NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 12, 2025

by | May 12, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 12, 2025

Mikko Rantanen leads the Stars over the Jets, Sergei Bobrovsky backstops the Panthers over the Leafs, the goaltenders for the Quarter-Century Team are revealed, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF SUNDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen had a goal and two assists to lead his club to a 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 3 of their best-of-seven second-round series.

Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).

Alexander Petrovic broke a 2-2 tie in the third period when he attempted to kick the puck up to his stick, but it fluttered toward the Jets’ net and deflected in off goaltender Connor Hellebucyk. After a lengthy review, it was declared a good goal, which seemed to unsettle the Jets, as Rantanen quickly made it 4-2. Wyatt Johnston put the game out of reach later in the period.

Roope Hintz and Thomas Harley each had a goal and an assist for the Stars. Kyle Connor and Nino Niederreiter replied for the Jets.

The Stars lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 in Dallas at 8 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rantanen remains on a torrid scoring pace, leading this postseason with 18 points in 10 games. He’s the first player in league history to have five three-point games through his first 10 contests in a postseason. The Stars winger has to be considered the favorite thus far for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

Following the game, Jets coach Scott Arniel expressed his displeasure with the ruling on Petrovic’s goal. “The rule states that if the puck gets kicked, if it hits a body or a stick of anybody else other than the goaltender, it counts as a goal,” said Arniel. “It hit our goaltender’s stick and went in the net. That is no goal. So they said that (Hellebuyck) propelled the puck in. I haven’t seen the word propelled in the rule book.”

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 23 shots to shut out the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-0 in Game 4 of their second-round series.

Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett scored for the Panthers, who tied the series at two games apiece. Joseph Woll made 35 saves for the Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers dominated Toronto’s scorers. Their victory might’ve been more lopsided if not for Woll’s goaltending. What few quality scoring chances the Leafs had were turned aside by Bobrovsky, who is dialled in after his shaky performances in the first two games of this series.

The Leafs’ frustration boiled over in the dying seconds when forward Max Domi hit Florida captain Aleksander Barkov from behind, sparking a melee at the buzzer. Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk appeared to threaten William Nylander that he’d come after the Leafs winger in the next game.

Game 5 of this series is in Toronto on Wednesday, May 14 at 7 PM ET.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: The final six players named to the league’s Quarter-Century Team were revealed on Sunday, all goaltenders.

The list includes Hall-of-Famers Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, Henrik Lundqvist and Roberto Luongo. Marc-Andre Fleury and Carey Price rounded out the list, with both goalies likely to become Hall-of-Famers.

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone is listed as day-to-day after suffering an undisclosed injury during Game 3 of their second-round series with the Edmonton Oilers. He’s listed as questionable for Game 4 on Monday in Edmonton. The Oilers hold a 2-1 lead in that series.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury and won’t play in Game 4 against the Golden Knights.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson hopes for a quick turnaround from a poor performance in Game 3 of his club’s second-round series with the Carolina Hurricanes. Carlson was on the ice for all the Hurricanes’ goals in a 4-0 loss.

Speaking of the Hurricanes, forward Jordan Martinook and defenseman Jalen Chatfield left Game 3 with injuries, but they’re expected to be ready for Game 4 on Monday.

DAILY FACEOFF: Catherine Dubois of the Montreal Victoire scored in quadruple overtime to give her club a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Charge in Game 2 of their PWHL semifinal series, tying it at a game apiece.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This isn’t an NHL story, but a quadruple overtime in a postseason is worth mentioning. It was the longest game in PWHL history, and the second-longest professional hockey game ever played in Montreal.

The teams combined for 121 shots, with the Charge outshooting the Victoire 65-56, with Montreal goalie Ann-Renee Desbien making a record 63 saves.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 11, 2025

by | May 11, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 11, 2025

Could the Canucks bring back Brock Boeser? Who should the Islanders hire as their new general manager? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the Vancouver Canucks haven’t given up on the possibility of bringing back Brock Boeser, provided the 28-year-old winger wants to return.

Boeser is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Canucks management believes he’s earned the right to test the market.

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser (NHL Images).

General manager Patrik Allvin told Canucks’ season-ticket holders that they’re going to see if there’s a chance Boeser would return. However, Johnston considers that option unlikely, pointing to the frustration from the winger’s camp over how Allvin framed Boeser’s value at the trade deadline.

Boeser has stated how much he’s enjoyed living and playing in Vancouver, but won’t pass up his best opportunity for a big payday. Johnston also noted this season was one of upheaval for the Canucks. He speculated Boeser might prefer heading to his hometown Minnesota Wild, or a team that previously expressed interest in him, like the Carolina Hurricanes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported that contract term was the sticking point between Boeser and Canucks management. He wanted a long-term deal, while they prefer something less than five years.

Never say never, but it’ll be surprising if Boeser returns with the Canucks. He shouldn’t have much difficulty landing a deal to his liking on the open market.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes the New York Islanders need to take “a massive swing” hiring their next general manager.

Brooks hasn’t been impressed with what he called “a parade of recyclables vying for the job.” He doesn’t consider options like Marc Bergevin to be inspiring.

Instead, he’s beating the drum for the Islanders to pursue Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper to take over as their GM and team president. He cited his recent report claiming a “well-connected fellow” claimed we shouldn’t be surprised if Cooper stepped down as the Bolts’ bench boss to take over the operation in Utah for his friend and Mammoth owner Ryan Smyth.

Cooper has instead committed to returning to the Lightning next season. However, Brooks wondered if he might change his mind if allowed to build the Islanders in his image.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks thinks there’s no harm in the Isles seeking permission to speak with Cooper. However, we don’t know if they’ve even considered the Lightning coach as a viable candidate in the first place. Probably not, if the list of prospective candidates is anything to go by.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 11, 2025

by | May 11, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 11, 2025

The Hurricanes regain the series lead over the Capitals, the Golden Knights get their first win in their second-round series with the Oilers, six more skaters are named to the Quarter-Century Team, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF SATURDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen had a 21-save shutout to blank the Washington Capitals 4-0 in Game 3 of their best-of-seven second-round series.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (NHL Images).

Andrei Svechnikov’s first goal of this series was the game-winner, while Jack Roslovic had a goal and an assist. Capitals goalie Logan Thompson stopped 24 shots.

The Hurricanes lead this series two games to one. Game 4 is in Raleigh on Monday, May 12, at 7 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals had a solid first period, but the Hurricanes seized control of this game in the second period. Their special teams made the difference, scoring on both power-play opportunities and killing off two penalties.

A last-second goal by Reilly Smith lifted the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their second-round series.

Smith finished with two goals for Vegas, who overcame an early 2-0 deficit as Oilers winger Corey Perry tallied twice to open the scoring. William Karlsson gave the Golden Knights the lead in the second period, but Oilers captain Connor McDavid tied it late in the third. This game seemed headed to overtime until Smith put it away with 0.4 seconds left.

The Oilers hold a 2-1 lead in this series. Game 4 is in Edmonton on Monday at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vegas winger Pavel Dorofeyev made his series debut after being sidelined since Game 6 of their first-round series with Minnesota. However, Golden Knights captain Mark Stone left this game with an upper-body injury following a collision with Perry in the first period.

A lower-body injury to Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard (day-to-day) led to Stuart Skinner’s first start since Game 2 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings. Skinner finished with 20 saves.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Six skaters who made their NHL debuts after 2010 were named to the league’s Quarter-Century team.

Edmonton Oilers forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are among the six, along with Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar, and former Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau.

Six goaltenders will be revealed on Sunday, May 11.

TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said goaltender Anthony Stolarz is “progressing in the right direction” in his recovery from an upper-body injury. However, he has not yet resumed skating.

Stolarz was injured in Game 1 after taking a shot off his mask and a forearm to the head by Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett. He was replaced by Joseph Woll as the Leafs hold a 2-1 series lead, with Game 4 on Sunday.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks parted ways with assistant coaches Brent Thompson and Rich Clune. New head coach Joel Quenneville is expected to name his own coaching staff.

THE ATHLETIC: Columbus Blue Jackets prospect center Cayden Lindstrom returned to action after missing 13 months with a back injury, collecting an assist for the Medicine Hat Tigers in a 4-1 win over the Spokane Chiefs in Game 1 of their WHL Championship series.

Lindstrom, 19, was chosen fourth overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2024 NHL Draft. He underwent surgery on Nov. 20.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 10, 2025

by | May 10, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 10, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov could become the league’s highest-paid player, teammate Marco Rossi could be a Penguins trade target, and the latest on the newly christened Utah Mammoth.

A BIG PAYDAY AHEAD FOR KIRILL KAPRIZOV

SPORTSNET: Emily Sadler cited colleague Elliotte Friedman’s recent speculation suggesting Kirill Kaprizov could become the NHL’s highest-paid player.

Kaprizov, 28, has a year remaining on his contract with an annual average value of $9 million. He will become eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1, 2026. The earliest the Wild can sign him to a contract extension is July 1, 2025.

Friedman said there are people in the league who believe Kaprizov will be the highest-paid player. “That in this next wave of contracts, with the cap going up…Kaprizov is going to end up No. 1 on the list.”

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

Sadler pointed out that Wild owner Craig Leipold said last fall that his club intends to sign Kaprizov. “I will tell you, nobody will offer more money than us, or longer (years), so all we have to do is prove to him that we want to win.”

Wild general manager Bill Guerin recently said extending Kaprizov was his top priority. “I’d like to get it done as soon as possible,” he said.

Sadler noted that Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl’s new contract beginning in 2025-26 will make him the highest-paid player with an AAV of $14 million. She speculates Kaprizov’s could come in between $15.25 million and $16.35 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov didn’t sound concerned when asked about his next contract during the Wild’s locker cleanout day. If Leipold and Guerin are as determined to re-sign him as they claim, his next contract will likely fall within Sadler’s predicted parameters.

COULD MARCO ROSSI BE A FIT WITH THE PENGUINS?

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski noted reports out of Minnesota suggested Marco Rossi could become a trade candidate. The 23-year-old center is completing his entry-level contract, and there’s speculation over whether he fits into the Wild’s long-term plans.

Kingerski believes Rossi would be a good fit with the retooling Penguins. Long-time star Evgeni Malkin could retire after next season, leaving a big hole at center.

GM Kyle Dubas prefers trades for younger players who can provide help now and over the long term. He’d also like to acquire RFAs through trades instead of offer sheets. Kingerski believes the asking price could be the Penguins’ 2026 first-rounder (top-10 protected) or one of their top-line veteran wingers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The veteran winger would be Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell. Rust’s no-movement clause ends on June 30, leaving him without no-trade protection for the remainder of his contract. Rakell, meanwhile, has an eight-team no-trade list throughout the remaining three years of his contract.

Rossi could be a good fit with the Penguins, but they’ll have competition for his services if the Wild puts him on the trade block. They could include the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Avalanche (if they don’t re-sign Brock Nelson), Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks.

IS A MAMMOTH SUMMER AHEAD FOR UTAH?

DAILY FACEOFF: Scott Maxwell cited Frank Seravalli predicting the newly christened Utah Mammoth will be aggressive buyers during the offseason.

Seravalli pointed out that they moved up to fourth overall in the first round during the recent draft lottery, calling it “an absolute bonus.” He also observed they have “a ton of other draft picks” and a prospect pipeline that’s so full they’ll literally have to trade some of them because they can’t sign all of them within the 50-player roster limit.

According to Seravalli, the Mammoth could pursue a defenseman and a top-six forward this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong could be open to moving the fourth-overall pick if he gets a return that suits his immediate roster needs. He has all seven picks in this year’s draft to draw on for trade bait. He also has 11 picks in 2026 (including three in the second round, two in the third, and two in the fifth round) and nine in 2027 (including two fourth-round picks and two fifth-rounders).

Armstrong could also peddle 23-year-old winger Matias Maccelli, who struggled this season after reaching a career-high 57 points in 2023-24.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 10, 2025

by | May 10, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 10, 2025

The Jets tied their series with the Stars, the Panthers got their first win in their series with the Maple Leafs, seven more skaters are added to the Quarter-Century Team, the latest on a new franchise in Atlanta, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF FRIDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebucyk made 21 saves to shut out the Dallas Stars 4-0, tying their best-of-seven second-round series at a game apiece.

Nikolaj Ehlers had two goals and an assist, Dylan DeMelo collected two assists, and Josh Morrissey picked up an assist as he returned to action after missing Game 1 with an injury. Stars goalie Jake Oettinger stopped 21 shots.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. (NHL Images).

The series shifts to Dallas for the next two games. Game 3 is 4:30 pm ET on Sunday, May 11.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a solid bounce-back performance by the Jets after dropping the first game on the strength of Dallas winger Mikko Rantanen’s hat trick. They dominated the Stars, doing an outstanding job neutralizing Rantanen and his teammates in this contest. Hellebuyck struggled with consistency in the first round, but his Game 2 performance should silence his critics for a little while. However, he must build on it if the Jets are to win this series. 

An overtime goal by Brad Marchand lifted the Florida Panthers to a 5-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 3 of their second-round series.

Marchand is the leader among active NHL players with 14 game-winning goals in the playoffs.

Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe each had a goal and an assist for the Panthers, who narrowed Toronto’s lead in the series to 2-1. John Tavares tallied twice and Matthew Knies had a goal and an assist for the Leafs.

Game 4 will be Sunday, May 10, at 7:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs looked poised to take a commanding 3-0 series lead when they got early goals from Knies and Tavares. Aleksander Barkov made it 2-1 but Tavares restored the two-goal lead early in the second. However, Reinhart and Verhaeghe quickly scored to tie it and Jonah Gadjovich gave the Panthers the lead.

It then became a game of bounces involving Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly. His game-tying goal in the third deflected off Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky’s blocker, striking his defenseman Seth Jones, and bounced into the Panthers’ net. Marchand’s goal deflected into the Leafs’ net as Rielly was jostling with Panthers center Anton Lundell.

The hockey gods giveth, and the hockey gods taketh away.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Seven skaters who debuted in the NHL between 2000 and 2010 were named to the league’s Quarter-Century Team.

The new players are former Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron, former Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk, former Chicago Blackhawks and current Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, Pittsburgh Penguins centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin, and former Tampa Bay Lightning and current Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprises here. They were/are the most impactful players of their era. Datsyuk is already in the Hockey Hall of Fame, Bergeron will soon join him, and the others are all future first-ballot Hall-of-Famers once their playing careers are over.

The league will reveal the six skaters who debuted since 2010 on Saturday.

THE ATHLETIC: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league’s two failed attempts to house a franchise in Atlanta would prevent the possibility of a third attempt to bring an expansion team to that market.

Bettman’s comments come days after prospective Atlanta owner Paul Krause said his group was getting closer to making a formal expansion pitch. The commissioner said there is interest in a potential expansion to Atlanta, but no formal timetable.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I predict the league will expand to Atlanta and Houston by the end of this decade, expanding to 34 teams.

Like it or not, billionaires are willing to pony up the increasingly rising expansion fee (likely to be $2 billion) to own an NHL expansion franchise in the United States.

Sorry, Quebec City, you have a devoted fan base and a proper NHL-ready arena, but your market is too small compared to those in the United States, and that’s where the money is. Your best bet is to become an emergency relocation destination for a failing American team like Winnipeg was for the Atlanta Thrashers in 2011.

NHL.COM: Vegas Golden Knights forward Nicolas Roy was fined $7,812.50 for cross-checking Edmonton Oilers forward Trent Frederic during Game 2 of the teams’ second-round series on Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The league explained they fined Roy instead of suspending him because he was reckless with his stick rather than intentionally trying to injure Frederic when he cross-checked the Oilers forward in the face. Frederic remained in the game, which explains why Roy escaped harsher discipline.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller underwent surgery for an undisclosed injury suffered toward the end of the regular season. He is expected to be ready for training camp in September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whether that’s with the Rangers or another team remains to be seen. Miller is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights coming off a difficult season. He could receive an offer sheet from a rival club if negotiations stall with the Rangers. Miller could also be a trade candidate if management decides he no longer fits into their long-term plans.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils have parted ways with assistant coaches Ryan McGill and Chris Taylor.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former WWE star Brock Lesnar’s son was recently drafted by the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. Duke Lesnar, 14, is a 5’11”, 168-pound forward chosen 115th overall by the Tigers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This isn’t NHL news, but I’m a pro wrestling fan, so this was interesting to share here.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 9, 2025

by | May 9, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 9, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: changes are coming for the Devils, the latest on former Canucks coach Rick Tocchet, and the Flyers could be heading to arbitration with Noah Cates.

CHANGES ARE COMING FOR THE DEVILS

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reports Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald isn’t happy with his club’s performance this season. He explains there will be changes coming for next season.

Fitzgerald indicated there are decisions to be made about certain players, saying the Devils won’t be back with the same group for next season. He acknowledged the injuries to key players like Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton adversely affected the club’s play, but felt several players did not play up to expectations.

New Jersey Devils forward Dawson Mercer (NHL Images).

The Devils’ offense suffered this season, dropping from a goals-per-game of 3.22 last season to 2.98 in 2024-25. Depth scoring was an issue, as off-season acquisitions Stefan Noesen and Paul Cotter cooled off after strong starts to this season.

Nichols also pointed out Dawson Mercer’s struggles this season. Expected to have a breakout performance, the 23-year-old center managed only 19 goals. Nichols suggested the Devils need a top-six winger and a few bottom-six forwards who can score.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of the changes Fitzgerald could be referring to are the Devils’ pending unrestricted free agents. They include forwards Tomas Tatar, Daniel Sprong, Curtis Lazar and Nathan Bastian.

Fitzgerald proved last summer that he’s willing to make big off-season moves to improve his club, acquiring goaltender Jacob Markstrom and signing defensemen Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon. He has over $12 million in projected cap space with 19 active roster players under contract, but a big chunk of it will go toward re-signing defenseman Luke Hughes.

The Devils GM alluded to the possibility of making trades this summer. He could gauge Mercer’s value in the trade market. The young center’s name surfaced occasionally in this season’s rumor mill.

THE BRUINS ARE INTERESTED IN RICK TOCCHET

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports former Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet has emerged as the top targets for the Boston Bruins to fill their vacant coaching position.

An NHL source told Murphy the Bruins are trying to secure an interview with Tocchet. CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal also believes they’re a club worth watching as a possible destination for the former Canucks bench boss.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Winner of the Jack Adams Award last season, Tocchet is the hottest coaching commodity available this summer. The Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Seattle Kraken are among the clubs he’s been linked to.

FLYERS COULD HEAD TO ARBITRATION WITH NOAH CATES

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco believes the Philadelphia Flyers are likely to go to arbitration with Noah Cates.

The 26-year-old center is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He’s completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.625 million. Cates had 16 goals and 37 points in 82 games this season.

Di Marco writes that it was assumed Cates would be in line for a long-term extension, but it doesn’t appear that’s in the works, suggesting arbitration is the most likely destination.

A Flyers source said Cates isn’t interested in a long-term deal and is willing to bet on himself on a one-year contract. The team views his value in the range of $3.5 million annually on a four to six-year contract.

Di Marco believes Cates would be willing to commit to the Flyers long term. However, it would be at a price the club considers too high.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A trade is possible if the Flyers don’t see Cates as a part of their long-term future. Doing so would hurt their depth at center unless they can swing a deal that brings in a suitable replacement.