NHL Rumor Mill – March 26, 2025

by | Mar 26, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – March 26, 2025

The latest on the Penguins goaltending, the Canadiens offseason plans, and the fallout of Jakob Chychrun’s new contract in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

PENGUINS FACE OFF-SEASON GOALIE DECISION

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW: Mark Madden wonders if Tristan Jarry has saved his future with the Penguins.

The 29-year-old goaltender struggled in the first half of the season, leading to his demotion to the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. However, he’s rallied since his recall, prompting Madden to suggest Jarry could stick with the club beyond this season if he keeps playing well.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (NHL Images).

Jarry’s contract is part of the equation. He’s signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $5.375 million. His recent improvement isn’t likely to increase interest in him. The Penguins would have to retain salary in any swap.

Madden believes the Penguins can’t retain Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic. The latter has a year left on this deal with an AAV of $2.5 million. Having both is blocking one of their promising young netminders from moving up

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Madden also mentioned buying out Jarry if need be would be the easy call but his recent play makes that difficult. A buyout would see a cap hit of $1.747 million for 2025-26, rising to $5.047 million in 2026-27, dropping to $4.547 million in 2027-28, and falling to over $797K for each of the final three seasons.

THE LATEST ON THE CANADIENS’ OFFSEASON PLANS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun recently reported another important offseason awaits the Montreal Canadiens. They have salary-cap flexibility and draft capital at their disposal. Adding another top-six forward is the priority.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Specifically, a reliable second-line center.

Hughes acknowledged the situation but clarified a recent comment where he seemed to suggest a willingness to overpay in the trade market rather than doing so in free agency. He said he was contrasting the two options, adding that it was in the context of signing a 32-year-old player to a seven-year contract that isn’t going to age well. He said his team isn’t in a three-year window where they have to win now and would be comfortable carrying that type of contract on the back end.

The Canadiens GM said that his team needs to be smart about this because they expect to have a much larger window of opportunity. He’ll be engaged in talking with other general managers to explore ways of improving his team but doesn’t want to be short-sighted about it.

LeBrun indicated that finding a center in his mid-twenties this summer will be challenging, especially with teams like the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks seeking the same thing.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes has a pretty good offseason trade record but this summer will present his biggest challenge. If he can’t find a suitable option in the trade market, he might have to take a calculated risk on a short-term free-agent signing.

THE FALLOUT FROM THE CHYCHRUN SIGNING.

TSN: Chris Johnston believes Jakob Chychrun’s new eight-year, $72-million contract caught a lot of people around the league by surprise. He’ll be the 10th highest-paid defenseman next season. Some teams believe the salary cap will reach $120 million four years from now, which could make Chychrun’s new deal a bargain by that point.

Darren Dreger believes Chychrun might’ve received more on the open market this summer given the season he’s having. However, the 26-year-old blueliner is comfortable with the Capitals and wants to avoid the uncertainty of free agency.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun’s contract will be used as a comparable by Evan Bouchard’s representatives. The Edmonton Oilers defenseman is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. The 25-year-old had 82 points last season and is on pace to reach 60 this season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 25, 2025

by | Mar 25, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 25, 2025

The Blue Jackets, Red Wings and Canucks collect crucial points in the wild-card races, the three stars of the week are revealed, a roundup of injury updates, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF MONDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: The Columbus Blue Jackets overcame 2-0 and 3-2 deficits to defeat the New York Islanders 4-3 on a shootout goal by Adam Fantilli. Elvis Merzlikins stopped 30 shots, Fantilli, Boone Jenner and Kirill Marchenko scored in regulation and Sean Monahan had two assists in his first game since being sidelined with a wrist injury on Jan. 7. Pierre Engvall, Kyle Palmieri, and Anders Lee scored for the Islanders.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (NHL Images).

The win snapped a six-game losing skid for the Blue Jackets (73 points), leaving them two points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. The Islanders are one point behind the Canadiens with 74 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Palmieri scored what would’ve been the game-winner with 9 seconds left in regulation. However, the goal was overturned on a controversial goaltender interference call that left the Isles fuming following the game.

Shootout goals by Jake DeBrusk and Jonathan Lekkerimaki gave the Vancouver Canucks a 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils. Conor Garland scored with 36 seconds remaining in the third period to tie the game, Pius Suter had a goal and an assist, and Thatcher Demko made 22 saves after missing a month with a lower-body injury.

Timo Meier scored twice for the Devils, who’ve dropped four of their last five (1-3-1) and sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 81 points. The Canucks have 78 points, putting them three behind the St. Louis Blues for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks played without forwards Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander, who returned to Vancouver for evaluation after being injured in Saturday’s loss to the New York Rangers. They will miss the remainder of the Canucks’ six-game road trip.

The Detroit Red Wings managed only 14 shots against the Utah Hockey Club but scored five unanswered goals for a 5-1 victory. Alex DeBrincat had a goal and an assist while Alex Lyon got the win in relief of Petr Mrazek, who left following a collision with Utah forward Dylan Guenther 90 seconds into the game. Guenther scored for Utah (75 points), who are six points behind the Blues in the Western wild-card race. The Red Wings (72 points) are three points behind the Canadiens in the Eastern race.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Red Wings defenseman Jeff Petry logged almost 17 minutes of ice time in his return to action after missing 31 games with an undisclosed injury.

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger made 32 saves to shut out the Minnesota Wild 3-0. Wyatt Johnston, Matt Duchene and Mason Marchment were the goal scorers as the Stars sit second in the Central Division with 94 points. Filip Gustavsson stopped 26 shots for the Wild, who hold the first Western wild-card berth with 85 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars forward Mikko Rantanen briefly left this game after being struck in the face by the puck. He returned sporting protective face gear and finished the game. Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin missed this game with a lower-body injury and is considered day-to-day.

The Wild should keep an eye on the Blues, who sit four points behind them in the second wild-card spot after winning six straight games.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson, Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, and St. Louis Blues winger Dylan Holloway are the league’s three stars for the week ending March 23.

Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will remain sidelined for the rest of this week. McDavid suffered a lower-body injury on March 20 while Draisaitl sustained an undisclosed injury on March 18.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi is listed as week-to-week after suffering an upper-body injury on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl will be sidelined for at least a week as he undergoes evaluation of his injured right wrist. He suffered the injury during Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Meanwhile, defenseman Shea Theodore is traveling with the team and could return to action later this week. Theodore was injured during last month’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun is questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets. He suffered a cut in the “wrist/hand area” during Saturday’s game against the Florida Panthers that required stitches. Chychrun finished the game but didn’t participate in Monday’s practice.

DAILY FACEOFF: Colorado Avalanche defensemen Samuel Girard (undisclosed) and Erik Johnston (lower body) are listed as day-to-day.

Seattle Kraken center Chandler Stephenson is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. So is San Jose Sharks rearguard Vincent Desharnais.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle has joined his teammates on their four-game road trip. He missed the last 19 games with a lacerated quadriceps muscle but has been skating on his own for more than two weeks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No timeline yet for Guhle’s return but the fact he’s traveling with the team suggests he could play at some point later this week.

NHL.COM: St. Louis Blues forward Zack Bolduc was fined over $2,200.00 by the department of player safety for cross-checking Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Blankenburg on Sunday.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Predators have extended their partnership with the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals through 2028-29.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 18, 2025

by | Mar 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – March 18, 2025

A look at the potential offseason plans for the Hurricanes, Flyers and Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

HURRICANES TO BE AGGRESSIVE IN THIS SUMMER’S FREE-AGENT MARKET

THE ATHLETIC: In an interview with Pierre LeBrun, Carolina Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky indicated that his club intends to use its salary-cap space to be aggressive in this summer’s free-agent market.

Tulsky also said that he’d be willing to gamble again on acquiring a big-name rental player without assurances of a contract extension. He made a splash two months ago in the trade market by acquiring Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche, only to trade him to the Dallas Stars before the March 7 trade deadline because he wouldn’t commit to an extension.

TSN: LeBrun said he expects the Hurricanes will pursue Mitch Marner if the Toronto Maple Leafs winger heads to the free-agent market on July 1.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Before trading Rantanen to Dallas, the Hurricanes offered him to the Leafs straight up for Marner. Leafs management took the offer to Marner, stressing their priority was to re-sign him but there was an opportunity to send him to the Hurricanes if he wasn’t sure about staying with the Leafs. Marner decided not to waive his no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes won’t be the only team to pursue Marner this summer if he tests the market. However, they could be the only playoff contender with deep enough pockets to land him.

WHICH PLAYERS SHOULD THE FLYERS TARGET THIS SUMMER?

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: A reader recently asked William James which players he believes the Philadelphia Flyers should target in free agency this summer.

James believes they need a reliable backup goaltender, suggesting Alex Lyon of the Detroit Red Wings as an option. He also thinks they should consider signing Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun to upgrade their blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: What do you think, Flyers fans? Which players would you like to see your club add via free agency or trades this summer? Let me know in the comments section below.

WILL THE CANUCKS USE TRADE OR FREE AGENCY TO ADD A FORWARD?

THE PROVINCE: A reader asked Patrick Johnston if he felt the Vancouver Canucks would use this summer’s free-agent market to add a top-tier or second-tier forward to their roster.

Johnston cited Mitch Marner as the top potential unrestricted free agent but wondered if he’ll even make it to market. Nikolaj Ehlers is the next most exciting player out there but questioned if the Canucks need to add another small forward.

Ultimately, Johnston thinks they’ll go the trade route this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks have a projected cap space of $14 million for next season with 20 active players under contract. Brock Boeser and Pius Suter are their notable pending UFAs this summer. They won’t have enough to land Marner and could consider more affordable options besides Ehlers.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 16, 2025

by | Mar 16, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 16, 2025

Recent updates regarding this summer’s top unrestricted free agents in this Sunday’s NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently examined the status of this summer’s top unrestricted free agents

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner tops the list. If he goes to market, he could become the highest-paid player in the league. The 28-year-old winger has previously expressed a desire to re-sign with the Leafs but has rebuffed the club’s attempts to negotiate during the season.

Fox noted that the Carolina Hurricanes offered Mikko Rantanen for Marner before the trade deadline. Leafs general manager Brad Treliving took the idea to Marner, who declined to waive his no-movement clause.

“So, here we are: A team unsure if its star wants to stay, and an in-demand talent who holds all the power over his future.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The longer Marner remains unsigned, the more his future will be the subject of growing media speculation leading up to July 1.

All is quiet regarding contract talks between the Winnipeg Jets and Nikolaj Ehlers. The 29-year-old winger was the subject of trade speculation last summer, with one report suggesting he’d welcome a change of scenery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers popped up a few times in the rumor mill this season as some pundits speculated whether the Jets would move him before the trade deadline. Don’t expect to hear anything more about his contract situation until after the Jets’ playoff run is over.

Defenseman Jakob Chychrun has been a good fit with the Washington Capitals since his acquisition last summer from the Ottawa Senators. Both sides are reportedly willing to keep the relationship going.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be surprising if the 27-year-old Chychrun doesn’t re-sign with the Capitals. He’s recently bounced around a bit and is keen to settle down with a winning club.

Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (NHL Images).

The Maple Leafs have had preliminary contract discussions with John Tavares. The 34-year-old center wants to stay in Toronto, but the Leafs are letting things play out for now because they’re focused on other priorities.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tavares knows he must accept a pay cut, but there might not be enough cap space left after they’ve addressed their “other priorities” (Marner). The cost of keeping him will be determined by the cost of re-signing Marner or replacing him.

Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito has been working hard to get Sam Bennett signed to a contract extension. Fox believes it’ll come down to whether the 29-year-old center prefers life in South Florida over earning top dollar.

Fox’s colleague Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday that Zito has re-opened contract extension talks with the Bennett camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers have $19 million in projected cap space for 2025-26. They must re-sign or replace Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand, Nate Schmidt and Vitek Vanecek. They have enough to re-sign Bennett, but how much of a raise he seeks will determine whether he has a future in Florida beyond this season.

The Vancouver Canucks tried and failed to trade Brock Boeser for a decent return. The Carolina Hurricanes were one club with a measure of interest in the 28-year-old winger. Canucks GM Patrik Allvin claimed the offers he received were underwhelming.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks could bend and re-sign Boeser, but he seems destined to depart as a UFA on July 1.

Defenseman Aaron Ekblad is the second-longest-serving Florida Panther player. However, the recent addition of right-shot blueliner Seth Jones raises an eyebrow. Fox also wondered if the recent 20-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy could affect the 29-year-old Ekblad’s efforts to remain with the Panthers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adding Jones provides more right-side depth on the Panthers’ blueline. He’s also an insurance policy if Ekblad heads to market on July 1.

Brad Marchand’s future with the Panthers appears to be in wait-and-see mode. They acquired the 36-year-old winger from the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline. “How does Marchand fit? And how far can Florida’s repeat bid go?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This seems like a rental situation. The Panthers had the opportunity to bolster their roster with Matthew Tkachuk on long-term injury reserve for the rest of the regular season. Marchand will likely end up as a UFA on July 1, even if he helps the Panthers repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

The Colorado Avalanche acquired Brock Nelson at the trade deadline. The 33-year-old’s future with the club could depend on how well he fits as their second-line center over the remainder of this season and into the playoffs. The Avs have the cap space to extend him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given Nelson’s age, he’ll have to accept a short-term deal for around his current AAV ($6 million) to stay with the Avalanche.

There is no indication of contract extension talks between the Jets and defenseman Neal Pionk.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The latter expressed little concern about that situation, recently telling Daily Faceoff he was comfortable with how things were going. The Jets could end up re-signing the 29-year-old blueliner.

Matt Duchene is completing his second straight one-year, $3 million contract with the Dallas Stars. Given how well he fits with them, the 34-year-old center could accept another one-year deal to stay in Dallas.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 5, 2025

by | Jan 5, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 5, 2025

Check out the latest on Canucks centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun and Penguins blueliner Marcus Pettersson in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

CANUCKS TESTING TRADE MARKET FOR PETTERSSON & MILLER

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Vancouver Canucks are “definitely” looking at the trade market for centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller.

Friedman indicated three outcomes: neither gets dealt, one gets dealt or both get dealt. He didn’t make predictions about which was the more likely.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

If Vancouver makes a trade they’ll likely want a center in return. While Canucks fans are concerned about the state of the blueline with Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek sidelined by injuries, they would prioritize getting a center back if Pettersson, Miller, or both are traded.

Miller has a full no-movement clause in his contract. If he waives it, Friedman believes it would be for a US-based club, dismissing speculation he could go to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He doesn’t think rumors of a return to the New York Rangers with center Mika Zibanejad and defenseman K’Andre Miller going to Vancouver are entirely accurate.

“I just think that if Vancouver wanted to do that, they would’ve done it already,” said Friedman, pointing out that Zibanejad also has a full NMC.

Friedman also addressed recent speculation suggesting someone has asked for a trade out of Vancouver. He claims he can find no evidence of that.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This isn’t the first time Pettersson has appeared in trade rumors. There were reports the Canucks had talks with the Carolina Hurricanes before they returned to the negotiating table with the Pettersson camp, re-signing him to his eight-year contract.

Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin raised eyebrows last week in his year-end interview with Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre when he didn’t dismiss the possibility of trading Pettersson. However, he also stressed that he still believes in the 26-year-old center and his ability to become a top-line center.

It’s worthwhile for the Canucks to explore all their options in this situation. This could be management sending a message to both players that they could be moved if they can’t resolve their differences.

Both players will draw interest in the trade market but getting a suitable return could be difficult. Pettersson carries the more expensive contract at $11.6 million annually through 2031-32. However, he’s 26 and is in his prime despite his struggles this season. Miller brings more intensity to his game but he’s also in his early thirties and won’t have many prime seasons left.

Miller to Toronto doesn’t make sense unless the Leafs decide not to re-sign Mitch Marner and John Tavares. Taking on a center who turns 32 in March with an $8 million average annual value through 2029-30 on his contract would be an expensive long-term gamble they could regret.

The Rangers already have several aging, expensive core players. Swapping out Zibanejad for Miller might provide a short-term boost but they would end up in the same place within a couple of years.

UPDATES ON JAKOB CHYCHRUN AND MARCUS PETTERSSON

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber reported Thursday that Jakob Chychrun feels at home with the Washington Capitals. The 26-year-old defenseman was acquired from the Ottawa Senators last summer.

Chychrun has fit in well with the Capitals with 11 goals and 27 points in 34 games. He praised the organization and is enjoying playing with a winning team. Eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July, Chychrun said he sees himself staying with the Capitals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun will garner attention if he hits the open market on July 1. His current cap hit is $4.6 million but could seek over $8 million annually on his next contract.

The Capitals will have $28.8 million in cap space next season if the cap rises as projected by $4.5 million. That’s enough room to keep him in the fold, especially with long-time blueliner John Carlson in his mid-thirties. They’ll need Chychrun to fill the void if Carlson departs as a UFA in 2026 or retires.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reported Wednesday that the Penguins haven’t held contract extension talks with Marcus Pettersson. The 28-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible on July 1 and recently returned to action after missing six games with a lower-body injury.

Petterson’s UFA status in July has made him the frequent subject of trade speculation. He said he’s trying to block that out and focus on his play.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins GM Kyle Dubas will likely handle this as he did with Jake Guentzel last season. He’ll wait until February to open contract discussion and peddle Pettersson by the March 7 trade deadline if they fail to agree to an extension.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 31, 2024

by | Oct 31, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 31, 2024

Milestone games for Anze Kopitar and Kyle Connor, the latest valuations of the league’s 32 teams, an update on Connor McDavid’s injury status, the Leafs trade Timothy Liljegren,  and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar had a goal and two assists (including his 800th career assist) to lead his club to a 6-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke picked up three assists and Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist in his return to the lineup after being a healthy scratch from the Kings’ previous game. Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice for the Golden Knights, who remain winless on the road (0-3-1).

Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar (NHL Images).

Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor also had a goal and two assists (including his 500th career assist) as his club defeated the Detroit Red Wings 6-2. Neal Pionk tallied twice for the league-leading Jets (9-1-0, 18 points). Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond each collected two assists for the Red Wings.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom stopped 20 shots to shut out the Vancouver Canucks 6-0. Devils captain Nico Hischier scored his league-leading 10th goal and picked up two assists as his team moved atop the Eastern Conference standings (7-4-2, 16 points). Canucks goalie Arturs Silovs was in net for all six Devils goals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not to take anything away from the Devils’ dominant performance but the Canucks made it easy for them. They were a listless bunch in this game.

The Tampa Bay Lightning got a goal and two assists from Nikita Kucherov to beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2. Jake Guentzel scored twice and Andrei Vasilevskiy turned aside 33 shots for the Lightning. Avalanche stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar each collected two points to extend their season-opening points streaks to 11 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The injury-battered Avalanche played without forwards Ross Colton (broken foot, out six to eight weeks) and Miles Wood (upper-body injury, out seven to 10 days). They did get some good news as sidelined forward Artturi Lehkonen is expected to return to action next Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. He’s been recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Another player with a goal and two assists was Mikhail Sergachev, leading the Utah Hockey Club to a 5-1 win over the Calgary Flames. Connor Ingram made 30 saves for the win while Nick Schmaltz and Dylan Guenther each collected two assists. Anthony Mantha scored for the Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Calgary captain Mikael Backlund played in his 1,000th career regular-season game.

Since winning five of their first six games, the fizzling Flames have dropped four straight.

Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Elvis Merzlikins turned in a 26-save shutout to blank the New York Islanders 2-0, handing the latter their fourth loss in their last five games. Damon Severson and Justin Danforth were the goal scorers as the Blue Jackets end their October schedule with a record of 5-3-1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s a testament to the Blue Jackets’ character that they’ve played as well as they have considering everything they’ve endured since late August.

Meanwhile, the Islanders have been shut out in four of their first 10 games. As of Oct. 30, their goals per game average (2.10) is last in the league.

HEADLINES

SPORTICO: released their annual evaluation of all 32 NHL franchises. All of them saw significant increases in their value since last year, with the average being 37 percent.

The top five were the Toronto Maple Leafs ($3.66 billion), New York Rangers ($3.25 billion), Montreal Canadiens ($2.93 billion), Boston Bruins ($2.67 billion) and Los Angeles Kings ($2.5 billion).

The Utah Hockey Club ($1.2 billion), Ottawa Senators ($1.14 billion), Buffalo Sabres ($1.13 billion), Winnipeg Jets ($1.1 billion) and Columbus Blue Jackets ($1.06 billion) made up the bottom five. Utah HC saw the biggest increase (78 percent) because of its relocation from Arizona.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s James Mirtle explained the reasons behind these significant increases. The current CBA with its hard salary cap, robust revenue sharing with smaller markets, and the expansion into Las Vegas and Seattle are among the notable factors.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers captain Connor McDavid will be sidelined with an injured ankle for two to three weeks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid could miss up to 12 games during that period. Nevertheless, the Oilers are probably breathing a sigh of relief that he’ll only miss at most three weeks.

TORONTO SUN/NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: The Toronto Maple Leafs traded defenseman Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks for blueliner Matt Benning, a conditional third-round pick in 2025 and a sixth-rounder in 2026.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Liljegren is signed through next season with an average annual value of $3 million. Benning’s contract also runs through 2025-26 and has an AAV of $1.25 million. The move frees up $1.75 million in much-needed salary-cap space for the Leafs. It also clears room for Jani Hakanpaa’s impending debut with the Leafs.

Liljegren struggled to establish himself as a top-four puck-moving defenseman with the Leafs. He’ll get a better opportunity to do so with the rebuilding Sharks, away from Toronto’s harsh spotlight.

DAILY FACEOFF: Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

RG.ORG: An in-depth analysis of the relationship between faster players and elite offensive production in the NHL. Unlike the past where size and shot mechanics were determining factors, faster players in today’s NHL are more likely to become elite stars, though it is no guarantee of stardom. The Colorado Avalanche appear to have tapped into that, sitting third over the past three seasons in total points (335) and winning the Stanley Cup in 2021-22.