NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 9, 2025

by | Sep 9, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 9, 2025

The latest on Canucks forwards Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser, Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis, Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE PROVINCE: After a solid offseason of training, a healthy Elias Pettersson has returned to Vancouver eager to reunite with his Canucks teammates and keen to start the upcoming season.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

The 26-year-old center is coming off the worst season of his NHL career, managing 45 points in 64 games in a tumultuous, injury-shortened 2024-25 campaign. He said he and his teammates have put last season’s woes behind them and are focusing on bouncing back in 2025-26.

Winger Brock Boeser is among the Canucks hoping to rebound from a disappointing performance. The 28-year-old has contract stability after signing a long-term deal in July, and is happy that he won’t have to face trade rumors that dogged him last season.

Boeser seems likely to skate alongside Pettersson on the Canucks’ top line this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks need Pettersson and Boeser to regain their high-scoring ways if they hope to contend for a playoff berth this season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis said the offseason rehab for his shoulder injury went well, leaving him confident for the coming season. “I can rip out some pushups right now if you want,” he told reporters.

The 23-year-old decided not to undergo surgery on his right shoulder for the second straight year, saying it wasn’t an injury that inhibited his play.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jarvis’ versatile play has moved him up the Hurricanes’ depth chart. A healthy, productive performance this season will be crucial to their Stanley Cup hopes.

SPORTSNET: Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf was passed over for selection to Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp. The 23-year-old Calder Trophy finalist is using the snub as motivation for the upcoming season.

“You want to prove people wrong,” Wolf said. “Myself, our group, are continuing to prove people wrong on a daily basis in Calgary. That’s just another side of it.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Team USA has considerable goaltending depth with Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck, Dallas’ Jake Oettinger, Boston’s Jeremy Swayman, and Seattle’s Joey Daccord. However, a strong performance by Wolf in the first half of this season could earn him a nod if Swayman or Daccord struggle.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers announced they have hired former player Blake Wheeler as hockey operations advisor and Ryane Clowe as assistant general manager.

Wheeler, 38, retired in July after 16 NHL seasons, spending his final season (2023-24) with the Rangers. Clowe recently resigned as assistant GM of the San Jose Sharks.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Nashville Predators signed forward Dylan Gambrell to a professional tryout offer. Gambrell, 29, spent last season on a one-year, two-way contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, spending the season with their AHL affiliate in Cleveland.

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: The Utah Grizzlies will relocate to Trenton, New Jersey, after this season. They are the Colorado Avalanche’s ECHL affiliate.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 8, 2025

by | Sep 8, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 8, 2025

The latest on Kings forward Adrian Kempe and defenseman Brandt Clarke, Ryane Clowe resigns as Sharks assistant GM, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports that Los Angeles Kings general manager Ken Holland considers re-signing Adrian Kempe to be a top priority for his club.

The 28-year-old winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July. A recent report claimed the two sides were $1 million apart in negotiations.

Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe (NHL Images).

Holland said he’s had several brief conversations with Kempe’s agent, but expects negotiations will begin soon. “I believe he wants to stay, and we’ll see if we can get the process started and hopefully find a solution.”

The Kings GM praised Kempe, who has scored 35 or more goals in three of the last four seasons and averaged more than 67 points per season. “He’s a shooter. He can play 200 feet. He kills penalties. He’s got a great shot. He can one-time pucks. He’s got a great release. He can be a one-shot scorer,” Holland said. He also cited Kempe’s skating, versatility, and importance to the team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kempe is in the final season of a four-year contract with a team-friendly average annual value of $5.5 million. Holland should be prepared to pay a hefty price to keep Kempse because he’ll draw plenty of interest if he becomes available. Another 35-plus goal season could earn him over $9 million annually on the open market next summer, especially with the salary cap rising to $104 million for 2026-27.

Holland also indicated that he’s taking a wait-and-see approach with Brandt Clarke. The 22-year-old defenseman is in the final season of his entry-level contract.

“I think he’s a really talented guy with a bright future,” Holland said. “Now we’ve got to figure out where it’s going.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Clarke surfaced in trade rumors during this summer. However, Holland isn’t in any hurry to move the promising blueliner. Having taken over as Kings general manager in May, Holland wants to take some time to evaluate his players and his team.

Holland already knows what Kempe is capable of because the winger has established himself as a reliable scorer. He hasn’t seen as much of Clarke, whose first full NHL campaign was last season.

MAYOR’S MANOR: Speaking of the Kings, prospect forward Liam Greentree’s recovery from offseason wrist surgery went well. He attended the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires’ training camp, played one preseason game, and will attend the Kings’ rookie camp this week.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Ryane Clowe has resigned as the San Jose Sharks’ assistant general manager. He’d been in the job for one season.

Clowe didn’t state a specific reason for the decision, but said in a statement released by the Sharks that the decision was best for his family.

SPORTSNET: Former Sharks winger Kevin Labanc has joined the Carolina Hurricanes on a professional tryout offer. In 2024-25, the 29-year-old winger has 12 points in 34 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in February.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Labanc spent eight of his NHL seasons with the Sharks. He was considered a promising forward after a 40-point performance in 2017-18 and a career-high 57 points in 2018-19. However, his production declined in subsequent seasons.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former Edmonton Oilers forward Klim Kostin would like to play for the club again. The unrestricted free agent played for the Oilers in 2022-23, netting a career-high 11 goals and 21 points in 57 games, and five points in 12 playoff contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers won’t be making any additions to their roster anytime soon. They only have around $225K in cap space for the coming season.