NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 6, 2024

by | Jul 6, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 6, 2024

Fourteen players file for salary arbitration, the latest on Valeri Nichushkin and Evan Bouchard, the Oilers make a cost-cutting trade with the Sabres, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHLPA.COM: Carolina Hurricanes winger Martin Necas and New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren highlight the 14 players filing for salary arbitration by the 5 pm ET deadline on July 5.

Other notables include Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser, New York Islanders winger Oliver Wahlstrom, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko, Detroit Red Wings forward Joe Veleno, and Hurricanes center Jack Drury.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (NHL Images).

The deadline for club-elected arbitration is 5 pm ET on July 6. Salary arbitration hearings will be held from July 20 to Aug. 4.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Players and teams usually file for arbitration to set a deadline to complete contract negotiations rather than have them drag on through the summer. Most cases are settled before the scheduled arbitration hearings. Nevertheless, a handful could go before an arbitrator.

Necas is the most talented player on this list. He’s been the subject of trade speculation for weeks because he’s reportedly unhappy with his role on the Hurricanes.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Evan Rawal cited TSN’s Chris Johnston reporting the Avalanche aren’t trading Valeri Nichushkin while he’s in stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. They’re hoping to rehabilitate the player and the person.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rawal cited a report last month claiming the Chicago Blackhawks kicked around the idea of making a trade for Nichushkin before rejecting the notion.

Players in the assistance program, like Nichushkin and Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine, can be traded. However, any clubs interested in these players would likely prefer to wait until they have emerged from the program to speak with them.

THE SCORE: cited The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman reporting the Edmonton Oilers and Evan Bouchard are unlikely to start contract extension talks this summer. The 24-year-old defenseman is due to become a restricted free agent next July. His current annual cap hit is $3.9 million.

Oilers management is focused on extension talks with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Meanwhile, Bouchard wants to build on his strong 2023-24 performance.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bouchard’s performance this season could double his money on his next contract. Another strong effort like last season’s could fetch him even more.

Draisaitl is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July and McDavid in July 2026. McDavid can’t sign an extension until next July but the two sides can discuss the framework of a deal.

EDMONTON JOURNAL/THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Oilers traded center Ryan McLeod and minor league winger Tyler Tullio to the Buffalo Sabres for prospect center Matthew Savoie.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a cost-cutting move by the Oilers, who were sitting $2.5 million over the $88 million salary cap. Moving McLeod’s $2.1 million provides considerable cap relief. The Journal also noted the 24-year-old center lost out in the numbers game after the Oilers signed Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner. McLeod should be a solid addition as the Sabres’ third-line center.

Savoie, 20, was chosen ninth overall by the Sabres in the 2022 NHL Draft. A promising center, he’s been hampered by injuries over the past two seasons but still has the potential to blossom as an NHL star.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Speaking of the Sabres, they signed Henri Jokiharju to a one-year, $3.1 million contract. The 25-year-old defenseman was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken signed winger Eeli Tolvanen to a two-year, $6.95 million contract. The average annual value is $3.475 million.

SPORTSNET: The Winnipeg Jets are reportedly working on a trade to acquire defenseman Dylan Coghlan from the Carolina Hurricanes.

DAILY FACEOFF: James van Riemsdyk, Ryan Suter and Max Pacioretty remain the most notable players in the unrestricted free-agent market.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2024

by | Jul 5, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2024

Check out the recent Rangers and Sabres speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RANGERS STILL LACK CAP FLEXIBILITY AFTER FAILING TO TRADE TROUBA

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker suggests Rangers general manager Chris Drury could be looking at running it back next season with more of his roster’s core group than expected.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

The Rangers have little salary-cap flexibility after failing to move Jacob Trouba in a cost-cutting trade. That was a touchy subject that played itself out in the media. It’s also left them with limited cap room and restricted free agents Ryan Lindgren and Braden Schneider to re-sign.

Meanwhile, winger Kaapo Kakko remains a Ranger after signing a one-year, team-friendly contract at his qualifying offer price of $2.4 million.

Despite acquiring winger Reilly Smith from Pittsburgh and signing forward Sam Carrick, the Rangers don’t look very different.

Walker noted any additional roster-shifting moves haven’t happened yet and might not occur this summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh observed Trouba became the subject of criticism among some Rangers fans for putting his family’s needs above the team’s.

Baugh defended Trouba for exercising his contractual rights by not providing his 15-team no-trade list a week before his no-movement clause became a modified no-trade clause on July 1. That may have prevented the Rangers from making moves but none of it falls on Trouba.

“The 30-year-old captain never once violated the deal he negotiated,” wrote Baugh. “He is exercising the rights in the contract to do what’s best for himself and his family, and that’s beyond acceptable”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not Trouba’s fault that Drury painted himself into this corner. He reportedly had a deal in place to send the defenseman to the Detroit Red Wings before July 1. That might not be on the table anymore following the Wings’ recent forays in the free-agent market.

The Rangers GM could try to move Trouba to one of the teams not on his no-trade list. However, that could be difficult with many clubs using most of their cap space in the free-agent market.

Drury could try and peddle Kakko but he won’t provide much cap relief and there might not be much of a market for him.

ARE MORE MOVES IN STORE FOR THE SABRES?

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn observed Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams acquired winger Jason Zucker and signed free-agent checking-line forwards Sam Lafferty and Nicolas Aube-Kubel on July 1 However, he wonders if Adams has anything else up his sleeve.

The Sabres GM seemed open to adding a top-six forward but he doesn’t appear to consider it urgent. Fairburn expects they’ll have plenty of salary-cap space after re-signing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Henri Jokiharju, Peyton Krebs and Beck Malenstyn.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adams could see what’s available in the trade market later this summer or during training camp and preseason. It wouldn’t be surprising if he banks that cap space to use during the season, perhaps in the lead-up to the 2025 trade deadline.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 5, 2024

by | Jul 5, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 5, 2024

Sharks fans turn out to watch Macklin Celebrini scrimmage, a list of the notable remaining UFAs, the Golden Knights face questions in goal, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Over 3,000 fans paid to watch 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini during the San Jose Sharks prospects scrimmage on Thursday afternoon. “He’s given a buzz back to the San Jose Sharks organization,” said Todd Marchant, the club’s director of player development.

San Jose Sharks prospect Macklin Celebrini (NHL.com).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Celebrini hasn’t decided if he’ll join the Sharks this season or return to college for one more season. Either way, he’s already giving Sharks fans hope for the future after two difficult seasons.

Speaking of the Sharks, they signed Carl Grundstrom and Ty Dellandrea to two-year contract extensions. Grundstrom was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings last week and will earn an average annual value of $1.8 million. Dellandrea was brought in from the Dallas Stars and gets an AAV of $1.3 million.

DAILY FACEOFF: Winger James van Riemsdyk and defenseman Ryan Suter top the list of the notable players still available in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market. Others include defenseman Tyson Barrie, and wingers Mike Hoffman and Max Pacioretty.

Younger options include winger Daniel Sprong (27), defenseman Oliver Kylington (also 27), and blueliner Adam Boqvist (23).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The younger players could be affordable short-term options for cap-strapped teams seeking bargain signings to address their roster needs in 2024-25.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Golden Knights face uncertainty between the pipes after signing Ilya Samsonov. The 27-year-old netminder is coming off the worst season of his career after struggling with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

There’s also concern over the health of starter Adin Hill. The 28-year-old netminder has been hampered by lower-body injuries stretching back to his days with the San Jose Sharks. His future is also a question mark as he’s eligible to become a UFA next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights signed Samsonov after trading Logan Thompson to the Washington Capitals. He won’t face as harsh a spotlight in Vegas as he did in hockey-mad Toronto but he’ll still garner attention this season as he attempts to get his NHL career back on track.

SPORTSNET: Tax-free states had an advantage in this year’s free-agent market. Nashville, Florida, Tampa Bay, Dallas, Vegas and Seattle combined to spend nearly a quarter of the $1 billion-plus spent in this summer’s UFA market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The piece also noted that four of the last five Stanley Cup champions were based in places with no state tax. They are Tampa Bay (twice), Florida and Vegas.

One advantage the Lightning and Panthers had was a solid base of homegrown talent, though it was also easier for them to retain that talent at less than market value.

Nevertheless, that’s no guarantee that this year’s big spenders are assured of Cup contention. It’ll be interesting to see how things work out for those teams.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers may have come up short in the Stanley Cup Final but their playoff run proved to be a windfall for the city of Edmonton, netting $280 million partly from overnight attendees. They had raked in $179 million during the first three rounds but the Cup Final pushed those numbers into the stratosphere.

TSN: Defenseman Nikita Zaitsev signed a four-year contract with KHL club SKA St. Petersburg. He collected 118 points in 482 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks from 2016-17 to 2023-24.

YARDBARKER: Forward Denis Gurianov is reportedly expected to sign a two-year contract with KHL team Moscow Dynamo. Chosen 12th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2015 NHL Draft, he has 113 points in 298 games with the Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators and Philadelphia Flyers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gurianov enjoyed what seemed like a breakout campaign in 2019-20, scoring 20 goals in 64 games and netting 17 points in 27 playoff games during the Stars’ run to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. However, he struggled to regain that form and was traded to Montreal at the 2023 trade deadline. He split last season between the Predators and Flyers.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs have a new ECHL affiliate, the Cincinnati Cyclones.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 4, 2024

by | Jul 4, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 4, 2024

Check out the latest on Sidney Crosby, Evander Kane and Martin Necas plus some recent Flyers speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S THE LATEST ON CROSBY’S CONTRACT EXTENSION?

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski wondered what’s happening with contract extension talks between the Penguins and captain Sidney Crosby. He noted that Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas and Crosby have stated those discussions would be kept private, but neither side has yet used the phrase, “optimistic”.

Kingerski speculates the direction of the team might account for why Crosby hasn’t re-signed yet. Perhaps the Penguins captain sees Dubas’ recent signings and wonders if sticking around is worthwhile.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos noted that “eyebrows were raised” when the Penguins didn’t announce a new contract for Crosby on July 1. He wrote that conversations are ongoing but there’s no rush on Crosby’s side. “Read into that however you want.”

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not surprising Crosby hasn’t signed yet. Sometimes, these things take time. The direction of the team could be a factor. Dollars and terms still have to be sorted out.

They’ve got the entire summer and training camp in September to sort this out. Start worrying if he hasn’t inked an extension by the season opener in October.

COULD THE OILERS ATTEMPT TO TRADE EVANDER KANE?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer weighing in on speculation the Oilers could try to move winger Evander Kane in a cost-cutting trade.

Kane, 32, has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $5.125 million. He also carries a full no-movement clause until Feb. 28, when it becomes a 15-team no-trade list. The Oilers must free up $2.5 million to become cap-compliant before their season opener in October.

“You just can’t snap your fingers and move out Evander Kane,” said Stauffer. Staples noted TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reporting on Monday that the Oilers haven’t approached the winger about waiving his NMC.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Kane is willing to waive his clause now it will only be for a limited number of clubs. Those teams could be unwilling to take him on due to his reputation as a troublemaker or his cap hit.

The Oilers will have to consider other options to shed salary before October. Cody Ceci, Brett Kulak and Ryan McLeod have been mentioned as trade candidates.

HURRICANES WERE CLOSE TO MOVING MARTIN NECAS TO COLUMBUS

THE HOCKEY WRITERS’ Mark Scheig recently cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli claiming the Carolina Hurricanes had a potential deal that would’ve sent Martin Necas to the Columbus Blue Jackets during the recent NHL Draft. However, the 25-year-old winger wouldn’t sign a contract extension with the Jackets. “The deal died right there and I think it involved the number four pick”, said Seravalli.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets used that pick to select promising center Cayden Lindstrom. It’s not surprising the Jackets and Hurricanes discussed a Necas deal. Jackets general manager Don Waddell was the Hurricanes GM until stepping down in late May to take on his current job.

FLYERS NOT DONE MAKING MOVES?

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports the Philadelphia Flyers could still make some moves this summer after signing Matvei Michkov to his entry-level contract.

Flyers GM Daniel Briere left open the possibility of a trade or two. He’s had discussions with several teams “on a few different things.” If nothing happens in the next week, Briere suggests the current roster will be what we see in training camp in September.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 4, 2024

by | Jul 4, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 4, 2024

An update on Leon Draisaitl’s contract status, Vladimir Tarasenko signs with the Red Wings, the Kraken makes a historic coach hire, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

UPDATE ON LEON DRAISAITL’S CONTRACT SITUATION

EISHOCKEY NEWS: Michael Bauer recently interviewed Leon Draisaitl’s agent, Jiri Poner, about his client’s contract situation. The 28-year-old Edmonton Oilers center can become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Poner said the ball is in the Oilers’ court. “There’s no rush yet, but either it happens quickly, i.e. by the end of August, or it doesn’t work out at all. It will also become clear whether Edmonton really wants him or not. Leon holds all the trump cards.”

Draisaitl signed his current contract in Aug. 2017 under then-Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli. “I can still remember the shitstorm (Chiarelli) had to endure when he gave Leon the contract for $8.5 million a year,” recalled Poner. “Today, he would be celebrated for that deal.” He believes his client has been playing “at least 30 percent below his value for three years”, but insisted that wasn’t a complaint.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

Poner also addressed the recent rumors in the North American media suggesting Draisaitl could be traded if he and the Oilers fail to agree to a contract extension.

“There are two important points. Firstly: What would a club be willing to give up for a short-term deal? Leon would then be a free agent again and the club would lose far too much. And secondly: What would Connor McDavid do a year later when his contract expires and Edmonton has already given up his best friend?”

Poner remains “very confident” that there will be an agreement with the Oilers that will please both sides.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl is still recuperating from a long, draining playoff run. Meanwhile, Oilers management has had its hands full with the recent draft and free agency. The contract extension talks will likely start later this summer.

Draisaitl’s contract status will become a focus of media attention once the dust settles in the free-agent market. The longer it drags on, the more nervous Oilers followers will become, giving rise to increasing media speculation over his future in Edmonton.

LATEST NOTABLE FREE AGENT SIGNINGS

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings signed winger Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko, 32, is past his 30-plus goal prime but he tallied 23 goals last season split between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers. He’ll likely skate on their second line with Patrick Kane and J.T. Compher.

The Wings weren’t the only team interested in Tarasenko. TSN cited The Athletic’s Josh Yohe reporting the Pittsburgh Penguins made an offer but it was lower than other suitors.

The Red Wings freed up cap space for Tarasenko by trading winger Robby Fabbri to the Anaheim Ducks for goaltender Gage Alexander. Fabbri, 28, has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $4 million. The oft-injured forward had 18 goals and 32 points in 68 games last season.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers and center Anton Lundell agreed to a six-year, $30 million contract. Lundell, 22, was a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. The average annual value is $5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lundell earned his new deal as he’s increasingly become a valuable part of the Panthers’ core. Nicknamed “Baby Barkov”, he plays a two-way style similar to the Panthers captain. He did a fine job filling in for the sidelined Sam Bennett as their second-line center and could take over full-time this season with Bennett a year away from UFA eligibility.

SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to terms with Jack Roslovic. Details have yet to be released.

DAILY FACEOFF: The list of notable UFAs keeps shrinking. Winger James van Riemsdyk, defensemen Ryan Suter and Tyson Barrie, and wingers Tyler Johnson and Max Pacioretty are still available.

NHL COACHING AND MANAGEMENT NEWS

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken hired Jessica Campbell as a full-time assistant coach. She’s the first woman to fill that role in NHL history. Campbell has a long background as a player and a coach. Her previous job was as an assistant coach with the Kraken’s AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Campbell is the first but won’t be the last. The day that a woman becomes an NHL head coach isn’t that far away.

DAILY FACEOFF: The San Jose Sharks named Ryane Clowe as an assistant general manager. He spent the past three seasons with the New York Rangers as a senior advisor and hockey operations advisor.

NHL.COM: The Montreal Canadiens hired Lauri Korpikoski as a player development coach and named former assistant coach Alex Burrows as a player development consultant.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 3, 2024

by | Jul 3, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 3, 2024

The top remaining UFAs plus the latest on the Oilers, Islanders, Predators, and Red Wings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TOP REMAINING UFAS

DAILY FACEOFF: Forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and James van Riemsdyk lead the list of the top players still available in the unrestricted free-agent market. The other notables are Ryan Suter, Tyson Barrie, Tyler Johnson and Max Pacioretty.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I indicated yesterday, most notable UFA players are past their prime.

Winger Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).

A handful will likely sign cheap, one-year contracts in the coming days. Many will be forced to earn new contracts on professional tryout offers during training camp in September.

Some will face the reality that their NHL careers are over, though they will probably continue their playing days in Europe.

OILERS FACING COST-CUTTING MOVES

THE ATHLETIC: Daniel Nugent-Bowman believes the Edmonton Oilers must find a way to shed salary. They’re sitting $2.5 million over the $88 million salary cap with restricted free agents Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway to re-sign. Teams can exceed the salary cap during the offseason but must be cap-compliant when the regular season begins.

Nugent-Bowman suggested winger Evander Kane ($5.125 million average annual value), defenseman Cody Ceci ($3.25 million), blueliner Brett Kulak ($2.75 million) and forward Ryan McLeod ($2.1 million) as trade candidates. Kane, however, carries a full no-movement clause until March 1, when it becomes a partial no-trade clause.

THE EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited TSN’s Darren Dreger also indicating that the Oilers must cut costs, suggesting Ceci, McLeod or Kane as trade candidates.

TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reported on July 1 that Kane had not been asked to waive his NMC at any point.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane’s not going anywhere. As Nugent-Bowman pointed out, he holds all the cards with his NMC. That means Ceci, Kulak or McLeod could be traded before the Oilers’ season opener in October.

ARE MORE MOVES COMING FOR THE ISLANDERS

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears noted the Islanders’ recent foray into the free-agent market by signing winger Anthony Declair. With limited salary-cap space, any additional efforts to bolster their offense must come in a trade market with few suitable options.

Sears noted the trade rumors still swirling about Winnipeg Jets wingers Nikolaj Ehlers and Rutger McGroarty, suggesting they would fill the Islanders’ needs. However, the Jets are in no rush to move either player. Ehlers is signed through next season and the Jets still control McGroarty’s rights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers carries an average annual value of $6 million for 2024-25. It’ll have to be dollar-in, dollar-out to pull that off. McGroarty must sign an entry-level contract if the Isles acquire him. The Jets will want at least a first-round pick for their top prospect.

PREDATORS ARE NOT DONE MAKING ROSTER CHANGES

THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty reports Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz isn’t done making moves after adding Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei to his roster via free agency.

Trotz told the media on Monday that he’s looking at moving at least one player. They’re sitting over the $88 million cap by $179K and must be cap-compliant when their season opens in October.

Daugherty suggests Cody Glass as a trade candidate. The 25-year-old forward carries a $2.5 million cap hit and is now the club’s 13th forward. He was a healthy scratch during their playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks.

Defenseman Dante Fabbro, 26, could be another. He also carries a $2.5 million cap hit and was a healthy scratch in three of their six games against the Canucks.

Moving both players would create sufficient space to operate during the season while leaving room for roster call-ups as required.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trotz has the entire offseason and training camp to make these moves. Glass and Fabbro could be skating with other clubs by October.

COULD THE RED WINGS TRADE A GOALIE?

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen wonders if the Red Wings intend to shop a goaltender after signing Cam Talbot and Jack Campbell on Monday. The move leaves them with four netminders as Talbot and Campbel join Alex Lyon and Ville Husso.

Allen wondered if they could attempt to move Husso. He thinks that’s unlikely unless they retain part of his $4.75 million cap hit.