NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 27, 2025

by | Sep 27, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 27, 2025

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov is sidelined for the season, Marc-Andre Fleury returns to the Penguins for a special weekend, an update on Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov underwent surgery to repair injuries to ligaments in his right knee suffered during practice on Thursday. He is expected to be sidelined for seven to nine months.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov (NHL Images).

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said Barkov’s absence leaves a big hole in their roster. “He is such an important piece in that locker room,” Maurice said. “What we’ll get to know now is some of the other leaders in the room.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers were already dealing with winger Matthew Tkachuk recovering from offseason surgeries, but they knew that he would return by January. Barkov’s absence is a much bigger blow to their hopes for a Stanley Cup “three-peat.”

Barkov is one of the key reasons why the Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Final three straight times, winning the Cup twice in a row since 2024. They will miss his leadership and elite two-way play.

Depending on Barkov’s recovery, it’s unlikely that he will return later in the regular season. The earliest he could be back is for the first round of the 2025 playoffs, and even that’s not a certainty.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Marc-Andre Fleury joined the Penguins’ practice on Friday as part of a special weekend for the 40-year-old goaltender.

Fleury began his NHL career with the Penguins, spending 13 of his 21 seasons in Pittsburgh. He retired at the end of last season, but signed a tryout contract to practice with the Penguins on Friday and play one period of Saturday’s preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

It was a special reunion for Fleury with his former teammates Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Bryan Rust. It felt like old times as he good-naturedly chirped his teammates and played some pranks on them, including putting decals of his jersey number (29) on their vehicles.

Fleury also clarified that he wants it to be known that he’s retiring as a member of the Minnesota Wild, with whom he spent his last four NHL seasons. He’s grateful to finish in Pittsburgh, where everything started for the future Hall of Famer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The usually buttoned-down Crosby couldn’t hide his joy over having his old teammate back for a final practice. Wearing his throwback yellow pads, Fleury made several saves that drew cheers from the fans in attendance, including a windmill save on a Crosby one-timer.

Speaking of the Penguins, goalie Joel Blomqvist will be sidelined for four weeks with a lower-body injury.

TSN: Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said starting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to be ready for their season opener on Oct. 9. Vasilevskiy has been absent since Sept. 19 with an undisclosed injury.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers winger Artemi Panarin returned to practice with his teammates on Friday. He’d spent the past week nursing a lower-body injury.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Sabres winger Alex Tuch will be in the lineup when they face the Detroit Red Wings in preseason play on Saturday. He missed their first three preseason contests with an undisclosed injury.

Sabres starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) could return to play their final two preseason games.

TORONTO STAR: The Maple Leafs signed James Reimer to a professional tryout offer. The 37-year-old goaltender began his NHL career with the Leafs in 2010-11, becoming a fan favorite during his six seasons with the franchise.

The Leafs have brought back Reimer as insurance with Joseph Woll on a leave of absence for personal reasons and Dennis Hildeby an unproven rookie.

TSN: Speaking of the Maple Leafs, defenseman Marshall Rifai requires wrist surgery after suffering an injury during Thursday’s preseason win over the Montreal Canadiens.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander is listed as week-to-week with a sprained ankle.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Canadiens defenseman David Reinbacher suffered a broken bone in his hand and will be sidelined for four weeks.

DAILY FACEOFF: Goaltender Ivan Fedotov, forward Liam Foudy, and defenseman Kevin Connauton are the notable players placed on waivers on Friday.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 25, 2025

by | Sep 25, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 25, 2025

The latest on Islanders captain Anders Lee, Stars captain Jamie Benn, Senators winger Drake Batherson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders captain Anders Lee will be sidelined for one to two weeks with an upper-body injury. The timeline is precautionary, and there’s little concern that he’ll miss their season opener on Oct. 9.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Islanders, goaltender Semyon Varlamov is not close to rejoining his teammates. His last game was in November 2024, and he underwent knee surgery in December. He’s been skating individually during training camp.

New York Islanders captain Anders Lee (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders signed goalie David Rittich this summer to a one-year contract as insurance in case Varlamov remained out of the lineup.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars captain Jamie Benn is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. He was held out of practice on Wednesday as a precautionary measure, but there’s no indication that the injury is serious.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators winger Drake Batherson has been ruled out for two weeks after pulling an upper-body muscle. He could miss their season-opening game on Oct. 9.

TSN: Milan Lucic is day-to-day with a suspected groin injury. He’s attending the St. Louis Blues training camp on a professional tryout offer. Head coach Jim Montgomery suggested the 37-year-old winger could get into a couple of preseason games next week if he returns to the lineup by then.

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators defenseman Nicolas Hague will miss the next four to six weeks with an upper-body injury. He left the second game of a doubleheader against the Florida Panthers on Sept. 21 and didn’t return. The Predators acquired the 26-year-old Hague in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights and signed him to a four-year contract on July 1.

SPORTSNET: Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander left Wednesday’s game with the Calgary Flames after suffering a lower-body injury. He was wearing a walking boot after the game and will be evaluated on Thursday.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins goalie Joel Blomqvist is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

DAILY FACEOFF: Edmonton Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin is taking a leave of absence after his father, Alexander, died suddenly on Tuesday. Earlier this week, Podkolzin signed a three-year contract extension with the Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Podkolzin on the passing of his father.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 23, 2025

by | Sep 23, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 23, 2025

Check out the latest on Bruins winger David Pastrnak, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: David Pastrnak rejoined his Boston Bruins teammates in training camp on Monday after taking a week off dealing with tendinitis in his knee.

The 29-year-old winger said he’s been dealing with the issue throughout last season, but he wasn’t concerned about it. He finished fourth among NHL scorers in 2024-25 with 106 points.

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak (NHL Images).

“I spent a lot of time in the summer to make it better, and it did get much better than it was last season,” Pastrnak said. “Obviously it wasn’t perfect (and) it’s not perfect yet, so it was perfect timing to get it even better – it already got better.”

Pastrnak isn’t sure if the issue will bother him during the upcoming season. “I guess (it’s) something that that time will tell,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A healthy Pastrnak is key to the Bruins’ hopes to return to playoff contention after last season’s poor performance.

DAILY FACEOFF: Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has set a time limit for reporters to continue asking him about former teammate Mitch Marner.

“You got two more weeks, and then we’re done with these questions,” Matthew said, referring to the start of the Maple Leafs’ regular-season schedule on Oct. 8.

Marner’s departure to the Vegas Golden Knights this summer has been a hot topic in Toronto. Matthews acknowledged that he and his teammates knew they would face questions when training camp started, but it appears they’re ready to move on.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those questions could resurface if the Leafs struggle early and Marner does well in Vegas.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Golden Knights, defenseman Alex Pietrangelo isn’t ruling out returning to action.

“Nothing’s really concrete,” Pietrangelo said. “I’m just going to continue taking it day by day and go through the process and see where it goes.”

Pietrangelo, 35, is taking time to deal with a hip injury and is expected to begin this season on long-term injury reserve. He’s not considering surgery at this point, saying he intends to continue with rehabilitation, which is going well so far.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Changes to the collective bargaining agreement starting this season mean the Golden Knights won’t be able to use Pietrangelo being on LTIR as a way to build up their roster for the playoffs. They can still add to their roster before the March trade deadline, but must ice a cap-compliant roster during the postseason if Pietrangelo returns.

TSN: Evander Kane is looking forward to his first season with his hometown team. The 34-year-old winger was traded by the Edmonton Oilers to the Vancouver Canucks on June 25.

“It’s definitely cool to be able to put on the Canucks jersey as an NHL player,” Kane said. “The excitement has kind of been a slow build since I got traded. And I think it’ll start bubbling once the first regular-season game is played.”

Kane’s career has spanned 16 seasons with the Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, and the Oilers, netting 321 goals, 291 assists, and 1,091 penalty minutes in 930 regular-season games.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Mario Ferraro is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next summer, but the 27-year-old defenseman hopes to remain with the Sharks. He indicated that there haven’t been any contract extension talks yet with management.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ferraro is a big-minute blueliner with solid all-around skills. He will draw plenty of attention in this year’s trade market if the rebuilding Sharks decide he doesn’t fit in their long-term plans.

ARIZONA INSIDER: Former Coyotes beat writer Craig Morgan reports Andrea Doan, wife of former Coyotes captain Shane Doan, has been named chair of an advisory committee dedicated to bringing the NHL back to the Phoenix area.

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chair Tom Galvin is forming the committee, consisting of political, business, community, and sports leaders.

Shane Doan is currently under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Andrea is representing the family. The committee’s goal is to find a suitable ownership group with deep financial resources and develop a plan to construct an arena in a suitable location.

The Coyotes moved to Salt Lake City in 2024 and were renamed the Utah Mammoth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Coyotes’ ownership follies have been well-documented. Nevertheless, a stable ownership group capable of paying the expensive expansion fee and a suitable NHL venue near downtown Phoenix would be a strong enticement for the league to try again in Arizona.

The NHL has shown a willingness to return to former markets, starting with Atlanta with the expansion Thrashers in 1999 and that club’s relocation to Winnipeg in 2011. Recent reports suggest Atlanta could be in the running for an expansion franchise.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Bobby Grier, long-time NFL executive and father of San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier, passed away on Monday at age 82. Grier worked with the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, and Miami Dolphins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Mike Grier and his family.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 22, 2025

by | Sep 22, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 22, 2025

Updates on Ducks center Mason McTavish, Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, Avalanche forward Martin Necas, Stars winger Jason Robertson, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Rory Boylen looked at some notable things to keep in mind for all 32 NHL clubs as preseason play gets underway.

Among them is Mason McTavish’s contract impasse with the Anaheim Ducks. The 23-year-old restricted free-agent center has missed training camp thus far. He is a key part of their playoff hopes this season.

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Eric Stephens recently reported that it’s believed the McTavish camp isn’t seeking something comparable to the $8.4 million annual average value (AAV) that Wyatt Johnston got from the Dallas Stars on a five-year extension. Stephens thinks they might be receptive to something similar to Matthew Knies’ $7.7 million AAV on his six-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Rasmus Andersson will be moved at some point this season. The Calgary Flames defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The two sides might work out an extension, but the odds are slim at this point. The expectation is that Andersson will be moved by the March 6 trade deadline.

The Colorado Avalanche face a big decision with Martin Necas. They acquired him from the Carolina Hurricanes as part of the return in the Mikko Rantanen trade last January. The 28-year-old Necas is UFA-eligible next summer. He averaged just under a point per game last season, and another performance like that could see him seek around $10 million annually on his next contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas didn’t have much to say about the situation when asked about it last week. Both sides seem willing to see how this season unfolds.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov requested a trade this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Over the weekend, it was reported that Chinakhov might have a change of heart after meeting with head coach Dean Evason to discuss the “misunderstandings” that prompted the trade request.

Jason Robertson has an interesting contract situation. He’s eligible for RFA status with arbitration rights next summer, but a one-year deal would take him to UFA status in 2027. The Stars are still eyeing a Stanley Cup this season with their current group, but Boylen doesn’t rule out a Robertson trade at some point, depending on how the season goes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars GM Jim Nill last week denied offseason reports claiming he’d looked into moving Robertson. He seems willing to see how this season pans out with Robertson.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid’s UFA status next summer and his willingness to sign an extension have dominated headlines. Boylen suggests the play of rookies Isaac Howard and Matt Savoie could be a factor in whether he opts to re-sign.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boylen points out the play of those two rookies won’t be the deciding factor, but solid performances by both of them could convince McDavid that the club has a bright future.

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is UFA-eligible next July. Boylen wonders what kind of contract the 37-year-old could get from the Panthers, and what their succession plan is between the pipes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers GM Bill Zito prefers to keep his core intact as they chase multiple Stanley Cup championships. If Bobrovsky plays well, they’ll work something out to keep him in the fold while buying time to find a proper successor.

Jacob Markstrom of the New Jersey Devils is another UFA-eligible goalie next summer. He turns 36 in January, and losing him would be a setback for the Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Contract extension talks have reportedly started between the two sides.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin is another player eligible for UFA status next summer. He turns 34 in October, but remained their leading scorer throughout the club’s tumultuous 2024-25 campaign. Boylen wonders what number might make sense for both sides now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin’s AAV is $11.642 million on his current deal. The two sides are keeping mum regarding contract talks, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they take a wait-and-see approach to the coming season.

This may be the last season of the Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin era in Pittsburgh. Malkin is in the final season of his contract, and at age 39, he may not remain with the Penguins after this season, given the team is in rebuild mode.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malkin recently surfaced in the rumor mill amid reports that several clubs inquired about his availability since the 2024 offseason. He said he wants to stay in Pittsburgh, but doesn’t know what he’d do if asked to waive his no-movement clause. GM Kyle Dubas said he’d meet with Malkin during the Olympic break to discuss his future.

Elias Pettersson’s performance could be a determining factor in whether Quinn Hughes stays with the Vancouver Canucks. Hughes has two years left on his contract, but the club will want clarity on his future by next summer. If Pettersson can regain the form that made him a 102-point performer in 2022-23, it could go a long way toward convincing Hughes to sign an extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A strong season by Pettersson, combined with Hughes’ usual brilliance, could propel the Canucks up the standings and into the playoffs again.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel is also eligible for UFA status next summer. Boylen wonders how his contract extension would fit in alongside Mitch Marner’s $12 million AAV.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Eichel’s current AAV is $10 million. He loves living and playing in Vegas and doesn’t appear too concerned about getting a deal done. The Golden Knights have a projected $20.375 million in cap space for 2026-27, and will get another $8.8 million in cap relief if Alex Pietrangelo remains on LTIR. That will give them enough room to sign Eichel.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 21, 2025

by | Sep 21, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 21, 2025

Are teams calling about Penguins center Evgeni Malkin? Are the Oilers interested in Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov? What’s the latest on the Red Wings and Avalanche? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

RG.ORG: An NHL executive source told James Murphy that the Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers looked into the availability of Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin since the 2024 offseason.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (NHL Images).

The answer from Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas was always “a hard no.” He’s letting Malkin and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby dictate their futures. “They haven’t asked out, but they haven’t ruled out asking out either.”

Malkin, 39, is entering his 20th NHL season, all of them with the Penguins. He’s in the final year of his contract and eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. His contract also has a full no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubas recently said he intended to meet with Malkin during the Olympic break in February to discuss the future Hall of Famer’s future. If a trade takes place, it will likely occur between February 25 (when the regular season resumes following the Olympic break) and the March 6 trade deadline.

Malkin and Crosby have expressed their wish to stay in Pittsburgh, and that might be fulfilled. Still, we can’t rule out the possibility of a change of heart from either player if things don’t go well for the Penguins this season. Time will tell if the Canadiens, Panthers, or Lightning will revisit their rumored interest in Malkin. 

If Malkin becomes available, it remains to be seen how much interest he’ll draw. His performance has declined in recent years as age and injuries have taken a toll.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff believes the Red Wings would part with promising defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka to acquire Vancouver Canucks blueliner Quinn Hughes if the opportunity arose.

Duff pointed out that the Canucks aren’t shopping Hughes. “Not yet.” But the situation could change before the end of this season. While it’s believed he’d want to join his brothers, Jack and Luke, with the New Jersey Devils, Quinn has ties to Michigan, having played with the USNTDP in Plymouth and for the Michigan Wolverines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If a reunion with his brothers in New Jersey isn’t possible, Hughes could prefer going to a contender, which the Red Wings haven’t been for a long time. He lacks no-trade protection, so the Canucks could ship him to Detroit if the Wings made the best offer, but whether he’d re-sign with them is another matter.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen cited a report from The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun claiming Matt Grzelcyk rejected a one-year, $1 million contract offer from a Western Conference team.

Deen indicated it’s unclear if the offer came from the Avalanche. He pointed out that LeBrun stated the Avalanche is among four teams that could be an option for Grzelcyk, who is on a professional tryout offer (PTO) with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard is currently nursing a lower-body injury. If he remains out when the regular season begins, Deen speculated that Grzelcyk might be an option for them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche has over $1.3 million in cap space for the coming season. There’s enough to squeeze in Grzelcyk if he doesn’t land a contract with the Blackhawks or another team. LeBrun also mentioned the Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, and Anaheim Ducks as possible destinations for the veteran defenseman.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins reports on speculation linking the Oilers to Yegor Chinakhov. The 24-year-old forward requested a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets last month.

Chinakhov is in the final season of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.1 million. However, the Oilers are pressed against the salary cap, Chinkhov has injury issues, and Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell isn’t giving away a former first-round pick for free.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chinakhov hasn’t rescinded his trade request, but he recently sounded like he might be having a change of heart after meeting with head coach Dean Evason to address their differences.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 21, 2025

by | Sep 21, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 21, 2025

The Stars defeat the Blues as preseason action begins, plus the latest on Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, Canucks netminder Thatcher Demko, Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: A shootout goal by Sam Steel lifted the Dallas Stars to a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues as preseason play began on Saturday.

Justin Carbonneau opened the scoring for the Blues 50 seconds into the second period, but Mavrik Bourque tied it for the Stars later in the period. Jordan Binnington and Colten Ellis combined to make 33 saves in regulation and overtime for the Blues, while Stars goaltenders Remi Poirier and Antoine Bibeau made 14 saves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: 15 preseason games are on tap for Sunday.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy skipped practice on Saturday to undergo treatments. Head coach Jon Cooper wasn’t concerned, saying it was “player management” and he’d likely miss a few days.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko credits fatherhood with giving him a new outlook on life. After struggling with a rare knee injury during a tumultuous season for his teammates, the 30-year-old netminder is healthy and looking forward to the coming campaign.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A return to the form that made Demko a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2023-24 will be crucial to the Canucks’ plans to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW’s Aarif Deen reports Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Brent Burns won’t play in any of the club’s two preseason games on Sunday. The veteran defenseman tweaked something, but it’s not considered serious.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders captain Anders Lee doesn’t expect to have a contract extension in place before the start of the regular season. The 35-year-old winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both sides appear willing to wait and see how the season unfolds.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour is impressed by Logan Stankoven’s willingness to learn and adapt to the center position. The 22-year-old forward was part of the return from the Dallas Stars in the Mikko Rantanen trade last March.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brind’Amour is trying to find a suitable second-line center. He’s previously used Seth Jarvis in that role, but could prefer keeping him at right wing alongside center Sebastian Aho on the first line. Stankoven had nine points in 19 regular-season games and eight points in 15 playoff contests for the Hurricanes.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames hired Marcus Nilson as a European pro scout. He spent the final four seasons of his NHL career (2003-04 to 2007-08) with the Flames.

THE ATHLETIC: The Chicago Blackhawks settled a second lawsuit filed by a former player who sued them for failing to act when informed of sexual assault allegations against former video coach Brad Alrich.

The club previously settled a case with former player Kyle Beach when similar accusations were made against Aldrich and the organization stemming from the 2010 playoffs.