NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 17, 2026

by | Jun 17, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 17, 2026

The latest on the Golden Knights, John Carlson won’t re-sign with the Ducks, the latest trades, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Golden Knights announced Tuesday that head coach John Tortorella will not be returning next season.

Tortorella was hired on an interim basis when the Golden Knights fired bench boss Bruce Cassidy on March 29. They went 7-0-1 over the remainder of the regular season to clinch first place in the Pacific Division and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, falling in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Former Vegas Golden Knights coach John Tortorella (NHL.com).

Golden Knights captain Mark Stone credited Tortorella with giving the club “a shot of adrenaline” when they were struggling down the stretch. “I’ve got all the respect in the world for his professionalism and everything he did in his short time here.”

Center Jack Eichel said it was “an honor to play for (Tortorella) every day and I think all the guys in the room would agree.” Goaltender Carter Hart spoke of the respect he and his teammates had for Tortorella.

Danny Webster believes all signs point to the Golden Knights promoting Ryan Craig as their next head coach. Craig is currently the coach of their farm team, the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights.

NHL.COM: Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner credited the move to the Golden Knights last summer and his work improving his mental health with helping relieve the stress and pressure he’d felt during his final seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Marner, 29, led all scorers in the 2026 postseason with 29 points in 22 games.

DAILY FACEOFF: Rasmus Andersson said he’d love to return with the Golden Knights. The 28-year-old defenseman was acquired from the Calgary Flames in January and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He’s completing a six-year contract with an average annual value of $4.55 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored that the Golden Knights are waiting until July 1 to re-sign Andersson, as that’s when they’ll be cap-compliant to do so.

However, Shayna Goldman of The Athletic believes his inconsistent play could make Andersson a risky signing. She noted that his current market value is $6.8 million annually.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reported John Carlson will not be returning with the Anaheim Ducks. The 36-year-old defenseman’s agent informed the Ducks that his client will be testing the UFA market on July 1. Carlson prefers to return to the Eastern Conference to be close to his family.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite his age, the puck-moving Carlson had 60 points in 71 games split between the Washington Capitals and the Ducks. He’s completing an eight-year contract with an AAV of $8 million.

TORONTO SUN/PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Maple Leafs traded goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to the Flyers on Tuesday for goalie Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae, and a third-round pick in 2026.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This move indicates Dennis Hildeby will back up Leafs starter Anthony Stolarz. The rise of promising netminder Artur Akhtyamov made it possible to part ways with Woll to free up some cap space. Ersson could end up with their AHL affiliate if they re-sign the restricted free agent, who has arbitration rights this summer.

Andrae’s puck-moving skills will be seen as an improvement over Benoit for the Leafs. Like Ersson, he’s an RFA with arbitration rights this summer. Both players should be affordable re-signings.

Woll has an injury history, but he should be a more reliable backup for Flyers starter Dan Vladar. Benoit currently slots in as a seventh defenseman, but his physical play could earn him more playing time.

THE TENNESSEAN/THE DENVER POST: The Nashville Predators acquired center Ross Colton and goaltender Isak Posch from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a third-round pick in 2026, a third-rounder in 2027 that originally belonged to the Avalanche, and goaltender Magnus Chrona.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was Chris MacFarland’s first trade since leaving the Avalanche to become team president and general manager of the Predators.

Colton was the obvious prize here for the Predators. The versatile forward is under contract for two more seasons and should provide experienced depth to their checking lines. This move frees up Colton’s $4 million AAV from the cap-strapped Avalanche’s books, which could be put toward re-signing center Jack Drury and defenseman Brett Kulak.

Speaking of the Predators, MacFarland said head coach Andrew Brunette and his staff will be back next season.

CBC.CA: The CBC will no longer broadcast NHL games after it and national rights-holder Sportsnet were unable to agree to a new sub-licensing deal that would’ve allowed the public broadcaster to continue airing games on its Saturday night program Hockey Night in Canada.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s the end of a 74-year era on CBC-TV. Hockey Night in Canada began in 1952 and for seven decades was a cultural institution for millions of Canadians, covering all aspects of the game. Heck, they even mentioned me back in 2007 on an intermission segment about the rise of hockey bloggers, which provided a welcome boost of traffic and new readers to this site.

This day was coming ever since Sportsnet won the bidding for the NHL’s Canadian national broadcast rights in 2014. It seems they no longer want to provide those Saturday night games for free through the public broadcaster.

CBC owns the Hockey Night in Canada brand, but it will no longer be used to televise NHL games. They could use it to broadcast PWHL games or perhaps junior or senior men’s hockey.

NHL.COM: Former NHL forward Kyle Calder passed away on Monday at age 47 following a brief illness.

Calder spent 10 seasons in the NHL from 1999-2000 to 2009-10 with the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks. In 590 regular-season games, he tallied 114 goals and 180 assists for 294 points, and three points in 18 playoff games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Calder’s family, friends, and former teammates.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 16, 2026

by | Jun 16, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 16, 2026

Stanley Cup win a bittersweet moment for Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers, the league officially opens an investigation into Mike Babcock’s 2023 resignation from the Blue Jackets, the final order of the upcoming draft is set, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Following the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup win on Sunday, winger Nikolaj Ehlers got emotional when he was asked about his former team, the Winnipeg Jets.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers (NHL Images)

“I loved being in Winnipeg,” Ehlers said in a quivering voice. “This (winning the Stanley Cup) was the dream there.”

Ehlers began his NHL career with the Jets in 2015-16, spending a decade in Winnipeg before signing with the Hurricanes last summer as a free agent.

“I’m obviously sad I wasn’t able to do that with the guys in Winnipeg and the city of Winnipeg,” Ehlers said. He added that the team and the city hold a special place in his heart. He said it was a hard decision to leave and how much he loved his time there.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers isn’t the only former member of the Jets who spoke fondly of their time in Winnipeg after winning the Stanley Cup. Following the Florida Panthers’ Cup win in 2024, head coach Paul Maurice said he hoped the Jets would one day win hockey’s holy grail.

SPORTSNET: The NHL has officially opened its investigation into Mike Babcock’s resignation from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023.

Babcock stepped down as the Blue Jackets’ head coach in September 2023 regarding concerns over invasion of privacy after he reportedly asked his players to share personal photos from their cellphones.

The Edmonton Oilers hope to hire Babcock as their new head coach, but the NHL Players Association has requested that the league look into the details of his resignation from the Blue Jackets. It’s since been reported that there were other issues beyond looking at players’ phones that got him into trouble.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers’ attempt to hire Babcock has garnered mixed reactions. Some observers condemn it, while others feel he deserves another chance.

BETMGM.COM: The Colorado Avalanche and the Hurricanes are the way-too-early favorites to win the Stanley Cup in 2027.

NHL.COM: The final order of the 2026 NHL Draft was set following the end of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Golden Knights traded their 2026 first-round pick to the Calgary Flames in March 2024. That pick is now 30th overall. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes pick is 31st, while the Ottawa Senators hold the 32nd and final pick in the first round.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Chicoutimi Sagueneens forward and Anaheim Ducks prospect Maxim Masse is the Canadian Hockey League’s player of the year. He led his club to the 2026 Memorial Cup Final, and was the QMJHL’s leading scorer with 102 points as his club won the Gilles-Courteau Trophy as the league’s playoff champions.

SPORTSNET: Medicine Hat Tigers and Montreal Canadiens prospect Bryce Pickford was named the CHL’s top defenseman. Pickford was named the Western Hockey League’s MVP and top blueliner.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Barrie Colts center and Utah Mammoth prospect Cole Beaudoin was named the CHL’s Sportsman of the Year.

The New York Islanders signed defenseman Ethan Bear to a one-year, two-way contract.

The St. Louis Blues hired Vinny Prospal and Greg Cronin as assistant coaches.

SPORTSNET: The Florida Everblades won the ECHL’s Kelly Cup for the fourth time in five years, defeating the Kansas City Mavericks 5-4 in double overtime of Game 6 on Monday.

The Everglades are affiliated with the Blues, and the Mavericks are an affiliate of the Seattle Kraken.

CALGARY SUN: Flames co-owner Alvin Libin passed away at age 95. He’d been part of the club’s ownership group since 1994.

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










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 15, 2026

by | Jun 15, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 15, 2026

The Carolina Hurricanes are the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Champions. Details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

The Carolina Hurricanes blanked the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final to win the series and hockey’s holy grail four games to two. It’s their first championship since 2006.

2026 Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes (NHL.com).

Taylor Hall opened the scoring with what proved to be the game-winning goal just 3:47 into the first period. Jackson Blake made it 2-0 in the second period, and Nikolaj Ehlers’ empty-netter with 1:08 remaining in the third period put the game out of reach. Goaltender Brandon Bussi turned in a 22-save shutout.

Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal was voted the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He had eight goals and four assists for 12 points in 19 games, with six of those goals coming in the first five games of the Cup Final, becoming the first player to score five goals to start a Cup Final since Jean Beliveau in 1956.

The 37-year-old Staal is the oldest player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. He also set a record for the longest time between Stanley Cup Championships (17 years). The first time he won the Cup was in 2009 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Speaking of Taylor Hall, he became the first player in NHL history to be selected first overall in the draft, win the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP, and win the Stanley Cup with three different teams. Hall was chosen first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2010, and won the Hart Trophy with the New Jersey Devils in 2017-18.

For Brandon Bussi, his Game 6 shutout capped a whirlwind season that began when he was claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers. He had a record of 31-6-2 in 39 regular-season games, but didn’t make his postseason debut until the third period of Game 3, when he relieved starter Frederik Andersen. Bussi subsequently started the remaining games of this series, winning all three.

As for Andersen, he was surprised to be the first player Staal handed the Stanley Cup to after receiving it from league commissioner Gary Bettman. Andersen started every game in this postseason until Bussi relieved him in Game 3. He revealed that he suffered a knee injury in Game 2 and struggled to play through it in the following game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersen’s solid play was a big reason why the Hurricanes reached the Final. He finished with a record of 13-2 with a 1.89 goals-against average, a save percentage of .910, and three shutouts.

Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin became the second American to win the Stanley Cup in the same year that he won Olympic gold with Team USA. Ken Morrow was the first, winning a gold medal in the 1980 Olympics and the Stanley Cup later that year with the New York Islanders.

The additions of Hall, Bussi and Ehlers last year, along with the rise of Blake and Logan Stankoven, gave the Hurricanes the depth they previously lacked to march to the Stanley Cup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blake (20 points), Hall (19 points), Ehlers (18 points) and Stankoven (16 points) finished as the Hurricanes’ leading scorers in this postseason. The second line of Stankoven, Hall, and Blake was their most consistent throughout this postseason.

This is the second Stanley Cup championship for Rod Brind’Amour, and his first as head coach. He won his first Cup with Carolina as team captain in 2006.

As for the Vegas Golden Knights, their march to the Stanley Cup Final capped a roller-coaster season that saw them in danger of missing the playoffs until they replaced Bruce Cassidy as head coach with John Tortorella in late March.

Speaking of Tortorella, he’s unsure of his future with the Golden Knights. The club hired him for the remainder of this season. He thanked team owner Bill Foley, team president George McPhee, and general manager Kelly McCrimmon for giving him the chance to coach the team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll likely be a few days before we learn of Tortorella’s fate. After the job he did in reversing the Golden Knights’ fortunes, it wouldn’t be shocking if they sign him to a contract extension.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors – June 14, 2026

by | Jun 14, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors – June 14, 2026

The latest on the Hurricanes and Golden Knights on the eve of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Devils gauge the trade market for Jacob Markstrom, the latest Dylan Larkin speculation, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors. 

THE ATHLETIC: Sean Gentille listed three keys for the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday.

Whether Mitch Marner can restart his push for the Conn Smythe Trophy and dealing with the absence of two-way center William Karlsson are among the keys for the Golden Knights.

Vegas Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Since his hat trick performance in Game 3, Marner has only one point in five-on-five play. Meanwhile, Karlsson will miss Game 6 (and possibly Game 7 if required) with an upper-body injury.

Meanwhile, Gentille wondered how Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers follows up his “worst game” of the playoffs. He also wondered if their struggling power play can produce as well as it did in Game 5, when they scored twice with the man advantage.

Ehlers had three assists in Game 5, but also took two uncharacteristic delay-of-game penalties, with the first resulting in a Golden Knights goal.

TSN: Hurricanes former starting goaltender Frederik Andersen remained the team’s third-stringer during practice on Saturday. Brandon Bussi will be their starter for the third straight game, while Pyotr Kochetkov will serve as his backup.

Bussi replaced Andersen after the latter gave up four goals in the second period of Game 3.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella is doubling down on Carter Hart as his starting goaltender. Despite Hart giving up at least four goals in each of the previous five games in this series, Tortorella believes the netminder has a better game in him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes can become Stanley Cup champions with a win in Game 6 on Sunday in Las Vegas. A win for the Golden Knights will force the seventh and deciding game on Wednesday.

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports sources claim the New Jersey Devils are gauging the trade market for goaltender Jacob Markstrom. He also indicated that a deal isn’t imminent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A lack of quality goaltending depth in this summer’s free-agent market could push teams into the trade market for help.

Markstrom’s coming off a difficult season, finishing with a record of 23-19-1, a 3.07 goals-against average, and an .883 save percentage. He’s in the final season of his six-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million and a full no-movement clause. He starts a two-year contract extension on July 1 with an average annual value of $6 million and a 20-team no-trade list in 2026-27 and a 5-team NTC in 2027-28.

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan believes the Detroit Red Wings must land a first-line center for Dylan Larkin. Proposed packages of draft picks, prospects, wingers or goaltenders won’t address their need for a suitable replacement for Larkin.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman recently reported the Florida Panthers have made an offer for Larkin, but he didn’t reveal the details.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s unlikely the Red Wings will get a first-line center straight up for Larkin. They’ll either have to swing a three-team deal or use whatever assets they receive and try to make a separate move to address that need.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen speculated that Larkin’s addition in the trade market could delay the New York Rangers’ efforts to trade Vincent Trocheck. He noted that the Red Wings’ interest in the 33-year-old center could intensify if they don’t get a center back in the Larkin trade.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of Trocheck, Jack Studley believes he’ll remain on the Boston Bruins radar as they search for a No. 1 center this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin has a three-team trade list, though his camp is reportedly open to expanding it. Teams seeking a first-line center that aren’t among his preferred destinations could continue to pursue Trocheck, but the latter will likely have to wait until the Larkin saga is settled.

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato listed four players who could become contract buyout candidates this summer.

Center Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Carolina Hurricanes tops that list, followed by winger Ondrej Palat of the New York Islanders, forward Jordan Greenway of the Buffalo Sabres, and winger Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kotkaniemi and Palat are the more likely buyout candidates.

Kotkaniemi has four years left on his deal with an AAV of $4.82 million. He’s been a healthy scratch throughout this postseason.

Palat has a year left on his deal with a $6 million cap hit. The Islanders acquired him from the Devils at midseason, but the move did little to improve his performance.

Gallagher has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $65 million. He’s been linked to the Vancouver Canucks in the rumor mill, but the Canadiens might have to retain part of his salary. Greenway (one year, $4 million cap hit) could still have value in the trade market.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 13, 2026

by | Jun 13, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 13, 2026

The First and Second All-Star Teams and the All-Rookie Team are revealed, the latest on the Golden Knights and Hurricanes, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The league revealed its First and Second All-Star Teams for 2025-26.

The First Team features Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov, Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, and Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid won the Ted Lindsay Award and the Art Ross Trophy, Kucherov took home the Hart Memorial Trophy, Vasilevskiy won the Vezina Trophy, and Werenski was the winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

The Second Team is comprised of Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Montreal Canadiens left wing Cole Caufield, Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard, and Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon won the Maurice Richard Trophy, while Caufield is the winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.

The All-Rookie team is made up of Anaheim Ducks forward Beckett Sennecke, Montreal Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov, St. Louis Blues winger Jimmy Snuggerud, New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin, and Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schaefer won the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year, with Demidov and Sennecke the runners-up.

SPORTSNET: Nikolaj Ehlers wasn’t pleased with his performance in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Despite collecting three assists for the Carolina Hurricanes in their 4-2 victory, he also took two uncharacteristic delay-of-game penalties.

Nevertheless, Ehlers has earned praise from Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky, head coach Rod Brind’Amour and teammates Taylor Hall and Frederik Andersen for his performance since joining the club as a free agent last summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers has provided a much-needed boost to the Hurricanes’ offense this season. He finished second among Hurricanes scorers with 71 points, and is currently third (17 points) among their postseason scorers.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Ed Graney believes the Golden Knights should replace Carter Hart in goal with Adin Hill for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday.

Hart has given up at least four goals in the first five games of this series, becoming the first goalie in Stanley Cup Final history to do so.

Head coach John Tortorella was dismissive of replacing Hart following Game 5, calling the suggestion “the stupidest question” he’s ever heard. However, Hart’s .856 save percentage in this series is concerning, and Tortorella’s stubbornness could cost the Golden Knights the series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hill backstopped the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup in 2023. However, he struggled this season, which prompted management to sign Hart, who became the full-time starter when Tortorella took over as head coach in late March.

Hart rewarded Tortorella’s faith in him, winning all six of his starts to help the Golden Knights clinch first place in the Pacific Division, and he’s started every game in this postseason. Nevertheless, there’s no question that his level of play has noticeably declined in this series.

Barring injury, Hart will get the start on Sunday, and his performance could determine if the Golden Knights can push this series to Game 7.

THE PROVINCE: On Thursday, the Vancouver Canucks named Richard Seeley as their new assistant general manager. He’ll also be the general manager of their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 12, 2026

by | Jun 12, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 12, 2026

The Hurricanes are a game away from winning the Stanley Cup, Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov wins the Hart Trophy, Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse requests a trade, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes are one win away from winning the Stanley Cup after holding off the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov (NHL Images)

Andrei Svechnikov scored two power-play goals, Sebastian Aho tallied the game-winner, Nikolaj Ehlers had three assists, Jordan Staal scored to extend his goal streak to five games, and Brandon Bussi made 23 saves for the Hurricanes.

Pavel Dorofeyev scored both goals for the Golden Knights.

The series returns to Las Vegas for Game 6 on Sunday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the Hurricanes’ best game of this series, and the Golden Knights’ worst.

The Hurricanes struggled in the second period of the previous four games in this series, but they dominated the frame in this contest with Svechnikov and Aho scoring big goals.

Svechnikov and Aho were under scrutiny entering this game over their lack of production in this series. With the pressure on, they silenced their critics and delivered for their club.

Staal is having a Stanley Cup Final for the ages. He leads all scorers in this series with six goals, becoming the first player since Jean Beliveau in 1956 to score five goals in the first five Stanley Cup Final games. Maurice Richard (1951) and Cyclone Taylor (1918) are the only other players to do it.

The Golden Knights’ penalty kill was their undoing in this game. They also lost two-way center William Karlsson in the second period with an injured left arm that could sideline him for the remainder of this series.

Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella remains confident that his club will bounce back in Game 6. He guaranteed that his club will send this series back to Raleigh for Game 7.

NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov is the 2025-26 winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player to his team. It’s the second time he’s taken home the Hart, doing so in 2018-19. He finished second among NHL scorers this season with 130 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The voting was close for the Hart this year, with Kucherov garnering 1,436 votes while Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid had 1,426 votes. Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon was third with 1,297 votes.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman and Mark Spector report sources say that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse has requested a trade.

Nurse, 31, is signed through 2029-30 with an average annual value of $9.25 million. He also has a full no-movement clause. He’s reportedly submitted a list of three to five preferred destinations to Oilers management.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nurse has been a whipping boy for Oilers fans and some Edmonton pundits because his performance never reached the standard expected of a defenseman with his expensive contract. He’s not a bad player, but he’s overpaid for what he brings to the game.

Those factors could make it difficult for the Oilers to find a suitable trade partner for Nurse. It also raises the question of whether this is the beginning of the end of this version of the Oilers, which struggled to make the playoffs this season and was upset in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks.

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

THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche president and acting general manager Joe Sakic still believes his club remains a Stanley Cup contender despite being swept from the Western Conference Final by the Vegas Golden Knights.

Sakic pointed to the Avalanche’s strong regular-season performance, winning the Presidents’ Trophy for the fourth time in franchise history. He also indicated that head coach Jared Bednar will return behind the bench, and hinted at the possibility of a contract extension.

Superstar defenseman Cale Makar is eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1. Sakic said the 27-year-old blueliner “is going to finish his career” with Colorado. He said he’s confident that a new contract will be worked out at some point.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sakic’s belief that his team’s season was derailed by “one bad week” isn’t sitting well with Troy Renck of The Denver Post. He thinks that Bednar’s system is no longer effective in the postseason, adding that the roster is getting older and must get younger and tougher.

TORONTO STAR: Former NHL forward Joe Pavelski acknowledged that he’s in the running to become head coach of the Maple Leafs. He’s made it to the short list of candidates despite never coaching at the pro level. Former New York Islanders bench boss Patrick Roy is also believed to be on that list.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Former Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin has joined the Kraken as vice president and assistant GM.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens must find a new head coach for their AHL affiliate in Laval, as Pascal Vincent will serve as an assistant coach with the Kraken.