NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 29, 2026

by | May 29, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 29, 2026

The hockey world mourns the passing of Claude Lemieux, plus the latest on Evan Bouchard, Bruce Cassidy, Mitch Marner, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

The hockey world is mourning Claude Lemieux, who took his own life in Florida on Thursday at the age of 60.

Claude Lemieux 1965-2026.

Lemieux spent 21 seasons in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and San Jose Sharks from 1983-84 to 2002-03, and his brief comeback in 2008-09.

In 1,215 regular-season games, Lemieux had 379 goals and 407 assists for 786 points, along with 1,777 PIMs. However, it was in the postseason where he earned a reputation as a clutch scorer, with 80 goals and 78 assists for 158 points in 234 playoff games. He won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1986, two Cups with the Devils in 1995 and 2000, and another with the Avalanche in 1996. Lemieux’s 80 goals rank ninth all-time among NHL playoff scorers, and he won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1995.

Lemieux also garnered a well-deserved reputation as an agitator whose dirty play made him the player fans loved to hate. The most notorious episode occurred in the 1996 Western Conference Final against the Detroit Red Wings, when he hit Wings forward Kris Draper from behind into the boards, resulting in Draper requiring reconstructive facial surgery. It was the start of an intense feud between the two clubs, culminating in a brawl the following season that is still well remembered by their fans.

Nevertheless, Lemieux’s passing prompted heartfelt condolences from former teammates and opponents, who remembered him as a good teammate and a kind and generous man off the ice. His last public appearance was on Monday in Montreal as the torchbearer in the Canadiens’ pregame ceremony before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Tributes to Lemieux came from his former teams, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, the NHLPA and NHL Alumni Association, and former players, teammates and executives. They included former Canadiens and Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy, former Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur and general manager Lou Lamoriello, and former Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman and forward Darren McCarty, who famously clashed with Lemieux in the late 1990s.

Lemieux’s son, former NHL player Brendan Lemieux, took to social media on Thursday to post a heartfelt goodbye to his father.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lemieux’s career was a polarizing one. He was a player you loved to hate unless he was on your team. His ability to elevate his game in high-pressure postseason action made him one of the greatest scorers in Stanley Cup history.

Lemieux’s sudden passing shocked and saddened the hockey world. It appears he was dealing with mental health issues that finally overwhelmed him. Whether they were related to head trauma suffered during his career remains to be seen—my condolences to his family, friends, and former teammates.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard was injured playing for Canada during its quarterfinal game against the United States in the 2026 IIHF World Championship. Bouchard was elbowed in the head by USA defenseman Ryan Lindgren, who received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. Canada won the game 4-0.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bouchard was briefly knocked out by the blow, sparking fear that he suffered a concussion. However, the injury is reportedly less serious than originally feared, and it’s believed he’ll be okay. Nevertheless, Bouchard will not be playing in the remainder of the tournament.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Former Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy wants to talk to other teams about filling their vacant coaching jobs. However, he’s feeling frustrated by the Golden Knights blocking his attempts to speak with those teams.

“It’s upsetting, I’m going to be honest,” Cassidy said. The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings are among the teams who have sought permission to speak with him. However, the Golden Knights are within their rights to deny permission because he has a year remaining on his contract with them.

Even if Cassidy were willing to forfeit his remaining salary ($4.5 million), he said he still wouldn’t be able to be interviewed by other clubs because it would violate the non-compete clause in his contract.

TSN: Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon lamented that Edmonton’s interest in Cassidy became public, blaming the Oilers for leaking it to the media. McCrimmon said he’s spoken with his former coach and understands his frustration, but insists that his focus “first and foremost” is on the Golden Knights’ organization.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights are contractually within their rights to deny other teams permission to speak with Cassidy. Still, it gives the perception that they’re being petty about this situation.

McCrimmon also weighed in on the attention that Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner’s strong performance thus far in this postseason has garnered from fans of his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. He believes it’s time for Leafs fans to get over Marner’s departure from Toronto.

“I know it’s Toronto, I know it’s Mitch Marner, I know it’s polarizing, but for me, it’s a little bit about, the guy’s ex-girlfriend moving away and doing well. At some point, you gotta get over it.”

NHL: The Stanley Cup Final will begin on June 2 if the Carolina Hurricanes eliminate the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Friday. If the series goes to Game 6 or 7, the Final will begin on June 4. The Vegas Golden Knights advanced to the Final earlier this week by sweeping the Colorado Avalanche.

SPORTSNET: Speaking of the Maple Leafs, they will interview former Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft. The Leafs are seeking a new bench boss after firing coach Craig Berube earlier this month.

TVA SPORTS: Montreal Canadiens prospect winger Alexander Zharovsky was named KHL Rookie of the Year for 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zharovsky is following in the footsteps of Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov, who won that award last season. Demidov was runner-up for the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year this season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 28, 2026

by | May 28, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 28, 2026

The Hurricanes are on the verge of advancing to the Stanley Cup Final, plus the latest on the Golden Knights, Avalanche, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes are a game away from reaching the 2026 Stanley Cup Final after blanking the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (NHL Images).

Frederik Andersen turned in an 18-save shutout while Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal, and Logan Stankoven gave the Hurricanes a 3-0 lead in the first period, with Andrei Svechnikov scoring an empty-netter late in the third period. Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes stopped 39 of 42 shots.

The Hurricanes hold a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, and can wrap things up on home ice on Friday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersen set a franchise record for the most playoff shutouts with five, but it was his teammates’ performance that gave him an easy night for the third straight game.

Carolina dominated the play with their high shot volume, their puck possession in the offensive zone, and their stifling defensive game. The frustration was getting to the Canadiens as they took six penalties to the Hurricanes’ two. Montreal fans weren’t pleased with their club’s lack of offense, chanting “shoot the puck” midway through the third period.

To be fair, the Hurricanes benefited from nearly two weeks off before this series after sweeping the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers. Meanwhile, the Canadiens played grueling back-to-back seven-game series against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres.

Nevertheless, the Canes have been the better team after dropping a 6-2 decision in Game 1. They reached this stage because of their experience, their roster depth, and the hard lessons they learned from being swept from the 2023 Eastern Conference Final and bounced in five games from last year’s Conference Final, both times by the Florida Panthers.

The Hurricanes have become a highly conditioned, well-disciplined veteran team whose strong two-way game has stymied the young Canadiens, leaving the latter searching for answers as they face elimination on Friday. However, the physical and mental toll of the past three games could prove too much for the Habs to overcome.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL: Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart’s performance has been sensational during this postseason. However, his involvement as one of the players charged and subsequently acquitted of sexual assault last year would make him a controversial candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The leading candidate is Hart’s teammate Mitch Marner. If the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup, it’ll likely be Marner taking home the Conn Smythe.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau wondered what the future holds for Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland and head coach Jared Bednar following the disappointing end to a season in which they won the Presidents’ Trophy as the top regular-season team. Earlier this week, the Avs were swept from the Western Conference Final by the Golden Knights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacFarland is a finalist for the NHL GM of the Year Award, but it’s rumored that he could be heading to the Nashville Predators to take over as their head of hockey operations. Meanwhile, Bednar’s critics believe it may be time for a change after nearly 10 years behind the Avalanche bench.

THE SCORE: Penn State winger Gavin McKenna said he would be “very honored” if the Toronto Maple Leafs select him with the first-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old McKenna isn’t assured of going first overall, but many experts consider him to be the top prospect in this year’s draft.

SPORTSNET: Jason Bukala considers Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg to be the top prospect in this year’s draft. The 18-year-old is often praised for his defensive game, but his offensive upside shouldn’t be ignored, especially based on his performance for Sweden in the IIHF World Championship, which has entered the quarterfinal round.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McKenna is considered to have the best offensive skills among this year’s draft class, but Stenberg is believed to be the best all-around player. I’m guessing the Maple Leafs will select McKenna, but they also couldn’t go wrong with Stenberg.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 27, 2026

by | May 27, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 27, 2026

The Golden Knights advance to the Stanley Cup Final, the latest on the Hurricanes and Canadiens, the Penguins re-sign Evgeni Malkin, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final, sweeping the series and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone (NHL Images).

Mark Stone and Cole Smith scored, and Carter Hart stopped 20 shots for the Golden Knights. Gabriel Landeskog replied for the Avalanche.

The Golden Knights await the winner of the Eastern Conference Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens. The Hurricanes hold a 2-1 lead in that best-of-seven series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the Golden Knights’ third trip to the Stanley Cup Final in their nine-year history. Their first trip was in their inaugural season (2017-18) and their second came in 2022-23, when they won their first Cup.

Vegas winger Mitch Marner leads all scorers in this postseason with 21 points and is considered among the favorites to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. It’s the first time Marner has reached the Stanley Cup Final.

Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella credited his team’s tight-checking style for their success thus far in this postseason. That system played a crucial role in shutting down the heavily-favored Avalanche, who won the Presidents’ Trophy as the top team during the regular season.

Colorado center Nathan MacKinnon played despite a knee injury suffered in Game 3. The Avs also changed things up between the pipes by replacing Scott Wedgewood with MacKenzie Blackwood, who made 24 saves. However, it couldn’t prevent what felt like an inevitable victory for the Golden Knights.

Martin Necas, Brock Nelson, Cale Makar, and MacKinnon were the notable Avalanche stars who failed to score during this series. Injuries to MacKinnon and Makar hampered their performances, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that the Golden Knights did a masterful job of shutting down the vaunted Avalanche offense.

It will be interesting to see how the Avalanche front office reacts to this disappointing end to a dominant regular season. I’ll have more about that in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes aren’t fazed by the pressure of overtime. They are 5-0 in overtime games in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Winger Andrei Svechnikov credits his club’s mentality. “We love tight games. Every time, we love that,” Svechnikov said. It was his overtime goal in Game 3 that lifted the Hurricanes to a 2-1 series lead over the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens have been outshot by a wide margin in this series with the Hurricanes.

The reduction of shot production from stars Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky is expected because of the extra focus they’ve received from their opponents in this postseason. However, that hasn’t led to any significant increase in shots from the rest of the lineup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After being dominated in Game 1, the Hurricanes did a terrific job taking away time and space for the Canadiens to create plays and generate shots in Games 2 and 3. If that trend continues, the Hurricanes will face the Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins re-signed long-time star Evgeni Malkin to a one-year, bonus-laden contract on Tuesday.

Malkin, 39, will be returning for his 21st season with the only NHL team he’s ever played for. The contract is worth $5.5 million against the Penguins’ cap. He receives a base salary of $2.5 million and a $3 million signing bonus on July 1. He will also receive $3.5 million performance bonuses that could take him up to $9 million, though it’s unlikely that he’ll achieve all of them.

The contract also comes with a no-movement clause, but he must present a three-team trade list in January.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It seemed uncertain for months whether the Penguins would re-sign Malkin. However, recent comments by general manager Kyle Dubas and team captain Sidney Crosby suggested that he would be back for one more season.

Malkin had a bounce-back performance this season with 61 points in 56 games and three points in six playoff contests.

Dubas recently indicated that the Penguins had no one in their system who could step up and replace Malkin in the lineup. That’s the main reason why they’ve brought him back. The Penguins’ exceeding expectations to make the playoffs under first-year coach David Muse also likely factored into this decision.

OTTAWA SUN: Claude Giroux wants to return for another season. The 38-year-old Senators forward pondered retirement, but his agent said his client would like to play in 2026-27.

Giroux told reporters following Ottawa’s elimination from the 2026 playoffs that his priority would be to re-sign with the Senators. While there hasn’t yet been any discussion with management, there’s little reason to believe that they don’t want him back.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Senators GM Steve Staios praised Giroux last month during the club’s end-of-season media availability. It will be surprising if Staios doesn’t bring him back for what will be his 20th NHL campaign.

THE SCORE: cited a report from The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, who claimed the Los Angeles Kings held preliminary talks with former New York Rangers coach Peter Laviolette about their head-coaching position.

CBC PEI: Former NHL forward Forbes Kennedy passed away on Monday at age 90.

Kennedy spent 11 seasons in the NHL from 1956-57 to 1968-69 with the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. In 603 regular-season games, he had 70 goals and 108 assists for 178 points and 888 PIMs. He also has six points in 12 playoff contests with 64 PIMs.

After his playing career, Kennedy went on to a long junior coaching career in the Maritimes, most of which was spent in his native Prince Edward Island. Summerside native and former NHL player and coach Gerard Gallant said Kennedy was a mentor for many Island players who hoped to reach the NHL.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: “Forbie” was a trailblazer for aspiring players from Prince Edward Island. He became the first Islander to play over 500 NHL games, and finished fourth in Calder Memorial Trophy voting in 1956-57. My condolences to his family, friends, former teammates, and the players whom he coached.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 26, 2026

by | May 26, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 26, 2026

The Hurricanes take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Final, plus the latest on the Avalanche, Golden Knights, Maple Leafs, Kings, and Oilers in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Andrei Svechnikov gave the Carolina Hurricanes a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final, and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov (NHL Images).

Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere opened the scoring in the first period. Mike Matheson tied it for the Canadiens later in the period, only to have the Hurricanes regain the lead less than a minute later on a goal by Taylor Hall. Lane Hutson tied it in the second period for the Canadiens, who saw a potential 3-2 lead in the third period overturned as a coach’s challenge by the Hurricanes revealed Cole Caufield was offside.

Game 4 is on Wednesday in Montreal at 8 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the second straight game that Carolina won in overtime by a score of 3-2. And for the second straight game, they outshot Montreal by a high volume, this time peppering Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes with 38 shots while Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen faced only 13.

Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson blamed his turnover at his blueline for what led to Svechnikov’s game-winner. However, his club had two golden opportunities earlier in the overtime period to end it. Team captain Nick Suzuki had a breakaway but shot wide, while Matheson struck the crossbar later in the period.

The Canadiens were near the bottom of the league in shots on goal this season, a trend that has persisted during this postseason. Factor in the Hurricanes’ suffocating defensive play in Games 2 and 3, and it’s little wonder that the Habs have had difficulty scoring.

Experience is also favoring the Hurricanes. This is their third Conference Final in four years, and the hard lessons they learned from their early exits from those series have been on display in this matchup. If they maintain their sustained offensive zone pressure and their strong defensive play, they could take a commanding lead in the series on Wednesday and finish it at home in Game 5 on Friday.

THE DENVER POST: Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong for the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, putting them on the verge of elimination.

Vegas goaltender Carter Hart has outplayed Avalanche netminder Scott Wedgewood. The Golden Knights have played well defensively, and their top players are healthier and producing.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The status of Avalanche forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin remains uncertain after suffering injuries in Game 3. MacKinnon injured his knee after blocking a shot, hampering his performance for the rest of the game. Nichushkin suffered an upper-body injury that sidelined him for most of the third period.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Shot blocking has been key to the Golden Knights’ shutting down the Avalanche’s vaunted offense. Defensemen Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, and Noah Hanifin are among this postseason’s leaders in block shots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights can wrap up this series on Tuesday night.

SPORTSNET: Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin had a positive meeting with team captain Auston Matthews to discuss their vision for the team.

Matthews has two seasons left on his contract, and there was uncertainty over his future with the Maple Leafs after they missed the playoffs this season. According to Elliotte Friedman, the Leafs captain indicated that he still wants to win in Toronto,

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report indicated there are still more decisions to be made, but this initial meeting was positive, with nothing to suggest any concerns.

TSN: Speaking of the Maple Leafs, forward Max Domi is sidelined indefinitely following complications arising from off-season surgery. The club didn’t disclose the nature of the surgery on Monday, stating only that it was done to address a nagging issue. He will be re-evaluated at the start of training camp in September.

TSN: Los Angeles Kings general manager Ken Holland said his team must move on after the Golden Knights denied his club permission to speak with former head coach Bruce Cassidy. “I’ve been around the game a long time to know that if somebody’s decided that they don’t want to grant permission, they’ve negotiated that right and you move on.”

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers signed Finnish winger Aku Raty to a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 25, 2026

by | May 25, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 25, 2026

The Golden Knights rally to push the Avalanche to the brink of elimination in the Western Conference Final, plus the latest on the Hurricanes and Canadiens in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Vegas Golden Knights scored five unanswered goals to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Avalanche took the early lead in the first period on goals by Gabriel Landeskog, Nazem Kadri, and Jack Drury. However, it was all Golden Knights for the rest of the game, with Mark Stone, William Karlsson, and Keegan Kolesar scoring to tie it at 3-3 in the second period. Tomas Hertl tallied the game winner, and Brett Howden netted the insurance goal in the third period.

Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone (NHL Images).

With the Golden Knights holding a commanding series lead, they can wrap up the series and sweep the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche on Tuesday in Las Vegas, starting at 9 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche were dominant in the first period, displaying the form that made them the top team in the league this season and saw them make short work of the Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild through the first two rounds.

However, their confidence wavered when Stone tallied just 19 seconds into the second period, and collapsed when Karlsson cut the lead to 3-2 less than three minutes later. They seemed to have no answer for the Golden Knights’ aggressive physical style and strong special teams play during the remainder of the game.

Stone returned to the Golden Knights’ lineup after being injured in Game 3 of their second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks. Cale Makar rejoined the Avalanche after missing the first two games with an injury. Of the two, it was the Golden Knights’ captain who had a bigger impact on this game.

Worse for the Avalanche, superstar center Nathan MacKinnon injured his right knee while blocking a shot in the second period. He tried to play through it, but his mobility was hampered. Avs winger Valeri Nichushkin suffered an undisclosed injury early in the third period and didn’t return.

Following the game, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar admitted morale was low among his players right now. They face a daunting challenge attempting to overcome a 3-0 series deficit. Only four teams in NHL history have rallied back after trailing a best-of-seven series by three games.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau reports that the addition of Nikolaj Ehlers last summer has given the Carolina Hurricanes a welcome offensive boost during this postseason. With four goals and six points, he’s on pace to exceed his previous postseason highs of five goals and seven points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes have also benefited from the production of their second line of Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven, and Jackson Blake.

THE ATHLETIC: Cory Lavalette examines how speed, skill, and physicality enable the Hurricanes to overcome a lopsided loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in Game 2.

TVA SPORTS: Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis told reporters on Sunday that Lane Hutson was fine after a hit by Hurricanes winger Taylor Hall during overtime in Game 2 left him limping to the bench.

SPORTSNET: The Canadiens are hoping to rewrite their home ice history in this postseason as the Eastern Conference Final shifts to Montreal for Games 3 and 4. While the Canadiens have an impressive 7-3 record on the road in this postseason, they’re 2-4 at home.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 24, 2026

by | May 24, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 24, 2026

Check out the latest on the Golden Knights, Stars, Canucks, and Kings in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

CAP SPACE AN OFFSEASON ISSUE FOR THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS AND STARS

THE ATHLETIC: Harman Dayal listed seven teams that could face a salary-cap crunch in 2026-27. Two of the more interesting were the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars.

The Golden Knights have a projected $12.5 million in salary-cap space if sidelined defenseman Alex Pietrangelo remains on LTIR for next season. That won’t leave much to re-sign restricted free agent winger Pavel Dorofeyev and pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman Rasmus Andersson.

Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl (NHL Images).

Dayal speculated that forward Tomas Hertl could become a salary-cap casualty. The Golden Knights are carrying $6.75 million of his $8.137 million average annual value (with this former club, the San Jose Sharks, carrying the rest) through 2029-30.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dorofeyev’s RFA status would make him an enticing offer-sheet candidate if he’s willing to consider that option. Because he has arbitration rights, interested teams will have from the start of free agency on July 1 until the July 5 arbitration filing deadline to make their pitch, assuming he doesn’t file between those dates. If he goes to arbitration, he’s ineligible to sign an offer sheet.

The Golden Knights acquired Andersson from the Calgary Flames in January. Some observers wondered why they haven’t re-signed him yet. It’s believed they’re waiting until July 1 to do so. On that date, they’ll be allowed to exceed the salary cap by 10 percent during the offseason. It will also give them time to determine if Pietrangelo will remain on LTIR for next season.

Hertl has a modified no-trade clause, but there are no details as to how limiting it might be. Dayal suggested that the high demands for centers could create plenty of opportunities for the Golden Knights to move him.

The Stars’ limited cap space has created speculation over how they’ll free up room to re-sign RFA winger Jason Robertson. Dayal also mentioned that it could make center Mavrik Bourque a tempting offer-sheet target. He suggested that the Stars could have difficulty matching a $4.775 million offer sheet for Bourque, and it would only cost a second-round pick in compensation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson’s situation has been well-documented. However, the Bourque offer sheet scenario could be intriguing.

Bourque is completing a one-year deal with an AAV of $950,000 and, like Robertson, has arbitration rights. The versatile 24-year-old can play center or wing, lacks no-trade protection, and had a career-best 20 goals and 21 assists for 41 points this season.

As with Hertl, the demand for centers could tempt a rival club to try to sign Bourque to an offer sheet, assuming he’s interested in doing so. Signing him to between $4.776 million and $7.163 million would cost a first and a third-round pick, so it’s understandable why Dayal suggested the $4.775 million AAV offer.

THE LATEST ON THE CANUCKS

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma suggested the Vancouver Canucks should be buoyed by the Montreal Canadiens’ swift rise to ensure long-term competitiveness. As the Canucks embark on a rebuild, they can draw lessons from the Canadiens’ efforts, which turned them from a last-overall team to an Eastern Conference finalist within four years.

Kuzma observed that one of the ways the Canadiens rebuilt quickly was by identifying roster players with market value to acquire assets, while targeting players who hadn’t yet hit their stride with other clubs.

Winger Jake DeBrusk and defenseman Filip Hronek could be marketable players for the Canucks.

DeBrusk, 29, wants to win now. His goal production and his affordable $5.5 million AAV for the next five seasons could be attractive in the trade market.

The 28-year-old Hronek is a big-minute, lead-by-example defenseman who finished second in scoring on the Canucks this season. He has a full no-movement clause, but Kuzma speculated he could fetch a first-round pick, a prime prospect, and perhaps more.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk has indicated he’s not keen about a rebuild, which makes him the more likely of the two to be traded this summer. He also has a full no-movement clause, but will be open to waiving it to join a playoff club.

Management will have to determine whether Hronek wants to be part of the rebuild. If he does, he can provide leadership and skilled experience to their young defense corps. Otherwise, they’ll find out where he wants to be traded and go from there.

UPDATE ON THE KINGS

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens recently listed who stays and who goes from the Los Angeles Kings this summer.

Stephens included Darcy Kuemper among those he believes are “staying put, almost certainly”. He noted that the 35-year-old goaltender’s struggles this season cost him his job as the team’s starting goalie.

Kuemper has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5.25 million. Stephens believes he could be a comeback candidate or put on the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuemper also has a 10-team no-trade list. Despite that and his struggles this season, the limited market for goaltenders could make him a trade target for clubs desperate for help between the pipes.

Stephens thinks Trevor Moore could stay put, but he noted that the 31-year-old forward has been up-and-down in recent years. He also observed that he has two years left on his contract without trade protection.

They could face a tough decision with pending UFA Scott Laughton. His departure would leave them thin at center if they can’t find a suitable replacement. He will draw interest in the free-agent market. Forwards Mathieu Joseph and Andrei Kuzmenko are UFA-eligible and unlikely to be back.