NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 15, 2026

by | Jul 15, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 15, 2026

Check out the latest on Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, Senators forward Claude Giroux, Flames defenseman Simon Nemec, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka reports San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini is the cover athlete for EA Sports’ NHL 27 video game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Notable stars who’ve graced the cover of previous EA Sports NHL games include Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers (NHL 18), Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL 20, NHL 22), Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals (NHL 21), and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche (NHL 24).

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (NHL Images).

Celebrini is in the final season of his entry-level contract and is eligible to sign a contract extension. His next deal will most likely make him one of the NHL’s highest-paid players, but he told ESPN that he’s not necessarily going to seek every available dollar.

“Obviously, guys want to get paid – as they should, because you’ve got to make a living,” Celebrini said. “There are guys that deserve those numbers that are getting them, but of course, you want to put your team in the best possible spot, where you give a team the ability to make moves necessary to win. I think all that goes into the decision.”

Celebrini also said that there’s no rush to get a deal done because he has a year left on his contract. “I think it’s just whenever it makes sense for both sides.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The maximum average annual value for 2027-28 (the first season of Celebrini’s next contract) is $22.7 million. He could become the league’s first $20 million man after Leo Carlsson got $18 million on a five-year deal from the Anaheim Ducks after they matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet last week.

However, it sounds like Celebrini’s open to leaving a little money on the table to give the Sharks some salary-cap flexibility to bolster the club’s overall depth. He could seek an AAV between $18.5 million and $19.5 million on a four- or five-year contract, enabling him to sign a more lucrative deal when he enters the prime of his career.

TSN: Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell continued to downplay the trade rumors that swirled around superstar defenseman Zach Werenski last month.

Waddell claimed the media reports regarding his talks with the Werenski camp were different than what was actually discussed. He pointed out that the two sides cannot discuss a contract extension until next summer, but that was mistaken as the Blue Jackets wanting to trade him and him wanting to be traded.

“It was always discussed that, if there was something that made some sense, I would bring it to him,” Waddell said, referring to a trade offer.

Waddell said it was well known that the Blue Jackets were talking with the Dallas Stars about a trade when he called Werenski’s agent. “Within an hour, I got a call back saying that Zach doesn’t want to go anywhere and he wants to be a Blue Jacket.”

According to Waddell, he subsequently had “a great meeting” with Werenski, who said he’s been with the Blue Jackets for 10 years, wants to get the team back into the playoffs, and is fully committed to the team.

“What the future holds, we’ll figure that out when the time comes,” Waddell said. “But for now, he’s very excited about staying here and taking the team where we need to get back to: the playoffs.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The media wouldn’t have gotten involved if somebody from the Blue Jackets management or the Werenski side hadn’t spoken to them about the situation. The same goes for the trade talks with the Stars. These stories don’t get reported without a reliable source from one side or the other leaking it to a pundit.

Since those stories broke, Waddell and Werenski issued statements claiming the situation was blown out of proportion by the media, stressing the blueliner’s desire to stay in Columbus and help the Blue Jackets win.

I’m not questioning Waddell’s version of events or Werenski’s sincerity about staying in Columbus. However, questions about his future with the Blue Jackets will resurface next June, leading up to his eligibility to sign a contract extension starting on July 1, 2027.

OTTAWA SUN: Claude Giroux said his return to the Senators for another season was a family decision. The 38-year-old forward recently signed a one-year, $2 million contract.

“We just had to talk it over and make sure that we were doing the right thing here,” Giroux said. “When you’ve got three boys, it’s not just about me anymore.”

CALGARY SUN: Kent Wilson believes Simon Nemec’s contract is one of the biggest gambles by Craig Conroy as the Flames’ general manager.

Conroy acquired the promising but inconsistent Nemec from the New Jersey Devils last month, giving up two conditional first-round picks as part of the deal. He subsequently signed the 22-year-old defenseman to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $7.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Conroy is betting on Nemec blossoming into the top-pairing, puck-moving blueliner he was projected to become when the Devils chose him second overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.

The Nemec trade could become Conroy’s best move if the young rearguard develops as hoped. It could also cost him his job if Nemec fails to pan out.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins avoided salary arbitration with Nick Robertson, signing the 24-year-old winger to a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.25 million.

The Penguins also hired Brandon Pridham as a hockey operations consultant. Pridham spent 12 seasons as an assistant general manager with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’s reuniting with Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas, who was GM of the Leafs for most of Pridham’s tenure in Toronto.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins hired former Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams as a Senior Advisor to Bruins GM Don Sweeney.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The New York Islanders’ third-jersey competition for 2027-28 surpassed 65,000 entries from creative fans.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 14, 2026

by | Jul 14, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 14, 2026

The latest notable contract signings, the Sabres hire John Davidson, an update on Flyers winger Matvei Michkov, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres avoided salary arbitration with Peyton Krebs, signing the 25-year-old forward to a four-year, $18 million contract with an average annual value of $4.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Krebs had a career-best 39 points in 82 games last season. He was coming off a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.45 million, so he’s getting a substantial pay raise.

It’ll be interesting to see where Krebs plays this season. He spent time on the fourth line, but as the report noted, he spent the second half of last season on the first line alongside Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch, who was traded to the Washington Capitals last month.

Speaking of the Sabres, they hired John Davidson as a senior advisor.

Davidson, 73, previously worked with Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen during their tenures with the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not surprising that Kekalainen is reuniting with Davidson. In addition to their previous work experience together, Davidson has nearly 20 years of front-office experience with the Blues, Blue Jackets, and New York Rangers.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers avoided salary arbitration with Braden Schneider, signing the 24-year-old defenseman to a one-year, $5.5 million contract.

New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schneider completed a two-year contract worth an AAV of $2.2 million. This new deal means he’ll be eligible for RFA status with arbitration rights again next July.

The report indicated this new contract doesn’t provide any clarity regarding Schneider’s long-term future with the Rangers. He’s been the frequent subject of trade speculation since last summer, but he’s also indicated that he’d love to remain with the Blueshirts.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov is expected to return to Philadelphia in early August to continue his offseason training. Michkov, 21, is currently training in his home country of Russia.

The 2026-27 season will be a significant one for Michkov, who struggled through his sophomore season amid criticism of his training last summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Michkov acknowledged that he wasn’t in proper shape for training camp last fall. Having undergone a full season under head coach Rich Tocchet in 2025-26, it’s expected the promising young winger will be better prepared for his third NHL campaign with the Flyers.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets signed prospect forward Viggo Bjorck to a three-year entry-level contract. Bjorck, 18, was chosen eighth overall by the Jets in this year’s NHL Draft.

THE DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche signed Fabian Lysell to a one-year, two-way contract worth an AAV of $850,000 at the NHL level.

Lysell, 23, was acquired from the Boston Bruins in exchange for winger Ivan Ivan during the NHL Draft last month.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lysell was once considered to be one of the Bruins’ top prospects, but he struggled to crack their roster, playing 12 games last season.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former New York Islanders forward Josh Bailey was inducted into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame.

Bailey spent his entire NHL career with the Islanders from 2008-09 to 2022-23, becoming the third player in franchise history to play 1,000 games (1,057).

DAILY FACEOFF: Defenseman Jordan Oesterle has announced his retirement after 12 NHL seasons. From 2014-15 to 2025-26, Oesterle played with the Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, and Calgary Flames. He finishes with 96 points in 409 regular-season games.

RDS: The NHL and NHLPA have invested $4 million to establish a support program for former NHL players and their families to receive care following their playing careers.

NHL alumni members Paul Coffey and Glenn Healy brought up the recent tragedy of former NHL star Claude Lemieux, who died by suicide on May 28 at age 60.

“People have problems. They need somewhere to go for help. Look at what happened to Claude Lemieux,” Coffey said. Healy claimed that Lemieux’s passing “shook us all tremendously,” adding that the Alumni will do everything it can to make a difference for former players who are struggling.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens promoted Daniel Jacob as the new head coach of their AHL affiliate in Laval. He spent the past two seasons as the club’s assistant coach in charge of defensemen and penalty-killing units.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 13, 2026

by | Jul 13, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 13, 2026

The salary arbitration schedule is revealed, predicting who will fill 10 vacant team captain positions, former Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby joining the Lightning, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

PUCKPEDIA has learned the hearing dates for the upcoming 2026 NHL salary arbitration schedule (July 20 to Aug. 1).

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

Monday, July 20: Jamie Drysdale, Philadelphia Flyers; Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg Jets.

Wednesday, July 22: Trevor Zegras, Philadelphia Flyers.

Thursday, July 23: Jet Greaves, Columbus Blue Jackets.

Saturday, July 25: Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars; Connor McMichael, St. Louis Blues.

Monday, July 27: Cole Sillinger, Columbus Blue Jackets.

Tuesday, July 28: Nick Robertson, Pittsburgh Penguins.

Wednesday, July 29: Braden Schneider, New York Rangers; Ronan Seeley, Carolina Hurricanes.

Thursday, July 30: Alex Jeffries, New York Islanders; Kirby Dach, Montreal Canadiens.

Saturday, August 1: Akira Schmid, Florida Panthers; Peyton Krebs, Buffalo Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: History tells us that most, if not all, of these cases will be settled before their hearing dates. The players and their teams can continue to negotiate up until the date of their hearings.

If a case goes before an arbitrator, the award decision will be announced within 48 hours of the hearing. The team will have 48 hours from the date of the award to accept it. If it is rejected, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Jason Robertson’s case will be most closely watched. He’s the biggest star on this list and is seeking a lucrative long-term contract reportedly worth an average annual value of $14 million. It’s believed the Stars offered up an eight-year deal worth an AAV of $12 million.

At one point, the Stars had a trade in place that would’ve shipped Robertson to the Seattle Kraken, but the deal fell through after he rejected their offer of an eight-year extension worth $15 million annually.

DAILY FACEOFF: Hunter Crowther predicted which players could fill the 10 NHL captain vacancies for 2026-27.

Notable predictions include David Pastrnak taking over the captaincy of the Boston Bruins, Connor Bedard for the Chicago Blackhawks, Bo Horvat for the New York Islanders, Jake Sanderson for the Ottawa Senators, and Macklin Celebrini for the San Jose Sharks.

Crowther noted that Drew Doughty would love to take over as captain of the Los Angeles Kings. However, with the Kings not yet committed to a contract extension for the 36-year-old defenseman, Crowther suggested Adrian Kempe as the safer choice.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Who do you think should take over as the new team captains for those 10 clubs? Let us know in the comments section below.

DAILY FACEOFF: cited a report from Sweden, indicating that former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Dennis Hildeby is embracing a fresh start with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Hildeby, 24, was traded to the Lightning on July 1. He said he has fond memories of his time with the Leafs organization, but is now looking forward to practicing alongside two-time Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy in Tampa Bay. He’ll be expected to challenge for the backup role this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If things go well for Hildeby, he could eventually become Vasilevskiy’s successor.

TSN: The Edmonton Oilers signed forward Colton Dach to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $1.2 million.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators head coach Travis Green was inducted into the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame, joining former NHLers Andrew Ladd and Josh Gorges, NHL official Malcolm Ashford, and broadcaster Daryl Reaugh.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 12, 2026

by | Jul 12, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 12, 2026

The notable players remaining in the UFA market, and Matthew Tkachuk bids farewell to former teammates Sergei Bobrovsky and Evan Rodrigues. Check out the details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DAILY FACEOFF: Wingers Anthony Mantha, Patrick Kane, and Patrik Laine top the list of notable players still available in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.

Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mantha has been linked to the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, and Montreal Canadiens in the rumor mill. It’s believed Kane could return to the Detroit Red Wings or sign with his hometown club, the Buffalo Sabres. Some observers have suggested the Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Maple Leafs look into signing Laine, but there’s no indication whether those clubs are interested in him.

Other noteworthy players include defenseman Logan Stanley, wingers Vladimir Tarasenko, Michael Bunting, and Eeli Tolvanen, and goaltender Cam Talbot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There were some suggestions that Stanley would be a good option for the Canadiens or the Pittsburgh Penguins. Kurt Leavins and Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal recently debated whether Tarasenko would be a good fit with the Oilers.

Surprisingly, Tolvanen hasn’t been signed up yet. Given his age (27) and two-way play, he’d be an affordable middle-six addition for most clubs. As for Talbot, time may be catching up with the 39-year-old netminder.

Defensemen John Klingberg, Nick Blankenberg, and Carson Soucy, center Adam Henrique, goaltenders Connor Ingram and James Reimer, and wingers James van Riemsdyk and David Perron round out the list.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards reports Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk is going to miss former teammates Sergei Bobrovsky and Evan Rodrigues.

Bobrovsky departed the Panthers as an unrestricted free agent, signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1. Rodrigues was traded to the New Jersey Devils two weeks ago as part of the return for Jacob Markstrom, who replaced Bobrovsky as the Panthers’ starting goaltender.

Speaking with his brother (and new teammate) Brady Tkachuk on their Wingmen podcast, Matthew said he would miss Bobrovsky on and off the ice, calling him one of his favorite teammates. However, he is excited about reuniting with Markstrom. The two were teammates with the Calgary Flames until Tkachuk’s trade to the Panthers in 2022.

Tkachuk described Rodrigues as “a Swiss Army knife” because of his versatility. He hopes their paths cross again because he loved playing with him.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber reports this season will be a critical one for Washington Capitals forward Ivan Miroshnichenko.

Chosen 20th overall in the 2022 draft, the 22-year-old winger has had 52 games with the Capitals over the past three seasons, but hasn’t yet nailed down a regular roster spot.

Silber observed that Miroshnichenko will face competition from incoming wingers Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, and Boone Jenner.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Miroshnichenko must elevate his game to have any chance of securing a regular spot on the Capitals’ roster this season. Otherwise, he’ll spend another season in the minors and could become a trade candidate before the March deadline.

ILLEGAL CURVE: Winnipeg Jets prospect Viggo Bjorck is leaving Swedish club Djurgardens to continue his playing career in North America.

Winnipeg chose the 18-year-old winger eighth overall in this year’s NHL Draft. It hasn’t been reported yet whether he’s signed an entry-level contract with the Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bjorck has either signed his ELC and it hasn’t been reported yet, or he will do so with the Jets later this summer, perhaps as early as this week.

THE ATHLETIC: Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley is hoping to bring an NBA expansion franchise to his city. He publicly declared his intent to do so last month and is rounding up a group to submit a bid.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Real estate executive Stephen Stroud, who played a role in bringing the Carolina Hurricanes to Raleigh, passed away Saturday at age 83.

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










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 11, 2026

by | Jul 11, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 11, 2026

The latest on Connor Bedard’s contract situation, the reason why Vincent Trocheck was traded to the Mammoth, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Jack Bushman examines whether Connor Bedard’s shoulder surgery will affect his contract negotiations with the Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

Bedard, 21, is a restricted free agent lacking arbitration rights coming off his entry-level contract. He underwent shoulder surgery earlier this week and will be sidelined for four months.

Bushman believes his surgery could complicate those negotiations. So will Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson’s five-year, $90 million contract with its league-leading $18 million average annual value.

According to Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Bedard camp is seeking an AAV of $17 million for their client’s next contract. Bushman doesn’t think the Blackhawks will try to play hardball with their franchise player, but he speculated they could use his injury history as justification for a lower annual cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be interesting to see how Bedard’s negotiations shake out. The Carlsson offer sheet saga overshadowed his contract talks with the Blackhawks. There’s been little indication whether any progress has been made. With the Ducks retaining Carlsson, perhaps we’ll see more coverage of Bedard’s contract situation.

Bedard’s also been mentioned as a possible offer-sheet target, but it’s believed he’s not interested in contract pitches from rival clubs. If so, that removes a major concern for the Blackhawks, enabling them to negotiate without fear of being blindsided as the Ducks were with Carlsson.

NEW YORK POST: Andrew Crane looked at why Vincent Trocheck wound up being traded to the Utah Mammoth on July 1 after months of reports claimed his preference was to remain in the Eastern Conference.

Crane reports the move to Utah wouldn’t have been possible last season, when Trocheck had a 12-team no-trade list. However, that list shifted to 10 teams on July 1, enabling the Rangers to send him to the Mammoth.

“It was just going to a team that I think can win was the most important thing to me,” Trocheck said on Friday when asked about the change to his no-trade clause. He explained that he’s been in the league a long time and hasn’t won anything yet.

Trocheck noted the Mammoth have made significant strides over the last two seasons. Crane also noted that Trocheck and Mammoth first-line winger Clayton Keller were teammates on Team USA’s gold-medal-winning men’s Olympic team. He also skates with Mammoth center Logan Cooley during the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trocheck is a center who can also skate on the wing. He said Friday that he’d be open to playing on the wing with the Mammoth.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Lou Korac reported the St. Louis Blues brought back Oskar Sundqvist, signing the 32-year-old forward to a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sundqvist was an unrestricted free agent after completing a two-year contract worth an AAV of $1.5 million. Korac also reported that he makes his home in St. Louis and isn’t inclined to move. He’s spent eight of his 11 NHL seasons with the Blues and was part of their 2019 Stanley Cup run.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks announced the hirings of Ryan Mougenel, Jordan Smith, and Jason Krog as their new assistant coaches.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 10, 2026

by | Jul 10, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 10, 2026

Leo Carlsson is staying with the Ducks, Red Wings center Dylan Larkin slightly expands his trade list, Sharks center Macklin Celebrini receives the top individual international hockey award, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE DUCKS MATCH THE FLYERS’ OFFER SHEET FOR LEO CARLSSON

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Anaheim Ducks matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet to center Leo Carlsson, making him the highest-paid player in the NHL this season.

Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (NHL Images)

Carlsson, 21, was a restricted free agent lacking arbitration rights after completing his entry-level contract. His new deal is for five years, with a league-leading average annual value of $18 million, the largest in league history.

More than 40 percent of the $90 million contract will be paid out in signing bonuses.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carlsson got a $19.5 million signing bonus for this season. He’ll get $18.1 million in 2027-28, $17.050 million in 2028-29, $15.2 million in 2029-30, and $15 million in 2030-31.

Forget about the recent grumbling over no-trade/no-movement clauses. That isn’t a hill the NHL will die on in the next round of collective bargaining in 2030. Signing bonuses will be the real bone of contention. Expect those to be capped in the next CBA.

DAILY FACEOFF: Carlsson said he’s happy that the Ducks matched the Flyers’ offer.

“It was an offer that 99% of people would sign too,” Carlsson said. “It’s a pretty simple answer. I really wanted to be here, though. I really wanted them to match. I wanted to be an Anaheim Duck.”

Carlsson also said he spoke with his Ducks teammates, who were supportive of his decision.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most observers expected Anaheim to match the offer. Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek is publicly pleased to retain Carlsson, but his lack of foresight in this situation has significant salary-cap consequences for his club.

Keeping Carlsson screws up the Ducks’ salary cap for this season, leaving little space to re-sign high-scoring winger Cutter Gauthier and to bolster their young blueline. It will also affect their cap plans throughout Carlsson’s contract, potentially hampering their development as a future Stanley Cup contender.

However, not matching the offer would’ve cost them their first-line center, setting them back for a few years as they tried to find a suitable replacement.

Some observers suggested using the four compensatory first-round picks they would’ve received from the Flyers as trade bait to address that issue. That’s much easier said than done, and anyone they find might not adequately replace Carlsson.

Where do both teams go from here? Find out in my NHL Rumor Mill.

IN OTHER NEWS…

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan reports Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has expanded his list of trade destinations to include the Dallas Stars. However, the Red Wings would prefer that he include some other options.

Larkin’s request for a trade was reported a month ago. His original list includes the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers.

Khan cited a league source claiming the Red Wings had trade discussions with the Stars. They asked for young center Wyatt Johnston in return, but there was no chance of that happening.

It’s believed the Stars offered up winger Jason Robertson, but he’d had to agree to sign a long-term contract with the Red Wings. There’s no reason to believe he will do that after rejecting a long-term offer from the Seattle Kraken worth $15 million annually, and it’s unlikely the Red Wings will pay him that much.

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman wants young NHL talent in return for Larkin. He’s not interested in a return of draft picks and prospects unless he can turn that return into assets that can help the Wings right away.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Khan believes that if a deal could’ve been had to send Larkin to Minnesota, Vegas, or Florida, it would’ve happened by now. He thinks it could take a three-team deal to pull this off, or Larkin expanding his list of destinations further.

IIHF.COM: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini has been voted the IIHF’s Male Player of the Year for 2025-26. Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck finished second in the voting, with Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho finishing third.

Celebrini led the 2026 Olympics with five goals and was second in points with 11. He later played in the World Championship, finishing second in scoring and being named the tournament’s top forward. In the NHL, he finished fourth in scoring with 115 points, the third-highest by a teenager after Wayne Gretzky (137 points) and Sidney Crosby (120).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This won’t be the only individual hardware Celebrini will receive in his professional career. The kid is something special and will be a contender for the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy in the coming years.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils captain Nico Hischier is being lauded for his role in rescuing a family in distress from a river in Switzerland.

Hischier downplayed his role in the rescue, crediting others who joined him in helping the family until first responders arrived. No one was hurt in the ordeal.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER/TSN: Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon is facing criticism for having his name and that of his wife and five school-age children engraved on the Stanley Cup.

The Dundon family took up the first two lines etched into the side of the Cup to commemorate the Hurricanes winning the NHL championship in 2025-26.

SPORTSNET: The Dundons aren’t the only family members to be engraved on the Cup. In 2024 and 2025, Florida Panthers owner Vinnie Viola included his wife, Teresa, and their three sons. Penny Vinik, the then-wife of Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeffrey Vinik, had her name engraved on the Cup.

In 1984, Edmonton Oilers owner Peter Pocklington had his father’s name etched on the Cup, but it was later covered with Xs because he had nothing to do with the championship.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is an embarrassment for the NHL and the Hockey Hall of Fame. Whoever approved this should be sacked.

Tom Dundon is the only member of his family who has any official role with the team. His wife and children do not. Like Basil Pocklington with the 1984 Oilers, they had nothing to do with the Hurricanes’ championship.

Dundon’s name should be on the Stanley Cup as the club’s owner. The rest of his family doesn’t belong there.

As for the other families, they are there because the spouses and adult children held official roles with those teams.

Viola’s wife is the co-owner of the Panthers, as was Vinik’s then-wife in 2021. Viola’s sons also have roles within the Panthers’ organization.

The Illich family have their names engraved on the Cup commemorating the Red Wings’ 2007-08 championship. Like the Violas, they also had official roles within the franchise.

The league and the HHoF can easily fix this by making a rule that only the primary owner of the team will have their name engraved on the Cup. But of course, they won’t do that because it would upset the team owners.

TSN: Haley Wickenheiser announced she is no longer working for the Toronto Maple Leafs. She’d served as their assistant general manager in charge of player development since 2018.

SPORTSNET: The Maple Leafs named Steve Sullivan as the new head coach of their AHL franchise, the Toronto Marlies. He replaced John Gruden, who was promoted to assistant coach with the Leafs.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators avoided salary arbitration with forward Xavier Bourgault, signing him to a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level.