NHL Rumor Mill – September 16, 2025

by | Sep 16, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 16, 2025

An update on Kirill Kaprizov’s contract negotiations with the Wild, and the latest on the Penguins, Canadiens, and Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: During Monday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman said he doesn’t think Kirill Kaprizov has informed the Minnesota Wild about a contract number he’d consider acceptable.

Last week, the 28-year-old winger rejected an eight-year, $128 million contract proposal from the Wild, with an average annual value of $16 million.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

Friedman said there’s some sense that there’s “no magic number” for Kaprizov. He pointed to Wild owner Craig Leipold’s comments last fall, where he said no other team could pay the winger the type of years and salary that they could.

That has Friedman wondering if the Kaprizov camp is waiting to see how far they can push this, and how comfortable the Wild will be with his final number. While some might think Kaprizov isn’t a $17 million or $18 million player, he could be worth that much to the Wild because of how valuable he is to the organization.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leipold’s public comments may have put his club at a disadvantage in negotiations with Kaprizov’s representatives. However, given the winger’s value to the Wild, they may have taken this stance even if Leipold had said nothing.

Kaprizov is the most exciting player in Wild history. He set the single-season franchise records for goals (47), assists (61), and points (108) in 2021-22, and had 46 goals and 96 points in 2023-24. The game-breaking winger is crucial to their efforts to become a Stanley Cup contender within the next five years.

Signing Kaprizov to an eight-year contract with an AAV between $17 million and $18 million is expensive, and the deal might not age well if injuries and age catch up with him in the final half of the deal. However, if the Wild were willing to pay him $16 million, they should be willing to come up another million or two, especially with the salary cap projected to rise significantly.

If the Wild isn’t willing to do that, trading Kaprizov at the trade deadline or watching him depart as a free agent next July could be disastrous for a franchise that has only won four playoff rounds in 24 years. It sends the wrong message to their fans, creating the perception that Minnesota, the “State of Hockey”, isn’t a desirable location for the league’s best players.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Vensel wondered how much longer forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust will remain with the Penguins.

Both forwards are signed through 2027-28, but they’ve been the subjects of frequent trade speculation throughout the offseason. It’s believed Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has set a high asking price for both, which would explain why they haven’t moved yet.

Vensel expects one or both could be moved at some point between now and the March 2026 trade deadline, or at some point down the road.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubas isn’t going to just move Rust and Rakell for the sake of making a trade. He’s hoping to get the best return possible, which means a first-round pick and a top prospect or a young NHL-ready player. With both players under contract beyond this season, he can afford to be patient.

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu reports Montreal Canadiens management is happy with the club’s progress, especially with its roster core. However, they know that more work must be done.

They want to surround that young core with the right complementary pieces. GM Kent Hughes didn’t rule out overpaying to get a specific player who is important for the team’s future. Asked if the priority was pursuing a young player or a veteran in his 30s, Hughes said he’d answer that question by midseason.

Basu believes the Canadiens will focus on the start of this season to see which teams get off to a slow start and begin shopping veteran players in an effort to improve their chances of winning the 2026 draft lottery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Finding a reliable second-line center remains the Canadiens’ priority. They will likely start the season looking internally, with Kirby Dach filling that role if he’s returned from season-ending knee surgery. However, they will keep their focus on the trade market.

TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby reported that TSN’s Darren Dreger said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Maple Leafs attempted to sign Dillon Dube.

The 27-year-old winger was among the five former Hockey Canada players acquitted of sexual assault charges last month. Dube played for Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving during their days with the Calgary Flames.

Dreger felt Dube might help the Leafs as a possible top-six forward. However, Hornby believes the club would weigh that with the backlash they could face from fans and pundits. He doubted that Dube would dislodge one of the Leafs’ current top-six forwards after a year and a half away from the NHL.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 16, 2025

by | Sep 16, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 16, 2025

Sidney Crosby addresses trade and “tanking” talk, the latest Islanders and Canadiens news, Drew Doughty hopes to play for Canada in the 2026 Olympics, remembering Hall of Famer Ed Giacomin, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins captain Sidney Crosby directly addressed recent speculation suggesting he might welcome a trade out of Pittsburgh.

“This is where I want to be. I love it here,” Crosby said. “I can’t keep having to answer the same questions over again (just) because of these narratives. If people want to write about that or say that, that’s fine. I can’t really control that.”

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Crosby also dismissed the notion that the Penguins should tank the season to improve their chances of winning the 2026 Draft Lottery. “You play to win,” he said. “That’s how I view it, and you’re not going to convince me otherwise. If you’re one of the people that believe that, then you’re entitled to believe that, but that’s not why I signed up to play the game. That’s not the game I know.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The trade buzz about Crosby arose from a comment made last week by his agent, Pat Brisson, acknowledging the possibility of his client asking for a trade one day. Some observers took his comments to mean that Crosby wouldn’t want to stick around if the rebuilding Penguins continue to miss the playoffs.

Crosby is in the first season of a two-year contract. He could decide at some point that he wants one last shot at playing for the Stanley Cup and could request a trade to a contender. However, it doesn’t sound like he’s currently considering that possibility.

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW: The impending return of former Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury for a preseason practice on Sept. 26 and a preseason game on Sept. 27 has led to a surge in ticket prices for both events.

Prices for Penguins preseason games are typically between $20 and $25. For the Fleury game, the prices range from $235.00 to $2,975.00 on Ticketmaster.

Fleury formally retired after last season, but his return for those two events will allow him to retire as a Penguin.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders forward Mathew Barzal said he is good to go entering training camp after missing the end of last season with a kneecap injury. He indicated that it has fully healed, and now it’s a matter of getting back to being the player he was mentally.

CBS SPORTS: Barzal’s teammate, Bo Horvat, will be ready for the upcoming start of training camp. He had suffered an ankle injury playing for Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Championship in May, but has indicated he’s feeling great and is ready for the start of this season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Islanders winger Anthony Duclair revealed he tore his groin muscle right off the bone five games into last season, which sidelined him until late December, but he admitted he returned too soon.

The injury hampered Duclair’s performance, prompting head coach Patrick Roy to publicly criticize his play as “god awful” following a loss to Tampa Bay in early April, prompting Duclair to take a season-ending leave of absence.

Duclair said Roy personally visited him following the season to apologize for his comments, and they worked things out.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson walked back his father’s comments regarding his son being passed over for Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp.

Rob Hutson raised the possibility of Lane, who has dual citizenship, playing for Canada. However, Lane shot that down, saying he’s a proud American and loves USA Hockey. While he loves playing in Canada, he stated that he’s a USA Hockey Player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hutson could still be selected for Team USA’s final Olympic roster. Otherwise, he’ll get more opportunities to play for his country in the World Championships, the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, and the 2030 Winter Olympics.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Jeff Gorton, the Executive VP of Hockey Operations for the Canadiens, said Kirby Dach has made good progress in his recovery from a season-ending knee injury.

“He looks great,” Gorton said. “He feels great, he’s healthy. We have a plan in place to have him ready for opening night. So, that’s what we’re going to try to do.” However, he stopped short of guaranteeing that the 24-year-old center will be ready to go by then.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Back-to-back knee injuries have hampered Dach’s efforts to secure the Canadiens’ second-line center role.

SPORTSNET: Speaking of Gorton, the Canadiens are in contract extension talks with him and general manager Kent Hughes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s not a surprise considering the pace of the Canadiens’ rebuild. The club wants to ensure both men stick around to complete the job.

NHL.COM: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty remains determined to secure a place on Canada’s Men’s Olympic hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

“I expect to be on the team,” Doughty said. “I know it’s going to be hard for me to make it, but personally I expect to be on that team. I do think making the best team in the world at 36 years old is quite an accomplishment. That would be amazing. I’ve honestly been thinking about this way too much and it’s still so far away.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Doughty won gold with Canada in the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, and he was part of their gold-medal team in February’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

NEW YORK POST: Hall of Fame goaltender Ed Giacomin passed away on Sunday at age 86.

Giacomin spent most of his 13 NHL seasons with the New York Rangers (1965-66 to 1975-76), becoming one of the league’s top goaltenders. A fan favorite in New York and a skillful puckhandler, he was a First Team All-Star in 1966-67 and 1970-71, and shared the Vezina Trophy with teammate Gilles Villemure in 1970-71. He and Villemure backstopped the Rangers to the 1972 Stanley Cup Final.

Claimed off waivers by the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 31, 1975, Giacomin got the start for the Wings against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden two days later, where the Rangers fans chanted his name throughout the game, moving him to tears.

Giacomin played with the Red Wings from 1975-76 to 1977-78 before retiring. He had a career record of 290 wins, 209 losses, and 96 ties in 690 regular-season games with a 2.82 goals-against average, a .902 save percentage, and 54 shutouts. Giacomin was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Giacomin’s family, friends, former teammates, and the Rangers organization. I remember watching him play during the early-70s and was impressed by his acrobatic style and his ability to handle the puck. He played a big role in turning the Rangers into a Stanley Cup contender during those years.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 15, 2025

by | Sep 15, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 15, 2025

Should the Rangers attempt to acquire Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov? Which teams should become sellers this season? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST KAPRIZOV SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Vince Z. Mercogliano was recently asked what a realistic trade offer from the New York Rangers would be needed to acquire winger Kirill Kaprizov from the Minnesota Wild.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov, 28, is in the final season of his contract with the Wild and eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1. He reportedly rejected an eight-year offer from the Wild worth an average annual value of $16 million.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

Mercogliano indicated there are many connections here. Kaprizov shares the same agent as Rangers winger Artemi Panarin. He’s also believed to be close to Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. He claimed that he’s heard the Blueshirts would be on Kaprizov’s short list of trade destinations, and Rangers general manager Chris Drury has growing cap space and a desire to reshape the roster.

As for the asking price, Mercogliano believes it would include two first-round draft picks and a player like Alexis Lafreniere. Clearing the 23-year-old winger’s $7.45 million AAV through 2031-32 might make it possible to sign Kaprizov and retain Panarin, provided the latter agreed to a pay cut.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks took to social media to dismiss the possibility of the Rangers “hollowing out their roster and draft capital” to trade for Kaprizov and then signing him for an AAV between $16 million and $18 million. He called it “about as ludicrous as it gets.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Kaprizov really wants to join the Rangers, and if they have the cap space to sign him, then why trade away solid assets to get him? It would give them exclusive signing rights until July 1, but as Brooks points out, it would do more harm to their roster depth now and in the future.

The Rangers are projected to have over $29.6 million in cap space for 2027-28 with 17 active roster players. Assuming it costs $18 million annually for Kaprizov, that would leave them with only $11 million, most of which would be used to re-sign Panarin or to find a suitable replacement.

Moving Lafreniere’s cap hit increases that cap space to over $37 million, giving them more wiggle room to sign Kaprizov and retain Panarin. However, Lafreniere’s contract is a tough sell right now, and another disappointing campaign means the Rangers would have to retain part of it or take on a bad contract in return.

Age is also a concern. Kaprizov turns 29, and Panarin is currently 33. The Rangers would be investing a significant amount of that projected cap space into two players whose next contracts might not age well, becoming more burdensome during the final years of those deals.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jim Parsons recently looked at several teams that have the cap space to sign Kaprizov to a massive new contract.

They include rebuilding teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, and Chicago Blackhawks. The retooling Boston Bruins are another, as is the Washington Capitals, who finished first overall in the Eastern Conference last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If it’s all about the money for Kaprizov, he won’t care where he goes as long as he gets paid. However, the 28-year-old superstar winger might prefer landing with a club that has a chance at becoming a Stanley Cup contender. That rules out all those rebuilding teams for at least the next four or five years.

The Bruins have the cap room, but it’s unlikely that their ownership would approve a massive contract for Kaprizov. That leaves the Capitals, who will seek a replacement for future Hall-of-Famer Alex Ovechkin in the near future. Whether they’re willing to pony up to get him remains to be seen.

WHICH TEAMS SHOULD BECOME SELLERS THIS SEASON?

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato looked at four teams that should consider becoming sellers this season.

The Nashville Predators could consider offloading the salaries of veteran forwards like Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O’Reilly now that the salary cap will rise significantly over the next two years. Stamkos and Marchessault have no-trade clauses, but they’re in the mid-30s and might not want to stick with a retooling club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It wouldn’t be surprising if Stamkos and Marchessault get peddled to playoff clubs if the Predators are out of contention by the March trade deadline.

If the Pittsburgh Penguins want to improve their chances of winning the 2026 draft lottery, they should offload as many veterans as possible. They’ve been trying to move defenseman Erik Karlsson, but should also attempt to trade wingers Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. There are rumblings that this season is Evgeni Malkin’s last, so perhaps he’d consider moving on for one last shot at the Stanley Cup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In February, Malkin stated he intends to retire as a Penguin. Unless he’s changed his mind, we can rule out the possibility of shipping him to a playoff contender.

The Calgary Flames are almost certain to move UFA-eligible defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Given the massive demand for centers, they should attempt to trade Nazem Kadri. Veteran winger Blake Coleman could also draw some interest in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames came within a whisker of clinching a playoff berth last season. It’ll be interesting to see what they do if they’re still in the hunt by the deadline. Andersson could still be moved, but they will likely hang onto Kadri and Coleman unless those two want to be moved.

This could also be a perfect time for the Boston Bruins to retool their roster. Players like Pavel Zacha, Viktor Arvidsson, Sean Kuraly, and Andrew Peeke could be in demand, enabling them to get returns that help them restock their prospect pipeline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trade rumors have dogged Zacha throughout the offseason. He could be their most valuable trade chip this season if they decide to sell.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 15, 2025

by | Sep 15, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 15, 2025

Panthers center Sam Bennett returns from a memorable summer, former Stars coach Peter DeBoer regrets singling out Jake Oettinger following the club’s playoff elimination, the Flyers trade goalie Ivan Fedotov to the Blue Jackets, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: After a memorable summer, Sam Bennett is excited about the upcoming season with the Panthers.

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (NHL Images).

The 29-year-old center won the Conn Smythe Trophy (the first player to do so in franchise history) as he led the Panthers to their second straight Stanley Cup championship. He then signed a new eight-year contract with the club and married Zoe, his partner in Humane Society adoptions.

Bennett isn’t concerned about the short offseasons that he and his teammates have had since reaching the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. “You get to stay in shape a lot easier,” he said. “You don’t have as much time to get out of shape.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers enter this season hoping to become the first team since the 1982 New York Islanders to win three straight Stanley Cups. That team would win four straight from 1980 to 1983.

However, winning their third straight Cup could be the most challenging for the Panthers. The toll of those long seasons and shortened summers could catch up with them, plus they’ll be without left winger Matthew Tkachuk until January as he recovers from injuries incurred during last season. As of July 1, the Panthers also had one of the oldest rosters heading into 2025-26.

NHL.COM: Former Dallas Stars head coach Peter DeBoer said he doesn’t regret pulling goaltender Jake Oettinger early in Game 5 of the 2025 Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers. However, he regrets how he handled the narrative after the Stars were eliminated following a 6-3 loss to the Oilers.

“Listen, we were all to blame for coming up short again, and it starts with me,” DeBoer told NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger. “It was on me, it was on the coaches, it was on all the players, it was on the organization as a whole. We all created the disappointment. We were all to blame, not just one guy.”

When all the postgame questions were about Oettinger, DeBoer felt he should’ve redirected the topic to stress that it wasn’t about the goaltender, but the entire team.

After losing that series, the Stars fired DeBoer, replacing him with Glen Gulutzan. However, DeBoer remains one of Canada’s assistant coaches for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBoer has a strong regular-season record and also guided the 2011-12 New Jersey Devils and the 2015-16 San Jose Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final. He’ll land with another NHL team in the near future, perhaps a little wiser from his mishandling of the situation during his final game with the Stars.

THE ATHLETIC: The Philadelphia Flyers traded goaltender Ivan Fedotov to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Jackets are taking on his full $3.275 million cap hit, though he’s owed just $775K in base salary.

Aaron Portzline writes that Fedotov is being brought in to add depth to the Jackets’ goaltending position. It’s expected that Jet Greaves will back up starter Elvis Merzlikins. Kevin Kurz reports the move clears a logjam between the pipes for the Flyers, who added Dan Vladar with a two-year contract earlier this summer.

ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski reported Washington Capitals assistant coach Mitch Love was placed on a team-imposed leave of absence pending results of an NHL investigation.

Wyshynski indicated that an NHL source stated the league received a letter detailing allegations related to Love’s personal conduct during his interviews for coaching jobs with rival clubs during the offseason. Two of the teams with whom he reportedly interviewed received similar letters. The allegations predate his tenure with the Capitals.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 14, 2025

by | Sep 14, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 14, 2025

More Sidney Crosby trade speculation plus the latest on the Canucks in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW: Mark Madden believes that, for the first time in Sidney Crosby’s NHL career, the prospect of the Penguins’ superstar finishing his playing days with another team seems real.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Madden based this on comments made by Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, who suggested last week that a trade was “always a possibility.” He doesn’t expect the Penguins captain to be moved if the club winds up sold this season. If they remain in the hands of the current ownership, they won’t trade their biggest asset during this season.

If Crosby ends up traded, Madden believes it’ll happen following the 2025-26 campaign. He considers a move at the trade deadline to be a long shot. “Crosby’s addiction to routine makes a midseason move squeamish.”

Crosby would have one season left on his contract after 2025-26. That might hurt his trade value, but a Stanley Cup contender might be willing to pay big to get him.

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu believes if Crosby wants to be traded, the Montreal Canadiens can offer exactly what he wants.

The Canadiens have the young players and draft picks to meet the Penguins’ asking price in a trade. Certain core players, including Ivan Demidov, would be untouchable.

Other clubs, such as the Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers, might give Crosby a better chance to win the Stanley Cup. However, the Canadiens exceeded expectations last season and reached the playoffs. They’re a team on the rise, and Crosby could accelerate that ascension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Only one person can decide if Crosby will be traded, and that’s Crosby. He has a full no-movement clause, giving him complete control over his situation. Given his status as the Penguins’ franchise player and one of the game’s greatest stars, the Penguins aren’t going to push him out the door. The decision is his alone.

Basu also noted that the Canadiens were Crosby’s favorite team when he was growing up, and he has always been treated well by Montreal fans whenever he plays there.

As for trade assets, Marc Dumont of Montreal Hockey Now included center Michael Hage and goaltender Jacob Fowler among those promising young players who would be the most enticing. Whether the Canadiens would actually part with either one for one year of Sidney Crosby seems unlikely, but not impossible.

Still, it’s more likely that the Canadiens resolve their second-line center needs internally or with a more affordable option from a different team before the March trade deadline.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the Vancouver Canucks’ management will be on the hot seat this season.

If the Canucks fail to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance, Johnston believes there will be changes in the front office. That will put plenty of pressure on Jim Rutherford, the president of hockey operations, and general manager Patrik Allvin.

A source who is a “close observer” of the situation told Johnston that those management changes could come by Christmas if the Canucks stumble out of the gate.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 14, 2025

by | Sep 14, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 14, 2025

Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov and Senators defenseman Carter Yakemchuk shine in rookie tournament play, Kings winger Corey Perry is sidelined, Blackhawks re-sign goalie Spencer Knight, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov had a goal and two assists in a 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets during the first of their two games in the 2025 Prospects Showdown at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Montreal Canadiens rookie winger Ivan Demidov (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All eyes in Montreal are on Demidov after his promising performance in two regular-season games and five playoff contests last season. He didn’t disappoint in this game, including his game-tying highlight-reel goal. The 19-year-old winger is considered the early favorite to win the Calder Memorial Trophy this season.

Granted, this was just one game in a rookie tournament before training camps open later this season. Nevertheless, Demidov’s play will stoke the buzz surrounding this youngster.

OTTAWA SUN: Defenseman Carter Yakemchuk tallied twice and collected an assist as the Senators nipped the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in the Prospects Showdown.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yakemchuk hopes to crack the Senators’ roster. The puck-moving blueliner had a promising camp last season but was among the late cuts because his defensive game needed work. If he’s improved that aspect of his game, he could become a welcome addition on the right side of their blueline.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Offseason acquisition Isaac Howard wasn’t a standout for the Oilers in their 6-5 loss to the Calgary Flames on Friday at Rogers Place.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers acquired Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning this summer. Winner of the Hobey Baker Award as last season’s top college player, he’s expected to be on their active roster this season.

THE TENNESSEAN: Forwards Brady Martin and Joakim Kemell were the standouts for the Nashville Predators in their wins over the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes in rookie tournament play.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Martin is the Predators’ first-round pick (fifth overall) in this year’s draft. Kemell is their first-rounder (17th overall) in the 2022 draft. The latter appeared in two games with the Preds last season.

THE ATHLETIC: The St. Louis Blues iced a five-man unit consisting of first-round picks in their prospect tournament games against the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks. Dalibor Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg, and Justin Carbonneau were the forwards, with Adam Jiricek and Theo Lindstein as the defensemen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be interesting to see if those five go on to become roster regulars for the Blues.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Kings winger Corey Perry will miss six to eight weeks after undergoing knee surgery following an injury suffered at the club’s training facility on Friday.

The 40-year-old winger signed a one-year contract with the Kings in July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An unfortunate setback for Perry, whose experience (especially in the postseason) was among the reasons why the Kings signed him.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks signed goaltender Spencer Knight to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $5.83 million. Knight, 24, is in the final season of a three-year contract with an AAV of $4.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks acquired Knight from the Florida Panthers in March. He immediately stepped into the starter’s role with the rebuilding club, sporting a record of 5-8-3 with a 3.18 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage.

NHLPA.COM: Former PA Executive Director Bob Goodenow passed away suddenly on Saturday at age 72.

Goodenow took over the job in 1991, leading the players through a strike in 1992, a half-season lockout in 1994-95, and the lockout that wiped out the 2004-05 season. A fierce advocate for players’ rights, he negotiated landmark gains in salary, free agency, pension, and health benefits, and helped them take control of their name, image, and likeness rights. Goodenow also helped establish pioneering programs such as player salary disclosure, second medical opinion for players, the agent certification program, and working with the NHL to implement the substance abuse and behavioral health programs for players and their families.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Goodenow had a profound effect on the game for the players after they were taken advantage of for yearsby the league and by former PA director Alan Eagleson, who would be jailed for fraud and embezzlement.

Under Goodenow, the players made substantial financial gains. However, his downfall came during the 2004-05 season-killing lockout.

At the beginning of the standoff, Goodenow warned the players that it could take up to two years to achieve their goal of avoiding the salary-cap system advocated by the league. However, their support wavered after the league canceled the season, and he lost the confidence of PA president Trevor Linden. Once the lockout was ended, Goodenow was replaced by Ted Saskin.