NHL Rumor Mill – July 10, 2025

by | Jul 10, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 10, 2025

Check out the latest on Erik Karlsson, Ilya Sorokin and Jordan Kyrou, plus five teams that could make moves this summer, in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports multiple teams are interested in Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson.

According to a league source, the Toronto Maple Leafs are among them. They’re in the market for an offensive defenseman and have also been linked to Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils. The Penguins would have to retain part of their share ($10 million) of his average annual value.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images)

The source also dismissed the notion of bad blood between Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas and his former team. It’s also believed the Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Utah Mammoth and Dallas Stars were involved.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs have $4.9 million in cap space, meaning the Penguins must retain up to half of their share of Karlsson’s cap hit. Even then, the Leafs would have to shed more salary to make it work.

Karlsson is reportedly willing to waive his no-movement clause to join a contender. That rules out the Red Wings, Ducks and Mammoth.

The Stars meet the contender criteria, but they’re over the cap by nearly $1.8 million. It’s unlikely they could make the dollars fit.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner is skeptical of a recent report suggesting the New York Islanders were considering trading goaltender Ilya Sorokin during the 2025 NHL Draft.

The report claimed Islanders GM Mathieu Darche might’ve dangled Sorokin in an attempt to move up in the first-round draft order to select Long Island native James Hagens. However, Rosner pointed out that Darche indicated teams weren’t willing to trade their first-rounders.

Rosner also doesn’t see the Islanders trading their franchise goaltender when backup Semyon Varlamov is coming off lower-body surgery. He also noted that Sorokin is in the second season of an eight-year contract with a full no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The only reason Darche would trade Sorokin is if he were staging a full roster rebuild. As Rosner noted, the Islanders aren’t moving their core players if they remain committed to being competitive.

STLTODAY.COM: Lynn Worthy doesn’t put much stock into recent trade rumors surrounding Blues winger Jordan Kyrou.

He acknowledged the 27-year-old’s scoring ability is what would make him a great trade chip. However, it’s also a big reason why the Blues should retain him, especially since they were 13th last season in goals scored.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the Kyrou speculation occurred before his no-trade clause kicked in on July 1. Unless he’s keen to move on (and he’s publicly expressed no such sentiment), he’ll be in their lineup when the regular season begins in October.

SPORTSNET: Sonny Sachdeva listed the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche as five teams that could make moves in this summer’s trade market.

It’s believed the Oilers considered moving out a key player like Adam Henrique or Darnell Nurse to continue reshaping their roster, but they declined to waive their no-trade clauses.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sachdeva suggested the Oilers take a swing at adding Minnesota’s Marco Rossi or Florida’s Evan Rodrigues, or a depth forward like New Jersey’s Dawson Mercer or Colorado’s Ross Colton. Their biggest need, however, remains between the pipes. However, the limited goaltending options available mean they could be waiting for a while to find a suitable trade target.

The Maple Leafs could use a couple of scoring forwards. Sachdeva proposed Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust of the Pittsburgh Penguins as trade targets. Moving out forwards Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf would free up $4.5 million to create additional cap space to facilitate a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs could get Rakell or Rust but not both. However, they lack the tradeable assets to interest the Penguins, like a first-round pick or a good, young NHL player.

The Jets have the cap space ($19.8 million) to work with if they wish to continue adding to their forward lines. One option could be Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz, who has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5.85 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Mammoth hopes to push for a playoff berth this season, so it’s unlikely Schmaltz is available. It might be a different story if they’re outside the postseason picture by the March trade deadline.

Sachdeva noted the Kings made some additions via free agency (forwards Corey Perry and Joel Armia, defensemen Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin), but they need more if they hope to take the next step this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sachdeva mentioned acquiring Jason Robertson from the Dallas Stars, but even he considers that to be a remote possibility.

The Avalanche could be a landing spot for Schmaltz or one of the Penguins’ wingers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: See my previous comments on Rust, Rakell and Schmaltz.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 10, 2025

by | Jul 10, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 10, 2025

Golden Knights center Jack Eichel on new teammate Mitch Marner, Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere looks forward to 2025-26, the Canucks’ goaltending logjam, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel said he understands what it’s like to start over with a new NHL club. He’s willing to lend a hand to help new teammate Mitch Marner adjust.

“Having went through the situation of leaving an organization in the city and having a fresh start with Vegas, I think I can relate, to a point, to some of the things he’s going through,” said Eichel. He added that he’s looking forward to continuing getting to know Marner and the opportunity of playing with him.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (NHL Images).

During the “Leafs Morning Take” podcast, Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy said it was difficult to predict if Eichel and Marner would end up on the same line this season, but he is looking forward to seeing the two players together when training camp opens in September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s possible that Eichel and Marner might not mesh well as linemates. Nevertheless, it won’t be surprising if they’re on the first line when the Golden Knights open their season in October.

RDS.CA: New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere acknowledged he and his teammates didn’t play well last season. His struggles at times made him the subject of trade speculation.

However, Lafreniere expressed optimism for this season, pointing out that the Rangers have a new head coach (Mike Sullivan) and a slightly different roster. He’s hoping to regain the form that saw him net a career-high 57 points in 2023-24.

Lafreniere also indicated that he ignores trade rumors, saying he loves playing in New York.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lafreniere’s struggles and general manager Chris Drury’s ongoing roster tinkering fueled the trade speculation. However, it seems that Drury still believes the 23-year-old winger fits into his team’s long-range plans. Lafreniere is in the first season of a seven-year contract that he signed last fall.

THE PROVINCE: Arturs Silovs was the 2025 AHL playoff MVP backstopping the Vancouver Canucks’ AHL affiliate win the Calder Cup. However, he’s stuck as the Canucks’ No. 3 goalie behind Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen.

Silovs’s Calder Cup performance and his solid play for the Canucks in the 2024 NHL playoffs could make the 24-year-old goaltender a player of interest for teams seeking depth between the pipes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Silovs is no longer exempt from NHL waivers. It’s doubtful he’d pass unclaimed if the Canucks try to return him to Abbotsford before the start of the regular season. With several teams in the market for goalie depth, Silovs could surface in trade rumors during training camp in September.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Climate Pledge Arena co-developer Tim Leiweke stepped down as CEO of Oak View Group following a grand jury indictment for allegedly rigging a bidding process for an arena project at a public university in Austin, Texas.

Climate Pledge Arena is the home of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. The team released a statement indicating Leiweke’s indictment has nothing to do with the team or the arena and won’t affect their day-to-day operations.

Leiweke is the former CEO and president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. None of the allegations have been proven in court. If found guilty, he would face up to 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

TSN: NHL player agent Todd Diamond believes the organizational makeup of a team plays a bigger role in where players sign rather than their location.

“I think it’s a red herring,” said Diamond, referring to the issue of teams based in no-tax states. “It’s all about winning and how organizations are treating their players.”

Diamond acknowledged that lifestyle, weather and climate play a role to a certain extent, but pointed out that he has had clients who preferred to re-sign in Pittsburgh and Carolina. “It’s all about the feel and the ability for organizations to compete that are the foremost drivers in deciding where players want to play.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A team in a no-tax state has an advantage in re-signing or adding stars for slightly less than market value compared to other states. However, it doesn’t assure that those teams will become Stanley Cup champions.

Some believe it was a key factor behind the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning winning five of the last six Stanley Cup championships.

Whenever someone raises this issue, they never have a suitable answer for why the Panthers and Lightning had long periods in their history when they failed to reach the playoffs. They can’t explain why the Golden Knights didn’t advance past the second round over the past two years, or why the Lightning haven’t won a playoff round since 2022.

Shrewd management and strong coaching were the real reasons behind the success of those teams.

NEW YORK POST: The employer of former NHL enforcer Nick Tarnasky is looking into a fight he had with another man on an Alberta golf course on July 4. The incident was filmed and subsequently appeared on social media.

Tarnasky coaches Red Deer Minor Hockey’s U17 team. Local authorities looked into the incident, but no charges were laid. Police were dispatched to the golf course following a report of a drunken man starting fights, but the probe was closed when officers arrived and the suspect was gone.

The video shows a man charging at someone who is thought to be Tarnasky, who tossed the assailant into a lake. The individual kept coming after Tarnasky, who threw several punches and then tossed the man to the ground. The man was then led away by his companion.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 9, 2025

by | Jul 9, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 9, 2025

Did the Islanders attempt to trade Ilya Sorokin at the draft? What’s the latest on Dougie Hamilton and Marco Rossi? Will the Capitals explore the trade market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

ARE THE ISLANDERS CONSIDERING TRADING ILYA SOROKIN?

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski cited Frank Servalli of Daily Faceoff claiming the New York Islanders considered the possibility of trading Ilya Sorokin. Seravalli made the remarks during an appearance on the Kevin Karius Show.

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (NHL Images).

The 29-year-old goaltender is in the second year of his eight-year contract with an average annual value of $8.25 million. Seravalli said he’d heard of speculation that the Isles had discussed a deal with the Utah Mammoth for the fourth-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No reaction yet from those who cover the Islanders regarding this report. Any attempt to trade Sorokin would need the goaltender’s blessing. He has a full no-movement clause through 2027-28.

THE LATEST ON DOUGIE HAMILTON

B/R OPEN ICE: Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli also believes the New Jersey Devils explored the trade market for Dougie Hamilton.

The 32-year-old defenseman is signed through 2027-28 with an AAV of $9 million. He carries a 10-team trade list for the remainder of his deal.

Seravalli doesn’t believe the Devils are intent on trading Hamilton. However, they’ll need to find some flexibility with their blueline going forward. If not, they’ll have to make some tough decisions with some of their younger defensemen, like Simon Nemec.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Utah Mammoth and Dallas Stars were believed to be among the clubs interested in Hamilton. While the Devils are getting trade calls for the puck-moving blueliner, he’s not expected to be moved anytime soon.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hamilton’s cap hit and trade list will limit the potential suitors, in turn meaning few options for the Devils to get a suitable return.

The signing bonuses in his contract will also be a factor. Murphy pointed out Hamilton will receive a base salary of $1 million for this season and next, with a $7.4 million signing bonus due on July 1, 2026, and $5.25 million in actual salary for the final season with no bonus payments.

Interested clubs may have been waiting for the Devils to pay Hamilton his signing bonus for this season before expressing interest. Some might prefer waiting until next summer after his final bonus payment is made.

AN UPDATE ON MARCO ROSSI

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith report that there were teams interested in acquiring Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi. However, they were offering up futures or top-six forwards, which the Wild didn’t want.

The Vancouver Canucks offered the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft, but Russo and Smith aren’t sure there was a player the Wild would’ve wanted with that pick. “If you look at Carolina, who would the Hurricanes offer other than Jesperi Kotkaniemi?”

As for Rossi’s stalled contract negotiations, they could stretch into training camp and beyond unless he signs an offer sheet. Wild general manager Bill Guerin has said he would match any offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Until a rival club steps up with a significant trade offer, it seems Rossi won’t be going anywhere this summer. If no one’s pitching an offer sheet, the 23-year-old center could have little choice but to re-sign rather than risk missing training camp and regular-season playing time that will adversely affect his performance after he inevitably re-signs with the Wild.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CAPITALS?

NHL.COM: Tom Gulitti recently reported Washington Capitals GM Chris Patrick indicated he intends to explore the trade market after plans to make a significant addition in free agency fell through.

Gulitti indicated the Capitals hope to add a top-six forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed the Capitals were among the clubs bidding for Nikolaj Ehlers before the UFA winger signed with the Hurricanes last week.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 9, 2025

by | Jul 9, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 9, 2025

The NHL and NHLPA ratify the new CBA, the Oilers and Lightning swap top prospects, projected 2026 top prospect Gavin McKenna explains why he’s heading to the NCAA, and more in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The league and the NHL Players’ Association ratified a four-year collective bargaining agreement more than a year before the expiration of the current CBA. The agreement begins in 2026-07 and runs through 2029-30.

THE SCORE: An 84-game regular-season schedule with less preseason play and the reduction of maximum-length contracts by one year are among the notable changes in the new CBA. There will also be a playoff salary cap, no mandatory dress code for players, and the creation of a full-time travelling backup goaltender to replace emergency backups (EBUGs).

THE ATHLETIC: Jesse Granger and Rob Rossi spoke with 10 NHL players around the league regarding the new CBA. Early reviews were mostly positive, but there were some dissenting opinions.

All agreed that it was best to avoid another lockout and get a deal done, though some questioned the speed at which the agreement was reached. Older players are pleased with the reduction in preseason play, but some younger players complained it made it harder to earn a roster spot.

Some players felt the reduction in contract lengths was a slight sacrifice, while others expressed concern. All of them were happy with the increase in the playoff fund.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All of the significant changes were previously reported last month. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see what is contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that is expected to be released soon.

The playoff salary cap is the most significant as it addresses the contentious long-term injury reserve (LTIR) loophole that enabled teams to bolster their playoff rosters using injury relief cap space.

Reducing contract term (seven years for re-signings and six years for unrestricted free agents) will affect only the league’s top talent. Most players never see a contract longer than the league average of three years.

Changing the current EBUG system was a necessity. It robs us of entertaining scenarios when an amateur goalie occasionally gets an opportunity to play an NHL game, but the system was an embarrassment for a professional league.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning swapped a couple of promising prospects on Tuesday evening. Heading to Edmonton is left wing Isaac Howard, while the Lightning receive center Sam O’Reilly. The Oilers immediately signed the 21-year-old Howard to a three-year entry-level contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This trade occurred because Howard was reluctant to sign with the Lightning, preferring to choose which club he’d play with. He evidently felt that he’d have a quicker path to the NHL with the Oilers than with the Lightning, who reportedly preferred that he spend a season with their AHL affiliate in Syracuse.

It’s similar to Rutger McGroarty’s refusal to sign with the Winnipeg Jets last summer, resulting in his trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Brayden Yager.

Howard won the 2025 Hobey Baker Award as the top player in US college hockey. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports he’s expected to be in the Oilers’ opening-night roster in October.

Seravalli stated that some scouts think O’Reilly is the better long-term prospect, but Howard is NHL-ready now. Time will tell how this move pans out for both clubs.

TSN: Gavin McKenna made his long-rumored move to the NCAA official on Tuesday. The 17-year-old winger is leaving the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers to join Penn State University this season.

McKenna is the presumptive top prospect in the 2026 NHL draft class. He explained that his move enables him to play against “older, heavier, stronger guys” in the NCAA, which he believes will help prepare him for the NHL.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A smart decision by McKenna. Future top prospects in the Canadian Junior A ranks could follow the same path in the coming years.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the chaos that has dogged the Vancouver Canucks in recent years hurt their ability to attract free agents.

Multiple player agents cited issues like the team’s ownership, facilities, management, and off-ice drama. Travel and cost of living were also mentioned. It could also lead to team captain Quinn Hughes departing at the first opportunity.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before assuming that some of these issues are unique to Canadian teams, Johnston pointed out that the Winnipeg Jets don’t seem to struggle to retain or attract players, despite Vancouver being nicer than Winnipeg.

The Jets did lose Nikolaj Ehlers to free agency this summer, but the winger stressed that it was a personal decision, going on to praise the team and the city of Winnipeg. Indeed, the Jets retained superstar Connor Hellebuyck and top center Mark Scheifele, building a team around them that won the Presidents’ Trophy last season.

While the Jets’ ownership was recently criticized for taking their fans for granted, they’ve provided top-down stability that doesn’t meddle in management’s affairs, resulting in a consistent, competitive on-ice product since 2017-18 and a better record than the Canucks over the same period.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Winger Jesse Puljujarvi has signed a two-year contract with Geneve-Servette in Switzerland’s National League.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This likely signals the end of a disappointing NHL career for the 27-year-old Puljujarvi. Chosen fourth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 draft, he struggled to play up to expectations as a scoring forward.

From 2016-17 to 2024-25, Puljujarvi had 58 goals and 128 points in 387 NHL games with the Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Florida Panthers. He underwent double hip surgery in 2023, missing half of the following season.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche hired former Seattle Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol as their new assistant coach.

TSN: Former NHL player Riley Nash has retired after 13 seasons. From 2011-12 to 2023-24, Nash had 63 goals and 176 points in 628 regular-season games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Arizona Coyotes and the New York Rangers. He also had eight points in 42 postseason games.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2025

by | Jul 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2025

Check out the latest on the Penguins and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TEAMS STILL CALLING ABOUT PENGUINS FORWARDS RUST AND RAKELL

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports that Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell “remain considerable commodities on the trade market.” He cited league and Penguins sources claiming “opposing teams still have heavy interest in both wingers.”

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas doesn’t feel that he needs to trade either winger. They are talented players who enjoy playing in Pittsburgh, team captain Sidney Crosby enjoys being their linemate, and they’re fairly paid.

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust (NHL Images).

Nevertheless, Yohe cited league sources saying they expect one of them to be traded this summer. He also indicated the Carolina Hurricanes were interested in both players, but instead signed winger Nikolaj Ehlers last week.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski suggested the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Seattle Kraken as possible trade destinations for Rakell. He also felt the rebuilding San Jose Sharks could be a wild card.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rust carries an average annual value of $5.125 million through 2027-28. He had a full no-movement clause until July 1 and now lacks no-trade protection. Rakell is also signed through 2027-28 ($5 million AAV) with an eight-team no-trade list.

Rust seems the easiest to move, but Dubas could give him the choice of potential destinations. We can’t dismiss the possibility of Rakell fetching a better offer from one of the teams not on his no-trade list.

Dubas is trying to rebuild as quickly as possible. His asking price could be a high draft pick or a top prospect bundled with a promising young NHL player.

The Penguins GM can afford to remain patient. If there aren’t any suitable offers for Rust or Rakell this summer, he can try again before the March trade deadline.

CANADIENS ARE STILL SHOPPING IN THE TRADE MARKET

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports the Montreal Canadiens are still trying to make moves in the trade market. On June 27, they acquired defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, and last week shipped defenseman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for gritty winger Zack Bolduc.

D’Amico cited sources claiming the Canadiens are still looking at Blues winger Jordan Kyrou. While his no-trade clause kicked in on July 1, he remains a hot topic for teams seeking offense.

The Canadiens are also interested in former Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov. They would like to free up some salary cap space before the start of the regular season.

D’Amico also noted some online rumors concerning Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli. However, his no-trade clause began on July 1, and the Lightning have no one to replace him.

Mason McTavish has been the subject of offer-sheet speculation. However, D’Amico reports the 23-year-old center doesn’t want to leave the Anaheim Ducks. He also noted teams are reluctant to part with their 2026 first-round picks, which would be necessary as part of the compensation to the Ducks if McTavish were successfully signed away.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues may be willing to listen to offers for Kyrou, but they’re not believed to be shopping Kyrou. Their asking price will be expensive. It could cost the Canadiens a top prospect like Michael Hage or David Reinbacher, their 2026 first-round pick, and a decent roster player.

Kuznetsov played alongside promising Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov in the KHL last year. However, it’s questionable that the 33-year-old center can adequately fill the role of an NHL second-line center. His performance declined significantly during his final NHL campaign in 2023-24. That’s the reason why he ended up playing in Russia last season.

The Cirelli rumor was wishful-thinking nonsense long before his NTC began. He’s among the top two-way centers in the league and was a finalist for the Selke Trophy last season. The Lightning aren’t trading him.

Idle speculation about McTavish’s role with the Ducks blew up into suggestions that he could be a trade or offer-sheet candidate this summer. Like the Cirelli rumor, it was wishful thinking. The Ducks have no reason to trade McTavish; they have the cap space to match any offer sheet, and it’s doubtful any team will overpay to get him.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 8, 2025

by | Jul 8, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 8, 2025

Oilers winger Zach Hyman could miss the start of this season, the Hurricanes considered an offer sheet for Evan Bouchard, Matias Maccelli hopes to rebound with the Maple Leafs, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

SPORTSNET: Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman is hoping his fractured wrist won’t keep him out of the lineup when the 2025-26 regular season begins in October.

Hyman, 33, suffered the playoff-ending injury during Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars. He is still wearing a cast from the surgery on his wrist.

Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman (NHL Images).

The Oilers forward said he doesn’t have a timeline for the completion of his recovery, but didn’t rule out the possibility of missing the start of the regular season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hyman’s absence from the Stanley Cup Final contributed to the Oilers being beaten by the Florida Panthers for the second straight year.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman claiming that the Carolina Hurricanes were a factor in the Oilers signing Evan Bouchard to a four-year, $42-million contract extension last month.

Friedman claimed the threat of an offer sheet from the Hurricanes spurred the Oilers to move quickly on re-signing Bouchard. Leavins sees this as proof of what other teams (especially an elite club like the Hurricanes) think of the puck-moving Edmonton blueliner, who often faces criticism from Oilers fans for his defensive miscues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Losing Bouchard to the Hurricanes through an offer sheet, nearly a year after the St. Louis Blues signed away Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, would’ve left Oilers management facing a firestorm of criticism. Re-signing him is also critical to their hopes of convincing franchise player Connor McDavid to sign an extension before his free-agent eligibility next July.

TORONTO SUN: Matias Maccelli is hoping to regain his scoring touch with the Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old winger was acquired from the Utah Mammoth last month. Maccelli tallied a career-high 57 points in 2023-24, but his production dropped to 18 points in 55 games last season, making him a frequent healthy scratch over the second half of the schedule.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs management is also hoping Maccelli can bounce back. They’re trying to replace the offense of playmaking winger Mitch Marner, who was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights last week.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Mammoth, they signed Jack McBain to a five-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $4.25 million.

McBain is a physical forward who plays center or left wing. In a statement following the signing, Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong praised the 25-year-old forward’s versatility, toughness and competitiveness.

This signing comes a day after the Mammoth had filed to take McBain to salary arbitration.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McBain fills the third-line center position with the Mammoth. His play is comparable to a young Nick Bjugstad.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers signed defenseman Cam York to a five-year contract with an AAV of $5.15 million. Despite some inconsistency in his play, the 25-year-old York plays big minutes skating alongside Travis Sanheim on the Flyers’ top defense pairing. Given the club’s limited depth on the left side of their blueline, re-signing York was critical.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s hoped that the stability of a new long-term contract and the presence of Rick Tocchet as the Flyers’ new head coach can improve York’s performance going forward.

SPORTSNET: Gavin McKenna is reportedly planning to play for Penn State University for the 2025-26 season.

The presumed top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft, the 17-year-old winger spent last season with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League, netting 129 points in 56 games. The Tigers were the WHL champions, and McKenna was named the CHL’s Player of the Year for 2024-25.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings hired former NHL goaltender Michael Leighton as their new goalie coach. Now 44, Leighton spent 10 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers from 2002-03 to 2016-17. For the past three years, he served as goaltending coach for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires.

NHL.COM: The Dallas Stars named Toby Petersen as head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars. From 2000-01 to 2012-13, Petersen spent nine seasons as an NHL forward with the Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers. Over the past two years, he served as a skills coach for the Colorado Avalanche.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: The Lightning named Jeff Tambellini as their new assistant general manager. He spent the past three seasons as player development director for the Seattle Kraken. Tambellini is also a former NHL player, having spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, and Vancouver Canucks from 2005-06 to 2010-11.

Speaking of the Lightning, two-time Stanley Cup champion Tyler Johnson announced his retirement after 13 NHL seasons. The 35-year-old is calling it a career after battling injuries in recent years.

Johnson began his NHL career with the Lightning, spending nine seasons with them from 2012-13 to 2020-21. He spent three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and played briefly for the Boston Bruins last season. Johnson finishes with 433 points in 747 regular-season games and 65 points in 116 playoff contests.

TSN: NHL journeyman forward Zac Dalpe has retired. From 2010-11 to 2022-23, the 35-year-old spent 12 seasons in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers, mostly spent bouncing between those respective clubs and their AHL affiliates. He had 32 points in 168 regular-season games and one goal in 16 playoff games.