NHL Rumor Mill – October 10, 2026

by | Oct 10, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – October 10, 2026

What’s the latest on Simon Edvinsson? Could the Maple Leafs make another big move this season? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman, Shayna Goldman, and Corey Pronman looked at the Detroit Red Wings’ options in Simon Edvinsson contract negotiations and the trade market.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (NHL Images)

Edvinsson’s value would be high in the trade market. Some believe he could become a No. 1 defenseman, while others see him as a strong No. 2 or 3 blueliner.

Pronman looked at recent trades involving comparable defensemen. They included one-for-one deals (Mikhail Sergachev for Jonathan Drouin, Seth Jones for Ryan Johansen) or a package deal (Jamie Drysdale as the centerpiece for Cutter Gauthier).

A return for the Red Wings would have to include “a major young player (or more than one)”.

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears believes the Islanders would have a complicated path to acquiring Edvinsson, but not an impossible one.

With defenseman Alexander Romanov sidelined by a knee injury for the rest of the season, Sears believes the Islanders have the cap space to try and sign Edvinsson to an offer sheet. They would gain $6.25 million in cap space by placing Romanov on long-term injured reserve, provided Romanov is also out for the playoffs. The Islanders would also have to add to their current cap payroll to push them to the cap ceiling to be eligible for full cap relief.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sears raised several scenarios for the Islanders to put themselves in a position to offer-sheet Edvinsson. He’s right that it’s not impossible, but it would be so complicated that they’re unlikely to go that route.

Nevertheless, Sears’ column raises the question of whether other clubs might attempt to sign Edvinsson to an offer sheet. He reportedly rejected several overtures during the summer.

Some observers suggest signing him to a one-year, high-cost offer sheet that would make it difficult for the Red Wings to match, but few teams have the cap space or the necessary compensatory draft picks in 20227 to make that pitch.

Edvinsson reportedly prefers a trade, which suggests he’s still not interested in an offer sheet. It’s doubtful he’ll want a one-year deal. Signing him to a multi-year offer sheet in-season would come with a higher prorated cap hit for this season.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, James Mirtle was asked if the Toronto Maple Leafs would acquire a top-four defenseman this season.

Mirtle believes they’ll try, indicating that they possess some trade capital. They have the Colorado Avalanche’s first-round pick in 2027, a second-round pick in each of the next three drafts, and some decent prospects.

However, he doesn’t see them targeting young RFA defensemen like Alexander Nikishin of the Carolina Hurricanes or Simon Edvinsson of the Detroit Red Wings. He pointed to the high acquisition cost plus the expensive contracts they’re believed to be seeking.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs have $5.775 million in cap space with Max Domi and Dakota Joshua on LTIR. If they’re going to shop for a defenseman, they’ll likely try to move a salary or two in the process.

Asked when the Maple Leafs might attempt to trade Morgan Rielly, Mirtle noted that the 32-year-old defenseman is willing to waive his no-movement clause for a handful of teams. He thinks the Maple Leafs could revisit that if this season goes sideways, especially if they’re looking to add a top-four blueliner.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moving Rielly will depend on whether his trade value has improved. He’s signed through 2029-30 with an AAV of $7.5 million, which could be difficult to move if his performance isn’t any better.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 10, 2026

by | Oct 10, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 10, 2026

Recapping Friday’s action, the Canadiens and Predators make a trade, injury updates, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF FRIDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: An injury to New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin overshadowed his club’s 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. Shesterkin left the game in the second period with the score tied at 1-1 after injuring his right leg. He was helped off the ice and replaced by backup Dylan Garand.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images)

Timothy Liljegren, Boone Jenner, and Tom Wilson scored, and Logan Thompson made 21 saves for the Capitals (3-1-0). Alexis Lafreniere tallied for the 4-2-0 Rangers as their four-game win streak ended.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was no postgame update on Shesterkin’s condition. The former Vezina Trophy winner played a significant role in the Rangers’ strong start, which could be derailed if he’s out for a lengthy period.

Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Cam Talbot stopped 20 shots and made three straight saves in the shootout to nip the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. Kent Johnson scored the winning goal, Damon Severson had a goal and an assist, and Cole Sillinger collected two assists for the Blue Jackets (2-1-0). Sergei Murashov kicked out 43 shots while Bryan Rust and Evgeni Malkin replied for the 2-2-1 Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Talbot became the first goalie in NHL history to win a game with nine teams. Now in his 13th season, the 39-year-old netminder had wins with the Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings.

A four-goal second period lifted the Seattle Kraken to a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Frederick Gaudreau tallied two goals, and Ben Meyers had a goal and two assists for the Kraken, who improved to 3-2-0. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard had a goal and an assist as the Red Wings dropped to 1-3-0.

The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-1. Mikael Granlund, Tim Washe, and rookie winger Judd Caulfield each had a goal and an assist for the 3-1-0 Ducks. Kyle Connor tallied his sixth goal of the season for the Jets (3-1-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey missed this game as he’s day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

HEADLINES

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens traded defenseman Jayden Struble to the Nashville Predators for a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Struble became the odd man out on the Canadiens’ crowded blueline. Kaiden Guhle is slated to return soon from adductor muscle surgery, and promising Adam Engstrom recently took Struble’s spot in the lineup. The Canadiens now have two second-round picks in next year’s draft, which could be bargaining chips by the March 1 trade deadline.

Struble, 25, should get more playing time with the retooling Predators. An injury to promising blueliner William Trudeau (upper body, week to week) was another reason for this move.

This was the 10th trade by Nashville general manager Chris MacFarlane since he took over the role on June 2.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers winger Brad Marchand will be sidelined for six to eight weeks with a lower-body (knee) injury.

TSN: Ottawa Senators winger William Eklund will be sidelined for an “extended period of time” with an ankle injury.

DAILY FACEOFF: Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault will miss two weeks with a lower-body injury.

TSN: The Minnesota Wild placed goaltender Filip Gustavsson (offseason hip surgery) on long-term injured reserve.

CBS SPORTS: The New Jersey Devils placed center Nick Bjugstad (torn pectoral muscle) on LTIR.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar received a two-game suspension for an illegal hit to the head of New York Islanders captain Bo Horvat.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs center John Tavares is expected to miss Saturday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche after returning to Toronto on Thursday to be with his wife as she gave birth to their fourth child, a son named Tucker.

TSN: Darren Dreger reported Thursday that the NHL has put expansion plans on the back burner for now amid concerns from owners regarding competitive balance. Two Texas cities (Houston and Austin) seemed to be the frontrunners for the NHL’s 33rd franchise if expansion occurs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An interesting development considering recent projections suggesting the league could expand by one or two teams by 2030. It’ll be interesting to see how many owners are concerned and how the league alleviates those worries.

NHL.COM: Defenseman Matt Dumba has announced his retirement after 13 NHL seasons. From 2013-14 to 2025-26, Dumba appeared in 748 regular-season games with the Minnesota Wild, Arizona Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring 85 goals and 176 assists for 261 points. He also had 15 points in 54 playoff contests.

Dumba spent 10 of his 13 NHL seasons with the Wild, including a career-high 50-point performance in 2017-18.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dumba was a physical puck-moving blueliner, but he was never the same after tearing his right pectoral muscle in December 2018. Up to that point, he had 12 goals and 22 points in 32 games, putting him on pace for another career-high performance.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 9, 2026

by | Oct 9, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – October 9, 2026

Which clubs could the Red Wings target as potential destinations for defenseman Simon Edvinsson? What’s the latest on Bruins center Pavel Zacha? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon looked at which players the Detroit Red Wings might target in any trade involving restricted free-agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson.

Dixon believes the Red Wings would prefer to get an up-and-coming center in return for Edvinsson. He suggested Caleb Desnoyers of the Utah Mammoth, Berkly Catton of the Seattle Kraken, James Hagens of the Boston Bruins, Dalibor Dvorsky of the St. Louis Blues, and Kent Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (NHL Images)

The Mammoth already have rising star Logan Cooley, plus Vincent Trocheck and Nick Schmaltz can also play at center. The Kraken already have Matty Beniers, Jake O’Brien, and Shane Wright. Hagens has played mostly on the wing for the Bruins. Robert Thomas and Mason McTavish seem entrenched as the Blues’ top-two centers. Johnson’s been the frequent subject of trade rumors and might benefit from a change of scenery.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Bruins are among at least 10 teams that have inquired about Edvinsson. He said that Red Wings interim general manager Shawn Horcoff has told those teams he prefers to re-sign the 23-year-old left-shot defenseman. However, the longer this goes on, the more a trade becomes possible.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson believes the Oilers should pursue Edvinsson, but he doubts they have sufficient trade capital to win a bidding war. He thinks it could cost them forward Ike Howard or Matt Savoie as part of the return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Red Wings cannot reach an agreement with Edvinsson, it’s rumored they might be open to a return of futures for the young defenseman, especially if they can get an established forward for Dylan Larkin in a separate deal.

Dixon’s made some interesting suggestions. Apart from the Bruins, we don’t know how much interest those other clubs have in Edvinsson. Nevertheless, those young centers that Dixon mentioned could entice the Red Wings if they are open to a package with a promising prospect (Desnoyers) or an NHL-ready young center as part of the return.

The Oilers could look into Edvinsson’s availability, but they probably can’t afford the Red Wings’ asking price, especially if one of the other clubs mentioned above includes one of those promising centers in the deal.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported Wednesday that Pavel Zacha “came up in conversations” between the Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets when the latter was shopping winger Kirill Marchenko, who was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs last month.

According to LeBrun, contract negotiations between the Bruins and the 29-year-old UFA-eligible center are continuing, but they’re still not close to a deal. Given his age, the Bruins might be reluctant about signing him to an expensive long-term extension.

LeBrun believes this could go either way. However, if the Bruins are struggling to make the playoffs by the trade deadline and Zacha remains unsigned, he will likely be moved by March 1.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 9, 2026

by | Oct 9, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 9, 2026

Recaps of Thursday’s games feature a hat trick by Hurricanes winger Logan Stankoven, a four-point game by Bruins captain David Pastrnak, and much more.

NHL.COM: Logan Stankoven scored shorthanded, on the power play, and at even strength for his first career NHL hat trick to lead the Carolina Hurricanes to a 7-2 drubbing of the Vancouver Canucks. Sean Walker collected four assists, and Andrei Svechnikov tallied twice for the 3-1-1 Hurricanes. Jake DeBrusk scored both goals for the Canucks, who dropped to 2-3-0.

Carolina Hurricanes center Logan Stankoven (NHL Images)

Boston Bruins captain David Pastrnak scored twice and picked up two assists in a 6-1 victory over the Utah Mammoth. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman made 36 saves, and winger Morgan Geekie had a goal and two assists for the Bruins, who improved to 3-2-0. Jack McBain had the only goal for the 3-2-0 Mammoth.

Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen had a goal and three assists, and Jake Oettinger had a 26-save shutout to blank the Buffalo Sabres 4-0. Wyatt Johnston collected three assists for the Stars (2-2-0). Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 14 shots for the 2-2-0 Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was Oettinger’s second straight shutout, who leads all goalies with at least three games played this season with a .967 save percentage and a 0.67 goals-against average.

The Colorado Avalanche thumped the Calgary Flames 7-3. Cale Makar had two goals and an assist, and Nathan MacKinnon scored and had two assists for the Avalanche (3-1-0). Adam Klapka, Mikael Backlund, and Kevin Bahl replied for the 0-4-0 Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Avalanche forward Logan O’Connor left the team for personal reasons following the sudden death of his father, Myles. My condolences to O’Connor and his family.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel scored on a penalty shot and collected an assist as his club overcame a 3-0 deficit to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 on a shootout goal by Trevor Connelly. Sergei Bobrovsky kicked out 40 shots for the 2-2-0 Maple Leafs, while the Golden Knights improved to 4-1-0 to lead the Pacific Division with eight points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson left this game late in the third period following a hit by Golden Knights defenseman Jeremy Lauzon. Before this game, the Golden Knights announced that winger Victor Olofsson is out week-to-week with an undisclosed injury.

The Nashville Predators rallied from a 2-0 deficit for a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Juuse Saros made 32 saves, Ryan O’Reilly scored the winning goal, and Adam Edstrom potted two empty-netters for the Predators (2-1-1). Nick Suzuki and Alex Newhook scored for the Canadiens, who fell to 1-2-1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a better effort by the Canadiens, but undisciplined penalties and defensive breakdowns remain troublesome early-season issues.

Rookie defenseman Carter Yakemchuk’s third-period goal lifted the Ottawa Senators over the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1. Nick Cousins also scored, and Linus Ullmark turned aside 28 shots for the Senators (3-1-0), who hold first place in the Atlantic Division with six points. Matvei Michkov replied for the 0-3-2 Flyers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Senators winger William Eklund left this game in the first period with an injured leg. There was no postgame update on his status.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman John Carlson scored his first two goals with his new club in a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Nikita Kucherov had two assists, and Dennis Hildeby stopped 34 shots for the 3-1-0 Lightning. Quinn Hughes and Blake Coleman scored for the Wild (2-1-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning are tied with the Senators with six points, but the latter holds first place in the division with 12 goals. Wild defenseman Olli Maatta was a late scratch with a lower-body injury.

New York Islanders captain Bo Horvat tallied twice to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1. Logan Stanley had two assists and Ilya Sorokin stopped 22 shots for the Islanders (2-2-0). Frank Nazar scored for the Blackhawks (1-4-0).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nazar got a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for a blindside hit to Horvat as he scored his second goal. The Isles center left the game and will be reevaluated on Friday.

Defenseman Darnell Nurse’s overtime goal gave the San Jose Sharks a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues. Tyler Toffoli had a goal and an assist, and Collin Graf also scored for the 3-1-0 Sharks. Connor McMichael and Dillon Dube scored for the Blues (1-2-1).

IN OTHER NEWS…

ESPN.COM: Mammoth forward Vincent Trocheck downplayed speculation that Team USA’s Men’s Olympic hockey team group chat played a role in U.S. players on Canadian teams, like Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, requesting trades to American-based NHL teams.

“I think people make it a bigger thing than it is,” Trochek told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski. “Obviously, people want the headlines, but the whole Canada thing or guys wanting out of Canada that are from the U.S., I think it was more situational than anything else.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s no real evidence that the Team USA group chat played any role in Hellebuyck’s trade request, or directly led to Brady Tkachuk’s trade from the Ottawa Senators to the Florida Panthers in June.

Team USA’s gold-medal triumph spurred Hellebuyck to seek a trade to a Stanley Cup contender while he’s still in his prime after 11 seasons with Winnipeg. It’s been 36 years since a Canadian team won the Cup. Tkachuk’s desire to play with his brother Matthew in Florida stretched back to before they were Olympic teammates.

It’s worth noting that Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin’s trade request was also tied to the Team USA group chat. However, his desire to leave Detroit (an American city, last I checked) was because of his frustration about the Red Wings’ decade-long playoff drought. Playing on an Olympic gold-medal team gave Larkin a taste of winning he was missing in his pro career, which he no longer believes he’ll have with the Wings.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Seattle Kraken placed defenseman Ryan Lindgren (upper body) on injured reserve.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils placed forward Stefan Noesen on waivers.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 8, 2026

by | Oct 8, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – October 8, 2026

What’s the latest on Simon Edvinsson, Dylan Larkin, and Alexander Nikishin? Are the Flyers and Panthers looking for help? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST RED WINGS RUMORS

SPORTSNET: Frank Seravalli reports sources say the Detroit Red Wings still want NHL-ready talent in return for Simon Edvinsson. However, they’re also open to the right package of draft picks and prospects for the 23-year-old restricted free-agent defenseman.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (NHL Images)

Seravalli wondered if the Red Wings are starting to come to grips with the reality of “rebuilding the rebuild” following a decade-long postseason drought. If Edvinsson is traded, center Dylan Larkin (who requested a trade this summer) could be next, with pending unrestricted free agent winger Alex DeBrincat another trade candidate.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings have reportedly made Edvinsson their priority. It’s believed they’re considering several different contract proposals. However, they cannot let this drag on for long. The deadline for signing restricted free agents is Dec. 1.

CASINO.ORG: Seravalli also claims the Montreal Canadiens would love to acquire Red Wings center Dylan Larkin. However, the 30-year-old center hasn’t included Canadian teams on his eight-team list of preferred trade destinations.

Seravalli cited an NHL front-office executive who believes Larkin could “end this saga tomorrow if he added the Canadiens to his list.” The executive thinks the Habs “are the one team with a chance to contend who can give Detroit what it wants for Larkin.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seravalli pointed out the Canadiens convinced Chris Kreider to sign with them. Given Kreider’s ties to Canadiens hockey ops president Jeff Gorton, head coach Martin St. Louis, and head trainer Jim Ramsay, that wasn’t a difficult sell.

The Canadiens will likely keep tabs on Larkin’s situation, but it’s unlikely he’ll include a Canadian team on his list.

NIKISHIN NOT A TYPICAL RESTRICTED FREE AGENT

SPORTSNET: Frank Seravalli pointed out that Alexander Nikishin is “not a true restricted free agent by the definition of the CBA.” The 24-year-old Carolina Hurricanes defenseman is a “10.2 (c) player without the right of first refusal via an offer sheet”, meaning whatever contract he signs now will have the same effect on the salary cap as a typical contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Detroit’s Simon Edvinsson, on the other hand, is a “true RFA”, meaning his new contract will result in an increased cap hit with an in-season signing. Seravalli points out that, if Edvinsson signed a seven-year deal worth $70 million today, it would be worth $10.4 million annually instead of $10 million in the first year. It increases for each day missed in the season.

It’s the same formula used during William Nylander’s long contract negotiation in 2018, when the first year of his deal was a prorated $10.2 million.

Seravalli also pointed out that Nikishin doesn’t fall under the Dec. 1 deadline for signing RFAs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: He also reports that the Hurricanes continue to work with Nikishin’s agent to find a trade. Whoever acquires him must be prepared for a hefty prorated dent in their salary-cap payroll this season.

FLYERS COULD PURSUE DEFENSIVE HELP

CASINO.ORG: Seravalli reports the Philadelphia Flyers continue to monitor the trade market in search of defensemen with size.

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony DiMarco suggested Zach Whitecloud of the Calgary Flames, Justin Faulk of the Detroit Red Wings, and Luke Schenn of the Vancouver Canucks as possible trade targets for the Flyers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The rebuilding Flames will want a significant return of futures for Whitecloud. He’s under contract through 2026-27, so they’re not in a hurry to move him.

Faulk is UFA-eligible this summer and has a 15-team no-trade list. The Red Wings could prefer waiting until the calendar flips to 2027 before deciding to become sellers, and there’s no certainty the Flyers will be on Faulk’s list of destinations.

Like Faulk, Schenn is also slated for UFA status next summer. However, he has a full NMC and could prefer to play out this season in Vancouver. The Canucks aren’t in a rush to move him given his role as a mentor to young blueliner Zeev Buium.

Seravalli thinks Edvinsson would be a great fit with the Flyers. He certainly would be, provided he’s willing to sign with them.

WHO COULD THE PANTHERS TARGET TO REPLACE BRAD MARCHAND?

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards explored the Panthers’ options to replace Brad Marchand if the veteran winger is sidelined long-term with a lower-body injury. The 38-year-old Marchand suffered the injury earlier this week against the Los Angeles Kings.

Richards considered a trade for Red Wings center Dylan Larkin unlikely, citing his expensive average annual value ($8.7 million) and the cost of acquiring him from the Red Wings.

Free-agent options could include former Panthers winger Vladimir Tarasenko and former 44-goal scorer Patrik Laine. They could also promote Cole Reinhardt from their AHL affiliate in Charlotte.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 8, 2026

by | Oct 8, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 8, 2026

Recaps of Wednesday’s games, the Oilers and Penguins make a trade, injury updates, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING WEDNESDAY’S ACTION

NHL.COM: Leon Draisaitl collected four assists as the Edmonton Oilers overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Anaheim Ducks 5-2. Evan Bouchard scored twice and picked up an assist, and Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists for the 3-0-1 Oilers, who sit atop the Pacific Division with seven points. Beckett Sennecke scored both goals for the Ducks (2-1-0).

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After allowing 13 goals in their first two games, the Oilers have tightened up defensively. Goaltender Devon Levi started their last three games, allowing seven goals in his first game against Vancouver, but giving up only three goals in his last two contests.

Oilers center Jason Dickinson made his season debut after missing the start of the season with an injured foot. Teammate Colton Dach (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve.

Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson had a goal and two assists in a 5-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin’s final home debut. Pierre-Luc Dubois scored and picked up an assist for the Capitals, who improved to 2-1-0. Brian Rust, Tommy Novak, and Nick Robertson replied for the 2-2-0 Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier this week, Ovechkin announced this season would be his last in the NHL. He was held scoreless in this contest. Rust was making his season debut after being placed on IR on Sept. 29.

The Winnipeg Jets upset the Colorado Avalanche 3-2. Kyle Connor tallied twice, including the winning goal with one minute remaining in regulation time, as the Jets (3-0-1) hold first place in the Central Division with seven points. Jaden Schwartz and Fedor Svechkov scored for the 2-1-0 Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Winnipeg goaltender Stuart Skinner was the game’s first star with a 32-save performance, including 17 stops in the first period. The bad news for the Jets was top defenseman Josh Morrissey leaving the game early in the second period with an injured right hand. He will be reassessed on Thursday.

HEADLINES

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers traded defenseman Spencer Stastney to the Penguins for forward Filip Hallander.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the “lateral move” that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reported the Oilers were considering, moving a blueliner to add depth up front. It also freed up $1.436 million in salary-cap space. The Penguins, meanwhile, temporarily freed up a logjam at forward with Bryan Rust returning to the lineup while bolstering their left-side blueline depth.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov will miss the next six to eight months after undergoing surgery on his right knee to repair a torn ACL.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A tough break for the Isles and for Romanov, who had just returned from a shoulder injury suffered last November that required season-ending surgery.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault left practice Wednesday after injuring his right leg. He’s still being evaluated by the Canadiens’ medical staff, but the club recalled goalie Jacob Fowler from their AHL affiliate in Laval.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montembeault tore two groin muscles during the 2025 playoffs and struggled throughout last season, losing his role as starting goaltender to Jakub Dobes and dropping behind Fowler on their goalie depth chart.

A strong training camp and preseason earned Montembeault the backup role to start this season. He was expected to make his season debut on Thursday against the Nashville Predators or Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars forward Joel Kiviranta has been sidelined for a week with a lower-body injury.

CBS SPORTS: New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler is being evaluated for an undisclosed injury suffered on Tuesday against the Utah Mammoth.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Florida Panthers placed defenseman Mackenzie Entwistle on waivers.

SPORTSNET: The NHL unveiled the Heritage Classic jerseys for the Jets and Canadiens. The two clubs face off in the outdoor game on Oct. 25 at Winnipeg’s Princess Auto Stadium.