NHL Rumor Mill – February 18, 2025

by | Feb 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 18, 2025

Check out the latest on the Sabres, Ducks and Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TRADE DEADLINE AMONG SABRES STORYLINES WORTH WATCHING

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski reports the upcoming March 7 trade deadline is one of the storylines worth watching for the Sabres.

Center Dylan Cozens, winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram were frequently the subject of trade speculation this season. It’s unclear if either player fits into the Sabres’ long-term plans.

Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens (NHL Images).

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams is trying to make a trade similar to the one that brought Byram to Buffalo last season. That was a one-for-one swap with Casey Mittelstadt going to the Colorado Avalanche.

The Sabres aren’t interested in more draft picks or prospects. However, they might have to accept such offers for Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker if the pending unrestricted free agents aren’t re-signed by March 7. Right-shot defenseman Henri Jokiharju could also draw interest in the trade market.

Lysowski and Mike Harrington believe the Sabres should re-sign Byram. He’s a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights. Harrington thinks the 25-year-old defenseman’s next contract could carry an average annual value in the $9 million range.

As for Cozens, Lysowski felt he should be moved only if the return was significant given their lack of depth at center. Harrington thinks he should be retained, pointing out that the high number of calls they’re getting from rival teams speaks to Cozens’ value.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adams has been trying to add to his roster since last summer. He claims part of the difficulty in doing so is that teams with no-trade protection aren’t interested in coming to Buffalo. Finding a suitable return of a talented player lacking no-trade protection also isn’t easy.

Some pundits linked Cozens and Byram to Elias Pettersson. The Vancouver Canucks center lacks no-trade protection until July 1 but he carries an expensive long-term contract. His production has significantly declined this season, making him a risky acquisition.

WILL THE DUCKS BUY OR SELL?

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Andrew Knoll reports the Anaheim Ducks’ recent surge in the standings might move them from being abject sellers to a club that could look at adding to their roster to accelerate their rebuild.

Pending UFAs like defenseman Brian Dumoulin could be shopped by the trade deadline. Mason McTavish, Drew Helleson, Isac Lundstrom and Brett Leason are restricted free agents but it seems likely they’ll stay put.

Knoll noted the recent trade buzz around forward Trevor Zegras and goaltender John Gibson. The Ducks have no urgency to move Zegras and would set a high asking price. However, his struggles since last season mean the odds are low of someone meeting that price. Recent rumors claim Gibson would be open to getting traded to a contender like Edmonton or Carolina.

Knoll doesn’t see the Ducks pursuing rental players at the trade deadline. They have salary-cap flexibility and some attractive futures to use as trade bait if longer-term opportunities present themselves.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Kelsey Surmacz observed the Ducks had several scouts at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (the Pittsburgh Penguins’ AHL affiliate) during the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has indicated an openness to moving the conditional 2025 first-rounder received from the Vancouver Canucks in the Marcus Pettersson trade. Surmacz noted the Ducks have several young NHLers (Zegras, McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov) who could fit within Dubas’ plan of adding young talent to his aging roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be surprising if the Ducks parted with McTavish or Mintyukov. They aren’t under pressure to move Zegras but they could listen if Dubas dangled a first-round pick, though it would likely have to be bundled with a good young player who fits into their long-term plans.

WILL THE MAPLE LEAFS SPEND BIG AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel believes the Toronto Maple Leafs must throw caution to the wind as the March 7 trade deadline approaches. They need a third-line center, depth scoring (which could be addressed by filling that third-line center role) and another right-shot defenseman.

Siegel points out the Eastern Conference is wide open and the Leafs stars (including Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander) aren’t getting any younger. He pointed out that the boldest teams in the trade market in recent years (Tampa Bay, Vegas, Colorado and Florida) were all rewarded for their efforts. Siegel wondered how willing the Leafs are to part with their top prospects and their 2026 first-round pick to acquire impactful help.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whether Leafs general manager Brad Treliving shares Siegel’s viewpoint remains to be seen. If he does, it’ll depend on whether the Leafs’ future assets are good enough to outbid other teams for the best available talent.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 18, 2025

by | Feb 18, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 18, 2025

Canada defeats Finland while Sweden upsets an injury-battered Team USA in the final round-robin games in the 4 Nations Face-Off. Check out the recaps of Monday’s games and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

4 NATIONS FACE-OFF RECAPS

NHL.COM: Canada held off Finland 5-3 in 4 Nations Face-Off action on Monday at Boston’s TD Garden, setting up a showdown with the United States in the championship game on Thursday.

Team Canada forward Nathan MacKinnon (NHL.com).

Nathan MacKinnon tallied two goals, Sam Reinhart collected three assists, and Connor McDavid, Brayden Point and Sidney Crosby also scored for Canada.

The Canadians rolled to a 3-0 lead in the first period, expanding it to 4-0 in the second period. Finland made it interesting late in the third period as Esa Lindell got them on the board and Mikael Granlund scored twice to cut Canada’s lead to 4-3. However, Crosby put the game away with an empty-netter after a center-ice collision with Granlund led to a turnover.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canada’s biggest stars – McDavid, MacKinnon and Crosby – stepped up as expected in this elimination game. They had more room to create plays in this game than they did against the United States on Saturday. The Canadians also got a boost on the blueline with defenseman Cale Makar returning to action after missing Saturday’s game.

Jordan Binnington made 23 saves as he got the call again as Canada’s starter. He was solid through most of the game but those three late goals have critics again questioning head coach Jon Cooper’s decision to stick with him.

The Canadian national anthem received tepid booing from the TD Garden crowd.

Granlund should be considered the player of the tournament for Finland. He led his club with three goals and an assist for four points, sitting third among the tournament’s leading scorers. Crosby and Team USA’s Zach Werenski are tied for the lead with five points each.

Sweden overcame an early 1-0 deficit to nip the United States 2-1. Chris Kreider opened the scoring for the Americans 35 seconds into the first period but Gustav Nyquist and Jesper Bratt replied for the Swedes, who were playing for pride after being officially eliminated by Canada’s regulation win earlier in the day. Samuel Ersson stopped 32 shots for Sweden while Jake Oettinger made 21 saves for the Americans.

SPORTSNET: Team USA defenseman Charlie McAvoy missed this game after being hospitalized with an upper-body injury, raising doubt over his availability for Thursday’s championship game with Canada. American winger Brady Tkachuk exited the game for precautionary reasons with an apparent leg injury after crashing into the Swedish net.

Brady’s brother Matthew missed this game with a lower-body injury while team captain Auston Matthews was a late scratch with upper-body soreness.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Team USA coach Mike Sullivan said more details about their conditions would be revealed on Tuesday. McAvoy’s injury sounds the more serious while the other three are expected to play against Canada on Thursday.

The Americans clinched their berth in the championship game on Saturday so they did the sensible thing by sitting out Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk. There was no point in potentially aggravating their injuries in a meaningless game.

IN OTHER NEWS…

RG.ORG: Former NHL defenseman Darius Kasparaitis has been working out with Alex Ovechkin in Miami during the 4 Nations Face-Off break. The 39-year-old Washington Capitals captain is preparing for the final stretch of the regular season.

Ovechkin needs 16 goals to break Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894. With his Capitals in first place in the Eastern Conference, he’s also setting his sights on chasing the Stanley Cup this spring.

Kasparaitis said Ovechkin is in a good mood and isn’t concerned about chasing records. “It seems like he does not feel any pressure from the need to break Gretzky’s record, he just plays as he has played his whole life.”

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks return to practice on Tuesday, which could reveal where defenseman Quinn Hughes (oblique injury) and goaltender Thatcher Demko (left knee) stand with their rehab. They need both players healthy to stage a run for a playoff spot down the stretch.

ROTOWIRE: The Seattle Kraken recalled winger Jordan Eberle (pelvis) from his conditioning stint with their AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley. He saw no playing time with them and remains on long-term injury reserve.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 17, 2025

by | Feb 17, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 17, 2025

Check out the latest on Red Wings forward Vladimir Tarasenko and Flyers forward Scott Laughton plus updates on the Penguins and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON TARASENKO AND LAUGHTON

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan believes the Detroit Red Wings are unlikely to be sellers at the March 7 trade deadline. However, if they get an opportunity to make a “hockey trade”, acquiring a player who can help them now in exchange for a roster player, it’s worth exploring.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently said he’d heard Vladimir Tarasenko had come up in the rumor mill. The 33-year-old winger signed a two-year deal last summer with the Red Wings worth an average annual value of $4.5 million. He’s been the club’s biggest disappointment this season with seven goals and 15 assists in 53 games.

Detroit Red Wings forward Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).

Friedman said he’d heard the Florida Panthers as a possible destination as Tarasenko won the Stanley Cup with them last season. The Panthers would have to trim some salary to reacquire him. Tarasenko has a full no-trade clause but could waive it to return to Florida.

Khan believes the Wings must retain half of Tarasenko’s salary to move him. He also doesn’t see them packaging him with a first-round pick or a prospect to get it done. If the Wings can’t find any takers by the trade deadline, Tarasenko could become a buyout candidate in June. It would cost the Wings $1.583 million per season against their cap for the next two years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers’ priority should be shoring up their defense corps. It wouldn’t be shocking if Tarasenko finishes the season in Detroit and is bought out in the offseason.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber recently cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli saying the Washington Capitals are in the market for a third-line center. He suggested Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers could be a good fit.

Laughton, 30, is a versatile two-way forward signed through next season with an annual cap hit of $3 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers management is reluctant to part with Laughton and reportedly set a first-round pick as an asking price. Nevertheless, he’s believed to be drawing interest from playoff contenders seeking depth at center, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings and Tampa Bay Lightning.

UPDATES ON THE PENGUINS AND CANADIENS

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Venzel recently looked at every player on the Penguins to determine their availability by the March 7 trade deadline.

Pending unrestricted free agents like Matt Grzelcyk and Anthony Beauvillier could draw some interest. However, the Penguins could retain Grzecyk after trading away left-shot blueliner Marcus Pettersson.

They could also move players with a year left on their contracts. Noel Acciari, Blake Lizotte, Kevin Hayes and the recently acquired Danton Heinen and Vincent Desharnais would fall into that category.

Vensel believes it will take significant offers to pry away Rickard Rakell or Michael Bunting.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan believes the Canadiens 1-7-1 slump in their last nine games puts them into “hard sell” position for the trade deadline.

Cowan expects UFA-eligible players like Jake Evans, Joel Armia, David Savard and Christian Dvorak will be traded by March 7. There might be some interest in winger Josh Anderson but they won’t give him away. The 30-year-old Anderson has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $5.5 million.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 17, 2025

by | Feb 17, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 17, 2025

Check out the latest news ahead of today’s 4 Nations Face-Off games in the NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: It’s a must-win scenario for three of the four teams in the 4 Nations Face-Off as Canada faces Finland (1 PM ET) and Sweden tangles with the United States (8 pm ET) at TD Garden in Boston.

If the game between Canada and Finland ends in regulation, the winner faces the United States in the championship game on Thursday. If Canada and Finland go to overtime, Sweden could advance to the championship game if they defeat the United States in regulation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some folks on social media raised the possibility of the United States throwing their game against the Swedes if Canada defeats the Finns in overtime, eliminating Canada and giving them an easier opponent in the championship game. It would be a devious tactic but I don’t believe the Americans would do that. They prefer going undefeated in the round-robin and beating Canada on home ice on Thursday to drive home the point that (to paraphrase Matthew Tkachuk) this is their time right now.

SPORTSNET: Team Canada defenseman Cale Makar hopes to participate in Monday’s must-win game against Finland. Illness sidelined him from Saturday’s game against Team USA, though he was close to playing in that game.

“I’m going to do everything I can to play tomorrow,” said Makar. “I just got to make sure I feel right, body and everything-wise, and go from there.”

Meanwhile, Thomas Harley has been cleared to play for Monday’s game against Finland regardless of Makar’s status. The Dallas Stars defenseman played well filling in for Makar during Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Americans.

Canada’s head coach Jon Cooper was staying mum on his starting goaltender for Monday’s must-win game against Finland. That’s raised speculation he could replace Jordan Binnington with Adin Hill, who served as Binnington’s backup in Canada’s previous two games in this tournament.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The decision to pass over Logan Thompson in favor of Binnington, Hill, and Sam Montembeault was questioned by fans and pundits before the tournament began. The Washington Capitals goalie sits second among NHL starters in save percentage (.921) and is fourth in goals-against average (2.23) and wins (24).

Thompson was reportedly snubbed because Team Canada assistant coaches Bruce Cassidy and Peter DeBoer didn’t have a great experience with him during their tenures with the Vegas Golden Knights. Whatever the reason, that decision will generate plenty of second-guessing if Canada comes up short in this tournament.

TSN: Team Canada remains confident despite their 3-1 loss to the Americans, which put them into a must-win situation against Finland.

“This is our Game 7,” said head coach Jon Cooper, adding his team has learned a lot during the previous two games.

“We don’t have a lot of time to think about it,” said team captain Sidney Crosby. “It’s a big one coming up here.”

Meanwhile, goaltender Kevin Lankinen will get his second straight start for Finland. He backstopped them to a 4-3 overtime victory over Sweden on Saturday.

DAILY FACEOFF: Sources say Team USA winger Matthew Tkachuk will likely sit out tonight’s game against Sweden. He suffered a lower-body injury against Canada that sidelined him for most of the third period.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tkachuk shouldn’t risk aggravating that injury against the Swedes in a meaningless game. It’s best to let him recuperate and prepare for the big match later this week.

THE ATHLETIC: ESPN reports that Saturday’s game between Canada and the United States drew 4.4 million viewers, peaking at 5.2 million at the 10:45 quarter-hour. It’s the most-watched non-Stanley Cup Final game since a Blue Jackets-Bruins playoff game in 2019 drew 4.5 million viewers. NHL postseason games last season averaged 1.54 million viewers.

It was also the most-watched NHL game in the United States since Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Panthers and Oilers last June, which drew 7.67 million viewers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL should scrap the old All-Star Game format in favor of annual two-week midseason international tournaments involving their best players in non-Olympic years. They could call it “The World Cup of Hockey” or something like that (insert wink emoji here).










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 16, 2025

by | Feb 16, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 16, 2025

Should the Rangers trade Alexis Lafreniere for Trevor Zegras? Could Erik Karlsson’s play in the 4 Nations Face-Off improve his trade value? Are a couple of Western clubs looking at Islanders forward Jean Gabriel Pageau? Check out the latest in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE LATEST RANGERS SPECULATION

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes Rangers general manager Chris Drury should look into trading winger Alexis Lafreniere to the Anaheim Ducks for forward Trevor Zegras. He thinks the two 23-year-olds haven’t met expectations and might benefit from a change of scenery.

Brooks called Lafreniere’s unwillingness to backcheck in each of the Rangers’ last two games before the 4 Nations Face-Off break “a bad look”. He believes the young winger hasn’t built off the promising 2023-24 performance that earned him a seven-year, $52.15 contract extension.

New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere (NHL Images).

Zegras has been hampered by injuries and playing for a bad team in Anaheim for the past two seasons. He’s considered a one-dimensional player whose skills haven’t translated well into the NHL but Brooks doesn’t buy that assessment, suggesting Zegras might thrive playing close to family and friends in New York.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks sees Lafreniere and Zegras as centerpieces of a larger deal with the Rangers perhaps including defenseman Zac Jones and the Ducks including a promising blueliner like Drew Helleson or Tyson Hinds.

Swapping Lafreniere for Zegras would be a bold move by Drury. He’s already made his share of them since December, shipping Jacob Trouba to Anaheim, sending Kaapo Kakko to Seattle for Will Borgen, and acquiring J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks in a multi-asset deal.

However, Brooks isn’t saying that he’s hearing rumors of a Lafreniere-for-Zegras swap. He’s merely spitballing here.

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh answered trade questions from several Rangers fans in a recent mailbag segment.

He doesn’t see Mika Zibanejad getting traded this summer partly because of his hefty contract, and his no-movement clause. The same factors apply to Artemi Panarin, including the difficulty in replacing his production.

Winger Chris Kreider faces an uncertain future with the Rangers. However, it’s doubtful that anyone will take on his contract in midseason. He’s also complained about back spasms, which have affected his performance and trade value.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Drury goes into sell mode by March 7 it’ll be pending free-agents like Reilly Smith and Ryan Lindgren who get moved.

COULD ERIK KARLSSON’S 4-NATIONS PERFORMANCE IMPROVE HIS VALUE?

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe was asked by a reader if Erik Karlsson’s play in the 4 Nations Face-Off would make rival general managers look at the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman more closely.

Yohe believes it does, pointing out that Karlsson was Sweden’s best player in their 4-3 overtime loss to Canada on Wednesday. “Karlsson playing well in this series only helps Dubas, I assure you.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson’s age and contract remain two sticking points. He turns 35 in May and has two seasons left on his contract with the Penguins carrying $10 million of his $11.5 million average annual value. He still has his full no-movement clause.

OILERS, GOLDEN KNIGHTS INTERESTED IN PAGEAU?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner recently reported hearing several Western Conference teams, including the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights, are interested in New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

The versatile Pageau, 32, has a year remaining on his contract with an AAV of $5 million and a 16-team no-trade list. He’s enjoying a bounce-back season with 27 points in 52 games, winning nearly 60 percent of his faceoffs, which would be a new career high. Pageau is also the Isles’ top penalty killer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello could become a seller if his club hasn’t gained ground in the standings by March 7. He’ll more likely peddle pending UFAs like Brock Nelson or Kyle Palmieri but could entertain offers for aging veterans like Pageau who were signed past this season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 16, 2025

by | Feb 16, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 16, 2025

Team USA defeats Canada, Finland upsets Sweden in 4 Nations Face-Off action. Details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TEAM USA DEFEATS CANADA, SECURES SPOT IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

NHL.COM: The United States got two goals by Jake Guentzel while Dylan Larkin tallied the game-winner to defeat Canada 3-1 before a sellout crowd of 21, 015 fans at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Team USA winger Jake Guentzel (NHL.com).

Guentzel was named Player of the Game while teammate Connor Hellebuyck stopped 25 shots for the Americans. They have six points in the tournament, earning a spot in the Championship Game on Feb. 20 in Boston.

Connor McDavid opened the scoring in the first period for Canada, who outshot the Americans 26-23. This was the first game the Canadians have lost to the United States in a tournament featuring NHL players since the round-robin of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

TSN: The game got off to a raucous start with the Bell Centre crowd booing the American anthem, followed by three fights within the first 10 seconds of the game. The first tilt featured USA forward Matthew Tkachuk and Canadian winger Brandon Hagel, followed by Brady Tkachuk tangling with Sam Bennett, and American forward J.T. Miller scrapping with Canadian defenseman Colton Parayko.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Tkachuk brothers later said they and Miller engaged in those fights to “send a message” to the Canadians. It was something they planned during a group chat before the game.

NHL.COM: Matthew Tkachuk suffered a lower-body injury that forced him to sit out the final 12:36 of the third period. He later downplayed the injury but Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan said Tkachuk was still being evaluated by team doctors, leaving his status uncertain for Monday’s game against Sweden.

SPORTSNET: Canadian defenseman Cale Makar missed this game due to illness. He was replaced by Dallas Stars blueliner Thomas Harley.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a well-deserved victory for the Americans. Matthew Tkachuk said postgame that he and his teammates wanted to send the message to the Canadians that “it’s our time right now.” It was received loud and clear.

McDavid’s goal aside, Team USA did a masterful job shutting down Canada’s vaunted offense with their physical defensive play. They took away the middle of the ice and the shooting lanes and cleared traffic in front of Hellebuyck, who was superb between the pipes.

Following the game, McDavid said he and his Canadian teammates are determined for a rematch with the United States. That will depend on the outcome of Monday’s game against the Finns.

Makar could return to action for that game. Canada missed his offensive presence and puck-moving skills against the Americans.

The biggest question for Canada will be whether Binnington, Adin Hill, or Sam Montembault gets the start against the Finns. Binnington looked shaky at times during Canada’s win over Sweden. He didn’t play badly against Team USA but Guentzel’s game-tying goal was a softie that even he knew he should’ve stopped.

The tournament shifts to Boston with Canada facing Finland and the USA taking on Sweden on Monday, Feb. 17. The championship game will be held on Thursday, Feb. 20.

If Canada or Finland wins in regulation on Monday, they’ll face the Americans on Thursday. If either team wins in overtime or a shootout, Sweden can advance to the final with a regulation win over the Americans.

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Mikael Granlund lifted Finland to a 4-3 victory over Sweden during their afternoon game.

Anton Lundell, Mikko Rantanen and Aleksandar Barkov scored in regulation, Patrik Laine collected two assists and Kevin Lankinen turned aside 21 shots for Finland. Mika Zibanejad, Rasmus Dahlin and Erik Karlsson replied for Sweden. Filip Gustavsson left the Swedish net after the first period due to an illness, with Linus Ullmark stopping 15 of 17 shots the rest of the way.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canada-USA game overshadowed an entertaining back-and-forth contest between these long-time Nordic rivals.

The Swedes know their chances of reaching the championship game aren’t good. Karlsson praised the Finns’ game while lamenting his team’s inability to reach the standards they’d set for themselves.

Before the game, Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman spoke about the sporting rivalry between the two countries. “I think if you ask them, they say they’re the big brother. If you ask us, we’re the big brother.” Following the game, Laine replied, We’re the big brother now.”

IN OTHER NEWS…

RG.ORG: Hall-of-Fame winger Pavel Bure criticized the Vancouver Canucks’ handling of J.T. Miller during a discussion of his former club’s recent struggles. “If you’ve got a talented player who doesn’t fit into the team, that’s a failure of management,” said Bure. “If it gets to the point where you have to trade him, something has already gone wrong.”

THE PROVINCE: Speaking of the Canucks, season tickets will be rising by 11 percent for next season. Seats in the upper bowl of Rogers Arena will cost $6,900.00 CDN. The team said the increase covers ongoing renovations to the arena and their intention to keep pace with the rising salary cap.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The article notes the rising cap has little to do with the price increase and more to do with ownership’s belief they’re selling a luxury good, “a thing that their season ticket members value as a symbol, not as much as an experience.”

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Sidelined Canadiens defenseman David Reinbacher is close to returning from a knee injury suffered during preseason. The promising blueliner could start playing with their AHL affiliate in Laval by the end of February.