NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 21, 2024

by | Jun 21, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 21, 2024

The latest on the Oilers and Panthers ahead of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Penguins re-sign Alex Nedeljkovic, the Canucks grant Ilya Mikheyev permission to seek a trade, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers star Leon Draisaitl has struggled to score in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. The 28-year-old forward has 30 points in this postseason but his production has been declining since the Western Conference Final, netting four points in that series and only two assists thus far in the Stanley Cup Final.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch defended Draisaitl’s play, suggesting bad puck luck could be behind his recent low production. The decline could also be due to an undisclosed injury we’ll learn about after the series ends.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers are making a change to their lineup for Game 6 tonight in Edmonton. Nick Cousins will replace Kyle Okposo and be reunited with linemates Ryan Lomberg and Kevin Stenlund. It’s Cousins’ first game since Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins re-signed goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $2.5 million. Nedeljkovic was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nedeljkovic was Tristan Jarry’s backup in 2023-24. He appeared in the Penguins’ final 14 games of the regular season, starting 13 and picking up points in 10 games.

THE PROVINCE: Ilya Mikheyev’s agent, Dan Milstein, said he’s been permitted by the Vancouver Canucks to seek a trade for his client. The 29-year-old winger has two years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $4.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mikheyev had 28 points in 46 games in 2022-23 before undergoing season-ending knee surgery. He struggled with consistency in 2024-25.

DAILY FACEOFF: Calgary Flames goaltender Dan Vladar is expected to have fully recovered from hip surgery when training camp opens in September. The 26-year-old went under the knife in March with a recovery time of four to six months.

TSN: The Los Angeles Kings unveiled their new logo on Thursday, returning to a look similar to their 1990s style.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, it’s the Oakland Raiders on ice.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 20, 2024

by | Jun 20, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 20, 2024

A look at the offseason goalie market after Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper were traded yesterday plus updates on Leon Draisaitl, Jake Guentzel, Jake DeBrusk and Patrik Laine in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT DOES THE GOALIE MARKET LOOK LIKE WITHOUT MARKSTROM AND KUEMPER?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Andrew Fantucchio believes all eyes are on Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark with Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper off the trade market. Markstrom was traded to the New Jersey Devils while Kuemper was shipped to the Los Angeles Kings.

Finding a market for Ullmark could become difficult with the Devils and Kings no longer interested. The Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators remain, with the Hurricanes listening to offers for winger Martin Necas. The Senators are said to be willing to move their 2024 first-round pick and defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

Ullmark has a 16-team no-trade list that becomes a 15-team list on July 1. He has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $5 million.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving must get moving to find a suitable starting netminder now that Markstrom is no longer available.

This year’s free-agent market is a weak one for goaltenders. The Leafs can’t take chances on career backups like Anthony Stolarz or Laurent Brossoit.

Ullmark and Jusse Saros of the Nashville Predators are among the goalies drawing interest in the trade market. Both have a year left on their contracts with cap hits of $5 million.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan doesn’t see the Bruins trading Ullmark to a playoff rival like the Leafs. Instead, he believes they could send him to the Senators.

Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (NHL Images).

Koshan also doesn’t buy into the scenario of the Leafs trading Mitch Marner to Nashville for Saros. He pointed out that Marner intends to play the final year of his contract with Toronto. New Leafs head coach Craig Berube welcomes the opportunity to work with the 27-year-old winger.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports league sources claim the Senators have circled back to Ullmark after failing to land Markstrom. Those sources also said the talks between the two clubs have intensified.

The Senators were interested in Ullmark before the March trade deadline. However, they couldn’t get a deal in place with the Bruins at that time. The Bruins aren’t interested in taking on Joonas Korpisalo in return because they can’t afford the remaining four years of his contract. However, they might be willing to take Anton Forsberg and his $2.75 million cap hit for 2024-25.

A league executive suggested to Garrioch that it could cost the Senators their 2024 first-round pick and defenseman Jakob Chychrun to get Ullmark from the Bruins. That depends on whether the Senators are on his no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators are better positioned to bid for Ullmark than the Maple Leafs. Treliving might have to shift his attention to Saros, but Predators GM Barry Trotz is reportedly discussing a contract extension with the 29-year-old netminder.

Speaking of the Senators, The Hockey News’ Steve Warne cited TSN’s Travis Yost reporting the Senators and Philadelphia Flyers have the framework of a trade in place. He thinks it might not be finalized until closer to the draft, scheduled for June 28-29 in Las Vegas.

Yost provided no specifics regarding the deal and how big it might be. Chychrun could be part of that if Ottawa is shopping him. It won’t involve a goaltender as the Flyers have none to spare that would interest the Senators. Maybe the Senators are trying to flog Korpisalo to the Flyers to make room for Ullmark. Stay tuned…

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said he has no intention of trading or buying out Elvis Merzlikins.

Merzlikins raised headlines in January when he said he requested a trade only to have his agent claim his client misspoke. By the end of the season, it was assumed he’d played his final game with the Blue Jackets.

Waddell took over as Blue Jackets GM last month. He wants to give Merlizkins another chance to establish himself as their starting goaltender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Merzlikins’ unhappiness stemmed from being relegated to third-stringer for several weeks in December and early January. Waddell’s firing of head coach Pascal Vincent could provide Merzlikins with additional motivation.

UPDATES ON LEON DRAISAITL, JAKE GUENTZEL AND JAKE DEBRUSK

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos reports hearing no meaningful contract talks have taken place and no numbers have been exchanged between the Edmonton Oilers and Leon Draisaitl. Those negotiations could begin following the Stanley Cup Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Any earlier discussions between the two camps were preliminary, likely gauging both sides’ willingness to talk about an extension. That should be expected considering the Oilers are still in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Chicago Blackhawks could attempt to sign Jake Guentzel as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. They want to alleviate the pressure off Connor Bedard and appear the most willing to meet Guentzel’s anticipated asking price of $63 million. They can also offer him an opportunity to play closer to his home in Minnesota.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That anticipated asking price breaks down to $9 million annually on a seven-year deal. Playing alongside the promising Bedard could also be tempting for Guentzel.

Kypreos claims there’s word the Maple Leafs could be interested in Jake DeBrusk.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said he’s been told by a few people that the Seattle Kraken could have Patrik Laine on their radar.

Laine’s camp recently met with Blue Jackets management where they mutually agreed to look into a trade. Friedman cited the Kraken’s need to add more scoring and believes they can afford to take on the winger’s contract.

Laine has two years left on his deal with an annual average value of $8.7 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken have a projected cap space of $22.5 million. They’ve got 16 active roster players under contract with restricted free agents Matty Beniers and Eeli Tolvanen to re-sign. There’s room to add Laine depending on the cost of Beniers and Tolvanen.

They could garner more cap space if they bought out goaltender Philipp Grubauer. However, Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times indicated Kraken GM Ron Francis isn’t planning any buyouts at this point.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 20, 2024

by | Jun 20, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 20, 2024

The latest on the Oilers and Panthers, the fallout from the Dubois-for-Kuemper trade, Barclay Goodrow reportedly unhappy about being claimed off waivers by the Sharks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

STANLEY CUP NOTEBOOK

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers captain Connor McDavid has put his team on his back in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. McDavid’s back-to-back four-point games rallied his club from a 3-0 series deficit against the Florida Panthers to Game 6 in Edmonton on Friday and a chance to tie the series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid has risen to the occasion with his club on the brink of elimination. The Oilers aren’t out of the woods yet as the Panthers still hold a 3-2 series lead and can win the Stanley Cup in Game 6. Nevertheless, this series would’ve ended by now if not for McDavid’s impressive play.

If the Oilers beat the odds it’ll be the biggest comeback in Stanley Cup Final history. All due respect to the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, who were the first and (to date) the only team to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win hockey’s holy grail, but they weren’t led by a superstar like McDavid.

Be prepared to pay a lot for tickets to Game 6 at Rogers Place in Edmonton. Prices have jumped 97 percent with the average price (according to SeatGeek) costing over $9,200.00. The most expensive is $87, 452 while the cheapest start at $1,896.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers have raised prices for their Game 6 watch party at Amerant Bank Arena.

Tickets for the first two watch parties were $10 each and seating was first come, first served. It now costs $40.00 for reserved seating in the lower bowl and $10 for reserved seating in the upper bowl.

Meanwhile, the pressure to win has shifted onto the Panthers even if head coach Paul Maurice won’t say it. They still hold a 3-2 series lead but the Oilers’ back-to-back wins may have shifted the momentum.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: History still favors the Panthers heading into Game 6 and the odds remain in their favor to win the Cup. However, it’s no longer the certainty it appeared to be heading into Games 4 and 5. There will be no denying that the pressure is getting to them if they lose Game 6.

HEADLINES

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Kings general manager Rob Blake took responsibility for Pierre-Luc Dubois’ disappointing performance this season. He acquired and signed the 25-year-old center last June but traded him yesterday to the Washington Capitals for goaltender Darcy Kuemper.

Los Angeles Kings tradedcenter Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitals(NHL Images)

“I don’t think I did a good enough job integrating (Dubois) in the right roles for the team,” said Blake. “It wasn’t a great fit in that aspect for us and we take responsibility for that.”

Blake didn’t hold Dubois responsible for the Kings being eliminated from the first round of the playoffs by the Oilers for the third straight year. “I put it on us,” he said. “We’ve got to work better as a group within this organization to make that fit.”

THE ATHLETIC: Blake admitted his mistake with Dubois, shored up his goalie depth by acquiring Kuemper, and freed up $3.25 million in salary-cap space. However, history won’t be kind to Blake for acquiring Dubois, giving up forwards Gabriel Vilardi and Alex Iafallo as part of the return to the Winnipeg Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As one reader put in the comments section yesterday, Blake has traded Dubois, Vilardi, Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and a second-round pick for an aging starting goalie who struggled last season in Washington.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Capitals GM Brian MacLellan believes the addition of Dubois gives his club “a talented 25-year-old with immense potential to become a top-tier center in the NHL.”

MacLellan praised Dubois’ size, skating and high hockey IQ. He believes the big center will thrive with increased responsibility and opportunity.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Capitals beat writer Sammi Silber acknowledged Dubois’ baggage but suggests the gamble could work in the Capitals’ favor if he blossoms as hoped into a reliable first-line center. He’s shown tantalizing glimpses of his capabilities during his tenures with the Jets and Columbus Blue Jackets.

This could turn into a steal for the Capitals. On the other hand, they could end up stuck with an underachieving center carrying a burdensome contract.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Sharks claimed Barclay Goodrow off waivers yesterday from the New York Rangers. However, a report in the New York Post claimed the 31-year-old forward wasn’t pleased with how this went down. The report claimed the Sharks were on Goodrow’s 15-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Putting Goodrow on waivers was a gamble that paid off for the Rangers. This could become a problem for the Sharks if he remains unhappy.

The Sharks also made a trade yesterday, acquiring forward Ty Dellandrea from the Dallas Stars in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Dellandrea was selected 13th overall by the Stars in the 2018 NHL Draft. The 23-year-old forward saw a reduced role with the Stars this season, appearing in 42 games. With youngsters Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque proving they were NHL-ready, Delladrea couldn’t claim a regular roster spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dellandrea will get more opportunities with the rebuilding Sharks. This could turn into a good move for his NHL career.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders signed center Kyle MacLean to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $775K. He was slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1.

TSN: The Vancouver Canucks re-signed defenseman Mark Friedman to a one-year, $775K contract.

TSN: Forward Lias Andersson has signed a two-year contract in Switzerland with EHC Biel-Bienne. Chosen seventh overall by the New York Rangers in 2017, Andersson has 17 points in 110 NHL games since 2017-18 with the Rangers and Los Angeles Kings.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins named Kirk MacDonald as the new head coach of their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.










Kings Trade Pierre-Luc Dubois To Capitals for Darcy Kuemper

by | Jun 19, 2024

Kings Trade Pierre-Luc Dubois To Capitals for Darcy Kuemper

The Los Angeles Kings traded center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitals in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a stunning move by both clubs involving two players thought to be untradeable because of their contracts and performance in 2023-24. Cap Friendly and PuckPedia indicate that no salary was retained in this deal.

Los Angeles Kings trade  Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitas (NHL Images)

The Kings acquired Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets last June and signed him to an eight-year, $68 million contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million. His contract contains a no-movement clause that begins on July 1. It’ll be interesting to find out if Dubois knew of this deal beforehand or was asked if he didn’t mind getting traded to Washington.

Dubois was expected to fill the second-line center role for the Kings. However, he struggled this season, managing 16 goals and 40 points in 82 games. He was held to one goal in five games during their first-round series against the Edmonton Oilers.

Kuemper signed a five-year, $26.5 million contract with the Capitals in July 2022 after backstopping the Colorado Avalanche to the Stanley Cup. Like Dubois, he struggled with his new team, finishing last season with a 3.31 goals-against average and a save percentage of .890, losing the starter’s job to Charlie Lindgren. He had a 10-team no-trade list and it appears the Kings weren’t on it.

Both teams hope this change of scenery helps these players rediscover their game. However, the Capitals are taking the biggest gamble. Dubois has seven seasons left on his contract with a more expensive cap hit while Kuemper only has three years left.










Flames Trade Jacob Markstrom To The Devils

by | Jun 19, 2024

Flames Trade Jacob Markstrom To The Devils

TSN’s Darren Dreger reports the Calgary Flames traded goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for defenseman Kevin Bahl and the Devils’ 2025 first-round pick.

Calgary Flames trade goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the New Jersey Devils (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One of the biggest names in this summer’s trade market is off the board.

It’s no surprise that Markstrom is heading to the Devils. It was rumored in February that he was willing to waive his no-movement clause for New Jersey but the two clubs at the time couldn’t agree on a deal.

Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said he was going “big-game hunting” this summer with a No. 1 goalie at the top of his list. He’s getting a big upgrade between the pipes with Markstrom. Fitzgerald is also taking on a hefty cap hit of $6 million annually for the next two years.

**UPDATE: The Flames are retaining 31.25 percent of Markstrom’s AAV. The Devils will be carrying $4.125 million annually for the remainder of his contract. 

Markstrom, 34, was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy in 2021-22. He was considered the Flames’ MVP in 2023-24, stealing wins for his struggling club in games they otherwise would’ve lost. He’ll be backed up in New Jersey by former Canadiens netminder (and trade deadline acquisition) Jake Allen.

The Devils should be set between the pipes if Markstrom maintains his form over the next two seasons. His age is a concern but Fitzgerald is betting that his new goalie tandem can help the Devils rebound from their disappointing 2023-24 performance.

Flames GM Craig Conroy was rumored to be seeking a big return for Markstrom. What he got from the Devils likely reflects the real value of goaltenders in this summer’s trade market.

The Flames are getting a first-rounder but their fans would’ve preferred the 10th overall selection in this year’s draft that New Jersey currently owns. That 2025 pick is top-10 protected but could be much further down in the first round of next year’s draft if the Devils return to their 2022-23 form.

Bahl, 23, is a 6’6”, 230-pound defenseman who finished his first full NHL campaign in 2023-24, collecting 11 points in 82 games. He has the potential to become a top-four shutdown defenseman.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 19, 2024

by | Jun 19, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 19, 2024

Check out the latest on Jacob Markstrom, Jake Guentzel, Jeff Skinner, and Tyler Toffoli plus an update on the Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MARKSTROM NEVER ASKED FOR A TRADE, SAYS CONROY

SPORTSNET: Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy told Eric Francis that Jacob Markstrom has not asked to be traded.

“He’s never come out and said he wants out,” said Conroy. “That’s never been mentioned. He’s never said that.”

Markstrom has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $6 million. He also has a full no-movement clause.

Conroy also claimed that he’s bothered by the constant trade speculation about Markstrom. “It’s part of the game, but it does bother me because there’s always something about there.” He went on to say he felt it wasn’t fair to Markstrom.

Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).

Francis believes Markstrom would like to end up with the New Jersey Devils. Without options, however, it’s clear the Flames won’t part with their starting goalie for what the Devils are willing to offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Markstrom may not have requested a trade but there were plenty of reports in February that he was willing to waive his NMC to join the Devils. A deal that would’ve sent him to New Jersey before the March trade deadline reportedly fell through.

Francis believes the trade speculation about Markstrom will continue leading up to the NHL draft next weekend. He’s also been linked to the Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.

CANUCKS TO PURSUE JAKE GUENTZEL VIA FREE AGENCY?

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli expects the Vancouver Canucks will make a strong play for Jake Guentzel when the free-agent market opens on July 1.

Seravalli cited sources that believe the Canucks could offer Guentzel the best mix of money and opportunity. There’s also a familiarity the 29-year-old winger has with Canucks management and head coach Rick Tocchet. President of hockey ops Jim Rutherford, GM Patrik Allvin and Tocchet were part of the Pittsburgh Penguins during Guentzel’s early years with that franchise.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This story appears to have been published before the Canucks signed Filip Hronek to an eight-year contract extension with an AAV of $7.25 million. Allvin admitted Hronek’s new deal meant the Canucks wouldn’t be able to re-sign all of their remaining free agents.

The Canucks have $17.7 million in cap space and 15 active roster players under contract for 2024-25. Signing Guentzel could run between $8.5 million and $9.5 million annually on a long-term deal. They can’t comfortably afford that unless they free up additional cap space.

COULD THE SABRES BUY OUT JEFF SKINNER?

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Buffalo Sabres could consider buying out the remainder of Jeff Skinner’s contract. The 32-year-old winger carries an AAV of $9 million through 2026-27 and is coming off a down year. It would be at two-thirds the remaining value over twice the remaining term.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A buyout would be costly given how Skinner’s contract is structured. The first season would count as $1.444 million against the Sabres cap. However, it jumps to $4.444 million in 2025-26 and $6.444 million in 2026-27 before dropping to $2.444 million per season for the remaining three years.

The salary cap is expected to significantly rise. That could provide some relief for the two seasons where the cost of the buyout spikes.

The buyout window opens 48 hours after the completion of the Stanley Cup Final and closes at 5 pm ET on June 30.

COULD THE RANGERS HAVE AN INTEREST IN TYLER TOFFOLI?

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh recently reported his belief that the New York Rangers looked at Tyler Toffoli before the March trade deadline. The New Jersey Devils traded the 32-year-old winger to the Winnipeg Jets.

Baugh expects Toffoli is looking for one last chance to win the Stanley Cup, suggesting he could fetch a four-year contract with an AAV of $5 million. “The Rangers could find a way to make that work, but they’d probably need to clear some cap space via trades.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could explain why the Rangers placed Goodrow on waivers for the purpose of a contract buyout or a potential claim by the San Jose Sharks Stay tuned…

LATEST ON THE SENATORS

OTTAWA CITIZEN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators are exploring a two-year contract for Shane Pinto. The Sens would prefer signing him to a five- or six-year deal. Pinto’s agent reportedly seeks a long-term contract with an AAV of $5 million. The two sides could instead consider a lower cap hit on a shorter deal.

Garrioch also reports a league executive claims the Senators have had talks with the Seattle Kraken regarding Brandon Tanev. The 32-year-old Kraken forward could play a third or fourth-line role with the Senators. However, they’d have to move out Mathieu Joseph’s $2.95 million cap hit to make room for Tanev.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The addition of Brandon could entice his brother Chris to sign with the Senators. Before the Flames traded him to the Dallas Stars, they were reportedly interested in acquiring him.