NHL Rumor Mill – April 11, 2026

by | Apr 11, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – April 11, 2026

Will the Blues trade Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou this summer? Are big changes coming this summer for the Canucks? What’s the latest Canadiens speculation? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE BLUES PEDDLE ROBERT THOMAS AND JORDAN KYROU THIS SUMMER?

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, St. Louis Blues beat writer Jeremy Rutherford was asked if the club’s improvement of late might affect Robert Thomas’ willingness to stay or management’s desire to trade him.

Rutherford noted Thomas has improved since returning from an injury, scoring at nearly a point-per-game rate. He also pointed out that moving Thomas could adversely affect the play of linemates Jimmy Snuggerud and Dylan Holloway.

St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (NHL Images).

When the Blues were engaged in trade talks, Thomas expressed his desire to stay in St. Louis. That could change if the club revisits those discussions, but the 26-year-old center sees the young talent joining the club and wants to be a part of it.

Rutherford was also asked if Jordan Kyrou will be moved this summer. He believes he will, pointing out that the 27-year-old winger’s production has dried up in recent weeks.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong has been reluctant to move players for less than their value in his eyes. Rutherford acknowledged Kyrou’s skill and scoring ability, but believes the Blues must move him for the best available offer if they don’t see him as part of their plans moving forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Thomas was the focus of considerable speculation before last month’s trade deadline. Afterward, he expressed his desire to stay put, adding that he wasn’t approached by management about waiving his no-trade clause. He’s signed through 2030-31 with a reasonable average annual value of $8.125 million.

Kyrou also surfaced in the rumor mill before the deadline. However, there wasn’t as much buzz about him, partly because Thomas is a center (and those players are more highly prized), and partly because of his offensive inconsistency. His contract is identical to Thomas’. Both players have full control over their situations.

Thomas would fetch the best return, but it would take a significant offer to pry him away from the Blues. The asking price was reportedly at least three pieces comparable to high first-round draft picks. It was too expensive at the trade deadline and could be the same this summer, and that’s before they get around to asking Thomas if he’ll agree to move.

Kyrou seems the more likely of the two to move this summer, provided he’s open to the possibility. He won’t fetch as high a return, but it should still be decent enough for the Blues to put toward retooling their roster. The Montreal Canadiens were reportedly interested in him last summer, but wound up settling for Zachary Bolduc.

LATEST ON THE CANUCKS

TSN: Darren Dreger reported the Vancouver Canucks are considering changes in their front office and behind the bench after this dismal season.

According to Dreger, there is a “50/50 chance” that the Canucks might consider replacing Patrik Allvin as general manager. It was also rumored that the Nashville Predators sought permission to speak with Canucks assistant GM Ryan Johnson, but were rebuffed. However, Dreger said the Predators never made that request.

There’s speculation the Canucks could move on from head coach Adam Foote, who was hired last year to replace the departed Rick Tocchet.

Dreger stressed no decisions have been made yet as the Canucks brass continues to evaluate their options.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reported a league source claiming Allvin could end up working for the Minnesota Wild as their top scout if he’s fired by the Canucks. His departure would open the door for Johnson to step into the GM role.

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance recently reported speculation that the Canucks sign promising youngsters Zeev Buium and Liam Ohgren to eight-year contract extensions this summer before the term limits on contracts are reduced by one year on Sept. 15.

However, the Canucks won’t be pushing with any urgency to make those sorts of deals this summer.

The Canucks could consider using their various second and third-round draft picks as trade bait this summer for young NHL-ready players. They’ll also be willing to consider reclamation projects of young players similar to Justin Sourdif with the Washington Capitals, Trevor Zegras with the Philadelphia Flyers, and Egor Chinakhov with the Pittsburgh Penguins this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be interesting to see what decisions the Canucks make regarding their management and coaching positions. This club is definitely rebuilding, but they’re going to try to hasten the process by bringing in as much young NHL talent as possible.

The Canucks have two first-round picks in this year’s draft. Those will be off-limits, especially if they win the draft lottery with their own pick. They have two second-round picks and three sixth-rounders this year, two second-rounders and two fourth-rounders next year, and in 2028. That gives them some good trade capital to work with this summer and over the next two years.

THE SICK PODCAST WITH TONY MARINARO: Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes shed a little more light on the speculation that he was working on a blockbuster move before last month’s trade deadline.

Following the deadline, Hughes hinted that he had been working on a big deal that he could revisit during the offseason. That prompted speculation that Toronto Maple Leafs power forward Matthew Knies was his target, while other reports claimed Hughes was pursuing different players.

Hughes revealed he was working on two deals before the deadline, but they decided the asking prices were too high, or they didn’t necessarily want to go after players on expiring contracts. He stressed that his club is looking to “get better today and get better in the future at the same time.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens didn’t suffer from Hughes’ inability to swing a major deal at the deadline. Nevertheless, his recent comments will keep Habs fans buzzing during the offseason.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 6, 2026

by | Apr 6, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 6, 2026

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby reaches another scoring milestone, the Canadiens clinch a playoff spot, the Islanders replace Patrick Roy as head coach with Peter DeBoer, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF SUNDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists to defeat the Florida Panthers 5-2. Rickard Rakell tallied twice to extend his goal streak to five games for the 40-22-16 Penguins, who sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 96 points. Cole Schwindt and Carter Verhaeghe replied for the 37-37-3 Panthers.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby became the first player in NHL history to record 21 consecutive point-per-game seasons. Meanwhile, Penguins goaltender Stuart Skinner missed this game with an upper-body injury.

The New Jersey Devils blanked the Montreal Canadiens 3-0, snapping the latter’s eight-game win streak. Jacob Markstrom turned in an 18-save shutout while Timo Meier, Cody Glass, and Connor Brown scored for the Devils (40-34-8). Jacob Fowler stopped 17 of 19 shots for the 45-22-10 Canadiens, who sit third in the Atlantic Division with 100 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite the loss, the Canadiens clinched a playoff berth because the Detroit Red Wings lost to the Minnesota Wild earlier in the day. Speaking of which…

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov tallied a hat trick to lead his club to a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit stormed back from a 4-1 deficit to tie the game on a goal by Patrick Kane, but Kaprizov scored the winner on the power play with Kane in the penalty box. The Wild (44-21-12) sit third overall in the Western Conference with 100 points, two behind the second-place Dallas Stars. This loss leaves the 40-29-8 Red Wings (88 points) sitting two points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian missed this game with a lower-body injury.

The Ottawa Senators maintained their hold on that final Eastern wild card by beating the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3. Team captain Brady Tkachuk tallied twice while Tim Stutzle, Shane Pinto, and Dylan Cozens each had a goal and an assist for the 40-27-10 Senators (90 points). Jackson Blake collected two assists for the Hurricanes (49-22-6), who hold first place in the Eastern Conference with 104 points.

Philadelphia Flyers rookie Porter Martone’s first NHL goal came in overtime to lift his club to a 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins. Christian Dvorak scored in regulation, and Dan Vladar stopped 18 shots for the Flyers (39-26-12), who moved into third place in the Metropolitan Division with 90 points. Pavel Zacha scored for the 43-26-9 Bruins (95 points), who hold a five-point lead over the Senators for the first Eastern wild-card spot.

The St. Louis Blues upset the Colorado Avalanche 3-2. Robert Thomas netted his first NHL hat trick while Jimmy Snuggerud collected three assists for the 33-31-12 Blues (78 points), who sit three points behind the Nashville Predators for the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Brent Burns had a goal and an assist for the 50-16-10 Avalanche, who hold first place in the overall standings with 110 points.

New York Rangers winger Will Cuylle scored his first NHL hat trick in an 8-1 drubbing of the Washington Capitals. Mika Zibanejad had three assists while Adam Fox scored and set up two others for the 33-36-9 Rangers. Connor McMichael replied for the Capitals (39-30-9), who are three points behind the Senators for that final Eastern wild card.

ISLANDERS FIRE ROY AS HEAD COACH, REPLACE HIM WITH DEBOER

NEW YORK POST: The Islanders fired head coach Patrick Roy on Sunday, replacing him with Peter DeBoer. This move came as the Isles struggle to clinch a playoff berth with only a handful of games remaining in the regular season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ethan Sears of the New York Post blames Roy for the Islanders’ recent struggles. While acknowledging management’s recent acquisitions of Brayden Schenn, Carson Soucy, and Ondrej Palat haven’t worked as intended, Sears believes that Roy “lost buy-in from the players,” pointing to his lineup tinkering, the disastrous power play, and the decline in their defensive play, putting the club in danger of missing the playoffs.

Roy has two years left on his contract. He has a record of 97-78-22 over nearly three seasons with the Islanders.

The Islanders reportedly signed DoBoer to a four-year contract. They will be the sixth NHL team he’s coached after stints with the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, Vegas Golden Knights, and Dallas Stars since 2008-09. He guided the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final in 2012 and the Sharks to the Cup Final in 2016. DeBoer also coached the Stars to three straight Western Conference Finals from 2023 to 2025.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 4, 2026

by | Apr 4, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 4, 2026

The Flyers and Blues move closer to wild-card berths, Sharks center Macklin Celebrini deserves Hart Trophy consideration, Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns will reach a notable career milestone, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING FRIDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov had a goal and two assists as the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the New York Islanders 4-1. Alex Bump and Travis Sanheim each had a goal and an assist while Dan Vladar made 21 saves for the 38-26-12 Flyers, who are in a four-way tie for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 88 points. Jean-Gabriel Pageau replied for the Islanders (42-30-5), who cling to third place in the Metropolitan Division with 89 points.

Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The playoff race in the East has gotten even more interesting. The Flyers join the Ottawa Senators (39-26-10), Detroit Red Wings (40-27-8), and the Columbus Blue Jackets (38-26-12). The Senators currently hold that wild card with 33 regulation wins and a game in hand.

The St. Louis Blues kept their playoff hopes alive with a 6-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Dylan Holloway tallied two power-play goals while Robert Thomas had a goal and two assists for the 32-31-12 Blues (76 points), who sit three points behind the San Jose Sharks for the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Ryan Poehling had a goal and an assist for the Ducks (41-30-5), who slipped to second place in the Pacific Division with 87 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks are 0-3-1 in their last four. They have the same amount of points as the Edmonton Oilers, but the latter now holds first place with 30 regulation wins.

Speaking of the Ducks, they signed 2025 first-round pick Roger McQueen to an amateur tryout contract earlier this week.

HEADLINES

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens makes the case for San Jose Sharks Macklin Celebrini to receive consideration for the Hart Memorial Trophy as this season’s most valuable player to his team. The 19-year-old sophomore center has carried the rebuilding Sharks into playoff contention while establishing himself among the league’s elite players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Celebrini is my choice for the Hart. The Sharks have a roster of up-and-coming talent, but he’s the main reason they’ve exceeded expectations this season. A glance at their stats is all you need to make the case. Without Celebrini, they’d be closer to the bottom of the standings than they would be to a wild-card berth.

NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns will play in his 1,000th consecutive regular-season game on Saturday against the Dallas Stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Phil Kessel holds the “Ironman” record for consecutive regular-season games with 1,064. Burns, 41, could overtake Kessel if he plays in 2026-27. Given his performance this season, it’s a good bet that he will.

TSN: Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk was fined $2,500 by the NHL’s department of player safety for unsportsmanlike conduct towards an opponent while on the bench during Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.

OTTAWA SUN: Speaking of the Senators, sidelined defenseman Jake Sanderson could return to action this weekend. Meanwhile, rookie blueliner Carter Yakemchuk was placed in concussion protocol after being elbowed in the head by Noah Gregor of the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.

The Senators agreed to a 12-year contract extension with Bell Media for their English and French broadcast rights.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson is done for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery on Apr. 2.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones underwent season-ending shoulder surgery this week.

TSN: Former NHL superstar Jaromir Jagr hasn’t officially retired, but he no longer sees himself continuing the grind of professional hockey. The 54-year-old future Hall of Famer’s final NHL season was in 2017-18 with the Calgary Flames. He’s since been playing for the Kladno Knights in Czechia.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jagr appeared in only six games for Kladno this season. After 38 years of pro hockey, he could finally hang up his skates. He may not have officially retired, but that announcement could come later this year.

HOCKEY 24/7: Michigan Wolverines forward T.J. Hughes, Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs winger Max Plante, and Denver Pioneers defenseman Eric Pohlkamp are the finalists for the 2026 Hobey Baker Award.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators and FanDuel Sports Network will officially part ways at the end of this season.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 1, 2026

by | Apr 1, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – April 1, 2026

Who are the potential candidates to become the next GM of the Maple Leafs? Are management changes coming for the Devils and Canucks? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS’ GM SEARCH

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes that Keith Pelley, the head of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, tipped his hand when he said that he favors retooling the Maple Leafs roster over a rebuild. He expects it will be a cue card for the potential candidates for the job.

Darren Dreger reports former Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving was at least working on retooling the roster before he was fired. Treliving was hoping to use some of the draft picks that he acquired before last month’s trade deadline as trade collateral to acquire a good young defenseman. The Leafs also need a center to take some of the load off John Tavares.

Chris Johnston indicated that Pelley is seeking a data-minded person for the GM job. The Leafs will hire a search firm to help them find some potential candidates.

St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong (NHL.com).

LeBrun mentioned that St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong has been linked to the Maple Leafs. Armstrong is stepping down from his current role at the end of this season, but he’s under contract as the Blues’ president of hockey operations. It would be up to Blues owner Tom Stillman whether he’ll permit clubs to speak with Armstrong.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blues beat writer Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic doesn’t expect Stillman to grant permission for the Leafs to talk to Armstrong about their vacant management position. The Blues owner would prefer that Armstrong stick around to help the incoming GM, Alexander Steen.

Johnston mentioned that Pelley has reached out to sidelined Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. It’s expected there will be more discussions between the two regarding the club’s direction. Matthews has two years remaining on his contract.

In his column for The Athletic, LeBrun mentioned former Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis as a potential candidate. He also believes the Maple Leafs could be looking at multiple hires, with a veteran hand paired with an up-and-comer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The “veteran hand” would likely end up in the hockey operations role, while the “up-and-comer” gets the general manager’s chair.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes there will be plenty of interest in the Leafs GM job. He wondered if former Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi would be a candidate for the Leafs job. Lombardi currently works with the Philadelphia Flyers. Other possibilities could be Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Jason Spezza and Florida Panthers assistant GM Sunny Mehta.

COULD THE DEVILS AND CANUCKS SHAKE UP THEIR MANAGEMENT?

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos observed that Tom Fitzgerald holds the president of hockey operations and general manager titles. However, some are wondering if they might break up those roles.

Kypreos speculated they could hire a new hockey ops president, keep Fitzgerald around for one more season, and evaluate from there. It’s believed he’s preparing for the worst because he’s been on the hot seat this season.

FULL PRESS MEDIA: Jim Biringer wondered if the Maple Leafs firing of Brad Treliving might lead to a management change for the Devils.

It’s been rumored that Devils ownership might be contemplating some sort of change in the front office. However, Fitzgerald has maintained that he’s been in sync with ownership and the coaching staff.

If the Devils make a management change, Biringer believes it won’t come from within.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It seems a safer choice to hire a new president and give Fitzgerald one more season to redeem himself. However, the Devils ownership could have an eye on whoever applies for the Leafs’ job and perhaps interview those who didn’t get that role.

Kypreos also noted that changes are coming for the Vancouver Canucks, but it remains unclear to what extent they will take. He’s heard that GM Patrik Allvin doesn’t expect to survive the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Allvin is the right-hand man of Jim Rutherford, the Canucks president of hockey operations. It would be an interesting move by Rutherford to hand Allvin his walking papers.

Canucks beat writer Thomas Drance of The Athletic isn’t sure just how far they are willing to go as they attempt to move on from this disastrous season. He thinks the organization should face some measure of accountability, but it remains to be seen what that could be.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 29, 2026

by | Mar 29, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 29, 2026

Check out the recaps from a 15-game Saturday night in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: A hat-trick performance by Owen Tippett carried the Philadelphia Flyers to a 5-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Tippett finished with four points, and Dan Vladar made 32 saves for the 35-24-12 Flyers (82 points), who are five points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. Patrick Kane and Moritz Seider each had two assists for the Red Wings (39-25-8), who are one point out of that wild card with 86 points.

Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers have been hot of late, with a record of 7-1-1 in their last nine games.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg had a goal and two assists as his club overcame a 2-0 deficit to double up the Ottawa Senators 4-2. Brandon Hagel and Charle-Edouard D’Astous each had a goal and an assist for the 45-21-6 Lightning, who sit in second place in the Atlantic Division with 96 points. Dylan Cozens and Jordan Spence scored for the Senators (38-25-10), who sit one point out of the final Eastern wild-card with 86 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning forwards Nikita Kucherov and Nick Paul missed this game due to illness.

Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield sniped his 45th goal of the season in a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. The Canadiens’ second line of Ivan Demidov, Oliver Kapanen, and Alex Newhook each had a goal and an assist as the Habs (41-21-10) picked up their fourth straight win and sit third in the Atlantic Division with 91 points. Zachary L’Heureux scored for the 34-30-9 Predators, who cling to the final Western wild card with 77 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson collected an assist to become the third defenseman in NHL history to record multiple 60-assist seasons before the age of 23, joining Hall of Famers Paul Coffey (three seasons) and Bobby Orr (two seasons).

The Winnipeg Jets are getting closer to a Western Conference wild-card spot with a 4-2 upset of the league-leading Colorado Avalanche. Cole Perfetti snapped a 2-2 tie in the third period while Gabriel Vilardi had a goal and an assist for the 31-30-12 Jets (74 points), who moved within three points of the Predators. Brock Nelson and Parker Kelly replied for the 48-14-10 Avalanche (106 points).

A five-goal second period vaulted the New York Islanders over the Florida Panthers by a score of 5-2. Brayden Schenn had a goal and two assists for the Islanders (42-27-5) as they moved into second place in the Metropolitan Division with 89 points. Matthew Tkachuk scored both goals for the 35-34-3 Panthers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers center Sam Bennett missed this game with an undisclosed injury.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists as his club held off the Anaheim Ducks 4-2. Zach Hyman had a goal and an assist while Jack Roslovic tallied his 20th goal of the season for the 37-28-9 Oilers, who hold second place in the Pacific Division with 83 points. Beckett Sennecke and Cutter Gauthier tallied for the Ducks (41-28-4), who hold first place in that division with 86 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ducks winger Troy Terry returned to the lineup after missing one game with a lower-body injury. Teammates Radko Gudas and Pavel Mintyukov missed this contest with lower-body injuries.

Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist after missing 15 games with a lower-body injury in a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Mavrik Bourque scored twice and picked up an assist, and Jason Robertson had a goal and an assist for the Stars (44-18-11), who remain in second place in the overall standings with 99 points. Erik Karlsson had a goal and an assist for the 36-21-16 Penguins, who are clinging to third place in the Metropolitan Division with 88 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins played without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin as both are day-to-day with injuries.

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak collected two assists to extend his points streak to 12 games to help his club beat the Minnesota Wild 6-3. Pavel Zacha and Elias Lindholm each tallied twice for the 41-24-8 Bruins, who hold the first Eastern wild-card berth with 90 points. Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman each had a goal and an assist for the Wild (41-21-12), who sit third in the Central Division with 94 points.

The Carolina Hurricanes scored five straight goals in a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils. Nikolaj Ehlers and Shayne Gostisbehere each had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes (46-20-6), who hold first place in the Eastern Conference with 98 points. Timo Meier and Evgenii Dadonov replied for the 37-33-2 Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gostisbehere returned from a nine-game absence with a lower-body injury.

San Jose Sharks rookie winger Igor Chernyshov scored twice (including the game-winner) for his first NHL multi-point game to nip the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2. Macklin Celebrini had a goal and an assist for the 33-31-7 Sharks (74 points), who snapped a six-game skid to sit four points out of the final Western wild card. Denton Mateychuk and Cole Sillinger scored while Elvis Merzlikins stopped 33 shots for the Blue Jackets (38-24-11), who slipped into the final Eastern wild card with 87 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets forward Dmitri Voronkov left this game after the second period with an upper-body injury.

The Buffalo Sabres overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Seattle Kraken 3-2 on a shootout goal by Tage Thompson. Rasmus Dahlin scored his 100th career NHL regular-season goal while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen turned aside 32 shots for the 45-21-8 Sabres, who remain in first place in the Atlantic Division with 98 points. Chandler Stephenson and Bobby McMann each had a goal and an assist for the Kraken (32-29-11) as they sit two points out of the final Western wild card with 75 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund could be sidelined longer than expected with an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, Kraken center Shane Wright left this game in the first period with an undisclosed ailment.

Utah Mammoth forwards Alexander Kerfoot and Logan Cooley each tallied two goals to defeat the Los Angeles Kings 6-2. Mikhail Sergachev collected four assists as the Mammoth (37-30-6) remains in the first Western wild card with 80 points. Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe scored for the 29-25-18 Kings (76 points), who are one point out of the final Western wild-card berth.

The Washington Capitals blew a 3-0 lead but rallied from a 4-3 deficit for a 5-4 shootout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Dylan Strome scored the tying goal and the winner in the shootout for the 36-28-9 Capitals. Jack Eichel had a goal and two assists for the Golden Knights (32-26-16), who have lost six of their last seven games but remain third in the Pacific Division with 79 points.

St. Louis Blues winger Dylan Holloway had a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jordan Kyrou and Jake Neighbours each had two assists for the 31-30-11 Blues (73 points), who sit four points out of the Western wild-card spot. Jake McCabe replied for the 31-30-13 Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blues center Robert Thomas returned to action after missing one game with an upper-body injury.

The Calgary Flames pounded the Vancouver Canucks 7-3. Matt Coronato and Morgan Frost each had a goal and two assists for the 30-34-8 Flames. Center Elias Pettersson picked up two assists for the 21-42-8 Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames defenseman Joel Hanley’s season is over as he suffered an undisclosed injury on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 28, 2026

by | Mar 28, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 28, 2026

The Red Wings move closer to a wild-card berth, injury updates, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING FRIDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: The Detroit Red Wings regained some ground in the race for a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference by defeating the Buffalo Sabres 5-2. Alex DeBrincat had a goal and two assists, Patrick Kane scored and picked up an assist, and John Gibson made 28 saves for the 39-25-8 Red Wings (86 points), who moved to within one point of the New York Islanders for the final Eastern wild card. Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin replied for the Sabres (44-21-8), who hold first place in the Atlantic Division with 96 points.

Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres missed an opportunity to take over sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference from the Carolina Hurricanes, who hold two games in hand. Red Wings goalie Cam Talbot missed this game with an undisclosed injury and is listed as day-to-day. The Wings called up Michal Postava to back up Gibson.

New York Rangers rookie goalie Dylan Garand stopped 27 shots for his first NHL win as his club beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-1. Rookie winger Adam Sykora tallied his first NHL goal, J.T. Miller had a goal and two assists, and Jonny Brodzinski tallied twice for the 29-35-9 Rangers. Nick Lardis scored for the 27-33-13 Blackhawks.

HEADLINES

SPORTSNET: The date for the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery was officially confirmed for Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

DAILY FACEOFF: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson suffered an upper-body injury during Thursday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. He is listed as week-to-week.

CALGARY SUN: Flames forward Samuel Honzek has returned to practice with his teammates for the first time since suffering an upper-body collision after colliding with teammate Mikael Backlund. However, the 21-year-old will not return to action this season.

TORONTO STAR: The Maple Leafs returned forward Bo Groulx to their AHL affiliate. If he played one more game with the Leafs, he couldn’t return to the Marlies without passing through waivers. The Leafs want Groulx to take part in this year’s Calder Cup playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Groulx played well during his brief call-up. The 26-year-old center had three goals and two assists for five points in nine games, which could earn him a permanent spot with the Maple Leafs next season. He has 50 points in 52 games with the Marlies.

CBS SPORTS: The Colorado Avalanche reassigned winger Gavin Brindley to their AHL affiliate. With the Avalanche finally sporting a healthy roster, Brindley had been a recent healthy scratch. He’ll get more playing time with their farm club.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Peter Chiarelli and Kevin Maxwell are leaving the St. Louis Blues organization. Chiarelli was their vice president of hockey operations, and Maxwell served as a pro scout.

Chiarelli is reportedly among the candidates to replace Barry Trotz as general manager of the Nashville Predators. Maxwell is returning to the Rangers in a management role.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars promoted Rich Peverley to assistant GM. He’d served as their director of player personnel.