NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 3, 2026

by | Oct 3, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 3, 2026

Recapping Friday’s action, the 2026 franchise valuation rankings, and the latest on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF FRIDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Alex Tuch scored twice in his debut for the Washington Capitals, helping them defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2. Logan Thompson made 31 saves, and Jakob Chychrun had a goal and an assist for the Capitals. Sebastian Aho and Logan Stankoven replied for the Hurricanes.

Washington Capitals winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes continue to suffer from the dreaded “Stanley Cup hangover.” They were shut out 1-0 by the Florida Panthers in their season opener and were outplayed by the Capitals.

The New York Rangers got a 22-save shutout from backup Dylan Garand to blank the Detroit Red Wings 2-0. Sean Durzi and Eeli Tolvanen were the goal scorers. John Gibson turned aside 19 of 20 shots for the Red Wings in their home opener.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Red Wings center Dylan Larkin missed this game with an upper-body injury. Red Wings fans booed him during the pregame player introductions.

Larkin made headlines by requesting a trade this summer and is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury. The Wings were criticized for including Larkin in the introductions, but it was his decision to stand with his teammates and face the music.

Red Wings fans also voiced their displeasure about the drama surrounding the club, chanting “Sell the team!” at one point.

It could be an ugly season in Hockeytown.

St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer made 25 saves to shut out the Dallas Stars 4-0. Mason McTavish scored in his debut with the Blues while Jimmy Snuggerud and Pius Suter each had a goal and an assist. Jake Oettinger stopped 20 of 22 shots for the Stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Early in the third period, Blues defenseman Brandon Carlo was ejected for a knee-on-knee hit on Stars center Roope Hintz, who briefly left the game but later returned. Blues forward Alexey Toropchenko left this game in the second period with an undisclosed injury.

An overtime goal by JJ Peterka lifted the Boston Bruins over the Winnipeg Jets 4-3, spoiling the latter’s season opener. Elias Lindholm scored the tying goal to set the stage for Peterka’s heroics, and Jeremy Swayman stopped 30 shots for the Bruins. Kyle Connor had a goal and an assist for the Jets.

The Anaheim Ducks built a 4-0 lead and hung on for a 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Leo Carlsson had a goal and an assist while Lukas Dostal made 27 saves for the Ducks. Jack Eichel collected two assists for the Golden Knights.

HEADLINES

SPORTICO recently revealed its 2026 NHL franchise valuation rankings.

The Toronto Maple Leafs topped the list with a valuation of $4.8 billion, followed by the New York Rangers ($4.15 billion) and the Montreal Canadiens ($3.88 billion).

The New Jersey Devils ($2.72 billion) and New York Islanders ($2.7 billion) moved up into the top 10, sitting ninth and tenth respectively.

The Columbus Blue Jackets ($1.5 billion) were 32nd overall, with the Winnipeg Jets ($1.52 billion) at No. 31 and the Buffalo Sabres ($1.53 billion) at No. 30.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link above for the full list and methodology.

TSN: Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov underwent an MRI on Friday. Barkov left Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks with an injured left knee. He underwent season-ending surgery on his right knee last September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An update on Barkov’s status is expected on Saturday. No word on the severity of his injury, but there’s speculation that he could miss some time.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson and winger Warren Foegele have been cleared to play in their season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: Sabres defenseman Olen Zellweger has recovered from a concussion and is expected to play in their home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko has rejoined his teammates after taking time away to attend his father’s funeral. He will wear No. 62, which is how old his father was when he was killed by a bear in Russia last week.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils defenseman Seamus Casey underwent knee surgery and is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico interviewed Jonathan Lachance, the agent for Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tristan Luneau, about how the six-year, $43.2 million extension for the 22-year-old came about.

Despite Luneau’s limited professional career, the Ducks were impressed by his standout performance during training camp and bet on his long-term future as a potential top-four defenseman.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 17, 2026

by | Sep 17, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 17, 2026

The Jets suspend Connor Hellebuyck; Dylan Larkin to miss the start of Red Wings training camp; Drew Doughty is the Kings’ new captain; and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TOP HEADLINES

DAILY FACEOFF: The Winnipeg Jets suspended goaltender Connor Hellebuyck for failing to report to training camp. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will speak with the media on Thursday to discuss the decision.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Last month, Hellebuyck released a statement revealing he had requested a trade. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner has four years left on his contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck is trying to pressure Cheveldayoff into trading him. The Jets GM will likely cite breach of contract when addressing this issue today. The suspension will likely be without pay as per the collective bargaining agreement. Hellebuyck won’t feel that right away because NHL players don’t start getting paid until the regular season begins.

It’ll be interesting to hear what Cheveldayoff has to say. If he bends and moves Hellebuyck quickly for a poor return, it could encourage other unhappy players to follow suit. It could also cost him his job.

Given Cheveldayoff’s history of dealing with players who want to be traded, he won’t make a move until he gets a decent offer, something he reportedly hasn’t received yet. That could change if injuries strike any team interested in Hellebuyck. A poor start by one of those teams could make them willing to meet Cheveldayoff’s asking price.

This could backfire on Hellebuyck. Cheveldayoff can afford to wait patiently for better offers. If the Jets struggle in Hellebuyck’s absence, fans will blame him more than the general manager. If the club copes well, that strengthens Cheveldayoff’s position. It could leave the 33-year-old Hellebuyck at risk of missing the entire season, which might not be a good idea at this stage of his career.

ESPN.COM: The Los Angeles Kings named defenseman Drew Doughty as their new captain. He replaced Anze Kopitar, who retired at the end of last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Color me unsurprised. The 36-year-old Doughty was expected to inherit the “C” from Kopitar. He’s starting his 19th season, all of them with the Kings.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers head coach Paul Maurice will not have Matthew and Brady Tkachuk on the same line as the brothers start their first NHL training camp together. Maurice is thinking about putting Brady alongside center Aleksander Barkov and winger Sam Reinhart.

“I don’t want to give everybody what they want with the two Tkachuk brothers together with Sam Bennett up the middle,” Maurice said with a grin. “They’ll be in jail before the puck drops.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Don’t be surprised if the Tkachuks and Bennett wind up on the same line at some point this season.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Carolina Hurricanes released a statement that restricted free agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin will not attend training camp. GM Eric Tulsky said that the 24-year-old Nikishin is not under contract and there would be no further comment at this time.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nikishin requested a trade earlier this summer and hasn’t changed his mind. Tulsky could be working on a sign-and-trade scenario for the sophomore blueliner, who’s been linked to the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers GM Stan Bowman addressed the pushback from some of the team’s fans for signing Alex Formenton. The 27-year-old winger was among the five former Canadian junior players acquitted last year of sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in 2018 in London, Ontario.

Bowman said he understood that signing Formenton might not be universally accepted by the Oilers fans. He claimed the club conducted due diligence to ensure that signing the winger would be the right decision.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers hiring personnel with controversial histories (including Bowman and new head coach Mike Babcock) has raised concerns from some fans and pundits about the team’s direction and the values of those doing the hiring. Their defenders argue that they deserve a second chance, but they could change their tune if the Oilers perform poorly.

INJURY ROUNDUP

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings center Dylan Larkin will miss the start of training camp with an upper-body injury that he suffered during off-ice training.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Is the upper-body injury a jaw wired shut? Okay, I borrowed that one-liner from my Bleacher Report colleague Sara Civian, but it would explain why we haven’t heard Larkin publicly address his messy trade request yet.

Speaking of the Red Wings, interim GM Shawn Horcoff said the club has no desire to rebuild its roster. “We have too many good players in that lineup,” he said, pointing to how close they’ve come to making the playoffs during the last three seasons. Horcoff said his goal, and that of his players, is to keep looking forward.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar will miss the start of training camp with a lower-body injury. It’s uncertain when the superstar blueliner will be ready, but head coach Jared Bednar doesn’t believe it’s a cause for concern. He also indicated that Makar’s injury isn’t related to the one he suffered in the postseason.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal will be sidelined for the next two weeks due to inflammation from a previous injury. He could be sidelined for the start of the regular season.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle will miss the next four to five weeks due to minor surgery this summer to repair an adductor muscle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guhle’s injury opens a spot for one of the Canadiens’ promising young defensemen like David Reinbacher or Adam Engstrom to prove they’re ready to make the jump to the NHL.

TORONTO STAR: Maple Leafs forward Max Domi failed his training camp physical and will be sidelined indefinitely. He suffered complications from offseason back surgery.

Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly has a virus and could miss at least their first preseason game. He is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

TSN: Buffalo Sabres forward Jason Zucker is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing sports hernia surgery.

OTTAWA SUN: Sidelined Senators defenseman Artem Zub and winger Warren Foegele won’t be full participants in training camp. That could lead to a free agent like Ben Hutton being signed to a professional tryout offer.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tampa Bay Lightning center Yanni Gourde (offseason hip surgery) and Dominic James (broken right hand) could miss the start of the regular season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning signed center Luke Glendening to a PTO contract.

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Long-time Blue Jackets president Mike Priest will retire on Sept. 30 after 30 years with the team.

SPORTSNET: The Seattle Kraken hired Chuck Fletcher as a senior advisor to the general manager. Fletcher served as a general manager with the Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, and Philadelphia Flyers.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils named Bryan McCabe as vice president of prospect personnel and assistant GM of their AHL affiliate in Utica. Jessica Campbell was named manager of player development.

TSN: The Boston Bruins signed center Matt Poitras to a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level.

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Winger Ryan Reaves announced his retirement.https://apnews.com/article/ryan-reaves-retires-78450b7c42360ea0bcf2f7da0bf927c6

The 39-year-old enforcer spent 16 seasons in the NHL (2010-11 to 2025-26) with the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, and San Jose Sharks. In 962 regular-season games, Reaves had 140 points and 1,137 PIMs. He also had nine points and 116 PIMs in 113 playoff games.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 6, 2026

by | Mar 6, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 6, 2026

The trade deadline is 3 pm ET today. Check out the recaps of Thursday’s game, the latest notable trades, and more as the deadline approaches in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Buffalo Sabres extended their win streak to five games by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1. Josh Norris and Owen Power each had a goal and an assist for the Sabres (37-19-6), who sit second in the Atlantic Division with 80 points. Bryan Rust replied for the 31-17-13 Penguins, who remain in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 75 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins center Evgeni Malkin could receive a suspension after receiving a game misconduct for a slash to the head of Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin. He’s been suspended twice before in his NHL career.

Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar (NHL Images).

Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar played his 1,500th NHL regular-season game in a 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders. Kopitar collected an assist, Artemi Panarin scored his first goal as a King, and interim head coach D.J. Smith got his first win behind the bench for Los Angeles (25-22-14), who are three points out of the final Western Conference wild-card berth with 64 points. Jean-Gabriel Pageau had two assists for the 35-23-5 Islanders, who are third in the Metropolitan Division with 75 points.

The Utah Mammoth got a 16-save shutout performance from Vitek Vanecek to blank the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0. Nick Schmaltz, Clayton Keller, and Michael Carcone scored for the Mammoth (33-25-4), who hold the first Western wild-card spot with 70 points. Dan Vladar stopped 22 of 24 shots for the 28-22-11 Flyers.

Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg had a goal and two assists in a 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins. Matthew Wood tallied twice for the 28-26-8 Predators, who are also three points out of the final Western wild-card position. Charlie McAvoy and Viktor Arvidsson each had a goal and an assist for the Bruins (34-22-5), who cling to the final Eastern Conference wild card with 73 points.

The Columbus Blue Jackets (32-21-8) moved to within one point of the Bruins after doubling up the Florida Panthers 4-2. Ivan Provorov had a goal and two assists, and Mathieu Olivier scored twice for the surging Blue Jackets, who picked up their third straight win. Niko Mikkola and Sam Bennett replied for the 30-29-3 Panthers, who have dropped four straight games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers sat out forward A.J. Greer, signaling the likelihood that he’ll be moved before today’s deadline.

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele had a goal and an assist as his club upset the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 4-1. Connor Hellebuyck turned aside 26 shots for the 25-26-10 Jets. Brayden Point tallied for the Lightning (38-18-4), who cling to first place in the Atlantic Division with 80 points.

New York Rangers forwards Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere each had a goal and two assists in a 6-2 drubbing of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Will Cuylle scored two goals for the 24-29-8 Rangers. Matias Maccelli and Easton Cowan replied for the Maple Leafs (27-25-11).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both teams sat out players for “roster management reasons” in anticipation of potentially trading them before today’s deadline. The Rangers scratched center Vincent Trocheck, while the Leafs sat out forwards Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson for the second straight game.

The Ottawa Senators kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Calgary Flames 4-1. Tim Stutzle and Dylan Cozens were among the goal scorers for the Senators (30-22-9), who extended their points streak to five games and sit five points behind the Bruins for that final Eastern wild card. Martin Pospisil tallied his first of the season for the 24-30-7 Flames.

ROUNDUP OF NOTABLE TRADES

NHL.COM: The Anaheim Ducks acquired defenseman John Carlson from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a third-round pick in 2027.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carlson had spent his entire 17-season NHL career with the Capitals. It’s the end of an era as he was the linchpin of their blueline for most of his tenure in Washington.

The Columbus Blue Jackets acquire winger Conor Garland from the Vancouver Canucks for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a second-rounder in 2028.

The Buffalo Sabres acquired defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for prospect forward Isak Rosen, defenseman Jacob Bryson, a 2027 second-round pick, and a conditional fourth-rounder in 2026.

The Detroit Red Wings acquire winger David Perron from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft.

The Ottawa Senators acquire winger Warren Foegele and a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a second-round pick and a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 draft.

The Dallas Stars acquired forward Michael Bunting from the Nashville Predators for a third-rounder in the 2026 draft.

The Colorado Avalanche acquired forward Nicolas Roy from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 or 2028 NHL Draft and a conditional fifth-rounder in 2026.

The Vegas Golden Knights acquired forward Nic Dowd from the Washington Capitals in exchange for goaltender Jesper Vikman, a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, and a second-rounder in 2029.

The Minnesota Wild acquired defenseman Jeff Petry from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: The Anaheim Ducks signed forward Ryan Poehling to a four-year contract extension. PuckPedia indicates the 27-year-old center will receive an average annual value of $3.75 million on his new deal.

The New Jersey Devils placed forwards Evgenii Dadonov, Luke Glendening, and Maxim Tsyplakov on waivers.

The St. Louis Blues placed forward Mathieu Joseph on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 17, 2026

by | Feb 17, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – February 17, 2026

Could the Kings target Canucks forward Elias Pettersson as a replacement for sidelined forward Kevin Fiala? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

KINGS COULD SEEK A REPLACEMENT FOR SIDELINED KEVIN FIALA

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Kevin Baxter reports winger Kevin Fiala’s season-ending injury could force Kings general manager Ken Holland to pursue additional deals before the March 6 trade deadline.

Fiala, 29, is the Kings’ third-leading scorer this season with 40 points in 56 games. He suffered a fracture to his lower left leg while playing for Switzerland in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Los Angeles Kings winger Kevin Fiala (NHL Images).

Kings president Luc Robitaille believes his club will have to adjust to Fiala’s absence. He believes general manager Ken Holland is “pounding the phone right now.”

Earlier this month, the Kings acquired superstar winger Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers to bolster their offence. Losing Fiala could have Holland seeking another scoring forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fiala has a $7.875 million average annual value. The Kings have a projected $15.7 million in trade deadline salary-cap space. They don’t have to put Fiala on long-term injury reserve unless they’re taking on significant salary in a blockbuster, multi-player move.

MORE SPECULATION OVER THE CANUCKS PLANS FOR THE TRADE DEADLINE

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports trade speculation continues to dog the Vancouver Canucks as their players resume practice for the return of NHL action following the 2026 Olympic Men’s hockey tournament.

The Los Angeles Kings are expected to scour the trade market in search of a replacement for the sidelined Kevin Fiala. Kuzma believes their recent acquisition of Panarin and long-time center Anze Kopitar’s looming retirement have them in “go-for-it” mode.

They could have an interest in Elias Pettersson. They have the cap space to absorb his $11.6 million contract. The 27-year-old center would be reunited with former Canucks linemate Andrei Kuzmenko.

Pettersson carries a full no-movement clause. However, Kuzma thinks a move to Los Angeles might pique his interest, especially since his wife lived there for 13 years. However, the Canucks would want a center in return, and the Kings aren’t parting with Quinton Byfield.

Kuzma noted that the Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes, and Chicago Blackhawks could use a No. 2 center. However, the best returns they could offer are prospects and draft picks, which won’t provide an immediate solution for the Canucks at center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trading Pettersson could be a move that occurs in the offseason if teams are willing to part with a promising young center.

Kuzma also suggested that forwards Teddy Blueger and Conor Garland could be moved by the trade deadline. They seem more likely to go than Pettersson at this stage.

THE ATHLETIC: Harman Dayal and Thomas Drance recently suggested some distressed trade targets for the Canucks. Those would be underperforming players on rival clubs that might respond well to a change of scenery.

Dayal and Drance suggested Los Angeles Kings forward Warren Foegele, Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Strome, and Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton as potential candidates. They also included wingers Andrew Mangiapane of the Edmonton Oilers and Oliver Bjorkstrand of the Tampa Bay Lightning on their list.

They also examined some prospects from rival clubs that could help accelerate the Canucks rebuild. Options could include Conor Geekie of the Lightning, Jiri Kulich of the Buffalo Sabres, and Ivan Miroshnichenko of the Washington Capitals.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 10, 2026

by | Feb 10, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – February 10, 2026

Could the Blues move Jordan Kyrou by the trade deadline? Will the Kings peddle winger Warren Foegele? What could the Sabres do by the deadline? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE ST. LOUIS BLUES?

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford recently looked at other possible moves by the St. Louis Blues after trading center Nick Bjugstad to the New Jersey Devils last week.

Center Robert Thomas, center and team captain Brayden Schenn, defenseman Justin Faulk, winger Jordan Kyrou, and goaltender Jordan Binnington are considered candidates that could be moved before the March 6 trade deadline.

However, the Blues are currently setting high asking prices for those players. Some teams expressing some interest in these players have cap management issues to sort out. Rutherford also pointed out that these players have some form of no-trade protection this season.

St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be surprising if the Blues don’t make at least one more trade before the deadline. The limited options for quality center in the trade market explain the interest in Thomas, but the expensive price tag could make that an offseason move. Schenn and Faulk seem the more likely trade candidates.

TSN: Travis Yost believes Kyrou would be an alluring trade target, suggesting that his “down year” this season is reflective of the team he’s playing for.

Kyrou has averaged 32 goals in 82 games in each of the last four seasons. That justifies the $8 million annual cap hit for a 27-year-old winger in his playing prime. He also carries a full no-trade clause, giving him control over potential trade destinations.

After examining Kyrou’s analytic numbers, Yost considers him a worthwhile target for teams seeking a speedy scoring upgrade on the wing.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The market for Kyrou would be higher if he were a center instead of a winger. Nevertheless, he’d be a valuable asset for contenders looking for some scoring punch.

Kyrou’s no-trade clause complicates things. The Montreal Canadiens were interested in him last summer until that clause went into effect on July 1, and they instead settled on Zachary Bolduc. His cap hit is reasonable, but it could still be difficult for some teams to absorb.

THE KINGS COULD MOVE WARREN FOEGELE BEFORE THE TRADE DEADLINE

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andre Leal recently noted that Los Angeles Kings general manager Ken Holland has indicated he could be peddling winger Warren Foegele.

The Kings acquired winger Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers last week. Asked if he had more moves up his sleeve, Holland replied, “We’ve got a lot of forwards now.”

That glut of forwards has resulted in winger Warren Foegele being a recent healthy scratch.

“Warren Foegele had a great year last year,” Holland said. He acknowledged the 29-year-old winger has been out of the lineup lately, adding that he had to work the phones to address this situation.

Leal also noted that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the Kings attempted to get center Vincent Trocheck included in the Panarin deal. Foegele could be used as a trade chip in a package deal to bring in a center.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples suggested the Oilers consider bringing back Foegele, who spent three seasons with them from 2021-22 to 2023-24, including their run to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.

Staples cited several observers suggesting the Oilers swap Andrew Mangiapane for Foegele, citing their nearly identical cap hits. Foegele carries an average annual value of $3.5 million through next season, while Mangiapane earns $3.6 million annually through 2026-27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Kings use Foegele as trade bait for a center, they won’t be interested in adding another winger like Mangiapane.

THE SABRES COULD SHOP FOR A DEFENSEMAN

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn recently suggested that Buffalo Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen must add an experienced depth defenseman at the trade deadline to bolster his blueline.

Injuries have hampered Michael Kesselring, while Jacob Bryson and Zach Metsa have struggled, forcing the top-four defensemen to carry the bulk of the workload.

The Sabres will soon have sidelined forwards Josh Norris and Zach Benson back in the lineup following the Olympic break. However, Fairburn believes they still need a forward with postseason experience who can play a heavy game.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 6, 2026

by | Feb 6, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – February 6, 2026

The latest on Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault, Flames center Nazem Kadri, Sabres winger Alex Tuch, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

KINGS WERE INTERESTED IN VINCENT TROCHECK

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Los Angeles Kings’ recent acquisition of winger Artemi Panarin doesn’t diminish their need for a center. They reportedly tried to get Vincent Trocheck included in the deal with Panarin, but his preference is to remain in the Eastern Conference. Kings general manager Ken Holland is also looking to move winger Warren Foegele, who’s been a healthy scratch lately.

New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (NHL Images)

Friedman also mentioned that the Detroit Red Wings attempted to sign Trocheck when he was an unrestricted free agent, but the Rangers beat them to it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trocheck is going to draw plenty of attention leading up to the March 6 trade deadline. The 32-year-old center is signed for three more seasons with an average annual value of $5.625 million and a 12-team no-trade list. Most of the teams on that list could be from the Western Conference.

COULD THE PREDATORS SHOP MARCHESSAULT AND O’REILLY?

Elliotte Friedman believes Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault could be a trade candidate. He has a full no-movement clause, but could waive it to go to a place with a good minor hockey infrastructure for his children.

Friedman believes the Montreal Canadiens are interested in Ryan O’Reilly, but it’s unknown if the Predators center will be traded.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchessault could be available, but his stock is down from two years ago because of the decline in his production. He’s 35 and carries a $5.5 million average annual value through 2028-29.

As for O’Reilly, Predators general manager Barry Trotz said he hasn’t received an offer suitable enough to take to the 34-year-old center. That could change as the trade deadline approaches, but he could be content to stay in Nashville.

THE LATEST ON FLAMES FORWARDS KADRI AND COLEMAN

Elliotte Friedman believes one of the reasons Nazem Kadri’s market slowed is the availability of Trocheck and St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. He said the Utah Mammoth checked in with the Calgary Flames and believes this could pick up. There is a slight concern about the remaining term in Kadri’s contract, but the Flames are willing to be flexible.

Friedman also mentioned there has been a lot of talk linking winger Blake Coleman to the Montreal Canadiens, but he doesn’t think that’s feasible.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames are facing pressure to move Kadri and Coleman because the duo is signed beyond this season. Nevertheless, one of them could be on the move by the March 6 trade deadline.

Coleman seems the most likely candidate because of his versatility, experience, and affordable $4.9 million cap hit.

OTHER TIDBITS FROM THE LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” COLUMN

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes some teams will use the Olympic break to engage in contract extension discussions.

He wondered how the Winnipeg Jets and center Jonathan Toews might feel about another year. Meanwhile, there’s been some discussion between the Buffalo Sabres and winger Alex Tuch, but they’re not close to a deal. He noted that the Sabres aren’t interested in making their team worse, which suggests they’re not going to move Tuch. Friedman also thinks they might add a “beefier blueliner, if possible.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are in a good position to end their 14-year playoff drought. They won’t risk upsetting that by moving Tuch even if they can’t agree on a new contract. They’ll hang onto him and revisit those discussions in the offseason.

The Toronto Maple Leafs seek a first-round pick for winger Bobby McMann. What makes it challenging is that several possible suitors, such as the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights, traded away their 2026 first-rounders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs could end up settling for a second-round pick bundled with another pick or a prospect.

The Edmonton Oilers need to move Andrew Mangiapane.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Easier said than done thus far. They have reportedly trying to trade him since December without success.