NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 28, 2025

by | Jun 28, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 28, 2025

The Islanders select Matthew Schaefer first overall in the first round of the 2025 draft, further details emerge in the new CBA extension, the Stars’ Jim Nill is GM of the Year again, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FIRST ROUND OF THE 2025 NHL DRAFT

NHL.COM: An emotional Matthew Schaefer was chosen first overall by the New York Islanders in the opening round of the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles.

The 17-year-old Erie Otters defenseman overcame a broken clavicle this season and the loss of his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer and his billet mother, Emily Matson, to an apparent suicide last year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schaefer was the consensus pick as this year’s top prospect among scouts and analysts. He has tremendous character and determination to match his skills as a potential first-pairing NHL defenseman.

First-overall pick Matthew Schaefer (center) is flanked by second-overall pick Michael Misa (left) and third-overall pick Anton Frondell (NHL.com).

The San Jose Sharks chose center Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit with the second-overall pick. Center Anton Frondell of SHL club Djurgardens IF went third overall to the Chicago Blackhawks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other notable selections included center Caleb Desnoyers of the Moncton Wildcats going fourth overall to the Utah Mammoth. He’s the first QMJHL player to be a top-10 pick since the New York Rangers chose Alexis Lafreniere first overall in 2020.

James Hagens of Boston College began this season projected to become the top prospect in this draft. He tumbled to seventh, not because he played poorly but because those ahead of him had better seasons. Comedy actor Adam Sandler reprised his Happy Gilmore character to announce the Bruins had chosen Hagens, much to the young center’s delight.

The Nashville Predators selected Brady Martin with the fifth-overall pick. However, the 18-year-old Soo Greyhounds center wasn’t in attendance in Los Angeles, preferring to remain at home helping tend his family’s dairy farm in Elmira, Ontario. Martin was surrounded by family and friends watching the draft on a big-screen TV in his backyard.

Analysts were caught by surprise when the Columbus Blue Jackets went off the board to select Russian goaltender Pyotr Andreyanov with the 20th overall pick. It wasn’t as bad as when they (and everyone else) were left scratching their heads over the Blue Jackets selecting Yegor Chinakhov 21st overall in 2020, but the move still raised some eyebrows.

You can see the complete list of first-round picks and analysis at NHL.com. Rounds 2-7 will be held on Saturday starting at noon ET.

Meanwhile, the reaction to the decentralized format of this year’s draft on social media was overwhelmingly negative. My friend Scotty Wazz of The Face Off Hockey Show has the details.

I felt sorry for the prospects. The best day of their young careers was spoiled by this lifeless, overly long event. It lacked the energy and excitement of the previous format in NHL arenas, with executives from all 32 teams in attendance to announce their selections. Hopefully, the league returns to the tried-and-true previous formula. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

MORE DETAILS EMERGE FROM THE NEW NHL CBA

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association announced they had agreed to a four-year extension of their collective bargaining agreement (CBA). It will begin in 2026-27, pending ratification votes on both sides.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun revealed some additional key points in the new agreement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: You can see the pertinent details originally reported (including an 84-game schedule beginning in 2026-27, reduction of contract terms, plugging the LTIR loophole) by following this link.

Training camp will be shortened from 21 days to 13 (18 days for rookies) to accommodate the 84-game schedule.

A salary cap will be introduced for the playoffs that applies only to the 20 players suiting up for each game. Teams will be able to shuffle their rosters between games, but the game-day lineup must be cap-compliant.

The minimum salary will be $850,000 in 2026-27, $900,000 in 2027-28, $950,000 in 2028-29, and $1 million in 2029-30.

Salary retention will still be allowed in trades, but a second retention on the same contract can only happen 75 regular-season days after the first one. That ends the use of a third-party broker in real time to facilitate a trade.

Neck protection will become mandatory beginning in 2026-27. Players with at least one NHL game before that season will be grandfathered and won’t be subject to this rule.

Fitness testing will no longer be permitted during training camp or the regular season.

Year-over-year increases on front-loaded contracts will be limited to 20 percent of the first year, down from 25 percent. The lowest year must be at least 71 percent of the highest year, up from 60 percent. For example, if the highest year’s compensation is $10 million, the lowest year’s compensation cannot be less than $7.1 million. The year-to-year differences cannot exceed $2 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow The Athletic’s link above for the entire list.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: Jim Nill of the Dallas Stars is the 2024-25 winner of the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. It’s the third straight year he’s received this honor, making him the first GM to win this award three times.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights officially announced the re-signing of winger Brandon Saad. He agreed to a one-year contract with a cap hit of $2 million. The 32-year-old receives a base salary of $1 million with a $1 million signing bonus and a full no-trade clause.

TSN: The Edmonton Oilers officially announced the re-signing of forward Trent Frederic to an eight-year extension with an AAV of $3.85 million. This deal was initially reported several days ago, although the cap hit is slightly lower than the original report of $4 million.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kraken GM Jason Botterill intends to retain Philipp Grubauer rather than buy out the final two years of the struggling goaltender’s contract. “We believe that Philipp can bounce back from that situation,” said Botterill. “We think there’s an opportunity still for success here.”

THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres signed forward Jack Quinn to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $3.375 million. Quinn, 23, was slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports Austin, Texas, is tossing its hat into the NHL expansion ring. The league has informed interested parties that the expansion fee is $2 billion. Atlanta, Houston, Indianapolis and New Orleans are also believed to be potential expansion markets.










Notable NHL Trades and Signings – June 27, 2025

by | Jun 27, 2025

Notable NHL Trades and Signings – June 27, 2025

The Florida Panthers signed Sam Bennett to an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $8 million. He was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s doubtful anyone’s surprised by this news. Bennett, 29, won the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy, helping Florida win their second straight Stanley Cup. His versatility and agitating two-way style made him an important part of the roster core that turned the Panthers into the NHL’s dominant team over the past two years.

Bennett completed a four-year contract with an average annual value of $8 million, which is what most observers projected he’d get. He might’ve received a little more on the open market from teams eager to overpay for his services, but he never had any intention of leaving a proven winner, especially when they were keen to pay up to keep him.

The Panthers intend to keep their roster core intact to remain a Cup contender for the foreseeable future. However, Bennett’s gritty style of play could catch up with him over the latter half of his deal, which could make this deal burdensome in its final years.

The Montreal Canadiens acquired defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders in exchange for the 16th and 17th overall picks in this year’s draft and forward Emil Heineman. The Habs also signed the 25-year-old defenseman to an eight-year contract worth an average annual value of $9.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the biggest move yet by Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes. Dobson is a right-shot blueliner who netted a career-best 70 points in 2023-24. His production dropped to 39 points last season, but so did the offensive output of most of the Islanders in 2024-25. There were also rumors that he was clashing with Islanders head coach Patrick Roy.

New York Islanders trade Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens (NHL Images).

Dobson is entering the prime of his career. If he returns to form under Montreal coach Martin St. Louis, it will take considerable pressure off young star Lane Hutson on the right side of the Canadiens’ blueline.

The Islanders didn’t seem to be much in return for Dobson. However, those two first-round picks could be used to make a trade to move up in the round, putting them in position to draft center (and Long Island native) James Hagens.

The Toronto Maple Leafs re-sign John Tavares to a four-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $4.38 million. He also gets a full no-movement clause in the first two years, followed by a five-team trade list for the final two seasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was never in doubt. Tavares stated he wanted to stay in Toronto following the Leafs’ second-round playoff exit. He knew he’d have to accept a pay cut from the $11 million AAV of his previous contract. This shows his willingness to remain a Maple Leaf.

The Colorado Avalanche traded center Charlie Coyle and winger Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets for prospect center Gavin Brindley, a 2025 third-round pick, and a 2027 second-rounder.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a salary dump by the Avalanche. The 33-year-old Coyle is a versatile middle-six forward who can play center or right. Acquired at the trade deadline from the Boston Bruins, he has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $5.25 million. 

Wood frequently surfaced in the rumor mill after struggling through injuries and inconsistency in 2024-25. The 29-year-old checking-line winger is signed through 2028-29 with an AAV of $2.5 million. 

Taking into account Brindley’s $775K cap hit, the Avalanche have $8.9 million in cap space with 16 active roster players under contract. They could be planning other moves with that cap room to shore up their depth. 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 27, 2025

by | Jun 27, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 27, 2025

The NHL and NHLPA are expected to announce a new CBA extension, the first round of the 2025 draft begins Friday, the latest on pending free agents Mitch Marner and Nikolaj Ehlers, the Stars re-sign Jamie Benn, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports sources indicate the NHL and NHL Players’ Association could announce the framework of a four-year extension to the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) before the NHL Draft on Friday.

The two sides are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), followed by a formal ratification that isn’t expected to face any obstacles. Once ratified, the extension would take effect for 2026-27 and expire at the end of the 2029-30 season.

Among the notable potential changes:

The NHL will move to an 84-game regular-season schedule starting in 2026-27. The preseason would be shortened to four games per team. Players with 100-plus games of NHL experience can play a maximum of two preseason games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL veteran players should be happy with that change. Most find the preseason too long or a waste of time.

Player contracts will be term-limited from eight years to seven for players re-signing with their current clubs, and from seven years to six for unrestricted free agents starting in 2026-27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Many players won’t have an issue with this change. The average length of an NHL contract is three years. The longest contract most can expect to see is four years.

A comprehensive playoff salary-cap mechanism will be implemented to remove the long-term injury reserve loophole that allowed teams to pad their playoff rosters by using injury relief cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the biggest problem in the current CBA that drew criticism from teams, players, and fans around the league. It’ll be interesting to see the details of this mechanism.

Other notable changes include outlawing deferred salary in player contracts to reduce the salary cap hit, signing bonuses capped at 60 percent, significant increases in the playoff bonus pool, establishment of a full-time emergency backup goalie for each team, improved player benefits such as health insurance and post-playing career insurance stipends, and the elimination of a mandated player dress code for arriving and departing games.

The next three seasons of the salary cap will be $95.5 million for 2025-26, $104 million for 2026-27, and $113 million for 2027-28.

NHL.COM: The New York Islanders are looking forward to the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles on Friday. They hold the first-overall pick and are expected to select defensemen Matthew Schaefer of the OHL’s Erie Otters. The 17-year-old Schaefer is considered the top prospect in this year’s draft class.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I conducted an updated mock draft of the first round for Bleacher Report earlier this week. It’ll be fun to see how things shake out because there are always surprises. Some players go higher or lower than expected, and there might even be a trade or two involving first-round picks.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving anticipates Mitch Marner will test the unrestricted free-agent market on July 1. The 28-year-old left winger spent nine seasons with the Leafs and will be the top player among this year’s UFA class.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff intends to continue contract talks with Nikolaj Ehlers. However, recent reports indicated the 29-year-old winger intends to head to the UFA market on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprises here. There’s been no contract discussions between Marner and the Leafs, and there’s been an expectation that this season could be Ehlers’ last with the Jets. Both will land lucrative contracts with new clubs next month.

TSN: The Dallas Stars re-signed captain Jamie Benn to a one-year, bonus-heavy contract. The deal has a base salary of $1 million, with $3 million in bonuses.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Benn completed an eight-year contract with an AAV of $9.5 million. The 35-year-old center has spent his entire career with the Stars and took a significant pay cut to stay in Dallas. The reduction also reflects the recent decline in his play. He had 16 goals and 49 points during the 2024-25 regular season, but only three points in 18 playoff games.

THE MERCURY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks placed defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic on unconditional waivers to buy out the final season of his eight-year contract. Vlasic, 38, spent his entire 19-season NHL career with the Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The buyout counts as $4.66 million against the Sharks’ cap for 2025-26, dropping to 1.16 million for 2026-27.

During his playing prime (2008-09 to 2017-18), Vlasic was among the league’s best shutdown defensemen. However, his performance steadily declined, and injuries limited him to 27 games this season.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly set to sign winger Conor Garland to a six-year, $36-million contract. The average annual value is $6 million, and would begin in 2026-27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garland currently earns an AAV of $4.95 million. He’s a fast and hardworking forward whose energetic style has made him a fan favorite among Canucks fans. Garland will be 30 when this deal begins, which could become burdensome if his play declines.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW/THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Panthers acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Tarasov will back up starting goalie Sergei Bobrovsky next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This could be another instance of Florida GM Bill Zito acquiring a struggling player who goes on to shine with the Panthers. Zito was assistant GM with the Blue Jackets when they drafted Tarasov in 2017.

This move opens the opportunity for promising goalie Jet Greaves to earn a full-time roster spot with the Blue Jackets. He played well in call-up situations over the past couple of seasons.

Meanwhile, the Jackets’ intentions for struggling starter Elvis Merzlikins remain uncertain. He has two seasons remaining on his contract. There’s speculation he could be traded or bought out. It’s also believed that they might not be done making other moves in this summer’s trade market.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken acquired center Frederick Gaudreau from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former NHL center Evgeny Kuznetsov will attempt a comeback next season. The 33-year-old had 37 points in 39 games in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 26, 2025

by | Jun 26, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 26, 2025

The Mammoth acquire JJ Peterka from the Sabres, the Oilers trade Evander Kane to the Canucks, the Golden Knights re-sign Reilly Smith and are close to re-signing Brandon Saad, the latest CBA news, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE BUFFALO NEWS/THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: The Buffalo Sabres traded winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan. The Mammoth also signed Peterka to a five-year, $38.5-million contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $7.7 million.

Buffalo Sabres trade winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Peterka, 23, completed his three-year, entry-level contract. The up-and-coming winger finished second among Sabres scorers this season with a career-best 68-point performance. However, he was reportedly unhappy in Buffalo and wanted to move on.

This is the second significant June trade made by Utah general manager Bill Armstrong. Last year, he acquired defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to improve the depth on his blueline. This time, he’s bolstered the offense among his top-six forwards with a player who fits well within his club’s young roster core.

Kesselring, 25, should address the Sabres’ need for an experienced right-shot defenseman to skate alongside Owen Power. Doan, 21, is a promising power forward with middle-six forward potential.

The Sabres might not be done dealing. I’ll have more in today’s Rumor Mill.

EDMONTON JOURNAL/THE PROVINCE: The Oilers traded winger Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks for a fourth-round pick in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a straightforward salary dump by the cap-strapped Oilers, clearing Kane’s $5.125 million cap hit from their books for next season. The move removes some toughness and speed from the Oilers’ scoring lines, but it was necessary to free up cap room to re-sign restricted free agent Evan Bouchard and to address other roster needs.

The Canucks are betting that Kane can replace the toughness and physical leadership they lost when they traded J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers in January. The 33-year-old winger is a Vancouver native who is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility.

It’s assumed Kane will be motivated to play well for his hometown club in the final year of his contract. Canucks management downplayed his history as a toxic dressing-room presence earlier in his career. Nevertheless, Kane is entering a fragile Vancouver dressing room. Divisions between Miller and Elias Pettersson before the former’s departure contributed to the Canucks’ missing the playoffs.

Adding Kane could be like pouring gasoline on a fire. If that happens, the ensuing drama could have significant consequences for the Canucks’ hopes of rebounding from this season’s disappointing performance.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights re-signed winger Reilly Smith to a one-year, $2 million contract. They are also reportedly close to signing winger Brandon Saad to a new contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Smith signing leaves the Golden Knights with $7.6 million in cap space with 18 active roster players under contract for 2025-26. Saad is coming off a one-year, $1.5 million deal with Vegas after his previous contract with the St. Louis Blues was terminated earlier this season.

Vegas is rumored to be among the favorites to sign Mitch Marner when the Toronto Maple Leafs winger becomes a UFA on July 1. Assuming Saad gets a deal similar to Smith, the Golden Knights will have to shed considerable cap space to create room to make a competitive bid for Marner.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the NHL and NHL Players’ Association are believed to be getting close on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Details haven’t been revealed, but Friedman listed several items believed to be under consideration. They include reducing maximum length contracts from eight years to seven for re-signing players and from seven years to six for free agents from another team (UFAs).

Draft rights could be extended to age 22, and deferred salaries could be eliminated. There could be the implementation of a “permanent” emergency backup goalie (EBUG) to practice and travel with their NHL team. Revenue sharing could be tweaked to help some of the more middle-class teams.

The league will poll teams this summer for feedback on the decentralized draft. If the format proves unpopular, the league could revert to the previous format.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The players might not kick up much of a fuss over a one-year reduction of contract lengths. Seven and eight-year deals can be cumbersome for a player who might prefer a trade, but the remaining term of their contract hampers efforts to move them. Besides, we could see fewer of those lengthy deals if more players sign shorter-term deals with an eye on cashing in under a higher salary cap down the road.

Moving from an 82-game regular season to an 84-game schedule has also been discussed. It could go into effect in 2026-27, reducing the preseason by four games. Changes to long-term injury reserve rules have also been part of the talks.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers’ 2025 Stanley Cup playoff run raked in over $266 million for the city of Edmonton.

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports the New Jersey Devils remain in contract talks with Jake Allen. The pending UFA goalie is seeking at least a two-year term with an AAV of around $5 million, depending on the market and term. Allen is the top player in a shallow UFA goalie market.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 25, 2025

by | Jun 25, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 25, 2025

Zdeno Chara, Duncan Keith, Alexander Mogilny and Joe Thornton will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, updates on Connor McDavid and Jonathan Marchessault, the Islanders won’t part with the 2025 first-overall draft pick, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Hockey Hall of Fame will induct former NHL stars Zdeno Chara, Duncan Keith, Alexander Mogilny and Joe Thornton in a ceremony in November.

Former Canadian women’s national team forward Jennifer Botterill and former United States women’s national team forward Brianna Decker will also be inducted into the players’ category.

Zdeno Chara, Joe Thornton, Duncan Keith & Alexander Mogilny are part of the HHoF Class of 2025.(NHL.com)

Former Boston University coach Jack Parker and former Canadian women’s hockey coach, general manager and consultant Daniele Sauvageau will be inducted into the builders’ category.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the inductees for this well-deserved honor.

Regarding the NHLers, Chara was one of the dominant defensemen of his era. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2008-09 and was a six-time finalist. Chara captained the Boston Bruins to the 2011 Stanley Cup. He is seventh all-time in games played (1,608) with the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and Washington Capitals.

Keith was one of the greatest players in Chicago Blackhawks history, helping them win three Stanley Cups between 2009-10 and 2014-15. He was a two-time Norris Trophy winner (2009-10, 2013-14), took home the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2015, and won Olympic gold playing for Canada in 2010 and 2014.

Mogilny was finally inducted after 16 years of eligibility. Defecting from the Soviet Union in 1989 to play in the NHL, he had 1,032 points in 990 regular-season games (including a career-high 76 goals in 1992-93) with the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs. He won the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 1999-2000 and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2002-03.

Thornton was among the greatest playmakers in NHL history, sitting seventh overall with 1,109 assists and 14th with 1,539 points. He’s also sixth in games-played (1,714) with the Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers. Thornton won the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2005-06.

TSN: Former Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron and former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price are among those who could be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame next year. It will be Bergeron’s first year of eligibility and Price’s second.

It will also be the first year of eligibility for forwards Phil Kessel and Eric Staal. Patrick Marleau, Henrik Zetterberg and Ryan Getzlaf join Price among the recently eligible. Other potential candidates include Rod Brind’Amour, Sergei Gonchar, Jason Spezza, Curtis Joseph, Keith Tkachuk and Ryan Miller.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some Canadiens fans were surprised that Price wasn’t inducted into this year’s class. In my opinion, Chara, Keith, and Thornton were more deserving candidates, and Mogilny had been passed over for far too long.

Price stands a good chance of induction in 2026. Given the longstanding rivalry between the Bruins and Canadiens, it would be fitting if he and Bergeron joined the Hall in the same year.

TSN: Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman and CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson travelled to Ontario to meet with Connor McDavid’s agent, Jeff Moldaver, on Tuesday. The meeting was intended to discuss the broader directions of the organization rather than focusing on contract numbers.

McDavid has a year left on his contract with a salary-cap hit of $12.5 million and will become eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers have understandably made signing McDavid to an extension their top issue this summer. They’re also giving their captain some time to decide when he wants to start those discussions.

McDavid made it clear following the 2025 Stanley Cup Final that winning the Cup is his priority. He’ll want to know how the Oilers intend to remain a Cup contender before agreeing to an extension. The fact that management is already meeting with his agent is a positive step.

NASHVILLE POST: Predators GM Barry Trotz said there is no substance to recent rumors suggesting he’s trying to trade Jonathan Marchessault. He confirmed that all was good with the winger’s camp, saying the veteran winger will return with the Predators next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchessault was one of three major free-agent signings by Trotz last summer. His production dropped with the struggling Predators this season, prompting speculation that he might welcome a trade.

THE TENNESSEAN: Speaking of the Predators, they hired former Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson as an assistant coach. He replaces Todd Richards, who won’t be returning with the organization.

THE SCORE: New York Islanders GM Mathieu Darche said he has no intention of trading the first-overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft. Defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the OHL’s Erie Otters is considered the top prospect in this year’s draft, but Darche declined to tip his hand on who he’ll select.

NEW YORK POST: Darche admitted that trading for a second first-rounder in this draft is a possibility. The dream scenario for Islanders fans is their club selects Schaefer and somehow acquires another high first-round pick to use toward drafting center (and Long Island native) James Hagens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It would be quite the coup if Darche can pull that off.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Islanders, long-time forward Matt Martin hung up his skates and moved into the front office as a special assistant to Darche. He played in 987 regular-season games over 15 seasons with the Islanders and the Maple Leafs, 13 of those with the Isles, finishing with 178 points.

NEW YORK POST: The New York Rangers will send their 2025 first-round pick (12th overall) to the Pittsburgh Penguins. They had included that pick (top-13 protected) as part of the return to the Vancouver Canucks in the J.T. Miller trade. The Canucks subsequenty flipped it to the Penguins as part of the return for defenseman Marcus Pettersson.

Mollie Walker reports that next year’s draft class is considered to have a much deeper pool of talent. It would also have more value in the 2026 trade deadline if the Rangers attempt to upgrade for next year’s playoffs.

THE PROVINCE: The Dallas Stars could be eyeing Abbotsford Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra to fill their vacant head-coaching position. Malhotra guided the Vancouver Canucks’ AHL affiliate to the 2025 Calder Cup.

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH: Inspired by their previous Winter Classic jerseys, the Blues unveiled their new uniforms and primary logo.

THE ATHLETIC: Nationwide Arena owners are planning $400 million in upgrades to the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 25-year-old home.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 24, 2025

by | Jun 24, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 24, 2025

Reaction to the Ducks trading Trevor Zegras to the Flyers, Blues GM Doug Armstrong on the possibility of an offer sheet for Joel Hofer, the latest notable contract extensions, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS/NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: The Anaheim Ducks traded forward Trevor Zegras on Monday to the Philadelphia Flyers for center Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second-round pick (45th overall), and a 2026 fourth-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zegras, 24, was the subject of frequent trade speculation over the past two seasons. Chosen ninth overall by the Ducks in the 2019 NHL Draft, he was once considered a foundation player for the rebuilding Ducks.

Anaheim Ducks traded forward Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL Images).

Zegras was runner-up for the 2022 Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year, earned a spot at the 2022 NHL All-Star Game skills competition, and shared the cover of EA Sports’ NHL 23 videogame with Sarah Nurse.

After back-to-back 60-plus point performances in 2021-22 and 2022-23, Zegras underwent contentious contract negotiations with Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek, missing training camp before agreeing to a three-year contract in October 2023. Injuries limited him to 31 games in 2023-24 and 57 games last season.

Zegras’ critics cited his one-dimensional offensive game and weakness in the faceoff circle. He first surfaced in trade speculation in January 2024 and was a fixture in the rumor mill.

Verbeek said the move was made to retool his roster for the 2025-26 season. He also noted that Zegras wanted to play center and thinks the young forward will get that opportunity in Philadelphia.

Moving Zegras ($5.75 million average annual value for 2025-26) for Poehling ($1.9 million) freed up $3.85 million in cap space for the Ducks, leaving them with $36.03 million available and 17 active roster players under contract.

The reaction from Philadelphia suggests this is a low-risk move with high-reward potential if Zegras stays healthy and establishes himself as a reliable first or second-line center. The Flyers didn’t give up any of their three first-rounders in this year’s draft, and they didn’t part with a top prospect or a good young NHL player.

If Zegras doesn’t pan out, he’s only under contract for this season. If he pans out, the Flyers can extend him. Otherwise, they could let him walk next summer.

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH: Blues GM Doug Armstrong isn’t concerned about the possibility of a rival club thinking of signing Joel Hofer to an offer sheet. The 24-year-old goaltender is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights coming off a two-year, $1.55 million contract.

Armstrong made it clear that the Blues have the cap space to match an offer from a rival club. “I guess this is my shot across the bow,” he said. “You can go after him. You’re not going to get him.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hofer came up as a possible offer-sheet target because the Blues successfully signed away defenseman Philip Broberg and winger Dylan Holloway from the Edmonton Oilers last summer. Some observers suggested that the Oilers might make a retaliatory signing, or another club seeking goalie depth could target Hofer.

Armstrong isn’t bluffing. The Blues have over $5 million in projected cap space for next season with 22 active roster players under contract. They could get an additional $6.5 million in cap flexibility by placing sidelined defenseman Torey Krug on long-term injury reserve (LTIR).

Armstrong also said he’s spoken with pending unrestricted free-agent (UFA) defenseman Ryan Suter. The Blues GM said he’d told Suter about the seven blueliners they already have and Suter understood the situation. NHL.com’s Lou Korac believes Suter won’t return unless the Blues move one of their current defensemen.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins signed defenseman Mason Lohrei to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $3.2 million. He had a career-best 33 points but still has room to grow defensively, finishing with a league-worst plus-minus of minus-43.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins’ injury-ravaged roster and the shaky performance of starting goalie Jeremy Swayman contributed to Lohrei’s poor plus-minus. His defensive game should improve with another season of NHL experience, healthier linemates and a better effort from Swayman.

SPORTSNET: The New York Rangers signed center Adam Edstrom to a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames signed forward Justin Kirkland to a one-year, one-way contract worth $900,000.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the NHL has a Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday. The hope was to have the framework of a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) extension in place for Board approval. However, a few outstanding issues remain to be resolved.

LeBrun says the NHL and the NHLPA are inching closer to an agreement, and the league will provide a CBA update to the owners on Wednesday.

THE PROVINCE: The Abbotsford Canucks are the 2024-25 AHL champions, defeating the Charlotte Checkers 3-2 in Game 6 of the Calder Cup Final. Abbotsford goaltender Arturs Silovs was named the playoffs’ most valuable player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Silovs was the Vancouver Canucks’ postseason hero last year when he replaced sidelined goalies Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith during their first-round series with the Nashville Predators. Silovs isn’t waiver-exempt next season, which could lead to a logjam in the Vancouver crease with Demko and Kevin Lankinen also under contract for 2025-26.

NEW YORK POST: The Islanders named Rocky Thompson as the new head coach of their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. Thompson spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach with the Flyers.