NHL Rumor Mill – June 11, 2024

by | Jun 11, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 11, 2024

Will the Canucks pursue Jake Guentzel and re-sign Elias Lindholm? Will the Jets trade Nikolaj Ehlers? Are the Canadiens out on Martin Necas and Trevor Zegras? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Roundup.

LATEST CANUCKS SPECULATION

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports the Vancouver Canucks have long had Jake Guentzel in their crosshairs as a trade target. He wonders if they’ll get into the bidding as the Carolina Hurricanes are willing to trade the 29-year-old winger’s signing rights. The asking price is said to be a mid-round draft pick.

Kuzma noted the Canucks reportedly considered flipping Elias Lindholm to the Boston Bruins before the trade deadline to clear room to acquire Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Canucks were also linked to Martin Necas but the Hurricanes seek “star power” in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Acquiring Guentzel’s signing rights would be more affordable for the Canucks than what it would’ve cost to get him before the March trade deadline. However, he could prove too expensive to re-sign.

The Canucks possess over $25 million in cap space with 14 active roster players under contract for next season. Their notable unrestricted free agents include Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Myers and Dakota Joshua while Filip Hronek and playoff hero Arturs Silos are restricted free agents.

Guentzel could seek between $8.5 million and $9.5 million per season on a long-term extension. That wouldn’t leave much cap space for the others

Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers (NHL Images).

Meanwhile, Lindholm’s encouraging postseason performance put him back in the Canucks’ roster conversation. Head coach Rick Tocchet likes his hockey smarts and versatility. However, the Bruins have a continued interest in the 29-year-old center. Even if the Canucks offered a seven-year deal worth $7 million annually, it might not be enough to keep Lindholm from testing the market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm’s departure would make it easier to re-sign their other free agents, including Guentzel if they acquire him from the Hurricanes. 

TRADE RUMORS SWIRLING ABOUT NIKOLAJ EHLERS

WINNIPEG SUN: Scott Billeck cited a report by The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta claiming Nikolaj Ehlers wasn’t willing to sign a contract extension with the Jets. A source wouldn’t confirm it but said Ehlers had a year left on his contract and they’d see where it went from there. The source added that constant dialogue exists with Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff.

Billeck noted that Ehlers consistently produced well whenever he saw top-line minutes but didn’t spend much time in that role under coaches Rick Bowness, Dave Lowry and Paul Maurice. If new bench boss Scott Arniel is the same, it may be time to part ways with Ehlers, whose production tends to drop during the postseason.

The Boston Bruins, Seattle Kraken, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils are reportedly among the potential suitors. Billeck believes the Jets would seek a top-four defenseman if they peddle Ehlers this summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates believes the Jets are prepared to shop Ehlers before the NHL Draft (June 28-29) in Las Vegas. He thinks they’ll seek a first-round pick and a good non-elite player in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The rumblings about Ehlers started soon after the Jets’ first-round elimination by the Colorado Avalanche in April. Ates pointed out that he carries a 6 million cap hit for next season and a 10-team no-trade list. He’s previously suggested the Senators, Hurricanes, Utah franchise, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins as potential destinations for Ehlers.

CANADIENS OUT ON NECAS AND ZEGRAS?

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu reports the Montreal Canadiens are still exploring the possibility of acquiring Hurricanes forward Martin Necas or Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras. However, the acquisition price could prove too expensive and the timing doesn’t seem right.

The Hurricanes reportedly want “star power” in return for Necas. The Canadiens won’t part with their good young core pieces. It could cost them top defenseman Mike Matheson, leaving a big hole in their blueline. Re-signing Necas could also prove too costly for the Habs right now.

Zegras has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $5.75 million. However, the Canadiens would be asked to part with significant pieces for a financial commitment in a player that they’re not sure will fit in well within their system.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Basu acknowledged that asking prices for Necas or Zegras could drop and priorities might change. However, he pointed out that the Canadiens dodged a bullet last summer when they were linked to Pierre-Luc Dubois. While they need more scoring, it might be best to avoid taking a risk on Necas or Zegras and find better options.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 11, 2024

by | Jun 11, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 11, 2024

The Panthers take a 2-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final, the Stars’ Jim Nill is GM of the Year, the Hurricanes are poised to name their new general manager, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAP

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers took a 2-0 lead in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final with a 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2. Evan Rodrigues scored twice as the Panthers tallied three unanswered third-period goals and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 18 shots for the win.

Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm opened the scoring in the first period with his club’s first goal of the series. Connor McDavid collected an assist for his first Stanley Cup Final point. However, the Panthers tied it in the second on a goal by Niko Mikkola, setting the stage for Rodrigues’ third-period output. Aaron Ekblad tallied into an empty net late in the third to put it out of reach.

Florida Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues (NHL Images).

The series shifts to Edmonton for the next two games with Game 3 on Thursday, June 13, at 8 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Edmonton outplayed Florida in Game 1 and deserved to win but were shut out by Bobrovsky. They deserved to lose Game 2 as the Panthers’ stingy defense and physical play limited the Oilers to seven shots on goal through the first two periods and no high-danger scoring chances throughout the game. Florida’s penalty-killing snuffed out Edmonton’s vaunted power play in both contests.

The Oilers’ top scorers have yet to find the back of the net in this series. Their frustration was evident in the third period when Leon Draisaitl left his feet to nail Aleksander Barkov with a high hit that forced the Panthers captain from the game and into concussion protocol. Draisaitl received a minor penalty on the play. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice had no update on Barkov’s condition following the game.

Edmonton winger Warren Foegele received a major penalty and a game misconduct midway through the first period for kneeing Eetu Luostarinen. The Panthers forward was helped from the ice but later returned to the game. Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse suffered an undisclosed injury and was limited to three shifts over the final two periods. The Oilers also scratched defenseman Cody Ceci, replacing him with Vincent Desharnais.

Some Edmonton observers took issue with some questionable officiating in this game. Nevertheless, the Panthers were the better team in Game 2. Their victory was well-deserved, leaving the Oilers looking for answers as they wing their way home to Edmonton.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: Jim Nill of the Dallas Stars won the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. It’s the second straight year that Nill has won this award. Under his management, the Stars finished first in the Western Conference with 113 points, one point behind the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nill and New York Islanders’ Lou Lamoriello are the only two-time winners of this award. Lamoriello also won it in consecutive years (2020 and 2021).

SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes will name Eric Tulsky as their new general manager. Tulsky was made interim GM after Don Waddell stepped down on May 24. He’d served as assistant GM since 2020.

TSN: Matt Duchene remains keen to return to Dallas next season. The 33-year-old forward is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after completing a one-year, $3-million contract. As the free-agent market approaches, Duchene said money was not a motivating factor for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Duchene will continue to receive $1.55 million annually through 2028-29 from the Nashville Predators after buying out his contract last summer. Nevertheless, he genuinely enjoyed his time in Dallas. The Stars have just over $16 million in cap space for next season but Duchene could accept another cost-effective contract to return next season.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks have added Jason Krog as a skills and skating coach. He’ll work with the big club and their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

CBC.CA: Team Canada star and Olympic gold medalist Sarah Fillier was chosen first overall by New York in the 2024 PWHL Draft. Edmonton’s Danielle Serdachny was taken second overall by Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow this link for the complete list of picks in the 2024 PWHL Draft.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 10, 2024

by | Jun 10, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 10, 2024

Check out the latest on Jacob Markstrom, Mitch Marner, Juuse Saros and Jonathan Marchessault in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DEVILS, LEAFS, SENATORS LINKED TO JACOB MARKSTROM

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Calgary Flames are quietly trying to find a deal for Jacob Markstrom. The 34-year-old goaltender has two years remaining on his contract with an annual cap hit of $6 million. 

Friedman believes the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ottawa Senators are interested in Markstrom. Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald is willing to move his first-round pick (10th overall) and seeks help between the pipes. Meanwhile, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving is the former GM of the Flames and signed Markstrom to his current contract. 

Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).

The Senators are believed to be in every trade conversation regarding a goaltender. Friedman doesn’t know what Markstrom feels about that. He holds a full no-movement clause. 

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators GM Steve Staios has been working the phones in search of a goaltending upgrade. He’s reportedly among the more aggressive suitors for Markstrom. Staios also held talks with the Boston Bruins about Linus Ullmark. It’s also believed the Senators GM may have “kicked tires” on Nashville’s Juuse Saros. 

The Senators would have to get one of its current goalies off their books to accommodate Markstrom’s $6 million cap hit if he agreed to come to Ottawa. Joonas Korpisalo has four years left on his contract with an annual average value of $4 million while Anton Forsberg has a year remaining at $2.75 million. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Markstrom’s NMC gives him the final say over where he goes. It’s believed he was willing to accept a trade to the Devils in February, That deal fell through partly because they didn’t want to take on his full cap hit. 

Nevertheless, the Devils remain the most likely destination of the three. He could also accept the Leafs because they’re a playoff contender and his link to Treliving. Given the Senators’ struggles, it’s unlikely he’ll agree to go to Ottawa.

MORE MITCH MARNER SPECULATION

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons reports the Maple Leafs have no plans to ask Mitch Marner to waive his no-movement clause. However, they remain interested in moving him during this offseason. 

Simmons claims the Leafs are in trade mode and are willing to entertain offers for everyone except Auston Matthews and William Nylander. As for Marner, if they get a suitable trade offer, then they’ll approach the 27-year-old winger about waiving his clause. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs need to clear cap room to bolster their goaltending and defensive depth. However, they won’t just give Marner away. They’ll want a suitable return that helps them now and in the future. 

As for potential trade destinations, Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin recently published his list. It includes the Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, and the Utah franchise. Feel free to check it out and then give your thoughts in the comments section below. 

UPDATES ON JUUSE SAROS AND JONATHAN MARCHESSAULT

SPORTSNET: Friedman said there is motivation between the Nashville Predators and Juuse Saros to work out a contract extension. The 29-year-old goaltender has a year left on his deal with an average annual value of $5 million. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been reported that the Saros camp could wait and see what Igor Shesterkin gets for an extension with the New York Rangers and then seek 75-80 percent. 

Speaking of contract talks, Friedman said discussions have started between the Vegas Golden Knights and Jonathan Marchessault. The 33-year-old winger can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after completing a six-year, $30-million deal.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 10, 2024

by | Jun 10, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 10, 2024

The latest on the Oilers and Panthers on the eve of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Capitals to purchase CapFriendly, the players will get back this season’s escrow payment, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

STANLEY CUP NOTEBOOK

SPORTSNET: Mark Spector reports Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch could tinker with his lineup before Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. Defense pairing Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci were reunited in Game 1 but continued to struggle as they were on the ice for two of the Florida Panthers’ three goals. Meanwhile, winger Evander Kane remains hampered by a sports hernia.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll find out before Game 2 what Knoblauch has in store for his lineup.

Mark speculates that Knoblauch could sit Ceci if he reactivates Vincent Desharnais. He’s been a healthy scratch since Game 4 of the Western Conference Final. He also suggested Sam Carrick coming in to center the fourth line while replacing Kane on Leon Draisaitl’s line with Ryan McLeod.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers aren’t resting on their laurels following their 3-0 victory over the Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. They know there is more they must do to improve. “I think we can definitely be better,” said winger Carter Verhaeghe after his club was outshot 32-18 in Game 1.

TORONTO STAR: Speaking of Verhaeghe, he and Oilers winger Zach Hyman are former Maple Leafs playing big roles for their current clubs throughout this postseason. Verhaeghe was a Leafs castoff while Hyman (who was drafted by the Panthers) was not offered a new contract by the Leafs three years ago.

Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other former Leafs in this series include Connor Brown, Cody Ceci, Sam Carrick and Jack Campbell with the Oilers and winger Evan Rodrigues and head coach Paul Maurice with the Panthers.

SPORTSNET: The Calgary Tower will be lit up in Blue and Orange on June 10 to support Action Anxiety Day. Its “X” account assured Calgarians it was not to show support for the Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The intense NHL rivalry between the two cities burns brightly.

IN OTHER NEWS…

SPORTSNET: The Washington Capitals agreed to purchase the popular CapFriendly website.

CapFriendly will remain publicly available and independently operated until at least July 5, when the sale is expected to be officially announced. After that, the site will go dark and terminate its arrangements that existed for several years with multiple NHL clubs that bought into its API (Application Programming Interface).

THE ATHLETIC: CapFriendly’s tools and functions will become part of the Capitals’ in-house operations. Several NHL clubs were interested in purchasing the site and a source claimed its owners had held talks with other teams before reaching its agreement with the Capitals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: CapFriendly came in after CapGeek was shuttered in 2015 following the death of its owner, Matthew Wuest. It quickly filled the void, becoming popular with fans, pundits, and NHL teams for its accuracy and up-to-date information in tracking player salaries and team payrolls.

Some fans took to social media on Sunday lamenting the sale, with some accusing CapFriendly’s owners of “selling out.” However, this is a business move and I don’t fault the site’s ownership for cashing in on an offer too good to refuse. I’d do the same thing if I were in their shoes.

The NHL doesn’t have a salary cap tracking site. In 2015, league commissioner Gary Bettman said he didn’t see the need to do so because he wasn’t sure fans were as focused on how much players were making as they are about their on-ice performance. He later questioned the accuracy of such sites as CapFriendly.

On both counts, Bettman couldn’t have been more wrong. It subsequently emerged that the league engaged in a “back-and-forth” regarding the creation of a league-operated cap site but some teams were against it.

For those lamenting CapFriendly’s imminent demise, I recommend PuckPedia. I’ve linked to their player and team salary info on my Rumors page for several years. Sportrac is another good option.

DAILY FACEOFF: NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh announced on Saturday that NHL players are on track to have nearly all of this season’s escrow payments returned to them. The players had six percent of their salaries withheld by escrow as per the 2020 CBA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s because hockey-related revenue exceeded projections for this season. Otherwise, that escrow money would’ve been returned to the teams to offset any potential losses.

SPORTSNET: During Sunday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman reported some player agents believe the NHL Draft should be shortened to four rounds. Friedman said most players who don’t get contracts are selected in the later rounds. They believe it holds up a player from beginning their NHL careers by having their rights held by a team for two to four years only for them not to receive a contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Any changes to the draft will have to be negotiated during the next round of collective bargaining in 2026.

Those agents are arguing that those who would normally be chosen in the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds should instead become free agents able to sign with whomever they choose. While they make a good point, some late-round players went on to great careers with the teams that chose them.

SPORTSNET: The 2024 NHL Draft Combine results have been released. It was held last week in Buffalo.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 9, 2024

by | Jun 9, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 9, 2024

Check out the latest on Elias Lindholm, Linus Ullmark and Nikita Zadorov plus an update on the Senators in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LATEST ON ELIAS LINDHOLM AND NIKITA ZADOROV

THE ATHLETIC: In his latest mailbag segment, Fluto Shinzawa was asked what free agents the Boston Bruins could prioritize this summer.

He sees them making a big push for Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm. He feels his style of play would make him an excellent fit at center. Shinzawa acknowledged Lindholm struggled after being traded to Vancouver but felt the arc of the 29-year-old center’s career remains high.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said the Canucks remain interested in re-signing Lindholm and fellow former Calgary Flame Nikita Zadorov. However, how negotiations go this month remains to be seen.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).

Friedman said Lindholm enjoyed his time in Vancouver. The Canucks could offer a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million. However, Friedman’s not sure if they’ll get it done.

As for Zadorov, Friedman believes he might accept a little less than market value to stay in Vancouver. The Canucks aren’t far from that number but they haven’t reached it yet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm played with a nagging wrist injury during the season’s second half, which affected his performance. While that could adversely affect his market value, getting a seven-year offer worth $7 million annually is still a pretty good raise over the $4.85 million AAV of his current contract. Whether the Bruins or another club will get that high remains uncertain.

WHAT’S BRUIN WITH ULLMARK?

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek recently looked at what the future could hold for Linus Ullmark. The Boston Bruins goaltender has a year left on his contract with a $5 million cap hit and a modified no-trade clause.

Revisiting Ullmark’s season-ending comments, Duhatschek pointed out that the 30-year-old goaltender prefers staying in Boston. Ullmark understands that if he stays in Boston beyond next season, it’ll likely be on a one-year contract unless he agrees to accept a big pay cut and a lesser role backing up Jeremy Swayman, which he’s unlikely to do.

Duhatschek wondered if Ullmark would accept a trade to the Los Angeles Kings. He said when talks at the trade deadline broke down, there was an understanding the two teams would circle back in the summer. The Kings might consider it if Ullmark agreed to a contract extension, but they don’t appear to be improved. Duhatschek also mentioned the Ottawa Senators or Detroit Red Wings as possible destinations.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggesting the Carolina Hurricanes as a destination for Ullmark. He noted that the Hurricanes and Bruins discussed the goaltender before the trade deadline.

Nichols believes the Hurricanes could win a bidding war for Ullmark if winger Martin Necas were offered up as part of the return to the Bruins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ullmark’s situation is intriguing because of the reports that he supposedly rejected a trade to a team on his no-trade list (rumored to be the Kings) because he didn’t want to uproot his family at the time.

Ullmark’s comments following the Bruins’ playoff elimination suggest he’s not in a hurry to move out of Boston this summer. He has a 16-team no-trade list that drops to a 15-team list on July 1. He could still end up on the move if the Bruins get a solid offer from a club that is not on that list.

UPDATE ON THE SENATORS

OTTAWA CITIZEN: Bruce Garrioch reported last week that the Senators will go into next season with their young core of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, Shane Pinto, Josh Norris and Ridly Greig. He also indicated that veteran Claude Giroux isn’t going anywhere.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is in response to speculation suggesting the Senators might listen to trade offers for Tkachuk. General manager Steve Staios rejected that talk as “pure BS”. Tkachuk’s not going anywhere unless he requests a trade and there’s no indication he’s even considered that possibility.

It’s expected Staios will seek a goaltending upgrade, trying to see what he can get in return for defenseman Jakob Chychurn, and improving his checking lines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun is a year away from UFA eligibility and has been frequently mentioned as a trade candidate. In return, Staios could prefer a goalie or a top-four, right-shot defenseman.

A league executive told Garrioch the Senators could try to trade forward Mathieu Joseph before the draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would be a cost-cutting move for the Senators. They have over $12.4 million in cap space next season with 16 active roster players under contract.

The Senators could push to sign Dallas Stars defenseman Chris Tanev if he hits the open market on July 1.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 9, 2024

by | Jun 9, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 9, 2024

The Panthers shut out the Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, highlights from Gary Bettman’s latest “State of the League” press conference, and updates on Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

STANLEY CUP FINAL – GAME 1 RECAP

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers drew first blood in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final by blanking the Edmonton Oilers 3-0 in Game 1. Sergei Bobrovsky turned in a 32-save shutout, Carter Verhaeghe opened the scoring with his 10th goal of the postseason, and Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov collected two assists.

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bobrovsky flat-out stole this game for the Panthers, especially in the first period when they were outshot 13-4 and out-chanced 8-3 at five-on-five. The 35-year-old became the oldest goaltender in Stanley Cup Final history to record a shutout.

Edmonton controlled the play for most of this game, garnering plenty of quality scoring opportunities. At times, the ice seemed tilted in the Panthers’ zone as the Oilers pressed but couldn’t beat Bobrovsky.

Almost all of Edmonton’s quality scoring chances were to the bottom part of the net but Bobrovsky shut that area down. Hockey Night in Canada noted that most of the goals scored against him in this postseason were high glove or high blocker. The Oilers will have to work on that for the rest of this series.

Florida made the most of their few quality scoring chances but the Oilers would’ve won this game if Bobrovsky hadn’t been on top of his game. Expect a better effort defensively by the Panthers going forward in this series.

This game will likely be the last time in this series that the Oilers pair up defensemen Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci. They had been separated during the Western Conference Final but were reunited for this contest. They were on the ice for the first two Panthers goals.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM GARY BETTMAN’S LATEST “STATE OF THE LEAGUE” ADDRESS

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun highlighted the key points from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s latest “State of the League” press conference before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The league and the NHLPA announced the salary cap for 2024-25 will rise to $88 million, an increase of $4.5 million and the biggest jump in the cap since 2019. The cap had been flattened from 2020-21 to 2023-24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.

Bettman predicted the cap will continue to rise in the coming years, anticipating robust growth in the salary cap.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The cap was projected to increase by $4.2 million to $87.7 million. Both sides agreed to round it up to $88 million, which is welcome news for cap-strapped clubs as well as players slated to become free agents on July 1.

More details were revealed regarding the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament in 2025 involving Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States.

The league and NHLPA announced it will be held from Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston instead of the All-Star Game. The four countries will play each other twice in Montreal before moving to Boston for the final game of the round-robin and the championship game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow this link for further details on tournament scheduling.

Bettman said there is nothing new regarding expansion despite rumors of putting clubs in Atlanta and Houston and a possible return to Arizona. He acknowledged that the league continues to deal with expressions of interest, noting at least half a dozen cities are interested in the NHL product.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I believe we’ll see NHL franchises in Atlanta and Houston by the end of this decade at the latest. A return to Arizona depends on whether former Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo can secure funding to build an NHL arena in the Phoenix area.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said he’s received feedback from many (but not all) NHL general managers regarding possible changes to long-term injury reserve rules. Under the current system, the salary cap doesn’t count during the postseason. While there is some appetite for change, Daly said it would have to be negotiated with the PA during the next round of collective bargaining in 2026.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL cannot adjust the current LTIR rules without the agreement of the NHLPA. I daresay we’ll see it tweaked in the next CBA.

Bettman and Daly were asked if the league had any advice for teams with players charged in the 2018 Team Canada sexual assault case regarding qualifying offers to retain their rights by June 30. The commissioner said it will be up to the individual clubs to decide if they’ll qualify those players based on the current rules outlined in the CBA.

The players involved are Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, and Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Alex Formenton of the Ottawa Senators was also charged. He’s on the Senators’ reserve list because they qualified his rights in 2022. He spent the past two seasons playing in Switzerland.

Bettman stated that former Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman and former head coach Joel Quenneville remain ineligible to apply for jobs in the NHL. This is a result of their failure to react responsibly in connection with the Kyle Beach sexual assault case. He said both have reached out seeking an opportunity to return, but it’s something he has to consider.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas isn’t providing any details or updates regarding contract extension talks with captain Sidney Crosby. “We want to keep that as quiet as possible and go through it,” he said, adding that this was being done out of respect for Crosby and what he means to the organization.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I predict Crosby will re-sign with the Penguins before training camp opens in September.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson recently shot down any possibility of a reunion with Patrick Kane. He indicated that he was happy to see the former Blackhawks winger had a good year with the Detroit Red Wings. However, he doesn’t foresee them bringing him back to Chicago.