NHL Rumor Mill – June 19, 2025

by | Jun 19, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – June 19, 2025

Check out the latest on the Oilers, Bruins, Islanders, Flyers, and Rangers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST OILERS SPECULATION

NEW YORK POST: Justin Tasch reports Connor McDavid’s future could hang over this NHL offseason. The 28-year-old Edmonton Oilers captain is a year away from unrestricted free-agent (UFA) eligibility.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

If McDavid remains committed to the Oilers, Tasch believes a massive contract extension awaits in the coming weeks. If he has doubts about the club’s future as a Stanley Cup contender, it could result in a potential trade because the Oilers wouldn’t want to lose him to free agency.

TSN: Darren Dreger believes McDavid will want to take some time to decompress from another disappointing Stanley Cup Final. He believes the Oilers’ superstar will stay put, but wondered if he would want a shorter-term (three or four years) instead of the maximum eight-year commitment.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree with Dreger that McDavid will remain an Oiler. It could take a little time for the two sides to get a deal done, perhaps stretching through the summer. Ultimately, they’ll get it done.

Dreger mentioned that McDavid is close friends with teammate Leon Draisaitl, who signed an eight-year extension last September. I doubt Draisaitl would’ve done that if he felt McDavid didn’t intend to stick around.

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell looked at what additions the Edmonton Oilers could attempt to make during this offseason.

It seems unlikely the Oilers will maintain the goaltending tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. There are no upgrades to be found via free agency. John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks could be a trade possibility. Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets is a less likely trade option.

Mitchell mentioned Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins, but he carries a no-movement clause and an $8.25 million average annual value (AAV). Finding a suitable trade package to offer up to the Bruins could also be an issue.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pickings are indeed slim for goalies in this summer’s trade and free-agent markets. Forget about Swayman; the Bruins believe he’ll have a bounce-back performance in 2025-26. Gibson might be the Oilers’ best bet, but the Ducks might have to retain some of his salary to make it work.

Daniel Nugent-Bowman considers Oilers forwards Evander Kane and Viktor Arvidsson as trade candidates. The 33-year-old Kane has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $5.125 million and a 16-team trade list. Arvidsson also has one year remaining on his deal. He carries an AAV of $4 million and a full no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane seems the easiest of the two to move, but his abrasive personality and personal baggage could adversely affect his value in the trade market.

BRUINS REPORTEDLY IN TRADE TALKS WITH THE ISLANDERS

RG.ORG: James Murphy cited a report claiming the Boston Bruins are interested in New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau. He also claims the two sides are discussing a larger deal that would include the Bruins’ first-round pick (seventh overall) in this year’s draft.

A source suggested to Murphy that the Islanders could be trying to get creative by keeping the first-overall pick to draft Matthew Schaefer and perhaps use the seventh pick to select Long Island native James Hagens.

The source also mused about the Bruins perhaps trying to acquire the first-overall pick from the Islanders. However, the asking price would have to include one of their current top-six forwards or top-four defensemen as part of the return.

Meanwhile, Islanders beat writer Stefen Rosner reports the Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers have inquired into the availability of Alexander Romanov. The 25-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent (RFA) with arbitration rights who could command between $5 million and $6 million annually on his next contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The last time the first-overall pick was traded occurred at the 2003 NHL Draft, when the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired it from the Florida Panthers. Looking at the Bruins’ current roster depth chart on PuckPedia, I’m not seeing any tradeable assets that would convince the Islanders to part with that pick.

COULD BROCK BOESER REUNITE WITH JT MILLER IN NEW YORK?

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma wondered if winger Brock Boeser might reunite with his former Vancouver Canucks teammate JT Miller in New York with the Rangers.

Boeser, 28, is expected to hit the open market on July 1. Kuzma noted they freed up salary-cap space last week by trading Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks, and speculated they could seek a replacement. Boeser could seek a six-year deal worth around $8.5 million annually on his next contract.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks pointed out the Rangers have around $14.5 million in cap space for 2025-26 after re-signing Matt Rempe on Wednesday. He dismissed rumors suggesting general manager Chris Drury could use some of it to go the offer-sheet route this summer.

Brooks believes Drury intends to use some of that cap space to re-sign RFAs Will Cuylle and K’Andre Miller, or Miller’s replacement if the 25-year-old defenseman is traded this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Re-signing Cuylle and Miller (or the latter’s replacement) could take up around $10 million of the Blueshirts’ cap space. That won’t leave enough for someone like Boeser unless the Rangers make another cost-cutting move this summer.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 19, 2025

by | Jun 19, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 19, 2025

The league continues to examine the Oilers’ use of LTIR with Evander Kane, the Blackhawks re-sign Ryan Donato, the Devils trade Erik Haula to the Predators, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli cited sources claiming the NHL plans to continue examining the Edmonton Oilers’ use of long-term injury reserve salary-cap relief (LTIR) with winger Evander Kane.

The league may require more information to confirm that Edmonton complied with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) when Kane returned for the second game of the Oilers’ first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings. The 33-year-old winger missed the entire 2024-25 regular season due to injuries.

Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane (NHL Images).

Seravalli indicated that no NHL team has been punished for LTIR usage. The Oilers could face retroactive punishment if the league finds they violated the spirit of the CBA. He indicated that sources say the Oilers have complied with the league’s requests for information and medical opinions.

Kane is under contract through 2025-26 with an average annual value (AAV) of $5.125 million.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reports that Seravalli’s report sparked outrage in Edmonton, citing several local pundits and broadcasters questioning why this is happening now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It is puzzling why the league continues to monitor this nearly two months after Kane returned to action. They could simply be conducting due diligence and nothing further may come of it.

We saw a similar situation with Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber in 2021, when the league kept an eye on his status after being placed on LTIR for 2021-22. In Weber’s case, the severity of his injuries ended his playing career.

THE SCORE: Speaking of the Oilers, they’re expected to sign forward Trent Frederic to an eight-year contract extension with an AAV of between $3.5 million and $4 million. John Matisz indicated the deal also comes with a modified no-movement clause.

Seravalli stated the deal isn’t expected to be officially announced just yet as they’re engaged in contract talks with other players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Frederic, 27, is a checking line power forward who can play center or wing. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) coming off a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.3 million.

Frederic would likely get a similar AAV elsewhere in the free-agent market on July 1. However, inking him for eight years seems excessive. Given his style of play, that deal might not age well.

The Oilers currently have $11.9 million of salary-cap space for 2025-26. Frederic’s new contract would reduce it to between $8.4 million and $8.9 million. That leaves no room to re-sign or replace their other free agents.

That includes Evan Bouchard. The 25-year-old defenseman is slated to become a restricted free agent (RFA) with arbitration rights on July 1. It could cost over $9 million annually to re-sign him.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks re-signed forward Ryan Donato to a four-year, $16-million contract with an AAV of $4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Donato was among the few bright spots this season for the rebuilding Blackhawks. The versatile 29-year-old forward had a career-best performance with 31 goals and 31 assists for 62 points, putting him among their leading scorers. He’s coming off a two-year contract with an AAV of $2 million.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators acquired forward Erik Haula from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick and minor-league defenseman Jeremy Hanzel.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now indicates this move cleared $3.15 million from the Devils’ salary-cap payroll for 2025-26. They now have over $14.3 million in cap space with RFAs Luke Hughes and Cody Glass and UFA Jake Allen to re-sign. This could also give them some flexibility to make an addition via trade or free agency.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers signed forward Matt Rempe to a two-year contract with an AAV of $975,000.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks re-signed winger Nikita Nesterenko to a two-year, one-way contract with an AAV of $775,000.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Former NHL forward Nick Bonino has ended his playing career and is joining the Penguins as an assistant coach.

Bonino, 37, spent 15 seasons in the NHL from 2009-10 to 2023-24 with the Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins (helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017), Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks and New York Rangers. He had 159 goals and 199 points in 358 regular-season games and 19 goals and 48 points in 105 postseason contests.

SAN JOSE SHARKS: announced former TV and radio color analyst Chris Collins passed away. Collins covered the team from 1992 to 1997.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Collins’ family, friends, broadcast colleagues and the Sharks’ organization.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 6, 2025

by | Jun 6, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 6, 2025

The latest on the Oilers and Panthers on the eve of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, Sean Monahan wins the Masterton Trophy, the latest coaching hires, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

STANLEY CUP FINAL NOTEBOOK

EDMONTON JOURNAL: A healthy Evander Kane has made his presence felt in this postseason, with five goals and 11 points in 16 games.

Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane (NHL Images).

Injuries hampered the 33-year-old Oilers winger in the 2024 playoffs, limiting him to just two games in last year’s Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers. After missing the 2024-25 regular season recovering from surgeries, he’s been a physical force in the Oilers’ current playoff run.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Several Oilers were playing through significant injuries during last year’s playoffs, but Kane’s performance suffered the most. His current postseason play could make the difference in this rematch against Florida as the Oilers attempt to counter the Panthers’ physical style.

ESPN.COM: Panthers defenseman Seth Jones said his club hopes to improve in the neutral and offensive zones after squandering a 3-1 lead to fall 4-3 to the Oilers in Game 1. Teammate Matthew Tkachuk agreed, saying the Panthers could be more consistent on the forecheck and earn more zone time to thwart the Oilers’ counterattack.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers acknowledged that Edmonton is a different team compared to the one they faced in last year’s Cup Final. As a result, those adjustments they hope to make could be difficult to achieve.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers rallied around forward Tomas Nosek after his delay-of-game penalty in overtime of Game 1 led to Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl’s game-winning power-play goal.

Nosek inadvertently fired the puck over the glass as he attempted to avoid Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin. Panthers coach Paul Maurice called it a “tough break”, alluding that Nosek could stay in the lineup for Game 2.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers defenseman Jake Walman taunted Nosek as he skated to the penalty box. Some observers suggested it was poor sportsmanship that the Panthers could use for motivation in Game 2. Others felt it was the kind of swagger the Oilers needed to counter the Panthers’ “in your face” style.

THE SCORE: Kaspari Kapanen is happy to be playing a pivotal role with the Oilers after his NHL career appeared to be in jeopardy a year ago.

The Oilers claimed Kapanen off waivers in November. He had a modest 13 points in 57 games in Edmonton and was a healthy scratch in the first round of the playoffs. Since then, he scored the series-clinching goal in Round 2, collected two assists in Game 1 of the Final, and is filling in for the sidelined Zach Hyman on their second line.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kapanen made the most of his opportunity, with five points in his eight postseason games. He’s part of the improved depth that carried the Oilers back to the Final this season.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan is the 2024-25 winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Monahan dedicated this season to his best friend Johnny Gaudreau following the latter’s tragic death in August. Gaudreau’s widow, Meredith Gaudreau, made a surprise visit to Monahan’s home in Toronto to present him with the trophy.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Monahan had previously overcome career-threatening hip and groin injuries, signing a multi-year contract with the Blues Jackets last summer to reunite with Gaudreau. He finished tied for third among the Jackets with 57 points in 54 games.

YARDBARKER: Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper shot down speculation that he was considering leaving the club or was on the verge of getting fired. “Contrary to rumors and whatever’s going on out there, I’m never leaving you guys,” he told the Sports Club of Tampa Bay.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cooper’s comments were a response to a recent rumor claiming he could be heading to the Utah Mammoth to take over the operation of the club. It’s been noted that he has a year left on this contract, so we’ll likely hear more talk about Cooper’s future around this time next year.

NEW YORK POST: Former Rangers head coach David Quinn is returning to the club as an assistant coach to new bench boss Mike Sullivan. Joe Sacco and Ty Hennes round out the coaching staff.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: The Flyers added Yogi Svejkovsky to their coaching staff. He worked with new Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet in Vancouver.

RG.ORG: Sergey Demidov reports Igor Larionov hopes to speak with the Montreal Canadiens about bringing back winger Ivan Demidov to KHL club SKA St. Petersburg for one more season.

Larionov was recently named their new head coach, and believes the youngster would benefit from another season in the KHL, followed by returning him to the Canadiens in time for the 2026 playoffs. However, sources say neither the player nor the Canadiens are considering such an option.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nor should they. Demidov made a promising debut with the Canadiens. He joined them for their last two regular-season games and collected two points, followed by two assists in five playoff games. The only way he returns to the KHL is if he fails to stick with the Canadiens next season.

NHL.COM: Center Michael Misa of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit and Boston College center James Hagens are confident they can make the jump to the NHL next season. They are among the top prospects in this year’s draft class and could be among the top-five picks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Misa said he’s had dinner or will be dining with the San Jose Sharks, New York Islanders, Utah Mammoth and Nashville Predators. The Isles hold the first-overall pick, with the Sharks second, the Mammoth fourth, and the Predators fifth.

TORONTO STAR: Rogers Communications received all necessary league approvals to buy out Bell’s 37.5 percent stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. It will increase Rogers’ stake to 75 percent.

TSN: Former NHL forward Sergei Kostitsyn announced his retirement this week. He played six seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators from 2007-08 to 2012-13, scoring 67 goals and 176 points in 353 regular-season games and 15 points in 40 playoff contests. He spent the remainder of his professional career overseas.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 3, 2025

by | Jun 3, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 3, 2025

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov wins two awards, Oilers winger Evander Kane could make a difference in the upcoming Stanley Cup Final, Jesper Fast retires, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov made NHL history, becoming the first player to win the Frank J. Selke Trophy and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in the same year.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov (NHL Images).

Barkov, 29, is a three-time winner of the Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward, previously winning in 2021 and 2024. He joins Patrice Bergeron, Bob Gainey, Pavel Datsyuk, Guy Carbonneau, and Jere Lehtinen as the only players to win the award three times or more in their careers.

The King Clancy Trophy signifies leadership and contribution to the community.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barkov’s teammate Sam Reinhart was runner-up for the Selke. Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning was third.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Winger Evander Kane could be a difference-maker for the Oilers in the upcoming Stanley Cup Final. He missed the 2024-25 regular season recovering from injuries that hampered his performance in last year’s postseason, sidelining him for five of their seven games against the Panthers in the 2024 Cup Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers missed his physical offensive style in last year’s series with Florida. Kane made his presence felt in this postseason thus far, with five goals and six assists for 11 points in 15 games. He could provide a measure of snarl that they were lacking in their previous go-around with the Panthers.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesper Fast announced his retirement from professional hockey at age 33. He suffered a neck injury in the final game of the 2023-24 season that required surgery last August. Fast missed the entire 2024-25 season.

Fast spent 11 seasons in the NHL, starting with the New York Rangers from 2013-14 to 2019-20. He spent his final four seasons with the Hurricanes. A skilled checking forward and penalty-killer, Fast had 91 goals and 157 assists for 248 points in 703 regular-season games, and 14 goals and 27 points in 80 postseason contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Fast in his future endeavors.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: The Lightning signed forward Yanni Gourde to a six-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $2.33 million. It also contains a full no-trade clause for the entirety of the deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gourde is coming off a six-year deal with an AAV of $5.16 million. Given his age, the versatile 33-year-old forward was facing a pay cut on his next contract. He likely would’ve received a higher AAV on a short-term deal on the open market compared to what he got to stay in Tampa Bay, but opted for the long-term security offered by the Lightning.

Gourde didn’t want to leave Tampa Bay. However, he was left unprotected in the 2021 expansion draft and was selected by the Seattle Kraken. He was pleased when the Lightning reacquired him this season and still believes they can be a Stanley Cup contender.

The Lightning retain an important third-line forward on an affordable contract. The deal also works well over the long term, as most of Gourde’s AAV can be buried in the minors should his performance decline significantly in the final years of his contract.

Critics on social media complained this was another example of a Sun Belt team enjoying the benefit of being a non-state tax club. That may have an aspect of this deal, but the factors mentioned above played a bigger role in Gourde’s decision.

Gourde’s signing leaves the Lightning with $3.48 million in available cap space with 20 active roster players under contract. They must re-sign or replace restricted free agent Gage Goncalves and unrestricted free agents Nick Perbix, Cam Atkinson, and Luke Glendening.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Minnesota Wild signed forward Marcus Johansson to a one-year extension worth $800K.

TSN: The Ottawa Senators signed defenseman Tyler Kleven to a two-year, $3.2 million contract extension.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: The NHL switching to a remote draft this year makes the 2025 Draft Combine in Buffalo the only opportunity for general managers to meet face-to-face in one location during this month. The combine runs from June 2-7 at LECOM HarborCenter.

General managers used to take the opportunity in a centralized draft to meet and discuss potential trades involving established NHL players. Now, the seeds of such deals at this year’s draft may be planted at the Combine.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s speculation of discontent among NHL teams over this year’s decentralized draft, with some observers suggesting it could return to its previous format next year.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins interim coach Joe Sacco will not be among the finalists for the full-time head coach position.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Former Devils forward Scott Gomez was named head coach of the USHL’s Chicago Steel.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 26, 2025

by | Apr 26, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 26, 2025

The Canadiens, Devils and Oilers pick up big wins in their first-round series. Check out the recaps plus the latest news in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING FRIDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: Three unanswered third-period goals by Christian Dvorak, Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook gave the Montreal Canadiens a 6-3 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of their best-of-seven first-round series.

Newhook and Cole Caufield finished with a goal and an assist each. Connor McMichael, Jakub Chychrun and Alex Ovechkin replied for the Capitals, who hold a 2-1 lead in the series. Game 4 is Sunday, Apr. 27, at 6:30 pm ET.

The two teams lost their starting goaltenders to injuries during this contest. Canadiens starter Sam Montembeault suffered an undisclosed injury in the second period and made way for Jakub Dobes. Capitals netminder Logan Thompson injured his left knee following a third-period collision with teammate Dylan Strome and was replaced by Charlie Lindgren. There were no post-game updates regarding their conditions.

Montreal Canadiens winger Josh Anderson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the most complete game I’ve seen the Canadiens play this season. After being dominated in the first two games in Washington, they fed off the energy in the Bell Centre, outshooting the Capitals 40-19, winning 53.7 percent of the faceoffs, going two-for-five on the power play, and outhitting the Caps 45-26.

Winger Josh Anderson didn’t collect any points, but made his presence felt as Montreal’s physical leader, dishing out six hits and battling Washington winger Tom Wilson in a scrap at the end of the second period that spilled into the Capitals bench. Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj made his playoff debut and led all blueliners with four hits.

Canadiens winger Patrik Laine missed this game with an upper-body injury. That might explain his subpar performances in the first two contests.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec scored in double-overtime as his club nipped the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in Game 3 of their first-round series.

The Devils had a 2-0 lead on goals by Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer, but the Hurricanes got two unanswered third-period goals by Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho to tie it. Game 4 is Sunday at 3:30 pm ET, with the Hurricanes holding a 2-1 series lead.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A big win for New Jersey after two lifeless losses to the Hurricanes in Carolina. Nemec set the franchise record as the youngest player (21 years, 69 days) to score a playoff overtime goal.

Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler returned to action after being sidelined by a lower-body injury in early February. However, blueliner Johnathan Kovecevic left the game with an undisclosed injury.

The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings 7-4 in Game 3 of their series. Evander Kane and Evan Bouchard scored the tying and winning goals 10 seconds apart in the third period.

Bouchard and Connor Brown each had two goals and Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists for the Oilers. Adrian Kempe and Drew Doughty each had a goal and an assist for the Kings, who lead the series two games to one. Game 4 is Sunday in Edmonton at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane’s tying goal came under automatic review for a kicking motion. It was determined he did kick the puck, but then knocked it into the net with his stick, making it a good goal.

Kings head coach Jim Hiller challenged for goaltender interference but the call went against him, leading to a delay-of-game penalty with Bouchard’s winning goal on the subsequent power play.

HEADLINES

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Vegas Golden Knights need more production from their top line of Jack Eichel, Mark Stone and Ivan Barbeshev if they hope to defeat the Minnesota Wild in their first-round series. The trio has yet to register a point in the series, with the Wild leading two games to one.

THE DENVER POST: Gabriel Landeskog has been promoted to the Colorado Avalanche’s second line and their top power-play unit. After being sidelined for the past three seasons by knee surgeries, the 32-year-old winger returned to action in Game 3 of their series with the Dallas Stars. The Stars have a 2-1 series lead over the Avalanche.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel received a one-game suspension by the NHL department of player safety for a late hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov in Game 2 of the series between the two clubs on Thursday.

Barkov left that game and remains questionable for Game 3 on Saturday.

NHL.COM: The league also fined the Ottawa Senators $25,000.00 for unsportsmanlike conduct and Senators forward Nick Cousins $2,083.33 for unsportsmanlike conduct for an incident during warm-ups for Game 3 of their series with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cousins’ offense was shooting a puck down the ice at Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: A mistrial was declared by the presiding judge in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case. A new trial will begin once new jurors are selected, which was expected to occur on Friday.

Former NHL players Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart and Cal Foote face one charge each of sexual assault for an alleged incident that occurred in 2018 while members of Canada’s World Junior team. McLeod faces an additional charge as a party to the offense.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 24, 2025

by | Apr 24, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 24, 2025

Recaps of Wednesday’s playoff action, the Rangers sign GM Chris Drury to a contract extension, no front-office shakeup for the Bruins, the fallout from the Islanders firing Lou Lamoriello, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING WEDNESDAY’S PLAYOFF GAMES

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Tyler Seguin lifted the Dallas Stars to a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of their best-of-seven first-round series. Valeri Nichushkin opened the scoring for the Avalanche early in the first period but Stars captain Jamie Benn tied it in the third period, setting the stage for Seguin’s game-winner. The Stars hold a 2-1 lead in the series with Game 4 on Saturday, Apr. 26, at 9:30 pm ET.

Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars’ win spoiled the return to action of Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog after nearly three years sidelined by knee surgeries. He saw 13:16 of ice time and led the Avs with six hits.

The Los Angeles Kings got four-point performances from Adrian Kempe (two goals, two assists) and Anze Kopitar (one goal, three assists) to beat the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 in Game 2 of their opening-round series. Oilers forwards Leon Draisaitl and Viktor Arvidsson narrowed the Kings’ early 3-0 lead to 3-2 before the latter pulled away with three unanswered third-period goals, two of them from Kempe. The Kings hold a 2-0 lead in the series, which shifts to Edmonton with Game 3 on Friday, Apr. 25, starting at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers winger Evander Kane and defenseman John Klingberg returned to action after missing time this season due to injuries. It was Kane’s first game after being sidelined for the entire regular season, while Klingberg played only 11 games.

However, their return couldn’t save the Oilers from being soundly beaten in this contest. Starting goalie Stuart Skinner gave way to backup Calvin Pickard after giving up five goals on 23 shots while the Kings went 3-for-5 on the power play.

Washington Capitals forward Connor McMichael tallied twice in a 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 2 of their series. Logan Thompson stopped 25 shots as the Capitals overcame a 1-0 deficit in the second period with two quick goals by McMichael and Dylan Strome. Josh Anderson scored for the Canadiens, who got a 29-save performance from Sam Montembeault. The series moves to Montreal for Game 3 on Friday, starting at 7 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Game 2 was nearly identical to the opening contest, with the Capitals dominating the first two periods before the Canadiens rallied back in the third. The Habs pushed back hard for the equalizer in the final frame, but Thompson shut the door before McMichael sealed it with an empty-netter with two seconds left.

Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis sent an unsubtle message to underperforming forwards Patrik Laine and Joel Armia. Laine was benched for the third period while Armia saw only one shift in that frame.

HEADLINES

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers announced that general manager Chris Drury signed a multi-year contract extension. This move comes after the Blueshirts missed the playoffs a year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy as the top regular-season team in 2023-24.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some Rangers fans didn’t receive this news well, taking to social media to voice their displeasure. Nevertheless, Drury’s extension is ownership’s stamp of approval on his somewhat heavy-handed efforts to retool the roster since last summer.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: It appears Don Sweeney will return as general manager of the Bruins. Despite missing the playoffs this season, CEO and team chairman Charlie Jacobs praised Sweeney’s management of the club, citing their impressive winning percentage under his stewardship, including eight straight postseason appearances before 2024-25.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting the Islanders nearly fired Lou Lamoriello in December before finally relieving him of his duties as GM and team president earlier this week.

Friedman claimed Lamoriello was clashing with team minority owner and Business Operations Director John Collins. There was also friction between Lamoriello and head coach Patrick Roy, and unhappiness over the historically bad season for their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. A late-season blowout loss to the Rangers appeared to be the final straw.

Meanwhile, the Islanders also parted ways with long-time radio broadcasters Chris King and Greg Picker.

NEW YORK POST: Former Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck announced his retirement on social media yesterday. Clutterbuck spent 17 seasons in the NHL, beginning with the Minnesota Wild from 2007-08 to 2012-13 before being traded to the Isles, where he spent the remainder of his career to 2023-24.

A gritty checking-line forward, Clutterbuck played 1,065 NHL regular-season games, finishing with 143 goals and 150 assists for 293 points. He also had 12 goals and 20 points in 81 playoff contests.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues center Robert Thomas missed practice for maintenance reasons, but he will be ready for Game 3 against the Jets on Thursday.

SPORTSNET: Speaking of the Jets, sidelined forward Gabriel Vilardi (upper-body injury) traveled with the team to St. Louis. Meanwhile, winger Nikolaj Ehlers (lower body) remained in Winnipeg. The Jets hold a 2-0 lead in their series with the Blues.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers announced they are moving on from assistant coaches Rocky Thompson, Darryl Williams, and assistant/skills coach Angelo Ricci.

TSN: Czechia leaders are condemning apparent threats by former Russian prime minister and president Dmitry Medvedev against Hall-of-Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek for his critical comments about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.