NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 17, 2025

by | Sep 17, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 17, 2025

An update on Connor McDavid’s contract talks with the Oilers, the Rangers name their new captain, plus the latest on the Flyers, Blackhawks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston reports Connor McDavid will not have a contract extension in place with the Edmonton Oilers before training camp opens this week.

McDavid, 28, is due to become an unrestricted free agent next July. The Oilers captain has been eligible to sign an extension since July 1.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

Johnston reports contract talks remain consistent and cordial between the two sides, with no disconnect on terms or structure. League sources believe McDavid’s biggest point of contention is the Oilers’ aging roster. He thinks the club can still contend this season, but they don’t appear to be constructed for long-term contention.

McDavid isn’t chasing a specific number on his contract, and remains open about the length of the deal. Meanwhile, Oilers management remains confident that a deal will be reached.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid could end up signing a three or four-year contract worth around $18 million annually. If the Oilers decline significantly over that period, he can move on to another contender as a free agent while still in his prime as a player.

McDavid could seek the league maximum ($20.8 million for 2026-27), but he could leave some money on the table to help the Oilers maintain a contender. Some observers believe McDavid should accept significantly less than that, but he remains the best player in the league and should be compensated fairly. He’d also get a lot of grief from the NHL Players’ Association if he accepted well below market value, as it would potentially drive down the value of other stars.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers named J.T. Miller as their new team captain. Miller rejoined the club in a blockbuster trade with the Vancouver Canucks in January. The 32-year-old center becomes the 29th captain in franchise history.

Adam Fox, Vincent Trocheck, Mika Zibanejad, and Artemi Panarin are the alternate captains.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Miller is an intense, vocal player who leads by example. He faces the challenge of captaining the Rangers back into playoff contention following a disappointing 2024-25 campaign.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said there won’t be a reunion with Carter Hart. The goaltender’s agent contacted the Flyers to rule out that possibility.

Hart, 27, was among the five former Hockey Canada players who were found not guilty of sexual assault stemming from an incident in 2018 in London, Ontario. The Flyers did not issue him a qualifying offer when his contract expired in 2024.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bleacher Report’s Frank Seravalli ruled out the possibility of Hart, an Edmonton native, signing with the Oilers. He suggested the Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Mammoth, and possibly the Nashville Predators as potential destinations given the uncertainty over their goaltending situations.

DAILY FACEOFF: Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is expected to miss the first one or two months of the regular season as he continues to recover from a triceps injury suffered in March.

Forward Tyson Foerster (elbow) will be in a non-contact jersey when training camp opens for about a week.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks have reportedly signed defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to a professional tryout offer (PTO).

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES’ Ben Pope reports Blackhawks backup goaltender Laurent Brossoit remains sidelined by injury as training camp opens and could remain sidelined for a while.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Sharks have signed winger Oliver Wahlstrom to a PTO.

THE PROVINCE: Manny Malhotra will remain head coach of the Vancouver Canucks’ AHL affiliate for the next two years. The Canucks picked up the option year (2016-17) of his contract with Abbotsford. Malhotra coached them to the 2025 Calder Cup.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 17, 2025

by | Aug 17, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 17, 2025

Nazem Kadri believes he should have a chance to make Canada’s Olympic team, Marc-Edouard Vlasic isn’t happy over being bought out by the Sharks, an update on Flyers forward Tyson Foerster, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri recently told Julian McKenzie that he believes he deserves a chance to make Canada’s 2026 Olympic Men’s hockey team.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

“I think over the last few seasons I’ve certainly proven that with my statistics and the winning pedigree,” Kadri said. “I think it speaks for itself.”

Kadri was left off the 42-man orientation camp roster. The Olympic roster will be finalized in early 2026.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A strong performance this season could earn Kadri a place on the team, especially if injuries strike before the tournament.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Marc-Eduoard Vlasic is displeased over how his 19-season tenure with the San Jose Sharks ended this year.

The 38-year-old defenseman was under the impression he would return for the final season of his contract in 2025-26 following what he claimed was a positive exit interview. Instead, they informed him at the end of June that they were buying him out.

Vlasic isn’t considering retirement. He’s hoping to land with another NHL team this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Age and injuries led to a decline in Vlasic’s performance and a reduction in his playing time over the past three seasons. At the time of the buyout, Sharks general manager Mike Grier acknowledged it was a difficult decision, but they needed to free up a roster spot to improve their defense corps. He claimed Vlasic handled the decision well.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Flyers general manager Daniel Briere last week said that winger Tyson Foerster should be ready for the start of the season. The 23-year-old was recovering from surgery to address an infection from an injury suffered during the 2025 World Championships.

“Everything looks good right now,” said Briere.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A healthy Foerster will be crucial for the Flyers this season. He was second on the club with 25 goals as a sophomore in 2024-25.

TSN: Utah Mammoth prospect Caleb Desnoyers underwent wrist surgery last week and will be sidelined for 12 weeks. The 18-year-old forward was selected fourth overall by the Mammoth in the 2025 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That will affect Desnoyers’ chances of cracking the Mammoth roster this season. In all likelihood, he was slated to return to the QMJHL before suffering the injury.

SPORTICO: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman joined his NFL, NBA, and MLB peers last week to meet with members of the House Judiciary Committee regarding the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, specifically regarding blackout rules.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stick tap to “George O” for the link. Time will tell if this leads to any meaningful change to the SBA.

THE ATHLETIC: Billionaire financier Tom Dundon and a group of investors reached an agreement last week to buy the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers. Dundon is the owner of the Carolina Hurricanes.

The sale of the Trailblazers is not yet final. There is some concern in Portland that the group could move the franchise to another city. Dundon and his Hurricanes’ spokesperson didn’t respond to questions about whether he intends to keep the team in Portland.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: The name of the Lightning’s home venue will change from Amalie Arena to Benchmark International Arena.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators announced last week that they will maintain their AHL affiliate in Belleville through the 2029-30 season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 15, 2025

by | Jul 15, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 15, 2025

The 2025-26 season-opener is released, the Sabres avoid arbitration with Bowen Byram, an ownership group led by Mario Lemieux is interested in buying the Penguins, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The 2025-26 regular season will kick off with a triple-header starting Tuesday, Oct. 7.

The first game of the season features the Florida Panthers raising their 2024-25 Stanley Cup banner at home as they host the Chicago Blackhawks.

The second game sees the New York Rangers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the evening concludes with the Colorado Avalanche visiting the Los Angeles Kings.

The full regular-season schedule will be released on Wednesday, July 16.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres avoided arbitration with defenseman Bowen Byram as the two sides agreed to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $6.25 million.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byram, 24, will be eligible for unrestricted free-agent status at the end of this contract. He was the subject of frequent trade speculation since last season. The Sabres could still move him, but for now, he’s part of their plans for this season.

The signing leaves the Sabres with over $7.3 million in cap space. Restricted free agents Devon Levi and Conor Timmins remain unsigned, with the latter awaiting the date for his arbitration hearing.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports that a group led by former NHL owner and superstar Mario Lemieux remains very interested in purchasing the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Lemieux spent his entire 17-season NHL career with the Penguins. He co-owned the club from 1999 to 2021.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) released a statement earlier this year indicating they have no interest in selling the Penguins. Nevertheless, the Lemieux group is considering its financial options and avenues to regain control of the club at some point.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yohe’s source also stated that the Lemieux group expects the NHL will add two expansion teams over the next several years, resulting in a significant windfall for the existing 32 clubs.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: As the 2024-25 Panthers have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup (many for the second straight year), columnist Alan Greenberg reflected on his 17 seasons covering the team, and how far they’ve come from the first 12 years that he followed them.

During that period, they were among the league’s bottom feeders. Ownership didn’t provide the funds to add top free-agent talent, and the franchise was generally not a desirable place to play. The arena was less than half full for most games, media coverage was scarce, and there were rumors of relocating the franchise to Quebec City.

Things began to turn around when the Viola family took over in 2013. Former general manager Dale Tallon drafted core players like Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad, and signed goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Bill Zito, Tallon’s successor, built up the franchise by acquiring notable players like Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe and Gustav Forsling, and hiring head coach Paul Maurice.

Today, the Panthers sell out their home arena, receive more local and national coverage, and merchandise sales are booming. The players form a close-knit group, fostering a positive atmosphere within the team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: From 1993-94 to 2019-20, the Panthers reached the playoffs six times over those 26 years. Since 2020-21, they’ve been a perennial playoff team, reaching the Stanley Cup Final three straight times and winning back-to-back championships since 2023-24.

The rise of the Panthers is primarily attributed to Zito’s appointment as general manager. In five years, he built upon the foundation left by Tallon, turning a laughingstock into a dominant franchise poised to become the first true Stanley Cup dynasty (three consecutive championships) since the 1980-82 New York Islanders.

THE ATHLETIC’s Kevin Kurz reports Philadelphia Flyers winger Tyson Foerster continues to rehab an injured tendon near his elbow. He will undergo an MRI next week to check on the infection that developed following the injury.

The Flyers hope Foerster will be ready to start the season, but plenty of uncertainty remains.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets avoided arbitration with RFA forward Morgan Barron, signing him to a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.85 million.

Negotiations continue between Jets management and winger Gabriel Vilardi and defenseman Dylan Samberg. Like Barron, they filed for salary arbitration on July 5.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders signed forward Victor Eklund to a three-year entry-level contract. Eklund was chosen 16th overall in last month’s NHL Draft and was one of three first-rounders by the Isles.

SPORTSNET: The Edmonton Oilers have shifted Paul Coffey from an assistant coach to an advisory role in the front office. They added Paul McFarland as power-play coach, Peter Aubry as their goaltending coach, and Connor Allen as a skills development coach.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 2, 2025

by | Jul 2, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 2, 2025

Mitch Marner reveals why he left the Leafs for the Golden Knights, reaction to the biggest moves during the opening day of free agency, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

MITCH MARNER SHEDS LIGHT ON HIS DECISION TO LEAVE THE MAPLE LEAFS

TORONTO SUN: Former Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner was formally introduced as the newest member of the Vegas Golden Knights during a press conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old winger was part of a sign-and-trade agreement between the two clubs on June 30, agreeing to an eight-year, $96-million contract. Speaking with the media for the first time since the deal, he revealed the reasons why he changed teams.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Marner said Vegas was his first choice. Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said the trade between the two teams was agreed to during the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft last Friday. He said they wanted the sign-and-trade to get the eighth year on his new contract, as it slightly lowered the average annual value.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Under the existing CBA, a team can re-sign its own player to a maximum eight-year contract. Had the Golden Knights waited until free agency opened on July 1 to sign Marner, the deal would’ve been a maximum of seven years.

Under the next CBA, the maximum contract will be seven years for re-signing a player, and six years if they become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) starting in 2026-27.

The Golden Knights have been interested in Marner for some time. They attempted to acquire him at the March trade deadline in a three-way deal involving the Carolina Hurricanes. However, his wife was pregnant and he didn’t want to leave Toronto at that time. “And I was still very committed to playing in Toronto, and wanted to focus on being there and finishing a job there,” Marner said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner released a statement thanking the Leafs and their fans, acknowledging that he came up short trying to end their long Stanley Cup drought.

It’s a sad end to Marner’s nine seasons in Toronto. He was one of the greatest players in franchise history, sitting fourth all-time with 520 assists and fifth with 741 points. However, his postseason struggles drew the wrath of Leafs Nation, greasing the skids for his inevitable departure.

Marner will add more offense to the Golden Knights’ forward lines, and his elite two-way game will also help them defensively. However, his hefty new contract leaves them top-heavy with expensive forwards, leaving little cap space to address their lack of overall roster depth that has prevented them from repeating as Stanley Cup champions since winning the Cup two years ago.

REACTION TO SOME OF THE NOTABLE MOVES OF THE OPENING DAY OF FREE AGENCY

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I listed most of yesterday’s notable signings and trades here. However, I was unable to post my reactions as I was busy grading the biggest UFA signings for Bleacher Report. You can read those by following this link.

The New York Rangers traded defenseman K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Scott Morrow, a conditional first-round pick in 2026, and a 2026 second-round pick. The Hurricanes signed Miller to an eight-year, $60-million contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $7.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Miller struggled with consistency during his tenure with the Rangers. The Hurricanes are betting he’ll blossom under head coach Rod Brind’Amour’s system.

The Vancouver Canucks signed goaltender Thatcher Demko to a three-year contract extension with an AAV of $8.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Demko has a year left on his current deal with a cap hit of $5 million. The 29-year-old netminder was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy in 2023-24, but a nagging lower-body injury limited him to 23 games last season.

The Canucks hope Demko’s injury woes are in the past. His new cap hit is among the league’s highest for goaltenders, but the short term suggests the injury issue remains a concern.

The Hurricanes also re-signed forward Logan Stankoven to an eight-year, $48 million contract. The AAV is $6 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stankoven was acquired from the Dallas Stars as part of the return in the Mikko Rantanen trade in March. A versatile forward who can play center or wing, the 22-year-old had 38 points in 78 games last season between the Stars and Hurricanes, and five goals and eight points in 18 playoff games.

The Hurricanes are betting on Stankoven’s potential to become a second-line forward. They will be hoping this gamble pays off better than the one they made in Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who hasn’t played up to expectations as a second-line center.

The Los Angeles Kings signed forwards Corey Perry and Joel Armia, defensemen Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin, and goaltender Anton Forsberg.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This would be quite a haul for the Kings if most of those players were five years younger. It appears they’ve gotten older, not better.

The Boston Bruins acquired winger Viktor Arvidsson from the Edmonton Oilers for a 2027 fifth-round pick, and signed forward Tanner Jeannot to a five-year contract with an AAV of $3.4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins did the Oilers a favor by taking Arvidsson and his $4 million cap hit off their books. However, the 32-year-old winger hasn’t been the same since back surgery sidelined him for most of the 2023-24 campaign. They brought in Jeannot to bolster their toughness, but the deal is too long and too expensive for a fourth-line forward.

The Edmonton Oilers signed winger Andrew Mangiapane to a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.6 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mangiapane had a career-best season (35 goals, 55 points) in 2021-22, but his production has dropped off since then. He’s part of the Oilers’ efforts to offset the gaps in their forward lines following the departures of Arvidsson, Perry, Evander Kane and Connor Brown.

The Montreal Canadiens traded defenseman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for forward Zachary Bolduc.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This deal should benefit both clubs. The Canadiens drew from their depth in young defensemen to get a promising middle-six forward who tallied 19 goals as a rookie last season. The Blues added a mobile young blueliner with top-four potential to their defense corps.

The Philadelphia Flyers signed Dan Vladar to a two-year, $6.8 million contract with an AAV of $3.4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers’ goalie depth was dreadful last season. Vladar should be a reliable backup for young starter Samuel Ersson.

The Pittsburgh Penguins traded goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks for a 2028 third-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Salary dump by the Penguins, clearing his $2.3 million cap hit from their books. Nedeljkovic will back up promising Yaroslav Askarov in San Jose.

IN OTHER NEWS…

DAILY FACEOFF: Winger Nikolaj Ehlers is the top player remaining in the UFA market. Other notables include defenseman Dmitry Orlov, center Pius Suter and winger Jack Roslovic.

RG.ORG: Utah Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev is pleased with the new CBA, singling out the elimination of escrow that annually withheld a portion of a player’s salary to balance potential revenue shortfalls. With league revenues more stable and predictable, escrow is being phased out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Escrow was an annoying issue for the players for years. They’re understandably happy that they won’t have to deal with those clawbacks.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Reports suggest Flyers forward Tyson Foerster suffered a biceps injury that could sideline him for some time. Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said Foerster suffered an injury during the 2025 World Championships and came down with an infection that required surgery. There’s been no timeline for his return.

TSN: Long-time hockey analyst and insider Bob McKenzie has retired after 48 years as a journalist. His long career included stops with The Globe & Mail, The Hockey News, and the Toronto Star before joining TSN.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McKenzie was the gold standard for hockey insiders. He was well-liked and highly regarded around the league, and was also the go-to source for information on top NHL prospects. I had only brief interactions with McKenzie, but he was always kind and helpful. Here’s to a long, happy and healthy retirement, Bobfather.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Former Red Wings star Alex Delvecchio passed away on Tuesday at age 93.

A skillful, disciplined and durable playmaker, Delvecchio spent his entire 24-year NHL career with the Red Wings from 1950-51 to 1973-74, winning three Stanley Cups and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy three times. He’s among their franchise leaders with 1,550 games played, 456 goals, 825 assists and 1,281 points. Delvecchio also had 104 points in 121 playoff games. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Delvecchio’s family, friends, former teammates, and the Red Wings organization.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 30, 2025

by | May 30, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 30, 2025

The Oilers return to the Stanley Cup Final, the Islanders introduce Mathieu Darche as their new GM, the Kraken hire Lane Lambert as their new coach, plus the latest on Alex Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

OILERS RETURN TO THE STANLEY CUP FINAL

NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers are going back to the Stanley Cup Final after defeating the Dallas Stars 6-3 in Game 5 of the best-of-seven Western Conference Final.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

Oilers captain Connor McDavid scored what proved to be the winning goal on a breakaway in the third period and collected an assist on Corey Perry’s game-opening goal. Leon Draisaitl and Jake Walman each had two assists, and Jeff Skinner scored his first-ever Stanley Cup playoff goal.

Jake Robertson scored two goals while Wyatt Johnston and Thomas Harley each had two assists for the Stars. Goaltender Jake Oettinger was pulled early in the first period after giving up two goals on the only two shots he faced. Backup Casey DeSmith finished the game, making 20 saves.

The Oilers will face the Florida Panthers in the first Stanley Cup Final rematch since the 2009 Final between the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid picked up his 100th career NHL playoff assist, becoming the second-fastest player to reach that milestone. Wayne Gretzky did it in 70 games while McDavid needed 90 games.

Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm made his debut in this postseason after being sidelined by an undisclosed injury since Apr. 11. He played 15:52 minutes, collecting an assist and blocking two shots.

Stars coach Pete DeBoer’s decision to pull Oettinger bewildered many observers, including the goalie himself. DeBoer explained he was trying to give his club a spark after a slow start, adding that Oettinger had lost six of his last seven playoff games against the Oilers going back to last season.

Some pundits felt DeBoer overreacted or panicked. Meanwhile, Oettinger’s teammates blamed themselves for playing poorly in front of him.

Oettinger didn’t have a good series, but he wasn’t the sole reason why the Stars were eliminated from the Western Conference Final for the third straight year. This was on the entire team. They gave up the first goal in 15 of their 18 postseason games, their penalty-killing was ineffective, and they struggled to produce in five-on-five situations.

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Panthers and Oilers is Wednesday, June 4, in Edmonton at 8 pm ET. Game 7 (if necessary) will be Friday, June 20, in Edmonton.

HEADLINES

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders formally introduced Mathieu Darche as their new general manager and executive vice president. Darche confirmed Patrick Roy will return as head coach, but assistant coaches John MacLean and Tommy Albelin were let go.

Darche confirmed that center Bo Horvat recently injured a minor ankle playing for Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Championship. He’s already rehabbing the injury and will need four to six weeks to recover.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken named Lane Lambert as their third head coach in franchise history. Lambert was an associate coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs this season. He spent two seasons as head coach of the Islanders.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Washington Capitals stated that an alleged e-mail sent to season ticket holders claiming that 2025-26 would be Alex Ovechkin’s last in the NHL is not accurate. The team claimed no decision has been made on Ovechkin’s future.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Next season is the last one of Ovechkin’s current contract. It’s rumored he intends to finish his career in Russia, but that doesn’t mean he won’t sign an extension with the Capitals. That could depend on his performance and willingness to continue his NHL career.

TSN: Former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is committed to returning to the NHL next season. His agent will begin taking calls from interested teams leading up to July 1.

Toews, 37, stepped away from the game in 2023 for health reasons. He indicated in March that he was unhappy with how his career ended and was working his way toward a comeback.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Darren Dreger believes Toews will have a long list of suitors, including the Winnipeg Jets.

TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving was noncommittal about the club re-signing pending free agent Mitch Marner. He indicated that he spoke with the 28-year-old winger during the club’s recent exit interviews, saying they decided to take a step back briefly.

“We’re going to meet as a staff, I’m going to be in touch with Mitch’s representative,” said Treliving. “We’ll have to see how this all works…And he’s got a say in the process.”

HOCKEY SVERIGE: Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson played with a fracture in one leg during his final games of the regular season and at the recent World Championship. He said his leg is at 80-85 percent but won’t require surgery.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers signed winger Tyson Foerster to a two-year bridge contract with an average annual value of $3.75 million.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov was named the 2025 KHL Rookie of the Year.

THE MERCURY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks re-signed defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin to a one-year, $1 million contract.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 29, 2024

by | Nov 29, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – November 29, 2024

Check out the latest on Mikko Rantanen, John Tavares and Kaapo Kakko plus the latest on the Flyers and Flames in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST RUMORS FROM TSN’S “INSIDER TRADING”

TSN: Pierre LeBrun thinks Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen believes he could make an average annual value of $14 million on his next contract if he tests the open market next summer.

Rantanen, 28, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He’s in the final season of a six-year contract with an AAV of $9.25 million.

Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).

LeBrun believes it’s more likely the winger and the Avalanche sign a contract extension before July 1. However, it remains to be seen if they’ll reach an agreement below the team-leading $12.6 million being earned by Nathan MacKinnon.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun indicated that player agents will focus on how much of a club’s cap percentage their clients can make rather than the AAV.

The salary cap for 2025-26 was initially projected to rise by $4.4 million to $92.5 million. There’s speculation it could go higher, rising to as much as $98 million, though NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman dismissed that conjecture.

If the cap rises higher than projected, players like Rantanen could be in line for higher raises than expected, especially if the focus is on how much of a percentage of the cap they’ll make. A player can earn no more than 20 percent. If the cap rises to $92.4 million, that’s an AAV of $18.48 million. If it’s $98 million, the maximum is $19.6 million.

Rantanen won’t get anywhere close to that but it’s understandable why he reportedly thinks he can get $14 million annually on the open market.

Chris Johnston reports the Toronto Maple Leafs are engaged in contract extension talks with John Tavares. The 34-year-old center is UFA-eligible next summer but he isn’t interested in going to market. He’s earning an AAV of $11 million on his current deal.

Johnston said they’re not close to a deal yet. He suggests deferred salary compensation might be a way to bridge the gap as it could lower the AAV.

Darren Dreger said the Calgary Flames continue to shop for a second-line center, preferably one who will play with the Flames for the next three to five years. LeBrun noted the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nashville Predators are also in the market for second-line centers.

Dreger also reported that Kaapo Kakko has resurfaced in trade rumors. The 23-year-old New York Rangers winger was the subject of speculation during the offseason. He’s on a one-year contract worth $2.4 million and becomes a restricted free agent with arbitration rights in July.

Kakko probably seeks a fresh start where he can garner more ice. Dreger believes the Rangers won’t give him away and the return must be exactly what they want. Nevertheless, he claims there’s interest in the Finnish winger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Arthur Staple recently reported the Rangers were happy with the performance of their younger players, including Kakko. Still, they could entertain offers for a return that provides them with an immediate roster boost.

UPDATE ON THE FLYERS

THE ATHLETIC (subscription required): Kevin Kurz recently listed five centers the Philadelphia Flyers could target in a trade this season. They include Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks, Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild, Dylan Cozens of the Buffalo Sabres, Shane Pinto of the Ottawa Senators, and Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the above link for Kurz’s full breakdown as to why the Flyers could target those players.

Nelson is the oldest on this list and UFA-eligible next summer. He won’t be traded unless the Islanders are out of playoff contention and they decide against re-signing him. He’s 33 years old and would be a better option for a playoff contender than a rebuilding club.

Zegras, Rossi and Cozens are 23 while Pinto is 24. They’re better suited for the Flyers’ long-term plans.

Zegras struggled through an injury-shortened 2023-24 campaign, garnering a reputation as a one-dimensional forward. His overall game is improving this season but he’s been employed more as a winger than a center.

Cozens and Pinto aren’t scoring at the same pace this season as they did in 2023-24. However, their respective clubs might not be keen to give up on them. It will take a solid return to tempt them. The Sabres and Senators are trying to take the next step toward contention. A return of draft picks and prospects probably won’t cut it.

Rossi could be the Flyers’ best bet. Kurz’s colleague Michael Russo doesn’t think the 23-year-old center has a long-term future with the Wild and recently said he expects the youngster will be traded at some point. He’s off to a good start this season with 17 points in 22 games, sitting third among Wild scorers.

Landing any of those players will likely cost the Flyers a young player not named Matvei Michkov in return. Philly Hockey Now’s Jonathan Bailey speculates it could be Tyson Foerster. The 22-year-old winger is going through a sophomore slump with six points in 22 games after a promising 20-goal, 33-point effort last season.