NHL Rumor Mill – November 7, 2026

by | Nov 7, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – November 7, 2026

Check out the latest proposed destinations for Nikita Kucherov and the latest on the Penguins in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON NIKITA KUCHEROV

NHL NETWORK: Elliotte Friedman noted that we haven’t heard yet from Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois about Nikita Kucherov’s comments explaining his trade request and rejection of a new contract.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kucherov told reporters Monday that it wasn’t about the money, saying a lack of communication and respect from BriseBois were the main factors. Two days later, agent Dan Milstein said negotiations with the Lightning GM went “horribly wrong,” and the relationship was likely “beyond repair”, adding it was probably time for his client to move on.

BriseBois stated on Oct. 30 that the Lightning had no intention to trade Kucherov, but he’s avoided responding to their remarks.

Friedman reiterated that this isn’t a negotiating ploy by the Kucherov camp. After speaking with people who know the 33-year-old Lightning winger well, they believe he’s serious about not returning to Tampa after this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: BriseBois isn’t getting into a public pissing contest with Kucherov, especially if (as some believe) he thinks the superstar winger could change his mind over the course of the season. It’s better to maintain silence publicly while quietly maintaining communication with Kucherov’s camp.

ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski published his list of potential trade or free-agent destinations for Kucherov. They include the Montreal Canadiens, Utah Mammoth, the Vegas Golden Knights, the Dallas Stars, the New York Rangers, and the Chicago Blackhawks. However, he didn’t rule out a reconciliation between Kucherov and the Lightning.

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato considered the Carolina Hurricanes, Canadiens, San Jose Sharks, and Washington Capitals as the most interesting landing spots for Kucherov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No one knows what teams are on Kucherov’s 10-team trade list. Some of them could be the ones on these lists. However, these proposed lists won’t matter if BriseBois maintains his position that he’s not peddling the high-scoring winger.

That could change if the Lightning are struggling before the March 1 trade deadline, or if a rival club makes an offer too good to refuse. For now, however, we can only go by what we know, which is BriseBois’ unwillingness to trade Kucherov.

PENGUINS WILLING TO SELL SOON

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski cited Elliotte Friedman’s recent report claiming the Penguins could be ready soon to become sellers in the trade market.

Appearing on Toronto’s Fan 590, Friedman said he believed trades could happen for the Penguins “pretty quickly.” He believes it depends on what they’ll do with players who have no-trade protection, and whether general manager Kyle Dubas gets a certain level of return.

Forwards Evgeni Malkin and Rickard Rakell and defensemen Eric Karlsson and Kris Letang have some form of no-trade protection. The outlier is winger Bryan Rust.

It’s believed Dubas has set high asking prices on players like Rakell and Rust. Friedman claims he wants high draft picks or prospects ready to step into the lineup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moving those players usually takes time to pull off in the salary-cap era. However, the rise of the salary cap for this season has given teams more cap space to work with, resulting in a busier-than-usual opening month in the trade market.

Moving the salaries could be easier than before, but their respective no-trade clauses remain significant hurdles. The age and performance of the players will also affect their value. They’re all notable players, but some of them are past their prime.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 7, 2026

by | Nov 7, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 7, 2026

Kirill Kaprizov has a four-point game as the Wild set a league record, Mammoth forward Logan Cooley is on pace for a breakout performance, an update on Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF FRIDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Kirill Kaprizov scored and collected three assists as the Minnesota Wild tamed the San Jose Sharks 4-1. Quinn Hughes had a goal and two assists for the 12-3-3 Wild, who sit in first place in the Western Conference with 27 points. Macklin Celebrini scored for the Sharks (7-10-1), who have lost four straight games and six of their last seven.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild became the fastest team in league history to reach 1,000 regular-season wins.

Three unanswered third-period goals by Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Nikita Nesterenko lifted the Anaheim Ducks over the Calgary Flames 5-3. Gauthier has scored 10 goals over the past five games, while Carlsson, Beckett Sennecke and Mikael Granlund each had two points for the 9-7-1 Ducks, who’ve won four straight games. Morgan Frost and Zayne Perekh each collected two assists for the Flames (7-9-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal gave up three goals on 11 shots in the first period until he was replaced by Ville Husso, who stopped all 10 shots he faced over the remaining two periods. Defenseman Jackson LaCombe extended his assist streak to nine games.

The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2. Josh Norris tallied twice while Owen Power collected three assists as the Sabres improved to 8-5-3. Kent Johnson had a goal and an assist for the 7-8-0 Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan suffered a lower-body injury in the second period and winger Dmitri Voronkov departed in the third period with an upper-body injury.

HEADLINES

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports Logan Cooley’s growing confidence, speed off the rush, and an improving two-way game are powering the Utah Mammoth forward to a breakout season.

Cooley had a four-point performance (including a hat trick) in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. He leads the Mammoth with 11 goals and sits second in points with 21, putting him on pace for over 50 goals and 100 points.

TSN: Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said Ivan Demidov has not suffered a setback with his foot injury and remains on pace to return in the two-to-four-week window he was originally assessed.

Hughes said the teams hoped the 20-year-old winger would return within two weeks, but his injury made it difficult to determine an exact timeline. He also said the Canadiens would not give updates on their players’ injuries unless they’ve suffered a setback.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Demidov’s agent, Dan Milstein, recently said his client suffered a fractured foot during preseason play. He played in the first two games of the regular season until an MRI revealed the extent of the injury.

Demidov has resumed skating, and Milstein said he expects his client to return to action soon.

THE ATHLETIC: Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares is expected to return to action on Saturday against the Canadiens. He’s missed the last nine games with a knee injury.

CBS SPORTS: Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen is slated to miss Saturday’s game against the San Jose Sharks with an upper-body injury.

DAILY FACEOFF: Winger Robby Fabbri signed a professional tryout offer with the AHL’s Hamilton Hammers.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 6, 2026

by | Nov 6, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – November 6, 2026

Could Penguins center Evgeni Malkin hit the trade block in January? What’s the latest on the Red Wings, Sharks, and Blackhawks? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE PENGUINS TRADE EVGENI MALKIN IN THE NEW YEAR?

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Evgeni Malkin must submit a three-team trade list to Pittsburgh Penguins management in January. He wondered whether general manager Kyle Dubas might consider moving the 40-year-old center if the club is still struggling.

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (NHL Images).

Dreger said Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin is interested in his former teammate, “but only if the price is right and Malkin is ready to move by that point.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins are struggling, with just three wins in their last 14 games as they approach the 20-game mark. If this continues through their next 20 games, Dubas could accelerate the club’s transition to a younger roster.

A month ago, it was reported that Dubas was open to moving some of his veterans for younger talent. Malkin wasn’t mentioned as a trade candidate, but that could change by January.

Guerin’s interest in Malkin could be his Plan B if he can’t acquire Dylan Larkin from the Detroit Red Wings. Speaking of Larkin…

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN AND SIMON EDVINSSON

TSN: Chris Johnston reports that part of the reason it’s taking so long for the Detroit Red Wings to trade Dylan Larkin and Simon Edvinsson is that interim general manager Shawn Horcoff is trying to hit a home run with these deals.

Johnston isn’t blaming Horcoff, pointing out that he’s only been in the role for a short time and he’s trying to address these difficult situations. He’s waiting for certain deals, but he’s not getting them from the 10 teams on Larkin’s trade list. Meanwhile, it’s probably going to take until the Dec. 1 deadline to sign Edvinsson before there’s any movement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Horcoff has reportedly asked Larkin to expand his trade list again, but the center has so far refused. The Red Wings GM has a much better chance of moving Edvinsson, a restricted free agent lacking no-trade protection. However, he’s on the clock with the Dec. 1 deadline approaching.

SHARKS, BLACKHAWKS LOOKING FOR HELP

TSN: Chris Johnston reports the San Jose Sharks are “big-game hunting”, claiming they’re “very much in” on Simon Edvinsson. He said some teams think Edvinsson makes the most sense to end up with the Sharks.

Pierre LeBrun reports the Sharks’ recent struggles raised speculation about Ryan Warsofsky’s future as their head coach. However, he believes general manager Mike Grier isn’t contemplating a coaching change “at this stage” because they signed Warsofsky to a contract extension in September.

Meanwhile, Johnston said the struggling Chicago Blackhawks have been in the trade market to add some depth to their forward lines. The Blackhawks felt they would be contending for a playoff spot by now.

Johnston believes Grier and Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson can’t afford to be patient for much longer because they’re getting into the meat of the season now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blackhawks beat writer Mark Lazerus of The Athletic reports that questions are being raised about Davidson’s job security and that of head coach Jeff Blashill and the players.

Lazerus noted that Davidson got a contract extension earlier this year, and they can’t fire the players. He said it’s usually the coach who bears the brunt in this situation, but Blashill would be the third coach he’s fired, and the next would be the third he’s hired, and the fifth, including interims.

If Davidson’s not going anywhere and he’s reluctant to fire another coach, trades would be the most logical option, but finding the right deals won’t be easy at this time of year for a club that’s already facing the prospect of another lost season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 6, 2026

by | Nov 6, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 6, 2026

Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki returns to action, multi-point performances by Mammoth center Logan Cooley, Ducks winger Beckett Sennecke and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki had a goal and two assists in his return to action to lead his club over the Utah Mammoth 5-4. Logan Cooley tallied a hat trick and collected an assist for the 10-6-1 Mammoth, but the Canadiens (10-3-3) rallied late for the win on an overtime goal by Cole Caufield. Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz had a goal and two assists, while Canadiens defenseman Adam Engstrom netted his first NHL goal to send the game to overtime.

Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Suzuki missed six games with an injured hand, but you’d never know it by how well the reigning Selke Trophy winner performed in this contest. Meanwhile, Cooley became the fastest active player to record five career hat tricks, doing so in his 228th regular-season game.

Anaheim Ducks forward Beckett Sennecke and defenseman Pavel Mintyukov each scored twice and collected an assist in a 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Cutter Gauthier scored his ninth goal in the past four games for the Ducks (8-7-1), extending their win streak to three games. Connor McDavid extended his season-opening points streak to 17 games with a goal and three assists for the 11-3-3 Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers’ Evan Bouchard scored his 10th goal of the season, becoming the fastest defenseman in franchise history to reach that milestone. Bouchard did it in 17 games, surpassing Paul Coffey’s previous record of 22 games in 1983-84.

Goaltender Connor Hellebucyk made 28 saves for his fourth straight win with the New Jersey Devils as they downed the St. Louis Blues 5-4 on an overtime goal by Jesper Bratt. Anthony Mantha scored twice and set up another for the Devils (11-5-0), who picked up their third straight win. Philip Broberg had a goal and an assist and Dalibor Dvorsky scored the tying goal as the Blues (7-7-2) overcame a 4-1 deficit to force the extra frame.

Carolina Hurricanes winger William Carrier’s first goal of the season was the game-winner in a 5-3 victory against the New York Islanders. Carrier, Andrei Svechnikov, and Jalen Chatfield each finished with a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes (13-3-3), who lead the overall standings with 28 points. Brayden Schenn and Victor Eklund also finished with a goal and an assist for the 7-6-2 Islanders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hurricanes winger Jackson Blake collected an assist to extend his points streak to eight games. Before the game, the Islanders signed defenseman Ben Hutton to a one-year contract after a short stint on a PTO contract.

The Boston Bruins defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2. Pavel Zacha scored twice while Morgan Geekie and David Pastrnak each collected two points for the 12-4-1 Bruins, who’ve won three straight and hold first place in the Atlantic Division with 25 points. Justin Brazeau and Nick Robertson replied for the struggling Penguins (5-9-2), who are winless in their last three contests (0-3-1).

An overtime goal by Steven Stamkos lifted the Nashville Predators to a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. Vitali Pinchuk scored his first NHL goal while Justus Annunen stopped 30 shots for the Predators (7-4-5) as they’ve won three straight games. Jaden Schwartz and Parker Kelly scored for the 9-6-2 Avalanche.

Vegas Golden Knights rookie Trevor Connelly snapped a 1-1 tie late in the third period to nip the Detroit Red Wings 2-1. Braeden Bowman also scored and Carter Hart turned aside 25 shots for the 11-5-2 Golden Knights. Anton Johansson scored for the Red Wings (7-7-3), who got a 32-save performance from netminder Daniil Tarasov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Connelly leads this season’s rookie class with 12 points. He’s become a player to watch in this season’s race for the Calder Memorial Trophy. Golden Knights winger Victor Olofsson picked up an assist as he returned from an upper-body injury that had sidelined him since Oct. 6.

The Tampa Bay Lightning remain undefeated on home ice (8-0-0) after a 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Ilya Mikheyev scored two goals, Erik Cernak had two assists, and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 25 saves for the Lightning (10-3-2). Roman Kantserov scored for the 4-12-1 Blackhawks, who’ve lost three straight games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kansterov is a bright spot in an otherwise miserable season thus far for the Blackhawks. He leads the club and all rookies with eight goals, playing his way into the early Calder conversation.

Third-period goals by Pavel Dorofeyev and Tye Kartye lifted the New York Rangers over the Philadelphia Flyers by a score of 3-2. Adam Fox had two assists and Dylan Garand made 23 saves for the 9-7-1 Rangers. Simon Benoit and Noel Acciari scored for the 4-10-4 Flyers, who have one win in their last six games (1-4-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Rangers placed goalie James Reimer on waivers and put defenseman Sean Durzi (undisclosed) on injured reserve.

The Columbus Blue Jackets downed the Dallas Stars 2-1. Valeri Nichushkin scored the winner in the shootout rounds, Zach Werenski scored the tying goal in the third period, and Cam Talbot stopped 27 shots for the 7-7-0 Blue Jackets. Mikko Rantanen scored and Casey DeSmith made 29 saves for the 9-5-2 Stars.

Winnipeg Jets forwards Dawson Mercer and Mark Scheifele each had a goal and an assist in a 6-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Kyle Connor and Dylan DeMelo each collected two assists for the 6-8-3 Jets. Liam Ohgren and Brock Boeser replied for the 3-14-1 Canucks, who are off to the worst 18-game start in franchise history.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 5, 2026

by | Nov 5, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – November 5, 2026

Should the Bruins pursue Dylan Larkin or Simon Edvinsson? Could the Mammoth pursue a big-ticket player? What’s the latest on Capitals winger Ivan Miroshnichenko? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss wondered if the Boston Bruins should make a major trade for Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin or defenseman Simon Edvinsson.

The Bruins aren’t on Larkin’s 10-team trade list, but it’s rumored he could alter his list to make a deal happen. Earlier this week, TSN’s Darren Dreger said Red Wings director of pro scouting Kris Draper scouted the Bruins’ recent game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (NHL Images).

Dreger believes the Bruins would love to make a deal for Edvinsson. The Red Wings reportedly want to re-sign the 23-year-old restricted free agent, but they’re also listening to trade calls for the skilled young defenseman.

Larkin would be a major offensive upgrade for the Bruins if he accepted a trade to Boston. The Red Wings’ asking price could be high, though Goss believes it wouldn’t make sense to include a young forward like Fraser Minten or James Hagens in the deal.

Acquiring Edvinsson would also be expensive. He could seek an average annual value of $9 million on his next contract. Dreger mentioned the Wings were interested in San Jose Sharks center Michael Misa, meaning the Bruins might have to part with Minten or Hagens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin has steadfastly refused to expand his trade list, meaning the Bruins stand a better chance of getting Edvinsson. They have the assets to make a competitive pitch. However, several other clubs (like the Sharks) are reportedly interested, which could create an expensive bidding war.

The clock is also ticking to get Edvinsson signed before the Dec. 1 deadline for restricted free-agent signings. Reports suggest the Red Wings will take this right up to that date, meaning whoever wants to acquire Edvinsson must have a new contract in place before that deadline, perhaps a sign-and-trade scenario.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun interviewed Utah Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong, who discussed his plans for his surging young team now that they’re becoming a preferred destination for NHL talent.

Armstrong has shown a willingness to make major moves in the trade market. Since taking over as Mammoth GM, he’s acquired Mikhail Sergachev, John Marino, MacKenzie Weegar, and Vincent Trocheck. He also added and later traded winger JJ Peterka, and signed free-agent winger Anders Lee this summer.

League sources claim Armstrong inquired about Connor Hellebuyck before the Winnipeg Jets traded the goaltender to the New Jersey Devils. Dylan Larkin has the Mammoth on his trade list, and it’s believed Armstrong is waiting for the Wings’ asking price to drop.

LeBrun also thinks Armstrong will conduct due diligence on Nikita Kucherov, who has decided not to re-sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning and has requested a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Mammoth could be among the front-runners for Larkin. They might also be enticing to Kucherov, though they lack the superstars he’s rumored to want to play with.

DAILY FACEOFF: Player agent Dan Milstein confirmed he’s been working closely with the Washington Capitals to find a trade for his client, Ivan Miroshnichenko.

Milstein said Miroshnichenko is a good young player “with superstar potential,” but the Capitals have too many players, making it hard for him to earn a full-time roster spot. He’s hoping that they can find his client a new team where he can play regular top-six minutes.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 5, 2026

by | Nov 5, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 5, 2026

The Kings’ Adrian Kempe and the Panthers’ Sandis Vilmanis have four-point performances, Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov’s agent discusses his client’s situation, an update on Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov’s injury, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Adrian Kempe had a hat trick and collected an assist as the Los Angeles Kings clobbered the San Jose Sharks 7-2. Artemi Panarin had four assists and Quinton Byfield tallied twice for the 5-7-2 Kings. Macklin Celebrini and Ivor Stenberg replied for the Sharks (7-9-3), who’ve lost three straight games and five of their last six.

Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks held a players-only meeting after this game. They’re trying to adjust to a more defensive style, but it seems to be stifling the offense that put them in playoff contention last season.

Florida Panthers winger Sandis Vilmanis scored twice and picked up two assists in a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Sam Reinhart had a goal and two assists and Carter Verhaeghe netted a goal and an assist for the Panthers (9-5-2). Frank Nazar had two goals for the struggling Blackhawks (4-11-1), who have one win in their last eight contests (1-6-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TNT hockey analyst Paul Bissonnette roasted the Blackhawks during this game. “I don’t see a lot of identity,” Bissonnette said. “I see a soft team. They don’t check well. They don’t forecheck well. They don’t really do anything well.” He also called them “brutal” and “unwatchable”.

Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill wasn’t pleased with his club’s performance. He praised team captain Connor Bedard’s work ethic but felt several other players weren’t following his example.

Panthers defenseman Seth Jones scored in this game, putting him among the top-five scorers among defensemen this season with 19 points in 16 games.

Ottawa Senators forwards Shane Pinto and Michael Amadio scored in the third period to give their club a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Samuel Ersson made 23 saves for the Senators as they improved to 10-6-1. Peyton Krebs scored and Colten Ellis stopped 28 shots for the Sabres (7-5-3).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Senators forward Ridly Greig missed this game as he’s day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

An overtime goal by Matty Beniers lifted the Seattle Kraken over the Calgary Flames 2-1. Berkly Catton also scored and Joey Daccord turned aside 25 shots for the 9-5-1 Kraken. Yegor Sharangovich scored and Dustin Wolf stopped 27 shots for the Flames (7-8-1).

HEADLINES

DAILY FACEOFF: Player agent Dan Milstein shot down the notion of reconciliation between client Nikita Kucherov and Tampa Bay Lightning management.

Speaking with DFO Insider hosts Jeff Marek and Dave Pagnotta. Milstein said he’s been on good terms with Lightning general manager Julian BriseBois for years. He wished that he and BriseBois had done things differently while discussing a new contract for Kucherov this summer.

However, Milstein claimed that things went “horribly wrong beyond the repair probably at this point in time”, adding that he felt it was “time to move on.”

Kucherov is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He no longer wants to sign an extension with the Lightning and has requested a trade, though BriseBois indicated in a statement that he has no plans to trade the superstar winger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is Kucherov’s last season with the Lightning. He’ll depart on July 1 unless BriseBois changes his mind and peddles the superstar to one of the clubs on his 10-team trade list before the March 1 trade deadline.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of Milstein, he said client Ivan Demidov suffered a fractured ankle during preseason.

The 20-year-old Montreal Canadiens winger attempted to play through the injury, skating in their first two games of this season before an MRI revealed the extent of the injury. He’s been sidelined ever since.

Milstein said his client is “getting ready”, but expects he’ll be out for “a few more weeks”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A video of Demidov on skates earlier this week showed him favoring his injured foot. The Canadiens have offered no date for his return. Based on the video, he could be out until the end of November.

SPORTSNET: Milstein also said that his client Evander Kane is heading to Russia, hoping to sign with a KHL team.

Kane, 35, played with the Vancouver Canucks last season. Through his 17-season NHL career, he has 339 goals and 648 points in 1,001 regular-season games.

SPORTSNET: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck posted a letter to Winnipeg Jets fans explaining why he requested a trade earlier this year. He was shipped to the New Jersey Devils last month following his suspension by the Jets for not attending training camp.

Hellebuyck said “several considerations” went into the request, which included “some very challenging circumstances involving my family.” He went on to thank the fans and the team, expressing gratitude for his 11 seasons with the franchise.

The three-time Vezina Trophy winner returns to Winnipeg next Tuesday when the Devils face the Jets.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Golden Knights rookie forward Trevor Connelly is off to a promising start. The 20-year-old is tied with Boston Bruins forward James Hagens for the most goals among this season’s freshmen (six), and with Toronto Maple Leafs winger Gavin McKenna for second in points (11).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Alex Tuch holds the Golden Knights’ all-time rookie scoring record with 15 goals and 37 points. Connelly is on pace for 30 goals and 55 points.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reports NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is downplaying the early drop in attendance this season.

“Overall attendance is up, and so if you’re looking at a couple of instances where there have been some empty seats, there are generally specific reasons for them, and not the same reason in each place,” Bettman said. “But overall attendance is up, and we’re coming off a record year.”

Kingerski disputed Bettman’s claim, pointing out that Kalshi indicates overall attendance is down by 150 fans per game. While that doesn’t sound like much, Kingerski expects that will increase over the course of the season because the current small sample size is buoyed by the capacity crowds for home openers and subsequent early home games, which draw well.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kingerski isn’t the only pundit to point out the empty seats around the league this season. The fan cost index has risen steadily, and given the shaky North American economy, fans are finding it too expensive to go to NHL games.

SPORTSNET: Voters in the Dallas suburb of Plano rejected a proposition that would have authorized new taxes related to a planned new arena for the Dallas Stars.

In a statement, the Stars’ ownership expressed disappointment that the proposition didn’t pass, but remained confident in the long-term plan for the project and the positive effect it would have on the city of Plano.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It could also result in the Stars remaining in their current location if sufficient funding cannot be raised for the Plano project.