NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 10, 2026

by | Sep 10, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 10, 2026

The Wild’s Quinn Hughes talks about his contract negotiations, the Ducks and Chris Kreider agree to terminate his contract, plus the latest on Leo Carlsson, Zach Werenski, Cole Caufield, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Quinn Hughes said he’s not in a rush to sign a contract extension with the Minnesota Wild. The 26-year-old defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Hughes stated that it would be done whenever he feels it needs to be done. “I don’t feel backed against a wall. I’m very thoughtful. I want to make sure I’m taking my time on everything and make sure I’m making a decision that is going to be good for everyone. That’s kind of where my head has been at,” Hughes said.

The superstar blueliner still believes in the Wild, claiming he has a strong relationship with the coaching staff and general manager Bill Guerin and that Minnesota has been a great fit for him. However, he won’t feel pressure if his negotiations carry over into the regular season. Hughes declined to publicly discuss details of his extension talks, saying it was between him and Guerin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes seems to be taking a cautious approach in his negotiations with the Wild. Understandably, he wants what’s best for his future. He could wait to see how this season unfolds before committing to the Wild beyond 2026-27. Nevertheless, the longer he goes without a contract, the more speculation about his future in Minnesota.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks placed winger Chris Kreider on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.

Kreider, 35, is in the final season of a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million, but his actual salary for this season is $4 million. The Ducks acquired him from the New York Rangers in June 2025. Kreider was fourth among Ducks scorers last season with 22 goals and sixth with 50 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kreider wants to be closer to his family, who live in the New York area. By terminating his contract, he can sign with any Eastern Conference team as an unrestricted free agent. It’s rumored he could refuse to report if claimed by a team that he doesn’t wish to join, but that scenario is unlikely because he’s expected to clear waivers later today.

This move could be a precursor to the Ducks signing restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier. They currently have $9.07 million in cap space, but the 21-year winger reportedly rejected a four-year deal worth $13 million last month. Clearing Kreider’s $6.5 million for this season should free up sufficient space for Gauthier’s new contract, which could come in at around $15 million annually.

SPORTSNET: Speaking of the Ducks, center Leo Carlsson said players are thanking him for signing a five-year offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers on July 3 worth $18 million AAV. The Ducks matched the offer six days’ later.

Carlsson acknowledged that his contract was “a huge deal for the league,” which is sure to have ripple effects for young, promising stars hoping to cash in as the salary cap rises.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those ripples have already been felt around the league.

Within three weeks of Carlsson’s new contract, San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year extension worth $18.8 million AAV. Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard inked a five-year deal worth $15 million. Carlsson’s deal also affected the Ducks’ efforts to re-sign Cutter Gauthier.

It’s not just rising young stars who benefited from Carlsson’s contract. Colorado Avalanche superstar defenseman Cale Makar recently signed an eight-year contract with a league-record $20.4 million AAV.

TSN: Florida Panthers winger Brady Tkachuk said it wasn’t an easy decision for him to request a trade from the Ottawa Senators.

“It was a really, really hard decision, and something that was emotional. It took a lot of time to get to that,” Tkachuk said, who was shipped to the Panthers in June.

Tkachuk’s first game back in Ottawa will be on Oct. 21. He’s not sure what kind of reception he’ll get from Senators fans. Whatever the reaction, he believes it’ll demonstrate how great the fan base is in Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As a team, the Senators are tired of talking about Tkachuk’s departure and want to move on. To his credit, Tkachuk has spoken respectfully about his time in Ottawa, but it’ll be interesting to see the fans’ reaction when he returns in October.

NHL.COM: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski insists that he wants to stay in Columbus following an offseason of trade rumors.

Werenski believes the Blue Jackets will be in a good place this season, where people won’t question his future in Columbus. However, he admits that speculation will likely persist until next summer, when he can sign a contract extension.

Offseason reports indicated Werenski asked for a trade and that the Blue Jackets were close to moving him to the Dallas Stars. Werenski vetoed the trade, and he and general manager Don Waddell issued statements about his desire to stay in Columbus.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Werenski maintains it was all a misunderstanding, insisting that he wants to stay and help Columbus become a winner. Nevertheless, he’s right about the conjecture regarding his future will continue throughout this season.

SPORTSNET: Despite the recent trend of American stars like Brady Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, and Connor Hellebuyck requesting trades out of Canadian markets, Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield doesn’t see himself following that path.

“Only speaking for myself, I think being in Montreal, if you love hockey and have a passion for it, there’s no better place or city to teach you lessons through the good and the bad. You learn to embrace it throughout those bad times that there’s brighter days ahead,” Caufield said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It can be difficult to play in high-pressure Canadian markets, and not everyone can handle that harsh spotlight. However, it’s easier to handle when the teams play as well as the rising Canadiens did last season.

We should note that Hughes and Hellebucyk made their trade requests after their clubs declined. Tkachuk’s request followed after back-to-back first-round playoff exits by the Senators. Those may be merely coincidences, but one wonders if those players would’ve made those requests if their Canadian clubs played as well as the Habs last season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi is expected to miss training camp and the start of the regular season because of complications from offseason surgery.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers signed former Ottawa Senators winger Alex Formenton to a one-year, $850,000 contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the second controversial decision by Oilers management, having hired Mike Babcock as head coach earlier this summer. Formenton is one of five players from the 2018 Canadian world junior team found not guilty of sexual assault in London, Ontario last summer.

TORONTO SUN: NHL insider Elliotte Friedman and game analyst Kevin Bieksa have agreed to new contracts with Sportsnet.

DAILY FACEOFF: NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said expansion to Houston or Austin is not a done deal. The league is currently in the middle of a six-month review period with the Friedkin Group regarding a potential expansion franchise in Texas. It would require a $3.5 billion bid, part of which would go toward building a state-of-the-art arena.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not a done deal yet, but there’s a strong sense that it’s going to happen.

ESPN: Former NHL player, coach, and hockey analyst Barry Melrose died Wednesday at age 70.

Melrose played 480 professional games with the NHL and WHA from 1976-77 to 1985-86. He turned to coaching soon afterward, winning championships with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers (1987-88) and the AHL’s Adirondack Red Wings (1991-92). He spent three seasons as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings (1992-93 to 1994-95), guiding them to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. He also did a brief stint as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008-09.

For over 25 years, Melrose was a well-known NHL analyst with ESPN. He stepped down from his duties in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Former Canadiens forward Andre Pronovost passed away at the age of 90.

Pronovost played nine seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Detroit Red Wings from 1956-67 to 1964-65. He spent the rest of his career in the minors except for a brief stint with the Minnesota North Stars in 1967-68.

In 556 regular-season games, Pronovost had 94 goals and 104 assists for 198 points. He also scored 22 points in 70 playoff games and won four Stanley Cups with the Canadiens. He was also the grandfather of current NHL winger Anthony Mantha.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of Melrose and Pronovost.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 9, 2026

by | Sep 9, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 9, 2026

Sidney Crosby is interested in re-signing with the Penguins; Jets believe Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request won’t be a distraction; Alex DeBrincat defends teammate Dylan Larkin’s trade request; and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: Sidney Crosby said contract extension talks are underway with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 39-year-old center is in the final season of his two-year contract. He admitted his age makes it “a little bit more difficult” to project where he’ll be.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

“I’d like to continue playing for a number of years,” Crosby said. “It’s just I don’t know what that number is. I guess your mind and body tell you that eventually. Right now I feel pretty good, though.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby and the Penguins management aren’t in a rush to get a deal done, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they agree to another two-year extension.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Jets captain Adam Lowry and veteran defenseman Dylan DeMelo don’t believe that teammate Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request will be a distraction. The 33-year-old goalie recently revealed he requested a trade earlier this season and believes it’s in his best interests to move on.

Lowry believes the trade request is a personal decision by Hellebuyck that won’t create a great divide with the Jets’ dressing room. DeMelo said the focus will be on preparing for the upcoming season regardless of what happens with Hellebuyck.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets will put a brave face on this situation, but there’s no denying that Hellebuyck’s trade request will affect the club’s performance whenever management moves him. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner was expected to play a large role in their efforts to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance. Losing him will adversely affect those plans.

DAILY FACEOFF: Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat said he understands how awkward and disappointing it is that teammate Dylan Larkin requested a trade, but he claimed it doesn’t change what he and his teammates think about him.

“He’s still a great player. He’s been a great friend and a great teammate to me, and we obviously love him here,” DeBrincat said. “That’s kind of for him to answer, what’s next for him. But for us, I think it’s all the same. We’re happy to see him at the rink and happy to get started.”

TSN: Simon Edvinsson intends to attend training camp despite lacking a new contract with the Red Wings. The 22-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level deal. He’s reportedly waiting patiently for the Red Wings to hire a new general manager.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin’s trade request and Edvinsson’s contract negotiations remain in limbo until the Red Wings find a new permanent GM. Training camp opens on Sept. 17. Tick-tock….

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks co-president Daniel Sedin said there is no timeline for Thatcher Demko’s return. The 30-year-old starting goaltender had season-ending hip surgery in January. He’s been skating on his own, but hasn’t participated in the informal workouts leading up to the start of training camp on Sept. 17.

OTTAWA SUN: Tim Stutzle brushed off Florida Panthers pest Brad Marchand mocking the possibility of the 24-year-old center being among the candidates for the Senators’ captaincy. “I really don’t care, to be honest,” Stutzle said. “I don’t care about that at all.”

Senators winger Drake Batherson was taken aback by Marchand’s reaction. He trains with the Panthers’ winger during the offseason. “I texted him. I’m like, ‘Marchy, what are you doing?’ That’s just Marchy. He’s been doing that for years. I told Timmy. It’s all good,” Batherson said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand missed his calling as a WWE heel.

Speaking of the Senators, the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch reports general manager Steve Staios said Artem Zub is still rehabbing the injury he suffered during the playoffs. The defenseman is expected to be ready for training camp, but if not, Staios would consider signing a player or two to a professional tryout offer.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins signed center Fraser Minten to a seven-year, $50.4 million contract extension. Minten, 22, is in the final season of his entry-level contract. His new deal carries an average annual value of $7.2 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like the Canucks with Zeev Buium, the Bruins are making a big bet on Minten reaching his potential as a top-six center. He had a promising rookie season in 2025-26 with 17 goals and 35 points in 82 games and a team-leading plus/minus of plus-21.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Veteran goaltender Ilya Samsonov is returning to the NHL after a one-year stint in the KHL, signing a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level. The Sharks now have four goalies with NHL experience, as Samsonov joins Yaroslav Askarov, Alex Nedeljkovic, and Eric Comrie.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Samsonov is expected to start this season with the Sharks’ AHL affiliate.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Carolina Hurricanes signed defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph to a one-year, $850,000 contract.

DAILY FACEOFF: Forward Tyson Jost will attend the Nashville Predators’ training camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO).

TSN: For a third straight year, the NHL Draft will be decentralized. It will be held on June 25-26, 2027.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 8, 2026

by | Sep 8, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 8, 2026

The latest on the Red Wings, Panthers, Sabres, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Detroit Tigers general manager Jeff Greenberg withdrew his name for consideration for the Detroit Red Wings’ GM position. The Red Wings have been searching for a general manager since Steve Yzerman stepped down after seven seasons without a postseason appearance.

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan suggested the Red Wings promote assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff if there is no suitable external option.

Khan noted that time is running out for the Red Wings to find a suitable option. Training camp starts next week, Dylan Larkin’s trade status needs to be resolved, and restricted free-agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson must be signed.

Horcoff knows the organization well. He’s been the club’s assistant GM for three years and the GM of their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. He worked alongside Yzerman and assistant GM Kris Draper in all hockey operations matters.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s taken the Wings far too long to find a replacement for Yzerman. Khan suggests making Horcoff the interim general manager until a more suitable option is found.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of Edvinsson, Max Smith believes the price of signing him to an extension has gone up after the Vancouver Canucks signed sophomore defenseman Zeev Buium to an eight-year extension worth an average annual value of $9.38 million.

Edvinson, 23, is coming off his entry-level contract. He had 31 points in 78 games during 2024-25 and 25 points in 72 games last season.

Smith believes Edvinsson is well-positioned to seek a higher AAV than Buium and potentially a shorter-term contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Edvinsson could seek over $10 million annually on a four-year contract. After that, he would be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent while in his playing prime, when he would be in line for a more lucrative deal.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau examines how the Florida Panthers’ aging core could jeopardize their hopes of regaining Stanley Cup contender status.

The Panthers’ lineup is filled with greybeards including Brad Marchand (38), Garnet Hathaway (34), Lars Eller (37), Radko Gudas (36), Dmitri Kulikov (35), and Jacob Markstrom (36).

Others remain susceptible to injuries. Four of their top-six scorers missed at least 18 games last season. Defensemen Seth Jones and Niko Mikkola missed a combined 44 games, and captain Aleksander Barkov missed all of last season with a knee injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers remain a good team that cannot be taken lightly. Nevertheless, they enter this season as the NHL’s second-oldest team (30.32), with Marchand already sidelined for the start of the season.

Barkov, defenseman Aaron Eklbad, and two-way forward Sam Bennett have long injury histories. Winger Matthew Tkachuk played a combined 83 games over the last two years. Jones last played more than 72 games in 2022-23.

More concerning, as Proteau pointed out, is Markstrom’s decline since his career-best season with the Calgary Flames in 2021-22. Even if the Panthers are healthier this season, a sub-par effort by their new starting goalie could derail their Stanley Cup dreams, especially in the tough Atlantic Division.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: Bill Hoppe reports Sabres forward Josh Doan believes his club will be fine this season despite the offseason departures of winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram.

“Everyone’s got their own opinion on us again this year on whether or not we’re going to take a step, or whether or not we lost and got worse this summer, which, I mean, you can guess all you want, no one really knows what anyone’s done,” Doan said. “I think our group’s pretty confident in that we’re a better team heading into this year.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tuch and Byram played key roles in the Sabres’ improvement last season. How they adjust to their absence will depend on the performance of young players like Doan.

THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle recently profiled former NHL defenseman Jason Marshall, who went on to become an architect, helping design arenas across North America.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marshall spent 12 NHL seasons (1991-92 to 2005-06) with the St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals, Minnesota Wild, and San Jose Sharks before finishing his playing career in Europe.

ROTOWIRE: Former NHL center Jean-Sebastien Dea announced his retirement. The 32-year-old spent most of his pro career in the AHL and the KHL. From 2016-17 to 2022-23, he played 37 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, and Arizona Coyotes, scoring five goals and two assists for seven points.

NEW YORK POST: Nashville Predators prospect Austin Roest has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to support his girlfriend, former figure skater Milara Okabe, who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 adenocarcinoma, a cancer that attacks organ glands.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow this link to donate.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 7, 2026

by | Sep 7, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 7, 2026

Ivan Demidov’s agent explains why the Canadiens winger signed a team-friendly deal, Red Wings center Dylan Larkin may have overplayed his hand with his trade request, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Herb Zurkowsky reports player agent Dan Milstein said his client, Ivan Demidov, signed a team-friendly contract with the Canadiens to leave financial room for management to improve the roster.

Montreal Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov (NHL Images)

The 20-year-old winger signed an eight-year, $73.2 million contract extension on July 1 with an average annual value of $9.15 million.

“If I had my way, the deal probably would’ve looked a little different,” Milstein said. “Ivan basically said he wanted the eight-year deal. He wanted it done quickly and wanted to leave room (financially) for Montreal to get even better.”

“His exact words were, ‘We’re in a great situation. I feel like we’re going to be winning for many years.’ He wanted to leave money on the table so they can sign other players.”

Milstein also noted that Demidov will be in his late-20s when his extension expires, putting him in a good position to land a more lucrative contract. The agent also believes his client has the potential to become one of the top players in the NHL within the next several years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Demidov’s comments tie in with those of teammate Juraj Slafkovsky, who recently said he and his teammates care more about pursuing Stanley Cup rings.

The young winger also seems to be following the example of teammate Lane Hutson, who rejected a $72 million deal in favor of a $70 million one to give the Canadiens the salary-cap flexibility to maintain a competitive roster. He also probably saw Hutson’s negotiations become the subject of media and fan scrutiny and wanted to avoid that distraction.

It’s been suggested that the agents for Hutson, Demidov, and Slafkovsky let their clients down by not pushing for better contracts. Milstein’s comments, however, indicate the players called the shots on those deals.

The Canadiens are trying to build a winning culture among their players, especially their core talent. Doing so requires having sufficient cap space to build a strong supporting cast around them. Hutson, Demidov, and Slafkovsky will be justified for accepting those contracts if management uses that cap flexibility to bring in the depth necessary to win the Stanley Cup.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael Whitaker believes Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin may have overplayed his hand with his request to be traded.

It’s been three months since the request was reported, but Larkin remains with the Red Wings. His status remains in limbo as the club continues its search for a new general manager. Whitaker suggests that Larkin’s unwillingness to expand his three-team trade list has proven to be a major miscalculation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin couldn’t have known that the Wings would replace Steve Yzerman as GM midway through the summer. Nevertheless, his insistence on maintaining such a narrow list of trade destinations hampered the club’s efforts to move him. As Whitaker observes, it will likely put him in an awkward situation with the fans if he’s still on the Red Wings’ roster when their regular season begins on Oct. 2.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins plan to reduce top defenseman Charlie McAvoy’s workload on the penalty kill. That was part of the reasons why they acquired Will Borgen from the New York Rangers in July.

Bruins head coach Marco Sturm said they felt that reducing McAvoy’s penalty-killing minutes will give him more energy for other parts of his game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McAvoy had the second-most total shorthanded ice time among Bruins defensemen (193:38), but he led the club in shorthanded ice time per game (2:48).

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Vegas Golden Knights could take a step back in 2026-27 after reaching the Stanley Cup Final last season.

The Golden Knights have maxed out their cap space. Their bottom-six forwards are weaker; they have few high-end prospects who could be difference-makers this season, and they have less trade capital than ever. There are questions about the performance of goaltenders Adin Hill and Carter Hart, and they have a rookie head coach in Ryan Craig.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights have proven their naysayers wrong in the past, but the issues that Proteau raises could take their toll this season.

TORONTO SUN: Rob Longley reports Amazon Prime is no longer in the picture as negotiations between NHL insider Elliotte Friedman and Rogers Sportsnet drag on.

It had been reported that Friedman was considering an offer to work on Amazon Prime’s midweek games, which wouldn’t have conflicted with his Sportsnet duties.

Longley also reported that sources claim Sportsnet’s NHL analyst Kevin Bieksa has entertained opportunities to work for an American network.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 6, 2026

by | Sep 6, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 6, 2026

Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request puts the Jets at a crossroads; the winners and losers from the Cale Makar contract; this season’s top Norris Trophy candidates; six CBA changes you should know; and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle examines how Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request puts the Winnipeg Jets at a crossroads. They must either try to remain competitive with “an older, mediocre roster on the decline,” or begin a painful rebuild like the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Mirtle noted that more players are putting Canadian teams on their no-trade lists, including some that have listed all seven teams. He pointed to the recent departures of several other notable stars from Canadian teams, creating new existential questions north of the border, and how the rising salary cap could make it difficult for smaller-market clubs to retain or attract NHL stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mirtle reminds us that stars like the Tkachuk brothers, Johnny Gaudreau, and Quinn Hughes had different reasons for leaving their Canadian teams. In Hellebuyck’s case, he’s concerned about the Jets’ decline and the difficult task of reversing their fortunes.

Nevertheless, the issue gained more attention after Hellebuyck’s request and Brady Tkachuk’s trade from Ottawa to Florida in June.

However, Hellebuyck didn’t want out a year ago after the Jets won their first Presidents’ Trophy, and Hughes wasn’t forcing a trade when the Canucks seemed a rising force in the Western Conference following their 109-point performance in 2023-24.

Mirtle briefly touched on what he called the “massive season change” the NHL is undergoing, with a rapidly rising salary cap and NHL stars using their considerable leverage for bigger contracts and where they want to play.

Those factors could affect small-market NHL teams in Canada (Winnipeg and Ottawa) and the United States (Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets) that already had issues retaining or attracting star talent. It could also affect other smaller-market teams like the Nashville Predators, Utah Mammoth, and the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.

ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski recently listed the winners and losers of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar’s record-setting eight-year, $163.2 million contract, making him the first NHL player to earn an average annual value of over $20 million ($20.4 million).

Among the winners are New York Islanders promising defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who could join Makar in that rarefied contract air if his sophomore season is as good (or better) than his outstanding rookie campaign.

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin is among the losers, as it will cost him a lot more to re-sign blueliner Quinn Hughes, though it’ll likely be on a shorter contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link for Wyshynski’s follow list. Another notable winner is the Montreal Canadiens, who got rising star Lane Hutson inked to an eight-year extension last season worth $8.85 million AAV.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of Makar, he’s on Matt Larkin’s recent ranking of his top-10 Norris Trophy candidates for 2026-27. Hughes and Hutson are also on this list, along with 2025-26 Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link for the complete list and share your thoughts in the comments section below.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau examines six notable changes to the NHL collective bargaining agreement that begin on Sept. 15.

The reduction in contract term limits tops the list, with the maximum length for re-signing players dropping from eight years to seven, while those for unrestricted free agents drop from seven to six.

Others include an 84-game schedule with a shortened preseason, mandatory neckguards for new players, and stricter qualifications for emergency backup goaltenders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reducing maximum contract lengths won’t affect most NHL players, as such deals are usually reserved for the stars. However, that could also be changing, as the best talent could start pursuing shorter, top-dollar deals enabling them to become UFA-eligible while still in their prime.

SPORTSNET: A group hoping to bring an NHL expansion team to Atlanta said a report claiming their bid was in its final stages was “premature and incomplete”.

Vernon Krause, CEO of Krause Sports and Entertainment, said the league “has made no decisions with respect to our project, and we are not in the expansion application phase.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That doesn’t mean the possibility of another NHL franchise in Atlanta is dead. Krause indicated that the ownership group “has a strong interest in making this vision a reality,” adding that they will continue discussions with the league as the latter sees fit.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 5, 2026

by | Sep 5, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 5, 2026

The Canucks sign Zeev Buium to a lucrative extension, clarity on Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau’s status, the latest on Avalanche winger Artturi Lehkonen’s contract talks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks signed defenseman Zeev Buium to an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $9.38 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buium, 20, is in the final season of his entry-level contract. He joined the Canucks last December as part of the return from the Minnesota Wild in the Quinn Hughes trade.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Zeev Buium (NHL Images)

A skillful puck-moving defenseman, Buium had a promising rookie campaign with 26 points in 76 games, including 12 in 45 games with the Canucks.

The Canucks are taking a big gamble on Buium reaching his potential as an elite offensive blueliner. He’s only 20 years old, and there’s no certainty he’ll play up to the massive expectations that come with this contract. He’s shown promise, but hasn’t done enough to deserve such an expensive deal.

If Buium becomes a superstar, Canucks general manager Ryan Johnson will be praised for his foresight with this big investment. If he doesn’t, it could become one of the worst contracts in the league, derailing Johnson’s plans to rebuild this club into a contender.

SPORTSNET: Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy clarified the status of Jonathan Huberdeau’s recovery from hip resurfacing surgery in March.

Earlier this week, Conroy said that Huberdeau suffered “a little bit of a setback” with his skating about two weeks ago. The Flames GM now says it was “a poor choice of words” on his part.

“It’s not that there was a setback. It was more in the hope in me that he was going to be ready for camp.” Conroy said. “What I meant was it was a setback that he probably won’t be ready for the first day of camp. That’s where I made my mistake”.

Huberdeau is skating with his teammates and appears close to returning, but there is no timeline yet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Conroy hopes that Huberdeau might rejoin his teammates at some point during training camp. However, he stressed that it will be when the 33-year-old winger feels 100 percent.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche GM Joe Sakic said contract extension talks with Artturi Lehkonen could stretch into the regular season.

Lehkonen, 31, is in the final season of his five-year contract with a $4.5 million AAV. He’s scored 20 goals three times over the past four seasons, but his availability is in question as he’s been frequently sidelined by injuries.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lehkonen can become an unrestricted free agent next July. His future in Colorado depends on how many years and how much salary he’s seeking on his next deal. The Avalanche have a projected $11.646 million in salary cap space for 2027-28 with 18 active roster players signed. Nicolas Roy, Brent Burns, and Scott Wedgewood are also UFA-eligible next year.

TORONTO SUN: NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is believed to be closer to returning to Sportsnet. However, it’s rumored that Rogers Communications, which owns Sportsnet, doesn’t want Friedman to also work on Amazon Prime’s midweek games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman’s contract with Sportsnet expired on Aug. 31, prompting speculation that he could be joining Amazon Prime. Fellow NHL analyst Kevin Bieksa’s contract also expired on Monday, but there’s no indication whether Amazon Prime might be wooing him too.

ARIZONA SPORTS: Arizona State University defenseman and St. Louis Blues prospect Matthew Mayich “needs a miracle” after being hospitalized following a training incident last month, his family’s lawyer said.

Mayich collapsed from heat stroke during an outdoor bootcamp-style workout on Aug. 20. Lawyer Robert Carey said the 21-year-old is in a coma, adding that his body has ceased functioning in a fundamental way, and his condition is irreversible.

The university issued a statement on Sept. 3 that the school’s vice-president is reviewing “the workout and related university policies, procedures, and training protocols”.

Leonard Aragon, another attorney representing the Mayich family, claimed a former Green Beret led the workout, pushing the student-athletes beyond their limits. He also alleged the athletes would be punished for stopping or drinking water.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The more details revealed about what led to Mayich’s hospitalization, the worse it sounds. His family is pushing the school to do more than conduct a review.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken signed winger Jacob Melanson to a three-year contract with a $1.45 million AAV.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres signed defenseman Zach Metsa to a one-year, one-way contract extension worth $900,000.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs inked forward Brendan Brisson to a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level.