NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 24, 2025

by | Sep 24, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 24, 2025

Check out the latest on Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, Jets center Jonathan Toews, Blues defenseman Torey Krug, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports that defenseman Alex Pietrangelo’s recent comments about a possible return with the Vegas Golden Knights were met with “too much optimism”.

Pietrangelo, 35, is expected to be placed on long-term injury reserve this season with a lingering hip injury. Earlier this week, he left the door open for a possible return with the Golden Knights later in the season.

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (NHL Images).

Dreger stated that those close to Pietrangelo claim it was difficult for him to play last season. “Now, he’s just trying to get a place, lifestyle-wise, where he is a healthy and happy husband and father. He is not playing this year, and as we know, he’s got two years remaining on his contract.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pietrangelo mused about possibly returning in time for the 2026 playoffs. Dreger’s report suggests that could be wishful thinking.

SPORTSNET: Jonathan Toews made his debut with the Winnipeg Jets in preseason action against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. The 37-year-old center played 18:36 and finished minus-one with no shots on goal.

It was Toews’ first game since Apr. 23, 2023, with the Chicago Blackhawks. “I felt like I made some plays and, as the game went on, just relaxed a little bit,” Toews said. He admitted he was still getting used to playing with a different team and getting his conditioning and timing back, but he’s happy to be back in action again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s unlikely that Toews will regain the form that made him one of the best two-way centers in the league. Nevertheless, the Jets hope that he’ll play well enough to fill the second-line center position.

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford did a feature on Torey Krug, who underwent career-ending ankle surgery last year. The 34-year-old defenseman is now at peace and getting on with his life.

A 13-year NHL veteran with the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues, Krug had to adjust to no longer being a player over the course of last season as he recovered from surgery. He is considering coaching, but for now, he’s easing into retirement and enjoying time with his family as his health improves.

Krug has two years remaining on his contract. He will be placed on long-term injury reserve this season. He thanked the Blues’ organization for their support and their belief in him when they signed him in 2020.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers signed winger Vasily Podkolzin to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value (AAV) of $2.95 million.

Podkolzin’s offensive numbers aren’t great (eight goals and 16 assists last season), but head coach Kris Knoblauch and center Leon Draisaitl praised his versatility, his defensive play, forechecking, and physical style.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll has taken a leave of absence to attend to a personal family matter. There is no timetable for his return.

Dennis Hildeby is expected to fill in for Woll during his absence.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood engaged in a light workout on his own with some of the coaches on Tuesday. He’s week-to-week with an undisclosed injury, and it’s uncertain if he’ll return in time for their season opener on Oct. 9.

Defenseman Samuel Girard remains sidelined but is expected to be in the lineup for their first game of the season.

TSN: Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson left practice early on Tuesday with an undisclosed injury. Head coach Travis Green said that he “pulled something” and provided no update on his status.

DAILY FACEOFF: San Jose Sharks forward Colin White will be out “a couple of weeks” with an upper-body injury. Defenseman John Klingberg (upper body) is listed as day-to-day.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins will enshrine Scotty Bowman, Ron Francis, Kevin Stevens, and Eddie Johnston in their restarted Hall of Fame on Oct. 25.

THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle looked at possible loopholes in the NHL’s new playoff salary-cap system.

One could be replacing the backup goaltender with a more affordable third-string netminder. Mirtle doubted that this move would cost a team a playoff game, since second goalies are rarely used in those games, and when they are, it’s in a game that’s already lost.

Another option could be sitting an overpaid player who is underperforming. He cited New Jersey Devils forward Ondrej Palat as an example, noting that his AAV is $6 million but the aging winger’s performance is well below that pay level.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL general managers and capologists have always found ways to circumvent salary-cap rules legally. Don’t be surprised if they employ some of the potential tactics mentioned by Mirtle.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 23, 2025

by | Sep 23, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 23, 2025

Check out the latest on Bruins winger David Pastrnak, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: David Pastrnak rejoined his Boston Bruins teammates in training camp on Monday after taking a week off dealing with tendinitis in his knee.

The 29-year-old winger said he’s been dealing with the issue throughout last season, but he wasn’t concerned about it. He finished fourth among NHL scorers in 2024-25 with 106 points.

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak (NHL Images).

“I spent a lot of time in the summer to make it better, and it did get much better than it was last season,” Pastrnak said. “Obviously it wasn’t perfect (and) it’s not perfect yet, so it was perfect timing to get it even better – it already got better.”

Pastrnak isn’t sure if the issue will bother him during the upcoming season. “I guess (it’s) something that that time will tell,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A healthy Pastrnak is key to the Bruins’ hopes to return to playoff contention after last season’s poor performance.

DAILY FACEOFF: Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has set a time limit for reporters to continue asking him about former teammate Mitch Marner.

“You got two more weeks, and then we’re done with these questions,” Matthew said, referring to the start of the Maple Leafs’ regular-season schedule on Oct. 8.

Marner’s departure to the Vegas Golden Knights this summer has been a hot topic in Toronto. Matthews acknowledged that he and his teammates knew they would face questions when training camp started, but it appears they’re ready to move on.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those questions could resurface if the Leafs struggle early and Marner does well in Vegas.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Golden Knights, defenseman Alex Pietrangelo isn’t ruling out returning to action.

“Nothing’s really concrete,” Pietrangelo said. “I’m just going to continue taking it day by day and go through the process and see where it goes.”

Pietrangelo, 35, is taking time to deal with a hip injury and is expected to begin this season on long-term injury reserve. He’s not considering surgery at this point, saying he intends to continue with rehabilitation, which is going well so far.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Changes to the collective bargaining agreement starting this season mean the Golden Knights won’t be able to use Pietrangelo being on LTIR as a way to build up their roster for the playoffs. They can still add to their roster before the March trade deadline, but must ice a cap-compliant roster during the postseason if Pietrangelo returns.

TSN: Evander Kane is looking forward to his first season with his hometown team. The 34-year-old winger was traded by the Edmonton Oilers to the Vancouver Canucks on June 25.

“It’s definitely cool to be able to put on the Canucks jersey as an NHL player,” Kane said. “The excitement has kind of been a slow build since I got traded. And I think it’ll start bubbling once the first regular-season game is played.”

Kane’s career has spanned 16 seasons with the Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, and the Oilers, netting 321 goals, 291 assists, and 1,091 penalty minutes in 930 regular-season games.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Mario Ferraro is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next summer, but the 27-year-old defenseman hopes to remain with the Sharks. He indicated that there haven’t been any contract extension talks yet with management.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ferraro is a big-minute blueliner with solid all-around skills. He will draw plenty of attention in this year’s trade market if the rebuilding Sharks decide he doesn’t fit in their long-term plans.

ARIZONA INSIDER: Former Coyotes beat writer Craig Morgan reports Andrea Doan, wife of former Coyotes captain Shane Doan, has been named chair of an advisory committee dedicated to bringing the NHL back to the Phoenix area.

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chair Tom Galvin is forming the committee, consisting of political, business, community, and sports leaders.

Shane Doan is currently under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Andrea is representing the family. The committee’s goal is to find a suitable ownership group with deep financial resources and develop a plan to construct an arena in a suitable location.

The Coyotes moved to Salt Lake City in 2024 and were renamed the Utah Mammoth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Coyotes’ ownership follies have been well-documented. Nevertheless, a stable ownership group capable of paying the expensive expansion fee and a suitable NHL venue near downtown Phoenix would be a strong enticement for the league to try again in Arizona.

The NHL has shown a willingness to return to former markets, starting with Atlanta with the expansion Thrashers in 1999 and that club’s relocation to Winnipeg in 2011. Recent reports suggest Atlanta could be in the running for an expansion franchise.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Bobby Grier, long-time NFL executive and father of San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier, passed away on Monday at age 82. Grier worked with the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, and Miami Dolphins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Mike Grier and his family.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 22, 2025

by | Sep 22, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 22, 2025

Hall of Famer Bernie Parent passes away; the Predators and Luke Evangelista remain apart in contract talks; Islanders fans serenade prospect defenseman Matthew Schaefer in his first preseason game, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Hall of Famer goaltender Bernie Parent passed away Sunday at age 80.

Hall of Fame goaltender Bernie Parent

Parent backstopped the Philadelphia Flyers to Stanley Cup championships in 1973-74 and 1974-75, becoming the first player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in consecutive seasons. He also won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender during those seasons.

In 13 NHL seasons (1965-66 to 1978-79) with the Flyers, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs, Parent had a record of 271 wins, 198 losses, and 119 ties in 608 regular-season games, with a 2.55 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage, and 54 shutouts. He also had a record of 38-33 in 71 playoff games with a 2.44 GAA, a .916 SP, and six shutouts.

Parent suffered a career-ending eye injury during a game against the New York Rangers in 1979. The Flyers retired his No.1 in October 1979, and he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984. He spent several years with the Flyers as a goalie coach and was later employed by the team as a hockey ambassador.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Parent’s family, friends, former teammates, and the Flyers’ organization.

The Flyers’ image as the Broad Street Bullies in the 1970s garnered a lot of headlines, but the play of stars like Parent, Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Reggie Leach, and Rick MacLeish made them winners.

Of those stars, Parent shone the brightest during their championship years. Few goaltenders dominated a game the way he did at that time. He was one of the greatest goalies I ever saw.

TSN: The Nashville Predators and winger Luke Evangelista remain far apart in contract talks. Discussions are ongoing, but money is the sticking point on a two-year term. While the talks proceed, the 23-year-old winger has returned to Canada to continue training.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Evangelista popped up last week in trade rumors, but Predators general manager Barry Trotz reportedly has no intention of trading the young winger.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders fans chanted Matthew Schaefer’s name during his first NHL preseason game on Sunday. Chosen first overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old defenseman played over 24 minutes and collected an assist in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Flyers.

“Definitely got shivers,” Schaefer said. “We thought it was for (Scott Mayfield), but I guess it was for me. Obviously, you get chills.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schaefer has an opportunity to earn a roster spot with the Islanders this season. The youngster is facing high expectations, but seems to be handling it well so far.

THE ATHLETIC’s Michael Russo reports Minnesota Wild winger Mats Zuccarello has a doctor’s appointment out of town to determine if he’ll require surgery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zuccarello is listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

NHL.COM’s Walt Ruff reports Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour said defensemen Jaccob Slavin and Jalen Chatfield might not play any preseason games for precautionary reasons. The duo is nursing minor injuries.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Slavin and Chatfield are expected to be in the lineup when the regular season begins next month.

CBS SPORTS: Seattle Kraken winger Jared McCann is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

SPORTSNET: Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven left Sunday’s preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs with an undisclosed injury. There was no postgame update regarding his status.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Kaedan Korczak is getting a long-awaited opportunity as a regular defenseman with the Golden Knights. With Alex Pietrangelo on long-term injury reserve and Nic Hague traded to Nashville this summer, the 23-year-old Korczak is expected to see more playing time.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 21, 2025

by | Sep 21, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 21, 2025

The Stars defeat the Blues as preseason action begins, plus the latest on Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, Canucks netminder Thatcher Demko, Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: A shootout goal by Sam Steel lifted the Dallas Stars to a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues as preseason play began on Saturday.

Justin Carbonneau opened the scoring for the Blues 50 seconds into the second period, but Mavrik Bourque tied it for the Stars later in the period. Jordan Binnington and Colten Ellis combined to make 33 saves in regulation and overtime for the Blues, while Stars goaltenders Remi Poirier and Antoine Bibeau made 14 saves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: 15 preseason games are on tap for Sunday.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy skipped practice on Saturday to undergo treatments. Head coach Jon Cooper wasn’t concerned, saying it was “player management” and he’d likely miss a few days.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko credits fatherhood with giving him a new outlook on life. After struggling with a rare knee injury during a tumultuous season for his teammates, the 30-year-old netminder is healthy and looking forward to the coming campaign.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A return to the form that made Demko a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2023-24 will be crucial to the Canucks’ plans to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW’s Aarif Deen reports Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Brent Burns won’t play in any of the club’s two preseason games on Sunday. The veteran defenseman tweaked something, but it’s not considered serious.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders captain Anders Lee doesn’t expect to have a contract extension in place before the start of the regular season. The 35-year-old winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both sides appear willing to wait and see how the season unfolds.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour is impressed by Logan Stankoven’s willingness to learn and adapt to the center position. The 22-year-old forward was part of the return from the Dallas Stars in the Mikko Rantanen trade last March.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brind’Amour is trying to find a suitable second-line center. He’s previously used Seth Jarvis in that role, but could prefer keeping him at right wing alongside center Sebastian Aho on the first line. Stankoven had nine points in 19 regular-season games and eight points in 15 playoff contests for the Hurricanes.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames hired Marcus Nilson as a European pro scout. He spent the final four seasons of his NHL career (2003-04 to 2007-08) with the Flames.

THE ATHLETIC: The Chicago Blackhawks settled a second lawsuit filed by a former player who sued them for failing to act when informed of sexual assault allegations against former video coach Brad Alrich.

The club previously settled a case with former player Kyle Beach when similar accusations were made against Aldrich and the organization stemming from the 2010 playoffs.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 20, 2025

by | Sep 20, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 20, 2025

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin reveals his fiancée underwent a heart transplant, Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl hopes to be in the Selke Trophy conversation, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin revealed that his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, underwent heart transplant surgery earlier this summer while the couple was on vacation in France.

Dahlin said Matovac suffered “major heart failure” requiring life-saving CPR. She was placed on life support “for weeks” before undergoing a heart transplant, and is currently recovering in Sweden.

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin (NHL Images).

“I see my fiancée work hard every day, and that makes me very motivated,” Dahlin said. “I’m good right now.” He went on to thank the club and his teammates for their support, as well as the medical staff in France and Sweden who saved Matovac’s life.

Dahlin continues to train with his teammates in preparation for the upcoming 2025-26 season. He asked for privacy as Matovac continues her rehab in Sweden before joining him in Buffalo.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Dahlin and Matovac as she continues her recovery.

THE SCORE: Leon Draisaitl said he hopes to be in the running for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, which honors the NHL’s top defensive forward. The 29-year-old Edmonton Oilers center finished sixth among Selke voters last season, the highest finish of his career.

Draisaitl acknowledged there are aspects of his game that need improvement to win the Selke, but he also pointed out that there are parts of it that he does well. “Just looking to chip away at it and get even better,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl is already among the league’s elite offensive forwards. Improving the defensive side of his game will not only make him a more well-rounded forward but also improve the Oilers’ chance of winning the Stanley Cup.

Draisaitl is drawing inspiration from Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar, who announced this week that the coming season will be his last. Kopitar is considered among the NHL’s top two-way forwards, winning the Selke Trophy twice in his long career.

NEW YORK POST: Adam Fox hopes to get his game back on track after struggling through the worst season of his career.

Winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2020-21, the 27-year-old Rangers defenseman is considered to be among the league’s best blueliners. However, he seemed a step slower in 2024-25 and was prone to losing ice battles. Those issues affected his performance with Team USA during the 4 Nations Face-Off, resulting in a reduction of his playing time during the tournament.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A bounce-back effort by Fox will be crucial to the Rangers’ hopes of rebounding from last season’s disappointing effort. He’s projected to be paired with offseason acquisition Vladislav Gavrikov, who could be a steadying influence.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins forward Kevin Hayes is expected to miss the start of the upcoming season after suffering an upper-body injury during the opening day of training camp. The injury occurred after being hit by defenseman Ryan Graves, sidelining him for at least one month.

DAILY FACEOFF: Utah Mammoth forward Alex Kerfoot is listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks center Macklin Celebrini missed practice during the second day of training camp due to an illness. However, it’s not considered serious and he should return soon.

TSN: Montreal Canadiens center Kirby Dach was absent from training camp on Friday, but is expected to play preseason games. The 24-year-old underwent his second knee surgery in February and is hoping to be ready for the start of the season next month.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens envisioned Dach as their second-line center when they acquired him three years ago, but knee injuries have hampered his development. Nevertheless, they intend to give him another opportunity to establish himself in that role.

OTTAWA SUN: Contract extension talks have begun between the Senators and center Shane Pinto. However, those discussions could be shelved if an agreement isn’t reached when they open their season next month. The 24-year-old Pinto is in the second season of a two-year deal with an average annual value of $3.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pinto is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July. He’s indicated that he wants to focus on his play during the upcoming season and not have his contract situation become a distraction.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero is the 2025 winner of the Lester Patrick Trophy. The award is given to a person based on their outstanding contributions to hockey in the United States.

Shero passed away in April at age 62. He served as an assistant GM with the Nashville Predators and Ottawa Senators. He went on to become the GM of the Penguins from 2006 to 2014, building the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2009.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A well-deserved posthumous honor for Shero, who also drafted several players (Jake Guentzel, Matt Murray, Bryan Rust, and Olli Maatta) who went on to play key roles in the Penguins’ two Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 19, 2025

by | Sep 19, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 19, 2025

Kings captain Anze Kopitar to retire, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin uncertain if this season is his last, and the latest on Predators captain Roman Josi, Panthers winger Brad Marchand, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: King captain Anze Kopitar announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The 38-year-old center is entering his 20th NHL season, all of them spent with the Kings. He helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2011-12 and 2013-14, and is a three-time winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy and a two-time winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy.

Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar (NHL Images).

Kopitar is the Kings’ all-time leader in games played (1,454). He can surpass Marcel Dionne as the franchise points leader (1,307) with a 30-point performance this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kopitar became one of the best two-way forwards in the league over the past 25 years. He was chosen in the first round (11th overall) in the 2005 NHL Draft, becoming their foundation player as they rose from being an also-ran into a two-time Cup champion and one of the dominant teams in the league between 2010 and 2015.

Kopitar and defenseman Drew Doughty are the only players from those championship years still with the Kings.

DAILY FACEOFF: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said he doesn’t know yet if this season will be his last in the NHL. The 40-year-old is in the final season of his five-year contract. He believes there’s plenty of time to discuss that with Capitals management.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin left practice during the opening day of training camp with a lower-body injury, but the move was for precautionary reasons and is considered to be a minor ailment.

TSN: Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi was among the first players on the ice for training camp on Thursday. The 35-year-old defenseman had been sidelined since Feb. 25, and in June was diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Following a long rehab, Josi doesn’t believe that his health will be an issue now that he has the tools to manage the issue. “I’m more so relieved and really excited just having a plan,” Josi said. “I feel great. I feel 100 percent. I feel good on the ice and so I’m not concerned at all.”

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Brad Marchand said contract term was one factor that led to his departure from the Boston Bruins. He indicated he wasn’t interested in a short-term deal, while the Panthers were willing to give him a long-term contract.

According to Marchand, being in a non-tax state played a significant role in the Panthers’ efforts to retain some of their key players. “If we were not in a non-tax state, it probably wouldn’t have worked out for two guys,” he said.

Marchand added that the Panthers’ no-tax advantage wouldn’t have been as big a factor if they weren’t as competitive or well-run.

“That is the main thing. You care about the hockey. You care about the organization. You’re not going to walk into a non-tax state if the team’s not run well or if they’re a bad team. That’s just not the case anymore. These non-tax state teams are some of the best-run teams in the league.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers have had a non-state tax advantage since their inception in 1993-94, but it didn’t help them during their first 25 years. They were a laughingstock during that period, reaching the playoffs only five times while going through 10 general managers and 15 coaches.

It wasn’t until they hired Bill Zito as general manager in 2020 that they finally turned things around. Stability in the front office is the primary reason behind their current success and why players like Marchand want to play for them now.

CONTRACT UPDATES

THE ATHLETIC: Artemi Panarin said he’s focusing on hockey and won’t publicly discuss his contract situation with the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old winger is in the final season of his seven-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $11.6 million.

Panarin declined to comment about a report by The Athletic claiming he and Madison Square Garden Sports paid financial settlements to a Rangers employee in August 2024 after she alleged he sexually assaulted her.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said contract extension talks have begun with Jacob Markstrom. The 35-year-old goaltender is in the final season of his six-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $6 million.

Fitzgerald also said that he’s disappointed the contract talks with Luke Hughes remain unresolved. The restricted free-agent defenseman seeks a five-year contract, while the Devils prefer a bridge deal or a long-term contract. The two sides continue to negotiate.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Alex Tuch said he loves Buffalo and hopes to stay with the Sabres for the long term. The 29-year-old forward is in the final season of a six-year deal with an AAV of $4.75 million.

THE SCORE: It was recently reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anthony Stolarz are in talks about a contract extension. However, the 31-year-old goalie is unwilling to continue negotiations during the regular season. He’s in the final season of a two-year deal with an AAV of $2.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been reported that the two sides could have a deal in place before the start of the regular season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Alexander Holtz still lacks a contract for this season, but the restricted free agent forward will attend Vegas Golden Knights training camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO) until a deal is reached or the two sides part ways.

INJURY UPDATES

TSN: Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman will remain sidelined by a wrist injury until early November.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Golden Knights center Jack Eichel left practice yesterday for precautionary reasons. Head coach Bruce Cassidy said Eichel “tweaked something” but remains hopeful that he could return to practice on Friday.

DAILY FACEOFF: Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin said winger Mats Zuccarello (undisclosed) could miss the start of the regular season.

TSN: Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Laurent Brossoit remains sidelined long-term following offseason hip surgery. He missed all of last season after undergoing knee surgery in August 2024.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic is sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury. Forward Stefan Noesen is expected to miss some time with a groin injury stemming from a pre-existing one that he suffered last season.