NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 7, 2025

by | May 7, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 7, 2025

The Oilers and Hurricanes win the opening games of their second-round series, plus the latest on Sam Bennett, Mark Scheifele, Torey Krug and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF TUESDAY’S STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS ACTION

NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers overcame a 2-0 deficit to double up the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in Game 1 of their best-of-seven second-round series.

Corey Perry, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman and Connor Brown scored while Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard collected two assists apiece. Mark Stone scored both goals for the Golden Knights.

Game 2 is Thursday, May 8, in Las Vegas at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers are the first team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history with five straight comeback wins in a single postseason. Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo missed this game with an illness and winger Pavel Dorofeyev was sidelined by an undisclosed injury.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (NHL Images).

An overtime goal by Jaccob Slavin lifted the Carolina Hurricanes to a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals in the opening game of their second-round series.

The Capitals opened the scoring in the second period as Aliaksei Protas netted his first goal of this postseason. Hurricanes forward Logan Stankoven tied it in the third period.

Game 2 is Thursday in Washington at 7 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite the close score, the Hurricanes controlled most of the play, outshooting Washington 33-14, out-hitting them 44-31 and winning 55.6 percent of the faceoffs. Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson kept his club in this one.

HEADLINES

TORONTO SUN: Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett avoided supplemental discipline for elbowing Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz in the head during Game 1 of their second-round series. Stolarz left the game and was hospitalized overnight for observation. He was released yesterday and the Leafs aren’t ruling him out for Game 2.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Bennett said he wasn’t attempting to injure Stolarz, claiming he was taking the puck to the net and inadvertently bumped the Leafs netminder. He cited his friendship with Stolarz, who played for the Panthers’ Stanley Cup-winning team last season, adding he reached out to the goalie after learning he’d been hospitalized.

THE ATHLETIC: The Leafs and Panthers are trying to dial down the heat from this incident. Panthers coach Paul Maurice attempted to downplay it while blaming the Toronto media for fanning the flames. Meanwhile, Leafs coach Craig Berube said he wants his players to focus on the game rather than retribution.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bennett plays a hard, physical two-way style, but he has a history of questionable hits, with the most infamous among Leafs followers being his takedown of Matthew Knies during the second-round series between the two clubs in 2023.

Bennett isn’t the only Panther to draw the ire of opponents. Matthew Tkachuk has a well-deserved reputation as an agitator. Aaron Ekblad concussed Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel during their first-round series with a forearm to the head.

Every team has players who use such tactics to distract their opponents, but the Panthers have taken it to a higher level. It makes them the team you love to hate, but there’s no denying that it’s been successful for them.

Florida has taken a page from the Philadelphia Flyers of the mid-1970s, who combined talent with brawling to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. The mayhem of the “Broad Street Bullies” era has been long eradicated, but it’s been replaced with sneaky hits and chippy play that often goes uncalled in the postseason.

The Panthers are an undeniably talented team. However, their “in-your-face” style has garnered them a reputation around the league as cheap-shot artists, tarnishing their success since 2022-23.

TSN: Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey and Logan Stanley are all considered day-to-day after skating in non-contract jerseys during the Winnipeg Jets’ optional skate on Monday. They’re considered day-to-day and will be game-time decisions for Game 1 of their second-round series with the Dallas Stars.

The puck drops for that contest at 9:30 pm ET on Wednesday, May 7, in Winnipeg.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said sidelined defenseman Torey Krug’s playing career could be over. The 34-year-old Krug missed all of this season recovering from surgery to address pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle last September.

Krug is in the fifth season of a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Krug has not officially spoken about his condition or his future. He’s unlikely to retire if his playing career is over. Instead, he’ll go on long-term injury reserve for the remaining two years of his contract.

Armstrong also revealed that forward Dylan Holloway and defenseman Tyler Tucker suffered undisclosed season-ending injuries. Holloway was sidelined on Apr. 3 and underwent surgery, while Tucker appeared to injure a knee in Game 4 of the Blues’ first-round series with the Jets.

THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche management indicated head coach Jared Bednar would return behind the bench next season. However, assistant coach Ray Bennett was relieved of his duties. Bennett ran their power play for eight seasons.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Kings president Luc Robitaille expects head coach Jim Hiller to return next season. The Kings tied franchise records for wins (48) and points (105) this season but suffered their fourth-straight first-round exit at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators parted ways with associate GM Ryan Bowness. It’s expected that director of player personnel Rob DiMaio will move into that role.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 6, 2025

by | May 6, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 6, 2025

What’s the latest on the off-season plans for the Canadiens, Canucks and Senators? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CANADIENS?

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Herb Zurkowsky and Stu Cowan report Jeff Gorton, the Canadiens executive vice-president of hockey operations, is pleased and proud of his rebuilding club’s performance this season. However, he felt there was still work to be done.

Gorton believes the Canadiens must improve defensively, they need more scoring, and must get bigger and more competitive. “We want to build a team that can compete for a Stanley Cup every year,” he said. “We’re getting there (but) we’re not quite there.”

Gorton acknowledged the club’s need for a second-line center, but suggested adding a creative winger who can drive the play could be another way to bolster their top-six forwards. He didn’t rule out the possibility of using an offer sheet to address a roster need.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes will explore the trade and free-agent markets for a second-line center. However, Gorton’s remark about seeking a winger suggests limited options will be available to address that center position.

Cowan noted that Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs is the type of winger Gorton was referring to. The 28-year-old is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. If Marner goes to market, the Canadiens could find it difficult to win a bidding war that could see him earn over $15 million annually on his next contract.

TSN: Canadiens GM Kent Hughes came to the defense of Patrik Laine. The 27-year-old winger had an up-and-down performance this season, missing the first two months of the season with a knee injury and the final three games of the postseason with a broken finger.

Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

Speaking in French, Hughes told reporters the Canadiens wouldn’t have made the playoffs without Laine. He scored 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine received recent media criticism regarding his play, culminating in Pat Hickey of The Gazette calling for the winger to be traded or bought out. However, Laine’s return to the lineup in December was among the factors in their midseason turnaround that vaulted them into playoff contention.

Laine has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $8.7 million and a 10-team no-trade clause. They’ll likely hang onto him and try to find a playmaking second-line center or winger that best suits his shoot-first style of play.

TVA SPORTS: Hughes said the Canadiens haven’t announced their intentions regarding their UFA players like Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak and Michael Pezzetta. Management intends to meet soon to discuss their options and will inform those players of their decision.

COULD THE CANUCKS TRADE THEIR FIRST-ROUND PICK?

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma believes the Vancouver Canucks should use their first-round pick in this year’s draft (15th overall) as a trade chip to bring in a proven center.

The jury remains out on Elias Pettersson as a reliable first-line center. Meanwhile, health concerns continue to dog midseason acquisition Filip Chytil.

Kuzma suggested targeting someone like Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings. Larkin recently expressed his unhappiness with management’s inability to make a significant move at the March trade deadline to improve the club’s playoff chances.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin may be unhappy with the Wings’ direction this season but there’s no indication that he wants to be traded. He also has a full no-trade clause and Kuzma acknowledged it would take something special to pry him out of Motown. A first-round pick would only be one piece of a likely three-asset offer to get him.

Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre also believes the Canucks must shop their 2025 first-rounder for a return that will help them bounce back next season. He agrees that they’ll target a top-six forward.

WHAT ARE THE SENATORS’ OFFSEASON PLANS?

THE ATHLETIC: Julian McKenzie believes the Ottawa Senators will attempt to find a scoring forward this summer.

Toronto’s Mitch Marner could be a free-agent option but he’ll likely be out of the Senators’ price range. Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets seems a realistic target. They could also be linked to Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks.

The Senators also need more blueline depth. One option could be Rasmus Andersson if he and the Calgary Flames don’t agree to a contract extension this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The availability of salary-cap space and tradeable assets will be an issue if the Senators intend to go big-game hunting this summer.

They have a projected $17.5 million in cap room with 14 active roster players (including their core players except Giroux) under contract next season. Landing a top-six scorer will take up a big chunk.

The Senators used to have a deep prospect pool, but it’s now ranked 27th by The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler. They also don’t have a lot of extra draft picks to use as trade bait.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports sources told him the Senators will likely search for a top-six right wing and a right-shot defenseman.

Senators forward Drake Batherson’s name surfaced at the trade deadline, but the club instead traded Josh Norris to Buffalo for Dylan Cozens. Garrioch writes that several teams wonder if general manager Steve Staios would be willing to listen to offers for Batherson around the draft.

Garrioch believes the Senators would have to tread carefully regarding Batherson because of their scoring difficulties this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators would want an established player in return for Batherson, not picks, prospects or an inexperienced young NHLer. In other words, something like the Cozens-for-Norris deal.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 6, 2025

by | May 6, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 6, 2025

The Maple Leafs hold off the Panthers in Game 1 of their second-round series, the Islanders win the draft lottery, the Calder Trophy finalists are announced, Rob Blake steps down as the Kings GM, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: William Nylander scored twice and collected an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs held off the Florida Panthers 5-4. Matthew Knies and Chris Tanev each had a goal and an assist while Max Pacioretty and Jake McCabe picked up two assists. Brad Marchand and Carter Verhaeghe each collected two assists for the Panthers.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs got off to a hot start on Nylander’s two goals. Morgan Rielly put them up 3-1 before the end of the period. Tanev made it 4-1 in the second but the Panthers cut the lead in the third to 4-3 before Knies tallied what proved to be the game-winner.

Panthers forward Sam Bennett could face supplemental discipline for elbowing Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz in the head midway through the second period. There was no penalty called on the play. Stolarz left the game after vomiting at the Leafs bench during a TV timeout, departing Scotiabank Arena on a stretcher to a local hospital for evaluation. Joseph Woll replaced Stolarz, finishing with 17 saves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stolarz’s injury overshadowed an entertaining opening game between these two clubs. There was no postgame update on his condition. More information could be released on Tuesday.

For the first time since 2009, the New York Islanders have the first-overall draft pick. They won the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery, moving up from having the 10th-best chance of winning the lottery.

The San Jose Sharks had the best odds, finishing last in this season’s overall standings. However, the Isles’ win drops the Sharks into second overall and the Chicago Blackhawks (who finished second-last in the standings) into third overall.

The Utah Hockey Club moved up 10 spots into fourth overall after winning the second draw.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link above for the full listing of the top 16 in this year’s draft. The remaining 16 spots will be determined by the end of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The last four selections will belong to the final-four playoff teams regardless of their placement in the regular-season standings. The 32nd pick will go to the Stanley Cup champion with the 31st pick going to the other Cup Finalist.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers have until June 25 to decide if they’ll keep their first-round pick (12th overall) or send it to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

That pick is top-13 protected. It was sent to the Vancouver Canucks as part of the return in the J.T. Miller trade in January. The Canucks flipped that pick to the Penguins as part of the return in the Marcus Pettersson trade.

If the Rangers retain that pick, their unprotected 2026 first-rounder will belong to the Penguins.

NHL.COM: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, and Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf are the finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hutson is considered the favorite here. He led this season’s rookies with 60 assists, 66 points (a record for an NHL rookie defenseman). He also led them in ice time (22:44) among rookies with at least 25 games played.

Flyers fans were disappointed that winger Matvei Michkov wasn’t among the finalists. He led all rookies with 26 goals and finished second in points with 63. He’d be a candidate (perhaps even the favorite) in any other season, but was up against three stronger candidates in 2024-25.

Hutson is an obvious finalist as his performance played a key role in the rebuilding Canadiens reaching the playoffs. Celebrini had the same point total as Michkov but did so in 10 fewer games after missing several weeks with an early-season injury. He also played a larger role with the Sharks than Michkov did with the Flyers.

Wolf’s performance kept the Flames in playoff contention until the final days of the regular season. That gave him the edge over Michkov, whose club finished last in the Eastern Conference.

THE ATHLETIC: The Los Angeles Kings announced Rob Blake will not return as general manager. They didn’t announce an immediate replacement for Blake. Team president Luc Robitaille will hold a press conference on Tuesday. The future of head coach Jim Hiller remains undetermined.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This news comes after the Kings suffered their fourth-straight first-round elimination at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.

The Athletic’s Eric Stephens pointed out that Blake has a mixed legacy with the Kings, building up the roster through the draft, free agency and trades, but also making some questionable moves in the trade market. Stephens singled out the acquisition of Pierre-Luc Dubois, shipping out Sean Durzi to the Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Hockey Club), and including then-prospect Brock Faber to the Minnesota Wild for winger Kevin Fiala.

John Hoven of the Kings’ site Mayor’s Manor listed several potential candidates to replace Blake. They include Kings director of scouting Mark Yannetti, former Kings assistant GM Mike Futa, and Marc Bergevin, the senior advisor to the GM.

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz confirmed Andrew Brunette will return as head coach next season.

TSN: Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will play for Canada at the upcoming IIHF World Championship, joining his friend and former teammate Sidney Crosby. It’s the first time Fleury will play in the Worlds.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils defenseman Luke Hughes underwent successful shoulder surgery. Winger Jesper Bratt will also undergo shoulder surgery. Both players are expected to be ready for training camp in September.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators hope to sign Claude Giroux to a contract extension. The versatile 37-year-old forward is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

The Senators are also expected to retain their 2025 first-round pick, which is 21st overall. The league penalized the Senators a first-round pick in either 2024, 2025 or 2026 because of a botched trade with the Vegas Golden Knights involving Evgenii Dadonov in March 2022.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks forward William Eklund underwent successful wrist surgery on Monday. His recovery will take three months, and he’s expected to be ready for training camp in September.

Eklund was playing for Sweden against Czechia in a tune-up game for the upcoming Worlds when his wrist was cut by a skate. He avoided significant tendon and nerve damage.

RG.ORG: Spencer Knight embraces his new role as the Chicago Blackhawks’ starting goaltender. He’s hoping to play 65 games next season.

TSN: The NHL is reportedly planning an international event at UBS Arena next February instead of the previously announced NHL All-Star weekend.

DAILY FACEOFF: David Carle won’t be joining the ranks of NHL coaches, signing a multi-year extension with the University of Denver.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 5, 2025

by | May 5, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 5, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: a pundit pitches a trade proposal that would send Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Devils, and the latest on the Penguins.

A PUNDIT’S PROPOSAL TO SEND QUINN HUGHES TO THE DEVILS

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes it’s only a matter of time until Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes joins brothers Jack and Luke on the New Jersey Devils. He thinks it’s in the best interest of both teams to get a deal done sooner rather than later.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Quinn has two years remaining on his contract and has made it clear he wants to reunite with his brothers. Brooks doesn’t see New Jersey shipping Jack and Luke to Vancouver. He felt the Canucks could get a considerable bounty for Quinn from the Devils.

Brooks proposed Quinn going to the Devils “for Vancouver’s choice of Simon Nemec or Seamus Casey; Vancouver’s choice of prospect defenseman Anton Silayev or forward prospect Arseni Gritsyuk; a first-round pick; and forward Dawson Mercer.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks’ proposal is not something that is being discussed by the Canucks and Devils. No reports indicate the two teams are talking about trading Quinn Hughes.

This came up because Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford mentioned Quinn had talked about one day playing with his brothers. However, Rutherford also said that his club would do everything it could to keep the Norris Trophy winner in Vancouver.

That could change by next summer if Quinn proves reluctant to sign a contract extension with the Canucks. If so, what Brooks is proposing could be close to the asking price they would seek from the Devils to stage a Hughes Brothers reunion in New Jersey.

THE LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently reported that Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas intends to take his time in conducting a thorough search for a new head coach. That will begin after he returns from Stockholm, where he’s the GM for Team Canada at the upcoming IIHF World Championships.

Former Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet could be a candidate. He’s a former assistant coach with the Penguins. Yohe believes there’s a real chance Tocchet ends up with the Philadelphia Flyers, but he could seriously consider an offer from the Penguins.

Team sources told Yohe that the club has an interest in former St. Louis Blues coach Drew Bannister. He lasted less than a year with the Blues but Dubas likes him.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski suggests Isaac Howard should be a trade target for the Penguins. The 21-year-old left winger is a prospect of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the winner of the 2025 Hobey Baker Award.

On Friday, Lightning GM Julien BriseBois admitted his club is unlikely to sign Howard, who can become an unrestricted free agent next August. Kingerski believes the young, dynamic winger is everything the Penguins are seeking. Dubas acquired Rutger McGroarty when he was in the same situation with the Winnipeg Jets last summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Lightning shop Howard, the Penguins will likely be among the suitors. Dubas parted with promising Brayden Yager for McGroarty. However, the asking price for the top US college player could be higher.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 5, 2025

by | May 5, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 5, 2025

The Jets eliminate the Blues, the second-round playoff schedule is released, the draft lottery will be held on Monday evening, and the latest on Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry scored the winning goal in double overtime of Game 7 to defeat the St. Louis Blues 4-3, eliminating the latter in seven games.

Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry (NHL Images).

The Blues went into the third period holding a 3-1 lead on goals by Jordan Kyrou, Mathieu Joseph, and Radek Faksa. However, the Jets stormed back late in the period. With goaltender Connor Hellebuyck pulled for an extra attacker, Vladislav Namestnikov scored with 1:56 remaining and Cole Perfetti netted his second of the game with 2.2 seconds left.

Hellebuyck shook off a shaky start to finish with 26 saves, while Blues netminder Jordan Binnington kicked out 43 shots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That was one of the most exciting playoff games I’ve ever seen.

The Blues were on the verge of victory until the Jets’ stunning comeback. What’s more, the Jets were playing with first-line center Mark Scheifele out of the lineup with an undisclosed injury, and top-pairing defenseman Josh Morrissey left the game in the first period with an injury. Neal Pionk logged 46:15 minutes of ice time, collecting three assists.

Winnipeg overcame a poor start, outshooting St. Louis 44-22. Binnington was solid between the pipes for the Blues, but the Jets beat him with three of their four goals coming on deflected or tipped-in shots.

The Jets advance to meet the Dallas Stars in the second round, with Game 1 in Winnipeg on Wednesday, May 7, at 9:30 pm ET. The Stars could have sidelined top-pairing defenseman Miro Heiskanen and first-line winger Jason Robertson back in their lineup at some point in this series. Both players are recovering from knee injuries.

The second round begins on Monday with Game 1 of the Toronto Maple Leafs facing the Florida Panthers in Toronto at 8 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow this link for the full schedule of all four second-round series.

The 2025 NHL Draft Lottery will be held live at NHL Network studios at 7 pm ET.

Matthew Schaefer is considered the favorite to become the first-overall pick. The 18-year-old Erie Otters defenseman said he’s “pumped up” for the lottery. “I would be lucky to be selected by any of the teams,” said Schaefer. “I’m sure everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other notable prospects who could go first overall include center Michael Misa of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit, center Anton Frondell of the Swedish Hockey League’s Djurgardens IF, and Boston College center James Hagens.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Hockey Canada announced Sunday that Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been added to their roster for the upcoming IIHF World Championships in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark from May 9 – 25.

SPORTSNET: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon will reportedly join his long-time friend Crosby on Canada’s roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canada’s roster will receive a considerable lift with the additions of Crosby and MacKinnon. It also allows those two to reacquaint themselves with the larger ice surface in European rinks ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

NHL.COM: Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk skipped practice on Sunday, but he is expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 of their second-round series with the Maple Leafs.

THE ATHLETIC: Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov believes everything regarding contract extension negotiations with management will work out. The 28-year-old winger has a year remaining on his contract, and the Wild can re-sign him to a league-maximum eight-year deal as early as July 1.

“We’ll see,” said a smiling Kaprizov. “I love everything here. It should be all good.” The superstar has frequently said he loves Minnesota and playing for the Wild.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov is poised to become one of the highest-paid players in the league. Wild owner Craig Leipold has said his club is prepared to pay top dollar to keep him in Minnesota.

TSN: Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek played through a core muscle injury and will undergo surgery next week. He anticipates he’ll be recovered in plenty of time for the start of next season.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 4, 2025

by | May 4, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 4, 2025

What’s next for the Wild and Avalanche heading into the offseason? Has Patrik Laine played his final game with the Canadiens? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE WILD?

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith looked at the offseason “to-do” list for Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin.

Topping the list is signing Kirill Kaprizov to a contract extension. He has one season left on his five-year, $45 million contract. Russo and Smith speculate they’ll re-sign the 28-year-old superstar winger to an eight-year deal worth between $120 million and $128 million (between $15 million and $16 million annually).

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: John Shipley of The Pioneer Press acknowledged Kaprizov’s love of playing in Minnesota. However, he suggests money won’t be the critical factor. He raised the possibility that the winger might prefer playing in a bigger city, a bigger market, a warmer climate, a club better-situated to win the Stanley Cup, or one with more Russian players.

Shipley, Russo and Smith all believe the Wild must improve the roster around Kaprizov to show him they’re serious about building and maintaining a winner. They’ll have the salary-cap space this summer to do so ($20.5 million), but must ensure they leave enough long-term cap room for their superstar’s next contract.

Determining Marco Rossi’s future will also be on Guerin’s list. The 23-year-old center finished second among Wild scorers this season with 60 points, but he was buried on the fourth line during the playoffs.

Rossi rejected a contract offer from the Wild earlier this season. He’s a pending restricted free agent eligible to receive an offer sheet from a rival club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rossi was the subject of trade speculation until December, when Guerin indicated he wasn’t trading the young center. The decline in his playing time in the postseason will only stoke the trade chatter this summer, especially with the threat of an offer sheet hanging in the air.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE AVALANCHE?

THE DENVER POST: Sean Keeler believes the Colorado Avalanche should part ways with head coach Jared Bednar and replace him with David Carle, the head coach of the University of Denver.

He believes Bednar has served the Avalanche well, but he’s been outcoached by Dallas Stars bench boss Peter DeBoer, going 0-4 in series against teams coached by DeBoer.

Keeler noted the Avalanche “maxed out their credit card” trying to buy a second championship for superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. The club lacks a first-round pick until 2027, when Bednar’s contract expires. The return of Gabriel Landeskog is inspiring but also adds $7 million to their salary cap, while Makar is due for a significant pay raise when his contract ends in 2027.

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus wondered what the consequences will be for the Colorado Avalanche after suffering an early playoff exit for the second straight year at the hands of the Dallas Stars.

He considers it unlikely that Bednar or general manager Chris McFarland won’t be back.

Bednar is the second-longest-tenured coach in the league and is well-respected. McFarland was praised for his midseason makeover of the roster, but he mortgaged part of the farm for Brock Nelson, who was an awkward fit and likely to depart as a free agent this summer. The Mikko Rantanen trade will hang around his neck for good or bad, fair or not.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have $8.7 million in projected cap space for next season with 18 active roster players under contract. Nelson, Jonathan Drouin, Ryan Lindgren and Erik Johnson are among their notable UFAs and are unlikely to return.

Lazerus pointed out that Nelson’s expected departure will leave the Avalanche still searching for a reliable second-line center. They don’t have many tradeable assets to work with, and peddling a roster player like defenseman Samuel Girard or Martin Necas will only weaken their current roster.

A coaching change might help, but it’s not guaranteed to change things. Carle is seemingly on everyone’s dance card, but he wants to find the right fit, as was apparent when he took himself out of the running for the Chicago Blackhawks’ coaching job. A veteran-laden club under pressure to keep its Stanley Cup window open might not suit his needs.

COULD THE CANADIENS PART WAYS WITH LAINE?

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Pat Hickey suggests Patrik Laine has reached a crossroads with the Canadiens.

A broken finger sidelined Laine from the Habs’ final three playoff games, but Hickey indicated they were a better team without him. He noted that Laine didn’t seem to be suffering as he practiced before the Canadiens departed for Washington for Game 5.

Hickey considers Laine as “a one-trick pony”, saying teams have to hope this big shot will compensate for his lack of effort in the defensive zone. He believes the winger doesn’t fit head coach Martin St. Louis’ system and he has to go.

Laine’s track record and $8.7 million cap hit for next season make him an unlikely trade candidate unless the Canadiens retain salary or add a draft pick in the deal. A contract buyout is another option.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine’s power-play goals helped power the Canadiens into a playoff berth by mid-January. However, his production noticeably declined following the 4 Nations Face-Off, and he wasn’t missed on their power play during those final games against the Capitals.

The Canadiens have a projected $8.6 million in cap space for next season with 18 active roster players under contract. However, they’ll garner $10.5 million in additional cap flexibility with Carey Price on permanent long-term injury reserve.

They could afford to retain salary if they want to move Laine to one of the teams not on his 10-team no-trade list. A contract buyout of his final season will count as $3.966 million against their cap for 2025-26 and $2.366 million for 2026-27.