NHL Rumor Mill – August 28, 2026

by | Aug 28, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 28, 2026

Now that Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck has made his trade request public, where are the potential destinations and what could the Jets seek in return? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates believes Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff faces a big challenge finding a suitable trade partner to meet his asking price for Connor Hellebuyck.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

In a statement through his agent on Thursday, the 33-year-old goaltender made his trade request public. Cheveldayoff also released a statement indicating that the two sides will continue to work toward a resolution, but provided no updates about trade talks.

Ates suggested the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes could be among several Cup contenders in need of a goaltending upgrade. Others include the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres.

According to Ates, the Jets’ biggest needs are a top-six forward (preferably a center or right wing) and a goaltender who can help ease Hellebuyck’s loss. He acknowledged that goalies of Hellebuyck’s caliber are rarely moved, and those who were in the past (Ryan Miller, Roberto Luongo) fetched a lesser goaltender, a mid-tier roster player, and a first-round draft pick.

The Sabres were the team most closely tied to Hellebuyck in trade rumors. Ates believes they’re the best-stocked to address the Jets’ needs. Their goalies include Alex Lyon and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, while potentially available forwards could include Josh Norris, Ryan McLeod, and Jack Quinn.

SPORTSNET: Emily Sadler looked at five potential landing spots for Hellebuyck.

The Sabres, Devils, and Hurricanes are on her list, along with the Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan Lambert also explored where Hellebuyck might end up, pointing out that the three-time Vezina Trophy winner’s preference would be joining an already-competitive American team.

The Sabres and Hurricanes are on Lambert’s list, along with the Golden Knights, Panthers, and Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck will be a very attractive trade target, but his contract will be a sticking point. He’s signed through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $8.5 million and a full no-movement clause.

It’s rumored that Hellebuyck could have more trade destinations in mind than Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, who followed up his trade request with a three-or four-team list that has significantly hampered the Wings’ ability to move him.

However, Hellebuyck’s AAV could be difficult for some clubs to absorb unless they send some significant salary to Winnipeg or make separate cost-cutting deals with other clubs.

Buffalo was reportedly close to acquiring Hellebuyck in June, but the deal fell through before the opening round of the 2026 NHL Draft. However, the Jets weren’t willing to part with their first-round pick (eighth overall). It was also rumored that one of the Sabres goalies (believed to be Luukkonen) declined to waive their no-trade clause, but that clause didn’t go into effect until July 1.

San Jose and Carolina have the trade capital, with the Hurricanes having the advantage of carrying $9.98 million in salary-cap space. Hellebuyck would make the Canes stronger in goal, but it could cost them a goalie (Brandon Bussi or Pyotr Kochetkov) and a good young forward to get him. Winnipeg native Seth Jarvis would be a natural fit, but the Hurricanes won’t part with him. Jackson Blake or Logan Stankoven could be part of the Jets’ asking price.

The Sharks have plenty of promising young forwards to tempt the Jets. Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and top prospect Ivar Stenberg are out of bounds, but Michael Misa, Collin Graf, or Igor Chernyshov might be available. The Jets could also ask for promising goalie Yaroslav Askarov, but the Sharks could be unwilling to part with him.

New Jersey could offer Nico Daws in a trade package, but he hasn’t fully established himself as an NHL goalie. Dawson Mercer or Arseny Gritsyuk could fill the top-six forward spot, and they have two first-rounders in 2027 and 2028.

Florida and Vegas are the least-likely destinations. If those clubs can’t afford to acquire Larkin ($8.7 million AAV), they can’t afford Hellebuyck, and even if they could, they lack the tradeable assets to entice the Jets, unless they can somehow get a third team involved in the deal to send them the necessary assets to make it happen.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 28, 2026

by | Aug 28, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 28, 2026

Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck makes his trade request public, Cale Makar and the Avalanche close in on a contract extension, the latest on the Canucks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Massimo De Luca-Taronno reports Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck released a statement through his agent on Thursday indicating that he requested a trade earlier this year and he still wants to be moved.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

The request comes after months of speculation over the 33-year-old netminder’s future in Winnipeg. In the statement, Hellebuyck said he’s going public with the request as training camp approaches, believing a trade is the best path forward for himself and his family.

Hellebuyck expressed gratitude for his 14-plus years with the Jets’ organization and his appreciation to the fans who’ve supported him throughout his career. He hopes that a resolution can be reached.

The Jets also released a statement acknowledging Hellebuyck’s openness to a change. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff expressed respect for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner’s accomplishments.

Cheveldayoff said the club would continue to “work through the situation in a thoughtful manner,” but provided no update regarding trade talks.

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Ken Wiebe believes Hellebuyck and the Jets remain in the same position they were in following his exit interview and end-of-season media availability in April. What’s changed is that going public is an attempt to force a trade by turning up the heat on Cheveldayoff.

Wiebe pointed out that several Jets have requested trades in the past, but Cheveldayoff moves at his own pace and will set a high asking price for the All-Star goaltender. Hellebuyck could apply additional pressure by withholding his services and not showing up for training camp, but that would be a bold and unconventional move.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staging a holdout could backfire on Hellebuyck. He’d risk breaching his contract, enabling the Jets to suspend him without pay until he ends the holdout or is traded. It also wouldn’t do his reputation any favors.

Hellebuyck is signed through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $8.5 million. Cheveldayoff doesn’t have to rush to move him, but he will likely feel some pressure to find a suitable deal soon.

THE ATHLETIC’s Chris Johnston believes one key difference with Hellebuyck’s trade request compared to others around the league is that he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause for a variety of teams. He claimed the offers haven’t been to the Jets’ liking yet, “but they’re not totally handcuffed.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The “others” Johnston is referring to are Brady Tkachuk, who was traded from the Ottawa Senators to the Florida Panthers in June, and Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin. In both cases, the players submitted a small list of preferred destinations.

Tkachuk kept his request quiet, even denying publicly that he wanted to be traded. The Senators were able to accommodate him by shipping him to Florida early in the offseason.

Larkin’s request and his list of destinations were leaked to the media in early June. The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights and the Panthers were his three preferred clubs, though the Dallas Stars are rumored to be a destination. However, those clubs can’t meet the Wings’ asking price, and most lack the cap space to take on his contract. The Wings’ ongoing search for a new general manager puts Larkin’s request in limbo.

I’ll have more about the Hellebuyck trade request in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported Thursday that Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche are closing in on a contract extension. No details were provided.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen cited Andy Strickland of the FanDuel Sports Network, who reported that an announcement on Makar’s new contract could be coming on Friday, Aug. 28.

Makar is in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $9 million. However, with Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini signing new deals this summer worth $18 million and $18.8 million, respectively, Makar’s next AAV could more than double his current cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Makar could get an eight-year deal worth between $19 million and $20 million. Hopefully, we’ll find out later today what it will be. Whatever he gets will be well-deserved given his impressive career thus far as the league’s top defenseman.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports Vancouver Canucks GM Ryan Johnson said there is no timetable for Thatcher Demko’s return to action. Injuries limited the 30-year-old goaltender to 23 games in 2024-25 and 20 games last season.

Johnson has no intention of rushing Demko back into the lineup. The netminder has spent the summer in Vancouver rehabbing with specialists and the Canucks’ training staff. He’s been skating since late June to work toward the physical condition he needs to be a successful NHL goalie again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks have Kevin Lankinen as their backup goalie and Nikita Tolopilo as their third-stringer. With Demko’s status unclear, Johnson isn’t taking any chances, signing free agent Chris Driedger to a professional tryout contract.

THE PROVINCE: Former Canucks center J.T. Miller admitted he went into rehab during his final season with the club. He didn’t reveal when he went and why, but Johnston noted that Miller took a leave of absence during November and December 2024, missing 10 games. The rehab was not through the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and was not related to alcohol or substance abuse.

Miller was eventually traded to the New York Rangers in January 2025.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A feud between Miller and center Elias Pettersson destroyed morale among the Canucks, leading to the former’s trade to the Rangers. However, the damage was done, as the club imploded last season, leading to significant changes for the roster, management, and the coaching staff.

SPORTSNET: The Calgary Flames will wear a patch on their jerseys to commemorate their final season at the Saddledome. The patch features the years 1983 and 2027 to honor their years in their iconic home arena.

Calgary’s new arena, Scotia Place, is scheduled to open next fall ahead of the 2027-28 season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames needed a new state-of-the-art arena, but it will still be the end of an era as another memorable arena shuts its doors. The Calgary skyline won’t be the same without that saddle-shaped arena.

SPORTSNET: The NHL’s potential return to Atlanta cleared another hurdle as the Alpharetta City Council voted 4-3 to approve zoning changes for a mall that could include an NHL-sized arena.

Alpharetta is one of two Atlanta-area destinations exploring how to attract an NHL team. Forsyth County held a successful arena vote in 2024.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 27, 2026

by | Aug 27, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 27, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Roundup, we look at three defensemen who could still be moved during the offseason, and the latest on Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael DeRosa recently listed three NHL defensemen who could still be traded before training camp opens next month.

Alexander Nikishin of the Carolina Hurricanes topped the list. The 24-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract and is ineligible to sign an offer sheet. However, he’s also surfaced in trade rumors this summer.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (NHL Images).

DeRosa believes Nikishin is a young blueliner with strong upside who could be a solid addition to a playoff contender or a rebuilding club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The trade buzz around Nikishin faded away throughout August, but it could resurface as training camp approaches in September. The St. Louis Blues reportedly had considerable interest.

Mason Lohrei of the Boston Bruins was a fixture in the rumor mill last season. He struggled last season and was scratched from three of their six playoff games. The Bruins have a surplus of defensemen, which could make the 25-year-old Lohrei a trade chip.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lohrei might not be going anywhere for now. He’s reportedly spent the offseason building up his strength and improving his overall game. He said he’s looking forward to the challenge of earning a full-time roster spot this season.

Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers rounds out DeRosa’s list. The 32-year-old veteran right-shot blueliner has been the subject of trade rumors for years, and he’s due to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers will likely hang onto Ristolainen for this season. However, they could peddle him by the March 1 trade deadline if they’re out of playoff contention by then.

THE ATHLETIC: Whether Jake DeBrusk can rebuild his trade value is among Thomas Drance’s five summer thoughts regarding the Vancouver Canucks forwards.

DeBrusk managed three five-on-five goals on 121 shots on goal, for a “wildly anemic 2.48 shooting percentage.”

Drance expects the 29-year-old winger’s production will improve at even strength this season, pointing out he’s been “a modestly above-average finisher throughout his career, and has a serious nose for cashing in greasy goals at the net front.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk was the frequent subject of trade speculation last season, especially after he indicated that he wasn’t keen on playing for a rebuilding team. He was linked at one point to the Ottawa Senators, but they opted for winger William Eklund and Andre Burakovsky.

DeBrusk still managed to score 23 goals and 42 points in 81 games with the imploding Canucks last season. An improvement in his even-strength production will bolster his stats and improve his chances of getting moved to a contender before the March 1 trade deadline, provided he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 27, 2026

by | Aug 27, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 27, 2026

The questions facing the Lightning this season, four Oilers will miss training camp, the top Vezina Trophy candidates for 2026-27, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Whether Victor Hedman can return to form as an elite No. 1 defenseman is among the big questions facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2026-27.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman (NHL Images).

The 35-year-old Lightning captain appeared in just 33 games last season, including missing the final 22 games of the regular season and all seven of his club’s playoff games. He revealed that he took a leave of absence to prioritize his mental health.

Hedman said he has no regrets about taking that leave of absence, saying that he was dealing with performance anxiety, which in part was related to injuries that hampered his play. The long-time Lightning star claims he’s “feeling great” now and has been skating regularly during the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A bounce-back season for Hedman would be a significant factor in the Lightning’s performance this season.

Whether John Carlson can replace the departed Darren Raddysh and whether young players such as Conor Geekie and Sam O’Reilly can make an impact are other notable questions for the Lightning this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Raddysh parlayed a career-best 70-point season with the Lightning into a lucrative contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Carlson is older than the 30-year-old late-blooming Raddysh, but the 36-year-old is an experienced puck-moving defenseman who had 60 points in 71 games with the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks last season. He should have enough left in the tank to replace Raddysh’s offense.

As for Geekie and O’Reilly, the jury remains out. Geekie is entering his third NHL season while O’Reilly is entering his first pro season after four seasons of junior hockey.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Goaltender Frederik Andersen is among four Oilers who will miss training camp for medical reasons.

Andersen and winger Matt Savoie are still rehabilitating injuries that occurred during offseason training. Forward Mattias Janmark and defenseman Alec Regula are still recovering from surgeries performed last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The absence of Andersen and Savoie could be the most concerning for the Oilers.

Andersen, 36, was signed to a one-year, $2.8 million contract. He helped the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup last season, but has been sidelined frequently by injuries. TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reported Andersen could be sidelined until late October. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Savoie is coming off a promising 37-point rookie campaign.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Former Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin said he wasn’t happy during his final season in San Jose.

“In the games I played, I thought I played well,” Mukhamadullin said. “There was some misunderstanding with the coaching staff. I won’t spell it out clearly, but there were some disagreements.”

Mukhamadullin, 24, was traded by the Sharks to the Oilers in July as part of the return for blueliner Darnell Nurse.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The trade to Edmonton gives Mukhamadullin the chance to reset his NHL career after struggling to crack the Sharks’ roster over the past three seasons. He could become a key part of the Oilers’ blueline if he can make the most of this opportunity.

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin listed his top Vezina Trophy candidates as the NHL’s top goaltender for 2026-27.

Logan Thompson of the Washington Capitals sits atop his list, with 2025-26 Vezina winner Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning in second place and Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders in third.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link for the full listing. Feel free to share your thoughts on that list in the comments section below.

NHL.COM: The league released its US television schedule for 2026-27. 172 games will be broadcast on TNT Sports and ESPN this season, beginning with the season-opening triple-header on Sept. 29.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 26, 2026

by | Aug 26, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 26, 2026

Check out the latest on Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes, Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, and Canucks winger Brock Boeser in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo reports league sources are “emphatically” dismissing rumors that the Minnesota Wild are in trade talks with the New Jersey Devils regarding Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Russo indicated that Wild management is in ongoing discussions with Hughes’ agent, Pat Brisson, regarding a contract extension. They remain confident of signing the 26-year-old defenseman before the start of the regular season.

Hughes is in the final season of his six-year contract with a cap hit of $7.85 million. He can become an unrestricted free agent next July.

The rising salary cap is also raising the cost of new contracts, especially for superstars like Hughes. Russo speculated his next deal could be in the $19 million or $20 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Russo has previously reported that the Wild would prefer to sign Hughes to the league maximum contract term of eight years before it is reduced on Sept. 16 to seven years, but the Hughes camp prefers a shorter term, perhaps between three and five years.

As for the Devils rumors, it sounds like wishful thinking because he hasn’t signed an extension with the Wild yet. Everyone knows Quinn would love to play alongside his brothers Jack and Luke one day, but that could be in 2030, when Jack’s contract with the Devils is set to expire. Signing Quinn by that stage would be a great incentive for Jack to stay in New Jersey.

Predictions are for gypsies, but for now, I think Hughes agrees to a three-year deal with the Wild worth around $20 million annually. Feel free to weigh in on this topic in the comments section below.

SPORTSNET: During Tuesday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman proposed a theory that Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson goes to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline.

Friedman cited a source who predicted the 36-year-old Karlsson becomes a Maple Leaf depending on how this season goes for both teams.

Karlsson is in the final season of his contract. If he and the Penguins have another solid performance like last season, Friedman doubts he’ll be traded. However, if Karlsson is in the trade market, his source believes Maple Leafs executives Mats Sundin and Daniel Alfredsson could help to entice the Penguins blueliner to come to Toronto.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bear in mind that this is a prediction from one of Friedman’s sources and not an actual trade rumor. There is no indication the Maple Leafs are pursuing Karlsson, nor are the Penguins shopping him.

Nevertheless, if the Penguins are out of playoff contention by March 1, they will likely peddle some of their veterans. That would include Karlsson, as they probably won’t re-sign him given his age and their ongoing transition toward a younger roster.

If Karlsson becomes available, he might consider waiving his no-movement clause to join the Maple Leafs if they’re having a good season. If they’re not, he’ll likely prefer going to a Stanley Cup contender.

TSN: Travis Yost believes Brock Boeser could become a trade candidate as the Vancouver Canucks continue their rebuilding program.

Boeser, 29, is entering the second season of a seven-year contract ($7.25 million average annual value) with a full no-movement clause.

Yost believes Boeser is a better player than his stats over the past two years suggest. Nevertheless, he thinks his best seasons may be behind him, and it would be worthwhile moving him while his value remains high.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That depends on whether Boeser wants to stay and be part of the solution for the Canucks. If he’s unwilling to waive his no-movement clause, they will rely on his leadership and experience to mentor their younger players.

However, Boeser could decide his future lies elsewhere if the rebuild takes longer than expected. This season could decide where that might be.

THE PROVINCE: Speaking of the Canucks, Patrick Johnston reports first-year GM Ryan Johnson is open to adding a veteran to his roster on a PTO or a full-on free-agent agreement.

Johnston noted that a handful of notable players remain in what was a talent-thin UFA market. Forwards include Michael Bunting, Patrik Laine, and Vladimir Tarasenko, while Logan Stanley and John Klingberg are among the noteworthy defensemen.

Johnson could sign one of them, hoping they’ll have a good enough season to make them a worthwhile trade chip later in the season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 26, 2026

by | Aug 26, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 26, 2026

The questions facing the Blues this season, the Senators’ move to name a new captain, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: How well offseason additions Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael boost the offense is among the three questions facing the St. Louis Blues entering this season.

St. Louis Blues center Mason McTavish (NHL Images)

MacTavish, 23, was acquired in a trade from the Anaheim Ducks while the 25-year-old McMichael was part of the return in the deal that sent Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals.

Both players are part of the Blues’ ongoing roster retool toward younger talent.

Whether Joel Hofer can replace Jordan Binnington and who becomes the next captain are the other questions the Blues must address this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McTavish is among the NHL players expected to bounce back this season. Difficult contract negotiations with the Ducks forced him to miss training camp last fall, and he struggled to adjust under new Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville. How well he adapts to this change of scenery will be a key factor for the Blues’ playoff hopes.

Binnington was a fixture in trade rumors last season. He’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July and could be moved by the March 1 trade deadline if Hofer nails down the starter’s job.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators general manager Steve Staios and head coach Travis Green are close to naming a new team captain. They could make the announcement when training camp opens on Sept. 16.

Garrioch’s suggested candidates include long-time defenseman Thomas Chabot, blueline star Jake Sanderson, and first-line center Tim Stutzle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chabot’s longevity and loyalty to the Senators make him the favorite, but Staios and Green could opt for a younger captain such as Sanderson or Stutzle.

TORONTO STAR: Rising ticket prices are leaving Maple Leafs fans shocked and frustrated, especially for single-game tickets.

Some of them believe the Maple Leafs are squeezing out regular fans in pursuit of corporate dollars. Others believe the club has little incentive to improve its product as long as their arena is sold out and there’s a wait list for season tickets.

A team spokesman pointed out that the recent ticket price increase was two percent, which is lower than the national inflation average. He also indicated that the club’s dynamic pricing continues to provide fans with a range of options, with higher prices for the most in-demand games and lower prices for other games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs are charging what their market will bear, with a significant portion coming from corporate support. For decades, there were dire predictions that escalating costs would hurt the league at the gate. However, that has yet to materialize given its rising popularity and record-setting attendance numbers.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres’ success last season created so much demand that they’ve sold out of season tickets for 2026-27. For the first time in a decade, they’ve opened a wait list for tickets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buffalo was a strong hockey town for decades. Their stunning improvement last season has brought back fans who were turned off by nearly 15 years of mismanagement and mediocrity.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic believes it’s only a matter of time until his rebuilding club becomes a playoff contender.

“The sooner we establish that goal as a team, the more realistic it can be,” Vlasic said. He believes the Blackhawks’ improvement will be driven by a maturing core of young talent and the offseason additions of Patrick Kane and Bowen Byram.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be challenging for the Blackhawks to get off to a good start to this season with first-line center Connor Bedard recovering from shoulder surgery earlier this summer. Overcoming that issue would be a significant step in the right direction.

TSN: Veteran forward Kevin Hayes signed a one-year contract with KHL club AK Bars Kazan.

Hayes, 34, began his 12-season NHL career in 2014-15 with the New York Rangers. He also played for the Winnipeg Jets, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins. In 805 regular-season games, Hayes scored 185 goals and 261 assists for 446 points, and 26 points in 58 playoff contests.

TSN: The Washington Capitals signed goaltender Cal Petersen to a professional tryout offer. A six-year NHL veteran, the 31-year-old Petersen spent last season with the AHL’s Iowa Wild.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Calgary Flames signed forward Alex Nylander to a PTO contract.

Nylander, 28, has 126 games of NHL experience over seven seasons but has spent most of his professional career in the AHL.

DAILY FACEOFF: According to a report by Chris Johnston of The Athletic, all NHL emergency backup goaltenders (EBUGs) will be required to wear the number 00.