NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 13, 2026

by | Jul 13, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 13, 2026

The salary arbitration schedule is revealed, predicting who will fill 10 vacant team captain positions, former Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby joining the Lightning, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

PUCKPEDIA has learned the hearing dates for the upcoming 2026 NHL salary arbitration schedule (July 20 to Aug. 1).

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

Monday, July 20: Jamie Drysdale, Philadelphia Flyers; Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg Jets.

Wednesday, July 22: Trevor Zegras, Philadelphia Flyers.

Thursday, July 23: Jet Greaves, Columbus Blue Jackets.

Saturday, July 25: Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars; Connor McMichael, St. Louis Blues.

Monday, July 27: Cole Sillinger, Columbus Blue Jackets.

Tuesday, July 28: Nick Robertson, Pittsburgh Penguins.

Wednesday, July 29: Braden Schneider, New York Rangers; Ronan Seeley, Carolina Hurricanes.

Thursday, July 30: Alex Jeffries, New York Islanders; Kirby Dach, Montreal Canadiens.

Saturday, August 1: Akira Schmid, Florida Panthers; Peyton Krebs, Buffalo Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: History tells us that most, if not all, of these cases will be settled before their hearing dates. The players and their teams can continue to negotiate up until the date of their hearings.

If a case goes before an arbitrator, the award decision will be announced within 48 hours of the hearing. The team will have 48 hours from the date of the award to accept it. If it is rejected, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Jason Robertson’s case will be most closely watched. He’s the biggest star on this list and is seeking a lucrative long-term contract reportedly worth an average annual value of $14 million. It’s believed the Stars offered up an eight-year deal worth an AAV of $12 million.

At one point, the Stars had a trade in place that would’ve shipped Robertson to the Seattle Kraken, but the deal fell through after he rejected their offer of an eight-year extension worth $15 million annually.

DAILY FACEOFF: Hunter Crowther predicted which players could fill the 10 NHL captain vacancies for 2026-27.

Notable predictions include David Pastrnak taking over the captaincy of the Boston Bruins, Connor Bedard for the Chicago Blackhawks, Bo Horvat for the New York Islanders, Jake Sanderson for the Ottawa Senators, and Macklin Celebrini for the San Jose Sharks.

Crowther noted that Drew Doughty would love to take over as captain of the Los Angeles Kings. However, with the Kings not yet committed to a contract extension for the 36-year-old defenseman, Crowther suggested Adrian Kempe as the safer choice.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Who do you think should take over as the new team captains for those 10 clubs? Let us know in the comments section below.

DAILY FACEOFF: cited a report from Sweden, indicating that former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Dennis Hildeby is embracing a fresh start with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Hildeby, 24, was traded to the Lightning on July 1. He said he has fond memories of his time with the Leafs organization, but is now looking forward to practicing alongside two-time Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy in Tampa Bay. He’ll be expected to challenge for the backup role this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If things go well for Hildeby, he could eventually become Vasilevskiy’s successor.

TSN: The Edmonton Oilers signed forward Colton Dach to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $1.2 million.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators head coach Travis Green was inducted into the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame, joining former NHLers Andrew Ladd and Josh Gorges, NHL official Malcolm Ashford, and broadcaster Daryl Reaugh.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 12, 2026

by | Jul 12, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 12, 2026

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup, it’s Part Two of my answers to some of the lingering questions for every NHL team this summer.

SPORTSNET: Rory Boylen recently listed one lingering offseason question for each NHL team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: On Saturday, I provided my answers for the first 16 teams on Boylen’s list. Today, I look at the remaining 16 teams, starting with the New Jersey Devils.

Boylen wants to know how the New Jersey Devils’ goaltending will look in the fall.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not that great, considering it consists of three backup goalies. Jake Allen used to be a starter, but he hasn’t filled that role for a long time. Nico Daws has only 55 NHL games under his belt, and David Rittich hasn’t had a 40-game season since 2019-20. There was talk of the Devils pursuing Connor Hellebuyck, but Elliotte Friedman doesn’t see that happening.

The New York Islanders haven’t made any big splashes yet this summer, prompting questions over whether they intend to do so. Elliotte Friedman believes the Isles are in a position right now where they don’t want to block any of their promising young players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If that’s the case, then they won’t be making any big additions this summer.

Boylen mused over whether Alexis Lafreniere gets caught up in the changes going on with the New York Rangers. The 24-year-old winger has come up in trade rumors, but with Artemi Panarin gone, that could give him a chance to play a role where he’ll be successful.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lafreniere finished strong last season, matching his career high of 57 points. He’ll likely see first-line minutes this season alongside Mika Zibanejad, which could see the 2020 first-overall pick finally break out as the scoring winger he was projected to become.

Are the Ottawa Senators “good enough as constructed to be competitive again in 2026-27?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some fans point to the Senators’ improved performance when Brady Tkachuk missed 20 games last season as proof they can survive the departure of their former captain. Others cite their solid analytic numbers. However, it will come down to whether goaltender Linus Ullmark’s strong second-half performance from last season carries over throughout 2026-27.

Boylen wondered what effect the Philadelphia Flyers’ failed effort to prize Leo Carlsson from the Anaheim Ducks would have on their roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It still leaves them without a true first-line center. They reportedly won’t try to pursue Chicago’s Connor Bedard or Columbus’ Adam Fantilli with offer sheets, so it’s off to the trade market for help, where there aren’t many available options.

Dylan Larkin wants a trade from Detroit, but Philadelphia isn’t on his list of destinations. At least they now have enough cap space to re-sign Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale, who filed for salary arbitration last Sunday.

Boylen wants to know if the Pittsburgh Penguins can add a center before next season. Elliotte Friedman recently mused over whether they should acquire Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks, suggesting that playing with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin might do him some good.

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Many teams are in the market for centers this summer. Pettersson is often mentioned as a trade candidate, but his $11.6 million AAV and declining performance aren’t likely to entice the Penguins or any other club.

Regarding the San Jose Sharks, Boylen asked, “What will Macklin Celebrini’s next deal look like?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Considering Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks signed a five-year contract worth a league-record AAV of $18 million, Celebrini could become the league’s first $20 million man.

Can the Seattle Kraken acquire a star who wants to be there, or how can they build themselves into a desirable destination?

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s no easy solution for the Kraken. They could start by staging a complete rebuild with promising young prospects, as the Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, and San Jose Sharks did, but they don’t appear keen to go that route. For now, they’re going to try to build with what they have and what they can afford.

Boylen wondered if goaltender Jordan Binnington would be with the St. Louis Blues when training camp opens in September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent word out of St. Louis suggests the Blues are fine starting the season with Binnington and Joel Hofer as their goalie tandem. That could change if they get a substantial offer from a club he’s willing to join, but for now, expect him to start the season with the Blues.

Boylen suggested that Nikita Kucherov’s contract situation with the Tampa Bay Lightning could be this season’s most fascinating. The 33-year-old is a three-time Art Ross Trophy winner and won his second Hart Trophy this season, but age will soon start to catch up with him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kucherov earns an AAV of $9.5 million on his current deal. If he were a few years younger, he could command a much higher price, but his age will be an issue in his contract talks. It could come down to how much he wants to stay in Tampa, where there is no state tax.

Will the Toronto Maple Leafs trade Morgan Rielly? Elliotte Friedman believes there’s a chance they might keep him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The San Jose Sharks reportedly had the choice between Rielly and Darnell Nurse and picked the latter. While Rielly gave the Leafs a list of proposed trade destinations, he’s not really pushing to be moved, and there hasn’t been much trade buzz about him lately. It wouldn’t be surprising if he’s still with the Leafs when the regular season opens in October.

Boylen wonders if Utah Mammoth goalie Sebastian Cossa is ready to become an NHL backup. They acquired the 23-year-old netminder from the Detroit Red Wings last month.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Mammoth are counting on Cossa rising to the occasion after struggling to establish himself as a starter with the Wings’ AHL affiliate. This season is a critical one in the young netminder’s career. If he can’t get the job done, the Mammoth will have to go shopping for another option.

Can the Vancouver Canucks build a better culture, and what else needs to happen this summer to put them on that path?

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They’ve already overhauled their front office and coaching staff, who are committed to continuing the roster rebuild begun by their predecessors last season. It will be up to general manager Ryan Johnston and head coach Manny Malhotra to improve the culture and to get the players to buy in.

Boylen wondered if the Vegas Golden Knights had a “Vegas-type” move in them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Doubtful. They shipped their best trade chip (Pavel Dorofeyev) to the New York Rangers last month because they couldn’t afford to re-sign him. They have limited salary-cap space and insufficient trade assets to pull off a significant acquisition. If they were going to do so, it would’ve happened by now.

How will all the Washington Capitals’ new pieces come together?

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Alex Ovechkin is returning for another season, but Capitals management is preparing for the post-Ovechkin era. They want to prove to their fans that they will be a contender after he’s gone, which explains their significant additions of forwards Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, and Boone Jenner. They’re also done making any more major moves this summer.

Boylen mused over whether the Winnipeg Jets will trade Connor Hellebuyck this summer. They were reportedly close to a deal with the Buffalo Sabres, but it fell through before the opening round of the NHL Draft last month. Signing free-agent goalie Stuart Skinner stoked the speculation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed Hellebuyck was willing to waive his no-movement clause to go to Buffalo, but Elliotte Friedman reported the deal didn’t go through because some of the Sabres players involved wouldn’t waive their no-trade clauses. Some observers tied Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils, butFriedman wasn’t buying that hype.

A Hellebuyck trade remains a possibility, but finding the right destination and return could make it difficult to pull off this summer.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 12, 2026

by | Jul 12, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 12, 2026

The notable players remaining in the UFA market, and Matthew Tkachuk bids farewell to former teammates Sergei Bobrovsky and Evan Rodrigues. Check out the details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DAILY FACEOFF: Wingers Anthony Mantha, Patrick Kane, and Patrik Laine top the list of notable players still available in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.

Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mantha has been linked to the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, and Montreal Canadiens in the rumor mill. It’s believed Kane could return to the Detroit Red Wings or sign with his hometown club, the Buffalo Sabres. Some observers have suggested the Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Maple Leafs look into signing Laine, but there’s no indication whether those clubs are interested in him.

Other noteworthy players include defenseman Logan Stanley, wingers Vladimir Tarasenko, Michael Bunting, and Eeli Tolvanen, and goaltender Cam Talbot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There were some suggestions that Stanley would be a good option for the Canadiens or the Pittsburgh Penguins. Kurt Leavins and Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal recently debated whether Tarasenko would be a good fit with the Oilers.

Surprisingly, Tolvanen hasn’t been signed up yet. Given his age (27) and two-way play, he’d be an affordable middle-six addition for most clubs. As for Talbot, time may be catching up with the 39-year-old netminder.

Defensemen John Klingberg, Nick Blankenberg, and Carson Soucy, center Adam Henrique, goaltenders Connor Ingram and James Reimer, and wingers James van Riemsdyk and David Perron round out the list.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards reports Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk is going to miss former teammates Sergei Bobrovsky and Evan Rodrigues.

Bobrovsky departed the Panthers as an unrestricted free agent, signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1. Rodrigues was traded to the New Jersey Devils two weeks ago as part of the return for Jacob Markstrom, who replaced Bobrovsky as the Panthers’ starting goaltender.

Speaking with his brother (and new teammate) Brady Tkachuk on their Wingmen podcast, Matthew said he would miss Bobrovsky on and off the ice, calling him one of his favorite teammates. However, he is excited about reuniting with Markstrom. The two were teammates with the Calgary Flames until Tkachuk’s trade to the Panthers in 2022.

Tkachuk described Rodrigues as “a Swiss Army knife” because of his versatility. He hopes their paths cross again because he loved playing with him.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber reports this season will be a critical one for Washington Capitals forward Ivan Miroshnichenko.

Chosen 20th overall in the 2022 draft, the 22-year-old winger has had 52 games with the Capitals over the past three seasons, but hasn’t yet nailed down a regular roster spot.

Silber observed that Miroshnichenko will face competition from incoming wingers Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, and Boone Jenner.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Miroshnichenko must elevate his game to have any chance of securing a regular spot on the Capitals’ roster this season. Otherwise, he’ll spend another season in the minors and could become a trade candidate before the March deadline.

ILLEGAL CURVE: Winnipeg Jets prospect Viggo Bjorck is leaving Swedish club Djurgardens to continue his playing career in North America.

Winnipeg chose the 18-year-old winger eighth overall in this year’s NHL Draft. It hasn’t been reported yet whether he’s signed an entry-level contract with the Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bjorck has either signed his ELC and it hasn’t been reported yet, or he will do so with the Jets later this summer, perhaps as early as this week.

THE ATHLETIC: Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley is hoping to bring an NBA expansion franchise to his city. He publicly declared his intent to do so last month and is rounding up a group to submit a bid.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Real estate executive Stephen Stroud, who played a role in bringing the Carolina Hurricanes to Raleigh, passed away Saturday at age 83.

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










NHL Rumor Mill – July 11, 2026

by | Jul 11, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 11, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, I attempt to answer some of the lingering offseason questions for the 32 NHL clubs.

SPORTSNET: Rory Boylen recently listed one lingering offseason question for each NHL team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This will be a two-parter for me. Today, I’ll provide my answers for the first 16 teams on Boylen’s list, followed by the remaining 16 on Sunday.

Starting with the Anaheim Ducks, Boylen wondered how they would free up sufficient salary-cap space to re-sign scoring winger Cutter Gauthier. He speculated that a winger such as Frank Vatrano or Alex Killorn could become a cost-cutting trade candidate.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vatrano seems the more likely trade option largely because of his reduced role with the Ducks and his seven-team no-trade list.

The Boston Bruins must decide whether to re-sign or trade Pavel Zacha. He’ll be UFA-eligible next July. Boylen cited colleague Elliotte Friedman, who claimed the Bruins had spoken with other teams about the versatile 29-year-old forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of what I’ve read and heard out of Boston suggests the Bruins want to re-sign him. We’ll see if that pans out over the course of this summer.

Boylen wondered whether last season’s improvement by the Buffalo Sabres could help them land an impact player. He noted that Elliotte Friedman recently said that Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebucyk was willing to waive his no-movement clause to go to Buffalo. He also felt Vincent Trocheck had been open to going there before he was traded last week to the Utah Mammoth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s possible, though the likelihood could fade over the course of the summer. Still, there’s no doubt the Sabres are a more desirable destination than they once were. If they pick up from where they left off last season, they shouldn’t have much difficulty finding significant additions in the trade market, provided they have the cap space to acquire them.

Zach Whitecloud has been a terrific addition to the Calgary Flames, but he’s also been the subject of trade rumors. Boylen mused over whether the 29-year-old defenseman could be moved this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whitecloud will draw attention from contenders seeking an affordable, experienced defenseman. He’s got two years remaining on his contract, so the Flames aren’t in any hurry to move him.

The Carolina Hurricanes haven’t made a big play yet, prompting Boylen to ponder if they might have something up their sleeve. He noted Friedman saying they were thinking of signing a player to an offer sheet and then attempting to trade them to another club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman indicated this week that a team that matches an offer sheet cannot trade the player for one year, but the team that successfully signs away a player from another club has no restrictions on moving them. The Hurricanes could go that route, but after the Carlsson offer sheet, they could find it more difficult now to sign away another club’s restricted free agents.

Boylen pondered what Connor Bedard’s next contract with the Chicago Blackhawks would look like.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One rumor has Bedard seeking a long-term deal worth $17 million. Take it for what it’s worth.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (NHL Images)

“Will Cale Makar become the highest-paid player in the NHL?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yes. The league’s maximum salary for 2027-28 is $22.6 million. The Colorado Avalanche superstar’s next AAV will be close to that.

Boylen wondered what was next for Columbus Blue Jackets’ forwards Kirill Marchenko and Adam Fantilli. He also asked, “Is the Zach Werenski saga truly over?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said they aren’t trading Marchenko despite his camp’s claim that their client isn’t interested in signing a contract extension. Fantilli has been mentioned as an offer-sheet candidate by the Philadelphia Flyers after their failed attempt to sign Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson, but reports out of Philadelphia claim they won’t shift their sights to the young Blue Jackets center.

As for Werenski, he claims he wants to stay in Columbus after vetoing a trade to the Dallas Stars last week. However, he could change his mind about staying if the Blue Jackets fail to improve this season.

“How will the Jason Robertson situation be resolved?

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson could get a one-year, $13 million contract through arbitration, setting the stage for his departure from the Dallas Stars via free agency next summer.

Boylen mused over whether the Detroit Red Wings will honor Dylan Larkin’s trade request this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not as long as Larkin insists on a short list of trade destinations. He recently expanded it to four teams by including the Dallas Stars, but Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman wants more options. Yzerman has set a high asking price for Larkin, seeking Wyatt Johnston from the Stars and Matt Boldy from the Minnesota Wild, which are pretty much deal-breakers for those teams.

The Edmonton Oilers have a lot of cap space remaining, prompting Boylen to ask how they intend to use it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They could still try to add to their roster before next season. Some Oilers observers believe they could use a second-line winger, with some suggesting UFA Vladimir Tarasenko as an option.

Boylen wondered if the Florida Panthers might have any more surprises up their sleeves regarding their roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anything’s possible, but they’re probably done after acquiring winger Brady Tkachuk and goaltender Jacob Markstrom. They don’t have much tempting trade bait left, and they’re not parting with two-way center Anton Lundell.

The Los Angeles Kings could use more blueline depth. Boylen cited Elliotte Friedman, who recently suggested they could use another puck-moving rearguard. Given their limited cap space, it would have to be a money-in, money-out move.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That means they won’t be looking at the free-agent market, where the pickings were slim to begin with. They could have better odds through a trade, but there don’t seem to be any expendable assets on their roster that they could move to address that need. This could be an issue that carries over into the regular season.

Boylen wondered if Quinn Hughes would sign with the Minnesota Wild and for how much.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes said he was open to a contract extension, and Wild owner Craig Leipold recently insisted that his club would re-sign the 27-year-old superstar defenseman. However, that was before the Leo Carlsson offer-sheet saga set a new benchmark for superstar talent. It could cost them between $18 million and $20 million to get Hughes under contract.

The Montreal Canadiens still need a top-six forward. Boylen pondered over whether they might find one this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ biggest need is for a second-line center. However, the rumors linking them to Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Kirill Marchenko of the Columbus Blue Jackets suggest that they believe they stand a better chance of adding a young top-six winger. They have the tradeable assets to make a tempting offer, but their search could continue into the regular season before a suitable option is found.

For the Nashville Predators, the question is where they can find more skill. Elliotte Friedman believes they’re going to try to add more to their blue line to help team captain Roman Josi.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s very little help left in the free-agent market, so it’s off to the trade market. Alexander Nikishin could be an option, as the Carolina Hurricanes are reportedly willing to move the 24-year-old RFA blueliner.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 11, 2026

by | Jul 11, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 11, 2026

The latest on Connor Bedard’s contract situation, the reason why Vincent Trocheck was traded to the Mammoth, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Jack Bushman examines whether Connor Bedard’s shoulder surgery will affect his contract negotiations with the Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

Bedard, 21, is a restricted free agent lacking arbitration rights coming off his entry-level contract. He underwent shoulder surgery earlier this week and will be sidelined for four months.

Bushman believes his surgery could complicate those negotiations. So will Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson’s five-year, $90 million contract with its league-leading $18 million average annual value.

According to Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Bedard camp is seeking an AAV of $17 million for their client’s next contract. Bushman doesn’t think the Blackhawks will try to play hardball with their franchise player, but he speculated they could use his injury history as justification for a lower annual cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be interesting to see how Bedard’s negotiations shake out. The Carlsson offer sheet saga overshadowed his contract talks with the Blackhawks. There’s been little indication whether any progress has been made. With the Ducks retaining Carlsson, perhaps we’ll see more coverage of Bedard’s contract situation.

Bedard’s also been mentioned as a possible offer-sheet target, but it’s believed he’s not interested in contract pitches from rival clubs. If so, that removes a major concern for the Blackhawks, enabling them to negotiate without fear of being blindsided as the Ducks were with Carlsson.

NEW YORK POST: Andrew Crane looked at why Vincent Trocheck wound up being traded to the Utah Mammoth on July 1 after months of reports claimed his preference was to remain in the Eastern Conference.

Crane reports the move to Utah wouldn’t have been possible last season, when Trocheck had a 12-team no-trade list. However, that list shifted to 10 teams on July 1, enabling the Rangers to send him to the Mammoth.

“It was just going to a team that I think can win was the most important thing to me,” Trocheck said on Friday when asked about the change to his no-trade clause. He explained that he’s been in the league a long time and hasn’t won anything yet.

Trocheck noted the Mammoth have made significant strides over the last two seasons. Crane also noted that Trocheck and Mammoth first-line winger Clayton Keller were teammates on Team USA’s gold-medal-winning men’s Olympic team. He also skates with Mammoth center Logan Cooley during the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trocheck is a center who can also skate on the wing. He said Friday that he’d be open to playing on the wing with the Mammoth.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Lou Korac reported the St. Louis Blues brought back Oskar Sundqvist, signing the 32-year-old forward to a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sundqvist was an unrestricted free agent after completing a two-year contract worth an AAV of $1.5 million. Korac also reported that he makes his home in St. Louis and isn’t inclined to move. He’s spent eight of his 11 NHL seasons with the Blues and was part of their 2019 Stanley Cup run.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks announced the hirings of Ryan Mougenel, Jordan Smith, and Jason Krog as their new assistant coaches.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 10, 2026

by | Jul 10, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 10, 2026

What’s next for the Ducks and Flyers now that the Leo Carlsson offer sheet saga is over? Which players could become offer-sheet targets? What’s the latest on Canucks center Elias Pettersson? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE DUCKS AND FLYERS?

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens wondered if the Anaheim Ducks could build a Stanley Cup contender around an $18 million player.

On Thursday, the Ducks matched the five-year, $90 million offer sheet that Leo Carlsson signed with the Philadelphia Flyers last Friday. His $18 million AAV is the highest in NHL history, taking up 17.30 percent of the Ducks’ salary cap for this season.

“Now the Ducks will try to ice a winner with a top-heavy financial structure in the same vein that the Minnesota Wild will proceed with Kirill Kaprizov and his eight-year, $136 million ($17 million AAV) contract taking effect in the coming season,” Stephens wrote.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (NHL Images).

The Ducks’ next task is signing restricted free-agent winger Cutter Gauthier, who tallied a team-leading 41 goals and 69 points last season. The 22-year-old Gauthier is ineligible to sign an offer sheet, but that probably won’t stop him from seeking an AAV over $10 million.

With just over $9 million in cap space, the Ducks will have to shed salary to create room for Gauthier’s new contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It could take the Ducks most of the offseason to hammer out a new contract with Gauthier. They still hold leverage because of the winger’s lack of arbitration rights, but playing hardball probably isn’t a good idea after making Carlsson the highest-paid player in the league for this season.

Their cost-cutting trade candidates could include wingers Chris Kreider or Alex Killorn (15-team no-trade clauses). Frank Vatrano (seven-team NTC) is the more likely option, but his declining play and injury history could make him harder to move.

Another concern is their defense corps, which lost two experienced blueliners with the departures of Jacob Trouba and John Carlson. Apart from the 35-year-old Nick Jensen, the rest of their top-six rearguards are 25 and younger. They might’ve had sufficient room to add one or two veteran defensemen if not for the Carlsson offer sheet, but that’s out the window now.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz doesn’t expect Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere to target another player with an offer sheet after his effort to land Leo Carlsson was matched.

The Flyers’ glaring need for a first-line center remains. However, a Flyers team source indicated that the offer sheet for Carlsson was as much about circumstances as it was about the player. Their offer was well-planned, designed to put economic pressure on the Ducks to let Carlsson go.

Kurz expects the Flyers will likely turn to adding some depth players to support their promising youngsters. They must also re-sign winger Trevor Zegras and defenseman Jamie Drysdale, who filed for salary arbitration on Sunday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some folks might suggest the Flyers pursue Dylan Larkin, but that’s not happening unless the Detroit Red Wings center is willing to expand his list of destinations to include Philadelphia. So far, he’s only added the Dallas Stars to his list, which also includes the Minnesota Wild (his prime destination), Vegas Golden Knights (who lack suitable tradeable assets) and the Florida Panthers (ditto, because they won’t part with Anton Lundell).

WHAT OTHER POTENTIAL OFFER SHEET TARGETS ARE AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER?

THE SCORE: Michael Bradburn listed the restricted free agents who are eligible to receive offer sheets this summer.

Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks and Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets headline the forwards. Bedard is sidelined for four months, recovering from shoulder surgery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks and Blue Jackets also have plenty of salary-cap space, meaning a club will have to overpay significantly to have any chance of successfully signing Bedard or Fantilli. Based on Kurz’s report, the Flyers aren’t looking at going the offer-sheet route again this summer.

Bradburn singled out Simon Edvinsson of the Detroit Red Wings and Arber Xhekaj of the Montreal Canadiens as the most intriguing options among the defensemen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Forget about landing Edvinsson unless you’re willing to offer him well over $12 million annually. That’s the amount the Red Wings have reportedly set aside in case someone signs the 21-year-old blueliner. As for Xhekaj, a rival club could pursue him, but that might be more through a trade than an offer sheet.

THE LATEST ON ELIAS PETTERSSON

CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal reports there’s been lots of trade talk about Elias Pettersson. However, the Vancouver Canucks have not asked the 27-year-old center to waive his no-movement clause.

“Lots of chatter but don’t believe anything is close,” Dhaliwal tweeted.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As always, Pettersson’s expensive contract and the decline in his play over the past two years remain significant sticking points that are difficult to surmount.