NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 17, 2025

by | Apr 17, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 17, 2025

The Canadiens clinch the final Eastern Conference wild card, the Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck wins his second straight Jennings Trophy, the Oilers’ Connor McDavid has his eighth 100-point season, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: The Montreal Canadiens doubled up the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 to clinch the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 91 points. Kaiden Guhle scored twice, Nick Suzuki had a goal and an assist, and Lane Hutson collected an assist to tie Hall-of-Famer Larry Murphy for the single-season assist record for NHL rookies (60). Taylor Hall and Tyson Jost replied for the Hurricanes, who face the New Jersey Devils in the opening round of the postseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens defeated a Hurricanes squad that rested seven regulars, including Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Jaccob Slavin and Jordan Staal. Nevertheless, this was a well-deserved victory for a rebuilding club that rose from second-last in the overall standings on Dec. 1 to securing its first postseason berth since 2021.

Montreal will face the Washington Capitals in the first round, with their series expected to begin on Monday. The last time these two clubs met in the playoffs was in 2010, when the Canadiens upset the heavily-favored Capitals in seven games. Time will tell if history repeats itself.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 30 saves and Mark Scheifele scored in overtime to nip the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 in the final game of the regular season for both clubs. Neal Pionk also scored for the league-leading Jets while Troy Terry replied for the Ducks.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck won the William M. Jennings Trophy for the second straight year as the Jets gave up the fewest goals this season (191). He becomes the fifth goalie to win this award in consecutive seasons since it was first presented in 1981-82, joining Martin Brodeur, Roman Turek, Patrick Roy and Brian Hayward.

Hellebuyck also picked up his 47th win of the season, tying Bernie Parent and Roberto Luongo for the second-most among NHL goalies. Braden Holtby and Martin Brodeur are tied with 48 wins.

The Jets also took care of some business before the game, announcing forward Alex Iafallo signed a three-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $3.666 million. It’s a slight pay cut from his current AAV of $4 million, but the 31-year-old accepted it to stay in Winnipeg, telling the media that he didn’t want to go anywhere else.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid collected an assist for his eighth 100-point season in a 3-0 win over the San Jose Sharks. Ty Emberson tallied twice and Stuart Skinner had an 18-save shutout for the Oilers, who concluded their season in third place in the Pacific Division with 101 points. The Sharks finished their season winless in their last 11 games (0-8-3).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid joins Hall-of-Famers Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Marcel Dionne as the only players to reach 100 points eight times. Meanwhile, Sharks goaltender Alexandar Georgiev was told by Sharks management that he won’t be signed to a contract extension, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

The Nashville Predators finished their season on a winning note, defeating the Dallas Stars 5-1. Ryan O’Reilly had a goal and two assists for the Predators while Mason Marchment replied for the Stars, who’ll face the Colorado Avalanche in the opening round of the playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars forward Tyler Seguin picked up an assist in his first game since Dec. 1. He underwent hip surgery on Dec. 5. Seguin’s teammate Jason Robertson left the game with a lower-body injury in the second period. There was no postgame update on Robertson’s condition, but he was seen after the game with a brace on his right knee.

Vegas Golden Knights forward Pavel Dorofeyev broke a 1-1 tie in a 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Victor Olofsson had a goal and an assist for the Golden Knights, who’ll face the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the playoffs. Pius Suter scored for the Canucks.

The Detroit Red Wings defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-2. Dylan Larkin and Jonatan Berggren each had a goal and an assist for the Red Wings. Erik Haula and Dawson Mercer replied for the Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton returned to action after missing 18 games with a lower-body injury.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs opening round begins Saturday with the Winnipeg Jets hosting the St. Louis Blues (6 pm ET start) while the Dallas Stars face off against the Colorado Avalanche starting at 8:30 pm ET.

The full playoff schedule will be released on Thursday.

THE ATHLETIC: Katie Strang reports New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin and Madison Square Garden Sports (which owns the Rangers) paid financial settlements to a former Rangers employee last year after she alleged Panarin sexually assaulted her.

Strang cited sources claiming the alleged assault occurred in December 2023 during a Rangers road trip. Neither Panarin nor his agent replied to a request for comment. An MSG spokesperson and the woman (whose identity has been protected) stated the matter has been resolved.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins defenseman Kris Letang underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a small hole in his heart. He returned to the club’s practice facility on Wednesday but did not take part in practice. His teammates were relieved to see him.

Letang, 38, has a long history of injuries and medical problems, including two strokes. A small hole in his heart was discovered in 2014 following his first stroke.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Letang had no comment for reporters and isn’t expected to play in their season-closing game against the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

CBS SPORTS: Seattle Kraken winger Jared McCann will undergo surgery on Monday for an undisclosed issue he’s dealt with throughout the season. He played in all 82 of his club’s games this season. He faces a six-week post-surgery recovery period.

TSN: Florida Panthers forward Jesse Puljujarvi has a hearing with the NHL department of player safety for an illegal hit to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mitchell Chaffee on Tuesday.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Washington Capitals signed center Nic Dowd to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $3 million. Dowd, 34, was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The checking-line forward tallied a career-high 27 points this season.

RG.ORG: Prospect winger Porter Martone is hoping to have a positive impact with whatever NHL club selects him in this year’s draft. The 6’3” power forward with the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads said he wants to win Stanley Cups and create a winning culture, hoping to eventually take on a leadership role with that team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL Central Scouting has Martone at No. 6 among this year’s top North American prospects. TSN’s Bob McKenzie and Craig Button, The Hockey News’ Nick Ferrari and Ryan Kennedy, and McKeen’s Hockey have him among their top-five prospects.

NHLPA: recently released its annual poll of its membership. A surprising result was that Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers were polled higher than Vezina Trophy favorite Connor Hellebuyck in the top goalie category.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 16, 2025

by | Apr 16, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 16, 2025

Could the Flyers go the offer-sheet route or attempt to acquire Lightning prospect Isaac Howard this summer? What’s the latest on the Canadiens? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST FLYERS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz pointed out that Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere isn’t shy about attempting to make bold moves. He wondered if Briere might go the offer-sheet route this summer to bring in a good young player.

Kurz included Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks, Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild and Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs among his list of suggested offer-sheet targets.

Could the Flyers target Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

The Ducks have plenty of salary-cap space, but rarely spend to the cap ceiling. They must also consider long-term contracts for forwards Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier. Kurz also wonders if the threat of an offer sheet might entice the Ducks to consider trading McTavish.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule out the possibility of Briere attempting to sign away a good young NHL forward with an offer sheet. However, it takes two to tango, and McTavish, Rossi and Knies might not be interested in offers from rival clubs. Recent reports out of Toronto suggest that’s the case regarding Knies.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jonathan Bailey believes it would make perfect sense for the Flyers to acquire prospect forward Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Bailey pointed out the difficulties the Lightning are facing getting Howard under contract. The 21-year-old Hobey Baker Award winner can become an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 15, 2026, if he and the Lightning fail to agree to an entry-level deal.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently speculated the Lightning could trade Howard’s rights if they feel they cannot sign him before next August. Bailey observed the Flyers are well-situated to make a competitive offer, carrying three first-round picks and four second-rounders in this year’s draft to draw on for trade bait.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers could be among the suitors for Howard if the Lightning decide to peddle him leading up to the 2025 NHL Draft in June. They stand better odds of landing him than they would of signing away a talented restricted free agent from another team with an offer sheet.

CANADIENS’ YOUNG TALENT COULD HELP THEM BECOME A PREFERRED DESTINATION

TSN: Darren Dreger took note of the impressive debut of Montreal Canadiens rookie winger Ivan Demidov on Monday. He also observed that the rebuilding Canadiens’ improved play this season could be a selling point for management to entice UFA talent or players with no-trade protection on other teams who might become available in this summer’s trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ significant improvement this season can be tied to established young stars Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, and promising youngsters like Lane Hutson and Juraj Slafkovsky. Demidov’s debut and his immense potential suggest they have a future superstar in their midst.

The Canadiens’ odds of landing NHL talent through trades and free agency will only get better as their on-ice performance improves.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 16, 2025

by | Apr 16, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 16, 2025

The Wild and Blues clinch playoff berths while the Blue Jackets keep their playoff hopes alive, a milestone game for Leafs forwards Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF TUESDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: The Minnesota Wild clinched the first Western Conference wild-card berth (97 points) with a dramatic 3-2 overtime win over the Anaheim Ducks. Joel Eriksson Ek scored the tying goal with 22 seconds remaining in the third period to ensure the Wild the point they needed to clinch that playoff berth. They started goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury in overtime in what could be the swan song to his NHL career, and got the game-winner from Matt Boldy with 18 seconds remaining in the extra frame.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In a classy move, Wild starter Filip Gustavsson requested Fleury take over between the pipes at the end of the third period. The future Hall-of-Famer made five saves in overtime and was mobbed by his teammates following Boldy’s goal. They will face the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round.

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues (96 points) clinched the final Western wild-card by downing the Utah Hockey Club 6-1. Jordan Kyrou scored two goals, Pavel Buchnevich had a goal and two assists, and rookie forward Jimmy Snuggerud tallied his first NHL goal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blues center Robert Thomas left the game early in the third period with a lower-body injury for precautionary reasons. Head coach Jim Montgomery believes he’ll be fine. The Blues will square off against the Winnipeg Jets in the first round.

The Calgary Flames (94 points) defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-4 but were eliminated from the playoff race. Morgan Frost scored the game-winner in a shootout while Nazem Kadri had a goal and an assist. Brandon Saad had a goal and two assists for the Golden Knights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A tough finish for the Flames, but they exceeded expectations by staying in the playoff race for most of this season. It will give them something to build on going forward.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves had a 26-save shutout to blank the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0. Adam Fantilli scored his 30th goal of the season and Sean Monahan collected two assists for the Blue Jackets (87 points), who sit two points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot with a game in hand.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montreal can clinch on Wednesday if they defeat the Carolina Hurricanes in any fashion or lose in overtime or the shootout. If the Canadiens lose that game in regulation time, the Blue Jackets can clinch if they get a regulation win in their final game on Thursday.

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews (NHL Images).

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews scored his 400th NHL regular-season goal and Mitch Marner collected his 100th point of the season in a 4-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Anthony Stolarz kicked out 35 shots for the shutout. The Leafs clinched the Atlantic Division title for the first time with 106 points and will face the Ottawa Senators in the first round.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews is the sixth-fastest player to reach the 400-goal plateau, doing so in 628 games played. He joins Wayne Gretzky (436 games played), Mike Bossy (506 GP), Mario Lemieux (508), Brett Hull (520), and Jari Kurri (608). He needs 21 goals to break Mats Sundin’s franchise record of 420 goals.

Marner joins Matthews, Darryl Sittler and Doug Gilmour as the fourth player in Leafs history to reach 100 points in a season.

Sabres defenseman Owen Power missed this game with a season-ending injury to his left knee that could require surgery in the offseason.

Speaking of the Senators (95 points), they dropped a 4-3 decision to the Chicago Blackhawks. Frank Nazar scored in overtime and Connor Bedard tallied twice for Chicago while Dylan Cozens had two assists for the Senators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been a long time since “The Battle of Ontario” carried over into the playoffs. The last time the Leafs and Senators faced each other in the postseason was 21 years ago in the opening round of the 2004 playoffs.

The Leafs enter that series with defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jake McCabe questionable for Game 1. Sidelined Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is expected to return to action for that game.

The Tampa Bay Lightning secured second place in the Atlantic Division with 102 points by beating the Florida Panthers 5-1. Brayden Point had a goal and two assists while Nikita Kucherov collected two points for a league-leading 121 points. Brad Marchand replied for the Panthers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of rivalries, “The Battle of Florida” continues as the Lightning and Panthers face off in postseason play for the fourth time in five years.

Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome’s hat trick powered his team to a 3-1 victory over the New York Islanders. Adam Pelech returned to action in this game after leaving Sunday’s match against the New Jersey Devils following an illegal hit to the head by Devils forward Paul Cotter.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was likely the final home game for Islanders forward Matt Martin, who was saluted by the fans and the Capitals following this contest. Meanwhile, the Capitals will face the Canadiens or Blue Jackets in the first round.

The Los Angeles Kings tied their single-season record for most wins (48) by holding off the Seattle Kraken 5-4. Samuel Helenius scored two goals for the Kings (105 points), who will meet the Edmonton Oilers in the opening round for the fourth straight year. Matty Beniers netted his 20th goal of the season for the Kraken.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken confirmed Ron Francis will return for his fifth season as general manager.

An overtime goal by Brian Dumoulin gave the New Jersey Devils a 5-4 win over the Boston Bruins. Timo Meier had a goal and two assists for the Devils (91 points), who will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round. Bruins winger David Pastrnak had a goal and an assist to finish the season with 106 points.

HEADLINES

NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture formally announced yesterday that he’s no longer physically able to continue his playing career.

The 36-year-old center’s final game was in February 2024. He was diagnosed in 2023 with Osteitis pubis, a deep groin injury that sidelined him for almost all of the last two seasons.

Couture hasn’t officially retired as his contract runs through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $8 million. He will remain on their books for the next two years and be placed on long-term injury reserve if they need salary-cap flexibility.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I noted yesterday, Couture will be remembered as one of the best players in Sharks history. He’s among their top-five players in games-played, goals, assists, and points. Couture didn’t rule out returning to the game in coaching or management. General manager Mike Grier said there’s a job for him anytime with the Sharks.

RG.ORG: Philadelphia Flyers captain Sean Couturier admitted it’s been a tough season for his rebuilding club. However, he believes they have a bright future with the young players in the lineup and their prospect system.

Couturier admitted he didn’t have much of a relationship with former head coach John Tortorella. “We didn’t see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, and it was hard,” he said. “I just tried to work with him and do what’s best for the team because that’s my job as the captain.”

THE DENVER POST: Gabriel Landeskog returned to the Avalanche following his recent conditioning stint with their AHL affiliate. He’s resumed practicing with the Avs and could be ready for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series with the Dallas Stars.

TSN: Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers is listed as week-to-week with a right-foot injury just days before their first-round series with the St. Louis Blues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s no indication if Ehlers will return at some point during that series.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The NHL department of player safety handed Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse a one-game suspension for cross-checking Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield in the back of the head during Monday’s game between the two clubs.

Nurse will miss the Oilers’ final regular-season game on Wednesday against the Sharks and will be in the lineup for the first game of their opening-round series against the Kings.

NHL.COM: Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov, New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes, Ottawa Senators winger Brady Tkachuk and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner are among the 32 King Clancy Memorial Trophy nominees. The award recognizes leadership qualities and contributions to the community.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Click the link above for the complete list.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 15, 2025

by | Apr 15, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 15, 2025

What will the Flyers, Blue Jackets and Kraken do about their goaltending during the coming offseason? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz recently examined what went wrong with the Philadelphia Flyers’ goaltending this season and how they might attempt to fix it in the offseason.

Kurz noted the Flyers have the worst save percentage (.879 as of Apr. 14) among the 32 NHL clubs. Their goals-against average (3.44) is the fifth-worst. Their three goaltenders (Aleksei Kolosov, Ivan Fedotov and Samuel Ersson) are among the bottom six in save percentage among the league’s 65 goalies.

Ersson is likely to remain as the Flyers’ starting goalie given the number of consistent stretches this season where he looked like a competent goalie. Fedotov could become their No. 3 while Kolosov’s future is uncertain.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored Kolosov could return to Belarus at the end of this season.

General manager Daniel Briere will find slim pickings for goaltenders in this summer’s free-agent market. The best options there could include Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils (who could be re-signed by the Devils) and the oft-injured Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes.

The pickings could be better in the trade market. John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks has been a fixture in trade rumors. He’s also battled injuries but put up solid numbers this season on the rebuilding Ducks. Gibson is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $6.4 million.

Could the Philadelphia Flyers pursue Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko? (NHL Images).

Kurz also wonders about the availability of Vancouver Canucks netminder Thatcher Demko. He’s got a year left on his contract (with a salary-cap hit of $5 million) and the Canucks recently signed Kevin Lankinen to a five-year extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson has a 10-team no-trade list and wants to go to a club where he’ll be the starting goalie. He’d get that opportunity with the Flyers if they’re willing to move Ersson into the backup job. However, Gibson could also prefer going to a playoff contender instead of another rebuilding club.

Demko lacks no-trade protection and also has an injury history. However, the Flyers could be a suitor if he becomes available. When healthy, he’s among the league’s elite goalies, finishing second in voting last season for the Vezina Trophy. They’d also have the trade capital in draft picks, prospects and young players to make a competitive bid to the Canucks.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline believes the Columbus Blue Jackets will spend major resources overhauling their goaltending.

A buyout of starter Elvis Merzlikins must be considered because his inconsistency makes him almost impossible to trade this summer. He has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $5.4 million.

Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason has lost faith in backup Daniil Tarasov. How management handles him as a restricted free agent this summer will be worth watching.

Portzline expects the Blue Jackets will pursue a goalie through trade or free agency. Jet Greaves is making the case to become a full-time member of the Columbus Blue Jackets roster. It remains to be seen where he fits in next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets will face the same problem as the Flyers and any other team seeking a goalie upgrade this summer. They could sign someone like the Devils’ Jake Allen or the Hurricanes’ Frederik Andersen or pursue the Ducks’ John Gibson or the Canucks’ Thatcher Demko if he’s available.

Greaves was the NHL’s first star of the week with a record of 3-0-0, a 1.00 goals-against average, a .968 save percentage and a shutout. However, that’s just a small sample size. He’s yet to prove he can perform well consistently at the NHL level, which means he’ll likely be penciled in as their backup for next season.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kate Shefte reports this season could be Philipp Grubauer’s last with the Kraken.

Grubaur has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.9 million. However, the 33-year-old goaltender has struggled, losing the starter’s job to Joey Daccord, raising speculation the Kraken could buy out the remainder of his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A buyout for Grubauer would be at two-thirds of the remaining value for twice the remaining tenure of the contract. His deal is structured in such a way that it would count as $1.983 million during the first year of the buyout, $3.083 million in 2026-27, dropping to $1.683 million annually for the final two years.

With Daccord as their starter, the Kraken should find it easier to bring in an affordable backup on a short-term deal. Grubauer could find another NHL home as a free agent but his difficulties in Seattle will hurt his value.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 15, 2025

by | Apr 15, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 15, 2025

The Kings clinch home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, Ivan Demidov shines in his debut as Canadiens earn a point in the wild-card race, Sharks captain Logan Couture will announce his retirement, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF MONDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: The Los Angeles Kings clinched home-ice advantage in their upcoming first-round series with the Edmonton Oilers by blanking them 5-0. Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich combined for the shutout while Adrian Kempe had a goal and two assists for the Kings, who sit second in the Pacific Division with 103 points. The Oilers are third with 99 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings pulled Kuemper at 8:13 of the third period after going up 5-0 in favor of Rittich to give him some playing time before his start on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken.

Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for cross-checking Kings forward Quinton Byfield during the second period. Byfield left the ice and missed the rest of the game in concussion protocol. His teammate, Philip Danault, wasn’t pleased with the Oilers’ actions in this game. “They have their B squad in trying to hurt us,” he said.

Before the game, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said defenseman Mattias Ekholm will miss at least the first round of the 2025 playoffs.

Montreal Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov (NHL.com).

Montreal Canadiens rookie winger Ivan Demidov scored his first NHL goal and collected his first assist but his club dropped a 4-3 shootout decision to the Chicago Blackhawks. Frank Nazar tallied the game-winner and scored a goal and an assist in regulation time. Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky scored to reach 50 points for the second straight season as his club picked up a point in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. They hold the final berth with 89 points, four ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Demidov handled the pressure of his first NHL game quite well but Montreal failed to clinch a playoff berth and are 0-1-2 in their last three games. They have one game left while Columbus has two. The Canadiens can clinch if the Blue Jackets lose in any fashion to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.

Speaking of Canadiens rookies, Lane Hutson collected an assist on Slafkovsky’s goal to break the franchise record for the most points by a rookie defenseman with 65. Chris Chelios held the previous record with 64 points.

A four-goal third period lifted the Detroit Red Wings to a 6-4 win over the Dallas Stars. Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider led the way with a goal and two assists each in the third period. Jamie Benn collected two assists for the Stars, who sit second in the Central Division with 106 points but have gone 0-4-2 in their last six games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars general manager Jim Nill said sidelined defenseman Miro Heiskanen will miss the start of their opening-round series against the Colorado Avalanche. He didn’t rule out Heiskanen’s return later in the first round.

The New York Rangers upset the Florida Panthers 5-3 with J.T. Miller, Juuso Parssinen and Matt Rempe each collecting a goal and an assist. Sam Reinhart tallied twice for the Panthers, who sit third in the Atlantic Division with 98 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers center Sam Bennett picked up an assist in his return to action after being sidelined on Apr. 5 with an upper-body injury against the Ottawa Senators.

Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk scored in overtime to nip the San Jose Sharks 2-1. Linus Karlsson scored for the Canucks in regulation while Macklin Celebrini netted his 25th goal of the season for the Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks captain Quinn Hughes collected an assist on DeBrusk’s goal to tie Alexander Edler’s franchise record for most points by a defenseman (409).

The Utah Hockey Club got a four-point performance by Clayton Keller for a 7-3 victory over the Nashville Predators. Keller scored two goals and set up two others while Logan Cooley and Alex Kerfoot each had three points. Ryan O’Reilly had a goal and an assist for the Predators.

HEADLINES

DAILY FACEOFF: The San Jose Sharks will hold a press conference on Tuesday to announce captain Logan Couture is unable to continue his playing career due to injury.

Couture, 36, has been sidelined since February 2024 by a groin ailment. He missed all of this season and only appeared in six games in 2023-24. He spent 15 seasons with the Sharks from 2009-10 to 2023-24, sitting fifth among their franchise leaders with 933 games played and 378 assists. He was also third in goals with 323 and fourth in points with 701.

Named captain of the Sharks in 2019-20, Couture was a proven postseason performer with 48 goals and 53 assists for 101 points in 116 playoff games. He led all scorers with 20 assists and 30 points during the Sharks’ run to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An unfortunate, premature end for Couture’s playing career. He will be remembered as one of the great players in Sharks’ history.

NHL.COM: Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, and Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck are the league’s three stars for the week ending Apr. 13, 2025.

The department of player safety suspended New Jersey Devils forward Paul Cotter for two games for an illegal check to the head of New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech on Sunday.

THE ATHLETIC: A post-mortem analysis of the brain of former NHL player Chris Simon revealed he had severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) when he died by suicide in 2024.

According to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, Simon is one of the 19 of 20 NHL players’ brains to have tested positive for CTE following their deaths. They include Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Ralph Backstrom, Bob Probert and Derek Boogaard.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Meanwhile, the NHL remains in denial about CTE, claiming more study is required.

MLIVE.COM: The four US-based Original Six franchises (Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers) have all missed the playoffs for the first time in the post-expansion era (1967-68 to the present).










NHL Rumor Mill – April 14, 2025

by | Apr 14, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 14, 2025

Could the Blues pursue Mitch Marner via this summer’s free-agent market? What’s the latest on Sabres winger JJ Peterka? What will the Jets do with Luke Schenn and Neal Pionk? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE BLUES PURSUE MITCH MARNER?

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford was recently asked what he thought the St. Louis Blues might do regarding Mitch Marner. The 28-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Rutherford believes Marner would be a terrific fit with the Blues alongside his former junior teammate Robert Thomas. However, he’s set to be the premier player in this summer’s UFA market and could seek an average annual value of $14 million.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have a projected cap space of $7.146 million with 23 active roster players under contract for next season. They’ll have to shed considerable salary to sign Marner, making it unlikely they’ll be bidding for him if he goes to market on July 1.

THE LATEST ON PETERKA

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski recently profiled JJ Peterka, singling out the 23-year-old forward’s development this season into one of the Sabres’ “core, young guys”.

Peterka is completing his entry-level contract. He’s in line for a significant raise though the Sabres hold the advantage because he lacks arbitration rights. They could do a short or long-term deal, with the latter projected to be a six-year deal with an average annual value of $6.6 million.

An offer sheet is possible but unlikely. The Sabres possess the cap space to match and they won’t want to lose him for draft picks as compensation. General manager Kevyn Adams has no intention of trading him and hopes to extend his contract as soon as possible.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Peterka surfaced in the rumor mill as a potential target for the New York Rangers before last month’s trade deadline but Adams quickly denied any trade discussions occurred.

The young forward recently popped up as a possible offer-sheet candidate. The only way that happens is if someone pitches an offer that far exceeds that $6.6 million projection.

Given Adams’ recent comments, Peterka could be re-signed well before his restricted free-agent eligibility on July 1.

JETS EXPECTED TO RETAIN SCHENN AND RE-SIGN PIONK

THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates was asked if the Winnipeg Jets intend to keep Luke Schenn next season. The 35-year-old defenseman was acquired at the trade deadline. He’s signed through 2025-26 with an AAV of $2.75 million.

Ates fully expects they’ll keep Schenn, pointing out that the Jets are happy with his defensive play and veteran presence.

He also believes they intend to sign Neal Pionk to a contract extension. The 29-year-old blueliner is UFA-eligible on July 1. He’s completing a four-year deal with an AAV of $5.875 million.