NHL Rumor Mill – October 8, 2025

by | Oct 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 8, 2025

The potential effect of Connor McDavid’s new contract on the UFA market, the latest on Jack Eichel’s contract talks with the Golden Knights, Lane Hutson’s negotiations with the Canadiens, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

HOW MCDAVID’S CONTRACT COULD AFFECT THE UFA MARKET

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes the Los Angeles Kings would’ve attempted to sign Connor McDavid had he gone to free agency next July. He also thinks the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Dallas Stars would’ve been among the suitors for the 28-year-old center, who signed a two-year extension with the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes all eyes will be on Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar as the next big contract explosion. He claims the Avalanche have prepared for it and could just hand him a blank check. Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks could be another.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both players are eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July 2027. The earliest their teams can attempt to re-sign them is July 1, 2026.

The recent signings of McDavid and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov convinced Friedman that there will be more players earning eight-figure salaries. He singled out Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor, Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe, Colorado Avalanche forward Martin Necas, and Buffalo Sabres power forward Alex Tuch.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s been speculation suggesting that some NHL teams might point to McDavid accepting well below market value to stay with the Oilers to get their own superstars to do the same. However, most player agents will simply say that McDavid’s case was a unique one that has no bearing on their clients’ contract situations.

For example, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been underpaid for years, partly because of his superstition about his No. 87, and partly because his previous contract was an extremely long one (12 years). Those deals no longer exist due to the implementation of contract term limits since 2013.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (NHL Images).

Today, 45 players carry a higher AAV than Crosby. Not all of them are superstars.

UPDATE ON JACK EICHEL’S CONTRACT TALKS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports contract negotiations are ongoing between the Vegas Golden Knights and Jack Eichel. The 28-year-old center doesn’t want to go anywhere, and both sides are focused on an eight-year deal. LeBrun also said that Kirill Kaprizov’s $17 million average annual value with the Wild isn’t much of a factor in these negotiations.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman also noted it’s a happy marriage between Eichel and the Golden Knights, and he expects they’ll get a new deal done. He claimed the club would prefer to get Eichel and Mitch Marner for a combined $25 million. Marner is already earning $12 million annually on an eight-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Eichel is earning $10 million annually on his current contract. The Golden Knights might be offering $13 million, but he could be seeking something between $14 and $15 million.

THE LATEST ON THE CANADIENS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Montreal Canadiens made an eight-year contract extension offer to Lane Hutson. He believes it had some salary deferral, which the Hutson camp wasn’t interested in. Both sides are taking some time now to let things cool down before resuming discussions.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman felt that Hutson was hoping to sign an extension before the start of this season. He cited several sources claiming it was “slightly below 8 x $9 million”, including some deferral to lower the cap hit. The Canadiens also pitched a Canadian retirement compensation arrangement (RCA), which many players use to soften the tax burden. Hutson’s representatives were slightly above the $9 million AAV but weren’t interested in salary deferral or the RCA.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman indicated that the Canadiens still want to keep Hutson, and he still wants to stay. General manager Kent Hughes said the club’s fans shouldn’t be worried, pointing out that the 21-year-old defenseman isn’t eligible for unrestricted free-agent status until July 2031.

Hughes also acknowledged the recent new contracts for New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes and Anaheim Ducks blueliner Jackson Lacombe. He considers Hughes a better comparable for Hutson than Lacombe.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico believes the Canadiens are preparing to make a big trade during this season.

Instead of icing a 23-man roster to start this season, the Canadiens are using 22 players. In this way, they save about $775K in early-season salary obligations, which could compound into several million dollars by the trade deadline.

The Canadiens could be targeting a move before the December trade freeze (Dec. 20-27), as some teams could be pushed into becoming early sellers in the trade market. They’ll have around $14.5 million in prorated cap space by then, giving them a potential advantage over other teams.

UPDATE ON ROSLOVIC

TSN: Chris Johnston believed free-agent forward Jack Roslovic might not have to wait too long to land with an NHL team. He indicated that the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets are among several clubs already looking for forwards.

OTHER NOTABLE RUMORS FROM FRIEDMAN’S LATEST “32 THOUGHTS”

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Philadelphia Flyers are “definitely checking” to see what’s available on defense in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: William James of Philly Hockey Now pointed out that defenseman Cam York is joining fellow Flyers blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen on injured reserve to start the season. They have over $6.6 million in cap space after trading away Ryan Ellis’ contract to San Jose earlier this week, giving them cap flexibility to add a defenseman.

The Vancouver Canucks are continuing their search for a center. The Toronto Maple Leafs want to add a top-six forward, while the Carolina Hurricanes are “always lurking.” The Ottawa Senators could attempt to make a big move this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of the Hurricanes, Friedman reported they attempted to sign Evan Bouchard to an offer sheet this summer before he eventually re-signed with the Oilers. They instead acquired blueliner K’Andre Miller from the New York Rangers.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 8, 2025

by | Oct 8, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 8, 2025

Recapping the opening night of the regular season, Kyle Connor and the Jets are getting closer to a contract extension, an update on Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF THE OPENING NIGHT GAMES

NHL.COM: Nathan MacKinnon collected two assists and Martin Necas scored twice to lead the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-1 season-opening victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Cale Makar also had two assists, and Artturi Lehkonen had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche. Kevin Fiala replied for the Kings.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon moved past Joe Sakic to become the Avalanche’s franchise points leader (1,017) since the club relocated to Colorado from Quebec City in 1995. Sakic remains the all-time leader in points (1,641), goals (625), assists (1,016), and games played (1,378).

Florida Panthers forward Jesper Boqvist snapped a 2-2 tie in the third period to give his team a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Mackie Samoskevich collected two assists for the Panthers, who raised their second straight Stanley Cup banner in a pregame ceremony. Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight made 34 saves against his former team, while teammates Frank Nazar, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Teuvo Teravainen each collected two points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers also signed forward Noah Gregor to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Pittsburgh Penguins got a 25-save shutout from goaltender Arturs Silovs to blank the New York Rangers 3-0. Justin Brazeau scored two goals, and Evgeni Malkin had two assists for the Penguins. Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin allowed one goal on 27 shots before being pulled for an extra attacker.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was Silovs’ first NHL regular-season shutout. He had one in the 2024 playoffs with the Vancouver Canucks. This was Mike Sullivan’s first game as head coach of the Rangers, and his first against his former team.

HEADLINES

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Winnipeg Jets and winger Kyle Connor are moving closer to a contract extension. The 28-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. It’s believed the new deal will be a long-term one with an average annual value in the $12 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would be a substantial raise over Connor’s current AAV of $7.142 million. He’s earned it, sitting eighth among NHL scorers with 282 goals since his breakout performance in 2017-18.

Friedman also reported that the Vegas Golden Knights have announced that Alex Pietrangelo will not play during the 2025-26 regular season and playoffs. The 35-year-old defenseman is taking time away to deal with a nagging hip injury. The Golden Knights will be eligible for full salary-cap relief on his $8.8 million cap hit for this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pietrangelo had suggested last month that he wasn’t ruling out a possible return to the lineup this season. This news puts that possibility to rest.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Golden Knights, they signed restricted free agent forward Alexander Holtz to a two-year contract with an AAV of $837,500.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Dallas Stars placed captain Jamie Benn on long-term injury reserve (LTIR). He suffered a collapsed lung last month and is expected to miss the first month of the season. They also recalled defenseman Lian Bichsel and signed free-agent forward Adam Erne to a one-year, two-way contract.

TSN: The Edmonton Oilers placed winger Zach Hyman on injured reserve (IR) to start the season. He is still recovering from a dislocated wrist suffered during the 2025 playoffs.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Minnesota Wild placed winger Mats Zuccarello on IR with a lower-body injury. He could be sidelined until well into November.

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH: Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury. They also announced that forward Milan Lucic will remain in St. Louis to rehab an injury. The Blues haven’t ruled out signing the 37-year-old winger to another professional tryout offer (PTO).

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks placed defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph (groin injury) on IR and recalled defenseman Victor Mancini.

DAILY FACEOFF: Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, Anaheim Ducks goalie Ville Husso, and Utah Mammoth forward Kevin Rooney are among the five players placed on waivers on Tuesday.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 7, 2025

by | Oct 7, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 7, 2025

Check out the latest on Flames center Nazem Kadri, Mammoth center Logan Cooley, Bruins goaltender Michael DiPietro, and Capitals goalie Clay Stevenson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

FLAMES NATION: TSN’s NHL insider Darren Dreger recently said it feels like a long shot that the Calgary Flames will trade center Nazem Kadri.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Dreger believes several teams around the league could benefit from Kadri’s presence. He pointed out that the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadiens are among the clubs that could use some help at center.

The Flames could consider it if they’re out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline, but not before then. Dreger said it would take “a tremendous overpay” to get him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri, 35, carries an average annual value (AAV) of $7 million through the 2028-29 season. He has a full no-movement clause for this season, but it becomes a 13-team no-trade list on July 1.

The Flames could listen to offers for Kadri if they’re out of the playoff chase by the trade deadline. However, it would be easier to wait until July 1 when he’ll have less control over where he can be traded.

THE SCORE: cited NHL insider Frank Seravalli reporting that sources said Logan Cooley rejected an eight-year contract extension offer worth an AAV of $9.6 million from the Utah Mammoth.

That offer would’ve made Cooley the Mammoth’s highest-paid player. He’s coming off a solid sophomore season with 65 points in 75 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cooley is in the final season of his entry-level contract.

No reason was given for Cooley’s reported rejection of that offer. However, it’s likely because the salary cap is expected to rise substantially over the next two seasons, and he wants to get the best deal possible.

Cooley is likely betting on himself entering this season. If he builds on his sophomore performance, he could justify seeking between $10 million and $11 million annually.

THE HOCKEY NEWS/RUSSIAN MACHINE NEVER BREAKS: Boston Bruins goaltender Michael DiPietro and Washington Capitals netminder Clay Stevenson cleared waivers on Monday. They will report to their respective team’s AHL affiliates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DiPietro and Stevenson were rumored to be potential waiver targets. They could still draw interest in the trade market from teams seeking goaltending depth, especially since they’ve already cleared waivers. They could be worth monitoring over the next couple of weeks.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 5, 2025

by | Oct 5, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 5, 2025

Check out the latest on Kings winger Adrian Kempe and Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT WILL IT COST THE KINGS TO RE-SIGN KEMPE?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jesse Courville-Lynch cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting that he’d heard Adrian Kempe was seeking an average annual value (AAV) of $10.5 million on his next contract. He wondered if it would remain there or go a little higher in the aftermath of Kirill Kaprizov’s contract extension with the Minnesota Wild.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kempe, 29, is in the final season of a four-year contract with an AAV of $5.5 million. He is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe (NHL Images).

Kempe has become the Kings’ leading goal scorer and is a solid two-way forward. He’s also a proven playoff performer with 29 points in 28 postseason contests. With team captain Anze Kopitar retiring at the end of this season, Courville-Lynch believes the Kings must do everything they can to keep Kempe in the fold. Otherwise, it will move them out of playoff contention and back into rebuilding.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens reports Kempe doesn’t expect to have a contract extension before the Kings open their regular season this week. A new contract for the 29-year-old winger remains a priority for Kings general manager Ken Holland, and the two sides continue to talk regularly.

Stephens believes the Kings winger should easily eclipse the $8.5 million AAV that Nikolaj Ehlers received when he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes this summer. His value to the Kings could push his next contract into the $10 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The rising salary cap and Kempe’s value mean the Kings must sign him to an AAV worth at least $10 million if they want to remain a competitive team over the next several years.

They have a projected $33.7 million in cap space for 2026-27, giving them plenty of cap room to retain him. If they’re unwilling to pay, other clubs will if he goes to market next July.

The contract might not age well if Kempe gets the maximum eight years. They could try to work out a deal where he gets a five-year deal worth around $10.5 million annually.

THE LATEST QUINN HUGHES SPECULATION

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston recently wondered what the future holds for Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes. His younger brother, Luke, signed a seven-year deal with the New Jersey Devils last week, ensuring that he and his brother Jack will remain together with the Devils until 2030, when Jack’s contract expires.

Many observers believe Quinn will opt for free agency when his current contract expires in 2027 and join his brothers in New Jersey. The Canucks want to re-sign him, but the opportunity to join his brothers could be too enticing.

Whatever Quinn gets on his next contract will be massive, sparking Johnston to wonder if the Canucks will be in a position to afford him. He pointed out that the club is considered to be below average in franchise valuation. They are sitting 18th on Sportico’s recent list, dropping five spots from last year. The club has grown revenues more slowly than the league average, largely because it struggled to make the playoffs.

How this season goes will play a huge role in determining Quinn’s future with the Canucks. However, even if they regain their 2023-24 form, that might not be enough to keep him in Vancouver.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes could decide to go to market in 2027, which would force the Canucks to trade him before then. He should fetch a quality return that helps them rebuild. Hughes lacks no-trade protection, but interested teams will want assurances that he’ll re-sign with them before agreeing to a trade.

The Devils have a projected $53.1 million in cap space for 2027-28. A significant portion will be allocated to re-signing team captain Nico Hischier and re-signing or replacing goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Still, they should have enough to pull off a Hughes brothers reunion in two years, if not sooner, if they can land Quinn via trade with the Canucks.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 1, 2025

by | Oct 1, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 1, 2025

The latest on Jason Robertson’s contract extension talks with the Stars, the Wild’s Mats Zuccarello and the Canucks’ Nils Hoglander will miss time due to injuries, Max Pacioretty officially retires, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Dallas Stars and winger Jason Robertson have decided to take a “wait-and-see” approach in contract extension talks as a new season opens.

Robertson, 26, is in the final season of a four-year contract with an average annual value of $7.75 million. He’s eligible to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July, and can become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 if his next contract is awarded via arbitration.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

The plan is for Robertson to play the entire season with the Stars, and then the two sides will revisit their contract discussions after that.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson surfaced as a trade candidate after the Stars were eliminated from the 2025 Western Conference Final. Some teams reportedly inquired about his availability, but general manager Jim Nill said he never intended to move him.

THE MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE: Wild winger Mats Zuccarello will miss at least the next seven to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on a lower-body injury that sidelined him throughout training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Head coach John Hynes told reporters that Zuccarello’s ailment was a back injury. The 38-year-old winger usually skated on the Wild’s top line, so his absence will be felt during the opening weeks of the regular season.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander will be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks following ankle surgery.

NHL.COM: Max Pacioretty has officially retired after 17 NHL seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has joined the University of Michigan as a special assistant to the head coach.

Pacioretty, 37, had six 30-plus goal seasons and finished with 335 goals and 346 assists for 681 points in 939 regular-season games, and 28 goals and 58 points in 89 playoff contests. In 2011-12, he was the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pacioretty spent 10 of his 17 seasons with the Canadiens and was their team captain from 2015-16 to 2017-18. Traded to the Golden Knights in Sept. 2018, the Canadiens received a future captain in Nick Suzuki as part of the return.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Jets forwards Jonathan Toews and Vladislav Namestnikov left Tuesday’s preseason 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild with undisclosed injuries. Head coach Scott Arniel said Toews “tweaked something” and will be reevaluated when the club returns to Winnipeg. There was no postgame update about Namestnikov’s status.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck played in this game after leaving practice with an undisclosed ailment on Monday. Arniel said he will play in the final game of the preseason on Friday against the Calgary Flames.

DAILY FACEOFF: Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn is listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators combined for 152 penalty minutes as the Canadiens blanked the Senators 5-0 during their preseason game in Quebec City on Tuesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That was a rough game, prompting speculation that both teams could sit their best players during their next preseason game on Saturday.

Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov left the game in the third period after being slashed on his right wrist by Senators forward Nick Cousins, but Habs head coach Martin St. Louis doesn’t think Demidov was seriously hurt.

Twenty-two players were placed on waivers on Tuesday. Carolina Hurricanes forward Tyson Jost and Calgary Flames forward Dryden Hunt were among the players hitting the waiver wire.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 29, 2025

by | Sep 29, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 29, 2025

The Maple Leafs signed Anthony Stolarz to an extension, Sharks center Macklin Celebrini provides an update on his status, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: The Toronto Maple Leafs signed goaltender Anthony Stolarz to a four-year, $15 million contract extension with an average annual value of $3.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some mixed reaction to this signing in the Toronto media.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (NHL Images).

Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun believes it’s a good deal for both sides. Stolarz (who led the league with a .926 save percentage last season) gets a decent term, while the Leafs didn’t break the bank to sign him. If Stolarz can build on last season’s performance, this deal will look even better.

However, Damien Cox of the Toronto Star pointed out that Stolarz and fellow Leafs netminder Joseph Woll have injury histories, and neither is a bona fide starting goaltender. He believes they have the ability to play at the level of a seasoned starter, but not at the level of Sergei Bobrovsky, Connor Hellebuyck, Andrei Vasilevskiy, or Jordan Binnington.

So what do you think, Leafs fans? Give us your thoughts on this signing in the comments section below.

THE MERCURY NEWS: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini said he’s “right on schedule” to return to the lineup in time for the season opener on Oct. 9 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Celebrini, 19, didn’t provide details regarding the illness that has sidelined him from preseason play and kept him out of practice drills that involve a significant amount of contact. He did strength and conditioning work on Sunday while his teammates did small ice drills.

The 2024 first-overall pick isn’t expected to suit up for Monday’s preseason game, but it’s hoped that he’ll suit up for one of the Sharks’ other two remaining games.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland missed Sunday’s preseason game against the Edmonton Oilers for precautionary reasons with a minor injury.

DAILY FACEOFF: Garland’s teammate, Guillaume Brisebois, is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings forward James van Riemsdyk has missed training camp and preseason thus far. He’s on a team-approved leave of absence dealing with a personal matter.

CBS SPORTS: Chicago Blackhawks winger Landon Slaggert is set to return to practice on Tuesday following treatment for an undisclosed injury. He is on track for the start of the regular season next week.

DAILY FACEOFF: 23 players were placed on waivers on Sept. 28.

NEW YORK POST: Former New York Islanders trainer Ron Waske died on Sunday at age 77. He was the team trainer from 1974 to 1984, and was also the team trainer for Canada in the 1984 Canada Cup. He went on to work at St. Lawrence University for 26 years, including a two-year stint coaching their women’s hockey team.

Waske was elected to the Professional Athletic Trainers Society Hall of Fame in 2006 and has a plaque in the Hockey Hall of Fame’s section for trainers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Waske’s family, friends, colleagues, and the Islanders’ organization.