NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 25, 2026
Recapping Thursday’s preseason action, the Blue Jackets finally sign Adam Fantilli, the Blackhawks sign Oliver Moore to a four-year extension, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPS OF THURSDAY’S PRESEASON GAMES
NHL.COM: San Jose Sharks rookie forward Ivar Stenberg tallied a hat trick and collected an assist in a 10-0 drubbing of the Anaheim Ducks. Michael Misa had a goal and three assists, Igor Chernyshov had two goals and an assist, Mason Marchment scored twice, and Alex Nedeljkovic turned in a 21-save shutout.
San Jose Sharks prospect Ivar Stenberg (NHL Images).
The Carolina Hurricanes rallied from a four-goal deficit to defeat the Nashville Predators 6-5. Logan Stankoven scored twice (including the tying goal) and added an assist; Taylor Hall had three assists, and Felix Unger Sorum tallied the winning goal. Justus Annunen turned aside 31 shots for the Predators.
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel scored in overtime and picked up two assists in a 5-4 win over the Utah Mammoth. Shea Theodore had three assists for the Golden Knights, and Kevin Stenlund had three assists for the Mammoth.
The Seattle Kraken overcame a 3-1 deficit to nip the Calgary Flames 4-3 on a shootout goal by Berkly Catton. Matty Beniers had two assists, and Brandon Montour and Ryker Evans scored in the third period to force overtime and the shootout. Devin Cooley made 23 saves for the Flames.
An overtime goal by Alex DeBrincat lifted the Detroit Red Wings over the Buffalo Sabres 3-2. Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon and forward Jiri Kulich left this game with injuries.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lyon appeared to injure his left shoulder in the first period. Head coach Lindy Ruff is optimistic that he’s not seriously hurt. Kulich departed in the second period with an undisclosed injury for precautionary reasons.
St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington stopped 17 shots to blank the Chicago Blackhawks 1-0. Calle Rosen scored the only goal as the Blues spoiled Patrick Kane’s first game with the Blackhawks since returning on a two-year contract signed in July.
The Edmonton Oilers got a 25-save performance from goalie Tristan Jarry in a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Isaac Howard had a goal and an assist for the Oilers, while Linus Karlsson replied for the Canucks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oft-injured Canucks forward Filip Chytil left this game in the first period after clipping skates with a referee and crashing into the end boards. Chytil is being evaluated for a shoulder injury.
Philadelphia Flyers netminder Joseph Woll kicked out 28 shots to shut out the Boston Bruins 2-0. Matvei Michkov and Cole Knuble scored for the Flyers. Michael DiPietro made 26 saves for the Bruins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers forward Trevor Zegras received a minor penalty for “improperly wearing his equipment” by tucking his jersey into the back of his pants. Meanwhile, Flyers defenseman Helge Grans left the game with a lower-body injury.
The Florida Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3. Cole Reinhardt and Kai Schwindt each had a goal and an assist for the Panthers. Jansen Harkins tallied twice for the Lightning.
Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Cam Talbot had a 15-save shutout, and Valeri Nichushkin scored in a 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Dmitri Voronkov had two assists for the Blue Jackets. Sergei Murashov stopped 13 shots for the Penguins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Penguins announced that forward Ben Kindel is sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Meanwhile, winger Andrei Kuzmenko will be taking time away from the team for family reasons after his father was killed in a bear attack while on a fishing trip in southern Siberia. My condolences to Kuzmenko and his family.
New York Rangers forward Will Cuylle had a goal and an assist in regulation and scored the winner in a shootout to defeat the New Jersey Devils 4-3. Nico Daws made 20 saves for the Devils.
HEADLINES
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets signed center Adam Fantilli to a six-year contract worth an average annual value of $13.75 million.
Fantilli, 21, missed the opening week of training camp as negotiations with Blue Jackets management took longer than anticipated. His new contract puts the Jackets over the $104 million salary cap by $1.204 million. However, the club will become cap-compliant by placing sidelined goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (shoulder) and Isac Lundestrom (Achilles tear) on long-term injury reserve.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The ripples from Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet in July continue to be felt throughout the league. Carlsson’s new contract reset the market for young NHL talent. It also caught some teams off-guard, forcing them to pay much more than expected to re-sign their best young players.
Fantilli was coming off his entry-level contract, which should’ve given the Blue Jackets full leverage in their contract negotiations. However, his value as their top center, uncertainty about the future of top defenseman Zach Werenski and scoring winger Kirill Marchenko, and pressure on the club to make the playoffs ensured Fantilli would get a more lucrative deal.
CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks signed forward Oliver Moore to a five-year contract extension worth $4.25 million AAV.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moore had 19 points in 51 games as a rookie last season. His speed, versatility, and two-way skills give him the potential to become a top-six forward with the Blackhawks.
THE SCORE: Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman replied to Mark Messier’s criticism of the club hiring Mike Babcock as head coach.
“I think if he really wants to see what’s going on firsthand, he’s more than welcome to come here,” Hyman said. “I think Oilers fans love him. Like I said, there’s a lot of excitement, there’s a lot of positivity here – nothing but good is happening right now. So, to try and spew something negative right now, I think it’s his opinion. Like I said, I have a lot of respect for him, and if he’d like to see what’s going on he’s more than welcome to come down.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll all learn soon enough whether the criticism about Babcock’s hiring was justified.
THE ATHLETIC: The Toronto Maple Leafs placed forward Steven Lorentz on waivers as a potential prelude to signing defenseman Nick Blankenburg, who is in training camp on a professional tryout offer.
OTTAWA SUN: The Senators placed goalie Levi Merilainen on waivers.
NHL.COM: The league and the Winnipeg Jets announced that the statistical history of the club will include the original Jets (1979-80 to 1995-96) and their years as the Atlanta Thrashers (1999-2000 to 2010-11).
With exception of a couple players I think there will be a lot of players going to their respective places in the ahl and ECHL I’ve seen nothing from Steeves, or any of the others, Gaunce, Sweezey, Biasca, Ivan Ivan, Schmaltz, Duran, Kuraly, Halonen , Reichel, etc. still think Dans has got something but whether he survives depends on how he plays in the next game. Man oh man did Dipietro ever play well last night great back up yo Swayman.
Dan will be sent down regardless of what he does as he does not need waivers. So his time will be next season
You don’t know that for sure Mrbruin4
I think Dans stands a good chance of making this team. But I think he’s going to have to have an outstanding game to do it.
It is called incompetence. By delaying Eddy’s and the Cat’s contracts, it is going to cost the over $2-3M more AAV, delaying a Larkin trade will cost them also. And there seems to be no progress even after naming Horcoff interim GM.
I’m the timeline guy Fred, and I posted it because that is the timeline. Larkin requested the trade June 4.
Yzerman was kicked upstairs July 15.
The Larkin issue had nothing to do with the Wings not having a GM, that happened later.
Which is exactly what you posted regarding Larkin situation – “ALL because Detroit ownership could not hire a GM.”
So, that is not why the Larkin situation is what it is.
IMO the reason we haven’t seen that trade yet is because there isn’t one that works for the Wings. And that is because he will only go to 4 teams. Not only is it arrogant by Larkin, its stupid.
For those that think Yzerman could have made a deal with those 4 teams by now, kindly propose one that makes sense for both teams.
Have at er boys!
Or they could trade him for pennies on the dollar, and if that is your take fair enough, and least there is some logic to it. I just disagree with it.
“improperly wearing his equipment” – yet another Mickey-mouse rule improperly taken to its extreme by referees. How in Hell does tucking a jersey into the back of the pants rate a 2-minute minor? Get real, NHL.
Yep well in this case it means the bench was warned, the player was warned a second time and he gets the gate the 3rd time. So I guess follow the rules like em or not? Zegras has history for struggles eith authority so it probabky was some of his childish behavior that got under the skin of a zebra who unprofessionally retalliated. Happens. Regardless…consequences to his chosen behavior. The world might be a better place if more consequences were actually enforced….
Rule is dumb but guy breaking it is dumber
Yet, Gretzky got away with it constantly. I guess it only applies to lesser-lights
https://www.facebook.com/hockeyfeed/posts/the-gretzky-tuck-is-iconic-anyone-else-out-there-tuck-their-jersey-/1842616012576311/
That got me interested and a search returned this:
The NHL’s jersey tuck rule has been in place since 1964, but it was actively enforced starting in the 2013-14 season. The first penalty for this infraction in 13 years was called on Trevor Zegras on September 24, 2026.
The rule is a safety thing. Rule 9.5 states that all protective equipment (except gloves, headgear, and goaltender leg pads) must be worn under the uniform and fully covered by the jersey. Tucking the jersey in exposes pant padding, body protection. I was thinking it was a dumb rule as well until I looked it up this morning. IT does kind of make sense.
Gretzky tucked his jersey in on the side so his stick wouldn’t get caught up in it. There have been a lot of players tucking in their jersey for a number of years. A lot were because of Gretzky and wanted to look like him. This rule has been in place since 1960’s, but hasn’t been enforced since 2013. So it’s not just Gretzky who got away with it.
Maybe not. But he was certainly THE most prominent “offender” …. so, yet another rule for some … but not all.
@Shaun, Zegras being the first to be called in 13 years is probably because all the others were smart enough to correct their jersey after the first or second warning.
Long story short,it was an exhibition game that Zegras got penalized in. The teams and players were put on notice now. Like the illegal stick Ken Dryden was caught with in the playoffs by the Sabres years ago,it is an equipment violation. I don’t blame the officials for doing their job. Blame Zegras first,all the coaches on the bench and upstairs. Everyone was put on notice about this rule that the league got serious about enforcing. I don’t think it was over zealous officials. They were doing their job. Now let’s see them call this in the playoffs. That would really be a hoot.
Gary,
The Dryden issue was pads not stick btw.
They were a fraction wider than the 10″ limit.
And they were probably 10″ when purchased, but stretched that fraction through use, thereby violating the league rule that “thou shalt NOT stretch.” 🙂
Meanwhile Craig Ludwig was actively bending his shin pads outwards so he could block shots better. A quick google image search of Mr. Ludwig will yield some eye rolling pictures.
Agree with ya George that is one rule that somehow needs to be overturned. There’s a couple of others that could need a closer look but that one is embarrassing to the league.
John Apple, at least the “jersey tuck” isn’t designed by those who do it to give them a competitive edge.
Certainly not like Patrick Roy’s extra-baggy 4 sizes too large jersey which, when in his “butterfly stance” caused the excess fabric to look like sails in the sunset, resulting in pucks that would normally get past him under the arms to get caught in the loose fabric. That led to the NHL rule requiring form-fitting jerseys for goalies.
But that wasn’t his only ply … he also once trotted out leg pads that had a clearly-visible white triangle design on the inside of the pads that met in the middle, with the intent to create an optical illusion so that, from a distance and to a shooter, with the triangle blending in with the ice colour, it made the 5-hole an inviting target. But if they bit and aimed for that, he would drop into the butterfly and close the “hole.”
At the early stages of these “innovations” – including extra “cheater” flaps that increased width – league execs considered them legal, but eventually bowed to the rising complaints by introducing strict limits. No doubt part of what galvanized them into making the edicts were the Garth Snow Incredible Hulk shoulder pads and arm “protectors”.
I just got done making arrangements to take my grandson to get some new hockey sticks before the prices went up. I had sticks on my mind when I posted about Dryden. My bad. Getting old you get something on your mind and it stays there sometimes. Sorry about that miscue
John Apple, let’s be honest with yourself. The Bruins are transitioning to a younger team though they Don t want to admit it. They have 10 defensemen and several forwards on NHL contracts and no place for them. I would ride out the storm with Hagens, Minten,KMan,Brunet,Reichel,Dipietro,Aspirot and even Locmelis to name a few. Major decisions need to be made on Zacha and Middlestadt since they are in the last year of their contracts. There only chance at a playoff berth is if Swayman is lights out,Mcavoy stays healthy and Geekie,Peterka and Pasta have big offensive years!
I agree with your opinion on transitioning to young guys, but if I was Sweeney, I would go even further and trade guys like Zacha and Middelstadt for picks and or prospects.
I would be fine missing the playoffs for a few years, even tanking, if it meant some top 3 or top 5 picks.
I get why they aren’t they’ve got some very good players, just not enough of the elite ones you need to compete for a cup.
I hope they pull it off, but my brain says they won’t.
Ray, much like the Senators, whose 99 points last season put them 1 back of the Bruins.
As I posted a few days ago, the projection in the East for this season to make the last WC spot is 97. If that turns out to be accurate It wouldn’t take much faltering for both to just miss the playoffs … putting them in “:no man’s land” in terms of draft position.
Agree George, if both teams stay reasonably healthy, it should be a battle until the end. I don’t think either team could withstand a lengthy injury to a key player and still get in.
For Boston that is Swayman, McAvoy and Pasta.
I can see the Leafs being more competitive this year as well and could be in the mix at the end. Not totally sold on them, but they are definitely improved.
There is a reasonable chance to see 5 teams from the Atlantic that make it, but the injury bug could hit a team again like it did to Florida last year.
They might be…Donny says one thing Cam says another. I’d still like to see them add a few pieces. Without getting on my soap box I think they might have one of the best goalie tandems in the nhl. That Dipietro the other night put on a clinic.
John Apple let’s evaluate Dipietro when the lights are on for real and he is playing against Varsity not JV teams. I like him but I need to see him in 15-20 NHL games. He probably will play one of the games in back to back scheduled games.
John Apple let’s evaluate Dipietro when the lights are on for real and he is playing against Varsity not JV teams. I like him but I need to see him in 15-20 NHL games. He probably will play one of the games in back to back scheduled games.
From what I read Yzerman had a trade in place (probably the one with Minnesota that included Stramel+) but Illitch nixed it and then booted Yzerman upstairs. Illitch wasn’t comfortable trading Larkin for mostly futures.
which makes me wonder a bit more about Yzerman’s reach/length of his leash, while he was gm.
I’m not a fan Yzerman at all. The guy hides being a colossal jerk–really well. But he is. Still. If this was a Melnyk/Pierre Dorion situation where the gm was basically powerless or had to run every decision by the owner…..perhaps not all the Wings futility can be blamed on the ex-gm.
Stramel would be a good starting piece. He is the Wilds # 1 prospect by a country mile! He’s a center, big frame and probably ready to make the jump to the NHL this year or next.
(Someone actually suggested Dach for Stramel a week or two ago here🤣🤣🤣🤣)
Not sure exactly what Detroit is looking for ? A swap that is basically completely even today? Good luck with that!
Although I don’t believe that’s the case. I believe he has driven his value down with the 4 team request. All of which can’t really comfortably afford to trade for him.
George, the Lightning may be in a bit of a pickle, having to ice a coupe of cheap vets and several kids to afford what Kuch’s agent may be asking for. Oreilly (rookie) Geekie (still entry level) Harkins (2 way) Rautiainen (rookie) James (entry level) may all be on the ice for this team that has always favored vets as they struggle with the payroll of a mature core and an unsigned superstar. The D is sound and deep, but it may take a while for them to find their game, and, as you say, its a tough division.
“I think” lol.
Yeah.. Im sure Oilers fans are a little fond of Messier.
Leevi Merilainen was claimed off waivers by Vancouver. Only one I know of – so far.
You right on that sr but I was not confident when they acquired Korpisalo. I think Sweeney done some good moves and bad ones I thought that was a dumb move. But like I said not confident in Korpisalo . But this guy Pietro I have watched in the ahl and two years running best goalie. But the big test is just around the corner.