NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 29, 2026

by | Aug 29, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 29, 2026

The Avalanche signed Cale Makar to the largest contract in league history, Macklin Celebrini talks about his new contract, the questions facing the Maple Leafs, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche signed Cale Makar to an eight-year contract extension worth a league-record average annual value of $20.4 million.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (NHL Images)

Makar is in the final season of a six-year deal with a $9 million AAV. The 27-year-old is considered the NHL’s top defenseman. In his seven NHL seasons, he’s been a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the league’s best blueliner six times, winning the award in 2021-22 and 2024-25.

Makar led the Avalanche to the 2022 Stanley Cup, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He also won the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year. He’s also been a First Team All-Star twice (2021-22 and 2024-25) and a Second Team All-Star in 2020-21 and 2025-26.

SPORTSNET: NHL insider Frank Seravalli believes Makar’s new contract solidifies the landscape for new NHL contracts.

Makar’s new deal comes during a summer when AAVs for elite players have been rising with the salary cap. Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks is earning an $18 million AAV on a five-year offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers (which the Ducks matched), and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini will take home an AAV of $18.8 million on a five-year extension.

THE DENVER POST: Before Makar signed his extension, Troy Renck felt he’d be worth whatever the Avalanche might pay him. However, that hefty new deal also comes with the weight of bringing the Stanley Cup back to Colorado.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan Lambert wondered what effect Makar’s record-setting deal would have on Quinn Hughes’ contract extension talks with the Minnesota Wild. Like Makar, Hughes is among the league’s elite defensemen, and he could use it as a benchmark for his own contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I said earlier this month that Makar or Hughes would become the league’s first $20-million player. Given Makar’s resume, it’s no surprise that he got this deal, and it will set the bar for Hughes’ next deal.

Makar won’t have difficulty meeting expectations that come with this league-leading (for now) contract. However, winning the Cup won’t be easy. The Avalanche lack promising young talent and have a depleted supporting cast around Makar and core players Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, Gabriel Landeskog, and Devon Toews.

THE MERCURY NEWS: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini made his first public comments since signing his five-year, $94-million contract with what was then a league-leading AAV of $18.8 million.

Celebrini said he wanted to ensure his new deal would still leave the Sharks with salary-cap flexibility to keep its young roster core intact and competitive for the long term.

“That was at the front of my mind throughout the whole negotiation,” Celebrini said. “I wanted to make sure that with where the cap was going, that the number made sense to the team first and foremost, making sure that everyone can get paid, and that we’re in a good spot to build the way we want to build.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Celebrini earned that expensive extension by establishing himself as a superstar and the foundation of the Sharks within his first two NHL seasons.

The other promising young Sharks (Will Smith, Michael Misa, Igor Chernyshov, Ivar Stenberg, Sam Dickinson, and Yaroslav Askarov) should be more affordable re-signings. However, if any of them have big breakout performances this season, their new contracts could become much more expensive.

NHL.COM: The biggest question facing the Toronto Maple Leafs is how long it will take for the roster to gel on and off the ice after so many offseason changes.

The Maple Leafs underwent significant changes to their front office staff and their coaching staff. Their roster was also shaken up, with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, defenseman Darren Raddysh, and forwards such as Nick Paul, Jack Roslovic, and rookie winger Gavin McKenna among their key additions.

How well McKenna adjusts to playing under the hockey microscope in Toronto and whether team captain Auston Matthews can rebound from season-ending knee surgery are the other big questions entering this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: On paper, the Maple Leafs appear to be a better team than they were last season. However, if the new additions struggle to adjust to life in hockey’s most demanding market, and if Matthews’ performance is below expectations, it could become a long, unhappy season that leads to a rebuild instead of further retooling.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Columbus Blue Jackets named Trevor Timmins as director of amateur scouting and Ville Siren as director of European scouting.

THE ATHLETIC: Arizona State University defenseman and St. Louis Blues prospect Matthew Mayich collapsed during an offseason military-style workout last Thursday, sending him to the hospital with a heat-related illness.

Mayich reportedly remains in hospital in critical condition. He and his teammates were participating in a 60-minute morning workout outdoors at Sun Angel Stadium. The temperature was 84.2 degrees Fahrenheit when first responders were called. The instructor is a former military service member and non-University employee.

The incident has sparked criticism of Greg Powers, the team’s head coach. Meanwhile, the practice of military-style workouts is under scrutiny.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 28, 2026

by | Aug 28, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 28, 2026

Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck makes his trade request public, Cale Makar and the Avalanche close in on a contract extension, the latest on the Canucks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Massimo De Luca-Taronno reports Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck released a statement through his agent on Thursday indicating that he requested a trade earlier this year and he still wants to be moved.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

The request comes after months of speculation over the 33-year-old netminder’s future in Winnipeg. In the statement, Hellebuyck said he’s going public with the request as training camp approaches, believing a trade is the best path forward for himself and his family.

Hellebuyck expressed gratitude for his 14-plus years with the Jets’ organization and his appreciation to the fans who’ve supported him throughout his career. He hopes that a resolution can be reached.

The Jets also released a statement acknowledging Hellebuyck’s openness to a change. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff expressed respect for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner’s accomplishments.

Cheveldayoff said the club would continue to “work through the situation in a thoughtful manner,” but provided no update regarding trade talks.

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Ken Wiebe believes Hellebuyck and the Jets remain in the same position they were in following his exit interview and end-of-season media availability in April. What’s changed is that going public is an attempt to force a trade by turning up the heat on Cheveldayoff.

Wiebe pointed out that several Jets have requested trades in the past, but Cheveldayoff moves at his own pace and will set a high asking price for the All-Star goaltender. Hellebuyck could apply additional pressure by withholding his services and not showing up for training camp, but that would be a bold and unconventional move.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staging a holdout could backfire on Hellebuyck. He’d risk breaching his contract, enabling the Jets to suspend him without pay until he ends the holdout or is traded. It also wouldn’t do his reputation any favors.

Hellebuyck is signed through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $8.5 million. Cheveldayoff doesn’t have to rush to move him, but he will likely feel some pressure to find a suitable deal soon.

THE ATHLETIC’s Chris Johnston believes one key difference with Hellebuyck’s trade request compared to others around the league is that he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause for a variety of teams. He claimed the offers haven’t been to the Jets’ liking yet, “but they’re not totally handcuffed.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The “others” Johnston is referring to are Brady Tkachuk, who was traded from the Ottawa Senators to the Florida Panthers in June, and Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin. In both cases, the players submitted a small list of preferred destinations.

Tkachuk kept his request quiet, even denying publicly that he wanted to be traded. The Senators were able to accommodate him by shipping him to Florida early in the offseason.

Larkin’s request and his list of destinations were leaked to the media in early June. The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights and the Panthers were his three preferred clubs, though the Dallas Stars are rumored to be a destination. However, those clubs can’t meet the Wings’ asking price, and most lack the cap space to take on his contract. The Wings’ ongoing search for a new general manager puts Larkin’s request in limbo.

I’ll have more about the Hellebuyck trade request in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported Thursday that Cale Makar and the Colorado Avalanche are closing in on a contract extension. No details were provided.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen cited Andy Strickland of the FanDuel Sports Network, who reported that an announcement on Makar’s new contract could be coming on Friday, Aug. 28.

Makar is in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $9 million. However, with Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini signing new deals this summer worth $18 million and $18.8 million, respectively, Makar’s next AAV could more than double his current cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Makar could get an eight-year deal worth between $19 million and $20 million. Hopefully, we’ll find out later today what it will be. Whatever he gets will be well-deserved given his impressive career thus far as the league’s top defenseman.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports Vancouver Canucks GM Ryan Johnson said there is no timetable for Thatcher Demko’s return to action. Injuries limited the 30-year-old goaltender to 23 games in 2024-25 and 20 games last season.

Johnson has no intention of rushing Demko back into the lineup. The netminder has spent the summer in Vancouver rehabbing with specialists and the Canucks’ training staff. He’s been skating since late June to work toward the physical condition he needs to be a successful NHL goalie again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks have Kevin Lankinen as their backup goalie and Nikita Tolopilo as their third-stringer. With Demko’s status unclear, Johnson isn’t taking any chances, signing free agent Chris Driedger to a professional tryout contract.

THE PROVINCE: Former Canucks center J.T. Miller admitted he went into rehab during his final season with the club. He didn’t reveal when he went and why, but Johnston noted that Miller took a leave of absence during November and December 2024, missing 10 games. The rehab was not through the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and was not related to alcohol or substance abuse.

Miller was eventually traded to the New York Rangers in January 2025.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A feud between Miller and center Elias Pettersson destroyed morale among the Canucks, leading to the former’s trade to the Rangers. However, the damage was done, as the club imploded last season, leading to significant changes for the roster, management, and the coaching staff.

SPORTSNET: The Calgary Flames will wear a patch on their jerseys to commemorate their final season at the Saddledome. The patch features the years 1983 and 2027 to honor their years in their iconic home arena.

Calgary’s new arena, Scotia Place, is scheduled to open next fall ahead of the 2027-28 season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames needed a new state-of-the-art arena, but it will still be the end of an era as another memorable arena shuts its doors. The Calgary skyline won’t be the same without that saddle-shaped arena.

SPORTSNET: The NHL’s potential return to Atlanta cleared another hurdle as the Alpharetta City Council voted 4-3 to approve zoning changes for a mall that could include an NHL-sized arena.

Alpharetta is one of two Atlanta-area destinations exploring how to attract an NHL team. Forsyth County held a successful arena vote in 2024.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 27, 2026

by | Aug 27, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 27, 2026

The questions facing the Lightning this season, four Oilers will miss training camp, the top Vezina Trophy candidates for 2026-27, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Whether Victor Hedman can return to form as an elite No. 1 defenseman is among the big questions facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2026-27.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman (NHL Images).

The 35-year-old Lightning captain appeared in just 33 games last season, including missing the final 22 games of the regular season and all seven of his club’s playoff games. He revealed that he took a leave of absence to prioritize his mental health.

Hedman said he has no regrets about taking that leave of absence, saying that he was dealing with performance anxiety, which in part was related to injuries that hampered his play. The long-time Lightning star claims he’s “feeling great” now and has been skating regularly during the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A bounce-back season for Hedman would be a significant factor in the Lightning’s performance this season.

Whether John Carlson can replace the departed Darren Raddysh and whether young players such as Conor Geekie and Sam O’Reilly can make an impact are other notable questions for the Lightning this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Raddysh parlayed a career-best 70-point season with the Lightning into a lucrative contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Carlson is older than the 30-year-old late-blooming Raddysh, but the 36-year-old is an experienced puck-moving defenseman who had 60 points in 71 games with the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks last season. He should have enough left in the tank to replace Raddysh’s offense.

As for Geekie and O’Reilly, the jury remains out. Geekie is entering his third NHL season while O’Reilly is entering his first pro season after four seasons of junior hockey.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Goaltender Frederik Andersen is among four Oilers who will miss training camp for medical reasons.

Andersen and winger Matt Savoie are still rehabilitating injuries that occurred during offseason training. Forward Mattias Janmark and defenseman Alec Regula are still recovering from surgeries performed last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The absence of Andersen and Savoie could be the most concerning for the Oilers.

Andersen, 36, was signed to a one-year, $2.8 million contract. He helped the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup last season, but has been sidelined frequently by injuries. TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reported Andersen could be sidelined until late October. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Savoie is coming off a promising 37-point rookie campaign.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Former Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin said he wasn’t happy during his final season in San Jose.

“In the games I played, I thought I played well,” Mukhamadullin said. “There was some misunderstanding with the coaching staff. I won’t spell it out clearly, but there were some disagreements.”

Mukhamadullin, 24, was traded by the Sharks to the Oilers in July as part of the return for blueliner Darnell Nurse.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The trade to Edmonton gives Mukhamadullin the chance to reset his NHL career after struggling to crack the Sharks’ roster over the past three seasons. He could become a key part of the Oilers’ blueline if he can make the most of this opportunity.

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin listed his top Vezina Trophy candidates as the NHL’s top goaltender for 2026-27.

Logan Thompson of the Washington Capitals sits atop his list, with 2025-26 Vezina winner Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning in second place and Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders in third.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link for the full listing. Feel free to share your thoughts on that list in the comments section below.

NHL.COM: The league released its US television schedule for 2026-27. 172 games will be broadcast on TNT Sports and ESPN this season, beginning with the season-opening triple-header on Sept. 29.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 26, 2026

by | Aug 26, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 26, 2026

The questions facing the Blues this season, the Senators’ move to name a new captain, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: How well offseason additions Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael boost the offense is among the three questions facing the St. Louis Blues entering this season.

St. Louis Blues center Mason McTavish (NHL Images)

MacTavish, 23, was acquired in a trade from the Anaheim Ducks while the 25-year-old McMichael was part of the return in the deal that sent Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals.

Both players are part of the Blues’ ongoing roster retool toward younger talent.

Whether Joel Hofer can replace Jordan Binnington and who becomes the next captain are the other questions the Blues must address this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McTavish is among the NHL players expected to bounce back this season. Difficult contract negotiations with the Ducks forced him to miss training camp last fall, and he struggled to adjust under new Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville. How well he adapts to this change of scenery will be a key factor for the Blues’ playoff hopes.

Binnington was a fixture in trade rumors last season. He’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July and could be moved by the March 1 trade deadline if Hofer nails down the starter’s job.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators general manager Steve Staios and head coach Travis Green are close to naming a new team captain. They could make the announcement when training camp opens on Sept. 16.

Garrioch’s suggested candidates include long-time defenseman Thomas Chabot, blueline star Jake Sanderson, and first-line center Tim Stutzle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chabot’s longevity and loyalty to the Senators make him the favorite, but Staios and Green could opt for a younger captain such as Sanderson or Stutzle.

TORONTO STAR: Rising ticket prices are leaving Maple Leafs fans shocked and frustrated, especially for single-game tickets.

Some of them believe the Maple Leafs are squeezing out regular fans in pursuit of corporate dollars. Others believe the club has little incentive to improve its product as long as their arena is sold out and there’s a wait list for season tickets.

A team spokesman pointed out that the recent ticket price increase was two percent, which is lower than the national inflation average. He also indicated that the club’s dynamic pricing continues to provide fans with a range of options, with higher prices for the most in-demand games and lower prices for other games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs are charging what their market will bear, with a significant portion coming from corporate support. For decades, there were dire predictions that escalating costs would hurt the league at the gate. However, that has yet to materialize given its rising popularity and record-setting attendance numbers.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres’ success last season created so much demand that they’ve sold out of season tickets for 2026-27. For the first time in a decade, they’ve opened a wait list for tickets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buffalo was a strong hockey town for decades. Their stunning improvement last season has brought back fans who were turned off by nearly 15 years of mismanagement and mediocrity.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic believes it’s only a matter of time until his rebuilding club becomes a playoff contender.

“The sooner we establish that goal as a team, the more realistic it can be,” Vlasic said. He believes the Blackhawks’ improvement will be driven by a maturing core of young talent and the offseason additions of Patrick Kane and Bowen Byram.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be challenging for the Blackhawks to get off to a good start to this season with first-line center Connor Bedard recovering from shoulder surgery earlier this summer. Overcoming that issue would be a significant step in the right direction.

TSN: Veteran forward Kevin Hayes signed a one-year contract with KHL club AK Bars Kazan.

Hayes, 34, began his 12-season NHL career in 2014-15 with the New York Rangers. He also played for the Winnipeg Jets, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins. In 805 regular-season games, Hayes scored 185 goals and 261 assists for 446 points, and 26 points in 58 playoff contests.

TSN: The Washington Capitals signed goaltender Cal Petersen to a professional tryout offer. A six-year NHL veteran, the 31-year-old Petersen spent last season with the AHL’s Iowa Wild.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Calgary Flames signed forward Alex Nylander to a PTO contract.

Nylander, 28, has 126 games of NHL experience over seven seasons but has spent most of his professional career in the AHL.

DAILY FACEOFF: According to a report by Chris Johnston of The Athletic, all NHL emergency backup goaltenders (EBUGs) will be required to wear the number 00.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 25, 2026

by | Aug 25, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 25, 2026

A look at the big questions facing the Kraken, several stars could reach significant individual milestones this season, Anze Kopitar has no regrets about retiring, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Seattle Kraken face questions about their offense, their penalty kill, and their young players as they prepare for the coming season.

Seattle Kraken winger Jared McCann (NHL Images).

The Kraken acquired promising forward Mackie Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers earlier this summer, and they’re hoping for a healthy season from leading scorer Jared McCann. They also re-signed winger Bobby McMann, who tallied 10 goals in 18 games after being acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the March trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken’s limited scoring punch has been their downfall in recent years. A full season with Samoskevich, McMann, and a healthy McCann should help, but they’re still lacking a scoring superstar.

The Kraken have attempted to address that need. They tried to acquire Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers before he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in February and made a trade offer to the Dallas Stars for Jason Robertson in June. Barring one of their prospects emerging as a scoring star, they’ll likely keep pursuing one through a trade or free agency.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Several major individual career milestones could be achieved this season.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby could move into sixth place on the overall points list. With 1,761 points, he needs only 11 more to pass Marcel Dionne. He’s also within reach of 1,800 career points, which would vault him past Ron Francis into fifth place overall.

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane could reach 1,400 career games and 900 career assists. Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is 80 points away from the 1,300 career-points plateau.

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak could reach 1,000 career points, 900 career games, and the 450-goal plateau. Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele is in range of 1,000 games and 1,000 points.

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper is 11 games away from the 500-game mark. He also needs 22 wins to reach 250 for his career.

NHL.COM: Anze Kopitar said he’s very happy in retirement after a 20-season career with the Los Angeles Kings. He is looking forward to spending more time with his family.

The 39-year-old center announced his intention to retire at the start of last season. He finished as the Kings’ all-time leader in games played (1,521), assists (864) and points (1,316). Kopitar won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy three times, the Selke Trophy twice, and helped the Kings win the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kopitar was the rare superstar to spend his entire career with one team. He was one of the greatest players in Kings’ history. Best of luck to him in his future endeavours.

NHL.COM: Simon Nemec believes he has something to prove after the New Jersey Devils traded him to the Calgary Flames on June 23.

The 22-year-old defenseman said he’s looking forward to the challenge of playing for a new team. “I didn’t ask for a trade, but there were some conversations that didn’t work out for me, for the team,” Nemec said. “New Jersey got a new GM, and he decided to go this way, and I’m totally fine with that.”

Nemec said he was happy with the trade, claiming that he didn’t have an easy time in New Jersey. He believes he’ll be a good fit with the Flames. “I feel like they need a player like me. I can play a lot of minutes there and be one of the leaders of the team.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nemec could be a key piece of the Flames’ rebuilding plans. If he can build on his offensive game while improving his defensive play, he could become one of their top blueliners.

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin recently listed five teams that he feels look noticeably weaker heading into 2026-27. They included the Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Vegas Golden Knights.

The Ducks’ matching Leo Carlsson’s expensive offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers leaves them with limited cap space to re-sign Cutter Gauthier. They’ll eventually have to make a cost-cutting move or two that weakens their roster depth.

The Sabres could struggle to adjust after trading power forward Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals and defenseman Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks. Meanwhile, the Avalanche traded away several veteran depth players, replacing them with lower-cost players.

Re-signing Jason Robertson to a one-year, $12 million contract left them with limited salary cap space, forcing them to trade young center Mavrik Bourque. It also prevented them from adding another top-four defenseman while Robertson’s future remains in question.

Limited cap space proved costly for the Golden Knights, forcing them to trade scoring winger Pavel Dorofeyev to the New York Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Do you agree with Larkin’s assessments of those five teams? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 24, 2026

by | Aug 24, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 24, 2026

The top 20 centers for 2026-27, an update on Cale Makar’s contract talks with the Avalanche, three questions facing the Sharks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks, and Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights are among the NHL Network’s top 20 centers entering 2026-27.

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (NHL Images).

Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, Aleksander Barkov of the Florida Panthers, and Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens also ranked in the top 20, as did Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link above to see the full list and where the aforementioned players were ranked. Let us know what you think about the ranking and who you think they excluded in the comments section below.

THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said contract extension talks with Cale Makar are ongoing. He provided no details, but said he’s “pretty confident” the two sides will agree to a new deal before the regular season begins.

“I’m not worried about it,” Sakic said. “I don’t think Cale is worried about it. The dialogue has been great. When there’s an agreement, we’ll be glad to announce it. Hopefully something will be done before the start of training camp.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Makar, 27, is in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $9 million. As one of the league’s elite players, he’s due for a substantial raise. Makar could become the first player in NHL history to earn a $20 million AAV.

NHL.COM: Whether Macklin Celebrini can build on his outstanding sophomore performance in 2025-26 is among three notable questions facing the San Jose Sharks this season.

Celebrini, 20, enjoyed an amazing breakout campaign, setting the Sharks’ single-season points record (115) and finishing fourth among league scorers. He led his rebuilding club to within four points of a playoff berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Another strong effort by Celebrini could clinch the Sharks’ first postseason berth since 2018-19. Meanwhile, there’s talk that he’s “all but certain” to be named their new captain.

Whether their young core can take another step forward and the impact of offseason additions Darnell Nurse and Jacob Trouba to the defense corps are the other big questions facing the Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks are a better team on paper entering this season than they were a year ago. Celebrini is their foundation player, but they’ll also need improvement from youngsters Will Smith, Michael Misa, Collin Graf, Igor Chernyshov, and Sam Dickinson if they’re to end their seven-year playoff drought.

Nurse and Trouba bring experience, physicality, and leadership to the Sharks’ blueline. Nurse in particular should benefit from playing under a less harsh spotlight than what he experienced in Edmonton over the past three seasons.

DAILY FACEOFF: Scott Maxwell listed five players that he believes will thrive with their new teams this season.

They include Oliver Bjorkstrand of the New York Rangers, Andrei Kuzmenko of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jordan Kyrou of the Washington Capitals, JJ Peterka of the Boston Bruins, and Mackie Samoskevich of the Seattle Kraken.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Peterka and Samoskevich are two young players worth watching closely this season.

Peterka was a bust in his only season with the Utah Mammoth, but he could regain his scoring form playing for Bruins coach Marco Sturm. Samoskevich could shine with more playing time on the struggling Kraken than what he received on a deeper Florida Panthers roster.

BOSTON HERALD: Lukas Reichel hopes to finally establish himself as a full-time NHL forward with the Bruins. The 24-year-old winger was chosen 17th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Reichel struggled to stick with the Blackhawks over four seasons. Traded to the Vancouver Canucks last season, he played only 14 games with them before being shipped to the Bruins at the March trade deadline.