NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 6, 2024

by | Jun 6, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 6, 2024

The latest on the Oilers and Panthers as they prepare for the Stanley Cup Final, plus updates on Jacob Trouba, Matt Duchene, Chris Tanev, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

STANLEY CUP FINAL NOTEBOOK

THE ATHLETIC: The top-four picks in the 2014 NHL Draft are playing in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad was the first-overall pick with teammates Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett chosen second and fourth by other teams and later traded to the Panthers. Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl was chosen third overall.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reports 75 percent of NHL analysts are predicting the Oilers will lose to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.

Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m among the 75 percent. My heart is with the Oilers because I want to see a Canadian team finally win the Cup after 31 years and for Connor McDavid to cement his legacy as his generation’s greatest player.

However, the Panthers have more experience at this stage of the postseason, they’re built for the long physical playoff grind, they’re healthier than they were in last year’s Cup Final, and possess more consistent goaltending. With 11 players eligible to become unrestricted free agents, this could also be the last opportunity for the current Panthers roster to win the Cup.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Panthers are ramping up the intensity of their practices as the Cup Final approaches with an emphasis on their special teams.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They face a big challenge in shutting down Edmonton’s lethal power play. At the same time, they must find a way to score against the Oilers’ playoff-leading penalty kill.

Meanwhile, a Miami Herald sportswriter is trying to stir the pot (and somewhat succeeding) with Oilers fans by calling Connor McDavid “overrated” for not leading his club to the Stanley Cup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Edmonton pundits could say the same thing about Florida Panthers captain (and two-time Selke Trophy winner) Aleksander Barkov. Sure, he led them to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, but he hasn’t won anything so he’s overrated. See, it’s easy to make silly clickbait statements.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NEW YORK POST: Jacob Trouba took exception to a “Spittin’ Chiclets” producer’s critique of the Rangers captain’s game by mentioning his wife, Kelly, a neuroscience major.

The producer noted that Trouba and his wife founded the Trouba Creative Expressions Arts Program which offers art services to adults with epilepsy and seizures. “Maybe Jacob should go home and get a lesson from his wife about the dangers of concussions that can lead to epilepsy and seizures before he goes around concussing guys on a daily basis,” he said.

Trouba announced that for the next 30 days, proceeds from his 24-inch print sales will go to the Athletes for Hope Foundation in response. “We must do better than this,” he replied on Twitter to the podcaster’s comments. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Criticizing Trouba’s on-ice performance and his history of undisciplined play is fair game. However, dragging his family into it was uncalled for and crossed the line.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars forward Matt Duchene and defenseman Chris Tanev are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Both players indicated they’d love to re-sign with the club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That will depend on how much they’re seeking and whether the Stars have the cap space to retain them.

TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving he remains interested in signing pending UFA forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi.

TORONTO SUN: The Leafs also hired former New York Islanders bench boss Lane Lambert as an associate coach and parted ways with Dean Chynoweth, who was an assistant coach for the past three seasons.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks promoted skills guru Yogi Svejkovsky was promoted to assistant coach. Meanwhile, Hall of Famers Daniel and Henrik Sedin will take on larger roles in day-to-day coaching with the Canucks and their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

THE DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche have opened contract talks with winger Jonathan Drouin and defenseman Jack Jackson. Both are slated to become UFAs on July 1.

THE SCORE: Philadelphia Flyers president of hockey operations Keith Jones has heard the rumors suggesting highly-touted prospect Matvei Michkov could join the club this summer. However, he couldn’t provide any further details.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Michkov has three seasons remaining on his contract with KHL club SKA Saint Petersburg. A recent report out of Russia claimed his deal was being terminated but it has yet to be corroborated by a North American media source.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks assistant coach Ryan Warsofsky is considered the front-runner to become the club’s head coach.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 26, 2024

by | May 26, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 26, 2024

Check out the latest on Jake Guentzel, Steven Stamkos, Elias Lindholm, and the other top unrestricted free agents in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported the latest speculation on some of this summer’s top NHL unrestricted free agents.

Jake Guentzel and the Carolina Hurricanes have a mutual interest in negotiating a new contract. LeBrun wonders if an eight-year contract at $8 million per season might keep him in Carolina.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guentzel could seek a higher annual cap hit but the eight-year term offers greater long-term security.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).

Contract extension talks between the cap-strapped Tampa Bay Lightning and Steven Stamkos continue even after reacquiring Ryan McDonagh (and his $6.75 million cap hit) from Nashville last week. LeBrun speculates this could go right up to when the free-agent market opens on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning have just over $4.1 million of cap space for next season with 18 active roster players under contract. They’ll have to shed salary to re-sign Stamkos unless he’s taking the biggest pay cut in franchise history.

The Vancouver Canucks could make a strong push to re-sign Elias Lindholm. However, LeBrun believes he could be too expensive to retain.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm is coming off a six-year deal earning an average annual value of $4.85 million. This is his best opportunity to land a big money deal. He’ll find it somewhere else on July 1 if he can’t get it from the Canucks.

The Vegas Golden Knights have made re-signing Jonathan Marchessault their priority. Both sides are expected to begin discussions soon and could get a deal done.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights have $1.79 million of cap space with 18 roster players under contract for next season. They’ll get $5 million in cap relief if Robin Lehner remains on long-term injury reserve.

Marchessault is completing a six-year contract with an AAV of $5 million. Assuming he accepts a similar salary, there won’t be enough to fill out the rest of the roster. That’s prompted speculation suggesting Shea Theodore ($5.2 million cap hit for next season) could become a cost-cutting trade chip.

LeBrun believes Winnipeg Jets winger Tyler Toffoli will be heading to the free-agent market. He wondered if the Nashville Predators might be interested as they could use more offense.

LeBrun was surprised that the Hurricanes haven’t yet gotten Brady Skjei under contract. He reported contract talks have been ongoing since last summer and feels Skjei is their priority on defense to get re-signed. The 30-year-old blueliner could get a six or seven-year deal with an AAV of $6 million but LeBrun thinks he’d accept a little less to stay in Carolina.

Brett Pesce is likely heading to market. The 29-year-old Hurricanes defenseman could get a six-year contract at between $6 million and $6.5 million annually.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have held contract discussions with forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi. No numbers have been discussed yet.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sean Walker is one of several right-shot defensemen who could draw plenty of interest in this summer’s free-agent market. LeBrun wondered if he might get a five-year deal at $5 million annually.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 30, 2023

by | May 30, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – May 30, 2023

A look ahead at the Stars’ offseason, the latest on the Flyers plus some recent Elias Lindholm speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE STARS?

ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark looked at what the offseason could have in store for the Dallas Stars after their playoff run ended in the Western Conference Final.

The Stars have limited salary-cap space if they hope to re-sign Evgenii Dadonov and Max Domi. Both were trade-deadline acquisitions who are slated to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Clark suggests it’s possible they could move some cap space to sign Dadonov and/or Domi.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars management could focus on re-signing Domi. He’s younger than Dadonov, more versatile and doesn’t shy away from physical play. On the other hand, the 34-year-old Dadonov could be more affordable given his age.

Clark also noted the Stars have young talent including Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger and the underrated Roope Hintz. They also have a farm system that continues to replenish their roster.

THE ATHLETIC: Saad Yousef also pointed out the Stars’ growing core of young talent that included a solid performance by rookie center Wyatt Johnston. Thomas Harley emerged as a key late-season development.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those talented young players could make it easier for the Stars to shed an older veteran to free up some cap room.

They can’t move the overpaid Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin given their respective $9.5 million average annual values and full no-movement clauses. They’re also likely stuck with aging defenseman Ryan Suter, who has a reasonable $3.65 million cap hit but also a full no-movement clause. They’re certainly not parting with the ageless Joe Pavelski, who carries an affordable $3.5 million cap hit for 2023-24 and – you guessed it! – a full NMC.

Radek Faksa is a more likely cap casualty. He carries an AAV of $3.25 million through 2024-25 and a five-team no-trade clause. Defenseman Colin Miller ($1.85 million for 2023-24) is another likely candidate.

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (NHL Images)

LATEST ON THE FLYERS

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan Quigley noted Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere’s recent remarks about his willingness to entertain offers for goaltender Carter Hart. However, he also pointed out that Briere expects the 24-year-Hart to be back with the Flyers’ other young players next season.

Quigley believes defenseman Ivan Provorov is another player who could be moved, noting his productivity has declined since 2019-20. He thinks the 26-year-old blueliner could bounce back with the right supporting cast but the Flyers in their current state lack that type of support.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Chuck Bausman believes the Flyers would be making a big mistake if they trade Hart, whom he considers their most valuable asset. If they make that move, he thinks they better be getting a mind-blowing offer such as a top-line forward or a top-line defenseman plus draft picks and a prospect. Instead, he suggests the Flyers rebuild around Hart.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Briere is wise to consider all his options. He’s willing to listen on everyone at this stage but that doesn’t mean he’s going to trade Hart. It’s unlikely the Flyers will get a suitable offer to make such a move worthwhile.

The only wild card is Hart himself. He’s a year away from becoming a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and will be eligible for UFA status in 2025 unless he and the Flyers agree next summer to a long-term extension.

Hart might be reluctant to spend his prime playing years on a rebuilding club. That could prompt Briere to trade him. However, if Hart’s willing to be part of their long-term plans, then they should invest in him.

Provorov, on the other hand, seems a more likely trade candidate. He’s frequently surfaced in the rumor mill over the course of this season. Provorov should attract interest from clubs seeking a top-four defenseman in his late twenties who’s in need of a change of scenery.

THE LATEST ON ELIAS LINDHOLM

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek recently suggested a trade scenario involving Elias Lindholm that might make sense for the Calgary Flames.

If Lindholm isn’t interested in signing a contract extension with the Flames but was willing to do so if he were traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets to be reunited with Johnny Gaudreau, would the Blue Jackets part with the third overall pick?

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s an interesting scenario that would address the Jackets’ need for an established first-line center. It would provide them with a devastating first line that could lead them into postseason contention.

Of course, we don’t know what Lindholm’s intentions are right now or what Craig Conroy, the Flames’ new GM, has in store for his roster. If the Flames were to offer up Lindholm for the third-overall pick, we don’t know if the Jackets would be interested.

However, if Lindholm remains reluctant to re-sign, Conroy might have to peddle him this summer. Perhaps it could be some sort of creative deal like the one proposed by Duhatschek.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 25, 2023

by | May 25, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 25, 2023

The Panthers advance to the Stanley Cup Final, Stars captain Jamie Benn is suspended for two games, the finalists for general manager of the year are revealed, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers are going to the Stanley Cup Final after defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final. Matthew Tkachuk scored twice, including the winning goal with 4.3 seconds remaining in regulation. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 36 shots as the Panthers win the Prince of Wales Trophy for the first time since 1996.

Florida Panthers pose with Prince of Wales Trophy (NHL.com).

Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin left the game early in the first period with an apparent concussion after a hard hit by Panthers forward Sam Bennett behind the Hurricanes net. He was sidelined for the remainder of the game with a suspected concussion. Following the game, Slavin said the hit was clean.

Slavin’s teammate Stefan Noesen suffered an upper-body injury in the first period. He returned in the second period but was not on the bench for the third.

The Panthers await the winner of the Western Conference Final. The Vegas Golden Knights hold a 3-0 series lead over the Dallas Stars and can close out the series with a win tonight in Game 4.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A well-earned win by the Panthers in both this game and in a series where each game was closely contested and decided by one goal. Bobrovsky and Tkachuk were their dominant players but this sweep of such a strong opponent was definitely a team effort. Captain Aleksander Barkov tied with Tkachuk for the club lead in points (five) in this series while forwards Anthony Duclair, Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart and Bennett each had three points.

This was the third time dating back to 2009 that the Hurricanes were swept in the Conference Final. However, this one probably hurts the most. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour believes they deserved better and he has a point. The Hurricanes controlled the play but were stymied offensively by Bobrovsky’s goaltending. Losing Slavin in Game 4 was a big blow to their blueline.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars captain Jamie Benn received a two-game suspension for cross-checking Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone in Game 3 of their Western Conference Final series.

Benn’s teammate Max Domi was fined $5,000.00 for slashing Stone in the third period of that game.

Evgeni Dadonov is doubtful for Game 4. The Stars winger suffered a lower-body injury in Game 3 and didn’t return.

SPORTSNET: Stars president and CEO Brad Alberts issued an apology to the Golden Knights after fans littered the ice with debris late in the second period of Game 3.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The fallout from the Stars’ horrible performance in Game 3 will have consequences for tonight’s game against the Golden Knights. They must now try to avoid elimination without their captain, whose undisciplined antics have taken him out of this series at a crucial time when they need his leadership and experience the most.

NHL.COM: Jim Nill of the Stars, Don Sweeney of the Boston Bruins and Bill Zito of the Florida Panthers are this season’s finalists for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This award, like all NHL individual awards except for the Conn Smythe Trophy, is based on regular-season performance. Thus, I think Sweeney will win it because of his club’s record-setting performance with 65 wins and 135 points.

WGR 550: The Buffalo Sabres announced that Kyle Okposo has agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Okposo, 34, served as the Sabres captain last season. In 75 games, he had 11 goals and 27 points.

Okposo also earned the Rick Martin Memorial Award, “presented to the player who fans believe best embodies what it means to be a Sabre through on-ice excellence, resilience, and dedication to the community.”

WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Playing for Sweden at the IIHF World Championship, Sandin was injured following a knee-on-knee hit by Team USA’s Michael Eyssimont, who was ejected from the game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals are probably breathing a sigh of relief that it was much worse. Sandin is expected to play a big role among their top-four defensemen next season.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 7, 2023

by | Apr 7, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – April 7, 2023

This summer’s thin free-agent market could spark more offseason trade activity plus the Lightning could lose Alex Killorn to free agency in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THIS SUMMER SEE A MORE ACTIVE TRADE MARKET?

TSN: Chris Johnston noted the lack of a headliner in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market could result in more activity in the offseason trade market. While there are notable pending free agents such as the New York Rangers’ Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, their best seasons are behind them. He also indicated that several teams with extra first-round picks in this year’s draft are willing to trade them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The TSN insider panel noted the top scorers among this year’s UFA market are Tampa Bay’s Alex Killorn (61 points), Boston’s Patrice Bergeron (57 points) and David Krejci (56 points), Dallas’ Max Domi (55 points), Kane (also 55 points), Colorado’s J.T. Compher (50 points), Toronto’s Michael Bunting (47 points) and Tarasenko (46 points).

New York Rangers winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images)

None of those players are getting lucrative long-term deals. Their stats pale in comparison to the big numbers being put up by the league’s top stars, all of whom are under contract for at least next season.

Killorn is having a career year but his age (33) will make teams leery of investing too much in him for too long. Bergeron and Krejci are UFAs but everyone knows if they return next season it’s with the Bruins.

The 28-year-old Domi’s stock has improved and he should get a decent contract but I don’t see teams beating down his door with seven-year deals worth over $6 million annually. Compher, 28, and the 27-year-old Bunting are in the same class. They’ll get substantial raises and more years on their next contracts but they won’t break the bank for whoever signs them.

Kane and Tarasenko would’ve been headliners if they were healthier and a little younger. The 34-year-old Kane’s recent lower-body ailment is believed to be a nagging hip injury that will require offseason surgery. Tarasenko, 31, has a well-documented recent history of shoulder injuries that could factor into how much he gets and for how long.

COULD KILLORN BE THE NEXT LIGHTNING PLAYER TO DEPART VIA FREE AGENCY?

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes it’s going to be difficult for the Tampa Bay Lightning to re-sign Alex Killorn. He’s enjoying back-to-back 25-goal seasons as well as leading this year’s UFA class with a career-high 61 points.

LeBrun points out that Killorn’s earning $4.45 million annually on his current contract. Meanwhile, the Lightning have three key players in Erik Cernak, Mikhail Sergachev and Anthony Cirelli whose new contracts kick in next season. He noted that the Lightning need to clear up $7.4 million in cap space. They’ll try to re-sign Killorn but LeBrun believes he’s headed to market on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning’s salary-cap constraints led to a steady departure of depth talent since 2020. It started biting more deeply last year when Ondrej Palat departed for New Jersey last summer. Killorn’s departure will also be keenly felt unless he’s willing to accept a “hometown discount” on a short-term deal.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 12, 2023

by | Jan 12, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – January 12, 2023

Updates on the asking prices for the Coyotes’ Jakob Chychrun and the Ducks’ John Klingberg plus the latest on the Blackhawks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATES ON CHYCHRUN AND KLINGBERG

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Arizona Coyotes remain patient on the Jakob Chychrun trade front. With the 24-year-old defenseman signed through 2024-25, they don’t have to move him before the March 3 trade deadline.

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).

The Coyotes’ asking price for Chychrun is believed to be two first-round picks plus a prospect. However, LeBrun writes that they’re willing to be flexible regarding the quality of the prospect.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s also talk that the Coyotes are willing to accept a first-round pick plus a former first-round pick. The quality of the latter, however, will still have to be high. A first-round bust won’t suffice.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy also reports the Coyotes are willing to be more flexible on specific prospects with interested teams. The one constant is the addition of another 2023 first-round pick. Murphy also reported the Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers have been scouting Coyotes games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Coyotes have just one pick (their own) in the first round of this year’s draft. It’s understandable why they’d want another as the 2023 draft pool is considered to be a deep one.

They’ve also got seven combined picks in the second and third rounds of the 2024 draft and four second-rounders in 2025 to draw on for trade bait if necessary. Perhaps one or two of those get added to a larger Chychrun deal if it comes to pass.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau listed several other Coyotes who could be shopped leading up to March 3. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, goaltender Karel Vejmelka, forwards Nick Bjugstad and Nick Ritchie and blueliner Troy Stecher could become trade candidates. Proteau also speculated they could weaponize their cap space to become a third-party broker for cap-strapped playoff contenders at the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gostisbehere, Bjugstad, Ritchie and Stecher are all unrestricted free agents this summer so it wouldn’t surprise me if they’re all skating on other clubs by March 3.

Vejmelka, however, has two more seasons left on his contract and is playing well for the Coyotes. I don’t see them moving him unless they get one hell of an offer.

THE ATHLETIC: LeBrun reports the Anaheim Ducks’ asking price for John Klingberg starts with a first-round draft pick. However, he doesn’t expect anyone will pay that much given the 30-year-old defenseman’s struggles this season.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Lisa Dillman reports Klingberg knows that he’s trade bait this season. He’s also seen an improvement in his performance since the holiday break in December.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun believes Klingberg, who tallied 40-plus points six times in his eight seasons with the Dallas Stars, could regain his form on a playoff contender. The Ducks would probably retain half of his prorated $7 million cap hit if a club meets their asking price. Nevertheless, I don’t see anyone parting with a first-rounder for him unless his production significantly improves over the next couple of months.

LATEST ON THE BLACKHAWKS

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers reports Max Domi would like to remain with the Chicago Blackhawks beyond this season. An unrestricted free agent in July, the 27-year-old forward inked a one-year, $3 million contract with the Blackhawks last summer.

Domi understands he could still end up traded to a playoff contender by deadline day. Nevertheless, he said he’d like to stay with the Blackhawks and be a part of their rebuilding program.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The well-traveled Domi seems to have found a home in Chicago. He’s been among their few bright spots in an otherwise miserable season, leading them with 28 points 39 games.

Blackhawks management could move Domi if they get an enticing return that helps them with their rebuilding process. However, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of him coming back to Chicago next summer as a free agent.

NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: Charlie Roumeliotis wondered if Blackhawks backup goaltender Alex Stalock would draw any interest in this season’s trade market. He’s put up solid numbers this season with a 6-5-1 record, a 2.54 goals-against average, and a .923 save percentage. Stalock is also among the league’s best puckhandling goalies and carries an affordable $750K cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stalock could indeed draw the attention of cap-strapped playoff contenders looking to bolster their depth between the pipes for the remainder of the season. It’s difficult to tell right now which clubs would make that move but the picture should become clearer in about four-to-six weeks.