NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 30, 2026

by | Apr 30, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 30, 2026

The Flyers eliminate the Penguins, the Canadiens and Golden Knights are on the verge of advancing to the second round, the Vezina Trophy candidates are revealed, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING WEDNESDAY’S PLAYOFF GAMES

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Cam York gave the Philadelphia Flyers a 1-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 to win their best-of-seven first-round series four games to two. Dan Vladar kicked out 42 shots for the shutout. Arturs Silovs made 31 saves for the Penguins. The Flyers will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Cam York (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: York was so excited about scoring the series-winning goal that he hurled his stick into the crowd. After the game, he told reporters he didn’t realize what he’d done with his stick until well after he scored. York said he hoped no one was hurt in the stands. Fortunately, the fan who caught the stick wasn’t injured and was quite happy to have a memorable souvenir.

The Penguins dominated overtime but couldn’t solve Vladar. The loss raises questions about the future of long-time Penguins stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. Crosby has a year remaining on his contract, Letang has two years, and Malkin is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden scored a shorthanded goal in double overtime to defeat the Utah Mammoth 5-4 in Game 5 of their first-round series. Pavel Dorofeyev tallied a hat trick while Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore each had two points for the Golden Knights, who hold a 3-2 series lead. Clayton Keller had two points for the Mammoth. The series returns to Utah for Game 6 on Friday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Mammoth were on the verge of winning this game until Dorofeyev completed his hat trick at 19:07 of the third period, setting the stage for Howden’s game-winner. The Golden Knights’ special teams made the difference in this one, going 1 for 5 on the power play while killing off five penalties and netting a shorthanded goal.

Mammoth forward Barrett Hayton made his series debut as he returned from an upper-body injury suffered on March 24.

The Montreal Canadiens nipped the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in Game 5 of their first-round series. Alexandre Texier snapped a 2-2 tie early in the third period, Brendan Gallagher scored in his series debut, Kirby Dach got his second goal of the series, and Jakub Dobes stopped 38 shots for the Canadiens, who hold a 3-2 lead in the series. Dominic James and Jake Guentzel replied for the Lightning. The series returns to Montreal for Game 6 on Friday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gallagher was a healthy scratch for the first four games, but got into this contest as Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis shook up his forward lines after a disappointing loss in Game 4. This win was a team effort by the Habs, who are getting production throughout their lineup as their top scorers have been largely neutralized.

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun pointed out that Lightning stars Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Andrei Vasilevskiy have not been at their best in this series. Kucherov seems frustrated. Point may still be hampered by the knee injury he suffered in January, while the veteran Vasilevskiy has not outperformed the inexperienced Dobes in the battle of the goaltenders.

Speaking of the Lightning, center Nick Paul missed this game with an illness.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders, Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins, and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning are this year’s finalists for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top goaltender as voted by NHL general managers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vasilevskiy will likely get the nod. Among goalies with 30 games played this season, the Lightning netminder is first in wins with 39, second in goals-against average (2.31), and third in save percentage (.912).

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: With their season on the line, the Stars need more from winger Mikko Rantanen. He single-handedly carried them into the second round last season, but has only one goal and six points against the Minnesota Wild in this series, none of them at 5 on 5.

SPORTSNET: Speaking of the Stars, team captain Jamie Benn was fined $2,604.17 by the league’s department of player safety for cross-checking Wild forward Ryan Hartman in Game 5 of their first-round series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild hold a 3-2 lead in this series, with Game 6 on Thursday in Minnesota.

DAILY FACEOFF: Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield played through two torn oblique muscles this season. He tore the right obliques just after the Olympic break ended. Once that healed, he tore the left oblique, which he played through for the remainder of the regular season and the Kings’ first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would explain why Byfield finished with 49 points in the regular season and was held to just two assists as the Kings were swept by the Avalanche.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: Sabres center Noah Ostlund will be sidelined for “a period of time” after suffering a lower-body injury in Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 5 of their first-round series. Josh Norris will likely replace Ostlund for Game 6 on Thursday in Boston. The Sabres lead the series 3-2.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a concussion during Game 4 of their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. He sported a yellow non-contact jersey and could return to action for the Hurricanes’ second-round series against the Flyers.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 29, 2026

by | Apr 29, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – April 29, 2026

More conjecture about the future of Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, and the latest on the Kings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST SENATORS SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: Wayne Scanlan believes the trade rumors dogging power forward Brady Tkachuk will keep swirling until contract extension talks begin with the Ottawa Senators.

The Senators captain has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.205 million. He also has a full no-movement clause.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

Tkachuk has been the subject of trade rumors since last year, which he dismissed as lies. The conjecture increased following the Olympic break.

Senators general manager Steve Staios called the rumors “nonsense.” Nevertheless, some observers believe Tkachuk could be traded during the offseason.

The earliest the Senators and Tkachuk can discuss a contract extension is next July. Until then, Scanlan expects the speculation will continue.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t believe Tkachuk hates playing in Ottawa or doesn’t care about the Senators. If either case were true, he would’ve forced a trade a long time ago. Watching his postgame reaction to the Senators’ elimination from this postseason, it’s obvious that Tkachuk wants to lead this team on a Stanley Cup run.

With two years left on his contract, Tkachuk isn’t going anywhere this summer unless he tells Staios he wants out, which doesn’t seem likely. However, if the Senators fail to improve next season, he could decide that he has a better chance of winning the Cup elsewhere. If that’s the case, Staios will have to move him for the best return possible rather than lose him for nothing to free agency in 2028.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Staios intends to go shopping for a reliable backup goaltender this summer.

With the league eliminating the emergency backup rule, the Senators can carry three NHL goalies on their roster next season. Staios also didn’t rule out the possibility of bringing back James Reimer as a third goalie.

WHAT CHANGES COULD BE COMING FOR THE KINGS?

MAYOR’S MANOR: John Hoven examined what could be in store for the Los Angeles Kings during the offseason.

Hoven expects team president Luc Robitaille and general manager Ken Holland to return in their respective roles. A roster rebuild isn’t likely to occur, but tinkering around the edges isn’t good enough. They must also decide who their new head coach will be. Hoven indicated that it will not be former Vegas Golden Knights bench boss Bruce Cassidy or David Carle of the University of Denver.

If a contract extension with long-time defenseman Drew Doughty isn’t feasible, it may be time for the two sides to move on. Hoven also believes their defense corps cannot return in its current form. Mikey Anderson, Brandt Clarke, and Cody Ceci seem the least likely to be moved, leaving Doughty, Brian Dumoulin, and Joel Edmundson as the trio to talk about, with two of them having to go.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: At this stage of Doughty’s career, he must accept a short-term offer worth considerably less than the $11 million AAV he’s currently making. Trading him would mean retaining a healthy chunk of that cap hit, while his seven-team trade list is another obstacle.

Dumoulin and Edmundson are the more likely trade candidates. Dumoulin earns $4 million annually and Edmudson $3.85 million, but they’re under contract for two more years with 10-team no-trade lists. It won’t be easy to find teams willing to take those contracts off their hands.

Despite next season’s salary cap increasing to $104 million, Hoven doesn’t expect the Kings to spend up to that total, given they didn’t spend to this year’s $95 million cap. He also believes it’ll be difficult for the Kings to put together a suitable trade package to acquire a replacement for departing center and team captain Anze Kopitar.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have a projected $85.5 million invested in their roster for 2025-26. If they intend to remain under $95 million, they won’t have much to work with to bolster their roster unless they can shed some salary in the offseason. Their chances of landing a first or second-line center seem bleak.

Hoven believes trading Quinton Byfield creates another hole at center that would have to be filled. They could fill their third-line center role by re-signing Scott Laughton, as there is mutual interest in an extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byfield has yet to prove that he’s a reliable first-line center, but the 23-year-old will get his chance next season. The Kings aren’t moving him unless they’re getting a player of equal or better value in return.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 29, 2026

by | Apr 29, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 29, 2026

The Bruins and Oilers avoid elimination in their first-round series, the Wild push the Stars to the brink of elimination, the finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award are announced, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF TUESDAY’S PLAYOFF GAMES

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by David Pastrnak gave the Boston Bruins a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 5 of their best-of-seven first-round series. Elias Lindholm scored the tying goal, and Jeremy Swayman made 24 saves for the Bruins, who avoided elimination to force Game 6 in Boston on Friday. Rasmus Dahlin scored while Alex Lyon stopped 27 shots for the Sabres, who hold a 3-2 lead in the series.

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins rebounded well from their lifeless effort in Game 4 on Sunday, with Pastrnak coming up clutch in overtime with a beautiful breakaway goal. Both goaltenders were outstanding for their respective clubs in this contest.

Bruins winger Viktor Arvidsson missed this game with an upper-body injury suffered during Game 4. Meanwhile, Sabres center Noah Ostlund left this game in the first period with a lower-body injury. The Sabres also played without center Josh Norris, who missed his third straight game with an undisclosed injury.

Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl tallied twice as the Oilers staved off elimination by defeating the Anaheim Ducks 4-1. Evan Bouchard had three assists, Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each had two helpers, Zach Hyman scored, and Connor Ingram kicked out 29 shots in his return between the pipes for the Oilers. Alex Killorn replied for the Ducks, who pulled starting goalie Lukas Dostal after he gave up three goals on nine shots in the first period. The series returns to Anaheim for Game 6 on Thursday with the Ducks holding a 3-2 lead.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With their backs to the wall, the Oilers played their best game of this series, with all of their best players stepping up. There was some concern among Oilers followers before the game when McDavid (ankle injury)was considered questionable for Game 5, but he seemed none the worse for wear in this contest.

The Minnesota Wild are one game away from advancing to the second round after doubling up the Dallas Stars 4-2 to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round series. Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and two assists, Matt Boldy had a goal and an assist, and Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves for the Wild. Jason Robertson had a goal and an assist for the Stars. The series returns to Minnesota for Game 6 on Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mats Zuccarello also scored for the Wild in his first game since being injured in Game 1 of this series. Stars forward Arttu Hyry left this game with a lower-body injury and is considered unlikely for Game 6.

The Stars’ struggles to score at even strength in this series continued in this game, with Robertson’s goal the only one they tallied at five-on-five. They also haven’t been getting much production from their depth players.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, and Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid are the finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award, which honors the most outstanding player as voted by fellow members of the NHL Players Association.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid or Kucherov will likely win this one, but Celebrini should get this honor. He went from being a promising rookie last season to a full-fledged superstar in his sophomore campaign, whose efforts kept the rebuilding Sharks in the playoff chase until the final week of the regular season.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman skated with his teammates in practice on Wednesday. However, there remains no timetable for his return to action. He’s been out of the lineup for personal reasons since March 25.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens need their first line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky to break through on five-on-five if they hope to win their first-round series with the Lightning.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Suzuki and Caufield are tied with Lane Hutson for the team lead in points with four each, while Slafkovsky has three points. However, all of that production came on the power play.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs has played a major role in keeping his club alive in their first-round series with the Philadelphia Flyers. Down 3-0 in the series, the Pens turned to Silovs, who posted up wins in Games 4 and 5.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Silovs proved himself as a postseason performer two years ago with the Vancouver Canucks. He was also playoff MVP for the Canucks’ AHL affiliate, backstopping the Abbotsford Canucks to the 2025 Calder Cup.

THE ATHLETIC: Speaking of the Flyers, there’s speculation over whether Oliver Bonk will make his NHL postseason debut, and if struggling sophomore winger Matvei Michkov will return to the lineup.

TSN: Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour is hopeful that sidelined winger Nikolaj Ehlers (lower-body injury) and defenseman Alexander Nikishin (concussion) will be healthy for the second round.

DAILY FACEOFF: Utah Mammoth head coach Andre Tourigny confirmed he benched winger JJ Peterka midway through the third period and overtime in Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights. Peterka has struggled to make an impact in this series.

SPORTSNET: Former NHL goaltender and Sportsnet hockey analyst John Garrett passed away on Monday at the age of 74.

Garrett began his professional career in the WHA in 1973-74. His NHL career began with the Hartford Whalers in 1979-80, spending six seasons with the Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, and Vancouver Canucks.

After retiring in 1986, Garrett moved into the broadcasting booth, working as a color commentator with Hockey Night in Canada until 1998, when he moved to Sportsnet. From 2002-03 to 2022-23, he exclusively covered the Vancouver Canucks. At the time of his death, Garrett was working for Sportsnet on a part-time basis, covering the Utah Mammoth-Vegas Golden Knights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My sincere condolences to Garrett’s family, friends, former teammates, and everyone who had the good fortune to work with him in the broadcast booth.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 28, 2026

by | Apr 28, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – April 28, 2026

Senators GM Steve Staios shoots down Brady Tkachuk trade speculation, and what’s next for the Kings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE SENATORS

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators general manager Steve Staios dismissed speculation suggesting team captain Brady Tkachuk should be traded.

Despite the Senators getting swept from the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Staios has no intention of sitting down with Tkachuk to discuss his future.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

“This comes up very often. There’s nothing that we have talked about or thought about where that conversation should happen,” Staios said. He praised Tkachuk’s performance as he persevered through a thumb injury earlier this season and a compressed schedule because of the Winter Olympics. Staios believes the 27-year-old winger’s game continues to improve, on and off the ice.

Tkachuk has two more years left on his contract with a full no-movement clause. Garrioch believes there is no reason to trade him and expects the power forward to be back next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The trade speculation about Tkachuk began almost immediately after the Senators’ elimination. Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin was among the pundits suggesting Tkachuk’s relationship with Ottawa as a market was fraying, raising questions about whether he’ll commit to a contract extension next summer.

I’ve said before that I don’t believe Tkachuk will be going anywhere this summer, and I still believe that. However, Staios could be forced to consider moving his captain next summer if he’s reluctant to sign an extension. I think he knows that and will do what he can to improve the Senators, in hopes of convincing Tkachuk to stay beyond 2028.

Garrioch reports Staios and head coach Travis Green are already studying ways to improve the Senators’ roster for next season.

The Senators have been searching for a top-six scorer since last season. Getting a high-end free agent to sign with Ottawa is tough, and the asking prices are high in the trade market. Staios might have to move one of his core players or a top prospect to get a high-end player.

THE ATHLETIC: Julian McKenzie reports Staios will keep his options open for a backup goaltender to starter Linus Ullmark, including adding a goalie who can play in the NHL or AHL.

Staios could also add to his defense corps. Rookie Carter Yakemchuk was given opportunities to play regular-season and playoff minutes, but there’s no certainty he’ll get a roster spot next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Finding a suitable backup goalie and adding to the defense could be easier for Staios than landing a top-six scorer. Addressing the latter will likely have to be done in the trade market, and it will likely mean parting with a core player other than Tkachuk, Ullmark, leading scorer Tim Stutzle, defenseman Jake Sanderson, or winger Drake Batherson. It could mean peddling Dylan Cozens or Shane Pinto.

What say you, Senators fans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE KINGS?

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens believes it’s time for the Los Angeles Kings to change what they’ve been doing after they were swept from the opening round of the playoffs for the fifth straight year, especially with long-time captain Anze Kopitar having played his final NHL game.

Stephens believes a new head coach is coming, despite interim coach D.J. Smith doing an admirable job to get them into the playoffs. They have only three forwards (Adrian Kempe, Artemi Panarin, and Kevin Fiala) capable of producing consistently.

The Kings could attempt to trade to make another big splash for a scorer, as they did with Panarin. They could kick tires on St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas, Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson, or Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews if he is determined to move on after a disastrous season in Toronto.

However, Stephens believes the best course of action is to embrace a rebuild. He recommends they jettison expensive veterans and follow the model of the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stephens isn’t wrong; the Kings should rebuild now that Kopitar is retired and long-time defenseman Drew Doughty will soon follow him. However, it’s unlikely that general manager Ken Holland will go that route.

Holland wasn’t brought in to rebuild the Kings; he was brought in to turn them into a Cup contender, and he’s going to hunt high and low for veteran players to get them over the hump, even if that goal seems less attainable than it was a year ago.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 28, 2026

by | Apr 28, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 28, 2026

The Penguins beat the Flyers to avoid elimination again, the Golden Knights tie their series with the Mammoth, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING MONDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins staved off elimination again by nipping the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in Game 5 of their best-of-seven first-round series. A flukey second-period goal by Kris Letang gave the Penguins the win after the Flyers overcame a 2-0 deficit to tie the game on goals by Alex Bump and Travis Sanheim. Elmer Soderblom and Connor Dewar scored for the Penguins. The series returns to Philadelphia for Game 6 on Wednesday with the Flyers holding a 3-2 lead.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins remain on the verge of elimination, but two straight victories have put them back in this series. Kevin Kurz of The Athletic believes the pressure of playoff hockey may be getting to the younger Flyers players, who haven’t faced this level of postseason competition before, especially against a veteran-laden team with considerable playoff experience.

The Flyers can allay that concern with a win in Game 6, but if the Penguins take that game, all bets are off.

An overtime goal by Shea Theodore lifted the Vegas Golden Knights to a 5-4 victory over the Utah Mammoth, tying their series at two games apiece. The Golden Knights had a 3-0 lead, but the Mammoth rallied with four straight goals before Brett Howden made it 4-4 midway through the third period. Howden finished with two goals and an assist, while Jack Eichel had three assists. Mikhail Sergachev also had three assists, and Nick Schmaltz tallied a goal and an assist for the Mammoth. The series returns to Las Vegas for Game 5 on Wednesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This game was a wild one with the Golden Knights seemingly in control through the first period and the early minutes of the second. The Mammoth stormed back and seemed on the verge of taking a 3-1 series lead until Howden’s tying goal set the stage for Theodore’s winner. The Golden Knights seemed to have won it midway through overtime on a goal by Pavel Dorofeyev, but it was overturned on review as Eichel was offside on the play.

HEADLINES

SPORTSNET: Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot revealed that he played their series against the Carolina Hurricanes despite his broken forearm not being fully healed. He suffered the injury on March 23 and underwent surgery soon afterward. He said his arm is still three weeks away from being fully healed. Chabot played with a cast on his arm to prevent further damage.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chabot’s early return to help his teammates is commendable and a testament to his toughness, but it made him largely ineffective in the series against the Hurricanes.

Senators forward Claude Giroux intends to take some time to assess the club’s early postseason exit and his future. Giroux, 38, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. If he does return for another season, he said it would be only with the Senators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Giroux was an effective two-way player for the Senators during the regular season with 49 points in 82 games, but his production has steadily declined over the past four seasons. He played well defensively for the Senators against the Hurricanes, but was held scoreless in that series.

TSN: Senators captain Brady Tkachuk skipped the end-of-season media availability as his wife had given birth to their second child.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation about Tkachuk’s future with the Senators emerged soon after the Hurricanes eliminated them. I’ll have more about that in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CBS SPORTS: Minnesota Wild winger Mats Zuccarello (upper body) practices with his teammates on Monday, but remains questionable for Game 5 against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Zuccarello missed the last three games of this series. The series is knotted at two games apiece.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars defenseman Nils Lundkvist has been ruled out for Game 5 of their series against the Minnesota Wild as he recovers from a facial injury suffered in Game 4.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: Sabres center Josh Norris could return to action for Game 5 of their first-round series with the Boston Bruins. Norris missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury. The Sabres lead the series 3-1 and could eliminate the Bruins with a win on Tuesday in Buffalo.

NHL.COM: Speaking of the Bruins, defenseman Nikita Zadorov was fined $5,000 by the league’s department of player safety for cross-checking Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during Game 4 of their series on Sunday.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Sidelined Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson (upper body) skated on his own yesterday, working on puck-handling drills. He’s slated to be reevaluated on Tuesday. The Canadiens will head to Tampa Bay for Game 5 of their series with the Lightning, which takes place on Wednesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dobson was the Canadiens best all-around defenseman this season. He was sixth among his teammates in regular-season points (47) while sitting second in the league in blocked shots with 188. If cleared to return to action, Dobson would provide a boost to their blueline against the Lightning.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The only big question facing Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is whether to start Connor Ingram or Tristan Jarry in goal for Game 5 of their series against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. Both goalies have had a difficult time in this series, with the Ducks holding a commanding 3-1 lead.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With the Oilers on the brink of elimination, it’ll be interesting to see who Knoblauch goes with for Game 5.

TSN: Canada will have several notable players on their roster for the upcoming 2026 IIHF World Championship. They include San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele, New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal, and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly.

Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, who is projected to be this year’s top prospect in the NHL Draft, will also play for Canada. So will Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Islanders forwards Simon Holmstrom and Emil Heineman will play for Sweden in the World Championship.

TSN: The Washington Capitals have parted ways with assistant coach Kirk Muller.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 27, 2026

by | Apr 27, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – April 27, 2026

With their postseason over, what’s next for the Senators? What’s in store for the Blackhawks during the offseason? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE SENATORS?

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators enter the offseason facing no shortage of questions about what the future holds after they were swept from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Topping the list is team captain Brady Tkachuk. The 27-year-old power forward has been the subject of speculation this season. He’s downplayed the conjecture, insisting that his focus is on helping the Senators win the Cup. Tkachuk was a physical presence against the Hurricanes but was held off the score sheet during that four-game series.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

Garrioch cited New York Rangers fans pining for their club to acquire Tkachuk, who lives in New Jersey during the offseason. He’s often been linked to New York-area teams in the rumor mill.

Tkachuk has two more years left on his contract with a full no-movement clause. The earliest the Senators can re-sign him is next July. However, Garrioch thinks a discussion must occur between Tkachuk and general manager Steve Staios to determine the winger’s future in Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL insider Frank Seravalli wondered about Tkachuk’s future in Ottawa. He felt that the Senators captain seemed “a little bit off” over the past several weeks, as evidenced by his body language and frustration. He cited Tkachuk’s post-series interview, which was tinged with a bit of emotion, and mused about whether that was recognition on the winger’s part that this could be the beginning of the end of his tenure in Ottawa.

I don’t believe that the Senators intend to trade Tkachuk this summer unless he asks for it. Both sides will likely take a wait-and-see approach throughout the offseason and into 2026-27. If the Senators improve significantly next season, it could convince Tkachuk to sign an extension. If they don’t, he could be reluctant to stay, which could force Staios to peddle him for the best possible return.

The Senators’ lack of offense among their scoring forwards against the Hurricanes was troubling. Garrioch believes it’ll be up to Staios to determine if he should move out a core player or enhance the roster by acquiring a player.

Staios must also determine what’s next for Linus Ullmark. The 35-year-old goaltender took a leave of absence at midseason for mental health reasons, and his performance improved significantly following his return.

Ullmark has three seasons remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.25 million. Garrioch wondered if Staios might explore the trade market to see if Ullmark’s value has improved. If they retain him, they must find a reliable backup who can play more than 30 games.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE BLACKHAWKS?

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers looked at what the offseason could hold for the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks.

If the Blackhawks don’t win the draft lottery or if prospect Roman Kantserov doesn’t work out, they might have to add a top-six forward through a trade or free agency. General manager Kyle Davidson has the draft capital (including three first-round picks in the 2027 NHL Draft) to use for trade bait. I Davidson pursues a legitimate top-six forward such as Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars, or Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues, Powers believes it’ll take more than draft picks to land one of them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks were rumored to be among the clubs that were interested in Knies before the March trade deadline. He lacks no-trade protection and would be the easiest to acquire.

Robertson also lacks a no-trade clause, but he’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer who’s also a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. If the Blackhawks were to acquire him, they would risk losing him for nothing to next summer’s UFA market.

Thomas has a full no-trade clause. He was the frequent subject of trade speculation before the deadline, but his post-deadline comments suggest he’s not interested in leaving St. Louis. If so, he could be unwilling to join a rebuilding club. 

Powers believes the Blackhawks must also add an experienced top-four defenseman. He suggested the possibility of bringing back Connor Murphy, who was traded to the Edmonton Oilers at the trade deadline. The 33-year-old defenseman is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Other possibilities could include Darren Raddysh of the Tampa Bay Lightning or Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murphy might be open to returning to Chicago, but at this stage of his career, he might prefer joining a Stanley Cup contender. Raddysh had a career-best performance this season with 22 goals and 78 points, but there’s a risk that he might not repeat those numbers, especially if he were to change teams. Ferraro could be a more reliable addition given his all-around play.

Powers also looked at which players will return with the Blackhawks next season and which ones could be moving on.

It’s 50-50 that winger Andre Burakovsky, Andrew Mangiapane, and Ilya Mikheyev return. Burakovsky and Mangiapane struggled this season, and could be bought out of their contracts depending on how the offseason goes for the Blackhawks. They want to re-sign Mikheyev, who turned down a contract offer at the trade deadline.