NHL Rumor Mill – November 15, 2025

by | Nov 15, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – November 15, 2025

Are the Maple Leafs attempting to acquire Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames? Read on for the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

ARE THE MAPLE LEAFS PURSUING RASMUS ANDERSSON?

THE LEAFS NATION: Jay Rosehill recently told host Nick Alberga that a league source claimed the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to acquire defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames.

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (NHL Images).

Andersson, 29, is in the final season of his contract and eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July. He carries an average annual value of $4.55 million and a six-team no-trade list.

Rosehill believes the only way the Maple Leafs acquire Andersson is if they can sign him to a contract extension. He also questioned whether they had sufficient tradeable assets to make this deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: According to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun, the two Leafs that other clubs covet the most are winger Matthew Knies and promising forward Easton Cowan. He believes those two must be kept to ensure the Leafs have substance for the future. He also questioned whether success would follow such a significant acquisition.

Unless the Leafs are willing to part with Knies or Cowan, I don’t see them outbidding other clubs for Andersson. They’d be foolish to make that trade. Koshan’s right, they must retain what few young assets they have.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 6, 2025

by | Nov 6, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 6, 2025

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin reaches 900 goals, Flames center Nazem Kadri plays his 1,000th game, Sharks center Macklin Celebrini moves up in the scoring race, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin tallied his 900th career NHL regular-season goal in a 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Ovechkin is the first player to reach that milestone. Tom Wilson and Anthony Beauvillier tallied twice, and Jakob Chychrun collected three assists for the 7-5-1 Capitals, ending a four-game losing skid. Alexey Toropchenko replied for the Blues (4-8-2), who’ve lost eight of their last nine contests.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin entered this season needing only three goals to reach the 900-goal plateau. It’s an impressive achievement, but it seems anticlimactic after he surpassed Wayne Gretzky last season as the all-time goal-scoring leader.

Regardless, it will be a long time before anyone comes close to Ovechkin’s record of 900 goals and counting. The active player closest to him is 38-year-old Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, sitting 16th among the all-time scorers with 634. Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has the best chance, with 409 goals in 643 games, but he’s battled injuries that have hampered his production.

Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington attempted to steal the historic puck for himself by tucking it down the back of his goalie pants for some reason. Official Michael Cormier convinced Binnington to turn over the puck.

Earlier in the day, the Capitals activated defenseman Rasmus Sandin off injured reserve for this game. Sandin missed the previous five games with an upper-body injury.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri scored in his 1,000th career NHL regular-season game as his club defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1. Dustin Wolf kicked out 42 shots for the 4-9-2 Flames as they picked up their second straight win. Columbus forward Kirill Marchenko scored to extend his points streak to five games as his club dropped to 7-6-0.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This game was among the few highlights in what’s been a disappointing start to this season for the Flames. Kadri has become the subject of frequent trade speculation, but the club isn’t giving up on the season, and he hasn’t requested a trade. It’ll be interesting to see if the Flames can overcome this poor start and climb back into the playoff chase.

The San Jose Sharks got a goal and two assists from Macklin Celebrini in a 6-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. Yaroslav Askarov made 28 saves as Tyler Toffoli, Will Smith, and John Klingberg each had a goal and an assist for the 5-6-3 Sharks, who’ve won three of their last four contests. Ryan Winterton scored his first NHL goal as the 6-3-4 Kraken have dropped three of their last four.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Celebrini has 21 points, tying him with Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid for the scoring lead. The 19-year-old is the first teenager in NHL history to lead the league in scoring (tied or outright) at this stage of his career (217 games played).

Celebrini is also the second-fastest player in Sharks history to reach 20 points in a season (14 games played), behind Joe Thornton (13 games played) in 2005-06.

A hat trick by winger Tyler Bertuzzi lifted the Chicago Blackhawks over the Vancouver Canucks by a score of 5-2. Spencer Knight stopped 43 shots for the Blackhawks, who snapped a three-game losing skid and improved to 6-5-3. Aatu Raty and Evander Kane scored for the Canucks, who dropped to 7-8-0.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks winger Conor Garland returned to the lineup after missing the previous three games with an upper-body injury.

Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares netted his 501st career regular-season goal as his club downed the Utah Mammoth 5-3, handing the latter their third loss in their last four games. Tavares, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, and Matias Maccelli each had a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs (8-5-1), who picked up their third straight victory. Michael Carcone, Mikhail Sergachev, and Dylan Guenther scored for the Mammoth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Maple Leafs sent forward Easton Cowan to their AHL affiliate.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 5, 2025

by | Nov 5, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – November 5, 2025

Check out the latest on the Penguins, Flames, Hurricanes, Capitals, Sabres, and Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RUMOR MILL GOES QUIET ON SIDNEY CROSBY

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the trade rumors about Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby have quieted down since the start of the regular season. Their surprisingly strong start to the season is largely responsible for that.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

General manager Kyle Dubas said he had “very clear communications” since the end of last season with Crosby and his agent about the club’s plans going forward. While attempting to build for the long term, the Penguins also intended to be competitive this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun wonders whether the Penguins can maintain that strong start throughout the season, but for now, it has stopped the media chatter about possible trade destinations for Crosby.

They’re not the only Penguins who aren’t featuring as prominently in the rumor mill as they once did. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos pointed out that it’ll take Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell out of the trade-rumor talk if the Penguins can sustain their winning ways.

THE LATEST ON NAZEM KADRI

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos reports Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy could move Nazem Kadri if he gets a suitable offer. The 35-year-old center has been linked to multiple teams, but Kypreos suggested the Carolina Hurricanes as a possible destination because they’ve been relentlessly pursuing a top player in the trade market. However, they’re believed to be on Kadri’s 13-team no-trade list.

The Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens have been mentioned as destinations for Kadri, and they’re not on his list. They’ve also been linked to the Bruins’ Pavel Zacha.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams can ask for permission to speak to the player or his agent to see what it would take to convince them to waive their no-trade list.

The Canucks have a more pressing need for help at center than the Canadiens. It’s also been frequently pointed out that acquiring the aging Kadri would go against the Canadiens’ habit of acquiring younger talent.

Zacha would probably be more to the Canadiens’ liking. However, it’s rare for the Habs and Bruins to make deals together, given their longstanding rivalry.

BLEACHER REPORT: Speaking of the Hurricanes, Frank Seravalli reports they’re seeking stop-gap defensemen to replace their injured blueliners.

UPDATE ON THE CAPITALS

TSN: Darren Dreger reports there is no quick fix for the Washington Capitals to replace sidelined center Pierre-Luc Dubois. He won’t be out for the season, but is expected to miss a significant period of time.

Dreger believes the Capitals will explore the trade market, but must be careful when moving out current or future assets, being mindful of when the post-Alex Ovechkin era begins.

For now, they’ll attempt to address Dubois’ absence internally. It’s expected that Connor McMichael will get a long look in the second-line center role.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals would be joining a long list of NHL clubs that are believed to be in the market for second-line center help. However, there isn’t much available, and they are either aging and expensive (hello there, Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames) or playing on struggling clubs that aren’t giving up on the season, like Pavel Zacha with the Boston Bruins.

THE LATEST ON THE SABRES AND MAPLE LEAFS

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos believes this season could be Lindy Ruff’s last as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres. He’s in the final season of his contract, and could move to a different role within the organization if he doesn’t retire.

The Toronto Maple Leafs would like to add a scoring winger. However, they don’t have many assets that would entice rival clubs. Many teams are calling about Easton Cowan, but that suggestion is a non-starter for now.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 13, 2025

by | Oct 13, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 13, 2025

The Capitals shut out the Rangers, injury updates on the Penguins’ Kris Letang, the Bruins’ Hampus Lindholm, and the Blue Jackets’ Eric Gudbranson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren made 35 saves to blank the New York Rangers 1-0. Anthony Beauvillier scored the only goal as the Capitals have won two of their first three games of the season. Jonathan Quick stopped 20 shots for the Rangers, who’ve won two of their first four contests.

Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Rangers placed defenseman Carson Soucy (upper body) on injured reserve. He suffered the injury during Saturday’s 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury suffered during Saturday’s loss to the Rangers.

NESN: Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm (lower-body injury) is unlikely to play in Monday’s matinee against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s listed as day-to-day but could return later in the week.

CBS SPORTS: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson is being evaluated for an upper-body injury suffered during Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Wild.

NHL.COM: Utah Mammoth defenseman Ian Cole was fined $2,500.00 by the NHL department of player safety for a dangerous trip against Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos on Saturday.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks blueliner Tyler Myers was fined $2,500.00 for slashing Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid on Saturday.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs forward Easton Cowan will make his NHL debut on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cowan, 20, was chosen in the first round (28th overall) by the Maple Leafs in the 2023 NHL Draft. He’s considered their top prospect.

TSN: The Florida Panthers signed forward Jonah Gadjovich to a two-year contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: PuckPedia indicates the 27-year-old Gadjovich will receive an average annual value of $905K.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven (upper-body injury) will return to the lineup for Monday’s game against the Predators.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets blueliner Haydn Fleury is day-to-day with a bruised knee.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens reports San Jose Sharks owner Hasso Plattner recently raised eyebrows with some pointed comments about previous moves made by his club.

Plattner admitted that letting long-time Sharks forward Joe Pavelski depart to the Dallas Stars as a free agent was a mistake. He said acquiring defenseman Erik Karlsson may have been great in theory but not in practice, admitting he’d been a good player but not a team-friendly one.

The Sharks owner also admitted the long-term contracts for Karlsson, Tomas Hertl, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic put off a necessary rebuild, and that he backed current general manager Mike Grier’s work in building up the roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hindsight in 20-20 and those regrets won’t change history. What matters now for the Sharks is that Grier’s rebuilding efforts continue to have Plattner’s support. The Sharks GM completed the teardown two years ago and has done a good job building up the roster with good young players and veteran acquisitions.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 2, 2025

by | Jun 2, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 2, 2025

The latest on the Panthers and Oilers ahead of the Stanley Cup Final, an update on Alex Ovechkin, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: The Florida Panthers will tie an NHL record in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. They will be playing their 309th game (regular-season and playoffs) over the past three seasons, tying the record for the most games played over that period. They’ll break the record in Game 2.

The Dallas Stars (1997-98 to 1999-2000) and Detroit Red Wings (2006-07 to 2008-09) hold the current record.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Led by Matthew Tkachuk, the entire Panthers team (including the front office, coaching staff, medical trainers, and equipment managers) took part in the first Gaudreau Family 5K Walk/Run and Family Fun Day virtually from Ft Lauderdale on Saturday.

Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (NHL Images).

Several players and staff also brought their families to the event. This was done without fanfare. The media was not informed that the team would be participating in the event after their practice on Saturday.

Tkachuk was a former teammate and close friend of Johnny Gaudreau, who was killed along with his brother Matthew by an alleged drunk driver last August.

TSN: Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid left the ice early during practice on Sunday. Head coach Kris Knoblauch said there was no major issue, and the superstar will be ready for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers forward Connor Brown rejoined his teammates for practice on Sunday. He’d been sidelined since Game 3 of the Western Conference Final following a hard hit by Dallas Stars defenseman Alexander Petrovic. Knoblauch is confident Brown will be ready for Game 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The opening game of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is Wednesday, June 4, in Edmonton at 8 pm ET.

RG.ORG: Sergey Demidov reports a source close to Alex Ovechkin said the Washington Capitals captain has not decided to retire from the NHL following the completion of his contract at the end of the 2025-26 season.

On Friday, a Russian media outlet quoted Ovechkin’s wife, Nastasyia, suggesting her husband would return to Russia in 2026. However, the source claims the Capitals superstar intends to complete the final season of his NHL contract, after which he’ll decide whether to remain in Washington. His final decision will be based on his health and performance.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin set the all-time goal record this season (897) and will surpass the 900-goal plateau next season. He also exceeded the 40-goal plateau (44) for the league-leading 14th time in his 20-season NHL career. The Capitals captain turns 40 in September.

EISHOCKEY NEWS: Contrary to reports last week, the Boston Bruins’ head-coach position remains vacant, though a decision on who fills that role is likely imminent.

Marco Sturm of the AHL’s Ontario Reign was in Boston last week for interviews, but the Bruins have also invited other candidates.

THE PROVINCE: Former Vancouver Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin is in the Stanley Cup Final with the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Kuzma believes drafting Podkolzin 10th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft was a “big miss” by the Canucks.

Kuzma points out they could’ve had Matt Boldy, who was chosen two picks later by the Minnesota Wild. Boldy has gone on to become a first-line forward with the Wild, netting a career-best 73 points this season.

Podkolzin struggled in his three season with the Canucks, who traded him to the Oilers last summer. The 23-year-old winger had 24 points in 82 games as a depth forward this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reviewing NHL Central Scouting’s final 2019 rankings, Boldy was ninth among North American skaters while Podkolzin was second among International skaters. The Athletic’s Corey Pronman had Boldy eighth overall among his top prospects and Podkolzin 12th. The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy had Podkolzin eighth and Boldy 11th, and McKeen’s Hockey and Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino had Podkolzin 11th and Boldy 12th.

Hindsight is 20-20. The NHL Draft is often a crapshoot, with some players meeting or exceeding expectations while most fail to do so.

TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan won the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as MVP of the 2025 Memorial Cup after his London Knights defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-1.

Cowan scored a goal in the final games, finishing with a tournament-leading seven points in five games.