NHL Rumor Mill – September 3, 2026

by | Sep 3, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 3, 2026

Could Kirill Marchenko land with the Canadiens? Will the Blues pursue Alexander Nikishin? Could the Senators sign Patrik Laine? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Check out the latest Pucks In Deep podcast where we discuss the latest news on Connor Hellebuyck, Quinn Hughes, and more.

LA PRESSE: Mathias Brunet believes Montreal Canadiens fans should keep an eye on Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko (NHL Images).

The 25-year-old Marchenko is a restricted free agent next summer and can become an unrestricted free agent in 2028. He hasn’t signed a long-term extension and reportedly requested a trade this summer. However, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell has yet to finalize a trade and expects Marchenko to report to training camp as planned.

Brunet noted that the Canadiens are in the market for a top-six forward. In the absence of a second-line center in the trade market, adding a winger like Marchenko would be a viable alternative.

The Blue Jackets would set a high price. They could ask for a top prospect like center Michael Hage or winger Alexander Zharovsky, along with a first-round pick and possibly one or two other assets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchenko’s uncertain future with the Blue Jackets ensures he’ll be a fixture in the rumor mill this season, with the Canadiens considered the front-runners to acquire him because they need to bolster their second line.

However, the Canadiens won’t be the only team linked to Marchenko, and a trade to Montreal isn’t a certainty. We also can’t dismiss the possibility that he has a change of heart and signs an extension with the Blue Jackets.

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford made 10 bold predictions for the St. Louis Blues this season. Among them was his forecast that they will make a trade for Alexander Nikishin.

The Carolina Hurricanes defenseman is a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level contract last season. He’s ineligible to sign an offer sheet because he didn’t play the required number of games to qualify.

Rutherford believes the 24-year-old Nikishin fits the profile of the defenseman first-year general manager Alex Steen seeks. His market value is projected at nearly $8 million annually, but he lacks leverage, and the Hurricanes might be unwilling to go that high. Rutherford predicts they get him for a reasonable asking price and a bridge contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have been linked to Nikishin since July, but there’s no sign that a deal is on the horizon yet. Other clubs will also be interested in the promising young blueliner, which could set off a bidding war for his services.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators discussed signing unrestricted free-agent winger Patrik Laine. However, he considers it “highly doubtful” that he’ll land in Ottawa.

Garrioch stated there is “reportedly interest from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, and Tampa Bay Lightning.” He felt the Senators aren’t interested because they don’t feel he’s the right fit for their roster. Instead, they’re putting their faith in offseason addition Andre Burakovsky to find his game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The New York Islanders looked into signing Laine to a professional tryout offer, but he’s more interested in a contract.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 3, 2026

by | Sep 3, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 3, 2026

The questions facing the Winnipeg Jets heading into this season, the Blues name a new captain, Panthers winger Brad Marchand trolls Senators center Tim Stutzle, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: What will happen to goaltender Connor Hellebuyck after he publicly revealed his trade request is the top question facing the Winnipeg Jets entering the 2026-27 season.

Hellebuyck, 33, raised eyebrows with end-of-season comments expressing disappointment about his performance and that of his teammates after the Jets missed the playoffs. He’s spent his entire 11-season career with the Jets, who will need a substantial return if they decide to trade him.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With training camp two weeks away, there’s speculation suggesting Hellebuyck could refuse to report until he’s traded. Doing so would be a considered breach of contract, allowing the Jets to suspend him without pay, fine him, and toll his contract forward if he sits out the season.

General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff could avoid this by shipping Hellebuyck to the highest bidder before training camp opens. However, Cheveldayoff has proven he won’t rush to make a deal when other players (Evander Kane, Jacob Trouba, Pierre-Luc Dubois) tried to force their way out of Winnipeg. Trading Hellebuyck for a meager return won’t sit well with Jets fans.

How the Jets intend to regain their 2024-25 Presidents’ Trophy form and what impact rookie center Viggo Bjorck will have on their roster are the other questions facing the club this season.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The St. Louis Blues named Robert Thomas as their new captain. He’s the 25th player in franchise history to hold that title. Thomas replaces Brayden Schenn, who was moved to the New York Islanders at the March trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Naming Thomas captain should silence any lingering conjecture about his future in St. Louis, which raised considerable speculation before the March trade deadline.

OTTAWA SUN: Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand weighed in on Tim Stutzle being considered among the candidates to replace Brady Tkachuk as captain of the Ottawa Senators.

“HAHAHAH…..STUTZLE…..HAHAHA,” Marchand replied on his Instagram account.

Tkachuk became Marchand’s teammate when he was traded to the Panthers in June.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand is doing what he usually does in his role as the NHL’s biggest pest. It’ll likely stir up some Ottawa fans, but it’ll be interesting to see whether the Senators rise to the bait.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau observed that free-agent forward Evander Kane is clashing with former San Jose Sharks teammate Kurtis Gabriel after the latter called him out as a selfish and absurd teammate. Kane also took umbrage with Sportsnet’s Mark Spector after the Edmonton Oilers’ beat writer criticized his controversial comments on COVID issues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane is trying to find a new NHL club to play with this season. He earned a reputation as a difficult teammate after wearing out his welcome with the Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, and the Sharks. Proteau suggests that his latest off-ice controversy might signal the end of his playing career.

DAILY FACEOFF: New York Islanders GM Mathieu Darche said Semyon Varlamov will be a full participant in training camp after missing most of the past two seasons with significant knee issues.

Varlamov’s last NHL game was Nov. 29, 2024. The 38-year-old goaltender had since undergone multiple knee procedures. Darche called Varlamov’s recovery “almost a miracle”, praising him for the hard work he put into his rehab.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Varlamov could become the favorite to win the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy if he stays healthy and puts in a full season with the Isles.

YAHOO! SPORTS: Jonah Sigel of the Toronto Star reported earlier this week that Sportsnet’s NHL insider Elliotte Friedman and NHL analyst Kevin Bieksa are free agents after their contracts expired on Monday.

Sigel wrote that it doesn’t mean Friedman and Bieksa won’t return, but his sources claimed neither had yet to do so.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No word yet from Sportsnet, Friedman or Bieksa regarding their status. The network declined to extend long-time NHL analyst Kelly Hrudey’s contract. Letting Friedman and Bieksa join a rival network in Canada or the United States would signal a shakeup of their NHL television team.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 2, 2026

by | Sep 2, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 2, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we have the latest takes on Quinn Hughes, Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, Zachary Bolduc, and Arber Xhekaj.

THE LATEST TAKES ON QUINN HUGHES, CONNOR HELLEBUYCK, AND DYLAN LARKIN

SPORTSNET: Frank Seravalli believes the Minnesota Wild should act quickly and re-sign Quinn Hughes or trade him if the two sides fail to agree to a new contract. He believes it would be a mistake to let the team and the season be held hostage by this storyline.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

If the Wild decide to trade him, Seravalli believes the New Jersey Devils remain Hughes’ destination of choice, reuniting him with his brothers Jack and Luke.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I still believe Hughes and the Wild will agree to a short-term contract extension. However, Seravalli is right that they can’t allow this to become an unnecessary distraction this season.

If Hughes doesn’t want to sign, the Wild should move him to the team of his choice for the best possible return and move on. He lacks no-trade protection, but since everyone believes he wants to play with his brothers in New Jersey, it’s unlikely other suitors will emerge to bid for a player who will walk next summer.

Seravalli also weighed in on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request. He believes the Jets are content to slow-play this situation. They could either get close to an acceptable return for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner, or Hellebuyck honors his contract and starts this season with the Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers, like TSN’s Martin Biron, believe Hellebuyck might not report to the Jets for training camp and might even sit out the entire season to force a trade. However, it’s a big risk that could backfire.

Withholding his services would be seen as a breach of contract, enabling the Jets to suspend him without pay, fine him, and toll his contract forward a year if he sits out the season. Trading him would avoid all this, but not for pennies on the dollar.

Holding out for a year also wouldn’t do Hellebuyck’s playing career much good. He’s 33 now and doesn’t have many quality years left to chase the Stanley Cup, so he cannot afford to risk an entire season at this stage.

The Jets were reportedly close to a deal in June that would’ve sent Hellebucyk to the Buffalo Sabres. Perhaps those two clubs will revisit those discussions if they haven’t already.

Turning to Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin’s trade request, Seravalli wondered if a trade would happen now that Steve Yzerman is no longer the general manager.

Larkin is a Michigan native who loved playing for the Red Wings, but didn’t get along with Yzerman. With the latter out of the picture, Seravalli suggested it could give Larkin a chance to save face by rescinding his request and giving it another year with the Wings under new management.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some pundits wondered if Larkin would pull his trade request after Yzerman’s was removed as GM, but Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported he hadn’t changed his mind.

Larkin’s status remains in limbo until the Wings hire a new general manager. His camp has kept quiet about this situation for months, but he’ll have to face questions in two weeks when training camp opens.

UPDATES ON THE CANADIENS’ ZACHARY BOLDUC AND ARBER XHEKAJ

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels believes Montreal Canadiens forward Zachary Bolduc could sign a new contract before the players arrive for their training camp physicals on Sept. 16.

The 23-year-old winger completed his entry-level contract last season. Engels speculated that he could receive a three-year contract with an average annual value of around $4 million. He believes the young forward will take a considerable step forward in his development now that he’s had a full season under head coach Martin St. Louis.

Meanwhile, there’s been no word from the Canadiens or Arber Xhekaj’s camp regarding the status of the 25-year-old defenseman’s contract talks. He completed a two-year deal worth $1.3 million annually, but his ice time was reduced, and he was a frequent healthy scratch last season.

Engels reports Xhekaj wants to stay in Montreal and the Canadiens prefer to keep him. However, he speculates that Xhekaj might not be ready to commit yet until he has more certainty about his role with the Canadiens. He knows that the club could draw from its overcrowded blueline to address its need for a top-six forward. Such a move could involve Xhekaj or clear room for him to get more runway in Montreal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s no secret that the Canadiens have been shopping for a forward to play alongside budding superstar Ivan Demidov on their second line.

The contract situations involving Bolduc and Xhekaj prompted Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette to speculate that both could be part of a “sign-and-trade” scenario to bring in a top-six forward. With training camp two weeks away, we should find out soon what’s in store for both players.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 2, 2026

by | Sep 2, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 2, 2026

Questions facing the Capitals this season, the Ducks retiring Ryan Getzlaf’s number, an update on Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau, the Predators trading Luke Evangelista to the Devils, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: How the defense holds up until Rasmus Sandin returns to action, where Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou play, and Alex Ovechkin’s role are the three big questions facing the Washington Capitals in 2026-27.

Sandin remains sidelined recovering from his April knee surgery, with a recovery timeline of six to nine months. The addition of Vincent Desharnais and re-signing of Timothy Liljegren should help, while promising blueliner Cole Hutson could play a significant role.

Tuch was acquired in a sign-and-trade move from the Buffalo Sabres, while Kyrou arrived in a trade with the St. Louis Blues. Given the Capitals’ depth on right wing, Tuch or Kyrou could shift to the left side.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

Ovechkin turns 41 this month as he approaches his 22nd NHL season. His place as the league’s all-time goal-scoring leader is assured, but his ice time has declined in recent years, and he might not play the full two minutes on the power play this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals were among the league’s busiest teams during this offseason as they attempt to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance. How they answer those three questions will determine how successful their bounce-back efforts will be.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks will retire Ryan Getzlaf’s No. 15 during a ceremony on Jan. 30 before the club’s game against the Nashville Predators.

Getzlaf spent his entire 17-season NHL career with the Ducks from 2005-06 to 2021-22. He’s the franchise leader in regular-season games played (1,157), assists (737), and points (1,019), and he holds the club’s single-season assist record with 66. He also helped the Ducks win their first Stanley Cup in 2007 and is their longest-serving captain, serving 12 seasons from 2010-11 to 2021-22.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A well-deserved honor for one of the greatest players in Ducks history.

DAILY FACEOFF: Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy said Jonathan Huberdeau might not be ready when the club’s 2026-27 regular-season schedule begins.

Huberdeau underwent season-ending hip resurfacing surgery in March 2026. Conroy said the 33-year-old winger suffered “a little bit of a setback” about two weeks ago with his skating. He added that they will give Huberdeau the time to fully recover.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Huberdeau’s production had been in steady decline since his career-best 115-point performance in 2021-22 with the Florida Panthers. He played through pain last season before undergoing hip resurfacing in March, a procedure that few NHL players fully recover from.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW/THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators traded winger Luke Evangelista to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for the Colorado Avalanche’s conditional 2028 first-round pick, and their own second-round pick in 2028.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trading a young winger like Evangelista for two draft picks prompted puzzled reactions on social media. Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin acknowledged the Devils paid a high price for the 24-year-old winger, but wondered if this was a precursor to a bigger deal by the Predators, such as pursuing Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin.

Predators general manager Chris MacFarland told Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean that he’s not ruling out using those two picks to acquire more immediate help. It remains to be seen who they might target in the trade market and when they’ll make that move.

The Predators are not among the teams on Larkin’s narrow list of preferred destinations. Unless that changes, they’ll have to look elsewhere for a top-six center.

NHL.COM: Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin was back on the ice this week as part of the captain’s skate. The 34-year-old Seguin last played on Dec. 2, when he tore the ACL in his right knee.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seguin is in the final season of his eight-year contract with a $9.85 million cap hit. Injuries have limited him to 20 games in 2024-25 and 27 games last season. His performance in 2026-27 could determine if he’ll continue his NHL career after his contract expires.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers are closing in on a one-year contract with winger Eeli Tolvanen worth $1.5 million. He completed a three-year deal worth $3.475 million annually with the Seattle Kraken.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tolvanen, 27, was among the youngest players still available in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market. A versatile forward who can skate at either wing, he spent most of the last four seasons with the Kraken. He reportedly sought a multi-year contract, but had to settle for a significant pay cut on a one-year deal.

DAILY FACEOFF: Colorado Avalanche owner Stan Kroenke and his ownership group have acquired a controlling interest in the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball.

CALGARY SUN: Tickets for the Flames’ final game at the Saddledome on April 10, 2027, sold out in minutes on Monday morning. The Flames are moving to the Scotia Place arena next season, and the iconic Saddledome is slated for demolition once the move is complete.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 1, 2026

by | Sep 1, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 1, 2026

Check out the latest on Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko and Senators winger Drake Batherson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

Join me and Jim Biringer of Full Press Hockey as we discuss Cale Makar’s record contract with the Avalanche, Quinn Hughes’ contract talks with the Wild, and the latest notable rumors.

THE LATEST KIRILL MARCHENKO RUMORS

THE SICK PODCAST: James Murphy reported one of his sources believes that the Columbus Blue Jackets don’t intend to trade Kirill Marchenko. However, another source isn’t ruling out the possibility

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko (NHL Images).

The 25-year-old right wing entered the rumor mill in June after an ESPN report claimed he was reluctant to sign a contract extension.

Speculation grew in July following a report from Russia claiming the Blue Jackets were discussing a trade involving Kirill Marchenko, sparking rumors linking him to the Montreal Canadiens. However, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell dismissed those reports.

Murphy’s second source claimed that if the Blue Jackets were willing to “really consider” trading Marchenko, the Canadiens would be at the front of the line of trade suitors. He suggested that he might sacrifice Marchenko to free up salary cap room to re-sign restricted free-agent center Adam Fantilli.

Asked what it would cost the Canadiens to acquire Marchenko, Murphy’s source said they won’t part with prospect center Michael Hage.

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell recently suggested Marchenko as a trade target for the Edmonton Oilers.

Mitchell argued that the Oilers need to pursue an impact player, someone who can deliver guaranteed production for at least the next five seasons. He believes Marchenko could address that need, and suggested that they could sign him to a long-term deal if he flourishes in Edmonton.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have over $12.6 million in cap space for this season. They’d have no reason to move Marchenko and his $3.85 million cap hit in a cost-cutting move unless Fantilli is seeking well over $13 million annually.

However, the Blue Jackets might not have to take that step right away. They could place goaltender Elvis Merzlikins on long-term injury reserve to start the season if his recent shoulder surgery sidelines him for a long period of time. Of course, they’ll have to become cap-compliant once Merzlikins is ready to return later in the season.

The Canadiens could be among the suitors for Marchenko if he becomes available. It’s no secret they’re in the market for a top-six forward (preferably a center) to play alongside budding superstar Ivan Demidov on their second line. They also have the depth in draft picks, prospects, promising young players, and long-term salary-cap space to make a tempting offer.

However, that’s not the same case for the Oilers. They would likely lose a bidding war for Marchenko.

UPDATE ON DRAKE BATHERSON’S CONTRACT TALKS

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch believes the Senators must move quickly to sign Drake Batherson to a new contract before uncertainty over his future sets in.

Batherson, 28, is UFA-eligible next July. He’s in the final season of a six-year contract worth $4.95 million annually.

Senators GM Steve Staios has indicated he wants to re-sign Batherson, who wants to remain with the Senators. Garrioch cited sources claiming the winger seeks an eight-year contract but it would have to be signed before Sept. 15, after which the league maximum contract term drops to seven years for re-signings and from seven to six years for unrestricted free agents.

It’s believed Batherson could command between $10 million and $11 million annually on the open market next summer. Garrioch cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting there is a pathway to a deal, but it involves compromise on both sides. That means closing the AAV gap on an eight-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Garrioch points out, if they don’t get a deal signed by Sept. 15, the Senators might not be willing to go with a higher AAV on a seven-year contract. The longer the term, the lower the AAV could be.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 1, 2026

by | Sep 1, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 1, 2026

The questions facing the Golden Knights this season, an update on Quinn Hughes’ contract talks with the Wild, the latest on the Flyers, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: How the Vegas Golden Knights respond to new head coach Ryan Craig is among the three big questions facing the club in 2026-27.

Craig was promoted from head coach of the Golden Knights’ AHL affiliate after the team parted ways with John Tortorella, who replaced former Golden Knights bench boss Bruce Cassidy in late March. Tortorella guided the club to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.

Finding a way to replace the offense of departed winger Pavel Dorofeyev and sorting out their goaltending are other notable questions this season.

Limited salary-cap space forced the Golden Knights to trade the 25-year-old Dorofeyev to the New York Rangers in June. Meanwhile, Adin Hill and Carter Hart will jockey for the starting goalie role.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights have one of the NHL’s oldest rosters entering 2026-27. That could become an issue as they attempt to maintain their place among the Stanley Cup contenders in the Western Conference against some of the rising young clubs.

DAILY FACEOFF: Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin gave an update on his contract extension negotiations with superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes during a Monday appearance on The Chad Hartman Show.

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin (NHL Images).

Guerin acknowledged that Colorado Avalanche blueliner Cale Makar’s new contract, with its $20.4 million average annual value, creates a bar for Hughes, but suggested that the 26-year-old Wild blueliner “might be after different things.”

“He’s a different guy. He has a different personality and has different things in his life that are important to him. Who knows what he’s gonna do in the end,” Guerin said.

The Wild GM maintained that he has a good relationship with the Hughes camp. “There’s no tension. Communication has been good. I don’t have anything disheartening to say.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers (especially some New Jersey Devils supporters) believe Guerin’s comments suggest Hughes won’t re-sign with the Wild. It’s no secret that the 2024 Norris Trophy winner hopes to play with his brothers Jack and Luke, who currently play for the Devils.

Hughes is due to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Plenty of time remains for the Wild to get him under contract, but speculation about his future will grow if he’s not signed before the regular season begins.

RG.ORG: Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere doesn’t believe that signing Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson to an offer sheet reset the NHL market. Briere signed the 21-year-old Carlsson to a five-year offer ($18 million AAV) on July 3, but the Ducks matched it six days later.

Briere believes the market was trending higher because of the rising salary cap. He accused his critics of taking a simplistic approach by criticizing the Flyers.

“Someone’s going to get that money somewhere. It was just a matter of time,” Briere said. “Honestly, I don’t think some of the players that signed the big tickets would have signed for less without the offer sheet. So no, I don’t believe it played much of a factor (in the market).”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Briere is correct that the rising salary cap ensured some of those players would’ve received significant raises regardless of his failed attempt to sign Carlsson away from the Ducks.

Nevertheless, that offer sheet set the bar for what followed. San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier acknowledged as much after re-signing young superstar Macklin Celebrini to his five-year deal ($18.8 million AAV). Several projections had him receiving between $15 million and $17 million.

That was also the same range projected for Colorado Avalanche superstar blueliner Cale Makar before he signed his eight-year extension with its record-setting $20.4 million AAV last week.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Vancouver Canucks are rebuilding their roster, but that’s not discouraging Filip Hronek. Despite the club’s struggles over the last two years, the 28-year-old defenseman remains positive, pointing to their fan support.

“We like the city, and obviously the fans in Vancouver are great,” Hronek said. “They were supporting us even though we didn’t have a good year last year, and they still are showing up to the games, and it was sold out.”

Hronek indicated he likes the city of Vancouver overall, and that’s why he signed with the Canucks for eight seasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks are trending toward younger talent, but they’ll need a veteran presence on their blueline like Hronek to mentor their inexperienced defensemen.

TORONTO SUN: Former Maple Leafs center Calle Jarnkrok signed a three-year contract with Swedish club Brynas IF, for whom he played four seasons from 2009-2013 before moving on to the NHL.

Jarnkrok, 34, spent 13 seasons in the NHL from 2013-14 to 2025-26. He began with the Nashville Predators and spent eight seasons with them. He did brief stints with the Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames before spending the past four seasons with the Maple Leafs. In 774 regular-season games, Jarnkrok had 143 goals and 173 assists for 316 points, and 23 points in 105 playoff contests.

TRIBLIVE.COM: For the first time since 1999, Mario Lemieux is no longer part of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ ownership. Lemieux and his business partner Ron Burkle sold their minority stake in the Penguins when the Hoffmann Group purchased the franchise from Fenway Sports Group.

SPORTSNET: Houston mayor John Whitmore said his office is excited about the possibility of landing an NHL franchise. He told The Sporting News on Monday that his office is ready to do whatever it can to facilitate that process. “We’ll definitely be a better location than Austin.”

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Former goaltender Marty Turco and former team executive Les Jackson will be inducted into the Stars’ Hall of Fame in December.