NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 3, 2024
NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 3, 2024
The 2024-25 schedule is released, reaction to Victor Hedman re-signing with the Lightning and Pavel Buchnevich re-upping with the Blues, the latest UFA signings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL RELEASES 2024-25 SCHEDULE
NHL.COM: The 2024-25 season begins in Europe on Oct. 4 when the Buffalo Sabres face off against the New Jersey Devils at O2 Arena in Prague, Czechia.
The season begins in North America on Oct. 8 with a triple-header on ESPN highlighted by the Florida Panthers raising their first Stanley Cup banner ahead of their home opener against the Boston Bruins. The Utah Hockey Club will have their first home game in Salt Lake City against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Other must-see games include Macklin Celebrini’s potential NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 10 against the St. Louis Blues, the New Jersey Devils meeting the Toronto Maple Leafs as Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe faces his former club for the first time, Nashville Predators winger Steven Stamkos returning to Tampa Bay to face the Lightning on Oct. 28, and the NHL Winter Classic on Dec. 31 between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field.
LIGHTNING RE-SIGN HEDMAN, BLUES RE-UP BUCHNEVICH
TAMPA BAY TIMES: Tuesday was a bittersweet day for Victor Hedman. He signed a four-year contract extension with the Lightning with an average annual value of $8 million while dealing with the departure of friend and long-time teammate Steven Stamkos the day before.
Hedman admitted Stamkos’ signing with the Predators was “a sad, sad day” for himself and the organization. However, he’s also “super excited and proud” to sign a new contract that will likely ensure he finishes his career with the Lightning.
Asked whether he’ll accept the captaincy vacated by Stamkos’ departure, Hedman replied it was “way too early” to discuss that.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The bottom line is the Lightning felt their top defenseman was more important to retain than their scoring winger. Hedman got the same contract that Stamkos received from the Predators.
The report indicates the Lightning’s offer to Stamkos was believed to be in the $3 million AAV range. No wonder he felt disrespected and opted to hit the open market.
Speaking of the Lightning, they signed winger Cam Atkinson to a one-year, $900K contract. The 35-year-old Atkinson was bought out of the final year of his contract last week by the Philadelphia Flyers.
STLTODAY.COM: The St. Louis Blues and Pavel Buchnevich agreed to a six-year contract extension with an AAV of $8 million beginning in 2025-26.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buchnevich is among the Blues’ top forwards. Nevertheless, this contract could be a risky investment over the long term. He’ll be 30 when it kicks in, and while the Blues will likely get solid value during the first three years, it could become costly over the final three years if his production begins to fade approaching his mid-thirties.
The Blues also built up their forward depth by acquiring Radek Faksa from the Dallas Stars for future considerations and Mathieu Joseph and a 2025 third-rounder from the Ottawa Senators for future considerations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I like these additions for the Blues. They gave up nothing for two affordable players who should improve their checking-line depth. The Blues weren’t finished making additions on Tuesday, signing former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph to a one-year contract.
OTHER NOTABLE CONTRACT SIGNINGS
OTTAWA SUN: The Senators signed center Shane Pinto to a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.75 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I speculated yesterday that Pinto would get a two-year deal for around $3 million annually. The 23-year-old had no leverage and staging a holdout wouldn’t have done him or the club any good. There was speculation his agent was angling for a contract offer from a rival club. If so, he didn’t get any nibbles.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Tomas Tatar returns to the Devils on a one-year deal worth $1.8 million. The 33-year-old winger spent two seasons with the Devils from 2021 to 2023.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Victor Olofsson signed a one-year, $1.075 million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. The 28-year-old winger spent the past six seasons with the Buffalo Sabres.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Florida Panthers signed former Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt to a one-year contract worth $800K.
Jack Johnson is returning to the Columbus Blue Jackets, signing a one-year deal worth $775K. The 37-year-old defenseman spent nearly seven seasons with the Jackets from 2011-12 to 2017-18.
TSN: The Seattle Kraken traded defenseman Brian Dumoulin to the Anaheim Duck for a 2026 fourth-round pick.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche inked Erik Brannstrom to a one-year deal worth $900K. The 24-year-old defenseman spent the past six seasons with the Ottawa Senators.