NHL Rumor Mill – July 7, 2025

by | Jul 7, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 7, 2025

Check out the latest on Dougie Hamilton, Darnell Nurse, Evan Rodrigues, Mario Ferraro, and Joonas Korpisalo in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: During his season-ending “32 Thoughts: The Podcast” episodes, Elliotte Friedman wondered where defenseman Dougie Hamilton fits into the New Jersey Devils’ plans.

Hamilton, 32, is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value (AAV) of $9 million. Friedman noted that his full no-movement clause now contains a 10-team trade list. The Devils also paid Hamilton his bonus on July 1.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (NHL Images).

Friedman thinks there’s a low percentage chance of Hamilton getting traded this summer. However, he said the blueliner’s name was “out there” in the market, adding he’d heard the Devils spoke to a couple of teams about him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: New Jersey Hockey Now’s James Nichols pointed out that, at one point, promising Devils blueliners Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey were mentioned as trade candidates. He noted that moving Hamilton’s contract would free up the cap space needed to bolster their top-six forward lines and also add a third-line center.

Regarding the Edmonton Oilers, Friedman believes management checked with all their players who had a no-trade clause if they would waive them. Among them was Darnell Nurse, whom Friedman believes doesn’t want to leave Edmonton.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: David Staples of the Edmonton Journal believes this is the first credible news about the Oilers having any interest in trading Nurse. The 30-year-old defenseman is signed through 2029-30 with a $9.25 million AAV and a full no-movement clause until 2027.

Staples thinks there could be a trade market for Nurse’s “brutally aggressive style of play.” However, he also suggests that this might push Nurse to address why his performance has suffered in the playoffs and what he can do to fix it.

The Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are sitting over the salary cap by $2.95 million. Teams can be above the cap by 10 percent during the offseason but must be cap compliant for their season-opening game.

Friedman said there’s an assumption the Panthers could trade forward Evan Rodrigues, who carries a $3 million AAV through 2026-27. However, he indicated that he was told not to assume anything, as there are several options they could use to free up cap room. For example, they need to figure out if Matthew Tkachuk requires surgery and what his recovery timeline would be.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers general manager Bill Zito surprised everyone by re-signing core players Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand. Much has been made about their advantage of playing in a no-tax state as a factor in retaining those players.

However, the cost of keeping the core intact remained steep even with their tax advantage. Unless Tkachuk is out of the season on long-term injury reserve, they could indeed face the possibility of giving up a popular, useful depth player like Rodrigues in a cost-cutting trade.

Meanwhile, Friedman reported the Toronto Maple Leafs are among several teams interested in Jack Roslovic. The 28-year-old unrestricted free-agent forward enjoyed a productive season with the Carolina Hurricanes, finishing with 22 goals and 39 points in 81 games.

Friedman suggests Roslovic could be waiting for the Maple Leafs to free up some cap space by moving out a player or two. He indicated the Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres could also be interested.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Roslovic’s inconsistency probably explains why he remains unsigned nearly a week into free agency.

Turning to the San Jose Sharks, Friedman confirmed a report by Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period claiming they were looking to shop a defenseman. They recently added veterans Dmitry Orlov, Nick Leddy and John Klingberg, creating a logjam on the blueline.

Friedman suggested Mario Ferraro, Timothy Liljegren, Henry Thrun or Jack Thompson as trade candidates. Ferraro and Liljegren are UFA-eligible next summer, Thrun will be a restricted free agent (RFA) with arbitration rights next July, while Thompson is currently an RFA.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng reported last week that Sharks GM Mike Grier was hoping to add a top-nine forward this summer. One of those blueliners could be used as trade bait to address that issue. Ferraro would have the most value if he were unwilling to sign a contract extension with the Sharks.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports Markus Lehto, the agent for Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, said his client has not requested a trade.

The 31-year-old Korpisalo has been the subject of trade speculation since his end-of-season comments in which he expressed his unhappiness with his limited playing time. The Bruins’ recent signing of Michael DiPietro to a two-year, one-way contract fueled the conjecture.

Lehto stated there was no truth to a rumor that Korpisalo wanted to be traded, claiming his client loves it in Boston.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Korpisalo is signed through 2027-28 with an AAV of $4 million, though $1 million of that is carried by his former club, the Ottawa Senators. He also has a 10-team no-list.

DiPietro was a depth signing by the Bruins. His $812,500 AAV won’t count against their cap when he’s in the minors.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 7, 2025

by | Jul 7, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 7, 2025

Bowen Byram and Jack McBain are being taken to arbitration by their respective teams, Ilya Kovalchuk thinks Connor McDavid’s contract decision could shake up the league, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Buffalo Sabres have elected for arbitration with defenseman Bowen Byram,  and the Utah Mammoth with center Jack McBain. Both players are restricted free agents.

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman pointed out that Byram and McBain are no longer able to sign offer sheets. Since their teams took them to arbitration, the two players can pick the term of the arbitration award. They could opt for two-year contracts, making them eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July 2027.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The arbitration period is from July 20 to August 4. Both players will learn their arbitration dates when the schedule is released shortly.

Like the 11 players who recently filed for arbitration, Bryam and McBain can continue their contract negotiations with their respective teams up to their scheduled hearing dates.

Both players could agree to new contracts before their hearings. They could also be traded.

Byram’s been a fixture in the rumor mill for weeks. The latest scuttlebutt claims the St. Louis Blues were “trying hard” to acquire him.

RG.ORG: Sergey Demidov recently interviewed former NHL star Ilya Kovalchuk, who weighed in on the looming contract decision for Connor McDavid.

The Edmonton Oilers captain is a year away from UFA eligibility. That’s prompted speculation over whether he’ll re-sign and stay in Edmonton or test the market when his current contract expires.

Kovalchuk believes McDavid’s decision won’t just affect the Oilers, but the entire league.

“Honestly, I think this is bigger than just McDavid or the Oilers,” said Kovalchuk. “He’s the face of the NHL. If he leaves, it’ll be like when Wayne Gretzky was traded from Edmonton to LA in 1988.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Gretzky trade paved the way for the NHL’s expansion into the Sun Belt. It’s uncertain what the overall consequences of McDavid signing elsewhere would be, but the ripples from that decision could be felt around the league for years.

The Oilers would feel the effects immediately. Like Gretzky’s departure, the loss of McDavid could lead to an exodus of other core players, turning them into an also-ran as management scrambles to rebuild.

Unlike the Oilers of the late 1980s, however, the current version has stable ownership and operates under a league-wide salary cap system. They wouldn’t be dealing with threats of relocation while struggling to maintain a competitive roster, putting them in a better position this time to retain some core talent and perhaps attract others. Those factors give them the opportunity for a quick turnaround if management can act shrewdly in rebuilding the roster.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael Augello looked at the five worst contract signings in the 2025 NHL offseason thus far. Among them are the Columbus Blue Jackets re-signing Ivan Provorov to a seven-year contract and the Boston Bruins inking forward Tanner Jeannot to a five-year deal.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens signed goaltender Jakub Dobes to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $965,000.

NEW YORK POST: The Islanders inked winger Marc Gatcomb to a one-year, one-way deal worth $900,000.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The New York Rangers re-signed forward Brendan Brisson to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 at the NHL level.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights re-signed restricted free-agent forwards Raphael Lavoie, Jonas Rondbjerg, and Cole Schwindt to one-year deals.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 6, 2025

by | Jul 6, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 6, 2025

What are the Rangers’ plans for Artemi Panarin? Could the Blues acquire Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram? What’s the latest on the Red Wings? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT ARE THE RANGERS PLANS FOR PANARIN?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks wondered what the New York Rangers intend to do with Artemi Panarin following the 2025-26 season. The 33-year-old left winger has a year left on his contract and is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

Brooks considers Panarin to be the greatest free-agent signing in Rangers history. Since joining the Blueshirts in 2019, he’s fourth among all NHL scorers with 550 points since 2019-20. He has also led the Rangers in scoring in each of his six seasons with the club.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

According to Brooks, the Rangers haven’t opened contract extension talks yet with Panarin. That raises the possibility of his departure next summer. Despite his age, Panarin has turned in his best seasons in his 30s.

Brooks suggests a four-year extension could do the trick. He believes the Rangers can’t afford to lose Panarin, suggesting having him on the roster beyond next season could help them entice other free-agent talent next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation over Panarin’s future is bound to surface in the rumor mill at some point in this offseason. The longer he goes without a contract extension, the more questions will be raised about where he’ll be playing after this season.

The Rangers have over $29 million in cap space for 2026-27 with 17 active roster players under contract. Braden Schneider is the only key player besides Panarin to be re-signed. They’ll have the cap room to re-sign the high-scoring winger, perhaps even to a slight pay cut from his current $11.6 million AAV.

Whether Panarin wants to stay is another matter. That decision could depend on the club’s performance this season. If he feels the Rangers aren’t in Cup contention, he could move on to a team that would allow him to win that elusive championship.

COULD THE BLUES ACQUIRE BOWEN BYRAM?

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford and Matthew Fairburn examined recent speculation suggesting the St. Louis Blues were attempting to acquire Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram.

The Blues are trying to revamp their defense corps. Rutherford and Fairburn believe he’d slot in as their second-pairing right-side blueliner if they could include Justin Faulk in the deal. They also speculate the Blues might have to part with a good young NHL player (like Jake Neighbours) as part of the return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The last two major trades made by the Sabres were player-for-player swaps. That included the deal that sent Byram to the Sabres in 2024, with Casey Mittelstadt going to the Colorado Avalanche.

The Sabres already have plenty of draft picks and prospects. They want a player who can help them immediately, starting this season.

Faulk isn’t that player. He’s 33 years old with two years left on his contract at an AAV of $6.5 million. He also has a 15-team no-trade list, and there’s a good chance that the Sabres are on that list. 

THE RED WINGS ARE STILL TRYING TO ADD TO THEIR ROSTER

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff recently reported that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman isn’t giving up trying to add to his roster this summer. He intends to explore the trade market to try and make the necessary upgrades to his team.

Yzerman addressed his goaltending depth by acquiring John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. However, the Wings still need a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman noted that Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram are the big-name forwards believed to be available in this summer’s trade market. That’s assuming the Dallas Stars don’t put winger Jason Robertson on the trade block.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We already know that the Sabres want a good young NHL player as part of the return for Byram. The rebuilding Penguins would likely want a similar return for Rust or Rakell. As for Robertson, there’s no indication that the Stars are shopping him, though there are probably clubs that could be interested in acquiring him.

Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson and center Marco Kasper could be the players the Sabres or Penguins would want as part of the return. However, it’s unlikely Yzerman would give up either of those promising youngsters.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 6, 2025

by | Jul 6, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 6, 2025

Eleven players file for salary arbitration, three potential new duos formed by recent trades and free agency, the latest contract signings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHLPA.COM: Eleven players elected salary arbitration by the July 5 deadline.

Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi (NHL Images).

Three of them are with the Winnipeg Jets. They are forwards Morgan Barron and Gabriel Vilardi and defenseman Dylan Samberg. Two of them – goaltender Lukas Dostal and defenseman Drew Helleson – are with the Anaheim Ducks.

The others are winger Kaapo Kakko of the Seattle Kraken, forward Nicholas Robertson of the Toronto Maple Leafs, goaltender Arvid Soderblom of the Chicago Blackhawks, defenseman Jayden Struble of the Montreal Canadiens, defenseman Conor Timmins of the Buffalo Sabres, and winger Maxim Tsyplakov of the New York Islanders.

The deadline for club-elected salary arbitration notification is Sunday, July 6, at 5 pm ET. Arbitration hearings will be held from July 20 and August 4, 2025.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The schedule will be released in the coming days. These players are now ineligible to receive offer sheets from rival teams.

These players probably won’t require arbitration to receive new contracts. It’s often a tactic used to set a deadline in negotiations to avoid talks dragging on throughout the summer.

Both sides usually agree to contract terms before the arbitration date. Don’t be surprised if all of them end up settling before their scheduled hearings.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andre Leal looked at three new potential duos recently formed through trades and free agency that could dominate once they hit the ice together.

Right wing Mitch Marner is expected to skate alongside center Jack Eichel with the Vegas Golden Knights. The 28-year-old Marner was traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Golden Knights last week, signing an eight-year contract. He had a career-best 102 points last season, while Eichel reached his career best of 94 points.

The Montreal Canadiens acquired defenseman Noah Dobson on June 27 from the New York Islanders. Leal believes he’d be a perfect complement alongside 2025 Calder Memorial Trophy winner Lane Hutson on the Canadiens’ top defense pairing.

On June 23, the Anaheim Ducks traded forward Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers. Leal cited Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet suggesting the possibility of putting Zegras on the same line as scoring winger Matvei Michkov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner with Eichel seems the most certain pairing, but it comes down to whether their styles will mesh.

Tocchet said the Flyers would be idiots not to consider at least putting Zegras and Michkov together, but seemed to leave the door open to the possibility that they’ll be playing on separate lines.

Dobson and Hutson seem the least likely pairing, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. They could see power-play time together.

Daily Faceoff’s roster projection shows Dobson on the top pairing with Kaiden Guhle, with Hutson on the second pairing with Jayden Struble. Meanwhile, PuckPedia has Dobson with Mike Matheson on the top pairing, with Hutson and Guhle on the second. That’s just their best guess, as we won’t know those pairings for certain until the start of the season in October.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed forward Dmitri Voronkov to a two-year, $8.35 million contract with an average annual value of $4.175 million.

Voronkov, 24, finished last season with a career-best 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points, sitting sixth among Blue Jackets’ scorers. He led the Jackets with eight power-play goals and was fourth in plus/minus with plus-17.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A reasonable bridge deal for Voronkov, who completed his entry-level contract last season. He had a solid sophomore season following his 18-goal, 34-point debut in 2023-24.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken signed forward Tye Kartye to a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.25 million.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Washington Capitals signed center Hendrix Lapierre to a one-year, one-way contract worth $850K.

THE DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche named Mark Letestu as the new head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Letestu spent 11 NHL seasons with five teams as a player, and spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.

NESN: Former NHL winger Lyndon Byers died on July 4 at age 61. He spent nine seasons with the Boston Bruins and one season with the San Jose Sharks from 1983-84 to 1992-93. An enforcer who became a fan favorite in Boston, Byers had 28 goals and 43 assists for 71 points and 1,081 PIMs in 279 games.

Following his playing career, Byers returned to Boston, where he became a member of a popular radio morning show from 1996 to 2019.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Byers’ family, friends, his former teammates, and coworkers.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2025

by | Jul 5, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2025

Could the Maple Leafs attempt a reunion with Nazem Kadri? What’s the latest on the Penguins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE MAPLE LEAFS TRY TO BRING BACK NAZEM KADRI?

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan wondered if Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving would attempt to bring Nazem Kadri back to Toronto.

The Leafs traded Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche in 2019. In 2022, he signed a seven-year contract with the Calgary Flames, whose GM at the time was Treliving.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Koshan said he wasn’t suggesting anything was imminent trade-wise between the Leafs and Flames. He cited an NHL source claiming Kadri wouldn’t use his no-movement clause to block a return to Toronto. However, Kadri enjoys playing in Calgary and isn’t looking to be moved, nor has he been asked to waive his NMC.

THE SPORTING NEWS: cited TSN’s Darren Dreger indicated the Flames don’t want to trade Kadri, whose NMC remains in effect until next July, when it becomes a 13-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames came close to making the playoffs last season, with Kadri playing a key role as their leading scorer. He’ll be a crucial part of their postseason hopes for 2025-26. They’re not parting with Kadri unless he demands to be traded, and there’s no indication he wants out.

Assuming Kadri would welcome a trade to Toronto, the retooling Flames would likely want a good young player as part of the return. That’s something the Leafs lack among their limited tradeable assets.

THE LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently looked at trade speculation surrounding Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. The 33-year-old Rust’s no-movement clause ended on July 1.

Yohe had a hunch that both players would be part of the Penguins’ starting lineup in October. However, he expects at least one of them will be playing elsewhere by the March 2026 trade deadline.

“They’re great players, great guys, and fairly paid,” wrote Yohe. “But they’re also valuable commodities who are in their 30s. Does keeping them make sense?” He thinks both players could command a first-round pick in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has resisted moving Rust or Rakell this summer, possibly because he hasn’t received any suitable trade offers, or maybe because he wants to maintain some veteran depth to his rebuilding roster for the coming season.

Whatever the reason, one of them could indeed be on the move by the trade deadline if, as expected, the Penguins are out of playoff contention by then.

TVA SPORTS: cited Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos believes Sidney Crosby could be moved by the March 2026 trade deadline.

Kypreos noted that the 37-year-old Crosby is still performing at a high level. He thinks the Penguins’ captain is too good a player to be acting as a babysitter for young talent on a non-contending club.

“Leaving him in Pittsburgh would be a disservice to our game,” Kypreos said. He then deadpanned about Crosby possibly landing with the Montreal Canadiens following the Olympic break.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos is among several pundits who believe Crosby must be traded to a playoff contender “for the good of the game”. Some suggest the long-time Penguins superstar join the Canadiens, his boyhood team. Others openly salivate over the thought of him playing alongside his buddy (and fellow Cole Harbour, NS native) Nathan MacKinnon with the Colorado Avalanche.

Folks, it’s up to Crosby to decide what he thinks is best for him. And if that means staying with the now-rebuilding Penguins until he retires, so be it. If he wanted out, he never would’ve signed that two-year extension last September. He would’ve let his contract expire and hit the open market this past Tuesday.

Crosby could change his mind if he feels that he wants one more shot at the Stanley Cup. Maybe he sticks around long enough for Evgeny Malkin’s farewell tour this season and decides he’s had enough.

Or maybe, just maybe, Crosby intends to remain loyal to the only NHL team he’s ever played for, and sticks around to provide guidance and leadership to the promising next generation of Penguins players. Either way, it’ll be what’s best for him, and it won’t hurt the integrity of the game at all.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 5, 2025

by | Jul 5, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 5, 2025

Jonathan Toews officially joins the Jets, Vladimir Tarasenko on leaving the Red Wings for the Wild, the top remaining UFAs, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Jonathan Toews was formally introduced on Friday as a member of the Winnipeg Jets. The former Chicago Blackhawks captain is staging an NHL comeback following a two-season absence for health reasons.

Toews signed a one-year, bonus-laden contract that could pay the 37-year-old center up to $5 million in 2025-26. He said he would be realistic about his expectations and performance. Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff considers this signing an opportunity instead of a gamble.

In his final season with the Blackhawks, Toews had 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points in 53 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It would be a considerable achievement if Toews produces at a similar pace in his comeback season. He’ll likely start as a third or fourth-line center when the season opens in October.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Former Red Wings forward Vladimir Tarasenko said he welcomed the trade to the Minnesota Wild on Monday. “Yeah, we wanted a change,” said the 33-year-old winger. “The trade happened. I don’t even know what else to say. Probably to most questions about the past, I’ll say that the past is behind us.”

Detroit Red Wings traded forward Vladimir Tarasenko to the Minnesota Wild (NHL Images).

Tarasenko blamed the grind of the previous two seasons for the drop in his production in 2024-25. He played for four teams during the span, including a Stanley Cup run with the Florida Panthers in 2024, leaving him little time to properly prepare before joining the Red Wings.

Since Detroit missed the playoffs this year, Tarasenko has more time to prepare for 2025-26. He anticipates his production will improve with the Wild. “I will come and try to help the team in any way possible.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After a 23-goal, 55-point performance with the Ottawa Senators and Panthers in 2023-24, Tarasenko’s production fell to 11 goals and 33 points with the Red Wings. He’ll slot in as their third-line right wing but could move up to the second line if the 37-year-old Mats Zuccarello’s performance declines.

DAILY FACEOFF: Forwards Jack Roslovic and Max Pacioretty and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk are the top remaining players in this summer’s unrestricted free agent market.

Other notables include forwards Victor Olofsson, Jeff Skinner and Evgeny Kuznetsov, and goaltenders James Reimer, Ilya Samsonov, and Alexandar Georgiev.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau looked at which Stanley Cup contenders improved, worsened, or remained the same following the start of this summer’s free-agent market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Apart from Proteau’s take on the Avalanche, I agree with his assessments of the other Cup contenders. Check it out by following the link above and feel free to weigh in with your thoughts.

TSN: The San Jose Sharks drafted Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa with the second overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft. Todd Marchant, the Sharks’ director of player development, said they would give the 18-year-old Misa every opportunity to crack the roster for 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Misa would be joining a young group of Sharks forwards that includes 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini, center/winger Will Smith, left wing William Eklund, center/winger Zack Ostapchuk, and center/winger Cameron Lund. His addition could result in Ostapchuk or Lund being demoted to their AHL affiliate.

SPORTSNET: Ottawa Senators defense prospect Carter Yakemchuk hopes to crack the lineup in 2025-26. The 19-year-old Calgary Hitmen blueliner was chosen seventh overall by the Senators in 2024.

“My goal is to make the opening roster. That’s what I want to do, “said Yakemchuk. “I feel like I’ve come a long way, trying to round up my game to be an NHL defenseman one day.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The addition of Yakemchuk would provide a boost to the right side of the Senators’ blueline, especially with Nick Jensen expected to miss the start of the season recovering from hip surgery.

TSN: Christian Fischer has announced his retirement as an NHL player. The 28-year-old winger spent nine seasons in the league with the Arizona Coyotes, Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets. He had 62 goals and 75 assists for 137 points in 523 games.

Fischer said that he’d spent the past couple of seasons thinking about what he wanted to do with his life. He indicated that he has a business opportunity in the golf industry with a close friend in Arizona, which would allow him to spend more time with his family.