NHL Rumor Mill – October 20, 2025

by | Oct 20, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 20, 2025

Check out the latest on Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Flyers winger Owen Tippett in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie recently joined Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne to discuss the possibility of the Montreal Canadiens making a pitch for Sidney Crosby if the Pittsburgh Penguins captain decides he wants to chase another Stanley Cup.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Lavoie noted the Canadiens would like to add a second-line center at some point. He believes they and a couple of other clubs are keeping an eye on Crosby, and felt that they must be ready for that possibility by ensuring they have sufficient salary-cap space to acquire him.

The Canadiens aren’t in a rush and are willing to be patient to address that second-line center position. If they were to land Crosby, Lavoie believes team captain Nick Suzuki would have no problem with dropping down as the second-line center and allowing Crosby to center the top line.

As for what the Canadiens could offer in a trade package, Lavoie believes it’ll take a couple of picks and a couple of really good young players. He suggested a first-round pick, prospect defenseman David Reinbacher, and young center Oliver Kapanen as part of the return. Lavoie dismissed the idea of parting with Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, or Kaiden Guhle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby could decide at some point that he wants to chase the Stanley Cup one last time. The Canadiens would be among the interested parties if they were on his list of preferred destinations.

However, don’t expect that possibility to occur anytime soon, if ever. The Penguins captain has been insistent that he doesn’t want to leave Pittsburgh. He may change his mind, but the chances of that happening appear slim at the moment.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James noticed the recent speculation suggesting that Flyers winger Owen Tippett could be a trade candidate. The club has plenty of depth on the wings (including within their prospect pipeline), and they could draw on that for trade bait to address other roster needs.

James doesn’t put much stock into early-to-mid October trade rumors, but doesn’t rule out the possibility. Tippett is in the second season of an eight-year contract and under pressure to produce for the rebuilding Flyers.

Tippett’s trade value is high right now, and he’d probably fetch a solid return for the Flyers. However, just because his name is floating around in the early-season rumor mill doesn’t mean he’ll be moved at some point.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: James believes that much will depend on Tippett’s performance and that of the Flyers this season. If he’s playing well, it will boost his value in the trade market, but it could also increase his value to the Flyers’ roster.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 20, 2025

by | Oct 20, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 20, 2025

The Red Wings’ hot start continues, the shorthanded Canucks outlast the Capitals, Panthers winger Brad Marchand fined, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF SUNDAY’S NHL GAMES

NHL.COM: The Detroit Red Wings extended their win streak to five games (5-1-0) by doubling up the Edmonton Oilers 4-2. Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin led the way with two goals and two assists, and rookie center Emmitt Finnie tallied his first two NHL goals. Noah Philp and Leon Draisaitl replied for the Oilers, who’ve lost three of their first five games.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Detroit forward Lucas Raymond had two assists as he returned to action after missing two games with an injury. Teammate Patrick Kane missed this game with an undisclosed injury.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers had a goal and an assist as his club held off the Washington Capitals for a 4-3 victory, snapping the latter’s four-game win streak. Center Elias Pettersson scored his first goal of the season, and Conor Garland collected two assists as the Canucks picked up their third win in their first five games. Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome each had two assists for the Capitals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wilson won’t receive supplemental discipline for leveling Filip Chytil with an open-ice hit in the first period that forced the oft-injured Canucks center from the game. The Canucks were already playing without winger Brock Boeser, and rookie forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki left the contest following a hard hit along the boards by Capitals defenseman Matt Roy.

The Capitals were missing one of their top-six forwards for this contest. On Saturday, they placed center Pierre-Luc Dubois (lower body) on injured reserve.

The Utah Mammoth nipped the Boston Bruins 3-2, handing the latter their fourth straight loss (3-4-0). Dylan Guenther snapped a 2-2 tie while teammates Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz each had two points for the Mammoth, who have won four of their first six games (4-2-0). David Pastrnak scored both Bruins goals.

An overtime goal by Ryan Donato lifted the Chicago Blackhawks to a 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Frank Nazar also scored for the 3-3-1 Blackhawks. Mason McTavish tallied for the Ducks, who’ve lost three of their first five contests.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand was fined $5,000.00 by the department of player safety for unsportsmanlike conduct during Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In case you missed it, Marchand tangled with Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin. He took Dahlin’s helmet with him to the penalty box, where he ripped off its straps before tossing the straps and helmet onto the ice.

DAILY FACEOFF: The San Jose Sharks placed defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin on injured reserve.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former NHL defenseman Oliver Kylington has returned to his native Sweden, signing with his hometown club Djurgarden IF in the Swedish Hockey League. Kylington, 28, had 60 points in 220 regular-season games with the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, and Anaheim Ducks from 2015-16 to 2024-25.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 19, 2025

by | Oct 19, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 19, 2025

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: an update on Shane Pinto’s contract talks with the Senators, and the latest on the Oilers.

SENATORS OFFER PINTO AN EIGHT-YEAR EXTENSION

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Ottawa Senators have made an eight-year contract extension offer to Shane Pinto.

Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (NHL Images).

The 24-year-old center will become a restricted free agent next July with arbitration rights. He’s in the second year of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.75 million.

Friedman said a deal isn’t imminent, and it’s unknown how much money the Senators are offering Pinto.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Pinto’s performance this season could raise the cost of re-signing him. He became the first player in franchise history to score six goals in the first five games of a season.

Senators general manager Steve Staios said he had positive discussions with the Pinto camp during the offseason. However, Garrioch observed that they weren’t positive enough to get a deal done. Staios indicated that Pinto’s agent, Lewis Gross, wanted to let the season start without any distractions.

Garrioch claimed the talk in league circles is that the discussions were shelved because of a large gap between what the Senators were offering and what the Pinto camp considers fair market value. A league executive told Garrioch that the young center’s next contract could come in between $7.1 million and $8.35 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pinto’s situation will be worth watching. He leads the league in goals right now, and it’s going to strengthen his hand in negotiations. If this ends up going to arbitration next summer, it could hasten his departure from Ottawa.

Pinto would provide the Senators with long-term depth at center with Tim Stutzle and Dylan Cozens. As Garrioch observed, he must decide if he wants to be part of the Senators over the long term.

Garrioch wondered if Pinto would accept a four-year deal to 2029-30. That would be when the contracts of Stutzle and Cozens will expire.

LATEST OILERS SPECULATION

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples recently cited NHL insider Frank Seravalli reporting that the Oilers have a “pecking order” of players who could be moved via demotion or trade to make room for sidelined players such as Jake Walman, Zach Hyman, Mattias Janmark, and Alec Regula.

Seravalli believes Isaac Howard will be the first to be demoted because he’s waiver-exempt. Next would be forward Curtis Lazar. He thinks the Oilers want to avoid putting center Noah Philp on waivers because a rival club would claim him.

Defenseman Ty Emberson could become the odd man out, leading Seravalli to ponder whether the Oilers will make a trade and move Emberson. He also thinks they would trade Janmark if an opportunity presented itself.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 19, 2025

by | Oct 19, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 19, 2025

Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis achieves a unique record, the Avalanche, Golden Knights, and Kraken extend their season-opening points streaks, the Jets’ Mark Scheifele sets a franchise record, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Seth Jarvis gave the Carolina Hurricanes a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Jarvis became the first player in NHL history to score four game-winning goals through his club’s first five games of the season. Jordan Staal scored twice as the Hurricanes took a 3-0 lead, but the Kings rallied on goals by Trevor Moore, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Kevin Fiala.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes are the only undefeated team this season with a 5-0-0 record, sitting first in the Eastern Conference and second in the overall standings. The Kings are winless in their last four (1-3-2).

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon scored twice in a 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins. Artturi Lehkonen collected three assists as the Avalanche extended their season-opening points streak to six games (5-0-1), putting them atop the overall standings with 11 points. John Beecher replied for the Bruins, who have lost three straight after winning their first three games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm returned to action after missing three games with a lower-body injury. Before the game, the Avalanche announced that forward Joel Kiviranta is sidelined indefinitely with a lower-body injury.

The Seattle Kraken nipped the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 on an overtime goal by Josh Mahura. Shane Wright, Mason Marchment, and Chandler Stephenson each had two points for the Kraken as they extended their season-opening points streak to five games (3-0-2). John Tavares scored twice for the Maple Leafs, who are 3-2-1 in their first six games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tavares collected his 500th career point with the Maple Leafs, joining Ron Francis, Mark Messier, and Wayne Gretzky as the only NHL players to collect 500 points with two different teams. Tavares had 621 points with the New York Islanders. He needs three goals to reach 500 for his entire career. Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour missed this game as he’s on a leave of absence to attend to a family matter. 

Mitch Marner scored his first two goals with the Vegas Golden Knights as they rolled to a 6-1 drubbing of the Calgary Flames. Mark Stone also scored twice and collected two assists, and Jack Eichel had four assists as the Golden Knights are unbeaten in their first six games (4-0-2). Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau scored in his season debut after being sidelined by an injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stone left this game midway through this game with an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, the Flames have lost five straight since winning their season-opener against the Edmonton Oilers.

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele scored to pass Blake Wheeler as the franchise’s all-time points leader (813) in a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators. Jonathan Toews, Nino Niederreiter, and Vladislav Namestnikov each had two points as the Jets have won four straight (4-1-0). Michael Bunting scored for the Predators, who are winless in their last three games and 2-2-2 in their first six contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault missed this game with a lower-body injury.

New York Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer collected an assist to extend his points streak to five games (1-4-5) as his club defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-4. Anders Lee tallied twice (including the winning goal) and set up another as the Isles have won two straight after dropping their first three games. Shane Pinto scored his league-leading seventh goal for the Senators, who have lost four of their first six games.

The New Jersey Devils picked up their fourth straight victory (4-1-0)with a 5-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers, handing the latter their third loss in their first five contests (2-2-1). Jack Hughes had two goals and an assist, and Nico Hischier collected two assists for the Devils. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored twice and Connor McDavid had two helpers for the Oilers.

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon stopped 32 shots to shut out the Florida Panthers 3-0, giving his club their second straight win after dropping their first three games of the season. Josh Doan scored twice and Owen Power netted his first of the season. Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves for the Panthers, who have dropped four in a row after winning their first three of the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers winger Brad Marchand received two minor penalties in the second period after tangling with Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin. He took Dahlin’s helmet with him to the penalty box, where he tore off the straps and threw them and the helmet onto the ice.

Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola and Sabres blueliner Jacob Bryson left this game with upper-body injuries. There was no immediate word on their conditions.

The New York Rangers overcame an early 2-0 deficit to down the Montreal Canadiens 4-3, snapping the latter’s four-game win streak (4-2-0). Artemi Panarin led the way with a goal and three assists for the Rangers, who ended a three-game winless skid and are 3-3-1 on the season. Nick Suzuki and Noah Dobson each scored their first goals of the season for the Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens were without three roster regulars for this game. Defenseman Kaiden Guhle is sidelined for four to six weeks with a lower-body injury, while forwards Patrik Laine and Kirby Dach are day-to-day with lower-body injuries.

An overtime goal by Noah Cates lifted the Philadelphia Flyers to a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild, leaving the latter winless in their last three and with a 2-3-1 record on the season. Owen Tippett also scored for the Flyers, who are 2-2-1. Vladimir Tarasenko scored his first of the season for the Wild.

The St. Louis Blues picked up their first home win of the season by holding off the Dallas Stars 3-1. Jordan Kyrou scored his first of the season while teammates Jimmy Snuggerud and Pius Suter also scored for the Blues (3-2-0). Mikko Rantanen replied for the Stars, who have lost two straight after winning their first three games.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko scored early in the third period to snap a 2-2 tie as his club defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2, leaving the latter with a record of 1-3-2 in their first seven games of the season. Kent Johnson and Damon Severson also scored for the 2-3-0 Blue Jackets. Ryan McDonagh and Anthony Cirelli tallied for the Lightning.

The Pittsburgh Penguins got a 31-save shutout from Tristan Jarry to blank the San Jose Sharks 3-0. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin each had a goal and an assist for the 4-2-0 Penguins. Alex Nedeljkovic made 24 saves for the Sharks, who remain winless through five games (0-3-2).










NHL Rumor Mill – October 18, 2025

by | Oct 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 18, 2025

Check out the latest on the Sabres, Maple Leafs, and Flames in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST SABRES SPECULATION

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco examined who stays or goes if the Buffalo Sabres end up rebuilding their roster, should they extend their league-record playoff drought, currently at 14 seasons.

Among their forwards, Di Marco believes there isn’t much outside of Tage Thompson and winger Alex Tuch that would fetch a major return. Young forwards Zach Benson, Jiri Kulich, and Jack Quinn have potential, but they aren’t proven commodities.

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin (NHL Images)

The defense is a different story, where Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Bowen Byram would garner plenty of interest in the trade market. Of the three, Dahlin would fetch a king’s ransom given his status among the league’s elite blueliners.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Zach Berman suggested the Devils target Thompson, citing speculation that the 27-year-old forward could be leaning toward asking out of Buffalo.

If Thompson becomes available, Berman believes Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald should go all-in to land him. He suggested that no one, other than the Hughes brothers, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier, should be considered untouchable.

SPORTSNET: Player agent Brian Bartlett said his client, Alex Tuch, has paused contract negotiations with the Sabres. Bartlett indicated they weren’t able to get a deal done during the offseason, and that things are on the back burner for now.

Tuch, 29, is among the notable forwards eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next summer. Bartlett indicated that there had been good, consistent communication with Sabres management, adding that his client informed them that he was happy to stay in Buffalo.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres’ 1-3-0 start has already made them a hot topic for trade conjecture. If they don’t snap out of this early-season funk, it would lead to significant changes in the front office and behind the bench, subsequently leading to roster changes if things don’t improve.

Thompson, Tuch, Dahlin, Power, and Byram will definitely draw the most attention if the Sabres decide to tear down the roster and rebuild again.

Tuch’s UFA status for next summer makes him the most obvious trade candidate, which is why he’s already surfaced in media trade chatter. However, he could be joined by one or more of the other core players if any of them finally reach the limit of their patience with the club’s current direction.

UPDATE ON LEAFS WINGER NICK ROBERTSON

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel and Chris Johnston noted the recent trade speculation swirling around Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson.

Siegel and Johnston believe the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets as potential trade destinations.

The Penguins are rebuilding and targeting players in Robertson’s age group, plus there’s his connection with Penguins general manager (and former Leafs GM) Kyle Dubas. Columbus doesn’t have the same apparent need for a scoring winger, but they believe the Blue Jackets should still call.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan also noted Robertson’s return to the rumor mill. However, he believes the Leafs are better off hanging onto him, citing his goal-scoring potential despite his early-season drought. Trading him for a draft pick would free up his $1.85 million salary for this season, but Koshan feels that money is better spent on keeping him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs likely see Robertson as a depth forward worth retaining in case injuries strike the lineup. Unless they go into a tailspin and drop out of playoff contention, which is unlikely, trading him for a draft pick doesn’t improve their roster.

The Blue Jackets aren’t a suitable destination for Robertson unless injuries deplete the ranks of their wingers this season. Seigel and Johnston noted that Yegor Chinakhov can’t crack the Jackets roster, so it’s unlikely Robertson would fare better.

FLAMES SEEK BLUELINE HELP

DAILY FACEOFF‘s Anthony Di Marco stated that the Calgary Flames are looking for “a young, left-shot defenseman with size.” He pointed out that they have “too many bodies on 1-way deals and want to move some out.”

Di Marco heard that the Flames would like to move Jake Bean and Daniil Miromanov. He’s heard they like Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Egor Zamula, who played his junior hockey in Calgary.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 18, 2025

by | Oct 18, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 18, 2025

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin inches closer to 900 goals, Nick Schmaltz leads the Mammoth to victory, Kings captain Anze Kopitar is sidelined, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF FRIDAY’S NHL ACTION

NHL.COM: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin tallied his 898th career regular-season goal and added an assist in a 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Dylan Strome scored twice and collected two assists for the Capitals, who have won four straight after dropping their season opener. Filip Gustavsson kicked out 40 shots for the Wild, who have lost three of their first five games.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

The Utah Mammoth got a hat trick from Nick Schmaltz as they defeated the San Jose Sharks 6-3. Schmaltz also picked up an assist, and linemate Clayton Keller had a goal and three assists as the Mammoth have won two straight, and three of their first five contests. Macklin Celebrini and Jeff Skinner each had a goal and an assist for the Sharks, who are still seeking their first win of the season (0-2-2).

An overtime goal by Dylan Larkin gave the Detroit Red Wings a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. John Gibson made 31 saves for his first win with the Wings, and rookie teammate Axel Sandin-Pellikka scored his first NHL goal. JJ Moser replied for the Lightning. The Red Wings have won four straight after losing their season-opener, while the Lightning have one win in their first five games (1-2-2).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tampa Bay winger Nikita Kucherov missed this game with an illness. The Lightning also placed defenseman Maxwell Crozier on injured reserve.

The Vancouver Canucks overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on a shootout goal by Brock Boeser. Kevin Lankinen made 31 saves, and Jake DeBrusk and Max Sasson also scored for the Canucks (3-2-0). Chicago forwards Ryan Donato and Tyler Bertuzzi scored, and goalie Spencer Knight turned aside 30 shots as the Blackhawks’ record slips to 2-2-2.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bertuzzi appeared to give the Blackhawks the lead with just over five minutes remaining in the third period, but it was overturned on a questionable goaltender interference call.

HEADLINES

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Kings captain Anze Kopitar is listed as week-to-week with an injured foot and is sidelined indefinitely. He was struck in the foot by a deflected shot during Monday’s game against the Minnesota Wild.

Kopitar is in his 20th NHL season and intends to retire at the end of this season.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames have activated winger Jonathan Huberdeau from injured reserve. During his absence, the club has gone 1-4-0 to start the season.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers signed Vladislav Gavrikov as a free agent this summer, but the 29-year-old defenseman has struggled with his new team as the chemistry between him and defense partner Adam Fox remains a work in progress.

DAILY FACEOFF: Buffalo Sabres forward Justin Danforth is expected to miss a significant period of time with a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (upper body) is expected to return to action on Saturday against the Florida Panthers.

NHL.COM: The department of player safety fined Carolina Hurricanes forward Jackson Blake $2,358.94 for slashing Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba on Thursday.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Seattle Kraken placed center Frederick Gaudreau (undisclosed) on injured reserve.

TSN: Former NHL superstar Jaromir Jagr has suited up for his 38th professional season as he’s skating with Rytiri Kladno in his native Czechia. This pushes his eventual induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame back another season. Under current rules, a player must be retired from pro hockey for three years before he can be inducted into the Hall.

Jagr began his professional career with Kladno in 1988-89 before going on to 24 seasons in the NHL from 1990-91 to 2017-18. He returned to Kladno midway through the 2017-18 campaign and has been with them since.