NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 6, 2026

by | Sep 6, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 6, 2026

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

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

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – 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 – September 10, 2025

by | Sep 10, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 10, 2025

The Flames sign goalie Dustin Wolf to a seven-year contract extension, plus the latest on Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, Kings winger Adrian Kempe, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames signed goaltender Dustin Wolf to a seven-year, $52.5 million contract extension on Tuesday. Wolf, 24, is in the final season of his entry-level contract. The average annual value of his new deal is $7.5 million.

Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wolf got this contract because of his performance last season. Thanks to his stellar goaltending, the retooling Flames exceeded expectations, coming within a whisker of reaching the 2025 postseason. His efforts made him the runner-up for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

NHL.COM: Connor Bedard said his contract extension talks with the Chicago Blackhawks are going well. The 20-year-old center is in the final season of his entry-level deal.

“It’s nothing crazy,” Bedard told reporters during the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour on Tuesday. “We’re both comfortable with where we’re at. They know I want to be there; I know they want me. So, it’s really not on my mind that much, and I just think when it happens, it happens.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bedard played coy when asked if the deal could come before the start of the upcoming season. “We’ll see,” he said.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports Adrian Kempe wants to stay with the Los Angeles Kings. The 28-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Kempe told reporters that there is no rush on either side for a contract extension. However, he expects talks will pick up over the next several weeks or months.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kempe is in the final season of a four-year contract with an AAV of $5.5 million. He was their leading scorer in each of the last two seasons and their leading goal scorer in 2022-23 with a career-high 41 goals.

Another season with 30 goals and 70 points could put him in line to earn between $9 million and $10 million annually on his next contract.

THE BOSTON GLOBE’s Conor Ryan reports Bruins general manager Don Sweeney confirmed his club will start this season without a captain. “I think somebody will eventually emerge as the guy that should be the next captain,” Sweeney said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The last Bruins captain was Brad Marchand until he was traded to the Florida Panthers on March 7. Winger David Pastrnak and defenseman Charlie McAvoy are the likely front-runners for the role.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reported Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell said there’s been no contract extension talks with center Adam Fantilli.

Like Chicago’s Connor Bedard, the 20-year-old Fantilli is in the final season of his entry-level deal. Waddell stated a new contract won’t happen before the season begins, adding that the center’s camp isn’t in any hurry to get a deal done.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We shouldn’t read too much into that. Both sides could be waiting to see how this season unfolds before opening contract talks.

Fantilli had a solid sophomore campaign last season, tallying a career-best 30 goals and 54 points. If he builds on that performance, he’ll be in line for a substantial raise on his next contract.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Florida Panthers have invited forward Noah Gregor to training camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO). Gregor, 27, split last season between the Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks, collecting seven points in 52 games.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports St. Louis Blues prospect Justin Carbonneau hopes to crack the Blues’ roster and earn an entry-level contract. The 18-year-old right wing was chosen in the first round (19th overall) by St. Louis.

TVA SPORTS: The Montreal Canadiens will hold an “Andrei Markov Night” on Dec. 3 to honor the former Habs defenseman. Markov spent the entirety of his 16-season NHL career with the Canadiens, playing 990 regular-season games between 2000 and 2017 before ending his playing career in the KHL.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Markov was the linchpin of the Canadiens’ blueline for most of his career. He’s sixth all-time among their franchise leaders in games played.

ESPN.COM: NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league is waiting for a “fully baked plan” from an ownership group in Atlanta before having its Board of Governors consider bringing an expansion team to the city.

Daly indicated the league met with multiple groups in July that are seeking to bring a franchise back to the city. Atlanta hosted an NHL team from 1972-73 to 1979-80, and another from 1999-2000 to 2010-11.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some wonder why the NHL would consider returning to Atlanta when the Flames and Thrashers failed in that market. The short answer is because it’s the seventh-largest metropolitan area in the United States. A better-run franchise could become a significant money maker there.

TSN: Daly also said the league has closed its investigation into Evander Kane spending last season on long-term injury reserve before joining the Edmonton Oilers for the playoffs. He indicated the Oilers will not face discipline as a result.

The deputy commissioner also expects a decision soon from the league on the status of five former Hockey Canada players acquitted of sexual assault in a high-profile case earlier this year.

Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Callan Foote were acquitted on July 24. Following the decision, the NHL indicated the players were ineligible to return to the league until it had reviewed the findings.

Meanwhile, the NHL and NHLPA announced that they will contribute $4 million annually to the newly established Retired Players Emergency Healthcare and Wellness Fund.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 12, 2025

by | Jun 12, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 12, 2025

Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar wins the Norris Trophy, an update on the Rangers’ efforts to trade Chris Kreider to the Ducks, the latest on the Panthers and Oilers on the eve of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Cale Makar is the winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman for 2024-25. It’s the second time the 26-year-old Colorado Avalanche blueliner has taken home this award, having won in 2021-22.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Makar has been the NHL’s dominant defenseman since 2020-21. In addition to winning the Norris twice, he’s been a finalist three times (2020-21, 2022-23, 2023-24). He joins Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins as the only active multiple Norris Trophy winner.

Since Makar’s NHL debut in 2019-20, he leads all defensemen with 428 points and 24 game-winning goals, sits fourth in takeaways (295) and sixth in 5v5 puck possession (55.5 percent shot attempt percentage) among defensemen with 300-plus games played.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the Rangers have an agreement in principle on a trade that would send winger Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks. Now, they await his blessing.

Anaheim is on Kreider’s 15-team no-trade list, but his camp permitted the Rangers to hold trade discussions with the Ducks. As of Tuesday night, the 33-year-old winger hadn’t signed off on the deal, but Brooks cited an Anaheim source saying it was a fait accompli.

Should the deal go through as expected, it will be a straightforward salary dump by the Rangers. The Ducks will take on Kreider’s full $6.5 million average annual value through 2026-27, while the Rangers would receive prospect Carey Terrance.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored the Rangers could also receive a third or fourth-round pick in the deal.

**UPDATE**

Kreider approved the trade. The Rangers send him and a 2025 third-round pick to the Ducks for Terrance and a 2025 fourth-rounder.

Brooks believes Rangers forward Miko Zibanejad could be amenable to waiving his no-movement clause if Kreider is traded, pointing out that the pair are close friends.

Moving Zibanejad might not be as easy as trading Kreider. He has five years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Florida Panthers host the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. Leading the best-of-seven series 2-1, the Panthers have an opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 lead with a win.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch isn’t expected to reveal his starting goaltender for Game 4 until Thursday morning. Starter Stuart Skinner has a perfect 6-0 record in his previous Game 4s, while backup Calvin Pickard is a perfect 6-0 in this postseason.

NHL.COM: The Oilers could replace defenseman John Klingberg with Troy Stecher for Game 4. Center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins remains a game-time decision with an undisclosed injury. He had the same status in Game 3, but played 15:34 in that contest.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Game 4 is the pivotal contest. An Edmonton win ties the series, turning it into a best-of-three with the Oilers holding home-ice advantage if it goes the distance. A Panthers victory puts them in a position to win their second straight Stanley Cup in Game 5.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the NHL and NHL Players’ Association are getting closer to a CBA extension.

They’ve been meeting in Florida during the Stanley Cup Final and, while issues remain, it’s expected a deal could be completed soon. LeBrun speculates it could be done in time to present to the Board of Governors meeting on June 25.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If it reaches that stage, the CBA extension could supersede the current agreement, slated to expire in September 2026. James Mirtle of The Athletic suggested the deal would run to September 2030.

Reports suggest there would be few significant changes in the next CBA. The most notable would be adjusting the long-term injury reserve (LTIR) rules to address the issue of playoff contenders using LTIR to bolster their rosters at the trade deadline.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Former Penguins owners Mario Lemieux, Ron Burkle and David Morehouse are reportedly interested in purchasing a minority stake in the franchise. They sold the club to Fenway Sports Group in 2021 for $900 million.

It was initially reported that the Lemieux group was investigating the possibility of buying back the Penguins. Still, FSG reiterated that they’re only interested in selling a minority share to raise capital as they develop the property around PPG Paints Arena.

THE SCORE: An Atlanta group eyeing NHL expansion has received agreements from the Forsyth County Commission for a $3 billion project that includes the construction of an NHL-ready arena.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rumors have swirled suggesting the NHL could soon return to Atlanta. The league has played coy on the matter, and building a new arena doesn’t guarantee the arrival of an NHL franchise. Nevertheless, it’s only a matter of time.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators revealed a new-look third jersey for 2025-26. It will be themed in red with metallic black and gold striping.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 10, 2025

by | May 10, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 10, 2025

The Jets tied their series with the Stars, the Panthers got their first win in their series with the Maple Leafs, seven more skaters are added to the Quarter-Century Team, the latest on a new franchise in Atlanta, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF FRIDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebucyk made 21 saves to shut out the Dallas Stars 4-0, tying their best-of-seven second-round series at a game apiece.

Nikolaj Ehlers had two goals and an assist, Dylan DeMelo collected two assists, and Josh Morrissey picked up an assist as he returned to action after missing Game 1 with an injury. Stars goalie Jake Oettinger stopped 21 shots.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. (NHL Images).

The series shifts to Dallas for the next two games. Game 3 is 4:30 pm ET on Sunday, May 11.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a solid bounce-back performance by the Jets after dropping the first game on the strength of Dallas winger Mikko Rantanen’s hat trick. They dominated the Stars, doing an outstanding job neutralizing Rantanen and his teammates in this contest. Hellebuyck struggled with consistency in the first round, but his Game 2 performance should silence his critics for a little while. However, he must build on it if the Jets are to win this series. 

An overtime goal by Brad Marchand lifted the Florida Panthers to a 5-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 3 of their second-round series.

Marchand is the leader among active NHL players with 14 game-winning goals in the playoffs.

Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe each had a goal and an assist for the Panthers, who narrowed Toronto’s lead in the series to 2-1. John Tavares tallied twice and Matthew Knies had a goal and an assist for the Leafs.

Game 4 will be Sunday, May 10, at 7:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs looked poised to take a commanding 3-0 series lead when they got early goals from Knies and Tavares. Aleksander Barkov made it 2-1 but Tavares restored the two-goal lead early in the second. However, Reinhart and Verhaeghe quickly scored to tie it and Jonah Gadjovich gave the Panthers the lead.

It then became a game of bounces involving Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly. His game-tying goal in the third deflected off Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky’s blocker, striking his defenseman Seth Jones, and bounced into the Panthers’ net. Marchand’s goal deflected into the Leafs’ net as Rielly was jostling with Panthers center Anton Lundell.

The hockey gods giveth, and the hockey gods taketh away.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Seven skaters who debuted in the NHL between 2000 and 2010 were named to the league’s Quarter-Century Team.

The new players are former Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron, former Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk, former Chicago Blackhawks and current Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, Pittsburgh Penguins centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin, and former Tampa Bay Lightning and current Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprises here. They were/are the most impactful players of their era. Datsyuk is already in the Hockey Hall of Fame, Bergeron will soon join him, and the others are all future first-ballot Hall-of-Famers once their playing careers are over.

The league will reveal the six skaters who debuted since 2010 on Saturday.

THE ATHLETIC: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league’s two failed attempts to house a franchise in Atlanta would prevent the possibility of a third attempt to bring an expansion team to that market.

Bettman’s comments come days after prospective Atlanta owner Paul Krause said his group was getting closer to making a formal expansion pitch. The commissioner said there is interest in a potential expansion to Atlanta, but no formal timetable.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I predict the league will expand to Atlanta and Houston by the end of this decade, expanding to 34 teams.

Like it or not, billionaires are willing to pony up the increasingly rising expansion fee (likely to be $2 billion) to own an NHL expansion franchise in the United States.

Sorry, Quebec City, you have a devoted fan base and a proper NHL-ready arena, but your market is too small compared to those in the United States, and that’s where the money is. Your best bet is to become an emergency relocation destination for a failing American team like Winnipeg was for the Atlanta Thrashers in 2011.

NHL.COM: Vegas Golden Knights forward Nicolas Roy was fined $7,812.50 for cross-checking Edmonton Oilers forward Trent Frederic during Game 2 of the teams’ second-round series on Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The league explained they fined Roy instead of suspending him because he was reckless with his stick rather than intentionally trying to injure Frederic when he cross-checked the Oilers forward in the face. Frederic remained in the game, which explains why Roy escaped harsher discipline.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller underwent surgery for an undisclosed injury suffered toward the end of the regular season. He is expected to be ready for training camp in September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whether that’s with the Rangers or another team remains to be seen. Miller is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights coming off a difficult season. He could receive an offer sheet from a rival club if negotiations stall with the Rangers. Miller could also be a trade candidate if management decides he no longer fits into their long-term plans.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils have parted ways with assistant coaches Ryan McGill and Chris Taylor.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former WWE star Brock Lesnar’s son was recently drafted by the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. Duke Lesnar, 14, is a 5’11”, 168-pound forward chosen 115th overall by the Tigers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This isn’t NHL news, but I’m a pro wrestling fan, so this was interesting to share here.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 13, 2024

by | Mar 13, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 13, 2024

The Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard matches two franchise records, the Panthers and Rangers expand their leads in their respective divisions, and former player Anson Carter heads a group that wants to bring a franchise to Atlanta. Details on these and other stories in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Chicago Blackhawks rookie star Connor Bedard had a goal and four assists in a 7-2 rout of the Anaheim Ducks. Bedard matched the single-game franchise records for assists and points (five) by a rookie. Nick Foligno and Philipp Kurashev each had four points for the 18-43-5 Blackhawks. Brett Leason tallied twice for the 23-39-3 Ducks.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bedard also became the fifth 18-year-old player in league history to have a five-point game, joining Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011), Ilya Kovalchuk (2002), Dale Hawerchuk (1982) and Jack Hamilton (1943). The young Blackhawks star has eight points in his last two games and 10 in his last four. He leads this season’s rookie class with 51 points (13 more than Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber) and 20 goals (three more than the Wild’s Marco Rossi).

The league-leading Florida Panthers scored three unanswered third-period goals to nip the Dallas Stars 4-3, snapping the latter’s five-game win streak. Aleksander Barkov scored twice while Sam Reinhart tallied his 46th goal of the season for the 45-17-4 Panthers (94 points), who opened a three-point lead over the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins atop the overall standings. Joe Pavelski, Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston each had a goal and an assist for the Stars (40-18-9), who sit in first place in the Central Division with 89 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers played without forward Evan Rodrigues due to a lower-body injury.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 28 saves for his second straight shutout to blank the Carolina Hurricanes 1-0. Adam Fox scored for the 43-18-4 Rangers (90 points) to open a six-point lead over the second-place Hurricanes atop the Metropolitan Division. Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 23 shots for the 39-20-6 Hurricanes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, Rangers rookie center Matt Rempe received a four-game suspension by the NHL department of player safety for elbowing New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler in the head on Monday.

The Colorado Avalanche moved closer to the Central-leading Stars with a 6-2 victory over the slumping Calgary Flames. Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist to extend his points streak to 13 games while Mikko Rantanen has two goals and two assists for the 41-20-5 Avalanche (87 points) as they’re two points back of the Stars. Dan Vladar made 29 saves for the 31-29-5 Flames, who have lost three straight games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon leads all scorers with a career-high 113 points. Three key Flames players were absent from this game. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, forward Andrei Kuzmenko was a late scratch with an upper-body injury, and winger Andrew Mangiapane was sidelined with an illness.

Speaking of slumping teams, the Detroit Red Wings suffered a 7-3 upset at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres. Defenseman Bowen Byram scored twice and Zach Benson had a goal and two assists for the 31-30-5 Sabres (67 points), who moved to within five points of the New York Islanders for the final Eastern Conference wildcard berth. Lucas Raymond had a goal and an assist for the 33-26-3 Red Wings (72 points), who lost their sixth straight game and slipped out of that wildcard spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: When this month started, the Wings held the first Eastern wildcard berth with 72 points with a seven-point lead over the ninth-overall Washington Capitals and the 10th-overall Islanders. The Isles now have the same number of points as the Wings but they hold that wildcard spot with a game in hand.

Jack Eichel’s 200th career goal came in overtime to lift the Vegas Golden Knights over the Seattle Kraken 5-4. Eichel also had two assists while Jonathan Marchessault tallied twice for the Golden Knights (35-23-7), who hold the final Western Conference wildcard spot with 77 points. Philipp Grubauer stopped 29 shots for the 28-24-12 Kraken.

Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett snapped a 2-2 tie as his club defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-2. Travis Konecny and Morgan Frost each had two points for the Flyers (34-24-8), who hold third place in the Metropolitan Division with 76 points. Filip Zadina scored both goals for the 16-41-7 Sharks.

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau kicked out 41 shots for his second shutout of the season in a 3-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brendan Gallagher, Juraj Slafkovsky and Joshua Roy were the goalscorers for the 25-30-10 Canadiens. Elvis Merzlikins gave up three goals on four shots and was replaced by Daniil Tarasov as the Blue Jackets sank to 22-33-10.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov left this game in the first period with an upper-body injury.

A two-goal performance by Kirill Kaprizov gave the Minnesota Wild a 4-1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. Kaprizov also collected an assist for the 32-27-7 Wild. Nick Bjugstad replied for the 26-35-5 Coyotes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek left the game with an undisclosed injury in the third period. Meanwhile, the Coyotes played without forward Barrett Hayton as he could be out longer than day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

The Ottawa Senators snapped a seven-game skid as they downed the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on an overtime goal by Drake Batherson. Joonas Korpisalo made 34 saves and Jake Sanderson also scored for the 26-33-4 Senators. Michael Bunting replied for the 28-27-9 Penguins.

HEADLINES

SPORTSNET: Former NHL player-turned-broadcaster Anson Carter is heading a group that made a formal request to the league to begin the process of adding an expansion franchise to Atlanta.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Three times the charm after two previous teams (Flames and Thrashers) were relocated from Atlanta. Meanwhile, potential ownership groups in Salt Lake City and Houston have also expressed interest in bringing NHL franchises to their cities.

While the league continues to play coy over the possibility of expanding into new markets, it seems inevitable that it will grow by at least another two teams before the end of this decade. One of those cities could become the next home of the Arizona Coyotes if their current owner’s efforts to build a new arena in the Phoenix area fall through.

NHL.COM: Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko is listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury. He is expected to return before the Stanley Cup playoffs begin next month.

TSN: The Canucks also placed winger Dakota Joshua (injured hand) on long-term injury reserve.

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators defenseman Dante Fabbro is out for two to three weeks with an upper-body injury.

THE SCORE: The Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils will open the 2024-25 season on Oct. 4 and 5 in Prague, Czechia. The following month, the Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers will face off in Tampere, Finland on Nov. 1 and 2. These games are part of the NHL’s 2024 Global Series.