NHL Rumor Mill – January 15, 2026

by | Jan 15, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – January 15, 2026

Check out the latest on the Rangers and Devils, plus updates on Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson and Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON THE RANGERS

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh and Vincent Z. Mercogliano recently looked at the trade tiers for the New York Rangers.

Artemi Panarin topped their list of pending UFA players who could be moved before the March 6 trade deadline. The Rangers will surely try to get a first-round pick as part of the deal, but the potential return depends on how many teams Panarin is willing to consider as trade destinations.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

Mercogliano followed up by reporting that a league source informed him that the Rangers haven’t approached Panarin yet about waiving his no-movement clause. They haven’t yet made their final decisions regarding the trade deadline and are holding off on that for a little while longer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The trade deadline is less than two months away, giving management plenty of time to assess the club’s performance and what the trade market looks like. They could be ready to deal before the Olympic roster freeze in early February if the club hasn’t reversed its on-ice fortunes. 

Players who could move as “change of scenery candidates include 2020 first-overall pick Alexis Lafreniere, winger Brennan Othmann, and defenseman Braden Schneider. Othmann is considered the most obvious candidate, as the Rangers have been listening to offers for the 23-year-old winger.

Vincent Trocheck would be a hot commodity, especially given the need for centers around the league. He carries a 12-team no-trade list, but there’s no indication yet that general manager Chris Drury is ready to entertain offers for Trocheck.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of today’s focus is on Panarin, but he’s not the only player the Rangers could move if they become sellers. Othmann is the most likely to move. Lafreniere could attract interest because he’s still young (24) and could flourish in a different setting, although his streakiness and $7.45 million average annual value through 2031-32 could be sticking points.

SPORTSNET: During Monday’s episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman speculated about possible destinations for Panarin. He thinks the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Washington Capitals could be among them, but acknowledged it’ll take some work to acquire the Rangers winger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Part of that work will be finding sufficient cap space to take on the remainder of Panarin’s $11.642 million cap hit. The rest could be meeting the Rangers’ asking price. However, this could be a situation similar to when the Bruins traded Brad Marchand to Florida last season or when the Chicago Blackhawks traded Patrick Kane to the Rangers. In both cases, the player would only accept a trade to one team, meaning the return was less than what it would’ve been if several teams were involved in the bidding.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Rangers shouldn’t wait for the trade deadline to move Panarin if he’s not interested in re-signing or if they’re not willing to pay what he wants to stay in New York.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moving Panarin now would probably sink their slim hopes of reaching the playoffs. At this point, however, why risk an injury that would hurt his trade value or take him out of the market altogether?

UPDATE ON THE DEVILS

TSN: New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald said he’s been working the phones trying to make trades to improve his struggling team.

Defenseman Dougie Hamilton and winger Ondrej Palat have been mentioned most often in those trade discussions. Fitzgerald said the two are highly respected among their teammates, and he will treat them with the same respect. He also said he’s been in constant contact with Hamilton’s agent, J.P. Barry, to ensure everyone is on the same page, an assertion confirmed by Barry.

Fitzgerald refuted reports claiming current contracts with trade protection prevented him from attempting to acquire Quinn Hughes before he was traded to the Minnesota Wild last month.

The Devils GM said head coach Sheldon Keefe’s job was safe. It’s also believed that Fitzgerald’s job is safe, as he indicated he speaks regularly with Devils ownership about the club’s direction.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes are among the potential fits for Hamilton. However, the Maple Leafs wouldn’t entertain a deal unless the Devils retain a significant portion of his $9 million AAV through 2027-28.

However, the Devils must move winger Ondrej Palat and his $6 million AAV through 2026-27 before they can move Hamilton to create salary-cap flexibility. The veteran winger has a 10-team trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite Hamilton rejoining the lineup after being a healthy scratch on Sunday, it appears the wheels are in motion to move him. A deal could take place before next month’s Olympic break, depending on how soon they can free up cap space to make room for whatever they can get back for Hamilton.

TRADE TALKS FOR RASMUS ANDERSSON ARE HEATING UP

SPORTSNET: Eric Francis believes the time is right for the Calgary Flames to trade Rasmus Andersson. The 29-year-old right-shot defenseman is UFA-eligible in July, and there’s no indication that a contract extension is in the works.

Andersson isn’t itching to leave Calgary, but the blueliner doesn’t fit into the Flames’ rebuilding timeline. Francis believes he can fetch at least a first-round draft pick and a top prospect who is already contributing at the NHL level.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the trade market for Andersson is heating up fast. The Flames are hoping to finalize a trade before the Olympic break next month.

It’s believed the Boston Bruins have offered up young defenseman Mason Lohrei and a first-round pick. The Detroit Red Wings are said to be interested if Andersson is willing to sign a contract extension. They’ve also made young blueliners Simon Edvinsson and Axel Sandin Pellikka off-limits in trade talks. The Ottawa Senators are also believed to be interested in the Flames blueliner.

Murphy indicated that the Vegas Golden Knights, Anaheim Ducks, and Dallas Stars have expressed interest in Andersson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames could be assured of a significant return if Andersson is willing to sign a contract extension. However, he could prefer playing out this season and testing the UFA market in July.

The Golden Knights always seem to be in on everybody. However, they have limited trade assets to draw on and wouldn’t be able to outbid clubs like the Bruins, Red Wings, and Ducks.

COULD THE MAPLE LEAFS TRADE A GOALTENDER?

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos speculated the Maple Leafs could leverage their goaltending depth by the March trade deadline.

Joseph Woll could get the bulk of the starts if he gives the Leafs the best chance to win. With Anthony Stolarz returning from injury, Kypreos speculates that Stolarz, prospect Artur Akhtyamov, or perhaps even Dennis Hildeby could become a trade chip to pursue a scoring winger or a defenseman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stolarz seems the more likely trade candidate, but the 31-year-old netminder has a 16-team no-trade list for this season, and starts a four-year, $15-million contract extension in July. Hildeby will draw interest, but the Leafs would likely prefer to hang onto him.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 15, 2026

by | Jan 15, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 15, 2026

Brady Tkachuk reaches a scoring milestone in a lopsided win over the Rangers, the Sabres move back into a wildcard berth, the Canadiens re-sign Alexandre Texier, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk scored his 200th career NHL regular-season goal and collected three assists in an 8-4 victory over the New York Rangers. Dylan Cozens and Ridly Greig each had three points for the Senators, who picked up their second straight win and improved to 22-19-5. Gabe Perreault tallied twice for the Rangers (20-22-6) as their winless skid reached five games (0-4-1).

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin and top defenseman Adam Fox sidelined, the wheels are coming off fast for the Rangers. This was their second lopsided loss in three games, prompting Blueshirts fans to chant for general manager Chris Drury to be fired. Drury recently received a vote of confidence from team owner James Dolan, but that could be tested if the losses keep piling up.

The Buffalo Sabres regained a wildcard berth in the Eastern Conference by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2. Team captain Rasmus Dahlin scored two goals while Tage Thompson, Josh Doan, and Ryan McLeod each had two points for the 25-16-4 Sabres, who’ve won four of their last six games. Owen Tippett had a goal and an assist for the Flyers, who are winless in their last four contests (0-3-1) and have slipped to 22-15-8.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres center Josh Norris left this game in the second period with an upper-body injury. Earlier in the day, the Sabres announced forward Josh Dunne will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a mid-body injury.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia goaltender Daniel Vladar left this game after the first period with an undisclosed injury. Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen missed this game with an upper-body injury and is questionable for Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Meanwhile, blueliner Jamie Drysdale was activated off injured reserve and returned to action in this game.

New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier scored twice, including the winning goal in overtime, in a 3-2 win over the Seattle Kraken. Jack and Luke Hughes each assisted on both of Hischier’s goals as the Devils improved to 24-21-2. Jared McCann had a goal and an assist for the Kraken (21-15-9).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald met with the media on Wednesday afternoon, taking full responsibility for the club’s struggles this season. However, he pushed back against making wholesale changes to the roster. “You can’t trade your way out of this,” Fitzgerald said. “This has to come from within.”

Nevertheless, trade rumors involving the Devils persist, with the focus on defenseman Dougie Hamilton. I’ll have the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

The Vegas Golden Knights extended their win streak to five games by nipping the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 on an overtime goal by captain Mark Stone. Braeden Bowman and Mitch Marner also scored for the Golden Knights (22-11-12), who hold first place in the Pacific Division. Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist for the 19-16-11 Kings.

IN OTHER NEWS…

TSN: The Montreal Canadiens signed winger Alexandre Texier to a two-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $2.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Texier signed a $1 million prorated contract with the Canadiens on Nov. 23 after terminating his deal with the St. Louis Blues. He’s been a solid addition for the Habs as a versatile forward throughout their lineup, including his current stint on their top line. After managing one point in eight games with the Blues earlier this season, he has 16 points in 25 games in Montreal.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche activated goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood from injured reserve.

TSN: Winnipeg Jets defensemen Neil Pionk, Haydn Fleury, and Colin Miller are week-to-week with injuries.

NHL.COM: Winger Ivar Stenberg of Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League topped the league’s Central Scouting mid-term rankings of International skaters. Penn State forward Gavin McKenna was the top North American skater.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McKenna was considered the favorite to be the first overall pick in this year’s draft. However, his adjustment period to NCAA action after dominating Junior A last season has some observers suggesting Stenberg could be the top prospect.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 14, 2026

by | Jan 14, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – January 14, 2026

More speculation about Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton, and the latest on the Canucks, Flyers, Senators, and Predators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST DOUGIE HAMILTON CHATTER

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reported observers were caught by surprise when Dougie Hamilton returned to the New Jersey Devils lineup one day after being a healthy scratch against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (NHL Images).

Nevertheless, the expectation is that Hamilton will be traded, though there’s no indication that a deal is imminent. LeBrun indicated that the remaining two years on the contract with an average annual value of $9 million is a “complicating factor.”

LeBrun suggested the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs as potential destinations. Hamilton played with the Hurricanes before, but it depends on whether they want to bring him back and what the Devils want in return.

The Devils are also interested in moving winger Ondrej Palat in a separate cost-cutting deal. However, his $6 million cap hit makes it a difficult proposition.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols believes Hamilton could fetch the Devils a top-six forward or a third-line center. Nevertheless, management’s handling of this situation has cast the club in a bad light.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hamilton’s contract is a stumbling block, even though the salary cap will rise significantly over the next two seasons. His 10-team trade list is another, though he’s reportedly willing to be flexible. Hamilton’s injury history is also another concern.

The Hurricanes have the cap space and the depth in tradeable assets to reacquire Hamilton, but they could be uninterested in a reunion. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are pressed for cap space and are thin in draft picks and prospects to draw on for trade bait. They’d need the Devils to retain up to half of Hamilton’s cap hit, and even that might not be enough to squeeze him into their cap payroll unless they include a player in the deal.

Some Devils fans are calling for general manager Tom Fitzgerald to be fired. However, Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.COM reports Fitzgerald’s job remains safe until at least the end of the regular season.

UPDATE ON THE CANUCKS

TSN: Darren Dreger believes the rebuilding Vancouver Canucks could be open to entertaining offers for just about everyone on their roster, including Elias Pettersson.

The 27-year-old center had been the subject of trade speculation during last season and the offseason. However, there hasn’t been any communication between Pettersson’s agent and Canucks management about waiving his no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Patrick Johnston of The Province recently reported that there are teams still interested in Pettersson, despite the decline in his offense and his expensive contract running through 2031-32.

If the Canucks are willing to listen to offers for Pettersson, they’ll want at least a good young NHL center in return. They could be reluctant to retain part of his $11.6 million average annual value.

FLYERS SEEKING GOALIE OPTIONS

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports a Philadelphia Flyers source claimed the club is considering alternative options to replace struggling goaltender Samuel Ersson.

There aren’t many options available in the trade market. Di Marco asked about Colten Ellis and Alex Lyon of the Buffalo Sabres. His source was open to the prospect of acquiring Lyon at the right price.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The immediate options to replace Ersson might have to come from within the Flyers’ system, given the lack of quality options in the trade market. The Sabres have been carrying three goalies this season, but their recent surge in the standings means they’re not moving anyone right now unless it’s for a return that will help them reach the playoffs this season.

WILL THE SENATORS BE BUYERS OR SELLERS?

TSN: Darren Dreger believes the next seven to 10 games will determine if the struggling Ottawa Senators become buyers or sellers in the trade market. He noted that general manager Steve Staios was in Montreal on Monday scouting the Vancouver Canucks, but felt that was Staios doing pre-scouting before his club’s match against the Canucks on Tuesday.

Dreger believes Canucks winger Kiefer Sherwood could be a good fit with the Senators, but they must start climbing up the standings before Staios gets that aggressive.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch also reported on Staios’ scouting trip to Montreal on Monday. His sources indicated that the Senators GM continues to scour the trade market for a right-shot defenseman and a top-six forward.

Garrioch speculated the Senators would likely be interested in Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek and forwards such as Sherwood, Conor Garland, and Jake DeBrusk. However, Hronek has a full no-movement clause, and the Canucks could prefer to retain him. Tyler Myers has been mentioned as a possibility, but they aren’t moving him.

The Senators have also kicked tires on Calgary Flames blueliner Rasmus Andersson. However, he’d have to be willing to sign an extension before Ottawa would make that move.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators’ most pressing need is goaltending, given Linus Ullmark’s struggles, his recent absence, and the lack of backup depth. However, the market is thin on reliable goaltending options.

Staios will become a seller by the end of this month if the Senators remain on their current path.

PREDATORS NOT IN SELL MODE

THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty reports the anticipated player sell-off by the Nashville Predators isn’t likely to happen this season, if at all. After a poor start, they surged into wildcard contention in the Western Conference.

They’re also not going to be buyers. General manager Barry Trotz could hold onto assets as “own rentals” if a suitable deal cannot be found.

Daugherty noted that four of the Predators’ trade-worthy assets (Ryan O’Reilly, Erik Haula, Michael McCarron, and Michael Bunting) have contributed to the club’s recent improvement. He also noted that all but O’Reilly would likely fetch mid-round picks, which the Predators already have plenty of in the next two drafts.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 14, 2026

by | Jan 14, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 14, 2026

Oilers captain Connor McDavid extends his points streak, the Lightning set a franchise record, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

NHL.COM: Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid collected two assists to extend his points streak to 20 games, but his club dropped a 4-3 decision to the Nashville Predators on an overtime goal by Roman Josi, who finished the game with two goals. Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots for the 22-20-4 Predators. Zach Hyman tallied twice, and Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two points for the Oilers (23-16-8).

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry made 23 saves and defenseman Jake Walman logged over 17 minutes as both returned from lengthy absences due to injuries. Meanwhile, Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault missed his 13th straight game with a lower-body injury and was placed on injured reserve.

The Tampa Bay Lightning won a franchise-record 11th straight game by nipping the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on a shootout goal by Nikita Kucherov. J.J. Moser scored in regulation, and Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 26 shots for the Lightning (29-13-3), who hold first place in the Eastern Conference with 61 points. Evgeni Malkin replied for the Penguins (21-14-10), who are winless in their last three games (0-2-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both clubs were missing a key player in this contest. Lightning center Brayden Point is week-to-week with an injured knee. It is not considered season-ending, but his participation in next month’s Winter Olympics for Canada’s men’s hockey team is in question. Meanwhile, Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson missed this game with an undisclosed ailment that has landed him on injured reserve. He will be reevaluated in two weeks.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman turned aside 24 shots as his club picked up its fourth consecutive win, and the second straight by shutout, as they blanked the Detroit Red Wings 3-0. Pavel Zacha, Fraser Minten, and Mark Kastelic were the goal scorers for the 26-19-2 Bruins. Cam Talbot stopped 38 of 40 shots for the Red Wings (28-16-4) as their four-game win streak ended.

The Columbus Blue Jackets picked up their first win under new head coach Rick Bowness by defeating the Calgary Flames 5-3. Boone Jenner snapped a 3-3 tie while Zach Werenski and Charlie Coyle each had a goal and two assists for the 20-19-7 Blue Jackets. Morgan Frost and Mikael Backlund each had a goal and an assist as the Flames dropped to 19-23-4.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames winger Blake Coleman missed this game with an undisclosed injury and was placed on IR. The Flames sent forward Martin Pospisil to their AHL affiliate in Calgary for a conditioning stint as he works his way back into the lineup from an undisclosed injury that has sidelined him from this season. Blue Jackets defensemen Denton Mateychuk (upper-body injury) and Damon Severson (illness) missed this game.

St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer collected his fourth shutout of the season with a 33-save performance to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0. Nick Bjugstad, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Jimmy Snuggerud scored for the Blues (18-21-8) as they snapped a three-game losing skid. Brandon Bussi turned aside 28 shots for the 28-15-4 Hurricanes, who hold first place in the Metropolitan Division with 60 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Blues announced the signing of defenseman Logan Mailloux to a one-year, $850,000 contract extension. Hurricanes blueliner Jaccob Slavin missed this game due to injury rehab protocol, meaning they want him to avoid playing back-to-back after returning from a lengthy injury on Monday.

The Washington Capitals overcame a 2-0 deficit for a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Ethan Frank tallied twice to tie the game in regulation before Connor McMichael won it in overtime for the 24-17-6 Capitals. Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher scored for the Canadiens (26-14-7), who are 4-1-1 in their last six contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens scratched Kaiden Guhle from this game. Like Slavin, they wanted him to avoid playing in back-to-back games so soon after returning from a long absence due to an injury.

Winnipeg Jets forwards Adam Lowry and Kyle Connor each had a goal and an assist as their club held off the New York Islanders 5-4. Mark Scheifele collected two assists for the 18-22-5 Jets as they picked up their third straight victory. Emil Heineman had a goal and an assist for the Islanders (25-16-5).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders got a scare when rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer was injured twice during this game, including taking a Luke Schenn slapshot off his right knee in the second period. He’d also been taken off the ice by a concussion spotter in the first period, but was cleared to return. Schaefer missed the post-game interview because he was having his knee evaluated by team doctors.

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ 10-game points streak ended with a 6-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth. Dylan Guenther tallied two goals and an assist, and Jake McBain had a goal and two assists for the Mammoth, who improved to 23-20-4. Calle Jarnkrok replied for the 23-16-7 Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson missed this game as he’s day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal made 24 saves as his club snapped a nine-game winless skid (0-8-1) by downing the Dallas Stars 3-1. Chris Kreider, Beckett Sennecke, and Jacob Trouba scored for the 22-21-3 Ducks. Roope Hintz tallied for the Stars (27-11-9).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks were already short on forwards as Frank Vatrano and Tory Terry were sidelined with upper-body injuries. Center Leo Carlsson (upper-body injury) and winger Cutter Gauthier (illness) also missed this game. Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen was absent due to a personal family matter.

First-period goals scored 15 seconds apart by Artem Zub and Jordan Spence lifted the Ottawa Senators to a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks, snapping a four-game losing streak and improving their record to 21-19-5. Elias Pettersson replied for the Canucks (16-25-8), who are 0-6-2 in their last eight games.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 13, 2026

by | Jan 13, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – January 13, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: Some suggested trade destinations for Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton, the Maple Leafs could face a tough decision with winger Bobby McMann, and some young players the Penguins should monitor in the trade market.

THE LATEST ON DOUGIE HAMILTON

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman noted that Dougie Hamilton’s time with the New Jersey Devils could be coming to an end soon. The Devils made the 32-year-old defenseman a healthy scratch for Sunday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets, sparking trade speculation after his agent indicated his client was willing to be flexible with his 10-team trade list to facilitate a mutually beneficial deal.

Wegman listed the San Jose Sharks, Nashville Predators, and Calgary Flames as three clubs that should attempt to acquire Hamilton.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (NHL Images).

The Sharks reportedly attempted to acquire Hamilton last summer, but he vetoed the deal. Perhaps he’d reconsider with the Sharks now in playoff contention. He would instantly become, at worst, their second-best right-shot defenseman.

In Nashville, the Predators overcame a slow start to put themselves into wildcard contention in the Western Conference. Hamilton could elevate his game playing alongside Predators captain Roman Josi. They could add him without sacrificing their future.

Wegman admits a reunion with the Calgary Flames is unlikely, but pointed out that they could theoretically turn Hamilton into a draft pick or a prospect if he plays reasonably well over the remaining two years of his contract. He would also garner plenty of playing time if they end up parting ways with Rasmus Andersson.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Sharks and the Utah Mammoth have circled back on Hamilton after attempting to acquire him last summer. A source told him that Hamilton had the Mammoth and the Toronto Maple Leafs on his no-trade list, but that won’t matter anymore.

That source suggested keeping an eye on Mammoth forward Nick Schmaltz and defenseman Nate Schmidt. The Vegas Golden Knights and Detroit Red Wings could also be interested in Hamilton.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks could be interested if Hamilton is now willing to go to San Jose, but they could be reluctant to risk upsetting the promising chemistry they’ve built up among their players this season.

Hamilton could bolster the Mammoth’s depth on the right side of their defense corps. However, they are believed to be keen on re-signing Schmaltz, who is UFA-eligible this summer.

The Leafs and Golden Knights lack sufficient cap space to take on Hamilton’s full cap hit. The Devils would have to retain half his salary. Even then, the Leafs would have to shed salary to free up sufficient cap room. As for the Flames, it’s doubtful that Hamilton will okay a return to Calgary, or that they would want him back.

Nashville has already saddled itself with enough veterans on expensive contracts that are difficult to move. It would be surprising if they took on Hamilton even with salary retention.

Hamilton could be a good addition to the Red Wings’ blueline. However, general manager Steve Yzerman could have his eye on younger, more affordable options leading up to the March 6 trade deadline.

WILL THE MAPLE LEAFS RE-SIGN OR TRADE BOBBY MCMANN?

TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran reports winger Bobby McMann played a key role in the Maple Leafs’ recent turnaround. He thrived during a recent stint on their top line. The 6’2”, 217-pounder is a streaky scorer, but he tallied 20 goals last season and already has 13 this season. He’s a speedy forward who plays with a physical edge and carries an affordable $1.35 million cap hit.

However, the 29-year-old McMann is UFA-eligible in July. He’s due for a significant raise that could be outside the Maple Leafs’ comfort zone. They could offer him $4 million annually, but he could get over $5 million on the open market.

McGran suggested that Treliving could consider using McMann as a trade chip to bolster the blueline. He pointed out that they already have plenty of big-bodied wingers, and they’ll have to make room for Dakota Joshua when the sidelined winger returns from injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moving McMann would’ve been considered a no-brainer six weeks ago, when the Maple Leafs were at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, and their supporters were screaming for a sell-off. Their recent resurgence, however, could make Treliving reluctant to part with McMann.

FOUR YOUNG PLAYERS FOR THE PENGUINS TO MONITOR IN THE TRADE MARKET

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski listed four young players that he believes the Penguins should be watching in the trade market.

Topping his list is forward Jakob Pelletier of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who is currently playing with their AHL affiliate in Syracuse. He also included New York Rangers winger Brennan Othmann, Winnipeg Jets forward Brad Lambert, and defenseman Ville Heinola.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Othmann is the more likely of those four to be available before the trade deadline. He’s frequently surfaced in the rumor mill lately. Lambert was briefly mentioned last November, but the Jets’ shallow prospect pool could make them unwilling to move Lambert or Heinola.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 13, 2026

by | Jan 13, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 13, 2026

The Red Wings honor Sergei Fedorov, the Lightning extend their win streak to 10 games, while the Maple Leafs’ points streak hits double digits, Oilers captain Connor McDavid extends his points streak to 19 games, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF MONDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: On the night the Detroit Red Wings retired Sergei Fedorov’s number 91, they nipped the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 on an overtime goal by Andrew Copp. Alex DeBrincat had a goal and two assists as the Red Wings opened a 3-0 lead, but the Hurricanes forced overtime on goals by Jackson Blake, Seth Jarvis, and Shayne Gostisbehere. The Red Wings (28-15-4) hold first place in the Atlantic Division with 60 points. The Hurricanes (28-14-4) also have 60 points, but hold first place in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand over the Red Wings.

The Detroit Red Wings retire Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91 (NHL.com).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings retired Fedorov’s number in a classy pregame ceremony. He thanked the team and their fans, singling out the Illich family, former Red Wings head coach Scotty Bowman, former captain Steve Yzerman, and his “Russian Five” Red Wings teammates, including Vladimir Konstantinov, who attended the ceremony along with Yzerman.

Fedorov admitted he made “a huge mistake” for leaving Detroit as a free agent in 2003. However, he said that the decision also set him on the path toward meeting his wife, Karina, who attended the ceremony with their two children.

One of the greatest two-way players in NHL history, Fedorov was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015. This retirement of his number by the Red Wings was long overdue, reflecting the tension between the Illich family and Fedorov that led to his departure. Thankfully, time heals all wounds, and Fedorov received this well-deserved honor from the team with which he’d had his greatest success.

The Tampa Bay Lightning extended their win streak to 10 games with a 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Nikita Kucherov had a goal and an assist to push his multipoint streak to nine games for the 28-13-3 Lightning. Christian Dvorak replied for the Flyers (22-14-8), who are winless in their last three games (0-2-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning head coach Jon Cooper became the second-fastest coach in NHL history to reach the 600-win plateau. The only head coach to reach it faster was Hall of Famer Scotty Bowman. It was a costly win for Cooper and his team as center Brayden Point left the game with an apparent knee injury. There was no postgame update on his status.

An overtime goal by William Nylander lifted the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Colorado Avalanche by a score of 4-3, snapping the latter’s home win streak at 17 games. Nylander and Auston Matthews each had a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs (23-15-7) as they extended their points streak to 10 games (8-0-2). Nathan MacKinnon had three assists for the Avalanche (33-4-8) as they remain in first place in the overall standings with 74 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson left this game in the first period with a lower-body injury.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid collected two assists to extend his points streak to a career-high 19 games in a 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Evan Bouchard scored twice and collected an assist for the 23-16-7 Oilers. Tyler Bertuzzi scored for the Blackhawks, who slipped to 19-20-7.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid became the fifth player in NHL history to record 10 straight 50-assist seasons, joining Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey, Dale Hawerchuk (all with 13 seasons), and Bernie Federko (10). Meanwhile, the Oilers signed forward Quinn Hutson to a two-year, $1.75 million contract extension.

Blackhawks center Connor Bedard missed this game with an illness, and winger Teuvo Teravainen left the game after the first period for undisclosed reasons.

The Dallas Stars defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-1. Jason Robertson snapped a 1-1 tie while Sam Steel and Esa Lindell each had two assists for the Stars, who improved to 27-10-9. Quinton Byfield tallied for the 19-16-10 Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars captain Jamie Benn returned to action after missing three games with an injured nose.

Florida Panthers winger A.J. Greer scored two goals in a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Carter Verhaeghe had three assists for the 24-18-3 Panthers. Jacob Bryson, Zach Benson, and Alex Tuch scored for the Sabres. (24-16-4).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the 1,900th career game for Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. Scotty Bowman is the all-time leader with 2,141, followed by Panthers bench boss Paul Maurice with 1,975. Speaking of the Sabres, they will host the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26 and 27.

The New Jersey Devils got two goals within 21 seconds by Jesper Bratt to beat the Minnesota Wild 5-2. Ondrej Palat also scored twice for the Devils (23-21-2), and Dougie Hamilton had two assists in his return to the lineup as their club snapped a four-game losing skid. Ryan Hartman and Marcus Foligno replied for the 26-12-9 Wild.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hamilton was a healthy scratch from Sunday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets, prompting trade rumors as his agent said his client was willing to expand his 10-team trade list to facilitate a deal that benefits both sides. I’ll have the latest Hamilton trade speculation in today’s Rumor Mill.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexandre Carrier scored twice within 20 seconds in a 6-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov each had three points for the 26-14-6 Canadiens. Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo stopped 35 shots as his club is 0-5-2 in its last seven games.

The Seattle Kraken scored four straight goals to double up the New York Rangers 4-2. Berkly Catton snapped a 2-2 tie as the Kraken (21-15-8) are 9-1-2 in their last 12 games. Mika Zibanejad and Sam Carrick scored for the Rangers, who slipped to 20-21-6 and have one win in their last eight games (1-5-2).

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl, Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson, and Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak are the league’s three stars for the week ending Jan. 11, 2026.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets fired head coach Dean Evason and assistant coach Steve McCarthy. Veteran NHL coach Rick Bowness takes over as bench boss for the remainder of the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets are struggling this season to build on their promising 2024-25 performance. Mired at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and seven points out of a wildcard berth, they’re hoping that the coaching change will vault them back into playoff contention.

Bowness is expected to be in this role for the remainder of the season, as management will search for a full-time replacement in the offseason.

DAILY FACEOFF: The NHL and NHL Players’ Association are “pleased” with the progress of rink construction for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. They expect the work necessary to address the remaining issues will be completed in time for the men’s hockey tournament.

DAILY FACEOFF: Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson could miss the remainder of this season with a lower-body injury. He’s been ruled out for the Winter Olympics, and it’s unlikely he’ll return when the league resumes play following the Olympic break.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators signed goaltender James Reimer to a one-year contract.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins signed forward Blake Lizotte to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $2.25 million.

RG.ORG: A heart condition has forced former NHL coach Gerard Gallant to step down from his role as head coach of the KHL’s Shanghai Dragons. He’s been away from the club since Dec. 30.