NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 23, 2025
NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 23, 2025
The Panthers stage their Stanley Cup parade, the possibility of stars signing shorter-term contracts, an update on Claude Giroux, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers celebrated their second straight Stanley Cup championship with a beachfront parade culminating with a rally at Ft Lauderdale Beach Park.
They were also unapologetic toward those critical of their style of play and their hearty partying following Tuesday’s 5-1 series-clinching win on Tuesday over the Edmonton Oilers.
The Panthers also thanked their fans for their support throughout the season and expressed their hope for another parade at the same time next year.
THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle explored the possibility of NHL stars like winger Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and center Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers accepting shorter-term contracts.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
Marner, 28, is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 28-year-old McDavid is a year away from UFA eligibility.
With the salary cap projected to rise significantly in the coming years, those players could prefer short-term deals of two to four years, enabling them to return to the UFA market when the salary cap is much higher while still in their playing prime.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rumors are already rampant suggesting Marner and McDavid could consider short-term contracts rather than the maximum of seven years on the open market or eight years if they re-sign with their current clubs before their UFA eligibility.
Marner will be the one worth watching if he goes to market as expected next Tuesday. His camp is expected to take several days evaluating offers and meeting with interested clubs before reaching a decision by mid-July.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators continue their contract negotiations with Claude Giroux. The 37-year-old forward is UFA-eligible next Tuesday and has been in daily discussions with Senators management.
They’re attempting to agree on a base salary and a bonus structure. The Giroux camp is believed to be using teammate David Perron’s $4 million average annual value as a comparable.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s still enough time for the two sides to work this out. It could take until next Tuesday to get this done.
THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak believes the Colorado Avalanche must improve their late-round draft record if they hope to extend their Stanley Cup window. They haven’t drafted a player after the first round who reached 300 career NHL games since 2009, when they chose Ryan O’Reilly (33rd overall) and Tyson Barrie (64th overall).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Masisak points out, the Avs’ draft record beyond the first round hasn’t been great. They also haven’t had much recent success with their first-rounders. Bowen Byram (fourth overall, 2019) was their last notable selection, and he was traded last year to the Buffalo Sabres. Calum Ritchie (27th overall, 2023) shows potential, but they shipped him to the New York Islanders at the March trade deadline for Brock Nelson.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng cites speculation suggesting the Sharks could opt for center Anton Frondell of SHL club Djurgardens IF with the second-overall pick over Michael Misa of the Erie Otters.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would be a surprising development. Misa is considered the second-best prospect in this year’s draft class, with most mock drafts (including mine) having him going to the Sharks. We’ll find out for sure during the opening round of the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday (June 27) in Los Angeles.
NHL.COM: The Avalanche, Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Utah Mammoth and Vegas Golden Knights released their preseason schedules.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 2025 NHL preseason begins on Sept. 21 and concludes on Oct. 4.