NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 14, 2026
The latest notable contract signings, the Sabres hire John Davidson, an update on Flyers winger Matvei Michkov, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres avoided salary arbitration with Peyton Krebs, signing the 25-year-old forward to a four-year, $18 million contract with an average annual value of $4.5 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Krebs had a career-best 39 points in 82 games last season. He was coming off a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.45 million, so he’s getting a substantial pay raise.
It’ll be interesting to see where Krebs plays this season. He spent time on the fourth line, but as the report noted, he spent the second half of last season on the first line alongside Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch, who was traded to the Washington Capitals last month.
Speaking of the Sabres, they hired John Davidson as a senior advisor.
Davidson, 73, previously worked with Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen during their tenures with the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not surprising that Kekalainen is reuniting with Davidson. In addition to their previous work experience together, Davidson has nearly 20 years of front-office experience with the Blues, Blue Jackets, and New York Rangers.
NEW YORK POST: The Rangers avoided salary arbitration with Braden Schneider, signing the 24-year-old defenseman to a one-year, $5.5 million contract.
New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schneider completed a two-year contract worth an AAV of $2.2 million. This new deal means he’ll be eligible for RFA status with arbitration rights again next July.
The report indicated this new contract doesn’t provide any clarity regarding Schneider’s long-term future with the Rangers. He’s been the frequent subject of trade speculation since last summer, but he’s also indicated that he’d love to remain with the Blueshirts.
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov is expected to return to Philadelphia in early August to continue his offseason training. Michkov, 21, is currently training in his home country of Russia.
The 2026-27 season will be a significant one for Michkov, who struggled through his sophomore season amid criticism of his training last summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Michkov acknowledged that he wasn’t in proper shape for training camp last fall. Having undergone a full season under head coach Rich Tocchet in 2025-26, it’s expected the promising young winger will be better prepared for his third NHL campaign with the Flyers.
THE WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets signed prospect forward Viggo Bjorck to a three-year entry-level contract. Bjorck, 18, was chosen eighth overall by the Jets in this year’s NHL Draft.
THE DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche signed Fabian Lysell to a one-year, two-way contract worth an AAV of $850,000 at the NHL level.
Lysell, 23, was acquired from the Boston Bruins in exchange for winger Ivan Ivan during the NHL Draft last month.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lysell was once considered to be one of the Bruins’ top prospects, but he struggled to crack their roster, playing 12 games last season.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former New York Islanders forward Josh Bailey was inducted into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame.
Bailey spent his entire NHL career with the Islanders from 2008-09 to 2022-23, becoming the third player in franchise history to play 1,000 games (1,057).
DAILY FACEOFF: Defenseman Jordan Oesterle has announced his retirement after 12 NHL seasons. From 2014-15 to 2025-26, Oesterle played with the Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, and Calgary Flames. He finishes with 96 points in 409 regular-season games.
RDS: The NHL and NHLPA have invested $4 million to establish a support program for former NHL players and their families to receive care following their playing careers.
NHL alumni members Paul Coffey and Glenn Healy brought up the recent tragedy of former NHL star Claude Lemieux, who died by suicide on May 28 at age 60.
“People have problems. They need somewhere to go for help. Look at what happened to Claude Lemieux,” Coffey said. Healy claimed that Lemieux’s passing “shook us all tremendously,” adding that the Alumni will do everything it can to make a difference for former players who are struggling.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens promoted Daniel Jacob as the new head coach of their AHL affiliate in Laval. He spent the past two seasons as the club’s assistant coach in charge of defensemen and penalty-killing units.
Surprised by the JD hire. Sabres now have alotta chiefs in the kitchen to make decisions. Krebs is a good signing.
Michkov suffered what many young players do and a step backwards in the sophomore year. Some call it the “ jinx”.
I would fully expect a much stronger season 26-27
Wow. A whole $4 million! Record revenue and this is all they can do? I’m not surprised a bit.
I was thinking about michkov…I wonder if off season training can be a bit more of a challenge for youngsters that spend their summers in their home countries and towns. A lot more distractions I would think.
Coming back to Philly early seems a prudent move to ensure he is ready for camp.
Pretty glass half empty take on the fund Ed. I prefer to look at it as a good start. If it is used a lot and requires more funding, they can do that too.
Probably something to that 1Oilerfan, and I would think that most young guys head home in the off season until they establish lives away from their hometowns.
Lots of young guys struggle understanding what being in “NHL shape” means. Because they never had to be. Big difference competing against men playing for their lively hoods who put in the work all summer.
I think that is where the NCAA has an advantage (other than the $$ for the stars) as they play half the amount of games and way less travel than leagues like the WHL.
Word is McKenna’s body changed dramatically in one year. More NHL ready.
Ray, Michkov is young and he’s not the only one who has reported out of shape but he had a full year to understand what NHL shape means.
And Silver, sophomore jinx isn’t the same as reporting out of shape.
Big change in the way the Sabres do business. Jarmo said he would only take the GM job if he got full autonomy over the hockey side of the team. He has rebuilt the front office and scouting department. For all the complaints about Kevyn Adams and his work ,he had to endure a bare bones operation. The hiring of Pete Guelli was the best decision Terry Pegula ever made. He became the eyes and ears of the team and heard all the fans complaints. In order to make money you have to spend money and Guelli got Terry to change his philosophy on running the Sabres. What a refreshing change.
Sabres fans suffered long time. It is good to see them in the mix afain
Agree MB4, good for them.
I found myself rooting for them even after they beat Boston.
Lost a couple key guys, but future still looks bright long term.
Changes in the ice over the summer. Let’s see if they stay as good as they were last year.
Whether he deserved it or not, Boston never gave Lysell a real chance.They are doing the same thing with Merkulov. Shouldn’t Boston have brought back Ardvisson for the 2 yrs at 5 AAV he got from Detroit?
He isn’t good enough. He had enough reps to make his mark and cae up short.
Merk will get his chance and probably show better because he is better.
Ardvisson chose Detroit. Can’t blame anyone for that.
Have to agree SOP, he played the better part of 4 seasons in Providence, that’s an opportunity isn’t it?
Colorado signed him to a 2 way contract, so no guarantee he makes the big club there either. They are guaranteeing him a higher AHL salary than Boston did though. Keeps him in NA vs Europe I would guess.
Cheap forward depth.
Hope they Don t sign Mantha! Averages less than 50 games a year his entire career. I also like Minten but he got an extended period to prove himself which he did but Sweeney also wanted the trade for Carlo desperately to work out!
I’m with Shoreorrpark. I wonder if there is too much credit given to the player because they are young and fast and a prospect that it is the club’s fault for not giving them a “chance”. You are what you are. He wasn’t good enough. Look at Minten. A prospect that proved he’s good enough. The same old song is playing for Poitras. Give him a chance! At what point does the chance run out. He’ll play several games with minimal impact, get smoked and injured again and after recovery, he’ll get another chance or traded and it will be the club’s failure because he didn’t get a chance.
I feel offensive players when young have to be elite finishers to cover their lack of defensive ability to get early shot. Others have to find a 2 way game to crack into nhl. Minton has a 2way game. Thus he is in nhl Potrius is not It helps when your skill set allows you to play either bottom 1/2 or top 1/2 of line up.