NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 21, 2026
The Hurricanes celebrate their Stanley Cup championship with a record-setting parade in Raleigh, the latest on Stars forwards Jason Robertson and Jamie Benn, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM/THE NEWS & OBSERVER: An estimated record-setting crowd of over 180,000 people turned out in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, to watch the Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup parade on Saturday.
The parade began at 11 am ET with the team and their families perched on the open-top decks of double-decker buses, arriving at City Plaza an hour later, where the players, general manager Eric Tulsky, and head coach Rod Brind’Amour took turns speaking to the fans.
Tulsky took care of a piece of business during the gathering, announcing the signing of winger Nicolas Deslauriers to a two-year contract extension.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations again to the Hurricanes and their fans for their well-deserved championship run.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars general manager Jim Nill appeared on Sportsradio 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket (KTCK-AM) on Saturday.
Among the topics Nill talked about were Jason Robertson’s contract negotiations and the future of team captain Jamie Benn.
Nill said the club’s priority remains signing Robertson to an extension. He indicated that the discussions continue, but there are currently no real deadlines.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson’s contract status and the ongoing negotiations have drawn considerable interest around the league. The outcome could have far-reaching consequences for the Stars.
Since his debut in 2020-21, Robertson has been among the league’s highest-scoring forwards. He sits 11th overall with 489 points in 453 games, making him the highest-scoring member of the Stars during this period.
Robertson is completing a four-year contract with an average annual value of $7.75 million. He’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer, and is a year away from being eligible for unrestricted free-agent status.
It’s rumored that Robertson could seek a deal comparable to teammate Mikko Rantanen’s eight-year contract ($12 million AAV). The Stars being in a no-tax state could help Nill get him signed to a new deal. However, they currently have $10.139 million, meaning they’ll have to make a cost-cutting trade or two to free up sufficient room to re-sign him.
Nill was asked about the possibility of another team taking advantage of the Stars’ limited cap space to sign forward Mavrik Bourque to an offer sheet. He acknowledged the scenario, adding that they’re also trying to get Bourque signed. Nill claimed they’ve got “different plans in place” for all these scenarios.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bourque is completing a one-year contract with a cap hit of $950,000. Like Robertson, he has arbitration rights. He’s coming off his sophomore season, scoring 20 goals and 21 assists for 41 points. Some observers believe he could flourish with an expanded role, making him a prime target for an offer sheet, provided he’s willing to sign one.
Nill said he intends to meet with team captain Jamie Benn after the upcoming NHL draft to see if he’s willing to return for another season.
“Like I said, we want him back,” Nill said. “He’s a big part of our team and I don’t see any, unless he thinks it’s time (to retire), then we’ll have to look at different directions.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Benn, 36, completed a one-year, bonus-laden contract with a $1 million base salary and a $3 million performance bonus. This season saw his lowest production in a non-lockout, non-COVID season, with 36 points in 60 games.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Utah Mammoth have reportedly hired former Vancouver Canucks head coach Adam Foote as an assistant coach.
NHL.COM: The Seattle Kraken hired former defenseman Justin Schultz in a player development role. Schultz spent 12 seasons in the NHL, spending his final two seasons with the Kraken from 2022-23 to 2023-24.
TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs could be tapping into the Calder Cup-winning Marlies roster for help next season. Among them could be forwards Easton Cowan and Jacob Quillan, defenseman Ben Danford, and goaltender (and playoff MVP) Artur Akhtyamov.
I would be very surprised if the left-shooting RW Cowan DIDN’T make the roster out of training camp following his sparkling 8g 10a 18 pts in 22 playoff games with the Marlies. It would be almost pointless to keep him in the AHL.
Stars need cap space, Pitt needs more cap spending.
Harley + Lyubushkin for Karlsson (1/2 salary) and 2 of Pitt’s 2nd rounders in 2026 and 2027)
That gives Pitt a net of nearly $9M more salary, and the Stars almost $9M less salary. Robo and Bourque get signed and Dallas has another $4M to spend and we don’t know where Seguin is health wise, but there will be a different scenario if he is SLTIR.
Throw on bourque for rakell you got a deal!
I still say Robertson to Toronto for first overall. Stenberg or McKenna would look good in Victory Green. Solves all of the money problems for the Stars.
Robertson to Toronto for the 1st Round pick might solve the cap problems for Dallas but it doesn’t do much for Toronto’s cap. With 19 committed to, they have projected cap space of $18,795,951. If Robertson continues to seek a $12 mil AAV, that would cut the Leafs cap space to $6,795,951 – and still needing to sign 3. They’re far better off having a cost-controlled McKenna (or Sternberg) themselves, and probably think either one would also look good in blue & white.
And although it’s been posted here at least once that Chayka has told McKenna that he’ll be picking him 1st overall, that is not the case. At least anywhere public.
The Toronto GM did visit McKenna at his home in beautiful Whitehorse, Yukon Territory (pop. 39,000), and afterwards McKenna said he had a “really good conversation” and was looking forward to the possibility of playing for Toronto … so it’s hard to envisage that he WON’T be going 1st overall.
All I can say is, man does Dallas look like a team that will have at least one player receive an offer sheet. I hope when Chayka said he wasn’t interested in being/having friends means he will at least look at the option of adding quality players via offer sheet. Of course I prefer he go through a trade route but if he’s true to his word, offer sheets shouldn’t be off the table…especially since they own the ones they need to snag a very undervalued player, like Bourque…I wonder if a combo of picks/prospects and little brother Robbie can help Dallas relinquish Bourque and sign Jason who should be looking to get over $11M per. If not, offer sheet!
Ron,
Chayka can only make one offer sheet request this summer:
$2.387832MM to $4.775666MM = 2027 Second-round pick
Maybe Bourque to a 5 x 4.2M deal ???
That would be my target at Dallas. The Leafs have those picks and cap to fit him in. I still prefer a trade though. Pesky cats already traded my other target…
And now Oilers take another RFA offer sheet worth the cost off the table. Dickinson is under valued and a solid piece.
I’ll be surprised if Dallas doesn’t trade Ilya Lyubshkin for a 3rd or 4th round pick and his $3.25m cap hit to make room.
6’2 205 RHD with only 1 yr till he becomes UFA, a hard hitting 3rd pairing D, good on pk, hitting, shot blocking.
He has no offense, poor transition but would be a good 1 year addition while waiting for Reinbacher.
I think Labushkyn is a goner. As mentioned above, there’s No Way that Harley is leaving. Having Miro and Harley is a luxury that Nil won’t let go.
Myers NMC converts to a 12 team NTC and at only $1.5M in cap, Dallas would get a better return back than Ly-bush. Yes, I know they need to move more…..just sayin.
You are not the only one who thinks Reinbacher needs another year.
I struggle with a plan that sees Reinbacher in the AHL for another year while ice time is given to a 6-7 RHD whose skill set is just that.
Why not give Reinbacher 6-7 minutes? If after a legit shot he needs AHL time a bottom RHD can’t be that hard to find. Or … go with the same pairings that got the Habs to the Conference final?