NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2026

by | Jul 8, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2026

A look at some potential offer-sheet targets, plus the latest on Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHICH RFA PLAYERS COULD BE OFFER-SHEET TARGETS?

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon looked at possible offer sheet targets in the wake of the Leo Carlsson offer sheet signing.

Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks are the two biggest potential targets among this summer’s restricted free agents.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

Dixon wondered if any team that had contemplated an offer sheet for Carlsson would pivot to Fantilli. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks paid a heavy price to acquire and sign defenseman Bowen Byram. Dixon believes now is the time for them to lock down their franchise center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said on Monday that his club is in a position to match any offer for Fantilli. I said he wasn’t expecting the 21-year-old center to receive an offer sheet, but didn’t rule it out.

The word out of Chicago is that Bedard’s shoulder injury might put any offer sheet talk on hold. It’s believed that he remains committed to the Blackhawks and isn’t interested in signing with another team.

Dixon also looked at how the Carlsson offer sheet could affect 2027 RFA-eligible players such as Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks, Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Kirill Marchenko of the Blue Jackets, and 2028 RFAs such as Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders and Beckett Sennecke of the Anaheim Ducks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The cost of re-signing Celebrini and Schaefer could exceed $20 million annually. They’re superstar franchise players and will seek top dollar on their next contracts.

Michkov isn’t expected to get an extension this summer while Marchenko reportedly isn’t interested in signing one. Depending on their performances this season, their asking prices could exceed $10 million.

Sennecke’s case will be intriguing. He finished second in points (62) among last season’s rookie class and was third among voters for the Calder Memorial Trophy. He could command up to $15 million annually if he has a strong sophomore season. However, that will take a huge chunk out of the Ducks’ cap space if they match Carlsson’s offer sheet and re-sign Cutter Gauthier for at least $10 million annually this summer.

DID THE AVALANCHE LOOK INTO ACQUIRING CONNOR HELLEBUYCK?

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen cited a report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who claimed “a couple of teams” told him that they wondered if the Avalanche attempted to acquire goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets.

Friedman didn’t indicate that there were any negotiations between the Avalanche and Jets. He wasn’t sure how that deal would work between the two clubs, or what the Avs could offer, or if the Jets would be interested.

Any deal to take on Hellebuyck’s $8.5 million average annual value would mean the Avalanche would have to move out some salary in the deal or in a separate cost-cutting trade. They also lack the tradeable assets to tempt the Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Avalanche management may have contacted the Jets to inquire about Hellebuyck’s availability. However, as Deen pointed out, they lack the cap space and trade capital to make it work.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN

DAILY FACEOFF: cited Helene St. James of the Detroit Red Press, who reported that Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has not expanded his three-team trade list.

The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers are Larkin’s destinations of choice. St. James stated those clubs have not made offers that have intrigued the Red Wings, who seek value-now players for a first-line center with a very favorable contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers made their big moves this summer by acquiring Brady Tkachuk and Jacob Markstrom. Their unwillingness to part with young two-way center Anton Lundell takes them out of the running.

Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal recently pointed out why the Golden Knights can’t afford Larkin. Put simply, they lack the cap space and the assets to meet the Red Wings’ asking price. They traded away their best trade chip (Pavel Dorofeyev) to the Rangers last month.

The Wild also lack cap space, but could move some money in the deal for Larkin or in a separate trade with another team. They also have some promising young players in their system. However, it’s rumored that the Wings want one of the Wild’s best players (Matt Boldy) in return, which obviously isn’t happening.

Unless one of those three teams can get a third team involved to acquire the necessary assets to acquire Larkin, he will remain with the Red Wings when next season begins, for better or for worse.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 5, 2026

by | Jul 5, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 5, 2026

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: the effect of Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet on the contract negotiations for Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli, what it could mean for future RFAs, plus the latest on Dylan Larkin and Claude Giroux.

HOW WILL CARLSSON’S OFFER SHEET AFFECT BEDARD AND FANTILLI?

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope reports Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli, and Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson were waiting to see which one would set the market for their new contracts.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

The trio are restricted free agents coming off their entry-level contracts. On Friday, Carlsson signed a five-year offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers worth a league-leading average annual value of $18 million.

Pope doubted that Bedard would be targeted with an offer sheet for several reasons, including the center’s frequent communication with Blackhawks management and his intention to remain with the franchise for the long term. Still, nothing can be ruled out after Carlsson signed with the Flyers.

Before the Carlsson offer sheet, a new contract for Bedard might have cost the Blackhawks between $13 and $16 million, assuming it went the maximum of eight years. Now, the Bedard camp could seek $18 million or more, up to the league maximum of $20.8 million.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sam Carchidi wondered if Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli might be the Flyers’ next target if the Ducks match the offer sheet for Leo Carlsson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell just came off a difficult week, during which he nearly traded Zach Werenski to the Dallas Stars amid reports that the defenseman wouldn’t sign a contract extension next summer, plus he had to deal with a similar contract situation with winger Kirill Marchenko.

While those situations have been resolved, at least for now, the effect of the Carlsson offer sheet on his contract negotiations with Fantilli could be another headache for Waddell.

Whatever figure Waddell was offering the Fantilli camp, he will likely have to raise it significantly if he hopes to re-sign the 21-year-old center, and now there’s the possibility that Fantilli could sign an offer sheet from a rival club.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner believes the Carlsson offer sheet likely means the New York Islanders won’t wait to sign Calder Trophy-winning defenseman Matthew Schaefer to a contract extension when he becomes eligible to do so next July 1.

Rosner wondered how high Schaefer’s next contract would be because of the Carlsson offer sheet. He speculated around $20 million annually on a seven-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It must be remembered that a player must be willing to sign an offer sheet. If Schaefer becomes a restricted free agent in two years, he could tell his agent that he’s not interested in any offers from other teams, giving him and the Islanders the breathing space necessary if contract negotiations take longer than expected to hammer out a deal over the summer.

Nevertheless, the Carlsson situation will likely force teams with rising young stars to sign them to contract extensions as soon as possible, rather than risk them becoming offer-sheet targets when they become restricted free agents.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN AND CLAUDE GIROUX

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Danny Webster explains why it would be difficult for the Golden Knights to acquire center Dylan Larkin from the Detroit Red Wings.

Larkin, 29, requested a trade a month ago, with the Golden Knights among the clubs on his three-team trade list.

Webster doesn’t think the Golden Knights have sufficient tradeable assets to acquire Larkin. They do possess two first-round picks in 2028, unless the one they received from the New York Rangers in the Pavel Dorofeyev trade lands in the top-10, in which case, it becomes a 2029 first-rounder.

However, the Red Wings aren’t seeking futures for Larkin; they want a return that will help them immediately, preferably a center. Webster doesn’t see the Golden Knights gutting their roster to accomplish this.

The Golden Knights aren’t giving up Jack Eichel, who has full no-trade protection. William Karlsson is in the final season of his contract and isn’t going anywhere. Hertl has a three-team trade list, but he prefers playing for teams in warm-weather climates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed the Minnesota Wild is Larkin’s primary trade target. They are reportedly keen to get him, but meeting the Red Wings’ asking price has proven difficult thus far.

For those folks who might still be wondering why Karlsson isn’t going anywhere or why he wouldn’t be a good fit with the Red Wings: He’s 33 years old, often injured, and the Red Wings are likely on his 10-team no-trade list.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch noted a report on Friday claimed the Philadelphia Flyers were poised to sign Claude Giroux. However, the 38-year-old forward has not made a decision yet on which club he’s signing with for next season.

The Flyers and Giroux’s former team, the Ottawa Senators, are still in the mix for Giroux. Garrioch claimed the Toronto Maple Leafs have reached out and remain “keenly interested.” The Edmonton Oilers made a pitch, but they’re reportedly no longer interested.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers’ signing of Leo Carlsson to an offer sheet on Friday likely paused their discussions with the Giroux camp until they learn whether their efforts to land the Ducks’ center have been successful. Whether Giroux’s willing to wait remains to be seen.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 2, 2026

by | Jul 2, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 2, 2026

Zach Werenski wants to stay in Columbus, the Lightning sign John Carlson, the Flyers re-sign Tyson Foerster, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski and general manager Don Waddell released statements yesterday regarding the recent trade rumors swirling around the Norris Trophy-winning blueliner.

In their statements, both men claimed Werenski wants to remain in Columbus. Waddell indicated that he and the 28-year-old rearguard met this spring to discuss his uncertainty about his future and explore possible opportunities to move him. They agreed that if there were a deal to be made, Waddell would bring it to Werenski.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)

Waddell stated that they found a deal that would work for the club, referring to Tuesday night’s report of a trade that would’ve sent Werenski to the Dallas Stars. After taking time to discuss it with his family, the defenseman decided he wanted to remain in Columbus and used his no-movement clause to veto the trade.

Werenski said that he’d hoped this situation wouldn’t become a public issue, adding that everything got blown out of proportion. He stressed that he and his family love Columbus and he loves playing for the Blue Jackets, saying that he wants to win and wants to do so in Columbus.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Werenski’s rumored reluctance to sign one next summer was what started this situation in the first place. Neither he nor Waddell mentioned a contract extension in their statements.

Based on those statements, Werenski isn’t going anywhere this summer or this season. However, it’s worth noting that his full no-movement clause becomes a 10-team trade list next July 1, which is the earliest that he can sign an extension.

It’ll be interesting to see what effect this situation has on Kirill Marchenko’s reported unwillingness to sign an extension this summer. The 25-year-old winger is a year away from restricted free-agent status with arbitration rights and will be eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July 2028, which is the same time that Werenski’s current contract expires.

Food for thought if the Blue Jackets fail to make the playoffs this season.

SPORTSNET: The Tampa Bay Lightning signed defenseman John Carlson to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $8.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carlson will replace the departed Darren Raddysh on the right side of the Lightning’s blueline. The length of the deal is reasonable for the 36-year-old defenseman, and he’s getting a slight pay bump over his previous $8 million AAV.

Carlson is coming off a 60-point performance with the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks. However, he’s at the stage of his long career when a decline in performance is inevitable.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers signed winger Tyson Foerster to an eight-year contract extension worth an AAV of $7.1 million beginning in 2027-28.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Foerster, 24, had back-to-back seasons with 20 or more goals in 2023-24 and 2024-25. An upper-body injury limited him to 29 games last season, but he still managed 13 goals and 17 points. The Flyers are banking on him continuing to develop into a reliable two-way top-six winger.

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu reports Ivan Demidov’s contract extension means the Montreal Canadiens have their top four forwards (including Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky) and top four defensemen (Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Mike Matheson, and Kaiden Guhle) under contract through 2030 for under $63 million.

With those players taking less than market value, it’s now up to Canadiens management to use those savings to surround those core players with a solid supporting cast that will help them win.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In case you missed it, Demidov inked an eight-year extension yesterday worth an AAV of $9.15 million. That could become a bargain for the Canadiens if he develops as expected.

Canadiens GM Kent Hughes and president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton did a tremendous job rebuilding the Canadiens over the past four years into a playoff team. How they build up the roster around those core players over the next four years will determine whether they’ll be a good team or a great one.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils became the first team in this offseason to sign a player to an offer sheet, inking Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton to a one-year, $4.775 million offer.

The Mammoth will have seven days from the date of the signing to match the offer. If they don’t, they’ll receive the Devils’ 2027 second-round pick as compensation.

THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle reports that the Devils had trade talks with the Mammoth for Hayton, but those discussions broke down.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The twist here is that the Mammoth won’t be able to trade Hayton for one year if they match the Devils’ offer. That means they won’t be able to move him at the March trade deadline if they should become sellers by that point. They also won’t be able to peddle him during next year’s draft weekend.

TSN: The Seattle Kraken signed Mackie Samoskevich to a three-year contract worth an AAV of $3.85 million. They acquired the 23-year-old winger from the Florida Panthers last month for two draft picks.

KTNV’s Taylor Rocha reports that Vegas Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon said defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has been placed on long-term injury reserve. He had to come off at the end of last season but was returned to LTIR on July 1. McCrimmon indicated that Pietrangelo’s status has not changed.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, any talk of Pietrangelo returning to action after missing all of last season due to a chronic hip injury can be put to rest. His playing career is over.

THE ATHLETIC: The Blue Jackets will reportedly add Don Granato as an assistant coach.










Notable NHL Free Agent Signings and Trades – July 1, 2026

by | Jul 1, 2026

Notable NHL Free Agent Signings and Trades – July 1, 2026

The Edmonton Oilers sign goaltender Frederik Andersen to a one-year contract with a $1 million base salary and $1.8 million performance bonus.

The Winnipeg Jets signed defenseman Mario Ferraro to a three-year contract worth an average annual value of $4 million

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the New Jersey Devils have signed Utah Mammoth restricted free agent forward Barrett Hayton to a one-year offer sheet worth $4.775 million. The Mammoth will receive the Devils’ 2027 second-round pick as compensation if they don’t match the offer within seven days.

The Utah Mammoth signs winger Anders Lee to a three-year contract worth an average annual value of $5.4 million.

The Edmonton Oilers sign defenseman Ryan Shea to a five-year contract worth an average annual value of $4 million.

The New York Rangers trade defenseman Will Borgen to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a conditional third-rounder in 2028.

The New York Rangers acquire defenseman Marcus Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2030 first-round pick (top-10 protected).

The Edmonton Oilers trade defenseman Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin and prospect blueliner Zack Sharp. The Oilers did not retain salary in this deal.

The New York Rangers trade center Vincent Trocheck to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for defenseman Sean Durzi, prospect center Cole Beaudoin, and a 2027 third-round draft pick.

The Washington Capitals sign Boone Jenner to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $5.75 million.

The Toronto Maple Leafs trade goaltender Dennis Hildeby, a 2027 fourth-round pick, and a 2028 third-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Nick Paul.

The Boston Bruins trade goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to the New York Rangers for a fourth-round pick in 2028.

The Pittsburgh Penguins signed winger Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, $5 million contract.

The New York Rangers signed forward Oliver Bjorkstrand to a one-year, $4.5 million contract.

The Toronto Maple Leafs sign center Colton Sissons to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $4.25 million.

The Toronto Maple Leafs sign goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to a three-year deal worth an average annual value of $7 million.

The San Jose Sharks sign defenseman Jacob Trouba to a four-year contract worth an average annual value of $8.25 million.

Toronto Maple Leafs sign goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (NHL Images).

The Winnipeg Jets sign goaltender Stuart Skinner to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $3.75 million.

The Toronto Maple Leafs sign forward Jack Roslovic to a two-year contract with an AAV of $4 million.

The Colorado Avalanche sign forward Jaden Schwartz to a three-year contract worth an AAV of $3.25 million

The Florida Panthers re-sign forward Eetu Luostarinen to an eight-year contract worth an AAV of $5 million.

The Vegas Golden Knights re-sign defenseman Rasmus Andersson to a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million.

The San Jose Sharks signed winger Mason Marchment to a five-year contract worth an average annual value of $7 million.

The Detroit Red Wings sign winger Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year contract worth an AAV of $5 million.

The Los Angeles Kings sign winger Mats Zuccarello to a one-year contract worth $1 million in base salary, along with a $5.5 million performance bonus. 

The Montreal Canadiens sign winger Ivan Demidov to an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $9.125 million.

The Chicago Blackhawks sign defenseman Bowen Byram to a six-year, $75 million contract extension with an average annual value of $12.5 million.

The New Jersey Devils sign center Nico Hischier to a five-year, $58.5 million contract extension with an average annual value of $11.7 million.

The Dallas Stars trade forward Mavrik Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a second-round pick in 2027 and a third-round pick in 2028.

The Florida Panthers sign Radko Gudas to a six-year contract with an AAV of $1.5 million.

The Toronto Maple Leafs trade winger Nick Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round draft pick (year TBD).

Buffalo Sabres re-sign defenseman Olen Zellweger to a three-year, $9 million contract with an AAV of $3 million.

The Los Angeles Kings sign forward Erik Haula to a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.6 million.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2026

by | Jul 1, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2026

Zach Werenski rejects a trade to the Stars, the latest UFA speculation, and updates on Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexander Nikishin in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

ZACH WERENSKI REJECTS A TRADE TO THE STARS

TSN: Chris Johnston and Darren Dreger reported that Zach Werenski was presented with an opportunity to be traded to the Dallas Stars. However, the 28-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman was unwilling to waive his no-movement clause to facilitate the deal.

Earlier in the day, Pierre LeBrun speculated that the Stars could be among the teams interested in Werenski. He speculated that defenseman Thomas Harley could be heading to Columbus in the deal.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)

According to Dreger, Werenski would prefer to be traded to an Eastern Conference club. LeBrun had previously mentioned the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs as potential destinations. However, he wasn’t sure if those clubs could meet the Blue Jackets’ asking price.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who said the Stars and Blue Jackets had a verbal agreement in place that would’ve seen Harley go to the Blue Jackets as the centerpiece of a return that might’ve included other players and draft picks.

The deal was reached on Monday night, but the Stars had no idea that Werenski would veto the move hours before it was to be finalized on Wednesday morning.

Werenski has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of over $9.5 million.

This is the second trade within a week involving the Stars to be vetoed by a player. Their attempt to send winger Jason Robertson to the Seattle Kraken was nixed because the 26-year-old winger wouldn’t agree to sign a contract extension with the Kraken.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston and Aaron Portzline report Werenski hasn’t formally requested a trade, but he’s had multiple discussions with management since April about his uncertain future beyond the expiration of his contract.

The Blue Jackets seek a return built around a player or players who can help them immediately.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports a rumor making the rounds is that the Werenski camp is so upset over recent developments that all trade possibilities will be rejected. He believes that’s what happened with the Stars. However, Friedman thinks that might be “short-term hot-headiness, as opposed to realistic long-term outcome.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars’ offer of Harley in a package deal would’ve helped to address Werenski’s absence from the Blue Jackets’ defense corps. However, that deal won’t be revisited if the Norris Trophy winner prefers to remain in the East.

Werenski’s rumored unhappiness over what’s transpired could be the result of someone telling the press about his reluctance to sign an extension. If it came from the Blue Jackets’ side, it could irreparably damage his relationship with management and grease the skids for his departure.

The Maple Leafs could offer up Matthew Knies as part of a package offer for Werenski. He won’t fill that gaping hole on Columbus’ blueline, but he would replace Kirill Marchenko if his rumored unwillingness to sign an extension forces the Blue Jackets to part with him. In that scenario, Marchenko could be used as trade bait for a top-four defenseman.

LeBrun also mentioned that the Philadelphia Flyers were among the teams that badly wanted to get into the bidding for Werenski. However, they would probably be more interested in offering up draft picks and prospects, which wouldn’t address the Blue Jackets’ immediate need.

LATEST UFA SPECULATION BEFORE THE FREE AGENT MARKET OPENS

TSN: Chris Johnston believes the Maple Leafs could be among the suitors for Sergei Bobrovsky when the free-agent market opens today at noon EDT. The 37-year-old goaltender was unable to agree to a contract extension with the Florida Panthers, who acquired Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun shared Johnston’s belief that the Maple Leafs could attempt to sign Bobrovsky. We’ll find out soon enough if they’ll take the risk.

Johnston also believes the Vegas Golden Knights are on track to re-sign defenseman Rasmus Andersson after some recent cost-cutting moves. Since Friday, they’ve traded away Pavel Dorofeyev, Akira Schmid and Kaeden Korczek, freeing up cap room to retain the 28-year-old Andersson.

Regarding John Carlson, Johnston believed negotiations with the Carolina Hurricanes were trending toward re-signing him. He’d like a chance to win the Stanley Cup again, and the newly crowned Cup champions can give him that opportunity.

Johnston believes Jacob Trouba shouldn’t have much trouble finding a new club when the market opens today. The 32-year-old right-shot defenseman could be enticing to clubs that were hoping to sign Carlson, such as the Tampa Bay Lightning, Flyers, and Boston Bruins.

As for Patrick Kane, Johnston noted that he was interested in returning with the Detroit Red Wings. However, he wondered if the 38-year-old winger might take a look to see if other clubs might be interested, such as his hometown club, the Buffalo Sabres.

UPDATE ON CONNOR HELLEBUYCK

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Massimo De Luca-Taronno reports the Buffalo Sabres remain in the running to acquire Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets.

The two clubs were working on a deal that would’ve sent the 33-year-old goaltender to Buffalo, but it fell through hours before the opening day of the draft on Friday.

Interest in the three-time Vezina Trophy winner and Olympic gold medalist from the Carolina Hurricanes has reportedly cooled down. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers are out of the sweepstakes following their acquisitions of Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid earlier this week. The New Jersey Devils need a starter after trading Markstrom to Florida.

If Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff intends to trade Hellebuyck, it must be for a return that helps them get faster and younger. If he keeps Hellebuyck, he must make moves to address the club’s need for a second-line center, a bottom-six winger, and a suitable defense partner for Josh Morrissey.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman doesn’t buy into the “Hellebuyck to New Jersey” hype. He believes that’s not a contract that fits the profile of Devils GM Sunny Mehta. Meanwhile, Friedman said Hellebuyck would waive his no-movement clause to go to Buffalo, but a couple of sources said a trade to the Sabres last week wasn’t as close as originally believed, with some of the rumored returns from the Sabres having no-trade protection.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cheveldayoff was trying to find a suitable trade partner for Hellebucyk with that attempted move to Buffalo. While a lot of clubs would love to land the Jets’ starter, finding a return that meets Cheveldayoff’s asking price won’t be easy, especially if players won’t waive their no-trade clauses.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN AND VINCENT TROCHECK

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has been unwilling to expand his three-team trade list, which puts the Wings in a bind. They know they must move on from the 29-year-old center and can’t afford to take a backward step.

Dreger thinks that Larkin’s limited trade list has some teams revisiting their interest in New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, whose 12-team no-trade list became a 10-team NTC as of July 1.

RANGERS ATTEMPTING TO ACQUIRE ALEXANDER NIKISHIN

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting that he’d heard that the New York Rangers offered up draft picks, including a first-rounder, for Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin.

Friedman indicated that the Hurricanes want a player in return. He thinks the Rangers will try again.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 1, 2026

by | Jul 1, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 1, 2026

Reaction to the Devils’ trading Jacob Markstrom to the Panthers, the latest notable free-agent signings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW/FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The New Jersey Devils traded goaltender Jacob Markstrom and winger Angus Crookshank to the Florida Panthers for winger Evan Rodrigues, center Jesper Boqvist, and prospect Ben Steeves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Markstrom and Rodrigues are the main pieces of this trade.

New Jersey Devils trade goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers (NHL Images).

The Panthers’ acquisition of Markstrom spells the end of Sergei Bobrovsky’s seven-year tenure as their starting goaltender. The 37-year-old netminder is departing as an unrestricted free agent after he and the Panthers failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension.

Some have suggested Bobrovsky might still return if he doesn’t find any suitable offers via free agency. That’s unlikely to happen, considering the Panthers also acquired backup goalie Akira Schmid earlier this week from the Vegas Golden Knights.

The 36-year-old Markstrom is in the first season of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million. He is returning to the club where he began his NHL career in 2010-11, spending four seasons with the Panthers before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks.

Markstrom has had his ups and downs in recent years and is four years removed from being a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2022. Nevertheless, the Panthers appear confident that he’ll regain his form with their solid defensive system in front of him.

The Devils were seeking more depth to their forward lines. The 33-year-old Rodrigues should be a good addition to their middle-six lines. He has a year left on his deal with a cap hit of $3.075 million. Rodrigues steps up in postseason play, tallying 15 points in each of the Panthers’ Stanley Cup runs in 2024 and 2025.

Speaking of the Devils, they re-signed winger Arseny Gritsyuk to a three-year, $9.75 million contract. The average annual value is $3.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gritsyuk, 25, had a promising NHL debut last season with 31 points in 66 games.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL/PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Vegas Golden Knights traded defenseman Kaedan Korczak to the Pittsburgh Penguins for blueliner Parker Wotherspoon. The Penguins are retaining 50 percent of the 28-year-old Wotherspoon’s $1 million cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This move is primarily a salary-cap dump by the Golden Knights, shedding Korczak’s $3.25 million AAV through 2029-30. The Penguins were willing to part with Wotherspoon for the 25-year-old Korczak because the latter is younger and plays a more physical style of defense.

Meanwhile, the Golden Knights re-signed defenseman Jeremy Lauzon to a six-year extension worth an AAV of $4 million. They also hired former Colorado Eagles head coach Mark Letestu as an assistant coach.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks signed forward A.J. Greer to a four-year, $17 million contract. The AAV is $4.25 million. Greer, 29, was acquired from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Radko Gudas on Monday.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Claude Giroux has informed the Senators that he will test the free-agent market today after their contract talks fell through.

Giroux, 38, has spent the past four seasons with the Senators. He’s left the door open to returning to Ottawa. Meanwhile, the Panthers and Montreal Canadiens could show some interest in him.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Senators re-signed forward Nick Cousins to a two-year, $3.175 million contract extension.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Alexander Steen has officially taken over from Doug Armstrong as the general manager of the St. Louis Blues. Armstrong remains with the Blues as president of hockey operations.

Meanwhile, the Blues bought out the final season of winger Jonathan Drouin’s contract, making him UFA-eligible on July 1.

TSN: The Utah Mammoth signed goaltender Sebastian Cossa to a two-year contract worth an AAV of $2 million. Cossa, 23, was acquired from the Detroit Red Wings on June 26.

The Minnesota Wild re-signed winger Bobby Brink to a one-year, $2.75 million contract.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres hired former NHL winger Milan Lucic as a pro scout.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The immediate reaction to this on social media was, “What does former Sabres goalie Ryan Miller think about this?” Lucic ran over Miller during a game between the Sabres and Boston Bruins in November 2011.