NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 9, 2026

by | Jul 9, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 9, 2026

Blackhawks center Connor Bedard is sidelined again, the Mammoth match Barrett Hayton’s contract offer from the Devils, the Canadiens make a change to their coaching staff, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Connor Bedard had surgery on his left shoulder on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old Blackhawks center suffered the injury during on-ice training last week in Vancouver. He is expected to be sidelined for four months.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

Bedard injured his right shoulder during a game last December, but didn’t require surgery. He missed about a month of action and was at less than 100 percent for another month or so following his return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a significant setback for Bedard and for the Blackhawks. As their franchise player, he was to play the key role in management’s plan to push the club into playoff contention this season.

The report suggests Frank Nazar and rookie Anton Frondell will likely start the season centering the Blackhawks’ top two lines until Bedard’s return in mid-November.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Utah Mammoth matched the one-year, $4.775 million offer sheet that center Barrett Hayton signed with the New Jersey Devils on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hayton, 26, is expected to center the Mammoth’s third line. He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July, but the Mammoth can sign him to an extension starting on Jan. 1. Because they matched the offer sheet, they cannot trade him for one year.

The Devils attempted to acquire Hayton through a trade, but those talks broke down. They were hoping that the decline in his production and playing time last season, combined with his UFA eligibility next summer, would make the Mammoth less inclined to match their offer.

Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong said there were no hard feelings between him and Devils GM Sunny Mehta over Hayton’s offer sheet.

“It’s just business. Players want to get paid; they want to make as much money as they can in their lifetime. We get it,” Armstrong said. He also said there were no hard feelings toward Hayton for accepting the Devils’ offer.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens hired Derek Lalonde to replace Trevor Letowski on their coaching staff.

Lalonde was head coach of the Detroit Red Wings from 2022 to 2024. He won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning as an assistant coach. Lalonde spent last season as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Letowski has been with the Canadiens’ coaching staff since 2021-22. He’s stepping away to spend more time with his family, but the Canadiens hope to keep him in the organization.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars have done little to improve their rosters thus far in this offseason.

The three clubs dominated the Central Division last season and were considered Stanley Cup contenders.

The Avalanche’s forward groups have taken a step backward, with their fourth line especially weak. The Stars made no significant additions, traded away Mavrik Bourque, and are trying to re-sign Jason Robertson with just $9.8 million in salary-cap space. The Wild have made some depth moves to replace departed veterans Mats Zuccarello, Marcus Johansson, and Vladimir Tarasenko, but they still lack a true first-line center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of those three teams, the Avalanche will likely suffer the biggest decline. I’ll go as far as to say that their Stanley Cup window is closing. They got older this summer, not better.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The New York Islanders are making NHL history by allowing their fans to play a role in designing the club’s third jersey.

Fans have until July 24 to submit their designs before the organization lets the fans vote on their five favorites. The winner of the competition will get a ticket to the game in which the team wears their designed jersey for the first time.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2026

by | Jul 8, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2026

A look at some potential offer-sheet targets, plus the latest on Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHICH RFA PLAYERS COULD BE OFFER-SHEET TARGETS?

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon looked at possible offer sheet targets in the wake of the Leo Carlsson offer sheet signing.

Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks are the two biggest potential targets among this summer’s restricted free agents.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

Dixon wondered if any team that had contemplated an offer sheet for Carlsson would pivot to Fantilli. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks paid a heavy price to acquire and sign defenseman Bowen Byram. Dixon believes now is the time for them to lock down their franchise center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said on Monday that his club is in a position to match any offer for Fantilli. I said he wasn’t expecting the 21-year-old center to receive an offer sheet, but didn’t rule it out.

The word out of Chicago is that Bedard’s shoulder injury might put any offer sheet talk on hold. It’s believed that he remains committed to the Blackhawks and isn’t interested in signing with another team.

Dixon also looked at how the Carlsson offer sheet could affect 2027 RFA-eligible players such as Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks, Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Kirill Marchenko of the Blue Jackets, and 2028 RFAs such as Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders and Beckett Sennecke of the Anaheim Ducks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The cost of re-signing Celebrini and Schaefer could exceed $20 million annually. They’re superstar franchise players and will seek top dollar on their next contracts.

Michkov isn’t expected to get an extension this summer while Marchenko reportedly isn’t interested in signing one. Depending on their performances this season, their asking prices could exceed $10 million.

Sennecke’s case will be intriguing. He finished second in points (62) among last season’s rookie class and was third among voters for the Calder Memorial Trophy. He could command up to $15 million annually if he has a strong sophomore season. However, that will take a huge chunk out of the Ducks’ cap space if they match Carlsson’s offer sheet and re-sign Cutter Gauthier for at least $10 million annually this summer.

DID THE AVALANCHE LOOK INTO ACQUIRING CONNOR HELLEBUYCK?

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen cited a report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who claimed “a couple of teams” told him that they wondered if the Avalanche attempted to acquire goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets.

Friedman didn’t indicate that there were any negotiations between the Avalanche and Jets. He wasn’t sure how that deal would work between the two clubs, or what the Avs could offer, or if the Jets would be interested.

Any deal to take on Hellebuyck’s $8.5 million average annual value would mean the Avalanche would have to move out some salary in the deal or in a separate cost-cutting trade. They also lack the tradeable assets to tempt the Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Avalanche management may have contacted the Jets to inquire about Hellebuyck’s availability. However, as Deen pointed out, they lack the cap space and trade capital to make it work.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN

DAILY FACEOFF: cited Helene St. James of the Detroit Red Press, who reported that Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has not expanded his three-team trade list.

The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers are Larkin’s destinations of choice. St. James stated those clubs have not made offers that have intrigued the Red Wings, who seek value-now players for a first-line center with a very favorable contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers made their big moves this summer by acquiring Brady Tkachuk and Jacob Markstrom. Their unwillingness to part with young two-way center Anton Lundell takes them out of the running.

Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal recently pointed out why the Golden Knights can’t afford Larkin. Put simply, they lack the cap space and the assets to meet the Red Wings’ asking price. They traded away their best trade chip (Pavel Dorofeyev) to the Rangers last month.

The Wild also lack cap space, but could move some money in the deal for Larkin or in a separate trade with another team. They also have some promising young players in their system. However, it’s rumored that the Wings want one of the Wild’s best players (Matt Boldy) in return, which obviously isn’t happening.

Unless one of those three teams can get a third team involved to acquire the necessary assets to acquire Larkin, he will remain with the Red Wings when next season begins, for better or for worse.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 8, 2026

by | Jul 8, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 8, 2026

A list of the notable players still available in the UFA market, Daniel Alfredsson joins the Maple Leafs coaching staff, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Several notable players remain unsigned a week into the unrestricted free-agent market.

Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

Patrick Kane, Anthony Mantha, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Patrik Laine are among the noteworthy forwards. Defensemen include John Klingberg and Logan Stanley, while Cam Talbot is the most notable goaltender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All of these players are now past their prime as stars, but some of them could be affordable depth additions.

Mantha is hoping to leverage a career-best performance (33 goals, 64 points) into a lucrative long-term contract, but his inconsistency and injury history could explain why he’s still unsigned.

Massimo De Luca-Taronno of The Winnipeg Sun recently reported the Jets could consider adding some secondary scoring depth, mentioning Mantha and Laine (a former Jet) as possible options.

MLive.com’s Ansar Khan reports the Detroit Red Wings would like to bring back Kane for another season. They reportedly still have an offer on the table, but it appears he’s looking at other options, including his hometown club, the Buffalo Sabres.

OTTAWA SUN: Former Senators captain and Hall of Famer Daniel Alfredsson has joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as an associate coach. Alfredsson was an assistant coach for the Senators from 2023-24 to 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Alfredsson’s signing surprised fans of both clubs, who remember his role as captain of the Senators in “The Battle of Ontario” between the two teams in postseason competition from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.

It’s believed that former Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin, the Leafs’ new Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Operations, played a role in bringing Alfredsson to Toronto. While the two had their on-ice battles, they are good friends off the ice.

Speaking of the Senators, they officially announced Claude Giroux’s new one-year contract on Tuesday. The deal has a $2 million base salary, with an additional $3 million in performance bonuses.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators hired Vukie Mpofu as assistant general manager.

Mpofu spent the past three seasons as director of hockey operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Before that, he was the manager of hockey operations for the Los Angeles Kings (2021-2023) and the Vegas Golden Knights (2020).

THE PROVINCE/CALGARY SUN: Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver and Sportsnet 960 in Calgary were shut down on Tuesday by Rogers Sports and Media, along with four other stations across Canada.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: AM talk radio has been dying in recent years as listeners turn to podcasts and other sources for sports news and information. Nevertheless, it’s a devastating blow to the respective staff of both stations. My thoughts are with those folks who lost their jobs yesterday.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 7, 2026

by | Jul 7, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 7, 2026

A look at how Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet could affect the Ducks’ efforts to re-sign Cutter Gauthier, plus the latest on the Sharks, Red Wings, Hurricanes, Bruins, and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON THE DUCKS

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens reports the Anaheim Ducks will have less than $10 million in salary-cap space if they match Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers. That will affect their efforts to re-sign restricted free-agent winger Cutter Gauther.

The 22-year-old Gauthier tallied 41 goals in the final season of his entry-level contract. Stephens doubts the Ducks will be able to re-sign him to an average annual value of under $10 million.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (NHL Images).

Gauthier lacks arbitration rights and is ineligible to receive an offer sheet. Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek could use that leverage to play hardball with the young winger. However, Stephens pointed out that it didn’t work well with now-former Ducks Jamie Drysdale, Trevor Zegras, and Mason McTavish. Gauthier was also the pure finisher that Verbeek wanted to pair with Carlsson when he acquired the winger from the Flyers two years ago.

If the Ducks match Carlsson’s offer sheet and re-sign Gauthier, they’ll have to shed salary to become salary cap-compliant before the start of their regular season in October.

Winger Frank Vatrano seems the obvious choice, but moving his $4.57 million AAV through 2026-27 (and its deferred money) won’t be easy. It seems unlikely they’ll move Chris Kreider or Alex Killorn, both of whom have 15-team no-trade lists.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vatrano would have to be packaged with a draft pick or prospect to facilitate a trade. Even then, clubs might balk at taking on his contract. Kreider or Killorn would draw more interest, possibly from teams not on their no-trade lists.

If the Ducks don’t match Carlsson’s offer sheet, they’ll have to find a suitable replacement. Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings could be an option if he agrees to accept a trade to Anaheim, but at 29, he’s already hit his ceiling. Another possibility could be Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barzal has a 22-team no-trade list, which could complicate things. So would the Islanders’ asking price, as they’ll likely want a good young player in return. So would the Red Wings with Larkin.

NOTABLE RUMOR TIDBITS FROM THE LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” PODCAST

SPORTSNET: In his final “32 Thoughts: The Podcast” for 2025-26, Elliotte Friedman wondered how much it will cost the San Jose Sharks to sign superstar center Macklin Celebrini to a contract extension.

Celebrini, 20, has a year left on his entry-level contract. He’ll be an RFA without arbitration rights next summer and eligible to sign an offer sheet.

The Sharks will want to avoid Celebrini becoming an offer-sheet target. Friedman mused whether they would try to convince him to accept less than the league maximum on his next cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The maximum cap hit is 20 percent of the salary cap for the first season in which the contract is signed. For 2027-28, it’s $22.6 million.

Given that Leo Carlsson’s new contract has set the benchmark with his league-leading $18 million average annual value, the Sharks will likely try to keep their offer to Celebrini to between $18 million and $19 million. However, his representatives could push for over $20 million.

Friedman said the Carolina Hurricanes are hoping to use an offer sheet to make a big splash this summer. He wondered if they could be eyeing Simon Edvinsson of the Detroit Red Wings.

The Hurricanes will need a defenseman because they’re reportedly shopping Alexander Nikishin, who is an RFA this summer. Friedman said they’re also trying to include forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi in the deal, which would free up $4.25 million in cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now reports the Red Wings have set aside $12 million in cap space in case Edvinsson signs an offer sheet. Even if the Hurricanes can move out Kotkaniemi, they won’t have enough to make an unmatchable offer for the Wings blueliner.

Friedman also said the Hurricanes were considering signing a player to an offer sheet and then trading him if the signing was successful. If a team matches an offer sheet, they cannot trade the player for one year. However, there are no restrictions for a team that successfully signs away a player with an offer sheet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In that scenario, the Hurricanes would sign a player they don’t need, and then flip him to another team to address a more pressing roster issue.

Pavel Zacha’s contract extension talks with the Boston Bruins caught Friedman’s attention. He thinks they’ve spoken with other clubs about him. He assumed one of them was the Montreal Canadiens, but two sources denied it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins probably prefer to retain Zacha, but it doesn’t hurt to gauge the trade market just in case.

Speaking of the Canadiens, Friedman said they’re still searching for a top-six forward. He indicated that they’ve made numerous calls to the Columbus Blue Jackets about Kirill Marchenko, but the Jackets aren’t willing to move him right now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nick Lariviere of The Sick Podcast suggested Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken as a trade option for the Canadiens. The Kraken are reportedly shopping the 22-year-old center.

The Canadiens passed over Wright in the 2022 draft in favor of winger Juraj Slafkovsky. He’s struggled to establish himself as a top-six center with the Kraken. He still has time to achieve that goal and would be an affordable acquisition in terms of salary and return.

However, the Canadiens have been reportedly pursuing more established young talent, such as Marchenko and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies. Wright doesn’t fit that profile.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 7, 2026

by | Jul 7, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 7, 2026

The Flames re-sign Simon Nemec, plus the latest on the Senators and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames signed Simon Nemec to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $7.25 million. They acquired the 22-year-old defenseman from the New Jersey Devils on June 23.

Calgary Flames defenseman Simon Nemec (NHL Images).

Nemec had completed his entry-level contract and lacked arbitration rights. His deal is comparable to the five-year contract ($7.2 million AAV) signed by Anaheim Ducks blueliner Pavel Mintyukov and the five-year deal ($7.4 million AAV) inked by Brandt Clarke with the Los Angeles Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nemec was the subject of frequent trade speculation last season because of his contract status amid rumors his camp would seek a deal similar to the seven-year deal ($9 million AAV) signed by Devils rearguard Luke Hughes last October.

Nemec’s new contract is less than Hughes’ deal, but he reportedly didn’t need much convincing to accept the Flames’ offer.

The Flames have over $14 million in cap space for this season. They have plenty of room to make more additions. However, Nemec will likely be this rebuilding club’s most significant addition this summer.

OTTAWA SUN: Claude Giroux is reportedly returning to the Senators for another season. Reports on Monday night indicated the 38-year-old forward was closing in on a one-year deal with the Senators.

On Friday, it was reported that Giroux was on the verge of returning to the Philadelphia Flyers. However, his representatives stomped the brakes on that news, saying their client hadn’t made a decision yet and a return to the Senators remained possible.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Giroux may have been close to signing with the Flyers. However, their stunning signing of Ducks center Leo Carlsson on Friday may have put those plans on hold, forcing him to reconsider his options.

Having traded away Brady Tkachuk, Giroux’s return ensures that they will have some leadership continuity this season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of Brady Tkachuk, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said his podcast with his brother (Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk) became a contentious issue in the Senators’ dressing room during Tkachuk’s final weeks in Ottawa.

“It was time to end the noise around the whole situation,” Friedman said. “Post-Olympics, it was time. A lot was going on, and the players were tired of it.” He said one of the Senators’ players reached out to him, saying the podcast (“Wingmen”) caused some problems.”

The main issue was when Keith Tkachuk joined his sons on their Apr. 1 episode. He made disparaging remarks about some of Brady’s teammates, particularly goaltender Linus Ullmark.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stories about Tkachuk’s relationship with his Senators’ teammates have spilled out following the trade, though none of those players have publicly criticized him since his departure.

Nevertheless, some observers noted that the Senators played better last season when Tkachuk was sidelined for 20 games with an injured thumb. That’s sparked some predictions that they’ll improve without him, though that will once again largely depend on their goaltending.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Alexander Ovechkin is returning with the Washington Capitals for another season, but he’s not saying if it will be his final one.

Ovechkin acknowledged his age, pointing out that he’ll be 41 when the regular season begins in October. Ultimately, he said it will be up to his family if he plays beyond this season.

SPORTSNET: Frederik Andersen rejects the notion that his injury history will hamper his performance with the Edmonton Oilers this season. The former Carolina Hurricanes goaltender inked a one-year deal with the Oilers last week.

Andersen said he tweaked his knee during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. However, he said the injury is of little concern, and he’ll be ready when training camp begins in September.

SPORTSNET: Rogers Communications Inc. has signed a deal to purchase the remaining 25 percent stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) from Kilmer Sports Inc. for $4.35 billion.

MLSE owns the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, MSL’s Toronto FC, and the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 6, 2026

by | Jul 6, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 6, 2026

The ongoing effect of the Carlsson offer sheet plus the latest on Shane Wright and Vladimir Tarasenko in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ONGOING FALLOUT FROM THE CARLSSON OFFER SHEET

THE ATHLETIC: Shayna Goldman looked at the effects the offer sheets for Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson from the Philadelphia Flyers and Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton from the New Jersey Devils are having around the league.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (NHL Images).

One of the ripples is how Carlsson’s offer sheet could affect the contract negotiations for Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli, and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson. Like Carlsson, they are restricted free agents coming off their entry-level contracts and lack arbitration rights.

The Blackhawks have sufficient salary-cap space to match any offer for Bedard. However, Goldman noted the Ducks are in the same position with Carlsson, and the Flyers’ offer sheet has thrown a wrench into their salary-cap outlook.

Goldman wondered if Carlsson’s $18 million average annual value raises the ask for Bedard and Fantilli. She also mused over what it might cost the San Jose Sharks to re-sign Macklin Celebrini next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The ripples from the Carlsson offer sheet will be wide-reaching.

It remains to be seen if Bedard, Fantilli, or Edvinsson are interested in receiving offers from rival clubs. Even if they’re not, Carlsson’s league-leading AAV sets the bar for comparable talent. For example, if Bedard feels he’s worth more, the Blackhawks could have little choice but to sign him rather than risk a protracted contract standoff that could grease the skids for his departure.

The Sharks can sign Celebrini to a contract extension now and were reportedly working toward doing so. They don’t have to worry about an offer sheet, but Carlsson’s new AAV could push the cost of re-signing him much higher than the Sharks anticipated.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports the Blue Jackets continue to negotiate with Fantilli, hoping to sign him before another team steps forward with an offer sheet.

Portzline wondered if the Flyers might pursue Fantilli if the Ducks match their offer to Carlsson by Friday. General manager Don Waddell said his club has the cap space to match any offer. “I don’t expect it, but you never know in this business,” Waddell said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline believes Waddell and the Blue Jackets will match any offer for Fantilli. Nevertheless, they might want to see if they can speed up negotiations to get the young center signed under their terms, rather than those set by a rival club.

UPDATES ON SHANE WRIGHT AND VLADIMIR TARASENKO

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols wondered if the Devils would turn to the trade market to acquire Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright if their offer sheet to center Barrett Hayton is matched by the Utah Mammoth.

The Devils signed the 25-year-old Hayton to a one-year, $4.775 million offer sheet last Wednesday. If the Mammoth fail to match it, Hayton will slot in as the Devils’ third-line center.

If the Mammoth match, the Devils will have to continue searching for a third-line center. Nichols suggested the 22-year-old Wright as a trade option. He’s struggled in Seattle, and he and the Kraken have agreed that a change of scenery will benefit both sides.

Nichols acknowledged it would cost more to acquire Wright from the Kraken than the 2027 second-round draft pick they would have to give to the Mammoth as compensation for a successful signing of Hayton. Nevertheless, he believes it would be a worthwhile and affordable fallback without overpaying for a one-year rental player while buying a handful of restricted free-agent years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll know by Wednesday at the latest if the Devils will need a “Plan B” option and if Wright would be on their radar in the trade market.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins and Jim Matheson disagree over whether Vladimir Tarasenko would be a good fit with the Oilers. The 33-year-old right wing is among the few notable players remaining in this summer’s thin unrestricted free-agent market.

Leavins suggested Tarasenko as a possible answer to the Oilers’ need for a top-six winger. However, Matheson noted his footspeed has declined, and he didn’t think he’d be willing to accept a low-money $2 million deal.