NHL Rumor Mill – October 14, 2025

by | Oct 14, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 14, 2025

Could the Canucks or Oilers pursue Sabres forward Alex Tuch? Will the Canadiens trade Brendan Gallagher or Jayden Struble? Are the Flames considering adding a backup goaltender? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE CANUCKS OR OILERS PURSUE ALEX TUCH?

SEKERES & PRICE PODCAST: Daily Faceoff’s Jeff Marek believes the Buffalo Sabres could be an early seller if they have another poor start. He wondered how many players could be asking out by American Thanksgiving (Nov. 27).

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)

Marek noted that Alex Tuch hasn’t signed a contract extension. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He pointed out that Tuch’s wife is from British Columbia and mused about a possible fit with the Vancouver Canucks, even though he wouldn’t address that club’s need for a second-line center.

The Edmonton Oilers might be another possibility given their cap space after Connor McDavid agreed to accept a discount on a two-year extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tuch has a five-team no-trade list, and one or both teams may be on it. Assuming they’re not, the Canucks and Oilers don’t have a lot of tradeable assets to give up for Tuch. If the Sabres become sellers, they could find better offers from other clubs.

THE LATEST CANADIENS SPECULATION

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan was asked if the Canadiens would let Brendan Gallagher finish his contract in Montreal, when it is at the detriment of younger players who deserve to be on the roster.

Cowan doesn’t see Gallagher going anywhere. He pointed out the value the gritty 33-year-old winger continues to have for the Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gallagher also brings a measure of veteran leadership and gritty two-way play to the up-and-coming Canadiens. His contract expires in 2027, so there’s no need to push him out the door or move him out for cap relief.

Cowan was also asked if Jayden Struble might be a trade chip to address the Canadiens’ roster needs.

While it’s a possibility, they have already traded away three young defensemen. There’s also the big question mark about David Reinbacher after suffering another injury, and the uncertainty over Mike Matheson’s contract situation. He doesn’t see the Canadiens being in a hurry to peddle Struble.

COULD THE FLAMES SEEK ANOTHER BACKUP GOALIE?

SPORTSNET: During the latest episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman said the Calgary Flames were talking to other teams about a backup goaltender.

They intend to give Devin Cooley a shot at securing the backup role to starter Dustin Wolf. If they do add another netminder, they would have four on one-way contracts. Friedman said the teams the Flames are talking to want an enticement to take on one of those extra goalies in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cooley is expected to get the start for Tuesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. It’ll be a big test for the 28-year-old netminder, who has six games of NHL experience.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 14, 2025

by | Oct 14, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 14, 2025

Recaps of Monday’s games and the three stars of the week are revealed in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

NHL.COM: The Philadelphia Flyers upset the Florida Panthers 5-2 as captain Sean Couturier led the way with two goals and two assists, giving Rick Tocchet his first win as the Flyers’ head coach. Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett scored for the Panthers, who suffered their first loss of the season.

Philadelphia Flyers captain Sean Couturier (NHL Images).

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and defenseman Cale Makar netted his first of the season in a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Tage Thompson replied for the Sabres, who are 0-3 to open the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin wasn’t happy with his performance and that of his teammates. “Better start today, worse ending,” Dahlin said in his postgame interview. “Not good power play. Good PK and goaltending, we just can’t catch a break. We have to get out of this bullshit.”

Meanwhile, the Avalanche sent goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood to their AHL affiliate for conditioning. An injury sidelined him throughout training camp.

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros stopped 31 shots and Jonathan Marchessault tallied twice to beat the Ottawa Senators 4-1, handing the latter their second straight loss. Ridly Greig scored for the Senators, who lost captain Brady Tkachuk in the third period to an upper-body injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tkachuk was injured on a cross-check by Predators captain Roman Josi in the first period. He tried to play through it, but left with about 10 minutes remaining in the game. Senators coach Travis Green had no update on his captain, saying Tkachuk was still being evaluated.

A late goal by Mason Appleton lifted the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Goalie Cam Talbot kicked out 38 shots while Dylan Larkin and former Leaf James van Riemsdyk also scored for the Wings. Matthew Knies had a goal and an assist for the Leafs, who had rallied to overcome a 2-0 deficit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond suffered an upper-body injury in the second period and didn’t return. There was no update on his condition. Meanwhile, Leafs coach Craig Berube singled out William Nylander’s poor play since the start of the season, while praising rookie Easton Cowan’s energy and physicality in his NHL debut.

The Tampa Bay Lightning got two goals from Anthony Cirelli as they held off the Boston Bruins 4-3, handing the latter their first loss of the season. Jonas Johansson made 30 saves for the Lightning. Pavel Zacha collected two assists for the Bruins.

New Jersey Devils forward Dawson Mercer tallied twice to nip the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2. Devils goalie Jake Allen turned aside 23 shots before leaving after the second period with muscle cramps. Timo Meier also scored for the Devils. Kirill Marchekov and Dmitri Voronkov replied for the Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Devils announced that forward Zack MacEwen will miss a considerable period of time with an injury.

Blue Jackets forward Miles Wood left this game after taking a high stick in the face from Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton. Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson missed this game with an upper-body injury and will be sidelined indefinitely.

Rookie winger Jimmy Snuggerud scored twice for his first NHL multi-goal game as the St. Louis Blues rolled to a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Jordan Binnington made 27 saves and Brayden Schenn had a goal and an assist for the Blues. Kiefer Sherwood scored both goals for the Canucks.

Winnipeg Jets forwards Nino Niederreiter, Tanner Pearson, and Morgan Barron each had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders, handing the latter their third straight defeat. Defenseman Logan Stanley also had a goal and an assist for the Jets. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Emil Heineman scored for the Islanders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets forward Cole Koepke left this game in the second period with a lower-body injury.

The Minnesota Wild blew a 3-0 lead to the Los Angeles Kings but got a shootout goal from Marco Rossi for a 4-3 win. Jared Spurgeon, Kirill Kaprizov, and Matt Boldy scored in regulation for the Wild, while Kevin Fiala, Quinton Byfield, and Adam Kempe replied for the Kings.

Chicago Blackhawks forward Ilya Mikheyev scored two goals, and Andre Burakovsky potted the winning goal to defeat the Utah Mammoth 3-1, giving Jeff Blashill his first win as the Blackhawks coach. JJ Peterka scored for the Mammoth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Mammoth announced that defenseman Sean Durzi will be sidelined for a month with an upper-body injury suffered on Saturday against the Nashville Predators.

NHL.COM: Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev, Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto, and Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky are the three stars for the week ending Oct. 12.










Montreal Canadiens Re-Sign Lane Hutson

by | Oct 13, 2025

Montreal Canadiens Re-Sign Lane Hutson

The Montreal Canadiens announced the signing of defenseman Lane Hutson to an eight-year, $70.8 million contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite weeks of speculation, it didn’t take long for the Canadiens to reach an agreement with Hutson. Starting in 2026-27, the 2025 Calder Memorial Trophy winner will earn an average annual value of $8.85 million.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL Images).

That’s below the $9 million and $10 million recently bandied about by several pundits. It’s also below the $9 million AAV that Luke Hughes agreed to with the New Jersey Devils, and Jackson LaCombe will start receiving next season with the Anaheim Ducks.

Hughes and LaCombe were predicted to set the market for Hutson, but Canadiens management convinced Hutson to accept a slightly lower AAV.

It can be argued that the circumstances behind the Hughes and LaCombe signings were different than those facing Hutson. The Devils were desperate to get Hughes signed after contract discussions dragged through training camp and preseason. Meanwhile, the Ducks wanted to avoid facing possible salary arbitration with LaCombe next summer.

However, Hutson would’ve faced the same situation as Hughes next year, when he was to become an RFA lacking arbitration rights and ineligible to receive an offer sheet from a rival club. He could’ve played the waiting game through next summer and sought a higher AAV than Hughes and LaCombe, especially if his performance exceeded that of his rookie year.

As with Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky before him, Hutson bought into management’s long-term vision, accepting less than market value on a long-term contract. It’s another indication of the culture the Canadiens are trying to build, one that could lead to a Stanley Cup in the near future.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 13, 2025

by | Oct 13, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 13, 2025

The latest on the Oilers’ goaltending and a suggested trade target for the Golden Knights in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer and TSN’s Ryan Rishaug suggesting it’s now or never for Stuart Skinner to establish himself as a reliable starting goaltender. If he can’t, there will be changes.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (NHL Images).

Rishaug told Stauffer that the Oilers intend to let it ride for a little while with Skinner as their starting netminder. However, the 26-year-old goalie is on the clock to prove himself.

The Oilers recently acquired Connor Ingram from the Utah Mammoth, who is currently with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate in Bakersfield, getting up to speed after missing training camp and the preseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staples observes that the Oilers’ “Plan B” will be Ingram if Skinner struggles to nail down the starter’s job. The trade market for goalies is thin right now, but it might improve a little over the course of the season if the Oilers feel they must seek a “Plan C” option before the March trade deadline.

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons believes that, if the Oilers don’t win the Stanley Cup this season, they can go out and sign Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. He pointed out that they’ll have the money and cap space to do it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Simmons is assuming that the Panthers won’t re-sign Bobrovsky and that he’ll want to play for the Oilers if he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer. Don’t rule out the Panthers finding a way to keep Bobrovsky in the fold.

LAS VEGAS SUN: Case Keefer suggested Rasmus Andersson as a potential trade target this season for the Golden Knights. The 28-year-old Calgary Flames defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Andersson has stood out above the rest in offseason trade rumors. It’s expected he’ll be traded before the March 6 trade deadline. The Golden Knights are reportedly his destination of choice.

Keefer noted that Mitch Marner was linked to the Golden Knights last season before he ultimately landed in Vegas. “Andersson might be even trickier financially, but it’s hard to rule anything out.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights are pressed for cap space for this season, having placed defenseman Alex Pietrangelo on long-term injury reserve. They’ll have to shed salary if they intend to take on the remainder of Andersson’s cap hit for this season by the trade deadline. The same goes for next summer if they want to sign him as a UFA.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 13, 2025

by | Oct 13, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 13, 2025

The Capitals shut out the Rangers, injury updates on the Penguins’ Kris Letang, the Bruins’ Hampus Lindholm, and the Blue Jackets’ Eric Gudbranson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren made 35 saves to blank the New York Rangers 1-0. Anthony Beauvillier scored the only goal as the Capitals have won two of their first three games of the season. Jonathan Quick stopped 20 shots for the Rangers, who’ve won two of their first four contests.

Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Rangers placed defenseman Carson Soucy (upper body) on injured reserve. He suffered the injury during Saturday’s 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury suffered during Saturday’s loss to the Rangers.

NESN: Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm (lower-body injury) is unlikely to play in Monday’s matinee against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s listed as day-to-day but could return later in the week.

CBS SPORTS: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson is being evaluated for an upper-body injury suffered during Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Wild.

NHL.COM: Utah Mammoth defenseman Ian Cole was fined $2,500.00 by the NHL department of player safety for a dangerous trip against Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos on Saturday.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks blueliner Tyler Myers was fined $2,500.00 for slashing Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid on Saturday.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs forward Easton Cowan will make his NHL debut on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cowan, 20, was chosen in the first round (28th overall) by the Maple Leafs in the 2023 NHL Draft. He’s considered their top prospect.

TSN: The Florida Panthers signed forward Jonah Gadjovich to a two-year contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: PuckPedia indicates the 27-year-old Gadjovich will receive an average annual value of $905K.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven (upper-body injury) will return to the lineup for Monday’s game against the Predators.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets blueliner Haydn Fleury is day-to-day with a bruised knee.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens reports San Jose Sharks owner Hasso Plattner recently raised eyebrows with some pointed comments about previous moves made by his club.

Plattner admitted that letting long-time Sharks forward Joe Pavelski depart to the Dallas Stars as a free agent was a mistake. He said acquiring defenseman Erik Karlsson may have been great in theory but not in practice, admitting he’d been a good player but not a team-friendly one.

The Sharks owner also admitted the long-term contracts for Karlsson, Tomas Hertl, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic put off a necessary rebuild, and that he backed current general manager Mike Grier’s work in building up the roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hindsight in 20-20 and those regrets won’t change history. What matters now for the Sharks is that Grier’s rebuilding efforts continue to have Plattner’s support. The Sharks GM completed the teardown two years ago and has done a good job building up the roster with good young players and veteran acquisitions.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 12, 2025

by | Oct 12, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 12, 2025

Check out the latest on Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, the Rangers’ potential plans for next year’s UFA market, plus the latest on Martin Necas in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

CANADIENS TO KEEP HUTSON’S CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS PRIVATE

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Montreal Canadiens and the representatives for Lane Hutson have agreed to take their contract negotiations out of the public eye. There is concern that the 21-year-old defenseman is being affected by his contract talks, which are the subject of public speculation. 

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL Images).

Friedman believes the two sides are continuing negotiations. However, they won’t discuss it with the media, allowing Hutson to focus on his game. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The recent contracts signed by New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes and Anaheim Ducks blueliner Jackson LaCombe shifted the focus toward Hutson. In hockey-mad Montreal, anything to do with a rising star like Hutson will generate speculation and headlines. 

It must be remembered that Hutson is in the final season of his entry-level contract. The Canadiens control his rights until July 2031, when he’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. He’s slated to become a restricted free agent next July without arbitration rights and will be ineligible to receive an offer sheet, giving the Canadiens considerable leverage. 

Most of the speculation centers on whether the average annual value of Hutson’s contract will be between $9 million and $10 million or possibly higher. So far, there’s no chatter suggesting the Canadiens might trade the 2025 Calder Trophy winner, but it’s bound to come up the longer this goes on. And no, the Canadiens won’t trade him, and no, he doesn’t want to move. 

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE RANGERS WITH THE TOP UFA TALENT OFF THE MARKET?

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh wondered what the New York Rangers will do now that the biggest names who were eligible to become unrestricted free agents next summer have re-signed with their respective teams. 

It was believed that the Rangers intended to pursue Connor McDavid if the Edmonton Oilers superstar had gone to market next year. Three of their core forwards (J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, and Vincent Trocheck) are 32 years old. 

That leaves the Rangers facing a tough decision regarding left winger Artemi Panarin, who turns 34 later this month. They have no clear path to replacing his production, but signing him to another expensive contract comes with risk. 

Rangers general manager Chris Drury could pursue younger talent in the trade market, such as winger Jason Robertson, depending on how his contract talks go with the Dallas Stars. Other intriguing UFA options include forwards like Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings, Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres, and Martin Necas of the Colorado Avalanche. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin is now the biggest name in next summer’s UFA market, which could lead to his departure if he and the Rangers can’t agree to an extension. Meanwhile, there’s no certainty that Kempe, Tuch, and Necas will still be available by next July. 

That could force Drury to go the trade route, provided he’s still the Rangers GM by that point. Another finish outside the playoff standings could cost him his job. 

THE LATEST ON MARTIN NECAS

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato wondered if Martin Necas could price himself out of Colorado. 

The 26-year-old Avalanche winger is UFA-eligible next July. He tallied 83 points last season, divided between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Avalanche, and could reach a career-high 90 points skating alongside Nathan MacKinnon for a full season. 

If Necas gets close to 90 points, he could seek a raise over his current $6 million average annual value to an AAV exceeding $10 million. If he does, it’ll raise questions as to why they didn’t just pay Mikko Rantanen, whom they traded last January to the Carolina Hurricanes in a three-team trade that brought Necas to Colorado. 

The Avalanche must also ensure they have sufficient long-term salary-cap room to re-sign Cale Makar. The superstar defenseman is UFA-eligible in 2027 and can sign an extension starting next summer. Some estimates suggest he could seek a cap hit that rivals the $17 million AAV of Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas’ contract situation will be closely watched. Amato wondered if the Avalanche would trade a key player like Brock Nelson, Devon Toews, Valeri Nichushkin, or Mackenzie Blackwood to free up cap room for Necas and Makar.