″. Unless he makes sense in a trade to improve the team. Or they don’t think he will figure it out, I dunno, I’m not the one coaching him or playing with him.
John, if I ran the B’s my focus would be RD especially if Peeke walks as a UFA.
Chris Drury laughs at your offer and promptly hangs up the phone.
There is no indication he has fallen out of favor. He was their best player after the Olympic break and will be a cornerstone of the plans to get younger. He started to truly shine after the Panarin trade, and this will be his breakout year.
Mike Sullivan praised his performance after the Panarin trade and Olympic break. The Line of Lafreniere, Zibanejad, and Perreault were their best. This will be the Rangers #1-line next season. Lafreniere is finally able to play his natural position and will thrive going forward.
Lafreniere’s only problem is that he was drafted 1OA, his production is fine and most any team would take him.
He could be traded but not for the leftovers some people continue to suggest.
AI suggests the Habs send Guhle, Owen Beck and a 2nd to NYR for Lafreniere.
I would do it, I’m guessing NYR fans say no.
Laf’s development was delayed imho because of his use the first few seasons.He is also better when he plays with swagger….he does tend to play ‘too happy golucky’ for me too often
that said he should be a 60pt guy for the next 5+ seasons.
Hage would get it done. Guhle makes zero sense being traded with what he brings to compliment the other more offensive Dman.
Demidov with Laf on a 2nd line would instantly change the Habs being hard to matchup with.
Habfan30, that offer is much better than what Johnny Apple and Lindsay were throwing out in the comments above, but I would rather the Rangers hang on to him and see what he does now that they are using him in the proper way. I think his current linemates are going to bring out the best in him and Ranger fans will finally see him reach the potential we all hoped he would when drafted.
No way I’d trade Guhle for Lafreniere straight up, let alone packaged with others.
You want to ship Guhle to a lot of places.
Ok.
But except for bottom 6-7 Xhejak and Struble, who replaces the physicality that Guhle brings (saving his skating prowess for now)? I know of no other D prospect we have that could play a physical role. Indeed I thought that Carolina showed we need more size and physicality throughout the line up.
I get that he is LD, but in order for your desire to move Guhle the Habs would need an equally effective top 4 RHD back. A scarce commodity.
This is in addition to the need for a 2C, 2nd line left wing, and a couple of bottom 5 wingers with size who can skate.
Is trading Guhle that much of a priority for you?
LJ,
Lafreniere would fit like a glove on the 2nd line with Demidov and a crash test dummy at C.
Guhle is the price you have to pay for a player of his calibre and the Habs can afford it.
Xhekaj and Struble can give the 3rd pairing physicality which is where Guhle slides in.
Hutson-Dobson
Matheson-Carrier
Guhle/Xhekaj/Struble-Reinbacher? new D-man in trade?
Engstrom plays both sides.
Signing Matheson long term at his age and getting the minutes he plays, leaves Guhle as the trade candidate with value.
HF30 was quoting his AI LJ.
MTL is in a good spot with their D long term. I think Reinbacher needs more reps in Laval since he has missed significant time due to injury early on. Or maybe not, maybe he’s ready to play in the bottom pair.
Personally I would let him play big minutes in AHL in all situations, but that’s how I roll. Be the first call up in case of an injury.
Might have logjam in the next couple years, but deal with it then.
Guhle has value though, and MTL’s D depth is an asset if they choose to use it. Personally I would just wait a year and have more clarity on Reinbacher. Don’t want to rush the kid.
Tortorella not returning to Knights.
Cue the rumours of Torts in Edmonton.