NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 17, 2026

by | Aug 17, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 17, 2026

The projected top-10 goaltenders for 2026-27, the big questions facing the Predators, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy sits at No. 1 on the NHL Network’s ranking of the top-10 goaltenders for 2026-27.

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (NHL Images).

Vasilevskiy won the Vezina Trophy last season as the league’s top goalie for the second time, taking home the award back in 2018-19.

Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets and Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers were second and third on the list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link above for the full listing, and feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.

NHL.COM: Determining who will be the first-line center is among the 3 big questions facing the Nashville Predators in 2026-27.

Ryan O’Reilly filled that role for the past two seasons, but he’s 35 and his best years are behind him. Promising Brady Martin could fill that role one day, but he’s not ready yet.

The Predators attempted to shore up their depth at center this summer by acquiring Mavrik Bourque, Ross Colton, and Jack Drury and signing Alex Kerfoot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators could try Bourque at that position, but it will be quite a leap for the 24-year-old forward. He spent the past two seasons with the Dallas Stars but split his time at center and on the wing.

Whether the Predators can avoid another slow start and if they’ll bolster their blueline depth are the other big questions they must address this season.

THE SCORE: A Macklin Celebrini rookie card sold for $1.28 million USD on Saturday, making it the highest public sale for a non-Wayne Gretzky hockey card ever.

The most expensive hockey card sale is a Gretzky O-Pee-Chee rookie graded 10 by PSA, which sold for $3.75 million USD in a private auction in 2021.

DETROIT FREE PRESS: The Red Wings nearly had a deal in place earlier this summer that would’ve brought Anthony Mantha back to Detroit. However, it fell through while awaiting ownership approval, and Mantha subsequently signed a two-year contract with the New Jersey Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mantha began his NHL career with the Red Wings. He debuted in 2015-16 and spent nearly six seasons with them before getting traded to the Washington Capitals in 2021.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Former NHL goaltender Alexandar Georgiev is looking for a new team as he attempts to continue his professional hockey career. The 30-year-old signed a two-year deal with KHL club Spartak Moskva. However, he terminated the final year of that contract, hoping to return with an NHL team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Georgiev spent eight seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, and San Jose Sharks from 2017-18 to 2024-25. He had a career-best performance in 2022-23 with the Avalanche, winning 40 games with a 2.51 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage, and five shutouts.

However, Georgiev’s performance collapsed in the following seasons. He signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres last year, but began the 2025-26 campaign with their AHL affiliate. In November, he was placed on waivers to terminate his contract, leading to his departure for the KHL.

Georgiev could get a professional tryout offer from an NHL club in need of experienced goaltending depth before training camps open next month.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames hope that promising Sam Honzek has a breakout season. The 22-year-old winger missed most of last season recovering from upper-body surgery.

RG.ORG: Detroit Red Wings prospect J.P. Hurlbert’s dream will take him to the University of Michigan this season. The 18-year-old forward grew up in Texas but is a lifelong Red Wings fan. Detroit selected him with the 23rd pick in this year’s draft.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup run this spring has led to a run on team merchandise this summer.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2026

by | Aug 16, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2026

More surgery for Panthers winger Brad Marchand, questions facing the Canadiens this season, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers winger Brad Marchand said he recently underwent surgery to address a lingering lower-body issue.

Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand (NHL Images).

Marchand, 38, said he’d hoped to address the issue without surgery but that it was no longer avoidable. It’s believed that he’s dealing with a hip and sports hernia injury. He could be sidelined for two months, which means he could miss training camp and the start of the 2026-27 season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The wear and tear of 17 NHL seasons may be catching up with Marchand. His injuries sidelined him for 30 games last season, though he did manage to score 27 goals and 54 points in 57 games.

Fortunately for Marchand and the Panthers, his recovery period shouldn’t keep him out of the lineup for too long this season. Nevertheless, at this stage of his career, it will be interesting to see how long it takes him to return to game shape and the effect it has on his performance.

NHL.COM: Whether Jakub Dobes can play as a No. 1 goaltender for a full season is among the questions facing the Montreal Canadiens this season. The 25-year-old Dobes started well in 2025-26, struggled through November and December, improved during the second half of the regular season, and was outstanding during the playoffs.

Whether Kirby Dach can stay healthy and whether the Canadiens can find a suitable second-line center from within or outside the organization are the other questions to be addressed this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens will be in good shape between the pipes if Dobes has emerged as a reliable starting goalie. He’ll also be challenged by promising Jacob Fowler, while former starter Sam Montembeault could push to regain his former job.

It’s probably wishful thinking to expect Dach to put his injury woes behind him and become the second-line center the Canadiens envisioned him to be when they acquired him four years ago. His development has been hampered by those injuries, making him a depth forward at this point.

THE SCORE: Jack Roslovic is confident that the Toronto Maple Leafs are “ready to win” despite missing the playoffs last season. The 29-year-old forward joined the Maple Leafs as a free agent, signing a two-year contract on July 1.

Speaking with TSN’s Overdrive last week, Roslovic believes the Maple Leafs have improved since last season. He’s also looking forward to playing with Leafs captain Auston Matthews again. The two were linemates with the US National Team Development Program in 2014-15.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: On paper, the Maple Leafs are a better team than they were last season. Nevertheless, there are some potentially concerning issues, starting with whether 37-year-old goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky can rebound from his poor performance with the injury-ravaged Florida Panthers last season.

How well first-overall pick Gavin McKenna adjusts to the NHL is another issue to watch, along with whether defenseman Darren Raddysh can build on last season’s career year with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The play of other newcomers such as Roslovic, Nick Paul, Colton Sissons, and Teddy Blueger will also be crucial to the Leafs’ hopes of returning to playoff contention.

What do you think, Maple Leafs fans? Do you share Roslovic’s confidence that his new club is ready to win this season? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

DAILY FACEOFF: Mike Gould looked at the top NHL sophomore breakout candidates for this season.

Gould’s listing includes Matvei Gridin and Zayne Parekh of the Calgary Flames; Gabe Perreault of the New York Rangers; Igor Chernyshov and Michael Misa of the San Jose Sharks; Danila Yurov of the Minnesota Wild; and Ryan Leonard of the Washington Capitals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Do you agree with Gould’s listing? Is there a promising sophomore you think belongs on this list? Let us know in the comments section.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan O’Hara reports Utah Mammoth prospect Tij Iginla believes he’ll be ready to crack the roster this season.

During the Mammoth’s development camp earlier this summer, Iginla said he was looking forward to a big summer of preparation for training camp in September. He had a healthy 2025-26 campaign and made improvements to the smaller details in his game.

RATINGS.COM: Marco D’Amico reports Nashville Predators prospect Cam Reid is looking forward to another shot at pursuing a gold medal in the World Juniors. He’s also committed to the University of Michigan for 2026-27 after spending the past three seasons with the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers.

The 19-year-old defenseman was selected 21st overall by the Predators in the 2025 NHL Draft. He captained the Rangers to the Memorial Cup last season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 15, 2026

by | Aug 15, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 15, 2026

A look at the questions facing the Wild this season, plus the latest on Auston Matthews, Juraj Slafkovsky, Jeff Skinner, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Offensive depth and the health of goaltender Filip Gustavsson are among the three questions facing the Minnesota Wild this season.

The Wild’s offense took a hit this summer with the departures of forwards Mats Zuccarello, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Marcus Johansson, who accounted for nearly 20 percent of their production last season. Acquiring Blake Coleman from the Calgary Flames last month should alleviate part of that problem.

Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (NHL Images).

Gustavsson remains uncertain for the start of the regular season after undergoing offseason hip surgery. The length of his recovery will affect the Wild’s goaltending depth. In the meantime, Jesper Wallstedt will be in the starter’s role with Calvin Pickard as his backup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The question left unasked was how the Wild will address their ongoing need for a first-line center. They’ve reportedly spoken with the Detroit Red Wings about Dylan Larkin, but the Wings’ asking price is currently too high.

Quinn Hughes’ contract status is another question that will dog the Wild this season. He’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July, and the longer he’s unsigned, the more speculation about his future, which could become an unwelcome distraction.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has been rehabbing this summer from the season-ending knee injury that he suffered in March. He’s also been spending time with a sports chiropractor getting his back in shape.

Matthews’ health has been a concern since 2023-24, when he suffered an injury during a game against the Detroit Red Wings. Since then, he’s scored 60 goals over 127 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A healthy Matthews will be crucial to the Maple Leafs’ plans for a bounce-back performance this season. If he can return to his 60-goal season form, the Leafs should be in good shape to qualify for the playoffs after missing the cut last season.

TSN: Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky was named the 2026 Slovak Hockey Player of the Year on Friday.

Slafkovsky, 22, has won the award four times. This marks the third straight year he’s done so.

The Canadiens winger had a career-best performance in 2025-26, with 30 goals and 43 assists for 73 points, along with 12 points in 19 playoff games. Slafkovsky also represented Slovakia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, finishing with four goals and four assists in six games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Slafkovsky still hasn’t reached his prime. He could be his country’s player of the year for the fourth straight time if he maintains the current trajectory in his development.

SPORTSNET: Jeff Skinner is heading to Europe after signing a one-year contract with Swiss National League club EHC Biel-Bienne on Friday.

The 34-year-old winger spent 16 seasons in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks. From 2010-11 to 2025-26, he has 379 goals and 333 assists for 712 points in 1,110 NHL regular-season games. However, he only appeared in five playoff games during that time.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Skinner had the misfortune of playing for some bad teams in Carolina and Buffalo for most of his NHL career. His only postseason was with the Oilers in 2025, and by that point, he was no longer the skillful offensive winger of his youth.

RMNB: Former Washington Capitals forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel is also heading overseas, signing a one-year contract with KHL club Dinamo Minsk.

Aube-Kubel, 30, began his NHL career with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2018-19. In eight seasons with the Flyers, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, and Minnesota Wild, he had 32 goals and 50 assists for 82 points in 310 regular-season games. He also had three points in 30 playoff contests, winning the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.

DAILY FACEOFF: Ryan Cuneo reported that Sportsnet is ending Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition after 18 seasons.

The show debuted in 2008 “to provide Punjabi-speaking Canadians with coverage, analysis, and commentary of the country’s national sport in Punjabi. It served a large portion of the South Asian diaspora within Canada by making hockey more accessible and relatable to members of that community.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The cancellation was based on low audience numbers, but it’s still a shame that this program will no longer be available to the South Asian community in Canada.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 14, 2026

by | Aug 14, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 14, 2026

Zach Werenski addresses the trade rumors dogging him this summer, some under-the-radar acquisitions who could surprise this season, the latest on Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH/THE ATHLETIC: Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski returned to Columbus from his summer break and addressed the trade rumors that popped up about him two months ago.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)

The rumors began in mid-June amid a report stating that he might request a trade out of Columbus. On June 30, it was reported that he rejected a trade that would’ve sent him to the Dallas Stars.

Werenski and Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell released statements on July 1, emphasizing that he was staying in Columbus and wanted to help the Blue Jackets win. The 29-year-old superstar defenseman’s comments on Thursday were little different from those in his statement last month.

Werenski again stressed how much he loved the city of Columbus, adding that he has no issue staying with the Blue Jackets for a longer period. His current contract expires on July 1, 2028. He said that he wanted to see the Blue Jackets in the playoffs and to make progress.

Regarding his future, Werenski said he wouldn’t answer any questions about it after Thursday, adding that it was important for him to get them out of the way now. He reiterated that he’s committed to the club and his teammates, and excited to return to action with them.

As for those trade rumors, Werenski believed there was miscommunication, claiming that he never requested a trade and never definitively said that he wouldn’t sign an extension, only that he can’t say today what might happen when his current deal expires in two years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m not doubting Werenski’s sincerity, but it seems this situation was badly handled by both sides, which created the impression that his days in Columbus are numbered.

Werenski’s comments should silence the trade rumors for the coming season, especially if the Blue Jackets make the playoffs by April. However, the longer he goes without an extension next summer, the more often his name will appear in the rumor mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Speaking of Werenski and the Blue Jackets, Ryan Lambert looked at four things they must do to return to the postseason for the first time since 2020.

Convincing Werenski and others (such as winger Kirill Marchenko) to stay are among those things, along with the 2026 Norris Trophy winner having another big season.

THE ATHLETIC: Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey is enjoying life as a new father after his son Hayes was born two months ago. It’s also given him a new perspective on life, and a new appreciation for his mother and his late father.

Morrissey acknowledged the coming season will be pivotal for the Jets, who missed the playoffs last season after winning their first Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history in 2024-25.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As the Jets’ top defenseman, Morrissey will play a crucial role in the club’s performance this season.

SPORTSNET: Forward Mavrik Bourque of the Nashville Predators, winger Jordan Kyrou of the Washington Capitals, and defenseman Mario Ferraro of the Winnipeg Jets are among David Morassutti’s list of 12 under-the-radar NHL offseason acquisitions who could surprise this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link for the full list and feel free to weigh in with your thoughts.

I don’t think Kyrou qualifies as an “under-the-radar” acquisition. His trade from the Blues to the Capitals garnered plenty of attention as the latter bolstered their offense to return to the playoffs next season.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Former McGill University men’s hockey coach David Urquhart is joining the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate in Laval as an assistant coach.

CALGARY SUN: Former Flames radio play-by-play broadcaster Peter Maher passed away on Thursday at age 79.

Maher called the Flames’ games from 1980-81 to 2013-14, including the club’s Stanley Cup championship in 1989 and their run to the Cup Final in 2004. A native of Campbellton, New Brunswick, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Maher’s family, friends, and the Flames organization.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 13, 2026

by | Aug 13, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 13, 2026

The questions facing the Kings, the worst decisions from last season, what the Capitals need to bounce back, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: How Quenton Byfield fares as the No. 1 center and Drew Doughty’s future are among the three notable questions facing the Los Angeles Kings this season.

Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield (NHL Images).

Byfield, 23, has big skates to fill as he takes over the first-line center role from Anze Kopitar, who retired at the end of last season. He’s averaged over 53 points in each of the last three seasons, and could see those numbers increase while centering wingers Artemi Panarin and Kevin Fiala.

Doughty is entering the final season of his eight-year contract. The 36-year-old defenseman faces an uncertain future with the Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byfield has been projected for years as the Kings’ future first-line center. That future is now for the youngster. How well he handles the role and the pressure will play a significant part in how this season unfolds for the retooling Kings.

Doughty isn’t the Norris Trophy contender of his youth, but he was still an effective top-four defenseman for the Kings. His performance this season will determine if he gets a contract extension before his eligibility for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

BLEACHER REPORT: Adam Gretz recently looked back at the biggest mistakes of the NHL’s 2025-26 campaign.

The Edmonton Oilers’ trading Stuart Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Tristan Jarry was among the notable blunders. So was the Anaheim Ducks’ not getting Leo Carlsson signed before the offseason, and the Winnipeg Jets expecting a fading Jonathan Toews to fill their second-line center role.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link for the full list and let us know if you agree or disagree with Gretz’s choices.

Hindsight is 20/20, but for me, the Ducks not re-signing Carlsson to an extension last summer was the biggest mistake. That decision changed the cost of re-signing players considerably, and could adversely affect the Ducks’ roster.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan Lambert looked at four things the Washington Capitals need if they’re to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance.

Their offseason investments paying off topped the list. Capitals management hoped to bolster their scoring punch by adding wingers Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres and Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues. They also brought in two-way forward Boone Jenner from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has agreed to return for one more season, but it’s clear that management is preparing their offense for the day when he’ll be moving on. Adding Tuch and Kyrou could help them spread their scoring around while providing more depth in anticipation of Ovechkin’s inevitable retirement.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres will induct former forwards Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek into their Hall of Fame before their home game on Jan. 14 against the Colorado Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pominville and Vanek were among the Sabres’ best players between 2005-06 and 2011-12.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Calen Addison has signed a one-year contract with KHL team Shanghai Dragons. The 26-year-old defenseman spent four NHL seasons with the Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks from 2020-21 to 2023-24, netting 50 points in 152 regular-season games. He spent the last two seasons in the AHL.

SPORTSNET: Hockey Canada suspensions remain in place for four of the five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team who were acquitted of sexual assault last year.

Cal Foote’s suspension remains in place until Nov. 10. Carter Hart’s will be lifted on the same date in 2027; Dillon Dube’s in 2028; and Michael McLeod’s in 2030.

Alex Formenton was the only player whose suspension was lifted.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames have signed a five-year radio broadcasting deal with QR Calgary 770 AM.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 12, 2026

by | Aug 12, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 12, 2026

Questions facing the Panthers this season, Carey Price weighs in on the Canadiens, the latest on Alex Ovechkin, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: How well Brady and Matthew Tkachuk play together as NHL teammates is among three questions facing the Florida Panthers this season.

The Ottawa Senators traded Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers on June 21. (NHL Images).

The Tkachuk brothers were reunited after the Panthers acquired Brady from the Ottawa Senators in June. They’ve played together for Team USA in international tournaments, including the 2026 Winter Olympics, but this season will be the first time they are NHL teammates.

How well Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid can replace departed starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is another question facing the Panthers, along with the health of their roster.

Bobrovsky departed on July 1, signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Markstrom was acquired in a trade with the New Jersey Devils and Schmid in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Injuries were the significant factor in the Panthers missing the playoffs last season. Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, Brad Marchand, Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett, Seth Jones, Dmitry Kulikov and Niko Mikkola were among a long list of Panthers regulars sidelined for long periods last season. Barkov missed the entire season with a knee injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The goaltending and the health of the roster are bigger issues than whether the Tkachuks can play well together.

Markstrom was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2022, but his performance declined over the past two seasons with the Devils. Meanwhile, Schmid struggled to establish himself as a full-time NHL goalie.

On paper, a healthy Panthers roster should make the playoffs and (with good goaltending) become a Cup contender again. However, many of those who were sidelined last season have played more hockey than their peers around the league over the past four seasons, and that does take its toll. Some also have injury histories that could affect their performances.

NHL.COM: Former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price believes his former club has a bright future. “It sure feels like they’re a contender,” Price said. However, he cautioned that many things need to go right for them to win the Stanley Cup.

Price praised young Canadiens goaltenders Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler, and noted their different styles of play.

“I really love Dobes’ compete level; he’s got that ‘grrr” in his game, he’s got that swagger. I really enjoy watching that. Fowler kind of reminds me more of myself, a little more reserved. He plays a very quiet game like I did. It’s their mentality that has them where they’re at.”

Price played his entire 15-season NHL career with the Canadiens, finishing as the franchise leader with 361 wins and games played (712). He’ll be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber reports no player has more slap shot goals over the past decade than Alex Ovechkin. The Washington Capitals captain has 107, three more than Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos. Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak was third with 76 goals.

Ovechkin was second in snap shot goals with 94. Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers was the leader in that category with 145.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Blackhawks rookie forward Anton Frondell has an opportunity to be the club’s first-line center for at least the first month of this season. The 19-year-old could start this season filling in for sidelined star Connor Bedard.

Frondell showed promise as a center in nine of his 12 NHL games last season, but he struggled with faceoffs and defensive assignments. He’s working on improving those areas of his game for the coming season.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins announced five new jersey numbers for 2026-27.

Winger JJ Peterka will wear No. 10 and defenseman Will Borgen wears No. 17. Center Ivan Ivan is No. 49; returning defenseman Connor Clifton is No. 75; and forward Lukas Reichel wears No. 76.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Vancouver Canucks signed prospect forward Adam Novotny to an entry-level contract. Novotny, 18, was chosen 24th overall by the Canucks in the 2026 NHL Draft.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner reports the New York Islanders have narrowed down 80,000 global fan submissions for their third jersey for 2027-28 to eight finalists.

Round one of voting runs from Aug. 12 through Aug. 14. Round two is from Aug. 15 to 17, with the final round taking place from Aug. 18 to 20.