NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 5, 2026

by | Oct 5, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 5, 2026

Recapping Sunday’s action and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Mikael Granlund lifted the Anaheim Ducks (2-0-0) to a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers (1-0-2). Cutter Gauthier had two goals and an assist, linemate Leo Carlsson collected three assists, and goalie Lukas Dostal stopped 29 shots. Carter Verhaeghe and Brad Marchand replied for the Panthers.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was Marchand’s first game since undergoing offseason surgery for hip and sports hernia issues. Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad missed this game with an undisclosed injury.

Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor scored twice and collected an assist as his club held off the Detroit Red Wings 3-2. Cole Perfetti had a goal and two assists, and goaltender Stuart Skinner made 33 saves for the Jets (1-0-1). Viktor Arvidsson and Emmitt Finnie scored for the Red Wings (0-2-0).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Red Wings forward Keegan Kolesar left the game in the first period and went into concussion protocol after losing a fight with Jets defenseman Tyrel Bauer.

The New York Rangers picked up their third win in their first four games (3-1-0) by doubling up the Utah Mammoth 4-2. Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin made 28 saves and picked up an assist while Vladislav Gavrikov had a goal and an assist. Nick Schmaltz and Andrew Peeke tallied for the Mammoth (2-1-0).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shesterkin nearly had his second empty-net goal in as many games. However, Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev foiled the attempt, much to the chagrin of Rangers fans. Rangers forward Joe Veleno and former Blueshirts forward Vincent Trocheck left this game with lower-body injuries.

Vegas Golden Knights forward Marc Gatcomb scored the winning goal to give his club a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks (2-2-0). Mitch Marner and Victor Olofsson also scored for the Golden Knights (2-1-0). Canucks forward Paul Cotter scored his fourth goal of the season, and Kevin Lankinen stopped 25 shots.

The Seattle Kraken beat the Calgary Flames 6-1. Mackie Samoskevich scored his first two goals for the Kraken (2-1-0), and teammate Berkly Catton had a goal and an assist. Morgan Frost replied for the Flames, who dropped their first three games of this season (0-3-0).

IN OTHER NEWS…

OTTAWA SUN: Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson will undergo further testing for an undisclosed lower-body injury. Sanderson left Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and could miss their next two contests.

TSN: St. Louis Blues forward Alexey Toropchenko will be sidelined for at least six weeks with an upper-body injury.

DAILY FACEOFF: Boston Bruins forward Michael Eyssimont and San Jose Sharks winger Patrick Giles were placed on waivers Sunday.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 1, 2026

by | Oct 1, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 1, 2026

Recapping Wednesday’s games, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar has a new contract, Golden Knights center William Karlsson and Stars goalie Casey DeSmith get new deals, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF WEDNESDAY’S ACTION

NHL.COM: Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon led the Colorado Avalanche to an 8-4 season-opening victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Makar had two assists, becoming the first defenseman in league history to record multiple points in five straight season openers, while MacKinnon scored two goals and got into a third-period fight with Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (NHL Images)

Artturi Lehkonen also tallied twice, and Brock Nelson had a goal and two assists for the Avalanche. Alex Laferriere collected two assists, and Artemi Panarin scored for the Kings.

Before this game, the Avalanche announced that head coach Jared Bednar signed a four-year contract extension. Bednar was in the final season of his current deal. He is the longest-tenured head coach in franchise history.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: So much for the offseason rumors that the front office was losing confidence in Bednar after the Vegas Golden Knights swept the Avalanche in the Western Conference Final. What do you think about this signing, Avalanche fans? Let us know in the comments section below.

The Pittsburgh Penguins crushed the Philadelphia Flyers 7-0 in the latter’s home-opening game. Arturs Silovs turned in a 19-save shutout, Nick Robertson scored two goals, and Filip Hallinder had a goal and two assists for the Penguins. Flyers goalie Dan Vladar gave up seven goals on 38 shots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang won their 494th game together, setting the league record for the most by a trio. The Penguins also activated forward Blake Lizotte from injured reserve.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Easton Cowan scored the winning goal and collected an assist on Colton Sissons’ game-opener in a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders. Anthony Stolarz stopped 26 shots for the win. Emil Heineman scored, and Ilya Sorokin made 24 saves for the Islanders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders forward Mathew Barzal (lower-body injury) missed this game, but he could return to the lineup this weekend. Before this game, the Maple Leafs placed sidelined forwards Max Domi and Dakota Joshua on long-term injured reserve.

HEADLINES

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Vegas Golden Knights signed center William Karlsson to a two-year contract extension that carries an average annual value of $6.75 million. Karlsson, 33, is in the final season of an eight-year deal with a $5.9 million AAV.

Karlsson’s been plagued by injuries over the past three seasons. When healthy, he’s a solid two-way center and invaluable core player. He’s also one of the three remaining players from their 2017-18 expansion roster.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars signed goaltender Casey DeSmith to a two-year contract extension worth $2.5 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeSmith has been a reliable backup for Stars starting goalie Jake Oettinger.

Speaking of the Stars, center Matt Duchene is doubtful for Friday’s season-opener against the St. Louis Blues with a lower-body injury.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson has returned to Sweden and is practicing with Swedish Hockey League club Frolunda. The 22-year-old restricted free agent awaits a new contract with the Red Wings.

“It takes as long as it needs to take,” Edvinsson’s agent Peter Werner said. “It is an ongoing negotiation that is ongoing.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ryan Lambert (my colleague at The Hockey News) summed this up best: the Red Wings are completely mishandling Simon Edvinsson’s situation.

This is just another chapter in the Red Wings’ decade-long decline, a maddening decline for their fans with no end in sight.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, the Red Wings were a once-proud franchise that became a laughingstock because of incompetent ownership, mismanagement, and a revolving door of coaches, earning them the derisive nickname of “The Dead Things”.

They are now The Dead Things 2.0. Their front office doesn’t seem to know what they’re doing. They haven’t made the playoffs in a decade. They’re bungling negotiations with their second-best defenseman. Their former captain wants out, and they can’t find a replacement for former GM Steve Yzerman.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils forward Connor Brown will miss his club’s first two games of this season with a lower-body injury.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets will not have a captain this season. They will have six alternate captains, with Zach Werenski serving as permanent alternate. The decision is due to the departure of former captain Boone Jenner and uncertainty over Werenski’s future.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former NHL center Ryan Spooner has retired. He spent seven seasons in the NHL (2012-13 to 2018-19) with the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks. In 325 games, he had 48 goals and 167 points, and two points in four postseason contests. He spent the past seven seasons in the KHL, the Swiss National A League, and the Slovakian Extraleague.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 30, 2026

by | Sep 30, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 30, 2026

Recaps of the season-opening games, the Senators name a new captain, Wild defenseman Brock Faber sidelined indefinitely, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING THE SEASON-OPENING GAMES

NHL.COM: The Vancouver Canucks blew a three-goal lead but still upset the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 in overtime. Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard had a hat trick and two assists, becoming the first defenseman in NHL history to open the season with five points. Paul Cotter scored twice for the Canucks, including the winning goal.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen gave up five goals on 32 shots, but Oilers netminder Tristan Jarry allowed six goals on 23 shots. The Oilers played without versatile two-way forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who is out until mid-October with a lower-body injury.

Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling scored with 4.3 seconds remaining in overtime to nip the Carolina Hurricanes 1-0, spoiling the defending Stanley Cup champions’ home opener. Panthers goaltender Jacob Markstrom had a 15-save shutout, and Brandon Bussi stopped 19 shots for the Hurricanes.

The Boston Bruins got goals from Fraser Minten, JJ Peterka, and Mark Kastelic within a 1:15 span in the third period to blank the New York Rangers 3-0. Jeremy Swayman got the shutout with a 24-save performance. Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin allowed two goals on 22 shots.

Montreal Canadiens winger Josh Anderson and defenseman Alexandre Carrier each had a goal and an assist to hold off the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2. Jakub Dobes turned aside 26 shots for the Canadiens. William Nylander scored both goals for the Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Winger Kirill Marchenko picked up an assist in his first game with the Maple Leafs since being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a trade on Monday. Before the game, Leafs general manager John Chayka said goalie Elvis Merzlikins (shoulder surgery) is out three to five months, and forward Miles Wood would start this season with their AHL affiliate. Both players were part of the trade that brought Marchenko to Toronto.

Patrick Kane scored in his first game back with the Chicago Blackhawks, but they dropped a 5-2 decision to the Vegas Golden Knights. Jack Eichel had a goal and two assists, and rookie forward Trevor Connelly scored his first NHL goal for the Golden Knights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blackhawks winger Teuvo Teravainen was a healthy scratch for this game.

HEADLINES

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators named defenseman Thomas Chabot as their new captain, becoming the 11th player in franchise history to fill that role. He’s the first Canadian captain for the Senators since Jason Spezza in 2013-14.

TWINCITIES.COM: Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber is sidelined indefinitely with a fractured skull after taking a puck to the ear during the club’s final preseason game against the Dallas Stars on Friday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a serious blow for the Wild. Faber is a core player who skates on the top defense pairing with superstar Quinn Hughes. Team captain Jared Spurgeon will replace Faber alongside Hughes.

GM Bill Guerin wouldn’t say whether the injury is season-ending or if he’ll trade for a short-term replacement.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sophomore defenseman Matthew Schaefer is among the New York Islanders’ four alternate captains, joining blueliner Ryan Pulock and forwards Kyle Palmieri and Brayden Schenn. Earlier this month, the Isles named Bo Horvat as their new captain.

TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed free-agent defenseman Carson Soucy to a one-year, $1.15 million contract. He had attended their training camp on a professional tryout offer.

DAILY FACEOFF: Buffalo Sabres forward Conor Sheary and New York Rangers defenseman Vincent Iorio on waivers.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche promoted Andrew Cogliano to assistant general manager. He’d served as a special assistant to the GM since 2024.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 27, 2026

by | Sep 27, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 27, 2026

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup, we look at the latest on Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko, and Canadiens forward Kirby Dach.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman’s recent report suggesting the Sharks may have “kicked tires” on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

The 33-year-old Hellebuyck revealed last month that he requested a trade. He’s currently suspended without pay by the Jets for refusing to report to training camp.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Hellebuyck is signed through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $8.7 million. He has a full no-movement clause until July 1, after which it reverts to a 10-team trade list.

Friedman believes it’s a question of whether Hellebuyck believes the Sharks can become a winner while he’s still at his peak.

Peng wondered if the Sharks should take a chance on Hellebuyck. He speculated that it could cost them a first-round pick, winger Collin Graf, and goalie Yaroslav Askarov. “That’s a high price for an aging, expensive goaltender,” Peng wrote.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sharks general manager Mike Grier was likely doing due diligence by contacting the Jets to inquire about Hellebuyck. However, I agree with Peng that the asking price is too high for the Sharks. By the time the Sharks are contenders, Hellebuyck could be past his prime.

The Sharks seem content to stick with their current tandem of Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic this season. That might change if they struggle or injuries strike, but for now, they still believe in Askarov as their starter.

THE SICK PODCAST: Nick Lariviere did a round-up of reports about the trade rumors swirling around Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.

Lariviere noted the Montreal Canadiens were among the most aggressive suitors for Marchenko. An NHL scout speculated it could cost the Canadiens a “solid middle-six forward and/or a top-four defenseman.” However, the scout wondered if they’re willing to risk the chemistry they currently have.

Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe believes it could cost the Bruins a promising young forward like Fraser Minten or James Hagens, a first-round pick, and another young asset like Mason Lohrei or better.

Long-time NHL analyst and co-host of The Eye Test Podcast listed the Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights, and New York Rangers as possible landing spots for Marchenko.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman mentioned the Canadiens, Golden Knights, New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Seattle Kraken as potential suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ interest in Marchenko may have waned since signing Chris Kreider earlier this month. Of course, they could still keep tabs on his availability and the asking price, but they don’t seem to be currently in a rush to make a big addition to their roster.

The asking price will be a sticking point for any club interested in Marchenko. Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell insists he doesn’t want a return of futures, preferring instead a comparable young scorer. Because Marchenko will be a restricted free agent next summer, Waddell isn’t facing the same pressure to move him as he would if the winger were UFA-eligible.

CASINO.ORG: NHL insider Frank Seravalli reports sources claim the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are among the teams interested in Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach.

According to Seravalli, multiple teams offered the Canadiens a second-round pick for Dach, who has struggled through injuries during his tenure in Montreal. However, the Canadiens sought more immediate help and could use him as a trade chip to land a bigger fish like Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.

Seravalli claimed the Oilers’ interest in Dach “bordered on drooling.” He noted that the 25-year-old forward was drafted by Oilers general manager Stan Bowman when he was GM of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2019. Bowman feels a poor run of bad luck due to injuries has prevented Dach from reaching his full potential.

Meanwhile, the Flames are believed to be interested in Dach “to play in concert with someone like Morgan Frost.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dach could become available if promising Florian Xhekaj earns a roster spot because of his strong preseason play. However, as Seravalli observed, the Canadiens could send the waiver-exempt Xhekaj back to Laval to start the season, wait for a better offer for Dach, and recall him after Dach has been traded.

As for the Oilers’ rumored interest in Dach, Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal believes they should proceed with caution, given the risk in acquiring an oft-injured player. The same advice applies to the Flames.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 26, 2026

by | Sep 26, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 26, 2026

Red Wings center Dylan Larkin expands his trade list; several teams are interested in Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DYLAN LARKIN EXPANDS HIS TRADE LIST

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported Friday that Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin is willing to expand his list of preferred trade destinations to as many as eight teams.

Larkin, 30, requested a trade earlier this year, and initially would approve a move to the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, or Florida Panthers. It was also rumored he’d accept a trade to the Dallas Stars.

Friedman thinks the Stars are among Larkin’s expanded list, along with the Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This report brings the list to seven destinations. No idea which club would be the eighth preferred landing spot for Larkin.

None of these teams are viable destinations for Larkin because they lack the cap space to absorb his $8.7 million average annual value. Even if the Red Wings agreed to retain half of his cap hit (which they won’t), those clubs still can’t afford him without sending a high-salaried player to Detroit, which is unlikely.

SEVERAL CLUBS INTERESTED IN MARCHENKO

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported Friday that several teams are interested in Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko (NHL Images).

The 26-year-old winger is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July. He’s reportedly unwilling to sign an extension with the Blue Jackets and was evasive when reporters questioned him about the rumor during training camp.

Friedman indicated the Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders have already been mentioned as potential suitors. He also mentioned the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets. Friedman said he heard the Boston Bruins made an offer at one point, heard conflicting stories about interest from the Vegas Golden Knights, and thinks the Seattle Kraken could also be in on this.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan gauged the Maple Leafs’ rumored interest in Marchenko. He wondered if they could afford the winger’s next contract because they have already committed $105 million against the $113.5 million cap for 2027-28.

Koshan believes young winger Matthew Knies would have to be part of the return to the Blue Jackets. If not, the Maple Leafs could consider moving a promising youngster like Easton Cowan or Ben Danford. Koshan doesn’t consider Marchenko much of an upgrade over Knies, who is younger, carries a more affordable long-term deal, and is likely to keep pace offensively.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell has made it clear that he wants a scorer in return for Marchenko. He’s not interested in a package of draft picks and prospects. It might be different if Marchenko were UFA-eligible next summer, but his RFA status gives Waddell leverage here.

Waddell could want Knies straight up for Marchenko, but I agree with Koshan that the Leafs would be better off keeping the 23-year-old power forward.

TSN’s Darren Dreger recently acknowledged the trade rumors have resumed about Knies, but he doesn’t believe the Maple Leafs are shopping him. He thinks it’s teams that were interested in the young winger earlier this year circling back to check on his availability.

UPDATES ON NIKISHIN, EDVINSSON, AND TARASENKO

SPORTSNET: Friedman also reported the Carolina Hurricanes have permitted Alexander Nikishin’s camp to talk to some teams. The 24-year-old restricted free agent defenseman requested a trade following the Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup run.

Friedman wondered if Nikishin might be part of a three-team trade. He’s been mentioned as part of a possible trade offer by the Hurricanes if they were to pursue Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, but Friedman said Nikishin isn’t believed to be interested in signing with the Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maybe Nikishin is part of a three-team deal that sends him to another team and brings Hellebuyck to the Hurricanes? Friedman said he believes the Canes haven’t given up hope of landing the Jets goaltender. If so, which team would be the third party in this deal? Feel free to weigh in on this scenario in the comments below?

According to Friedman, the Detroit Red Wings prefer to sign RFA defenseman Simon Edvinsson to a bridge contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The dysfunction continues in the Red Wings’ front office.

Edvinsson, 22, is one of the Red Wings’ top players. He and Moritz Seider form a solid young blueline tandem. He’s blossoming into a reliable, two-way defenseman. He’s been loyal to this struggling franchise, rejecting offer-sheet proposals from several clubs this summer. He reported to training camp and is practicing with his teammates, though he can’t participate in scrimmages or play in preseason games.

And for all of that, Wings management is thinking a bridge deal. A team with over $19 million in cap space, a once-proud club that hasn’t made the playoffs in a decade (!), a franchise still trying to find a full-time GM, is playing hardball with one of their better players.

I’m not suggesting they use up most of that cap space re-signing Edvinsson, but they’re wasting too much time getting one of their top-two defensemen under contract. The Red Wings continue to lurch from one self-inflicted disaster to another with nothing to show for it but an angry, disillusioned fan base and a team of players who could be losing faith in their playoff hopes before the season begins.

Friedman reported the Florida Panthers and UFA winger Vladimir Tarasenko might be considering a reunion. “Makes sense, he’s played there, and (Brad) Marchand is hurt for now,” Friedman said.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 25, 2026

by | Sep 25, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 25, 2026

Recapping Thursday’s preseason action, the Blue Jackets finally sign Adam Fantilli, the Blackhawks sign Oliver Moore to a four-year extension, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF THURSDAY’S PRESEASON GAMES

NHL.COM: San Jose Sharks rookie forward Ivar Stenberg tallied a hat trick and collected an assist in a 10-0 drubbing of the Anaheim Ducks. Michael Misa had a goal and three assists, Igor Chernyshov had two goals and an assist, Mason Marchment scored twice, and Alex Nedeljkovic turned in a 21-save shutout.

San Jose Sharks prospect Ivar Stenberg (NHL Images).

The Carolina Hurricanes rallied from a four-goal deficit to defeat the Nashville Predators 6-5. Logan Stankoven scored twice (including the tying goal) and added an assist; Taylor Hall had three assists, and Felix Unger Sorum tallied the winning goal. Justus Annunen turned aside 31 shots for the Predators.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel scored in overtime and picked up two assists in a 5-4 win over the Utah Mammoth. Shea Theodore had three assists for the Golden Knights, and Kevin Stenlund had three assists for the Mammoth.

The Seattle Kraken overcame a 3-1 deficit to nip the Calgary Flames 4-3 on a shootout goal by Berkly Catton. Matty Beniers had two assists, and Brandon Montour and Ryker Evans scored in the third period to force overtime and the shootout. Devin Cooley made 23 saves for the Flames.

An overtime goal by Alex DeBrincat lifted the Detroit Red Wings over the Buffalo Sabres 3-2. Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon and forward Jiri Kulich left this game with injuries.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lyon appeared to injure his left shoulder in the first period. Head coach Lindy Ruff is optimistic that he’s not seriously hurt. Kulich departed in the second period with an undisclosed injury for precautionary reasons.

St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington stopped 17 shots to blank the Chicago Blackhawks 1-0. Calle Rosen scored the only goal as the Blues spoiled Patrick Kane’s first game with the Blackhawks since returning on a two-year contract signed in July.

The Edmonton Oilers got a 25-save performance from goalie Tristan Jarry in a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Isaac Howard had a goal and an assist for the Oilers, while Linus Karlsson replied for the Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oft-injured Canucks forward Filip Chytil left this game in the first period after clipping skates with a referee and crashing into the end boards. Chytil is being evaluated for a shoulder injury.

Philadelphia Flyers netminder Joseph Woll kicked out 28 shots to shut out the Boston Bruins 2-0. Matvei Michkov and Cole Knuble scored for the Flyers. Michael DiPietro made 26 saves for the Bruins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers forward Trevor Zegras received a minor penalty for “improperly wearing his equipment” by tucking his jersey into the back of his pants. Meanwhile, Flyers defenseman Helge Grans left the game with a lower-body injury.

The Florida Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3. Cole Reinhardt and Kai Schwindt each had a goal and an assist for the Panthers. Jansen Harkins tallied twice for the Lightning.

Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Cam Talbot had a 15-save shutout, and Valeri Nichushkin scored in a 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Dmitri Voronkov had two assists for the Blue Jackets. Sergei Murashov stopped 13 shots for the Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Penguins announced that forward Ben Kindel is sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Meanwhile, winger Andrei Kuzmenko will be taking time away from the team for family reasons after his father was killed in a bear attack while on a fishing trip in southern Siberia. My condolences to Kuzmenko and his family.

New York Rangers forward Will Cuylle had a goal and an assist in regulation and scored the winner in a shootout to defeat the New Jersey Devils 4-3. Nico Daws made 20 saves for the Devils.

HEADLINES

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets signed center Adam Fantilli to a six-year contract worth an average annual value of $13.75 million.

Fantilli, 21, missed the opening week of training camp as negotiations with Blue Jackets management took longer than anticipated. His new contract puts the Jackets over the $104 million salary cap by $1.204 million. However, the club will become cap-compliant by placing sidelined goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (shoulder) and Isac Lundestrom (Achilles tear) on long-term injury reserve.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The ripples from Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet in July continue to be felt throughout the league. Carlsson’s new contract reset the market for young NHL talent. It also caught some teams off-guard, forcing them to pay much more than expected to re-sign their best young players.

Fantilli was coming off his entry-level contract, which should’ve given the Blue Jackets full leverage in their contract negotiations. However, his value as their top center, uncertainty about the future of top defenseman Zach Werenski and scoring winger Kirill Marchenko, and pressure on the club to make the playoffs ensured Fantilli would get a more lucrative deal.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks signed forward Oliver Moore to a five-year contract extension worth $4.25 million AAV.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moore had 19 points in 51 games as a rookie last season. His speed, versatility, and two-way skills give him the potential to become a top-six forward with the Blackhawks.

THE SCORE: Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman replied to Mark Messier’s criticism of the club hiring Mike Babcock as head coach.

“I think if he really wants to see what’s going on firsthand, he’s more than welcome to come here,” Hyman said. “I think Oilers fans love him. Like I said, there’s a lot of excitement, there’s a lot of positivity here – nothing but good is happening right now. So, to try and spew something negative right now, I think it’s his opinion. Like I said, I have a lot of respect for him, and if he’d like to see what’s going on he’s more than welcome to come down.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll all learn soon enough whether the criticism about Babcock’s hiring was justified.

THE ATHLETIC: The Toronto Maple Leafs placed forward Steven Lorentz on waivers as a potential prelude to signing defenseman Nick Blankenburg, who is in training camp on a professional tryout offer.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators placed goalie Levi Merilainen on waivers.

NHL.COM: The league and the Winnipeg Jets announced that the statistical history of the club will include the original Jets (1979-80 to 1995-96) and their years as the Atlanta Thrashers (1999-2000 to 2010-11).