NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 11, 2025

by | Jun 11, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 11, 2025

The Ducks and Rangers are discussing a Chris Kreider trade, Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson wins the Calder Trophy, the fallout from Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RANGERS, DUCKS REPORTEDLY DISCUSSING A TRADE INVOLVING CHRIS KREIDER

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports sources indicate the New York Rangers are in discussions with the Anaheim Ducks regarding a trade that would send Chris Kreider to the Ducks.

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Kreider, 34, has two years remaining on his contract. The Rangers winger carries an average annual value of $6.5 million and a 15-team no-trade list.

The two clubs intend to continue discussions on Wednesday. There is mutual interest between the parties, and a framework for a deal is in place. The recent talks involved Ducks prospect Carey Terrance being part of a return that would send Kreider to the Ducks.

NEW YORK POST: Andrew Battifarano cited a report claiming the Rangers would receive a prospect and a draft pick in return for the Ducks acquiring Kreider and his entire $6.5 million AAV.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This deal could become the first involving an NHL player since the March trade deadline.

Kreider has been a fixture in the rumor mill since the Rangers included him on a list of available players that was sent around the league last November. This proposed trade would reunite him with Jacob Trouba, who was shipped to the Ducks last December.

The Rangers have been among the busiest teams in this season’s trade market as general manager Chris Drury attempts to retool his roster. His club currently has over $8.4 million in cap space, with 19 active roster players under contract for the 2025-26 season and restricted free agents Will Cuylle and K’Andre Miller to re-sign. However, the latter is also considered a trade candidate.

Trading Kreider for futures would increase the Rangers’ cap space to almost $15 million. That gives them the wiggle room to re-sign Cuylle for sure and Miller if they wish. It also leaves enough to make a significant acquisition via trade or free agency.

HUTSON WINS THE CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY

NHL.COM: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson is the 2024-25 winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s Rookie of the Year. He learned of his win during a surprise party arranged with his family.

Hutson, 21, is the seventh player in franchise history to win the Calder, and the first since Ken Dryden in 1971-72. Dryden congratulated the young blueliner via video.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hutson led all rookies this season with 66 points, tying Hall-of-Famer Larry Murphy’s single-season rookie assist record (60). Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf finished second among the voters, while San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini was third.

STANLEY CUP FINAL NOTEBOOK

THE ATHLETIC: The Florida Panthers aren’t getting ahead of themselves following their lopsided 6-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. They expect a stronger response from the Oilers in Game 4 on Thursday in Florida at 8 pm ET. Florida holds a 2-1 lead in the series. 

TSN: Oilers defenseman Jake Walman was fined $10,000 by the NHL department of player safety for roughing Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk and unsportsmanlike conduct during Game 3.

IN OTHER NEWS…

CALGARY SUN: The Flames signed winger Adam Klapka to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $1.25 million.

RG.ORG: Reports claiming KHL free-agent forward Maxim Shabanov signed with the Philadelphia Flyers are premature. His agent said his client will make his decision which NHL team he will sign with after the NHL Draft (June 27-28) and when the free-agent market opens on July 1.

Shabonov had 23 goals and 67 points in 65 games with Chelyabinsk Traktor and was a finalist for the KHL’s MVP award. Due to his age, his first NHL contract would be a one-year, two-way deal.

TSN: The verdicts in the sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Team will be announced on July 24.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The five (Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton, and Callan Foote) went on to become NHL players, but have not played in the league or anywhere else since charges were filed against them in January 2024. They all pleaded not guilty.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 6, 2025

by | May 6, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 6, 2025

The Maple Leafs hold off the Panthers in Game 1 of their second-round series, the Islanders win the draft lottery, the Calder Trophy finalists are announced, Rob Blake steps down as the Kings GM, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: William Nylander scored twice and collected an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs held off the Florida Panthers 5-4. Matthew Knies and Chris Tanev each had a goal and an assist while Max Pacioretty and Jake McCabe picked up two assists. Brad Marchand and Carter Verhaeghe each collected two assists for the Panthers.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs got off to a hot start on Nylander’s two goals. Morgan Rielly put them up 3-1 before the end of the period. Tanev made it 4-1 in the second but the Panthers cut the lead in the third to 4-3 before Knies tallied what proved to be the game-winner.

Panthers forward Sam Bennett could face supplemental discipline for elbowing Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz in the head midway through the second period. There was no penalty called on the play. Stolarz left the game after vomiting at the Leafs bench during a TV timeout, departing Scotiabank Arena on a stretcher to a local hospital for evaluation. Joseph Woll replaced Stolarz, finishing with 17 saves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stolarz’s injury overshadowed an entertaining opening game between these two clubs. There was no postgame update on his condition. More information could be released on Tuesday.

For the first time since 2009, the New York Islanders have the first-overall draft pick. They won the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery, moving up from having the 10th-best chance of winning the lottery.

The San Jose Sharks had the best odds, finishing last in this season’s overall standings. However, the Isles’ win drops the Sharks into second overall and the Chicago Blackhawks (who finished second-last in the standings) into third overall.

The Utah Hockey Club moved up 10 spots into fourth overall after winning the second draw.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link above for the full listing of the top 16 in this year’s draft. The remaining 16 spots will be determined by the end of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The last four selections will belong to the final-four playoff teams regardless of their placement in the regular-season standings. The 32nd pick will go to the Stanley Cup champion with the 31st pick going to the other Cup Finalist.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers have until June 25 to decide if they’ll keep their first-round pick (12th overall) or send it to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

That pick is top-13 protected. It was sent to the Vancouver Canucks as part of the return in the J.T. Miller trade in January. The Canucks flipped that pick to the Penguins as part of the return in the Marcus Pettersson trade.

If the Rangers retain that pick, their unprotected 2026 first-rounder will belong to the Penguins.

NHL.COM: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, and Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf are the finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hutson is considered the favorite here. He led this season’s rookies with 60 assists, 66 points (a record for an NHL rookie defenseman). He also led them in ice time (22:44) among rookies with at least 25 games played.

Flyers fans were disappointed that winger Matvei Michkov wasn’t among the finalists. He led all rookies with 26 goals and finished second in points with 63. He’d be a candidate (perhaps even the favorite) in any other season, but was up against three stronger candidates in 2024-25.

Hutson is an obvious finalist as his performance played a key role in the rebuilding Canadiens reaching the playoffs. Celebrini had the same point total as Michkov but did so in 10 fewer games after missing several weeks with an early-season injury. He also played a larger role with the Sharks than Michkov did with the Flyers.

Wolf’s performance kept the Flames in playoff contention until the final days of the regular season. That gave him the edge over Michkov, whose club finished last in the Eastern Conference.

THE ATHLETIC: The Los Angeles Kings announced Rob Blake will not return as general manager. They didn’t announce an immediate replacement for Blake. Team president Luc Robitaille will hold a press conference on Tuesday. The future of head coach Jim Hiller remains undetermined.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This news comes after the Kings suffered their fourth-straight first-round elimination at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.

The Athletic’s Eric Stephens pointed out that Blake has a mixed legacy with the Kings, building up the roster through the draft, free agency and trades, but also making some questionable moves in the trade market. Stephens singled out the acquisition of Pierre-Luc Dubois, shipping out Sean Durzi to the Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Hockey Club), and including then-prospect Brock Faber to the Minnesota Wild for winger Kevin Fiala.

John Hoven of the Kings’ site Mayor’s Manor listed several potential candidates to replace Blake. They include Kings director of scouting Mark Yannetti, former Kings assistant GM Mike Futa, and Marc Bergevin, the senior advisor to the GM.

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz confirmed Andrew Brunette will return as head coach next season.

TSN: Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will play for Canada at the upcoming IIHF World Championship, joining his friend and former teammate Sidney Crosby. It’s the first time Fleury will play in the Worlds.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils defenseman Luke Hughes underwent successful shoulder surgery. Winger Jesper Bratt will also undergo shoulder surgery. Both players are expected to be ready for training camp in September.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators hope to sign Claude Giroux to a contract extension. The versatile 37-year-old forward is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

The Senators are also expected to retain their 2025 first-round pick, which is 21st overall. The league penalized the Senators a first-round pick in either 2024, 2025 or 2026 because of a botched trade with the Vegas Golden Knights involving Evgenii Dadonov in March 2022.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks forward William Eklund underwent successful wrist surgery on Monday. His recovery will take three months, and he’s expected to be ready for training camp in September.

Eklund was playing for Sweden against Czechia in a tune-up game for the upcoming Worlds when his wrist was cut by a skate. He avoided significant tendon and nerve damage.

RG.ORG: Spencer Knight embraces his new role as the Chicago Blackhawks’ starting goaltender. He’s hoping to play 65 games next season.

TSN: The NHL is reportedly planning an international event at UBS Arena next February instead of the previously announced NHL All-Star weekend.

DAILY FACEOFF: David Carle won’t be joining the ranks of NHL coaches, signing a multi-year extension with the University of Denver.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 3, 2024

by | Sep 3, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 3, 2024

Brad Marchand’s future with the Bruins, early contenders for the Calder Trophy, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ken Campbell points out Brad Marchand’s future with the Boston Bruins has been overshadowed by the recent speculation about teammate Jeremy Swayman’s contract negotiations.

Marchand is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He’ll be 37 by then but could still have value if he scores 30 goals and maintains his effective, pesky style of play.

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand (NHL Images).

Once the Swayman saga is resolved, Campbell expects Bruins management to shift their focus to Marchand.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand earns an average annual value of $6.125 million on a contract he signed in Sept. 2016 following his then-career-best performance of 37 goals and 61 points.

The Bruins got great value from this deal as Marchand exceeded 30 goals four times and 80-plus points five times, including a career-high 100 points in 2018-19. He became an invaluable core player and became the team captain last fall following Patrice Bergeron’s retirement.

Marchand’s production declined over the past two seasons with back-to-back 67-point performances, though he narrowly missed the 30-goal plateau last season, finishing with 29. Still, he should remain a high-value target in next summer’s free-agent market if he and the Bruins fail to agree to an extension.

There will undoubtedly be mutual interest between the two sides in getting a contract extension done before next July. It’s unlikely Marchand will hit the open market but we can’t dismiss the possibility.

DAILY FACEOFF: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini tops Steven Ellis’ list of this season’s top five early Calder Memorial Trophy candidates.

Celebrini’s teammate Will Smith is also on Ellis’ list, followed by Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier, Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov, and Dallas Stars winger Logan Stankoven.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This season’s race for Rookie of the Year honors could be intriguing.

A gifted young forward, Celebrini is the early favorite because he was chosen first overall in this year’s draft. Smith isn’t as well known as the others on this list but Ellis points out that he’s a proven winner, especially at the international level.

Gauthier garnered headlines last season when his refusal to play for the Philadelphia Flyers led to his midseason trade to the Ducks. Michkov is a much-hyped Russian prospect. Stankoven has a leg up on the others given his 24 regular-season games and 19 postseason contests in 2023-24.

SPORTSNET: Meredith Gaudreau, the wife of Johnny Gaudreau, thanked the city of Calgary and the Flames for the memorial outside the Saddledome honoring her late husband.

“Thank you, Calgary,” Gaudreau wrote on his Instagram page. “This is amazing. But I’m not surprised. The best people ever.”

Johnny Gaudreau played most of his career with the Flames before signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022. He and his brother Matthew were killed by a drunk driver last Thursday.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jaromir Jagr left a heartfelt message for Gaudreau on his Instagram account. The two were teammates in Calgary for 22 games in 2017-18, with Gaudreau assisting on what proved to be Jagr’s only goal with the Flames and his final NHL goal.

DETROIT HOCKEY NEWS: Former Red Wings winger Filip Zadina signed a two-year contract with HC Davos in Switzerland. The 24-year-old was chosen sixth overall by the Red Wings in the 2018 draft but struggled to establish himself as a scoring forward with the Wings and San Jose Sharks.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: A recent report out of Russia claimed a KHL team looked into signing former Flyers goaltender Carter Hart before deciding to stick with their current goalies.

Hart is among five players awaiting trial on sexual assault charges stemming from his alleged involvement in the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault case. He has not played since January and became an unrestricted free agent after the Flyers declined to qualify his rights.

Hart’s co-defendants Michael McLeod and Dillon Dube signed one-year contracts with KHL teams this summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Former Minnesota Wild forward Stephane Veilleux, 42, is on the road to recovery following a life-threatening car crash on June 19.

Veilleux’s vehicle was struck by a teenager driving a Toyota Highland that ran a stop sign and T-boned his Nissan Rogue. He’s been in a halo vest to immobilize his neck to allow his C1 vertebrae to heal.

The former Wild forward is grateful to the team, his former teammates, his best friend, his community, and his ex-wife for their assistance during his recovery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Veilleux for a complete recovery.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 11, 2024

by | Aug 11, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 11, 2024

Potential candidates for the 2024-25 Calder Trophy, why the Linus Ullmark trade could be worthwhile for the Senators even if he moves on next season, the Canadiens hope their young stars take the next step, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

ESPN.COM: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini goes into this season as the favorite to win the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year. However, he could be challenged by a dynamic field of promising young players making their NHL debuts this season.

Among the notables (in alphabetical order) are Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque, Utah Hockey Club winger Josh Doan, Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, Minnesota Wild center Marat Khusnutdinov, Colorado Avalanche winger Nikolai Kovalenko, Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov, Sharks forward Will Smith, Stars winger Logan Stankoven, New York Islanders winger Maxim Tsyplakov, and Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf.

San Jose Sharks prospect Macklin Celebrini (NHL.com).

Others worth watching include Edmonton Oilers forward Matthew Savoie, Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright and Ducks defenseman Olen Zellweger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Celebrini is the favorite based on his status as the first-overall pick in this year’s draft. Gauthier, Hutson and Michkov enter this season with their fair share of hype.

Some players, like Doan, Stankoven, and Wolf, will have an advantage as they saw some NHL action last season but not enough to be considered a rookie for 2023-24.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Steve Warne believes the Ottawa Senators’ acquisition of Linus Ullmark still makes sense even if the 30-year-old goaltender departs as an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Having a proven starter between the pipes will boost the confidence of their young players. Ullmark could also be a positive influence for goalies Anton Forsberg and Mads Sogaard. If Ullmark plays poorly, it could be a core problem involving the defense rather than a goalie issue.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ullmark won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goalie in 2022-23 as a member of the Boston Bruins. Some point out that he won partly because of the strong Bruins defense in front of him.

Warne suggests that if Ullmark plays well for the Senators, it’ll be considered proof that shaky goaltending was the real issue holding them back in recent years. If he struggles, management can focus on bolstering the blueline.

THE SCORE: Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes hopes his promising core takes a big step forward in their development this season.

The focus will be on Juraj Slafkovsky, who made significant strides last season with 20 goals and 50 points after being moved to the top line alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, with 37 of those points coming in 46 games after Jan. 1.

“We don’t need him to score 40 or 50 goals or it’s a failure,” said Hughes. “It’s about continuing to progress as a hockey player and to be the best version of himself, because we’re confident the best version of Juraj is going to give us a good chance to compete and win.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The rebuilding Canadiens aren’t expected to be a playoff contender this season. However, a strong season-long performance by Slafkovsky combined with the ongoing improvement of Suzuki and Caufield, the development of other younger players, and an overall healthier season could make the Habs a much more competitive club.

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears reports Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello isn’t fully closing the door on the return of unrestricted free agent forwards Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin. However, he believes the club will be moving on from those two.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lamoriello told The Athletic’s Arthur Staple the same thing a week ago. Never say never, but we’ll probably move on from those two. That seems about as close as the Isles GM will come to admitting that Clutterbuck and Martin won’t be back.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 1, 2024

by | May 1, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 1, 2024

The Avalanche and Hurricanes advance to the second round, the Leafs and Predators avoid elimination, the Calder Trophy Finalists are announced, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Winnipeg Jets 6-3 to win their best-of-seven opening-round series four games to one. Mikko Rantanen scored twice and Alexandar Georgiev stopped 34 shots for the Avalanche. They await the winner of the Dallas Stars-Vegas Golden Knights series.

Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Georgiev silenced his critics (including me) with his performance during this series. After giving up seven goals on 23 shots in Game 1, he allowed eight in the next four games with a .931 save percentage.

Winnipeg entered this series tied with the Florida Panthers for the fewest goals-against per game (2.41). Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is a Vezina Trophy finalist who won the Jennings Trophy as the goalie who played a minimum of 25 games for the team allowing the fewest regular-season goals.

However, the Jet couldn’t contain the Avs’ offense, finishing this round with the highest goals-against per game (5.40) while Hellebuyck allowed the most goals (24) among all first-round goalies thus far. They are also the first team in NHL playoff history to allow at least five goals in five straight games in a postseason round.

Three unanswered third-period goals gave the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 victory over the New York Islanders to take their first-round series four games to one. Jack Drury scored the winning goal and Seth Jarvis had a goal and two assists for the Hurricanes, who will face the New York Rangers in the second round.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carolina’s offensive depth proved too much to contain for the Islanders. Credit Isles goaltender Semyon Varlamov for keeping his club in most of these games but his teammates lack the scoring punch to hand with the Hurricanes.

An overtime goal by Matthew Knies lifted the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Boston Bruins 2-1 in Game 5 of their first-round series. Jake McCabe also scored and Joseph Woll made 27 saves for the Leafs. Trent Frederic replied for the Bruins as they hold a 3-2 series lead. Game 6 is Thursday, May 2 at 8 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the Leafs’ best game of the series. Woll’s steady goaltending gave them confidence and they did a good job containing Boston’s leading scorers. The Bruins at times appeared flat during this contest while the Leafs were fighting to keep their season alive.

The Leafs got the win without top center Auston Matthews, who missed this game with an undisclosed illness.

The Nashville Predators overcame a 1-0 deficit to beat the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 in Game 5 of their first-round series on goals by Roman Josi and Alexandre Carrier. Juuse Saros made 19 saves for the win. Nikita Zadorov scored and Arturs Silov turned aside 20 shots for the Canucks, who hold a 3-2 lead in this series. Game 6 is Friday (start time TBA).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a goaltender’s duel through the first two periods. It looked like the Canucks were going to put this one away following Zadorov’s goal but the Predators refused to quit.

The Predators caught a break on Josi’s goal as the puck squirted behind Silov. The Canucks goalie tried to roll over to cover the puck but was inadvertently pushed during a goalmouth scramble, knocking the puck across the goal line.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber, and New Jersey Devils blueliner Luke Hughes are this season’s finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the finalists. Bedard is considered the favorite to win but Faber could make this interesting. He enjoyed a strong debut with the Wild, finishing among the rookie leaders in points and sitting among the league’s top-10 skaters in time on ice per game.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: T.J. Oshie said he has much to consider regarding his future as a player. The 37-year-old Washington Capitals winger said he’s been dealing with chronic back issues for years among other ailments.

Oshie has a year left on his contract. He said he’d love to play next season but needs assurances that he can do so without his back giving out. The Capitals winger intends to seek treatment during the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oshie has never played a full NHL season due to injuries. He saw action in only 52 games in 2023-24.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers captain Sean Couturier recently changed agents and is now represented by Pat Brisson. One reason behind the change could be due to his former agent criticizing Flyers coach John Tortorella for benching Couturier for two games. The veteran center took responsibility for his poor play leading to his benching.

Speaking of the Flyers, top prospect Matvei Michkov might be able to join the club next season if the KHL allows him out of his contract with SKA St. Petersburg. Michkov’s contract runs through 2025-26 but SKA chairman Alexander Medvedev said he has a good relationship with the Flyers front office and has regularly spoken with them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s nothing set in stone here but Medvedev said a decision on Michkov’s future could come by the end of June.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot could undergo wrist surgery in the coming weeks. The recovery time would be between two and three months.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The sooner Chabot has the surgery the more likely he’ll be fully recovered in time for training camp in September.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Senators, they reportedly interviewed Travis Green for their vacant head-coaching position. Green is currently the interim coach of the New Jersey Devils.

THE ATHLETIC: And speaking of New Jersey, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas denied speculation that head coach Mike Sullivan could become the next Devils head coach. Dubas said the Devils haven’t sought permission to speak with Sullivan nor have they been granted permission.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This sounds like another example of the hockey media “telephone” game. A pundit wonders whether Sullivan would be interested in coaching the Devils because he’s friends with their general manager. People start talking about it and it morphs into Sullivan trying to get out of his contract with the Penguins to coach the Devils.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Canadiens winger Juraj Slakovskiy is undergoing some medical procedures in Montreal. It will delay him joining Slovakia at the upcoming World Championships in Czechia but isn’t expected to prevent him from playing in the tournament.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 4, 2023

by | May 4, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 4, 2023

The Golden Knights defeat the Oilers despite Leon Draisaitl’s four-goal performance, the Hurricanes cruise to an easy win over the Devils, and the Calder Trophy finalists are announced. Details and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl scored all four of his club’s goals but it wasn’t enough to prevent his team from falling 6-4 to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of their best-of-seven second-round series. Ivan Barbashev scored twice while Mark Stone and Jack Eichel each had a goal and an assist for the Golden Knights. Game 2 goes Saturday evening in Las Vegas.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the second time in this second round that a player scored four goals for the losing side in the opening game of their series. Dallas Stars winger Joe Pavelski set an NHL record as the oldest player to tally four times in a playoff game as his club dropped a 5-4 decision to the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday.

Edmonton opened the scoring but spent the rest of the game playing catch-up with Vegas. Their vaunted power-play went two-for-three on the night but Vegas did a good job limiting their trips to the penalty box. The Golden Knights outperformed the Oilers at 5-on-5 play, using an aggressive forecheck to create scoring opportunities.

The Oilers also lost forward Mattias Janmark in the first period after he fell awkwardly and struck his head against the boards.

The Carolina Hurricanes cruised to a 5-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils in Game 1 of their second-round series. Seth Jarvis scored what proved to be the winning goal, Frederik Andersen stopped 17 shots while Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook each collected two assists. Nate Bastian replied for the Devils while first-round hero Akira Schmid was pulled early in the second period after giving up three goals on 11 shots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schmid wasn’t solely to blame for the Devils’ loss. By the end of the first period, Carolina led 2-0 and outshot the Devils 10-1. Schmid and his teammates were dominated by the Hurricanes’ suffocating defensive game and did little to contain their offense.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power, and Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner as the finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy as this season’s rookie of the year. The winner will be announced during the 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 26.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant wasn’t pleased over recent speculation suggesting he could lose his job following his club’s first-round exit from the 2023 playoffs.

“I can’t believe I have to answer some of these questions about me getting fired,” he said during his end-of-season press conference. “If I can’t stand by my record and what I’ve done, I think there’s something wrong.”

Gallant said he hasn’t talked to Rangers general manager Chris Drury about his future. He’s the first coach in club history to have back-to-back 100-point seasons in his first two years with the franchise.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers media seems to be seeking a scapegoat for the Rangers’ disappointing end to their season. It’s possible that Gallant’s bosses decide to go in a different direction but I think he’s earned the right to return behind their bench next season. He’s not going anywhere unless the players are unhappy with his coaching and express their concerns to Drury.

Patrick Kane’s short tenure with the Rangers is likely over. The pending unrestricted free-agent winger was acquired from Chicago before the trade deadline. He’s mulling surgery for an injury that’s nagged him for the last two years and clearly affected his performance this season. Kane indicated he’d love to return but acknowledged their limited cap space and younger players they need to re-sign.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane has thus far declined to provide details about his health but it’s been rumored for months that he’s been hampered by a hip injury. That will affect his value in this summer’s free-agent market, especially if he requires surgery that could sideline him for the start of next season.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning captain Steven Stamkos has a year remaining on his contract but he hopes to finish his career in Tampa Bay. “This is the only jersey I ever want to wear,” said Stamkos, who was drafted first overall by the Lightning in 2008. He’s hopeful they’ll begin contract extension talks this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stamkos is completing the seventh season of an eight-year, $68 million contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million. The Lightning captain was once again among his club’s leading scorers with 84 points in 81 games. He’s undoubtedly aware of the Bolts’ limited cap space in 2024-25 as they currently have a projected $26.9 million available with just nine players under contract for that season.

Because Florida doesn’t have a state tax, I can see Stamkos accepting a bit of a pay cut to finish his career in Tampa Bay. How much he’ll accept and whether the Lightning can afford him remains to be seen.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Bo Horvat admitted the trade from the Vancouver Canucks to the New York Islanders took a mental toll on him this season. However, he credited the Islanders’ efforts to relieve that pressure when it came to relocating his family from Vancouver to Long Island.

TWINCITIES.COM: The Minnesota Wild seemed to lose confidence in young players Marco Rossi and Calen Addison this season. While that’s led to questions about their future, the Wild’s cap constraints could give them no choice but to give them another opportunity next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Addison recently surfaced as a trade candidate after becoming a healthy scratch once the Wild acquired John Klingberg at the trade deadline.

TSN: The Washington Capitals intend to interview Lightning assistant coach Jeff Halpern for their vacant head-coaching position. The Capitals recently parted ways with bench boss Peter Laviolette. Halpern spent seven of his 14-season NHL playing career with the Capitals.

OTTAWA SUN: NHL defenseman Mark Borowiecki announced his retirement after 12 NHL seasons spent with the Senators and Nashville Predators. A rugged blueliner, the 33-year-old Borowiecki missed all but four games this season to concussion symptoms. In 458 games, he tallied 15 goals and 56 points along with 848 PIMs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Borowiecki in his recovery and his future endeavors.