NHL Rumor Mill – July 16, 2025

by | Jul 16, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 16, 2025

The latest on Nazem Kadri and Jared McCann, plus updates on the Canucks and Blue Jackets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NAZEM KADRI ADDRESSES TRADE RUMORS

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson reports that Nazem Kadri addressed his name floating around in recent trade rumors linking him to his former club, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Kadri called the speculation “a little bit bizarre”. The 34-year-old center has four years left on his contract, he’s the Calgary Flames’ leading scorer, and there’s no indication they want to move him.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Nevertheless, there has been persistent speculation out of Southern Ontario suggesting Kadri reunite with the Leafs. They are reportedly seeking a top-six forward to offset some of the offense they lost following Mitch Marner’s departure.

During an appearance on the “Knight Shift” podcast, Kadri maintained he and his family were happy in Calgary. He also acknowledged the trade rumors, calling them part of the business.

“I mean, there’s not a whole lot in terms of sports going on right now,” he said. “I think it’s definitely a topic to talk about. And hey, why not talk about it?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some folks took Kadri’s comment as a suggestion that he’d be willing to waive his no-movement clause to get traded to Toronto. That’s not the case, but when it comes to trade options for the Leafs, some fans will engage in wishful thinking during the dog days of summer.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos claimed Kadri would waive his no-movement clause for the Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens.

Marc Dumont shoots down the possibility of the Canadiens pursuing Kadri, suggesting general manager Kent Hughes wouldn’t be keen to part with valuable assets to acquire a player on the wrong side of 30.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montreal needs a second-line center and has the trade assets to swing that deal. Nevertheless, Hughes prefers acquiring players in their twenties who could be part of the Canadiens’ long-term future.

KRAKEN WILLING TO SHOP MCCANN

THE CHRIS JOHNSTON SHOW: The host suggested the Seattle Kraken might be willing to move forward Jared McCann.

McCann, 29, has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McCann has spent the past four years with the Kraken and has led them in scoring each season, including a career-high 40-goal performance in 2022-23.

It seems odd that the Kraken would be willing to trade their leading scorer. There has been nothing in the Seattle media verifying his availability.

However, the Kraken have a new GM in Jason Botterill. He could be gauging the market value of some of his veterans with an eye on bringing in younger talent.

UPDATE ON THE CANUCKS

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance reports Vancouver Canucks management is eyeing several players in the unrestricted free-agent market. However, they lack the salary-cap space to add to their roster.

Teams are allowed to be over the cap by 10 percent during the offseason, but must be cap-compliant before their season-opening game.

Drance indicates the Canucks are attempting to shed salary to make room for further additions. He suggested Teddy Blueger ($1.85 million AAV on an expiring contract) and Dakota Joshua ($3.25 million AAV for the next three seasons) as possible trade candidates.

BLUE JACKETS SHOPPING FOR A GOALTENDER

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reported Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell is in the market for a goaltender, perhaps two. He’s seeking a No. 3 netminder with AHL experience who wouldn’t look out of place in the NHL.

If Waddell cannot find that goalie in the trade market, he’s willing to wait out the waiver wire during training camp. He indicated a willingness to carry three goalies on his roster to start the season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 14, 2025

by | Jul 14, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 14, 2025

Check out the latest on Alex Ovechkin and Ilya Sorokin, the Canucks trade Arturs Silovs to the Penguins, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RG.ORG: Sergey Demidov reports Alex Ovechkin is denying reports claiming he decided to retire from the NHL following the 2025-26 season.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

In May, Ovechkin’s wife Nastasyia suggested the family might move back to Russia in 2026, after his contract with the Washington Capitals expires.

“She said maybe we’ll come and play in Russia,” Ovechkin told reporters. “But it was just a ‘maybe’. No one mentioned a specific date. It’s all nonsense that you guys are twisting and putting Nastasyia in a position where it sounds like she said I’m playing my last NHL season. Let’s just wait and see!”

Asked if he would consider continuing his NHL career beyond this season, the 39-year-old Ovechkin was noncommittal. “Anything is possible. I’m not saying no, but I’m not saying yes either.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin appears to be keeping his options open. He turns 40 in September and isn’t the player he once was. Nevertheless, he netted 44 goals in 65 games last season, setting the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring record. He also had five goals in 10 playoff games.

Another productive season that helps the Capitals remain a playoff contender could entice Ovechkin into extending his NHL career by another season or two.

Meanwhile, New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin shut down recent speculation suggesting he was a trade candidate during last month’s NHL Draft.

“I wasn’t surprised by the rumors – it’s part of the business,” Sorokin said. “What did surprise me, though, was how seriously people took them, even though everyone knows I have a no-trade clause. But overall – let them talk.”

Sorokin expressed his happiness over the new long-term contract signed by teammate Alexander Romanov and his surprise over Noah Dobson being traded to the Montreal Canadiens.

“That one surprised me,” he said, but admitted the salary cap meant the Isles couldn’t afford to keep Romanov and Dobson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sorokin’s agent, Dan Milstein, swatted down the speculation last Thursday, claiming his client had never been part of any trade talk involving the Islanders.

THE PROVINCE/PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Vancouver Canucks traded goaltender Arturs Silovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for prospect forward Chase Stillman and a fourth-round draft pick in 2027.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen under long-term contracts, Silovs was the odd man out in the Canucks crease. His waiver-exempt status was a contributing factor behind this decision.

Silovs became a fan favorite in Vancouver during the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs. Replacing a sidelined Demko and then-backup Casey DeSmith, he backstopped the Canucks into the second round before falling to the Edmonton Oilers in seven games. His struggles early last season led to his demotion to the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford, where he became playoff MVP, carrying that team to its first Calder Cup championship.

The Penguins will be counting on a more consistent effort from Silovs as they attempt to shore up their shaky goaltending. Starter Tristan Jarry’s performance has been erratic, and promising Joel Blomqvist struggled in his 15-game NHL debut last season.

TSN: Former NHL forward Joe Pavelski won the American Century Golf Championship on Sunday at Tahoe. He closed with an eagle to defeat former MLB pitcher John Smoltz by nine points in the celebrity tournament.

“I don’t know what to say, actually,” said the 41-year-old Pavelski. “But just an amazing week. This place is incredible. It means the world to me.”

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Former Red Wings forward Daniel Sprong appears to be out of NHL options. Known for his powerful shot, the 28-year-old winger has garnered a reputation in NHL circles for his uninspiring defensive play.

Sprong’s next stop could be in the KHL. He’s reportedly received interest from Avangard Omsk and CSKA Moscow.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In nine NHL seasons (2015-16 to 2024-25), Sprong has 87 goals and 79 points for 166 points in 374 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals, Seattle Kraken, Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 12, 2025

by | Jul 12, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 12, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest on Erik Karlsson, and what the Oilers, Canucks and Senators have left to do this summer.

THE CHRIS JOHNSTON SHOW: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson is willing to waive his no-movement clause to accept a trade. However, there are only a few teams he’d consider as acceptable destinations.

Johnston thinks Karlsson’s contract is easier to move now because there are only two years left. The 35-year-old defenseman is signed through 2026-27, with the Penguins carrying $10 million of his $11.5 million average annual value.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images)

If the Penguins move Karlsson, Johnston doesn’t think it’ll be strictly to shed salary. They view him as an asset that should fetch a reasonable return, especially if they were to retain part of his salary to facilitate a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston believes Karlsson could be tradeable, but he also thinks that it might not happen this summer. He didn’t say which teams the three-time Norris Trophy winner would agree to, but they could be those that he thinks would give him the best chance to win the Stanley Cup.

Karlsson agreed to sign his contract with the Sharks in 2019 because he thought they were Cup contenders after reaching the Western Conference Final that year. He accepted a trade to the Penguins because he felt that joining Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang would give him a shot at hockey’s holy grail.

Of course, Karlsson was wrong on both counts, but as the old saying goes, the third time’s a charm.

SPORTSNET: Mark Spector believes Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman will continue to explore the goaltender market in the hope of finding an upgrade between the pipes.

Spector doubts Bowman will find a suitable solution, but he also doesn’t see “a Jack Campbell-type acquisition by a desperate GM.” He suggests that something could emerge during the season, perhaps by the trade deadline, that could address this situation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s little available via free agency or trade right now to improve the Oilers’ goaltending. However, that could change during the regular season as teams that fall out of playoff contention seek to shake up their rosters.

Meanwhile, in Vancouver, Iain MacIntyre believes the Canucks must remain patient and continue looking for depth at center. To create cap space to do so, he suggested winger Dakota Joshua (three years, $3.25 million AAV) and center Teddy Blueger (one year, $1.8 million).

MacIntyre also suggested looking at the market for third-string goaltender Arturs Silovs. The 24-year-old was the MVP of the AHL playoffs by backstopping the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford to the Calder Cup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s a seller’s market for centers right now. The Canucks have little choice but to bide their time and hope that it improves during the season.

In Ottawa, Alex Adams believes the Senators are short of an elite top-six winger who can score. He thinks GM Steve Staios is perusing the league despite the limited options, the club’s lack of salary-cap space and assets at his disposal.

Adams suggested Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish as a possible trade target. He claims there’ve been rumblings out of Anaheim that McTavish and the Ducks aren’t a happy family.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There have also been reports dismissing the speculation about McTavish’s supposed unhappiness in Anaheim. The 22-year-old restricted free agent is coming off his entry-level contract and has little leverage in contract negotiations, but no reports suggest talks have become stalled or contentious.

One rumor this spring speculated the Ducks could move winger Cutter Gauthier off the top line and into the second-line center position, pushing McTavish down to the third line. However, there has been no indication that the Ducks are considering that option.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 10, 2025

by | Jul 10, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 10, 2025

Golden Knights center Jack Eichel on new teammate Mitch Marner, Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere looks forward to 2025-26, the Canucks’ goaltending logjam, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel said he understands what it’s like to start over with a new NHL club. He’s willing to lend a hand to help new teammate Mitch Marner adjust.

“Having went through the situation of leaving an organization in the city and having a fresh start with Vegas, I think I can relate, to a point, to some of the things he’s going through,” said Eichel. He added that he’s looking forward to continuing getting to know Marner and the opportunity of playing with him.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (NHL Images).

During the “Leafs Morning Take” podcast, Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy said it was difficult to predict if Eichel and Marner would end up on the same line this season, but he is looking forward to seeing the two players together when training camp opens in September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s possible that Eichel and Marner might not mesh well as linemates. Nevertheless, it won’t be surprising if they’re on the first line when the Golden Knights open their season in October.

RDS.CA: New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere acknowledged he and his teammates didn’t play well last season. His struggles at times made him the subject of trade speculation.

However, Lafreniere expressed optimism for this season, pointing out that the Rangers have a new head coach (Mike Sullivan) and a slightly different roster. He’s hoping to regain the form that saw him net a career-high 57 points in 2023-24.

Lafreniere also indicated that he ignores trade rumors, saying he loves playing in New York.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lafreniere’s struggles and general manager Chris Drury’s ongoing roster tinkering fueled the trade speculation. However, it seems that Drury still believes the 23-year-old winger fits into his team’s long-range plans. Lafreniere is in the first season of a seven-year contract that he signed last fall.

THE PROVINCE: Arturs Silovs was the 2025 AHL playoff MVP backstopping the Vancouver Canucks’ AHL affiliate win the Calder Cup. However, he’s stuck as the Canucks’ No. 3 goalie behind Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen.

Silovs’s Calder Cup performance and his solid play for the Canucks in the 2024 NHL playoffs could make the 24-year-old goaltender a player of interest for teams seeking depth between the pipes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Silovs is no longer exempt from NHL waivers. It’s doubtful he’d pass unclaimed if the Canucks try to return him to Abbotsford before the start of the regular season. With several teams in the market for goalie depth, Silovs could surface in trade rumors during training camp in September.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Climate Pledge Arena co-developer Tim Leiweke stepped down as CEO of Oak View Group following a grand jury indictment for allegedly rigging a bidding process for an arena project at a public university in Austin, Texas.

Climate Pledge Arena is the home of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. The team released a statement indicating Leiweke’s indictment has nothing to do with the team or the arena and won’t affect their day-to-day operations.

Leiweke is the former CEO and president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. None of the allegations have been proven in court. If found guilty, he would face up to 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

TSN: NHL player agent Todd Diamond believes the organizational makeup of a team plays a bigger role in where players sign rather than their location.

“I think it’s a red herring,” said Diamond, referring to the issue of teams based in no-tax states. “It’s all about winning and how organizations are treating their players.”

Diamond acknowledged that lifestyle, weather and climate play a role to a certain extent, but pointed out that he has had clients who preferred to re-sign in Pittsburgh and Carolina. “It’s all about the feel and the ability for organizations to compete that are the foremost drivers in deciding where players want to play.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A team in a no-tax state has an advantage in re-signing or adding stars for slightly less than market value compared to other states. However, it doesn’t assure that those teams will become Stanley Cup champions.

Some believe it was a key factor behind the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning winning five of the last six Stanley Cup championships.

Whenever someone raises this issue, they never have a suitable answer for why the Panthers and Lightning had long periods in their history when they failed to reach the playoffs. They can’t explain why the Golden Knights didn’t advance past the second round over the past two years, or why the Lightning haven’t won a playoff round since 2022.

Shrewd management and strong coaching were the real reasons behind the success of those teams.

NEW YORK POST: The employer of former NHL enforcer Nick Tarnasky is looking into a fight he had with another man on an Alberta golf course on July 4. The incident was filmed and subsequently appeared on social media.

Tarnasky coaches Red Deer Minor Hockey’s U17 team. Local authorities looked into the incident, but no charges were laid. Police were dispatched to the golf course following a report of a drunken man starting fights, but the probe was closed when officers arrived and the suspect was gone.

The video shows a man charging at someone who is thought to be Tarnasky, who tossed the assailant into a lake. The individual kept coming after Tarnasky, who threw several punches and then tossed the man to the ground. The man was then led away by his companion.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 9, 2025

by | Jul 9, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 9, 2025

The NHL and NHLPA ratify the new CBA, the Oilers and Lightning swap top prospects, projected 2026 top prospect Gavin McKenna explains why he’s heading to the NCAA, and more in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The league and the NHL Players’ Association ratified a four-year collective bargaining agreement more than a year before the expiration of the current CBA. The agreement begins in 2026-07 and runs through 2029-30.

THE SCORE: An 84-game regular-season schedule with less preseason play and the reduction of maximum-length contracts by one year are among the notable changes in the new CBA. There will also be a playoff salary cap, no mandatory dress code for players, and the creation of a full-time travelling backup goaltender to replace emergency backups (EBUGs).

THE ATHLETIC: Jesse Granger and Rob Rossi spoke with 10 NHL players around the league regarding the new CBA. Early reviews were mostly positive, but there were some dissenting opinions.

All agreed that it was best to avoid another lockout and get a deal done, though some questioned the speed at which the agreement was reached. Older players are pleased with the reduction in preseason play, but some younger players complained it made it harder to earn a roster spot.

Some players felt the reduction in contract lengths was a slight sacrifice, while others expressed concern. All of them were happy with the increase in the playoff fund.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All of the significant changes were previously reported last month. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see what is contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that is expected to be released soon.

The playoff salary cap is the most significant as it addresses the contentious long-term injury reserve (LTIR) loophole that enabled teams to bolster their playoff rosters using injury relief cap space.

Reducing contract term (seven years for re-signings and six years for unrestricted free agents) will affect only the league’s top talent. Most players never see a contract longer than the league average of three years.

Changing the current EBUG system was a necessity. It robs us of entertaining scenarios when an amateur goalie occasionally gets an opportunity to play an NHL game, but the system was an embarrassment for a professional league.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning swapped a couple of promising prospects on Tuesday evening. Heading to Edmonton is left wing Isaac Howard, while the Lightning receive center Sam O’Reilly. The Oilers immediately signed the 21-year-old Howard to a three-year entry-level contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This trade occurred because Howard was reluctant to sign with the Lightning, preferring to choose which club he’d play with. He evidently felt that he’d have a quicker path to the NHL with the Oilers than with the Lightning, who reportedly preferred that he spend a season with their AHL affiliate in Syracuse.

It’s similar to Rutger McGroarty’s refusal to sign with the Winnipeg Jets last summer, resulting in his trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Brayden Yager.

Howard won the 2025 Hobey Baker Award as the top player in US college hockey. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports he’s expected to be in the Oilers’ opening-night roster in October.

Seravalli stated that some scouts think O’Reilly is the better long-term prospect, but Howard is NHL-ready now. Time will tell how this move pans out for both clubs.

TSN: Gavin McKenna made his long-rumored move to the NCAA official on Tuesday. The 17-year-old winger is leaving the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers to join Penn State University this season.

McKenna is the presumptive top prospect in the 2026 NHL draft class. He explained that his move enables him to play against “older, heavier, stronger guys” in the NCAA, which he believes will help prepare him for the NHL.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A smart decision by McKenna. Future top prospects in the Canadian Junior A ranks could follow the same path in the coming years.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the chaos that has dogged the Vancouver Canucks in recent years hurt their ability to attract free agents.

Multiple player agents cited issues like the team’s ownership, facilities, management, and off-ice drama. Travel and cost of living were also mentioned. It could also lead to team captain Quinn Hughes departing at the first opportunity.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before assuming that some of these issues are unique to Canadian teams, Johnston pointed out that the Winnipeg Jets don’t seem to struggle to retain or attract players, despite Vancouver being nicer than Winnipeg.

The Jets did lose Nikolaj Ehlers to free agency this summer, but the winger stressed that it was a personal decision, going on to praise the team and the city of Winnipeg. Indeed, the Jets retained superstar Connor Hellebuyck and top center Mark Scheifele, building a team around them that won the Presidents’ Trophy last season.

While the Jets’ ownership was recently criticized for taking their fans for granted, they’ve provided top-down stability that doesn’t meddle in management’s affairs, resulting in a consistent, competitive on-ice product since 2017-18 and a better record than the Canucks over the same period.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Winger Jesse Puljujarvi has signed a two-year contract with Geneve-Servette in Switzerland’s National League.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This likely signals the end of a disappointing NHL career for the 27-year-old Puljujarvi. Chosen fourth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016 draft, he struggled to play up to expectations as a scoring forward.

From 2016-17 to 2024-25, Puljujarvi had 58 goals and 128 points in 387 NHL games with the Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Florida Panthers. He underwent double hip surgery in 2023, missing half of the following season.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche hired former Seattle Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol as their new assistant coach.

TSN: Former NHL player Riley Nash has retired after 13 seasons. From 2011-12 to 2023-24, Nash had 63 goals and 176 points in 628 regular-season games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Arizona Coyotes and the New York Rangers. He also had eight points in 42 postseason games.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 3, 2025

by | Jul 3, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 3, 2025

Connor Bedard’s contract extension talks are underway, Brock Boeser explains why he returned to the Canucks, the Stars introduce Glen Gulutzan as their new head coach, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

BEDARD’S CONTRACT TALKS, BOESER’S RETURN TO CANUCKS, STARS HIRE GULUTZAN

TSN: Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson confirmed his club has opened contract extension talks with Connor Bedard.

Davidson declined to go into detail, but said the 19-year-old center remains committed to the Blackhawks and wants to be in Chicago long-term.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images).

The rebuilding Blackhawks’ struggles during Bedard’s first two NHL seasons saw him at times admit his frustration over the club’s performance. That sparked rumors that he wanted out of Chicago, which he denied several times last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bedard is in the final season of his entry-level contract and is the foundation for the Blackhawks’ rebuild. They’ll open the vault to keep him and will undoubtedly try to lock him up for the maximum term.

Bedard isn’t the only notable Blackhawk eligible to sign a contract extension this summer. Forward Frank Nazar and goaltender Spencer Knight are also due to become restricted free agents (RFA) next summer. Like Bedard, Nazar is in the final season of his entry-level contract and will lack arbitration rights. Knight is in the final season of his second NHL contract and will be arbitration-eligible next July.

THE SCORE: Brock Boeser told NHL.com that he was prepared to sign with a new team when free agency began on July 1. However, a last-minute call from the Vancouver Canucks led to his return on a seven-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $7.25 million.

Boeser said the phone call from the Canucks came as a shock, but it convinced him to instruct his agent to get a deal done. “I think my heart was still in Vancouver,” said the nine-year Canucks veteran.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boeser’s love of Vancouver must run deep. He seemed certain to depart, especially after they attempted to move him at the March trade deadline.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars introduced Glen Gulutzan as their new head coach. It’s the second time he held the job, having served in that role 12 years ago.

Gulutzan addressed the concerns among some Stars fans about his return. He said GM Jim Nill was right to fire him back then, adding that he’s improved as a bench boss after eight seasons as an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nill didn’t win the GM of the Year award three straight times by making rash decisions. He’s put a considerable amount of thought into this hiring.

THE LATEST NOTABLE CONTRACT SIGNINGS

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche signed defenseman Brent Burns to a one-year contract with a $1 million base salary and $2 million in bonus clauses.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Burns is 40 and well removed from his peak years with the San Jose Sharks. Nevertheless, he’s the NHL’s active Ironman (925 consecutive games played) and netted 29 points last season with the Carolina Hurricanes. He’ll provide experienced depth on the right side of the Avs’ blueline.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets signed forward Gustav Nyquist for a one-year, $3.25 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This move suggests that forward Nikolaj Ehlers won’t be returning with the Jets. The 29-year-old wing remains the top player available in the UFA market. He could decide on his next destination by today.

STLTODAY.COM: The Blues inked center Pius Suter to a two-year contract with an AAV of $4.125 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues were seeking additional depth at center. The 29-year-old Suter is coming off a career-best 25-goal performance with the Canucks.

The Blues also placed defenseman Nick Leddy on waivers.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames signed RFA center Morgan Frost to a two-year contract with an AAV of $4.375 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: On Jan. 30, the Flames acquired the 26-year-old Frost and forward Joel Farabee from the Philadelphia Flyers. He put up 37 points in 81 games last season, split between Philadelphia and Calgary. The Flames hope he’ll find a more consistent offensive form that has eluded him thus far in his six-season NHL career.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights signed defenseman Kaeden Korczak to a four-year contract extension with an AAV of $3.25 million.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Ottawa Senators signed forward Arthur Kaliyev to a one-year, two-way contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A once-promising forward with the Los Angeles Kings, the 23-year-old winger struggled with injuries and consistency. He was claimed off waivers by the New York Rangers, putting up four points in 14 games with the Blueshirts.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders signed coveted Russian free-agent forward Maxim Shabanov to a one-year, entry-level contract. He had 23 goals and 67 points in 65 KHL games last season.

TSN: The NHL, NHL Players’ Association, IOC and IIHF finalized an agreement allowing NHL players to participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics next February.