Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 20, 2026

by | Sep 20, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 20, 2026

Check out the latest on Erik Karlsson, Sidney Crosby, Samuel Montembeault, and Shane Wright in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently reported that the Pittsburgh Penguins and Erik Karlsson have not discussed a new contract. The 36-year-old defenseman’s current deal expires next July.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

Both sides appear open to having those talks in the future. Penguins assistant general manager Jason Spezza said the club thinks highly of Karlsson and he’s enjoying his time in Pittsburgh. He anticipates the situation will play itself out as the season progresses.

Spezza was also asked about team captain Sidney Crosby not signing an extension yet. He believes the 39-year-old center wants to see how he feels and whether he can meet his standard of play. He indicated it wasn’t a concern for either side at this point.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby will re-sign if he feels he can still perform at the level he’s accustomed to. Karlsson could also return, depending on his career goals and what he’ll seek in his next contract. It wouldn’t be surprising if both players return with the Penguins next season.

THE JASON GREGOR SHOW: NHL insider Frank Seravalli said Thursday that he believes Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault will be the first player traded this season.

Seravalli pointed to the 30-year-old Montembeault becoming the Canadiens’ third-string goalie last season and the difficulty he’ll face moving up against Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montembeault frequently appeared in the offseason rumor mill, but his poor performance last season made peddling him difficult.

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said he’s fine carrying three goalies in the preseason, but he’d rather not do so in the regular season. However, he could avoid that by starting the season with Dobes and Montembeault as his goalie tandem, and sending Fowler (who is waiver-exempt) to their AHL affiliate in Laval.

Hughes could showcase Montembeault in the regular season, hoping an improved effort by him will boost his value. Some Canadiens followers, like Brendan Kelly of The Montreal Gazette, are fearful that giving “Monty” too much time to regain his form could cost them wins this season. However, he’s likely on a shorter leash than he was last season and could end up cooling his heels in the press box if Fowler has to be recalled.

A better effort by Montembeault might not help his trade stock because of the limited value for goalies right now. If the Winnipeg Jets can’t find a suitable deal for three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck, the Canadiens won’t have better luck moving Montembeault.

However, Montembeault lacks no-trade protection and carries an affordable $3.15 million cap hit on a contract that expires next July. It could become even more cost-effective if the Canadiens retained part of it to facilitate a trade. If his performance improves, he could be more enticing as a quick fix for teams seeking short-term help.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kate Shefte looked at whether Shane Wright remains part of the Kraken’s long-term future.

She noted that Wright’s agent attempted to stir the pot this summer by pushing for a trade, but it didn’t materialize. The Kraken may have set a high price for the 22-year-old center, but his NHL record is spotty, “thanks in part to bottom-six deployment and limited responsibilities.”

Shefte reports Kraken GM Jason Botterill has kept his conversations with Wright private, but said the club’s goal is to help the young center become a better NHL player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wright seemed poised for a breakout campaign after a promising 44-point performance in 2024-25, but managed just 27 points in 74 games last season. Part of that was because the Kraken replaced Dan Bylsma as head coach with Lane Lambert in 2025.

Wright could improve this season if he’s better-prepared for Lambert’s system. That would bolster his value in the trade market, but it would also make him more beneficial to the Kraken.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 20, 2026

by | Sep 20, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 20, 2026

Recapping Saturday’s preseason action plus the latest on Senators goalie Linus Ullmark, Rangers winger Pavel Dorofeyev, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

PRESEASON GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in split-squad action in their preseason openers on Saturday.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL Images).

Cole Caufield scored in overtime and Lane Hutson had a goal and two assists to nip the Maple Leafs 4-3 in Montreal, while Phillip Danault tallied twice for a 4-1 victory in Toronto. In the latter contest, Darren Raddysh scored in his preseason debut with the Maple Leafs, while Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna was held scoreless in his first NHL preseason contest.

Edmonton Oilers superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each had a goal and an assist to down the Winnipeg Jets 5-2. Evan Bouchard collected four assists for the Oilers.

The Minnesota Wild defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on an overtime goal by Tyler Pitlick.

Vegas Golden Knights prospect Jackson Hallum scored twice to double up the Los Angeles Kings 4-2.

The Seattle Kraken beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2. Prospect center Jake O’Brien scored and added an assist for the Kraken.

The Dallas Stars defeated the St. Louis Blues 2-1 on a goal by minor-league center Jack Becker.

HEADLINES

OTTAWA SUN: Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark is refreshed, confident, and looking forward to his season after enduring a difficult 2025-26 campaign.

Ullmark struggled through the first half of last season and took a leave of absence for mental health reasons. He returned to backstop the Senators into the playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Inconsistent goaltending nearly derailed the Senators last season until Ullmark returned to form in the second half. A more consistent effort on his part could push the Senators higher in the standings this season.

NEW YORK POST: Pavel Dorofeyev is looking forward to starting this season with the Rangers. They acquired the 25-year-old scoring winger from the Vegas Golden Knights last June and signed a seven-year, $77-million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dorofeyev is coming off two seasons with 35 or more goals. He’s expected to play a significant role on their first line and on the power play. How he adjusts to playing for an Original Six club in one of hockey’s biggest markets will be a factor in determining whether the Rangers will be a playoff contender.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Anaheim Ducks signed center Tim Washe to a four-year contract extension that comes with an average annual value of $2.25 million.

Washe, 25, had two goals and five points in 39 games with the Ducks last season. He’s in the final year of his entry-level contract.

Ozzy and Oasiz Wiesblatt took sibling rivalry to another level when the two Nashville Predators youngsters got into a tussle during an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday. Neither brother was injured during the scrap.

Both are battling for jobs with the Predators. Ozzy has 45 NHL games on his resume while Oasiz spent last season with the Preds’ AHL affiliate in Milwaukee.

CBS SPORTS: San Jose Sharks winger Adam Gaudette is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

NESN: The Boston Bruins announced team executive Alex Gimenez’s death on Friday.

Gimenez spent more than a decade with MLB’s Boston Red Sox. He recently joined the Bruins as Director of Hockey Operations, Collective Bargaining Agreement, which was a newly created position within the organization.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Gimenez’s family, friends, and the Bruins’ organization.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 19, 2026

by | Sep 19, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 19, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, it’s the latest on Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin.

SPORTSNET: During his latest “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman reported the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers were interested in acquiring Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck earlier this summer.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Friedman noted the Jets and Sabres discussed Hellebuyck in late June before the 2026 NHL Draft. He said the Jets wanted the Sabres’ 2026 first-round pick (fourth overall) as part of the return. To do that, the Sabres wanted the Jets to include their first-rounder (eighth overall), but the latter declined.

Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was believed to be one of the pieces in that deal. However, the 27-year-old goalie’s five-team no-trade clause kicked in on July 1, and Friedman believes the Jets are part of that list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Luukkonen seems out of the picture for the Jets. He recently shrugged off the trade rumors, saying he’s happy in Buffalo and wants to stay there.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Hellebuyck has been linked to multiple teams, including the Sabres, Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, and Utah Mammoth.

Despite Hellebuyck’s full no-movement clause, reports suggest he’s willing to waive it to join a competitive US-based team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers interest in Hellebuyck came before they acquired winger Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators and goalie Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils. They used most of their trade capital on those two, which likely takes them out of the running for Hellebuyck.

As for the Devils, general manager Sunny Mehta claims he’s comfortable with his current goalie trio of Jake Allen, Nico Daws, and David Rittich. That might change if the Devils struggle at some point this season. Rumors suggest Mehta prefers to retain his trade capital in case Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes becomes available before the March 1 trade deadline.

The Hurricanes and Mammoth appear to be more likely trade destinations. However, those clubs are also reportedly happy with their current goaltending.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman noted Detroit Red Wings interim general manager Shawn Horcoff’s recent remarks about his team not undergoing a rebuild. He also pointed out that one of the things flying around this summer was the Wings’ unwillingness to trade Dylan Larkin for a return that didn’t bring immediate help.

Friedman claimed former Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman warned the team’s ownership that if they traded Larkin, they probably wouldn’t win in the short term. “It would be for longer-term help, and I don’t think the Red Wings liked that.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, they’re not interested in a package of future assets (draft picks and prospects) for Larkin. They want an established player.

That jibes with their reported asking prices for Larkin from the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars. It’s rumored they sought winger Matt Boldy from the Wild and center Wyatt Johnston from the Stars.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 19, 2026

by | Sep 19, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 19, 2026

Evgeni Malkin talks about his future, Simon Edvinsson is in training camp without a contract, Kirill Marchenko ducks questions about trade rumors, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin is entering his 21st NHL season, but he’s not thinking about retirement.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (NHL Images).

“We’ll see what’s going on during the season, you know?” Malkin said. “Right now, I want to say, ‘Yes’ (to playing longer). But we’ll see how my body feels. It’s all about (that) I still love the game. It’s why I’m here, like, 21 years. I love the game. I’m excited every shift, practice, battle. See guys around, you know, have fun. But again, most important, how your body feels.”

Malkin, 40, helped the Penguins exceed expectations last season by qualifying for the playoffs. He had 61 points in 57 games, and signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Penguins in May.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Another season with the Penguins will also depend on the club’s performance and whether he’s still a fit. His bounce-back effort last season helped them improve. More of the same could earn him another season in Pittsburgh, or with another NHL club if he and the Penguins can agree on an extension.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Simon Edvinsson is participating in Red Wings’ training camp despite not having a new contract.

The 22-year-old restricted free agent isn’t allowed to participate in scrimmages, but he is taking part in individual drills. He joked that he’s on a professional tryout offer.

Negotiations between Edvinsson and the Wings stalled when the club relieved Steve Yzerman as general manager. The club has been searching for a full-time replacement. Earlier this week, the team named assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff interim GM.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Edvinsson should have a new contract soon. Nevertheless, the Red Wings are fortunate that he’s been so patient. He’s also been loyal, declining the opportunity to entertain offer sheets from rival teams.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko dodged questions from the media about his future in Columbus.

Marchenko, 26, reportedly isn’t interested in signing an extension with the Blue Jackets. That resulted in trade rumors during the offseason.

“I can talk only about hockey,” Marchenko said. He said it’s up to his agent Dan Milstein and Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell to figure everything out, adding that his focus is preparing for the coming season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchenko may not want to talk about his contract situation, but the speculation will persist if he doesn’t want to re-sign with the Jackets. He will become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July and is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July 2028.

Waddell isn’t interested in moving Marchenko for draft picks and prospects. He wants a return that brings immediate help to his club.

DAILY FACEOFF: Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies said he’s “back to 100 percent” after an injury hampered his play last season.

“No issues with it,” Knies said. “It’s not going to be a problem this year.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs need the 24-year-old power forward at 100 percent if they hope to rebound from last season’s poor performance.

DAILY FACEOFF: Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Poehling missed practice on Friday and is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Defenseman Ian Moore is out for two-to-four weeks with a lower-body injury.

TSN: The Calgary Flames signed restricted free agent Brennan Othmann to a one-year, $975,000 contract.

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin noted that NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly last week addressed the recent issue of players forcing trades.

“Certainly there’s some sentiment in the league that has concerns with respect to the way things are evolving,” Daly said. “There are several separate but somewhat related elements to that in our collective bargaining agreement. And depending on how this trend evolves, perhaps at some point in collective bargaining, they’ll have to be addressed in a different way than they’re being addressed now. But we haven’t even started our current collective bargaining agreement [as of Sept. 9, the day he spoke to reporters], which is four years. And I certainly don’t expect the need to address this, what looks like it might become a trend, earlier than the next collective bargaining agreement [beginning in 2030].”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Even if this becomes a trend, I’m not sure what the league could do to prevent it. The collective bargaining agreement doesn’t prevent a player from requesting a trade, and the team isn’t obligated to honor it.

Daly’s statement about “related elements to that in our collective bargaining agreement” probably refers to no-trade protection. The recent trade requests by Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck have some fans (and perhaps some NHL owners and general managers) calling for a rule that voids a player’s no-trade clause if they request a trade.

Player agent Allan Walsh recently pointed out that no one forces teams to give out no-movement and no-trade clauses. “They are freely negotiated as part of NHL contracts,” Walsh wrote. That also applies to what the clauses look like over the term of the contract. For example, Hellebuyck has a full no-movement clause through the first three years of his seven-year contract, followed by a 10-team trade list for the final four years.

The NHLPA would push back against any attempt to eliminate or limit trade requests. They’ll point out that teams trade players all the time, often without warning, leaving the player with no say.

There are already limits on no-movement and no-trade clauses. Players are only eligible for those clauses in the years they reach eligibility for unrestricted free-agent status. That’s when they have seven accrued NHL seasons or reach age 27 or older.

No-movement and no-trade clauses tend to be flexible. More than one player has agreed to waive them when approached by management, or to provide a list of preferred destinations.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 18, 2026

by | Sep 18, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 18, 2026

Check out the latest on Connor Hellebuyck, Alexander Nikishin, and Quinn Hughes in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Paul Friesen reported that Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s efforts to trade Connor Hellebuyck have been fruitless since the goaltender made his trade request in April.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Cheveldayoff indicated that he’s not in a rush to acquiesce to Hellebuyck’s wishes, adding that he wants a return that pays off now, not down the road.

“If it’s future assets…how many years into the future, that’s not the message I’m sending to Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey, Dylan Samberg, the people that are committing to this organization,” Chevelayoff said.

Cheveldayoff pointed out that trading a starting goalie is different than trading a center or defenseman. Each team has one No.1 netminder, and most are already contractually set at that position.

THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates understands why some fans want the Jets to make an example of Hellebuyck by letting him rot on the sidelines this season. However, it doesn’t address why he wants out of Winnipeg: his loss of faith in the team’s ability to compete for the Stanley Cup, and that the 33-year-old goalie is running out of time to win hockey’s holy grail.

Ates believes there are only two ways for the Jets to improve: Hellebuyck returns to the team (which seems unlikely), or he’s traded for players or draft picks who can help the team. Ultimately, he’s advocating for Cheveldayoff to make the best trade possible and move on.

Meanwhile, Ates’ colleague Pierre LeBrun reports league sources with knowledge of the situation claim the Carolina Hurricanes remain interested in Hellebuyck. Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky declined to comment about that rumor.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cheveldayoff’s received some criticism for not finalizing a rumored deal with the Buffalo Sabres back in June. He may have been betting on getting a better offer as the summer progressed, but those possibilities no longer seem available.

Teams might not be willing to meet Cheveldayoff’s asking price now, but that can change if injuries strike or a rival club’s goaltending proves less stable than expected.

Cheveldayoff undoubtedly wants to get Hellebuyck moved as quickly as possible. Making an example of him doesn’t improve the roster. However, Cheveldayoff isn’t rushing into anything. He’s known for his patience when making moves involving notable players.

The Hurricanes could be a landing spot if Tulsky considers Hellebuyck an upgrade over their current tandem of Pyotr Kochetkov and Brandon Bussi. Like Cheveldayoff, however, Tulsky will also be patient in assessing his goalies before making any forays into the trade market.

Speaking of the Hurricanes…

LeBrun wondered if Alexander Nikishin might be part of a deal if the Hurricanes pursued Hellebuyck.

The 24-year-old defenseman is an unsigned restricted free agent who has requested a trade. Because he’s not under contract, he’s unable to participate in training camp.

LeBrun believes Nikishin’s contract status could be a fly in the ointment if it means the Jets would be inheriting the same issue Carolina has about whether he’ll sign with them.

PHILADELPHIA HOCKEY NOW: William James recently noted the reveal of Nikishin’s trade request. He examined whether it would be worthwhile for the Flyers to trade for him, suggesting he’d be worth considering if they could sign him to a long-term contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The uncertainty over what Nikishin wants on his next contract is the big sticking point. Most teams would love to acquire a young blueliner with a promising 33-point rookie performance and a Stanley Cup championship on his resume, but the cost in both contract and return to the Hurricanes could keep him on the sidelines for a while.

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith report Quinn Hughes is in no rush to get an extension done with the Minnesota Wild.

Hughes denied the delay had anything to do with his long-rumored desire to join his brothers Jack and Luke with the New Jersey Devils. He acknowledged the elephant in the room, but cited his brother Jack, who said Quinn wouldn’t sacrifice a great spot for him to play just to reunite with his brothers.

The 26-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible next July. Contract talks with Wild GM Bill Guerin have been ongoing but have yet to get substantive. Hughes said he’s not feeling stressed about getting a deal done before the regular season begins. He’s really happy with the Wild, saying he loved the team and the players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild and Hughes have until noon ET on July 1, 2027, to get a deal done. Still, the longer he goes without a contract, the more speculation he’ll face about his future in Minnesota.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 18, 2026

by | Sep 18, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 18, 2026

Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff talks about Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request; Red Wings center Dylan Larkin declines to discuss his trade request; and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN/SPORTSNET: Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff met with the media on Thursday to talk about Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request and the decision to suspend the 33-year-old goaltender for failing to report to training camp.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Cheveldayoff said he’ll keep seeking a trade for Hellebuyck. He wants a resolution that works for both sides, won’t be rushed into trading the three-time Vezina Trophy winner, and wants to get it right.

The Jets GM hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Hellebuyck returning to the Jets, pointing out that the netminder is under contract for the next five seasons (including this one). He wouldn’t go into the reasons for Hellebuyck’s trade request. “The choices that he makes are the choices he makes,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cheveldayoff has a well-earned reputation for patience when dealing with players who’ve requested trades in the past, like Evander Kane, Jacob Trouba, and Pierre-Luc Dubois. He received solid returns for those players, so it’s not surprising he’s using the same tactic with Hellebuyck.

Cheveldayoff also dismissed the notion there was a “gentlemen’s agreement” to trade Hellebuyck if he ever wanted out when the contract was signed three years ago. “A contract is a contract in the National Hockey League. Period”, he said. “There are no side agreements, there are no gentlemen’s agreements. The league doesn’t allow for that, so any notion around that would not have any merit.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The “gentlemen’s agreement” theory was floated by Jeff Marek and Dave Pagnotta during a recent episode of Marek’s podcast “The Sheet.” They mused about the possibility, but couldn’t confirm it. Cheveldayoff was accused of deflecting with his response, but he’s right about the league’s contract rules.

It’s easy to speculate about side deals but it’s just chatter without proof. What isn’t up for debate is that Hellebuyck wants out, and Cheveldayoff will keep trying to move him.

The Jets have reportedly encountered difficulty moving Hellebuyck. Cheveldayoff explained he’s received no offers worthy of consideration. “We’re still talking about moving a player that’s been very, very important to this franchise and is a very good player in the National Hockey League,” he said. “And we expect, I guess, that a level of return would be commensurate to that.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cheveldayoff’s legendary patience in trade negotiations will be tested like never before with Hellebuyck. His critics argue he should’ve traded the goalie to the Buffalo Sabres in June instead of pushing for a better deal. Recent reports suggest offers open to the Jets earlier this summer aren’t available now.

By revealing his trade request and refusing to report to training camp, Hellebuyck didn’t improve his trade value. Teams are reportedly making lowball offers, hoping the Jets get desperate to move him quickly.

NHL.COM: Jets players are trying to deal with the Hellebuyck drama as they begin training camp this week. Jets winger Kyle Connor admitted it’s a difficult situation, saying many of his teammates are heartbroken.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings center Dylan Larkin declined to discuss the reasons for his trade request during his press conference on Thursday.

“There’s a lot of personal stuff about that,” Larkin said. “And, you know, to be honest with you, I’m trying to be honest with you guys today, and I’m not ready to go there yet.”

Larkin said he didn’t want his request to be a distraction for his teammates. “I guess I didn’t foresee what happened,” he said. “Some of it was out of my control, to be honest with you.” He told his teammates his request had nothing to do with them.

As for a possible reconciliation with the organization, Larkin said he was keeping that to himself. He also acknowledged that giving up the captaincy was the right thing to do.

Larkin admitted that he didn’t know how he would handle the discontent of Red Wings fans when he takes the ice this season. “I can’t really control that. Obviously, they’re passionate fans. There’s frustration there. I’m frustrated as well,” he said, adding that he intends to take things one day at a time and one game at a time.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin deserves some credit for reporting to training camp and stepping up to face the music, and he’s right that some of this was beyond his control. The club’s slow approach to finding a full-time replacement for former general manager Steve Yzerman left his situation in limbo for most of the offseason.

Nevertheless, Larkin created this situation by requesting a trade and giving the Wings a limited list of trade destinations. His reluctance to explain the reasons for his request won’t mollify fans upset about his decision. He looked very uncomfortable discussing situation, and it won’t get any easier if a trade doesn’t materialize soon.

TSN: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin addressed the media on Wednesday to defend his appearance in a recent video for Russian president Vladimir Putin’s United Russia Party ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections.

“I’m Russian,” Ovechkin said. “As soon as I’m done playing hockey, I’m probably going to stay there. I’m going to live there. My kids are going to live there, my family. I’m for peace and love. I hope everything is going to be okay”. Ovechkin said he agreed to appear in the video after being asked to do so.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin is receiving growing criticism for supporting Putin, especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the ongoing war between the two countries. In a one-on-one interview, ESPN’s Robert Klemko pressed the Capitals captain about his support of Putin. The discussion grew tense until Ovechkin abruptly ended the interview by walking away.

TSN: Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand is expected to miss the first month of this season as he recovers from offseason surgery for a lower-body injury. Forward Jonah Gadjovich remains sidelined indefinitely after undergoing neck surgery last season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Los Angeles Kings winger Kevin Fiala (leg injury) is expected to return to the ice on his own next week. He could rejoin his teammates in three weeks. Meanwhile, defenseman Brian Dumoulin failed his training camp medical and is undergoing further testing. Winger Mats Zuccarello has a minor shoulder injury, but should be ready to return next week.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils forward Nick Bjugstad underwent surgery last week to repair a torn pectoral muscle and will be sidelined for four-to-six months. Defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic will be a limited participant in training camp as he rehabs from a minor knee procedure.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators added defenseman Ben Hutton to their training camp on a professional tryout offer.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness wasn’t pleased with two of his players who didn’t meet the club’s physical fitness standards. He didn’t name them but said they will address the issue.

THE MERCURY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks signed head coach Ryan Warsofsky to a multi-year contract extension.

TORONTO SUN: Former Maple Leafs forward Ron Hurst, the club’s oldest living player, died at 95. He spent two seasons with the Leafs from 1955 to 1957, finishing with 16 points in 64 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Hurst’s family, friends, former teammates, and the Leafs’ organization.