NHL Rumor Mill – October 7, 2025

by | Oct 7, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 7, 2025

Check out the latest on Flames center Nazem Kadri, Mammoth center Logan Cooley, Bruins goaltender Michael DiPietro, and Capitals goalie Clay Stevenson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

FLAMES NATION: TSN’s NHL insider Darren Dreger recently said it feels like a long shot that the Calgary Flames will trade center Nazem Kadri.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Dreger believes several teams around the league could benefit from Kadri’s presence. He pointed out that the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadiens are among the clubs that could use some help at center.

The Flames could consider it if they’re out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline, but not before then. Dreger said it would take “a tremendous overpay” to get him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri, 35, carries an average annual value (AAV) of $7 million through the 2028-29 season. He has a full no-movement clause for this season, but it becomes a 13-team no-trade list on July 1.

The Flames could listen to offers for Kadri if they’re out of the playoff chase by the trade deadline. However, it would be easier to wait until July 1 when he’ll have less control over where he can be traded.

THE SCORE: cited NHL insider Frank Seravalli reporting that sources said Logan Cooley rejected an eight-year contract extension offer worth an AAV of $9.6 million from the Utah Mammoth.

That offer would’ve made Cooley the Mammoth’s highest-paid player. He’s coming off a solid sophomore season with 65 points in 75 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cooley is in the final season of his entry-level contract.

No reason was given for Cooley’s reported rejection of that offer. However, it’s likely because the salary cap is expected to rise substantially over the next two seasons, and he wants to get the best deal possible.

Cooley is likely betting on himself entering this season. If he builds on his sophomore performance, he could justify seeking between $10 million and $11 million annually.

THE HOCKEY NEWS/RUSSIAN MACHINE NEVER BREAKS: Boston Bruins goaltender Michael DiPietro and Washington Capitals netminder Clay Stevenson cleared waivers on Monday. They will report to their respective team’s AHL affiliates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DiPietro and Stevenson were rumored to be potential waiver targets. They could still draw interest in the trade market from teams seeking goaltending depth, especially since they’ve already cleared waivers. They could be worth monitoring over the next couple of weeks.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 7, 2025

by | Oct 7, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 7, 2025

The regular season opens on Tuesday, reaction to the Oilers re-signing Connor McDavid, the Oilers also re-sign Jake Walman, the Bruins will retire Zdeno Chara’s number, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The 2025-26 regular season opens with a triple-header on ESPN on Tuesday.

It begins with the Florida Panthers raising their second straight Stanley Cup championship banner in a pregame ceremony before facing off with the Chicago Blackhawks. New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan faces his former club as his team hosts the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Colorado Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadian hockey fans can watch these games on Sportsnet1 or TVA Sports.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Robert Tychowski believes Connor McDavid put his money where his mouth is when he signed a two-year contract extension with the Oilers worth an average annual value (AAV) of $12.5 million.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

McDavid’s contract is remarkably low as he maintains the same AAV of his current deal, illustrating his seriousness about winning a Stanley Cup with the Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most NHL pundits shared that opinion. With the salary cap set to rise significantly over the next two seasons, McDavid has provided the Oilers with the cap flexibility to maintain a Stanley Cup contender. It’s now up to general manager Stan Bowman to do so.

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun believes some NHL teams will try to use McDavid’s new contract as an argument for why their best players should follow his example. However, it’s unlikely to have much of an effect.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been underpaid for years, partly because of his superstition about the number 87, but that didn’t prevent other superstars from seeking top dollar.

The McDavid contract wasn’t the only extension announced by the Oilers on Monday. They also signed defenseman Jake Walman to a seven-year deal worth an AAV of $7 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can already see the positive effect that McDavid’s contract is having on the Oilers’ cap space for 2026-27. Had he taken a more expensive deal, they might have had more difficulty re-signing Walman.

Acquired by the Oilers at the March trade deadline, the 29-year-old Walman quickly established himself as an invaluable member of their blueline.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins will retire Zdeno Chara’s No. 33 in a ceremony before their game against the Seattle Kraken on Jan. 15, 2026.

Chara becomes the 13th player in Bruins history to have their number retired. He spent 14 of his 24-season NHL career with the Bruins, captaining them to the 2011 Stanley Cup and the 2013 and 2019 Stanley Cup Finals. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2008-09 and will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November 2025.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A fitting tribute for one of the greatest defensemen in Bruins history.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers forwards Artemi Panarin and J.T. Miller are good to go for their season opener against the Penguins on Tuesday. Both players were nursing injuries during the preseason.

TSN: The Rangers also signed forward Conor Sheary to a one-year contract on Monday. He joined the team in training camp and preseason on a professional tryout offer (PTO).

CALGARY SUN: Forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and Martin Pospisil will miss the Flames’ season opener on Wednesday. Both players are on injured reserve.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer earned a roster spot for the start of the regular season. Schaefer, 18, was chosen first overall by the Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders can return Schaefer to his OHL’s Erie Otters after nine games without those contests counting against his entry-level contract. However, it’s expected he’ll be a full-time part of the Isles’ lineup this season.

TSN: The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed goaltender Cayden Primeau off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes and forward Sammy Blais from the Montreal Canadiens.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators made promising defenseman Carter Yakemchuk their final roster cut on Monday. He’ll start the season with their AHL affiliate in Belleville, Ontario.

They also placed sidelined forward Drake Batherson (upper body) and defenseman Tyler Kleven (ankle) on injured reserve.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Veteran forward Luke Glendening is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Devils after attending their training camp on a PTO contract.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Flyers defenseman Cam York (lower body) was placed on injured reserve.

NHL.COM: The department of player safety suspended Tampa Bay Lightning forward Scott Sabourin for boarding Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad during their preseason game on Saturday. Lightning defenseman JJ Moser received a two-game suspension for roughing Panthers forward Jesper Boqvist during that game.

The Lightning was fined $100,000, and head coach Jon Cooper was fined $25,000 for their club’s actions during that game.










The Oilers and Connor McDavid Agree to a Two-Year Extension

by | Oct 6, 2025

The Oilers and Connor McDavid Agree to a Two-Year Extension

The Edmonton Oilers announced they have reached an agreement with Connor McDavid on a two-year, $25 million contract extension, with an average annual value of $12.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not surprising that McDavid agreed to a two-year contract. Recent reports indicated he was interested in a short-term deal with the Oilers.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

What’s surprising is how much money McDavid left on the table. He’ll be earning the same AAV as his current contract, which is well below the league-leading $17 million AAV that Kirill Kaprizov will be getting from the Minnesota Wild starting next season.

McDavid is the NHL’s top player in the prime of his career. It was assumed he’d get over $18 million annually, though a few observers suggested he might accept $14.5 million, which would’ve put him slightly ahead of teammate Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million AAV.

By maintaining the same AAV through 2027-28, McDavid is putting the Oilers ahead of himself. He could’ve sought the league maximum, which for next season would’ve been $20.8 million. Instead, he is taking far less than market value to give the Oilers the cap flexibility necessary to maintain a Stanley Cup contender throughout his new deal.

This contract will expire in 2028, when McDavid will be 31 and still in his prime. He’ll likely seek a substantial raise at that time, especially if he’s still among the league’s superstars at that time.

By then, the Oilers could be in a better position to pay him more money if they’re still a Cup contender by that point. If not, he’ll get it on the open market with another contender.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 6, 2025

by | Oct 6, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 6, 2025

The latest on the Flames, a couple of teams could be interested in Bruins goalie Michael DiPietro, and an update on Blue Jackets winger Yegor Chinakhov in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson looked at the option facing general manager Craig Conroy to whittle down his roster to 23 players by Monday’s 3 pm ET deadline.

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (NHL Images).

One option is to place sidelined winger Jonathan Huberdeau on injured reserve. He could send promising forward Matvei Gridin to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, or return defenseman Zayne Parekh to the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit.

The final option would be a trade, especially if Conroy gets a suitable offer to free up his logjam of wingers. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson has been in the rumor mill for months, but it seems certain that the 28-year-old veteran will remain with the Flames to open the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moving Andersson seems the least likely of Conroy’s options. It’s expected the Flames will eventually move the pending UFA blueliner by the March 6 trade deadline.

RG.ORG: Speaking of the Flames, James Murphy reports they and the Toronto Maple Leafs could be targeting Boston Bruins goaltender Michael DiPietro. He cited a source claiming the Flames and Maple Leafs attempted to acquire DiPietro earlier this year via trade.

The Bruins placed DiPietro on waivers Sunday. A source told Murphy that it would be surprising if he clears, given that several NHL clubs are seeking goaltending depth.

Following a brilliant season with the Bruins’ AHL affiliate in Providence, the 26-year-old Dipietro signed a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $812,500 in June. However, he’s become their third stringer behind Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murphy also reported that the Carolina Hurricanes were closely watching DiPietro’s situation. However, the Hurricanes subsequently claimed former Bruins goalie Brandon Bussi off waivers from the Florida Panthers on Sunday.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline provided an update on forward Yegor Chinakhov, who requested a trade in July from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Chinakhov’s request seems to be on hold after the 24-year-old forward reported to training camp and met with head coach Dean Evason. He spent most of last week skating on their fourth line during practice, but was on their top line Saturday night against Washington.

Portzline reports that Chinakhov fired his long-time agent, replacing him with Rick Komarow, whose clients include Blue Jackets winger Dimitri Voronkov. It remains unclear how this situation will work out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That depends on Chinakhov’s performance this season and his value in the trade market. An improved effort on his part will improve his trade stock, but could also boost his value to the Jackets’ lineup.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 6, 2025

by | Oct 6, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 6, 2025

The Flyers trade Ryan Ellis to the Sharks, an update on Jets forward Cole Perfetti, Matt Grzelcyk signs with the Blackhawks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW/SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Philadelphia Flyers traded defenseman Ryan Ellis and a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for winger Carl Grundstrom and defenseman Artem Guryev.

Former Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ryan Ellis (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ellis has been on permanent long-term injury reserve (LTIR) since November 2021. He has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $6.25 million.

The Sharks have taken on the entirety of Ellis’ cap hit, while the Flyers are adding Grundstrom’s $1.8 million cap hit. He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next July.

This move frees up $4.45 million in cap space for the Flyers, leaving them with over $7.2 million available. It enables them to accrue cap room throughout the season. Grundstrom was placed on waivers shortly after this trade was announced.

Meanwhile, this trade leaves the Sharks with 48 of 50 NHL contracts, freeing up room to add promising center Michael Misa and defenseman Jason Dickinson to their roster for the upcoming season.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Jets winger Cole Perfetti is listed as week-to-week with a high ankle sprain. He suffered the injury during Friday’s preseason game against the Calgary Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Perfetti joins defenseman Dylan Samberg and center Adam Lowry on the sidelines. Samberg suffered a broken ankle during preseason, and Lowry is recovering from offseason hip surgery.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Matt Grzelcyk signed a one-year contract with the Blackhawks. The 31-year-old defenseman earned the deal after attending training camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: PuckPedia indicates Grzelcyk will earn $1 million on this contract. He’ll provide experienced puck-moving ability to the rebuilding Blackhawks’ blueline. He’s coming off a career-best 40-point performance with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season.

DAILY FACEOFF: 43 players hit the NHL waiver wire on Sunday. Several goaltenders were among them, including Michael DiPietro of the Boston Bruins, Kaapo Kahkonen of the Montreal Canadiens, Nico Daws of the New Jersey Devils, Mads Sogaard of the Ottawa Senators, and Clay Stevenson of the Washington Capitals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see if DiPietro and Stevenson clear. Both were frequently mentioned as potential waiver targets in the rumor mill.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers lost goaltender Brandon Bussi to the Carolina Hurricanes via waivers.

SPORTSNET: Tampa Bay Lightning centers Carter Schmidt and Gage Goncalves were fined for cross-checking Florida Panthers forwards Carter Verhaeghe and Evan Rodrigues during Saturday’s fight-filled preseason game.

Lightning winger Scott Sabourin will have a hearing for roughing Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad. Lightning defenseman JJ Moser will have one for boarding Panthers winger Jesper Boqvist.

CBS SPORTS: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kyle Burroughs (upper body) was placed on injured reserve.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 5, 2025

by | Oct 5, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 5, 2025

Check out the latest on Kings winger Adrian Kempe and Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT WILL IT COST THE KINGS TO RE-SIGN KEMPE?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jesse Courville-Lynch cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting that he’d heard Adrian Kempe was seeking an average annual value (AAV) of $10.5 million on his next contract. He wondered if it would remain there or go a little higher in the aftermath of Kirill Kaprizov’s contract extension with the Minnesota Wild.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kempe, 29, is in the final season of a four-year contract with an AAV of $5.5 million. He is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe (NHL Images).

Kempe has become the Kings’ leading goal scorer and is a solid two-way forward. He’s also a proven playoff performer with 29 points in 28 postseason contests. With team captain Anze Kopitar retiring at the end of this season, Courville-Lynch believes the Kings must do everything they can to keep Kempe in the fold. Otherwise, it will move them out of playoff contention and back into rebuilding.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens reports Kempe doesn’t expect to have a contract extension before the Kings open their regular season this week. A new contract for the 29-year-old winger remains a priority for Kings general manager Ken Holland, and the two sides continue to talk regularly.

Stephens believes the Kings winger should easily eclipse the $8.5 million AAV that Nikolaj Ehlers received when he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes this summer. His value to the Kings could push his next contract into the $10 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The rising salary cap and Kempe’s value mean the Kings must sign him to an AAV worth at least $10 million if they want to remain a competitive team over the next several years.

They have a projected $33.7 million in cap space for 2026-27, giving them plenty of cap room to retain him. If they’re unwilling to pay, other clubs will if he goes to market next July.

The contract might not age well if Kempe gets the maximum eight years. They could try to work out a deal where he gets a five-year deal worth around $10.5 million annually.

THE LATEST QUINN HUGHES SPECULATION

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston recently wondered what the future holds for Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes. His younger brother, Luke, signed a seven-year deal with the New Jersey Devils last week, ensuring that he and his brother Jack will remain together with the Devils until 2030, when Jack’s contract expires.

Many observers believe Quinn will opt for free agency when his current contract expires in 2027 and join his brothers in New Jersey. The Canucks want to re-sign him, but the opportunity to join his brothers could be too enticing.

Whatever Quinn gets on his next contract will be massive, sparking Johnston to wonder if the Canucks will be in a position to afford him. He pointed out that the club is considered to be below average in franchise valuation. They are sitting 18th on Sportico’s recent list, dropping five spots from last year. The club has grown revenues more slowly than the league average, largely because it struggled to make the playoffs.

How this season goes will play a huge role in determining Quinn’s future with the Canucks. However, even if they regain their 2023-24 form, that might not be enough to keep him in Vancouver.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes could decide to go to market in 2027, which would force the Canucks to trade him before then. He should fetch a quality return that helps them rebuild. Hughes lacks no-trade protection, but interested teams will want assurances that he’ll re-sign with them before agreeing to a trade.

The Devils have a projected $53.1 million in cap space for 2027-28. A significant portion will be allocated to re-signing team captain Nico Hischier and re-signing or replacing goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Still, they should have enough to pull off a Hughes brothers reunion in two years, if not sooner, if they can land Quinn via trade with the Canucks.