NHL Rumor Mill – November 11, 2024

by | Nov 11, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – November 11, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, a look at the latest speculation involving several notable pending restricted free agents.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently looked at the latest speculation regarding this season’s top-12 restricted free agents. Here’s a look at several of the notables.

Fox believes the Edmonton Oilers could end up paying defenseman Evan Bouchard an average annual value of “somewhere in the $10.5 million range” on his next contract.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bouchard’s production this season (seven points in 15 games) is below last season’s pace (82 points in 81 games). He’s on pace to barely reach 40 points, something he did in 2022-23 (42) and 2023-24 (40).

Bouchard’s earning an AAV of $3.9 million on his current deal. He’ll still get a substantial raise if he finishes with 40 points but not the $10.5 million that he’d be in line for if he reached 80 points.

New York Islanders blueliner Noah Dobson could get something nearing $8 million annually on an eight-year contract if general manager Lou Lamoriello wants to go long-term.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dobson carries an AAV of $4 million on his current contract. He’s the Isles’ best puck-moving rearguard, netting 51 points in 2021-22, 49 points in 2022-23, and a career-high 70 last season. He’s been a bargain for them thus far but could seek between $7 million and $8 million on his next deal.

Fox suggests Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston could get something comparable to the seven-year, $7.14 million AAV signed by Matty Beniers with the Seattle Kraken. He also speculated a mid-term bridge deal as a possibility given teammates Jason Robertson, Thomas Harley and Logan Stankoven are in line for raises after 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston will be coming off his entry-level contract and will lack arbitration rights next summer. Stars management will hold all the leverage here.

A long-term comparable for New Jersey Devils blueliner Luke Hughes would be Brock Faber’s eight-year, $8.5 million AAV with the Minnesota Wild. That would elevate his annual salary over brother Jack’s $8 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like Johnston, Luke will be completing his ELC and will have little leverage in negotiations. Management could be reluctant to pay him more than Jack at this stage of his career. A bridge deal could be an option here.

Buffalo Sabres forward JJ Peterka could seek something north of $7 million on a long-term deal if GM Kevyn Adams wants to use up some of his UFA years. A bridge contract could be the easier route.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Peterka is also on his ELC. He reached a career-high 50 points last season but is now on a point-per-game pace. He’ll be in line for over $7 million annually if he maintains that production throughout this season.

Re-signing forward Fabian Zetterlund could be a priority for San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier. He’s off to a good start and is tight with teammate William Eklund. The rebuilding Sharks have plenty of cap space so a long-term deal is possible.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zetterlund was among the few bright spots in an otherwise miserable 2023-24 campaign for the Sharks, finishing with 20 goals and 44 points. The 25-year-old winger carries an AAV of $1.45 million and has 10 points in 16 games this season, putting him on track for over 50 points. That could put him in line for around $5 million annually.

A comparable contract for Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish is the five-year, $6.25 million extension signed by Quinton Byfield with the Los Angeles Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McTavish is in the final season of his ELC. He had 43 points in 80 games during his rookie season (2022-23) and 42 points in 64 games last season. He’s on pace to exceed 50 points this season. Byfield got his deal after hitting 55 points last season.

Limited cap space could affect the New York Rangers’ efforts to re-sign K’Andre Miller. It’ll cost them $4.65 million to qualify his rights. Fox speculates a long-term deal could cost between $6 million and $6.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The salary cap is projected to rise to $92 million for 2025-26, giving the Rangers over $25 million in cap space.

$12 million of that could go toward re-signing Igor Shesterkin. It’s believed they’ll try to trade Jacob Trouba and his $8 million cap hit next summer. That could give them enough to re-sign Miller and perhaps Kaapo Kakko and Ryan Lindgren. However, the long-term cap hit could make it difficult to retain Artemi Panarin before his UFA eligibility in 2026.

The Minnesota Wild’s tight budget and the rise of promising center prospects (Danila Yurov, Riely Heidt) could make it tricky to sign Marco Rossi to a long-term deal. GM Bill Guerin must keep an eye down the road when superstar Kirill Kaprizov is due for a new contract. Fox speculates a two-year bridge deal at $6.25 million annually could be an option.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rossi had 21 goals and 40 points as a rookie last season. He has 13 points in 14 games, putting him on track for around 80 points. However, Guerin will hold the leveral with Rossi coming off his ELC.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 4, 2024

by | Sep 4, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 4, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we examine the fallout from Leon Draisaitl’s expensive new contract with the Oilers and its effect on Mitch Marner’s negotiations with the Leafs plus the latest on free-agent winger Max Pacioretty.

FALLOUT FROM THE DRAISAITL CONTRACT

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cites Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli predicting it’s now a “100 percent shot that Connor McDavid signs with the Edmonton Oilers” following the club’s re-signing Leon Drasaitl on Tuesday.

Draisaitl, 28, inked an eight-year, $112 million contract extension with a league-leading $14 million average annual value beginning on July 1, 2025.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

“There is no way that Leon is signing if there is a chance that Connor is not,” Seravalli said.

Meanwhile, Jim Matheson speculates it could cost the Oilers the league maximum of 20 percent of their overall salary cap to re-sign McDavid. If the cap is $100 million when his new contract begins, his average annual value would be $20 million.

Matheson also thinks emerging blueline star Evan Bouchard’s next contract could be at least $10 million annually.

ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski examined the winners and losers of Draisaitl’s new contract. The losers include those who generated rumors suggesting the Oilers star could spurn Edmonton in favor of signing with the Boston Bruins or the San Jose Sharks (the latter based on team owner Hasso Plattner being German like Draisaitl.)

Wyshynski also thinks the league loses because two of its biggest stars will play in a smaller, remote market rather than a big-city market like New York, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, Toronto or Los Angeles.

However, Wyshynski makes the counterpoint that having Draisaitl and McDavid on the same roster makes Edmonton a glamour franchise and more meaningful to the league than having them lead two different franchises.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be shocking if McDavid doesn’t re-sign with Draisaitl inked to a long-term extension. The earliest the Oilers can sign their captain is next July and he’ll likely regain his place as the NHL’s highest-paid player.

The rumors about Draisaitl going to Boston or San Jose were wishful thinking at best.

Edmonton could indeed become a glamour franchise with Draisaitl and McDavid there for the long haul. However, the bloom could come off that rose if they lack the cap room to maintain a Stanley Cup contender around them.

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons believes the Maple Leafs are unaffected by Draisaitl’s new deal with the Oilers and continues to play the waiting game with Mitch Marner. The 27-year-old right winger will be the top player in next summer’s unrestricted free-agent market with Draisaitl no longer available.

The Leafs intend to see how Marner performs under new head coach Craig Berube this season, especially in the playoffs. Meanwhile, he must also decide if he wants to stay in Toronto.

Marner carries a $10.9 million AAV for this season. Simmons suggests his new contract could come in between that and below the $14 million Draisaitl will make on his deal. He could earn more by staying in Toronto as the Leafs are known for overpaying players.

LATEST ON MAX PACIORETTY

TSN: Chris Johnston reported earlier this week that the Maple Leafs are among the teams interested in Max Pacioretty.

The 35-year-old free-agent winger suffered a twice-torn Achilles tendon in 2022-23 that threatened to end his career. However, he returned to action midway through last season with the Washington Capitals, netting 23 points in 47 games.

Johnston thinks Pacioretty is in a position to sign a contract with a team rather than a professional tryout offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pacioretty has also been linked to the Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 6, 2024

by | Jul 6, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 6, 2024

Fourteen players file for salary arbitration, the latest on Valeri Nichushkin and Evan Bouchard, the Oilers make a cost-cutting trade with the Sabres, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHLPA.COM: Carolina Hurricanes winger Martin Necas and New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren highlight the 14 players filing for salary arbitration by the 5 pm ET deadline on July 5.

Other notables include Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser, New York Islanders winger Oliver Wahlstrom, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko, Detroit Red Wings forward Joe Veleno, and Hurricanes center Jack Drury.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (NHL Images).

The deadline for club-elected arbitration is 5 pm ET on July 6. Salary arbitration hearings will be held from July 20 to Aug. 4.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Players and teams usually file for arbitration to set a deadline to complete contract negotiations rather than have them drag on through the summer. Most cases are settled before the scheduled arbitration hearings. Nevertheless, a handful could go before an arbitrator.

Necas is the most talented player on this list. He’s been the subject of trade speculation for weeks because he’s reportedly unhappy with his role on the Hurricanes.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Evan Rawal cited TSN’s Chris Johnston reporting the Avalanche aren’t trading Valeri Nichushkin while he’s in stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. They’re hoping to rehabilitate the player and the person.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rawal cited a report last month claiming the Chicago Blackhawks kicked around the idea of making a trade for Nichushkin before rejecting the notion.

Players in the assistance program, like Nichushkin and Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine, can be traded. However, any clubs interested in these players would likely prefer to wait until they have emerged from the program to speak with them.

THE SCORE: cited The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman reporting the Edmonton Oilers and Evan Bouchard are unlikely to start contract extension talks this summer. The 24-year-old defenseman is due to become a restricted free agent next July. His current annual cap hit is $3.9 million.

Oilers management is focused on extension talks with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Meanwhile, Bouchard wants to build on his strong 2023-24 performance.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bouchard’s performance this season could double his money on his next contract. Another strong effort like last season’s could fetch him even more.

Draisaitl is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July and McDavid in July 2026. McDavid can’t sign an extension until next July but the two sides can discuss the framework of a deal.

EDMONTON JOURNAL/THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Oilers traded center Ryan McLeod and minor league winger Tyler Tullio to the Buffalo Sabres for prospect center Matthew Savoie.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a cost-cutting move by the Oilers, who were sitting $2.5 million over the $88 million salary cap. Moving McLeod’s $2.1 million provides considerable cap relief. The Journal also noted the 24-year-old center lost out in the numbers game after the Oilers signed Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner. McLeod should be a solid addition as the Sabres’ third-line center.

Savoie, 20, was chosen ninth overall by the Sabres in the 2022 NHL Draft. A promising center, he’s been hampered by injuries over the past two seasons but still has the potential to blossom as an NHL star.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Speaking of the Sabres, they signed Henri Jokiharju to a one-year, $3.1 million contract. The 25-year-old defenseman was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken signed winger Eeli Tolvanen to a two-year, $6.95 million contract. The average annual value is $3.475 million.

SPORTSNET: The Winnipeg Jets are reportedly working on a trade to acquire defenseman Dylan Coghlan from the Carolina Hurricanes.

DAILY FACEOFF: James van Riemsdyk, Ryan Suter and Max Pacioretty remain the most notable players in the unrestricted free-agent market.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 19, 2024

by | Jun 19, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 19, 2024

The Oilers defeat the Panthers to force Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Final, the Canucks re-sign Filip Hronek, the Rangers place Barclay Goodrow on waivers, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAP

NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers held off the Florida Panthers with a 5-3 victory in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, sending the series back to Edmonton for Game 6.

Edmonton captain Connor McDavid had a four-point performance (two goals, two assists) for the second straight game. He’s the first player in Stanley Cup Final history to have back-to-back four-point performances. One of those points was a highlight-reel assist, beating three Panthers to set up Corey Perry for his first goal of this postseason.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard collected three assists, joining Hall-of-Famers Paul Coffey, Brian Leetch, and Al MacInnis as the only blueliners to reach the 30-point plateau in a single postseason.

For the second straight game, the Oilers opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal as Connor Brown did the honors.

The Panthers made it interesting as Evan Rodrigues cut the Oilers’ lead to 4-2 in the second period. Oliver Ekman-Larsson made it 4-3 early in the third. They outshot the Oilers 10-4 in the final frame but couldn’t get the tying goal. McDavid put the game out of reach with an empty-netter in the final seconds of regulation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid put the Oilers on his back in the last two games. With his team facing elimination, he’s risen to the occasion. Another performance like that in Game 6, and this series will require a seventh and deciding game back in Florida next Monday.

Florida still holds a 3-2 lead in this series and can win the Stanley Cup in Game 6 on Friday. However, the pressure has shifted onto the Panthers as this series returns to Edmonton.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice and forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett claim they’re not feeling deflated by their loss in Game 5. However, general manager Bill Zito didn’t hide his frustration, furiously throwing his water bottle after McDavid iced the game for the Oilers.

Speaking of McDavid, he leads this year’s postseason scorers with 42 points, including a record 34 assists. The Oilers superstar sits five points behind the legendary Wayne Gretzky for the most points in a single postseason.

HEADLINES

THE PROVINCE: Filip Hronek signed an eight-year, $58 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks. The 26-year-old defenseman was slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.

The average annual value of the contract is $7.25 million. It comes with a full no-movement clause from 2025-26 to 2027-28, dropping to a modified no-trade clause for the remaining years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hronek was rumored to be seeking $8 million annually. It’s still an expensive deal but the Canucks likely would’ve ended up paying as much or more to replace him with an older blueliner via free agency if they opted to trade him rather than paying him. He has good chemistry with team captain Quinn Hughes, which likely factored into this signing.

Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin was pleased to get Hronek under contract before his RFA eligibility. Nevertheless, he admits his club won’t be able to retain all their free agents. They included unrestricted free agents such as Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Myers and Dakota Joshua.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers placed forward Barclay Goodrow on waivers yesterday. If unclaimed, he could be bought out of the remaining three years of his contract when the buyout window opens 48 hours following the completion of the Stanley Cup Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Goodrow carries a $3.65 million AAV on his current deal. This decision is a cost-cutting move by the Rangers as they look to free up cap space for when free agency begins on July 1.

The report claims there is a belief that there is a pre-arranged deal with the San Jose Sharks to claim Goodrow. He spent the first six seasons of his NHL career with the Sharks. We’ll find out soon enough if that’s the case.

STLTODAY.COM: The Blues signed defenseman Scott Perunovich to a one-year, $1.15 million contract. He was a pending restricted free agent and will be eligible for RFA status next summer.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes will hold a press conference on Wednesday to formally introduce Eric Tulsky as their new general manager.

TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets are making a thorough search for their next head coach. Potential candidates include Todd McLellan, Dean Evason, Jay Woodcroft and Jeff Blashill.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 15, 2024

by | Jun 15, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 15, 2024

Will the Oilers sign McDavid, Draisaitl and Bouchard to expensive new contracts? What’s the latest on the Rangers and Canadiens? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

OILERS TO SPEND $40 MILLION ON MCDAVID, DRAISAITL AND BOUCHARD?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli predicting the Oilers will invest $40 million in new contracts for Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard. Seravalli made those remarks during an appearance with Bob Stauffer on “Oilers Now”.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

Seravalli believes Oilers management has already started contract extension talks with Draisaitl. The 28-year-old forward can become an unrestricted free agent when his contract expires next July.

Bouchard, 24, is a restricted free-agent defenseman this summer with arbitration rights. McDavid’s contract expires in 2026. The earliest the Oilers can re-sign him is next July.

Stauffer asked Servalli if he saw McDavid getting an average annual value of $16 million, Draisaitl $14 million and Bouchard $10 million. “Yup. That’s my projection,” replied Servalli, pointing out that the NHL salary cap will be at $100 million in two years’ time.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will take big-money contracts to re-sign McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard. Not because of the location but because the amounts Seravalli cited are what those three will likely get on the open market.

The $100 million cap projection for 2026-27 may seem a little bold but there’s no question the NHL’s hockey-related revenue has significantly grown, raising the salary cap with it. It’ll be in the neighborhood if it doesn’t reach $100 million by then. The higher it goes, the easier it is for teams to re-sign their stars, provided they’re willing to spend to the cap ceiling and have the space to do so.

UPDATE ON THE RANGERS

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker believes the Rangers must answer some pressing questions during the offseason.

Questions linger about whether the Rangers can win with their current core. “The track record says no, but the team says yes,” writes Walker.

She doesn’t see them blowing things up but she wondered if a big move or two is necessary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been suggested the Rangers consider trading team captain Jacob Trouba or a star forward like Chris Kreider or Mika Zibanejad. Their respective contracts come with financial and no-trade restrictions, complicating attempts to move them.

The return each could fetch is the bigger issue. If you’re not getting something back for one of them that will make them better now and in the long run, they’re better off sticking with those players and trying instead to improve the supporting cast.

Another question is determining how much Igor Shesterkin’s contract extension will cost. “The floor for negotiations appears to be $10.5 million, while the starting point is looking like $12 million.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shesterkin will become the NHL’s highest-paid goaltender starting in July 2025. He’ll likely get between $12 million and $13 million annually on an eight-year deal.

The Rangers recently re-signed winger Kaapo Kakko to a one-year, $2.4 million contract. However, Walker wonders if they’ll be patient with the 23-year-old former first-round pick or peddle him for a regular, impactful skater to replace him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Having Kakko under an affordable contract for next season should improve his trade value. Still, the Rangers might not receive suitable offers that can help them right away. It wouldn’t be surprising if Kakko’s in their lineup next season. 

THE LATEST CANADIENS SPECULATION

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont recently suggested the Canadiens look into moving Carey Price’s contract to free up cap space going forward without relying on long-term injury reserve.

Price is on permanent LTIR due to a knee injury and hasn’t played since 2022. He has two years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $10.5 million.

Teams that use LTIR often cannot accrue cap space during the season leading up to the trade deadline. That affects efforts to add players to their lineup through waivers, trades, or free agency.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Price has a no-movement clause but he’s unlikely to block a trade given that his playing career is over. He’ll still be getting paid regardless of which team owns his contract. Despite the salary cap rising by $4.5 million for next season, finding a club willing to take on his hefty cap hit will be challenging.

TVA SPORTS: Vincent Duquette listed seven young forwards who could become prime trade targets for the Canadiens.

They include Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson, Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell, Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev, New Jersey Devils winger Alexander Holtz, Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti, Detroit Red Wings right wing Jonatan Berggren, and Nashville Predators winger Phil Tomasino.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trade rumors have swirling around most of those young forwards at one time or another this season. Whether the Habs can land one of them in the coming weeks remains to be seen.

The Panthers are unlikely to part with “Baby Barkov” Lundell. Perfetti was mentioned a lot in Jets rumors but I think they’ll remain patient with him. The Golden Knights probably won’t part with Dorofeyev unless it’s in a package deal for a big-name player.

Johnson, Berggren, and Tomasino split time this season with their parent clubs and their AHL affiliates. Holtz seemed to struggle under former Devils head coach Lindy Ruff. He’s been mentioned as a possible trade chip if the Devils pursue goalie Jacob Markstrom.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 9, 2023

by | Dec 9, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 9, 2023

Recaps of Friday’s game, the Islanders acquire Robert Bortuzzo from the Blues, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers overcame 2-1 and 3-2 deficits to tame the Minnesota Wild 4-3. Evan Bouchard scored two goals and set up another to extend his points streak to 10 games, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins collected four assists while Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each had a goal and an assist for the Oilers, who picked up their sixth straight win and improved their record to 11-12-1. Matt Boldy had a goal and an assist for the Wild, who suffered their second straight loss and slipped to 9-12-4.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild also lost Jonas Brodin as the defenseman left the game early in the third period after being crunched into the boards by Oilers winger Evander Kane.

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves in a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Eetu Luostarinen broke a 1-1 tie in the third period while Anton Lundell picked up two assists for the 16-8-2 Panthers. Tristan Jarry turned aside 30 shots while Reilly Smith scored for the Penguins (11-12-5), who’ve won just three of their last 10 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins also played without winger Bryan Rust as he’s day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

The Columbus Blue Jackets upset the St. Louis Blues 5-2. Jet Greaves kicked out 41 shots for his first career NHL victory while Yegor Chinakov scored twice and collected an assist for the 9-15-3 Blue Jackets. Robert Thomas tallied both goals for the Blues as they dropped to 13-12-1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a costly win for the Blue Jackets as center Boone Jenner left this game after taking a puck to the face in the second period.

HEADLINES

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The New York Islanders acquired defenseman Robert Bortuzzo from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

This trade came after the Islanders placed blueliner Ryan Pulock (leg) on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 7. He’s the third Isles rearguard to be sidelined over the past two weeks, joining Adam Pelech and Sebastian Aho.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This move indicates the Islanders preferred a more experienced NHL depth defenseman to help fill the void on their blueline rather than calling up someone from their AHL affiliate.

Bortuzzo is a 13-year NHL veteran who won the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019. However, he was a frequent healthy scratch this season as Scott Perunovich and Tyler Tucker garnered more playing time. Bortuzzo is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kraken winger Andre Burakovsky is listed as week-to-week with an upper-body injury suffered during Thursday’s game against the New Jersey Devils. It was his first game since suffering a different upper-body injury that sidelined him for six weeks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Burakovsky has been banged up a lot this year. He also suffered a season-ending groin injury in January.

NHL.COM: Speaking of the Devils, defenseman Brendan Smith was fined $2,864.58 by the department of player safety for a dangerous trip against Kraken forward Devin Shore.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s the second fine for Smith since 2022.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Austin Watson was fined $2,022.57 by the department of player safety for unsportsmanlike conduct during his club’s loss to the Nashville Predators on Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As time expired in that game, Watson deliberately shot the puck at Predators defenseman Jeremy Lauzon. It’s the third time since 2017 that he’s been fined by the league.