NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 14, 2026
The Canadiens re-sign Zachary Bolduc, Matty Beniers talks about stars not wanting to come to Seattle, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens re-signed winger Zachary Bolduc to a four-year contract worth an average annual value of $4.2 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bolduc signing came one day after the Canadiens inked unrestricted free agent winger Chris Kreider to a one-year, bonus-laden deal.
Montreal Canadiens winger Zachary Bolduc (NHL Images)
Bolduc, 23, was coming off his entry-level contract. He made his NHL debut with the St. Louis Blues in 2024-25, and the Canadiens acquired him on July 1, 2025. Bolduc struggled to adjust to the Canadiens’ system, sparking offseason speculation that he could become a trade candidate. However, management obviously believes he has potential as a middle-six winger.
The signing leaves the Canadiens with over $4.2 million in salary cap space. Defenseman Arber Xhekaj (who has also been the subject of trade rumors this summer) is their only unsigned player.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Speaking of the Canadiens, Karine Hains indicated that there is an unconfirmed report that defenseman Kaiden Guhle underwent offseason surgery and is still rehabbing. More information about Guhle’s status is expected to be revealed during the Canadiens’ annual golf tournament on Monday.
Hains also noted that blueliner Arber Xhekaj remains unsigned, raising questions about whether he’ll still be with the Canadiens when training camp opens. That could open the door for promising blueliner David Reinbacher to earn a full-time roster spot this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Plenty of blueline intrigue as the Canadiens approach training camp this week. We won’t have to wait long to find out what’s going on with Guhle, Xhekaj, and Reinbacher.
THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus recently reported that Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers and his teammates take it personally when stars reject joining the club.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Beniers said. “There’s a tough rep about Seattle because it’s rainy, and maybe the city. But guys love it in Seattle – the guys that are there. When the sun’s out, it’s beautiful. There’s so much nature; there are a lot of things to do. So yeah, it obviously doesn’t feel good when you’re on a team and you try to get someone and they don’t want to come. But at the same time, if you don’t want to be here, we don’t want you, anyway.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lazerus observed that players around the league love Seattle as a road city, and it has a state-of-the-art arena. However, he noted that the Kraken’s postseason drought has made it difficult to attract talented players.
The Kraken attempted to acquire Artemi Panarin before he was traded from the New York Rangers to the Los Angeles Kings in February. They also tried to trade for Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson. Both players blocked the trades, with Robertson re-signing a one-year deal with the Stars.
SPORTSNET: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed defenseman Carson Soucy to a professional tryout offer.
THE MERCURY NEWS: San Jose Sharks prospect forward Cam Lund’s participation in training camp is in question after suffering an upper-body injury during a rookie tournament game with the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Former Oilers owner Cal Nichols died Saturday. He was 84.
Nichols spearheaded a group of 38 investors who bought the Oilers in 1998. He served as team chairman and governor until the team was sold to current owner Darryl Katz in 2008.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers fans owe Nichols a debt of gratitude. His efforts kept the franchise in Edmonton when it was on the verge of being sold and moved to Houston in 1998.
My condolences to Nichols’ family, friends, and the Oilers’ organization.
To be fair, Quebec would probably have a similar reputation to Seattle if it came back into the league. Beautiful city with a rich history (1608) and a gorgeous european style, but with long, cold and snowy winters. That wouldn’t appeal to most star players either I’m sure.
Quebec City has two big obstacles. One, they would be one of the smallest markets in the league, and two, there is no ownership group willing to step up and make a bid.
Actually 3 … there is simply no major corporate base on which the NHL relies heavily for high-end corporate spending, such as luxury suites and major sponsorships, for long-term revenue. In the province of Quebec that is primarily located in and around Montreal.
Feel bad for players like Beniers being stuck in a city like Seattle which is not what players are looking for in a destination city. Columbus seems to be struggling with the same issue. Montreal has opened the doors again as Canada s hottest destination. Toronto and Edmonton not far behind but Vancouver,Calgary and Winnepeg joining Seattle and Columbus!
The city of Seattle isn’t the problem, Sr. The problem is that the Kraken have been mired in mediocrity for most of their existence. That’s on the people running the franchise, not the city itself.
There’s an easy solution for Benier’s woes trade him to Boston there’s your number one centre. We send Seattle a number one, zacha, Lohrei
And Létourneau. Signed sealed and delivered.
Holy overpayment, Batman!
Habfan30, thanks for that game link last night for the final game in that Prospects tournament in Gatineau. Good game with several promising prospects for both sides showing their skills.
On the Habs side I was particularly impressed by D Luke Mittelstadt while for the Senators the 32nd pick overall – Jaxon Covers – continues to open eyes. The undrafted Nadeau was a little buzz-bomb all night, but at 5′ 6″ 165lbs (soaking wet) the odds are against him.
John Apple, you’re giving away the store there! Hold on!