NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 1, 2025

by | Jul 1, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 1, 2025

Alex Pietrangelo to step away from hockey, an update on Evgeni Malkin, Brad Marchand re-signs with the Panthers, Ivan Provorov re-ups with the Blue Jackets, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL’s annual free-agent period begins at noon ET on July 1.

PIETRANGELO STEPS AWAY FROM HOCKEY FOR HEALTH REASONS

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Alex Pietrangelo released a statement on Monday indicating he was stepping away from hockey for health reasons. In an additional statement, Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said the 35-year-old defenseman is dealing with hip injuries that would require bilateral femur reconstruction, with no guarantee of success.

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (NHL Images).

Pietrangelo said doctors advised him to remove the intensity of hockey to see if his body improves so that he can enjoy a normal quality of life. He didn’t indicate that he was retiring, but admitted there was a low likelihood of resuming his playing career.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pietrangelo’s condition likely means he’s played his final game. He is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $8.8 million. It’s expected the Golden Knights will place him on long-term injury reserve to free up salary-cap space to accommodate their recent acquisition of Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Pietrangelo’s absence leaves a big hole on the Golden Knights’ blueline. He was their best all-around defenseman, playing a key role in their march to the 2023 Stanley Cup.

EVGENI MALKIN TO REMAIN WITH THE PENGUINS

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reports sources close to Evgeni Malkin and within the Penguins organization confirm the 38-year-old center will play with the club for 2025-26. Beyond that, nothing has been decided positively or negatively.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said he told Malkin and his agent that they’ll see how the season goes and will meet again at the Olympic break next February. They’ll see where the veteran center is at that point, and then meet after the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malkin was the recent subject of speculation suggesting he could agree to be traded this summer. Barring the unforeseen, he’ll be back in a Penguins jersey to start this season.

LATEST NOTABLE NHL SIGNINGS

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Analysis of Mitch Marner being signed by the Maple Leafs and traded to the Golden Knights, and the new contracts for Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard, Florida’s Aaron Ekblad, the Islanders’ Alexander Romanov, and more can be found at this link.

THE SCORE: The Florida Panthers re-signed winger Brad Marchand to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $5.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers GM Bill Zito is ensuring his roster core remains intact as he attempts to keep his club’s Stanley Cup window open for the foreseeable future. As with the new contracts for Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad, Marchand’s deal should help the Panthers remain competitive in the short term, but it won’t age well as the 37-year-old winger’s performance inevitably declines.

Those contracts will eventually become burdensome, even under a rising salary cap. Zito could shed them via trades, buyouts or LTIR, but there’s no certainty those moves will be easy to pull off.

Potential trade partners will insist on some salary retention or sweeteners like draft picks and prospects. Buyouts count against the cap as two-thirds of the remaining value over twice the remaining term (and in Marchand’s case, as a “plus-35” player, the full value would still count against the cap). LTIR means they cannot accrue cap space during the season.

TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets are finalizing a new seven-year contract with defenseman Ivan Provorov. The deal would be worth an AAV of $8.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets attempted to acquire Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, but they lost out to the Montreal Canadiens. That left Provorov with considerable leverage to land this deal.

The 28-year-old is a good second-pairing blueliner, but this contract would pay him like a first-pairing rearguard. It would be a significant raise over the $6.75 million of his previous contract.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings re-signed forward Patrick Kane to a one-year contract with a cap hit of $3 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise here. Both sides wanted this done. The 36-year-old finished fifth among the Wings last season with 59 points in 72 games as a second-line right wing.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Los Angeles Kings signed winger Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, $4.3 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 29-year-old Kuzmenko struggled last season with the Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers. However, he regained his scoring touch following a trade to the Kings, tallying 17 points in 22 regular-season games and six points in six postseason contests. A solid performance this season could earn him an extension with more term.

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE PROVINCE: Thatcher Demko is reportedly close to signing a contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks. The 29-year-old goaltender is in the final season of his five-year contract with an AAV of $5 million.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames hired Brent Seabrook as a player development coach.

RG.ORG: Evgeny Kuznetsov is hoping to return to the NHL this season. The 33-year-old center spent last season with KHL team SKA St. Petersburg. His agent claims that around 10 NHL clubs have expressed some interest in his client.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens traded goaltender Cayden Primeau to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 29, 2025

by | Jun 29, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 29, 2025

What’s the latest on Bowen Byram? Are the Oilers still goalie-shopping? What’s going on with the Rangers and Islanders? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LATEST ON BOWEN BYRAM

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Mike Harrington reports Bowen Byram appears headed out of Buffalo. The 24-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1, and has been the subject of frequent trade speculation.

Byram might be the only good asset the Sabres have left to bring in a top-six winger to replace the departed JJ Peterka.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

Harrington noted there are several clubs making inquiries about Byram. He wondered if the blueliner might fetch a top forward like Quinton Byfield of the Los Angeles Kings or Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues. He also speculated whether a move for Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust is dead now that the draft is over, or does it return to life on Tuesday, when Rust’s no-trade protection expires.

BARN BURNER PODCAST: TSN’s Darren Dreger reported the Sabres are getting interest in Byram from the Kings, Vancouver Canucks and the Vegas Golden Knights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I doubt the Kings will part with Byfield. Kyrou has surfaced in recent speculation, but the Blues appear to be listening to offers rather than actively shopping the 27-year-old right winger.

Rust has also been the subject of recent conjecture. Like the Blues with Kyrou, the Penguins might be listening, but they’re not rushing to move the 33-year-old winger.

WHO COULD THE OILERS TARGET TO IMPROVE THEIR GOALTENDING?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Robert Tychkowski reported that a couple of goalie options for the Oilers came off the board yesterday. The Anaheim Ducks traded John Gibson to Detroit, and the St. Louis Blues re-signed Joel Hofer.

Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said he’ll continue exploring his options, but didn’t rule out sticking with his current tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard.

Kurt Leavins noted the Oilers have been linked to Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko. The 29-year-old has a year left on his contract with a $5 million cap hit, and the Canucks could move him if unable to sign him to an extension.

Leavins wondered if the American goaltender would prefer being traded to a US-based team like Philadelphia or San Jose over a contender like Edmonton. He also mentioned Demko has an injury history. His cap hit would be difficult for the Oilers to fit into their limited cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There aren’t many options left for Bowman to improve his goaltending. Jake Allen is the best UFA-eligible netminder and could re-sign with the New Jersey Devils.

The Canucks have not indicated that they want to move Demko. He lacks no-trade protection, but if they were to peddle him, they could send him to a team of his choosing.

UPDATES ON THE RANGERS AND ISLANDERS

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the Rangers face the possibility of Will Cuylle becoming an offer-sheet target on July 1. The 23-year-old is a restricted free agent without arbitration rights coming off an entry-level contract.

The Rangers could pitch a two-year bridge deal for Cuylle comparable to that of Philadelphia Flyers winger Tyson Foerster, who signed a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.75 million on May 30. However, Cuylle could be tempted by a more lucrative offer from a rival club.

Brooks doesn’t see Cuylle getting an offer that the Rangers couldn’t match. However, they have around $13 million in cap space. An offer sheet between $6.5 million and $7 million could put them in a pickle.

Defenseman K’Andre Miller hasn’t been traded yet. If the RFA blueliner is still a Ranger by July 1, it could complicate their efforts to sign Vladislav Gavrikov when the Los Angeles Kings blueliner becomes a UFA on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gavrikov could cost around $7,5 million annually. Combine that with Brooks’ proposed offer sheet for Cuylle, and the Rangers would have to make another cost-cutting trade as he did earlier this month when he sent Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks.

Meanwhile, Ethan Sears reports Islanders GM Mathieu Darche confirmed forwards Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat won’t be moved.

Trading Noah Dobson to Montreal gives the Islanders some cap room to maneuver after accounting for RFAs like Alexander Romanov, Max Tsyplakov, Simon Holmstrom and Emil Heineman. Sears believes they must shore up the right side of their blueline if they intend to compete for a playoff berth in 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders have over $20 million in cap space for next season with 17 active roster players under contract.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 27, 2025

by | Jun 27, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – June 27, 2025

The 2025 NHL Draft begins Friday evening. Check out the latest trade speculation on Noah Dobson, Bowen Byram, Rasmus Andersson, K’Andre Miller, Vladislav Gavrikov and more in today’s Rumor Mill.

ISLANDERS ENTERTAINING OFFERS FOR NOAH DOBSON

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston reports the New York Islanders are listening to trade offers for Noah Dobson. The 25-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent (RFA) with arbitration rights seeking a significant raise over the $4 million average annual value (AAV) of his previous contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dobson could become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next summer if he gets a new contract via arbitration this summer. Rumor has it his camp wants an AAV between $10 million and $11 million. Any club interested in acquiring him will want assurances that he’ll sign an extension.

New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson (NHL Images).

Johnston claims the Montreal Canadiens and the St. Louis Blues are among the teams that have spoken to the Islanders about Dobson. The blueliner is also eligible to sign an offer sheet if he’s still unsigned on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A team signing Dobson to a deal with an AAV between $10 million and $11.7 million would have to part with two first-round picks, a second-round pick and a third-rounder as compensation to the Islanders. Anything over $11.7 million costs four first-rounders.

The Canadiens could use an experienced top-four, right-shot defenseman to take some pressure off Calder Memorial Trophy winner Lane Hutson. The Blues have Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk on the right side, but the former is 32 and the latter 33.

The Isles are gauging the market, but it doesn’t mean they’re actively shopping Dobson. If they don’t get any intriguing offers, they’ll continue negotiating a new contract with the blueliner.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias weighed in on the Dobson speculation. He believes Montreal makes little sense as a trade destination for the type of return the Isles would want for Dobson. He felt the Blues and San Jose Sharks might make the most sense, as could the Utah Mammoth if Sean Durzi and the 2025 fourth-overall picks were part of the return.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan reports Canadiens executive VP of hockey ops Jeff Gorton maintained his club intends to stick with their rebuilding plan. “This is a big weekend for us, and it’s a big summer for us, but we’re not going to do anything that’s stupid.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Taking on Dobson at $11 million annually could be a stupid thing, especially when the priority remains adding a top-six forward, preferably a second-line center. Dobson is a talented puck-moving defenseman entering his playing prime, but he’s currently not an $11 million AAV player. 

IS BOWEN BYRAM NEXT ON THE SABRES’ TRADE BLOCK?

TSN: Darren Dreger reports there’s a lot of interest in Bowen Byram. Like Dobson, the 24-year-old is an RFA defenseman with arbitration rights. The Sabres could look at avoiding a potential contract snarl by trading him, like they did earlier this week with winger JJ Peterka by sending him to the Utah Mammoth.

Dreger believes the Los Angeles Kings, Vegas Golden Knights, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Colorado Avalanche and perhaps the Toronton Maple Leafs could be interested in Byram.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A left-shot defenseman, Byram was acquired by the Sabres from the Avalanche. Sabres GM Kevyn Adams prefers player-for-player swaps because his club already has a well-stocked prospect pool. The asking price for Byram could be a top-six forward.

THE LATEST ON ANDERSSON, MILLER, GAVRIKOV AND ARVIDSSON

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson reports Flames GM Craig Conroy confirmed he’d spoken with Rasmus Andersson, saying things were “all good” between them. The 28-year-old defenseman has been the subject of frequent trade rumors. “If he’s a Calgary Flame in September, he’s a Calgary Flame”, said Conroy.

However, Gilbertson believes there’s no guarantee that Andersson will still be around by then. He’s a year away from UFA eligibility and there are contending teams interested in the right-shot rearguard.

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker believes the rest of the Rangers’ offseason plans depend on what they do with K’Andre Miller. Like Dobson and Byram, the 25-year-old left-side defenseman is an RFA with arbitration rights who has been the subject of trade conjecture for weeks.

TSN: Los Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland said he increased the contract offer his predecessor made to pending UFA defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. So far, however, there’s still no deal in place. It’s projected he could get a long-term deal with an AAV of $7.5 million on the open market.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson speculates the Oilers could “sweeten the pot” to move Viktor Arvidsson in a cost-cutting trade. He proposed packaging the 32-year-old winger with the 2025 fourth-round pick they received from the Vancouver Canucks earlier this week in the Evander Kane trade.

LATEST ON THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Hannah Kirkell looked at some recent rumors regarding the Golden Knights.

She doesn’t believe they have any intention of moving forwards William Karlsson and Tomas Hertl. Kirkell also doesn’t buy into the rumors linking them to Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram because he doesn’t fit their preference for physical blueliners.

Kirkell also pointed out the Golden Knights’ limited cap space has shrunk with the re-signing of Reilly Smith (one year, $2 million) and could deplete further with the anticipated re-signing of Brandon Saad.

UPDATE ON THE CANUCKS

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Vancouver Canucks hope to make more moves this week. Acquiring a center is on their priority list. One move that could be off the table is trading Thatcher Demko. The 29-year-old goaltender is a year away from UFA eligibility.

SEVERAL FIRST-ROUND PICKS IN PLAY

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Pittsburgh Penguins hold picks No. 11 and 12 in the first round. They’re willing to move one of them for a good, young NHL player. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens could move the No. 16 or 17 pick for a top-six forward.

The Philadelphia Flyers are holding onto their first-rounder (sixth overall) but are willing to entertain offers for picks No. 22 and 31. The Nashville Predators hold picks 5, 23 and 26 and are considering their options.

With the seventh-overall pick, the Boston Bruins haven’t ruled out moving that selection for a return that would provide immediate improvement to their roster.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 6, 2025

by | Jun 6, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – June 6, 2025

Check out the latest on the Avalanche, Canucks and Blackhawks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE AVALANCHE BE FORCED TO MOVE MARTIN NECAS?

THE DENVER POST: Troy Renck believes the Colorado Avalanche signing Brock Nelson to a three-year contract extension puts general manager Chris MacFarland and head coach Jared Bednar on notice.

Renck understood the need to retain Nelson to address their long-standing need for a second-line center. However, he believes the cost ($7.5 million annually) has boxed MacFarland into a salary-cap corner, likely forcing him to buy out Miles Wood and trade Ross Colton when his full no-trade clause becomes a limited one on July 1.

Martin Necas is eligible for a contract extension this summer and could ask for $10 million-plus if he reaches 100 points playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon next season. There’s speculation that the Avs could trade Necas, as the 26-year-old winger is reportedly unhappy in Colorado.

Colorado Avalanche winger Martin Necas (NHL Images).

Necas was the centerpiece of the Mikko Rantanen trade. Moving him would mean trying to get the same haul all over again, which could leave MacFarland with egg on his face.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen cited Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos claimed that “there’s a sense” that Necas wasn’t “overly thrilled” in Colorado and could seek other options.

Deen questioned this, citing Necas’ performance with the Avalanche and how well he fit in with his new teammates. However, he’s concerned that the winger is a year away from UFA status and could seek a substantial raise over his current average annual value of $6.5 million. They can’t afford to lose him for nothing next year, and they can’t let this situation linger like they did with Rantanen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas’ asking price will be the deciding factor in his future with the Avalanche. If he seeks $10 million annually, that will be $2 million less than what Rantanen got with the Dallas Stars, and likely won’t sit well with Avs followers, who would’ve preferred hanging onto Rantanen.

COULD THE CANUCKS PEDDLE THATCHER DEMKO?

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma noted that the plethora of injuries suffered by Thatcher Demko creates a dilemma for Vancouver Canucks management.

The 29-year-old goaltender is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He can be signed to an extension as early as July 1. When healthy, he’s among the league’s best netminders, but the concerns about his durability will affect their plans for re-signing him.

Kuzma reports Demko wants to remain a Canuck and has put up numbers that warrant an extension. The salary is negotiable, but contract length will be an issue. Demko will seek long-term security, but Canucks management could prefer caution.

Patrick Johnston reports plenty of people have noticed that Demko and center Elias Pettersson don’t appear in the Canucks’ latest marketing imagery.

He suggested Pettersson’s absence could be because he’s on the trade block, or perhaps his image has too much negative connotations for Canucks fans right now. However, Demko’s absence makes Johnston wonder if the goalie is quietly being shopped.

Johnston cited a league source suggesting Demko would be a solid trade chip that would fetch a return that addresses their need for a second-line center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson’s poor performance in 2024-25, his drama with former teammate J.T. Miller, and hefty $11.6 million AAV through 2031-32 makes him very difficult to move this summer.

Demko, on the other hand, would be easier to peddle in the trade market. Despite his injury history, there’s no question he’s a talented goaltender. The lack of quality netminders available in this summer’s trade and free-agent markets would draw plenty of interest from teams looking to upgrade between the pipes next season.

The Canucks’ goaltending is in decent shape if they wish to move on from Demkov. They signed Kevin Lankinen earlier this season to a four-year contract extension, and they have promising Arturs Silovs in the minors.

WILL THE BLACKHAWKS MAKE A MAJOR OFFSEASON MOVE?

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers reports there’s an assumption around the league that the Chicago Blackhawks are poised to make a major offseason move. They have plenty of cap space and draft capital, and could be aggressive in the trade and free-agent markets following their recent finishes in the league standings.

GM Kyle Davidson remains determined to continue building through the draft. They could inquire about Mitch Marner if the 28-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs winger goes to market on July 1, but they won’t overpay for him, nor do they consider him or any other player in this year’s UFA market as an essential piece to add.

Powers considers it unlikely they’ll target another club’s restricted free-agent talent with offer sheets. Instead, they could focus on the trade market. Someone like JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres could intrigue them, and they have the trade capital to make such a move.

Turning to their UFAs, Powers indicated the Blackhawks have had contract talks with Ryan Donato. They haven’t reached an agreement yet, and time is getting short, but there’s still a chance he could sign an extension.

Powers also interviewed Davidson, who remains open to trading draft capital for an NHL roster player. The Blackhawks GM is willing to explore every option to help his team, but it has to be the right fit. He also pointed out that acquiring good talent remains difficult because of the competition for the few available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Davidson brought in veterans over the past two years to help his rebuilding team. The problem was that most of them were past their prime, with several ending up traded to other clubs.

His challenge is finding those in the prime, preferably in their mid-to-late twenties, who will fit well with the Blackhawks’ young core. Marner fits that category, but he’d be too expensive, and he could be unwilling to join a rebuilding club.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 28, 2025

by | May 28, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 28, 2025

Check out the latest on Jonathan Marchessault, Connor Murphy, Morgan Rielly, Thatcher Demko, Bo Horvat and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli updated his offseason 20-player NHL Trade Targets list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Many of the names are familiar ones (JJ Peterka, Bowen Byram, Erik Karlsson, Rasmus Andersson, Chris Kreider, Marco Rossi) that have frequently appeared in the rumor mill since the end of the regular season. Seravalli provides a useful synopsis of the recent news and rumors for each of those players who have already been noted on this site.

Seravalli has added some new names to his list that are worth examining. Read on…

Jonathan Marchessault of the Nashville Predators sits fifth on this list. Seravalli believes the 34-year-old winger might welcome a trade after a disappointing season with the Predators. He has four years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.5 million.

Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun included Marchessault among his list of trade and free-agent targets for the Maple Leafs. Given the winger’s contract, he believes the Predators would have to retain some salary to facilitate a deal. They’d likely have to do the same to send him to other NHL clubs.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy checks in at No. 8. With promising young defensemen Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov patrolling the Chicago blueline, the 32-year-old could be on the move this summer. He has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $4.4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks could use Murphy as a trade chip to add depth up front. However, his experience and leadership would be of greater value to this youthful defense corps this season. If they attempt to move Murphy, it could be at next year’s trade deadline if he decides to become a UFA next summer.

Morgan Rielly holds the No. 15 spot. Seravalli believes the 31-year-old is no longer an effective puck-moving defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Rielly has five years left on his contract with an AAV of $7.5 million. Seravalli wonders if they should try to move Rielly’s contract before it becomes oneous.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t see Rielly going anywhere this summer. He has a full no-movement clause until 2027-28. If he’s willing to waive it, the Leafs would probably have to retain a healthy chunk of his cap hit to make a deal happen.

Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha and Morgan Geekie share the No. 16 spot. Seravalli noted that the Bruins are in transition and must decide which players they will keep. Geekie is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who is a year away from UFA eligibility. Zacha has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $4.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I concur with Seravalli that both would have value in the trade market. Geekie appears the most likely to move if his contract extension talks with the Bruins become difficult.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko sit at No 18. He’s a year away from UFA eligibility. Kevin Lankinen played well filling in for the sidelined Demko this season, earning a five-year extension. Seravalli wonders if the Canucks might consider moving Demko this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks may have tipped their hand by inking Lankinen to that long extension. They could keep the goalie tandem intact for this season to see how things shake out, and peddle Demko at the trade deadline if they can’t re-sign him or if they’re out of playoff contention by then.

DAILY FACEOFF: Seravalli was asked if the idea of New York Islanders center Bo Horvat being available is hot or cold. He considers it “lukewarm”, suggesting they’ll need his experience and skills if they hope to stage a quick turnaround under new GM Mathieu Darche. He also thinks they should be patient to see what he might fetch in a market thin on quality centers this year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see what Darche has in store for the Islanders. A rebuild seems unlikely with core players like Horvat, Mathew Barzal and Ilya Sorokin under expensive long-term contracts, with RFA defenseman Noah Dobson likely to join them.

We can’t rule anything out, and Darche could be tempted if he receives a substantial offer for Horvat. Nevertheless, the betting here is he’ll consider other moves to shake up his roster before asking Horvat about waiving his full no-trade clause.

TVA SPORTS: Nicolas Cloutier observed that Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau has backstopped their AHL affiliate in Laval into the AHL Conference Finals. The 25-year-old is a restricted free agent this summer who’s a year away from UFA eligibility.

Primeau struggled during his tenure with the Canadiens. Despite his strong performance with Laval this season, Cloutier expects he won’t receive a qualifying offer from the Habs, enabling him to become a UFA.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens could also attempt to shop Primeau’s rights or include him in a package deal for a center before July 1.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 9, 2025

by | Apr 9, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 9, 2025

Check out the latest on the Canucks and Sabres in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST CANUCKS SPECULATION

TSN: Darren Dreger believes acquiring a second-line center will be among the Vancouver Canucks’ priorities this summer.

The free-agent market is thin for such players. However, the Canucks aren’t afraid to spend some draft capital or prospects in the trade market.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (NHL Images).

Starting goaltender Thatcher Demko has a year left on his contract. Dreger wondered what a contract extension might look like. He also thinks a trade could be an option.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: When healthy, Demko’s among the best goalies in the league. His stellar play last season made him a finalist for the Vezina Trophy and played a big role in the Canucks’ 109-point performance.

However, Demko’s absences due to injury create uncertainty about his effectiveness as a starter. The Canucks have also received solid goaltending from Kevin Lankinen, who signed a five-year extension in February.

Despite Demko’s injury history, the lack of quality goalies in the trade and free-agent markets could make him an enticing trade chip for the Canucks if the two sides fail to agree to terms for an extension.

THE ATHLETIC: A reader asked Thomas Drance what his top center trade targets would be for the Canucks this summer.

One option could be pursuing an older center on a risky contract like Steven Stamkos. Drance acknowledged the 34-year-old Stamkos’ no-movement clause but noted that he’s had a rough season with the Nashville Predators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks will probably have to look elsewhere for that type of center. Besides, Stamkos is more effective at left wing at this stage in his career.

Another option would be a promising young center who hasn’t broken out yet like Connor McMichael of the Washington Capitals or Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets. Drance admits both would be expensive to acquire, but if the Canucks intend to make a big swing in this summer’s trade market, those would be the two to pursue.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McMichael has become part of the Capitals’ core this season with a 55-point performance. He’s signed through next season with an average annual value of $2.1 million. He’s not going anywhere.

Drance observed Perfetti had an acrimonious negotiation with the Jets last summer before agreeing to a two-year deal (at an AAV of $3.25 million). Perfetti would be the most likely to be available, but that doesn’t mean the Jets will move him.

The final option is a reliable veteran in his prime with some term left on his contract. Pavel Zacha of the Boston Bruins and Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Carolina Hurricanes fall into that category. Drance pointed out that the Bruins are rebuilding, which could make Zacha available. He also noted the Canucks were linked to Kotkaniemi in the past.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zacha is the better of the two. He had a career-high 59 points last season and has 45 points this season. However, he might not be available if the Bruins are retooling for a quick turnaround rather than staging a rebuild.

The 24-year-old Kotkaniemi is younger than Zacha and has more contract certainty with five years remaining. However, he’s been inconsistent during his tenure with the Hurricanes and usually sees third-line center duty.

MORE CHANGE IN STORE FOR THE SABRES?

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn examined why the Buffalo Sabres missed the playoff for the 14th straight season, and what might be in store during the offseason.

Fairburn noted the Sabres trading Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline. He believes more changes could be coming this season, citing their goals-against (fourth highest in the league) and woeful special-teams play (25th-ranked power play, 23rd-ranked penalty kill).

General manager Kevyn Adams and head coach Lindy Ruff each have a year left on their contracts. Fairburn wondered if team owner Terry Pegula would make more changes in the front office and behind the bench.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres’ woes begin with Pegula. He’s provided the financial stability that ensures this club won’t be moved, but as Fairburn observes, the constant losing is taking a toll on its fanbase.

If Adams remains as general manager he’ll emphasize improving the Sabres goaltending and defensive game.