NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 21, 2025

by | Jul 21, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 21, 2025

The latest on Alex Ovechkin and Bowen Byram, Blues GM Doug Armstrong on why his club failed to repeat as Stanley Cup champions in 2020, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Alex Ovechkin told Russian media outlet RIA Novosti that he hasn’t had contract extension talks yet with the Washington Capitals.

Ovechkin, who turns 40 in September, is in the final season of his contract with the Capitals. He recently dismissed speculation that he’ll retire from the NHL following this season.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

The Capitals captain isn’t concerned about the lack of extension talks. “A year will pass, we’ll think, we’ll wait, we’ll see,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin is coming off a 44-goal performance despite missing 16 games with a fractured leg, setting the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring record. Another productive season could lead to a short-term extension with the Capitals.

NHL.COM: Bowen Byram is happy with his new contract with the Buffalo Sabres and is focused on his preparations for the regular season.

“Personally, I’ve been pretty happy with my time in Buffalo,” said the 24-year-old defenseman. “I think I’ve mentioned it before that I’ve got an opportunity to play a bigger role and play more minutes, whether it’s the offensive side, power play, penalty kill. So I’m happy with that.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byram’s new contract silenced months of trade speculation. However, it could rekindle if the Sabres are once again out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues general manager Doug Armstrong wonders if his team might’ve had a better chance at repeating as Stanley Cup champions if the COVID-19 pandemic hadn’t occurred in 2020.

The Blues were defending champions in 2019-20 and were second overall in the NHL standings when the pandemic forced the premature end of the regular season in March 2020. After months of uncertainty, an expanded version of the playoffs was held during the summer in quarantine conditions without fans in Edmonton and Toronto.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s understandable why Armstrong wonders what might have been. The pandemic forced a long layoff for all the teams eventually selected to participate in the 2020 postseason under unusual conditions. Some clubs adjusted better than others.

We’ll never know if the Blues might’ve repeated had it been a normal season. I think the Tampa Bay Lightning still would’ve won the Cup. The Bolts were determined to atone for getting swept from the opening round the year before after winning the Presidents’ Trophy. They were second overall in the Eastern Conference when the 2019-20 regular season ended.

RG.ORG: Jeff Gorton, the Montreal Canadiens executive VP of hockey operations, expressed confidence in the quality of his club’s goaltending.

Gorton praised the performance of Sam Montembault, citing his solid play and consistency, especially down the stretch last season when every game was like a playoff game for the Canadiens. He also acknowledged the club’s plan is for backup Jakub Dobes or perhaps Kaapo Kahkonen to get more starts to give Montembeault more time to rest.

The Canadiens are also confident that prospect Jacob Fowler will earn more starts with their AHL affiliate in Laval this season. They were impressed with Fowler’s player after joining Laval late in the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montembeault is a solid NHL starter, but was wearing down under a heavy workload by midseason until Dobes was called up. Having reliable goaltending depth will be crucial for the Canadiens if they intend to build on their promising effort from last season.

BOSTON HERALD: Defenseman Jordan Harris is hoping to catch on with the Bruins this season. The 25-year-old Massachusetts native became an unrestricted free agent after the Columbus Blue Jackets opted not to qualify his rights. He inked a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Bruins on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A once-promising blueliner with the Canadiens, Harris was shipped to the Blues Jackets last August in the trade that sent winger Patrik Laine to Montreal. He saw action in 33 games with the Jackets last season.

The ECHL’s Rapid City Rush agreed to terms on a multi-year extension of their affiliation deal with the Calgary Flames and the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 20, 2025

by | Jul 20, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 20, 2025

Blake Wheeler retires, Penn State’s Gavin McKenna’s potential effect upon this season’s trade market, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: Winger Blake Wheeler announced his retirement after 16 NHL seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers from 2008-09 to 2023-24.

Wheeler, 38, was a first-round pick (fifth overall) by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2004 NHL Draft, but signed with the Bruins after becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2008. After three seasons with the Bruins, he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009-10, and moved with the team to Winnipeg, spending 13 seasons with the Jets.

Former Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler (NHL Images)

The Jets’ single-season franchise leader in assists (71 in 2018-19), Wheeler is the franchise leader with 897 games-played, 550 assists, and 812 points. He served as team captain from 2016-17 to 2021-22.

Overall, Wheeler finished with 1,172 games played, 321 goals, 622 assists and 943 points, and 45 points in 66 playoff games.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports sources suggest that left wing Gavin McKenna could affect this season’s NHL trade market.

McKenna, 17, is the projected top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft. He spent the past three seasons with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. In 2024-25, he became the third-youngest player to win the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award. He will be playing this season for Penn State University in the NCAA.

Some teams could become sellers earlier than usual to improve their odds of winning the 2026 draft lottery and the opportunity to select McKenna.

The NHL’s annual trade deadline is typically the turning point in a season when clubs double down for a playoff run or sell off veteran players for draft picks and prospects. However, some observers believe the American Thanksgiving weekend in late November could serve as the start of the trade period.

Historically, over 76 percent of teams holding a playoff berth by the American Thanksgiving weekend go on to qualify for the postseason.

Rebuilding teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks are already expected to be basement dwellers this season. The Pittsburgh Penguins could soon join them. Other clubs to watch include the St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The sharp rise in this season’s salary cap could also facilitate more early-season trade activity.

Traditionally, most buyers wait for the trade deadline so they can accrue sufficient cap space throughout the season to make significant additions. However, there are currently 16 teams with at least $6 million in cap space, with 12 of those carrying over $10 million.

Some of those teams will probably use up that cap room this summer to bolster their rosters for this season. However, there will likely be several teams that will remain flush with cap room who could be actively shopping for depth earlier than usual.

NHL.COM: Matt Savoie has a golden opportunity to earn a full-time roster spot with the Edmonton Oilers this season.

The club needs a reliable penalty-killing forward after Connor Brown’s departure via free agency this summer. Savoie, 21, showed improvement with his defensive play last season with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate in Bakersfield.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Savoie is a promising all-around forward. If he makes the most of this opportunity, he could earn top-six minutes this season with the Oilers.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke was named head coach and general manager of the Vernon Vipers in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). The 46-year-old Cooke has coached at various levels since retiring as a player in 2015, including a stint with the ECHL’s now-defunct Newfoundland Growlers.

Speaking of former Penguins, Ty Smith signed a one-year contract with KHL team Dinamo Minsk. The 25-year-old defenseman spent four NHL seasons with the Penguins, New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

OTTAWA SUN: The National Capital Commission and the Senators are making significant progress to finalize the club’s purchase of 10 acres of land to build a new arena at LeBreton Flats.

Both sides aim to finalize the deal by the end of 2025. If discussions can be fast-tracked, it could be approved by the NCC’s board of directors during their annual public meeting on Sept. 23.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 19, 2025

by | Jul 19, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 19, 2025

The Jets avoid arbitration with Gabriel Vilardi, Jaroslav Halak hangs up his goalie pads, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets avoided arbitration with Gabriel Vilardi, signing the 25-year-old forward to a six-year contract worth an average annual value of $6.5 million.

Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi (NHL Images).

That’s more than double the $3.4 million AAV of Vilardi’s previous contract. He’s coming off a career-best 27-goal, 61-point performance playing on the Jets’ first line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Having lost long-time winger Nikolaj Ehlers to the Carolina Hurricanes via free agency, the Jets wanted to ensure they locked up Vilardi long term. Despite his injury history, they’re betting that he’ll continue to be a reliable first-line winger as they hope to contend for the Stanley Cup in the near term.

Vilardi’s new contract leaves the Jets with $10.5 million in cap space, with defenseman Dylan Samberg as their only notable unsigned player. Like Vilardi, he filed for arbitration earlier this month.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jaroslav Halak announced his retirement after 17 NHL seasons. The 40-year-old goaltender played in 581 games with the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers.

Halak’s career record was 295 wins, 189 losses and 69 overtime losses, with a 2.50 goals-against average, a save percentage of .915, and 53 shutouts. His postseason record was 17-20-0 in 39 games played with a 2.48 GAA and a .919 SP.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Halak’s biggest NHL highlight occurred in the 2010 playoffs, backstopping an underdog Canadiens squad to series victories over the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins before falling to the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Final. The Capitals were the 2009-10 Presidents’ Trophy winners while the Penguins were the defending Stanley Cup champions.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks re-signed defenseman Drew Helleson to a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.1 million.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Journeyman goalie Louis Domingue signed a one-year contract with KHL team Sibir Novosibirsk.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Domingue, 33, played 144 NHL games in 10 seasons with the Arizona Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Long-time NHL hockey writer Stan Fischler will be inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The induction ceremony will be held on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 18, 2025

by | Jul 18, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 18, 2025

The Ducks avoid arbitration with Lukas Dostal, the Canucks trade Dakota Joshua to the Maple Leafs, Yegor Chinakhov requests a trade from the Blue Jackets, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Anaheim Ducks avoided salary arbitration with Lukas Dostal, signing the 25-year-old goaltender to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s a significant increase for Dostal, who earned an annual cap hit of $812,500 on his previous deal. It raised some eyebrows on social media, but he earned it by outplaying John Gibson for the starter’s job, resulting in the latter’s recent trade to the Detroit Red Wings.

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal (NHL Images).

Dostal is a good goalie on a rebuilding team. Eric Stephens of The Athletic pointed out that his analytics are better than his traditional stats, with 14.3 goals saved above expectation. He backstopped the Ducks to their first 80-point season since 2018-19.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek considers Dostal to be a proven No. 1 goaltender. “He is just entering the prime of his career, with his best hockey ahead of him.”

THE PROVINCE/TORONTO SUN: The Vancouver Canucks traded forward Dakota Joshua to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Joshua was popular among Canucks fans for his physical, energetic style. Diagnosed last summer with testicular cancer, he missed most of his offseason training, training camp, and the first 14 games of the 2024-25 season. He admitted that he spent most of the season playing catch-up.

When healthy, Joshua is a solid checking-line forward with a decent scoring touch, netting a career-best 18 goals and 32 points in 63 games during the 2023-24 season. That earned him a three-year contract with an AAV of $3.25 million.

Joshua won’t replace the offense the Leafs lost when they traded Mitch Marner to Vegas on the eve of free agency, but the hardworking 29-year-old will bring a solid physical presence to their third line.

By clearing Joshua’s cap hit from their books, the Canucks have $3.27 million in cap space with 22 active roster players under contract for this season. It’s expected they will add another player via trade or free agency. I’ll have more about that in today’s Rumor Mill.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov has requested a trade. In a post on social media by his agent, the 24-year-old winger cited “misunderstandings” with head coach Dean Evason last season.

Chinakhov, 24, was chosen 21st overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2020 NHL Draft. He missed nearly half of last season with a back injury.

TSN: Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell expressed surprise that the Chinakhov camp took the trade request public. He said he had spoken with Chinakhov previously about it, indicating the winger didn’t play well upon his return from injury, leading to him and Evanson falling out of favor.

Waddell indicated that he told Chinakhov’s agent that his client has value in the trade market. “I will talk to teams. I have talked to teams. But I’m not going to trade him because you said to trade him.” He added that the winger couldn’t handle being a healthy scratch near the end of the season.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline cited Waddell saying if the trade market isn’t good for Chinakhov, he’ll remain a Blue Jacket. In that case, he’ll be in training camp because he’s under contract for 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Waddell also indicated that he’s not worried about this situation. He believes it won’t be an issue if Chinakhov shows up with the right attitude in training camp. That will also be the best way for the winger to improve his value in the trade market.

RG.ORG: Dmitry Orlov said his reduced role last season with the Carolina Hurricanes left him feeling isolated and mentally drained. The 33-year-old defenseman admitted the hardest part was knowing he no longer fit into their long-term plans.

A free agent on July 1, Orlov signed a two-year contract with the San Jose Sharks. He’s hoping to find stability in a leadership role with the rebuilding club.

TSN: Former NHL head coach Gerard Gallant is heading to Russia to coach a team in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). An official announcement is expected soon.

Winner of the Jack Adams Trophy in 2017-18 with the Vegas Golden Knights, Gallant’s last NHL coaching gig was with the New York Rangers until 2023. He also previously coached the Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl took to the ice in Newmarket, Ontario, on Wednesday as they took part in a beer-league game. The pair stood out with their speed and skill, but made sure not to show up their teammates or opponents.

Their team lost 6-2, which sparked some ribbing toward the two on social media. However, the on-ice officials credited the goaltender’s performance for blanking McDavid and Draisaitl.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid and Draisaitl got to get in some summer on-ice work while having some fun at the same time.

They’re not the only notable players to take part in a beer-league game as part of their offseason training this summer.

Evgeny Kuznetsov made a recent appearance at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia. The former Washington Capitals center hopes to stage an NHL comeback after spending last season in the KHL.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 17, 2025

by | Jul 17, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 17, 2025

The full 2025-26 schedule is released, bonus restrictions in the new CBA could hurt Canadian teams, Thomas Vanek joins the Sharks’ front office, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The full 2025-26 regular-season schedule was released on Wednesday. Among the notable games:

The Florida Panthers will raise their second straight Stanley Cup banner during their home opener when they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 7. It will be part of the league’s season-opener triple-header, as the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to New York to face the Rangers while the Colorado Avalanche will meet the Kings in Los Angeles.

The New York Islanders’ season opener could feature 2025 first-overall pick Matthew Schaefer when they face the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Oct. 9.

Speaking of the Penguins, former head coach Mike Sullivan will face his former club from behind the New York Rangers’ bench in Pittsburgh on Oct. 11.

Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand (NHL Images).

On Oct. 21, former Bruins winger Brad Marchand returns to Boston for the first time since being traded to the Panthers.

The annual Hall of Fame game takes place on Nov. 8 as the Bruins travel to Toronto to meet the Maple Leafs.

On Nov. 14 and 16, the Pittsburgh Penguins face the Nashville Predators in the two-game NHL Global Series in Stockholm, Sweden.

On Nov. 22, the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers will meet in their first game since the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.

The 2026 Winter Classic featuring the New York Rangers and the Panthers will be held on Jan. 2, 2026, at Miami’s loanDepot Park.

On Jan. 19, former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews returns to Chicago for the first time as a member of another team. He’s staging a comeback this season with the Winnipeg Jets.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner will face his former club in Toronto on Jan. 23 for the first time as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico looked at how some of the changes in the new NHL collective bargaining agreement (CBA) will affect teams around the league.

He observed that changes to bonus restrictions could affect the seven Canadian teams the most. Under the current system, Canadian teams use signing bonuses to attract star talent via free agency. In some cases, those bonuses made up nearly 90 percent of the player’s contract.

This was done because a player in Canada faces higher tax rates compared to some American teams based in no-tax states.

Under the new CBA, signing bonuses will be limited to up to 60 percent of the player’s total salary within the life of the contract. D’Amico cited a source saying that it would have the most impact on Canadian teams and American clubs in higher-tax states like California and New York.

The source also pointed out that there are still other avenues of going about this. D’Amico also cited Jeff Gorton, the Montreal Canadiens’ executive VP of hockey operations, who recently said that there are certain things his club could do to alleviate the tax issue.

D’Amico noted the signing bonuses won’t be going away, but the limitations on them mean they won’t be used as aggressively as in the past.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadian teams pay higher taxes than some American teams (especially those in no-tax states). However, players on Canadian teams have the advantage of being paid in US dollars.

The current exchange rate indicates that the US dollar is worth $1.38 Canadian. As PuckPedia points out, that is a fantastic benefit for players in Canada.

In 2016, Concordia Business Review indicated that a weak Canadian dollar benefits between 25 percent and 50 percent of NHL players. While working in Canada, expenses such as lodging, meals and insurance are all paid with Canadian dollars. Canadians who play for American teams usually maintain their primary residence in Canada and return home during the offseason, thus profiting from the exchange rate.

SPORTSNET: Former NHL player Thomas Vanek is joining the San Jose Sharks as a hockey operations advisor. He spent 14 seasons in the league from 2005-06 to 2018-19 with the Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks. In 1,029 games, Vanek had 373 goals and 416 assists for 789 points.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens signed center Joe Veleno to a one-year, $900,000 contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Veleno doesn’t address the Canadiens’ need for an experienced second-line center. However, he will provide them with a left-handed check-line faceoff specialist who can play center or on the wing.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports that there were multiple teams interested in Logan Mailloux before the Montreal Canadiens traded him to the St. Louis Blues for Zack Bolduc on July 1. The 22-year-old defenseman is looking forward to playing for his new team, but also praised the Canadiens’ organization.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings signed prospect forward Carter Bear to a three-year entry-level contract. Bear, 18, was chosen 13th overall in this year’s draft by the Red Wings.

TSN: Former NHL goaltender and San Jose Sharks executive Wayne Thomas passed away on Monday at age 77.

Thomas spent eight seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers from 1972-73 to 1980-81. In 243 games, he had a record of 103-93-34 with a 3.34 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage. He joined the Sharks organization in 1993 and spent 22 seasons with the franchise, retiring as assistant general manager and team vice-president.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Thomas’ family, friends, former teammates and coworkers.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 16, 2025

by | Jul 16, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 16, 2025

The latest on Mika Zibanejad and Sidney Crosby, the Sharks hire Joe Thornton in a development role, and the latest contract signings in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NEW YORK POST: Where Mika Zibanejad plays under new head coach Mike Sullivan could determine the outcome of the 2025-26 season for the Rangers.

New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (NHL Images).

Zibanejad struggled while playing at center for most of 2024-25. The 14-year NHL veteran’s performance improved when shifted to right wing alongside J.T. Miller late in the season. He was also employed as a right winger while playing for Sweden during the 2025 IIHF World Championship.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barring a significant improvement by Zibanejad at center, it likely won’t take Sullivan long to determine which position the 32-year-old is best suited for in the coming season.

What do you think, Rangers fans? Let us know in the comments section below.

THE ATHLETIC: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby had a hand in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ hiring of their new head equipment manager.

Paul DeFazio spent over 25 years in the Penguins’ organization. Crosby’s endorsement helped him land the job with Columbus. Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said Penguins GM Kyle Dubas also backed DeFazio’s application.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It certainly doesn’t hurt to have Crosby and Dubas as recommendations on your job application. Classy move by the Penguins captain to help out his former equipment manager.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of hirings, the San Jose Sharks have brought in former star Joe Thornton as a player development coach and hockey operations advisor.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Thornton played 15 of his 24-season NHL career with the Sharks. He’s their single-season leader with 92 assists and 114 points, and their all-time leader with 804 assists. Thornton will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Utah Mammoth have brought back forward Michael Carcone, signing him to a one-year, $775,000 contract.

Speaking of the Sharks, they signed defenseman Jack Thompson earlier this week to a one-year, two-way deal worth $800,000 at the NHL level.

The Carolina Hurricanes inked forward Skyler Brind’Amour to a one-year, two-way deal worth $775,000 at the NHL level.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brind’Amour, 25, is the son of Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour. He played two games with the Hurricanes last season, spending most of his time with their AHL affiliate in Chicago.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks signed center Anton Frondell to a three-year entry-level contract. Chosen third overall in this year’s draft, the 18-year-old Frondell is expected to spend this season with Djurgardens IF in the Swedish Hockey League.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres signed defenseman Radim Mrtka to a three-year entry-level deal. He was chosen ninth overall in this year’s draft.