NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 15, 2026

by | Jun 15, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 15, 2026

The Carolina Hurricanes are the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Champions. Details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

The Carolina Hurricanes blanked the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final to win the series and hockey’s holy grail four games to two. It’s their first championship since 2006.

2026 Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes (NHL.com).

Taylor Hall opened the scoring with what proved to be the game-winning goal just 3:47 into the first period. Jackson Blake made it 2-0 in the second period, and Nikolaj Ehlers’ empty-netter with 1:08 remaining in the third period put the game out of reach. Goaltender Brandon Bussi turned in a 22-save shutout.

Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal was voted the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He had eight goals and four assists for 12 points in 19 games, with six of those goals coming in the first five games of the Cup Final, becoming the first player to score five goals to start a Cup Final since Jean Beliveau in 1956.

The 37-year-old Staal is the oldest player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. He also set a record for the longest time between Stanley Cup Championships (17 years). The first time he won the Cup was in 2009 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Speaking of Taylor Hall, he became the first player in NHL history to be selected first overall in the draft, win the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP, and win the Stanley Cup with three different teams. Hall was chosen first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2010, and won the Hart Trophy with the New Jersey Devils in 2017-18.

For Brandon Bussi, his Game 6 shutout capped a whirlwind season that began when he was claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers. He had a record of 31-6-2 in 39 regular-season games, but didn’t make his postseason debut until the third period of Game 3, when he relieved starter Frederik Andersen. Bussi subsequently started the remaining games of this series, winning all three.

As for Andersen, he was surprised to be the first player Staal handed the Stanley Cup to after receiving it from league commissioner Gary Bettman. Andersen started every game in this postseason until Bussi relieved him in Game 3. He revealed that he suffered a knee injury in Game 2 and struggled to play through it in the following game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersen’s solid play was a big reason why the Hurricanes reached the Final. He finished with a record of 13-2 with a 1.89 goals-against average, a save percentage of .910, and three shutouts.

Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin became the second American to win the Stanley Cup in the same year that he won Olympic gold with Team USA. Ken Morrow was the first, winning a gold medal in the 1980 Olympics and the Stanley Cup later that year with the New York Islanders.

The additions of Hall, Bussi and Ehlers last year, along with the rise of Blake and Logan Stankoven, gave the Hurricanes the depth they previously lacked to march to the Stanley Cup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blake (20 points), Hall (19 points), Ehlers (18 points) and Stankoven (16 points) finished as the Hurricanes’ leading scorers in this postseason. The second line of Stankoven, Hall, and Blake was their most consistent throughout this postseason.

This is the second Stanley Cup championship for Rod Brind’Amour, and his first as head coach. He won his first Cup with Carolina as team captain in 2006.

As for the Vegas Golden Knights, their march to the Stanley Cup Final capped a roller-coaster season that saw them in danger of missing the playoffs until they replaced Bruce Cassidy as head coach with John Tortorella in late March.

Speaking of Tortorella, he’s unsure of his future with the Golden Knights. The club hired him for the remainder of this season. He thanked team owner Bill Foley, team president George McPhee, and general manager Kelly McCrimmon for giving him the chance to coach the team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll likely be a few days before we learn of Tortorella’s fate. After the job he did in reversing the Golden Knights’ fortunes, it wouldn’t be shocking if they sign him to a contract extension.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors – June 14, 2026

by | Jun 14, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors – June 14, 2026

The latest on the Hurricanes and Golden Knights on the eve of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Devils gauge the trade market for Jacob Markstrom, the latest Dylan Larkin speculation, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors. 

THE ATHLETIC: Sean Gentille listed three keys for the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday.

Whether Mitch Marner can restart his push for the Conn Smythe Trophy and dealing with the absence of two-way center William Karlsson are among the keys for the Golden Knights.

Vegas Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Since his hat trick performance in Game 3, Marner has only one point in five-on-five play. Meanwhile, Karlsson will miss Game 6 (and possibly Game 7 if required) with an upper-body injury.

Meanwhile, Gentille wondered how Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers follows up his “worst game” of the playoffs. He also wondered if their struggling power play can produce as well as it did in Game 5, when they scored twice with the man advantage.

Ehlers had three assists in Game 5, but also took two uncharacteristic delay-of-game penalties, with the first resulting in a Golden Knights goal.

TSN: Hurricanes former starting goaltender Frederik Andersen remained the team’s third-stringer during practice on Saturday. Brandon Bussi will be their starter for the third straight game, while Pyotr Kochetkov will serve as his backup.

Bussi replaced Andersen after the latter gave up four goals in the second period of Game 3.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella is doubling down on Carter Hart as his starting goaltender. Despite Hart giving up at least four goals in each of the previous five games in this series, Tortorella believes the netminder has a better game in him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes can become Stanley Cup champions with a win in Game 6 on Sunday in Las Vegas. A win for the Golden Knights will force the seventh and deciding game on Wednesday.

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports sources claim the New Jersey Devils are gauging the trade market for goaltender Jacob Markstrom. He also indicated that a deal isn’t imminent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A lack of quality goaltending depth in this summer’s free-agent market could push teams into the trade market for help.

Markstrom’s coming off a difficult season, finishing with a record of 23-19-1, a 3.07 goals-against average, and an .883 save percentage. He’s in the final season of his six-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million and a full no-movement clause. He starts a two-year contract extension on July 1 with an average annual value of $6 million and a 20-team no-trade list in 2026-27 and a 5-team NTC in 2027-28.

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan believes the Detroit Red Wings must land a first-line center for Dylan Larkin. Proposed packages of draft picks, prospects, wingers or goaltenders won’t address their need for a suitable replacement for Larkin.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman recently reported the Florida Panthers have made an offer for Larkin, but he didn’t reveal the details.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s unlikely the Red Wings will get a first-line center straight up for Larkin. They’ll either have to swing a three-team deal or use whatever assets they receive and try to make a separate move to address that need.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen speculated that Larkin’s addition in the trade market could delay the New York Rangers’ efforts to trade Vincent Trocheck. He noted that the Red Wings’ interest in the 33-year-old center could intensify if they don’t get a center back in the Larkin trade.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of Trocheck, Jack Studley believes he’ll remain on the Boston Bruins radar as they search for a No. 1 center this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin has a three-team trade list, though his camp is reportedly open to expanding it. Teams seeking a first-line center that aren’t among his preferred destinations could continue to pursue Trocheck, but the latter will likely have to wait until the Larkin saga is settled.

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato listed four players who could become contract buyout candidates this summer.

Center Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Carolina Hurricanes tops that list, followed by winger Ondrej Palat of the New York Islanders, forward Jordan Greenway of the Buffalo Sabres, and winger Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kotkaniemi and Palat are the more likely buyout candidates.

Kotkaniemi has four years left on his deal with an AAV of $4.82 million. He’s been a healthy scratch throughout this postseason.

Palat has a year left on his deal with a $6 million cap hit. The Islanders acquired him from the Devils at midseason, but the move did little to improve his performance.

Gallagher has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $65 million. He’s been linked to the Vancouver Canucks in the rumor mill, but the Canadiens might have to retain part of his salary. Greenway (one year, $4 million cap hit) could still have value in the trade market.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 13, 2026

by | Jun 13, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 13, 2026

The First and Second All-Star Teams and the All-Rookie Team are revealed, the latest on the Golden Knights and Hurricanes, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The league revealed its First and Second All-Star Teams for 2025-26.

The First Team features Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov, Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, and Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid won the Ted Lindsay Award and the Art Ross Trophy, Kucherov took home the Hart Memorial Trophy, Vasilevskiy won the Vezina Trophy, and Werenski was the winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

The Second Team is comprised of Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Montreal Canadiens left wing Cole Caufield, Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard, and Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon won the Maurice Richard Trophy, while Caufield is the winner of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.

The All-Rookie team is made up of Anaheim Ducks forward Beckett Sennecke, Montreal Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov, St. Louis Blues winger Jimmy Snuggerud, New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin, and Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schaefer won the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year, with Demidov and Sennecke the runners-up.

SPORTSNET: Nikolaj Ehlers wasn’t pleased with his performance in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Despite collecting three assists for the Carolina Hurricanes in their 4-2 victory, he also took two uncharacteristic delay-of-game penalties.

Nevertheless, Ehlers has earned praise from Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky, head coach Rod Brind’Amour and teammates Taylor Hall and Frederik Andersen for his performance since joining the club as a free agent last summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers has provided a much-needed boost to the Hurricanes’ offense this season. He finished second among Hurricanes scorers with 71 points, and is currently third (17 points) among their postseason scorers.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Ed Graney believes the Golden Knights should replace Carter Hart in goal with Adin Hill for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday.

Hart has given up at least four goals in the first five games of this series, becoming the first goalie in Stanley Cup Final history to do so.

Head coach John Tortorella was dismissive of replacing Hart following Game 5, calling the suggestion “the stupidest question” he’s ever heard. However, Hart’s .856 save percentage in this series is concerning, and Tortorella’s stubbornness could cost the Golden Knights the series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hill backstopped the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup in 2023. However, he struggled this season, which prompted management to sign Hart, who became the full-time starter when Tortorella took over as head coach in late March.

Hart rewarded Tortorella’s faith in him, winning all six of his starts to help the Golden Knights clinch first place in the Pacific Division, and he’s started every game in this postseason. Nevertheless, there’s no question that his level of play has noticeably declined in this series.

Barring injury, Hart will get the start on Sunday, and his performance could determine if the Golden Knights can push this series to Game 7.

THE PROVINCE: On Thursday, the Vancouver Canucks named Richard Seeley as their new assistant general manager. He’ll also be the general manager of their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 12, 2026

by | Jun 12, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 12, 2026

The Hurricanes are a game away from winning the Stanley Cup, Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov wins the Hart Trophy, Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse requests a trade, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes are one win away from winning the Stanley Cup after holding off the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov (NHL Images)

Andrei Svechnikov scored two power-play goals, Sebastian Aho tallied the game-winner, Nikolaj Ehlers had three assists, Jordan Staal scored to extend his goal streak to five games, and Brandon Bussi made 23 saves for the Hurricanes.

Pavel Dorofeyev scored both goals for the Golden Knights.

The series returns to Las Vegas for Game 6 on Sunday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the Hurricanes’ best game of this series, and the Golden Knights’ worst.

The Hurricanes struggled in the second period of the previous four games in this series, but they dominated the frame in this contest with Svechnikov and Aho scoring big goals.

Svechnikov and Aho were under scrutiny entering this game over their lack of production in this series. With the pressure on, they silenced their critics and delivered for their club.

Staal is having a Stanley Cup Final for the ages. He leads all scorers in this series with six goals, becoming the first player since Jean Beliveau in 1956 to score five goals in the first five Stanley Cup Final games. Maurice Richard (1951) and Cyclone Taylor (1918) are the only other players to do it.

The Golden Knights’ penalty kill was their undoing in this game. They also lost two-way center William Karlsson in the second period with an injured left arm that could sideline him for the remainder of this series.

Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella remains confident that his club will bounce back in Game 6. He guaranteed that his club will send this series back to Raleigh for Game 7.

NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov is the 2025-26 winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player to his team. It’s the second time he’s taken home the Hart, doing so in 2018-19. He finished second among NHL scorers this season with 130 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The voting was close for the Hart this year, with Kucherov garnering 1,436 votes while Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid had 1,426 votes. Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon was third with 1,297 votes.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman and Mark Spector report sources say that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse has requested a trade.

Nurse, 31, is signed through 2029-30 with an average annual value of $9.25 million. He also has a full no-movement clause. He’s reportedly submitted a list of three to five preferred destinations to Oilers management.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nurse has been a whipping boy for Oilers fans and some Edmonton pundits because his performance never reached the standard expected of a defenseman with his expensive contract. He’s not a bad player, but he’s overpaid for what he brings to the game.

Those factors could make it difficult for the Oilers to find a suitable trade partner for Nurse. It also raises the question of whether this is the beginning of the end of this version of the Oilers, which struggled to make the playoffs this season and was upset in the first round by the Anaheim Ducks.

I’ll have more about Nurse’s trade request in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche president and acting general manager Joe Sakic still believes his club remains a Stanley Cup contender despite being swept from the Western Conference Final by the Vegas Golden Knights.

Sakic pointed to the Avalanche’s strong regular-season performance, winning the Presidents’ Trophy for the fourth time in franchise history. He also indicated that head coach Jared Bednar will return behind the bench, and hinted at the possibility of a contract extension.

Superstar defenseman Cale Makar is eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1. Sakic said the 27-year-old blueliner “is going to finish his career” with Colorado. He said he’s confident that a new contract will be worked out at some point.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sakic’s belief that his team’s season was derailed by “one bad week” isn’t sitting well with Troy Renck of The Denver Post. He thinks that Bednar’s system is no longer effective in the postseason, adding that the roster is getting older and must get younger and tougher.

TORONTO STAR: Former NHL forward Joe Pavelski acknowledged that he’s in the running to become head coach of the Maple Leafs. He’s made it to the short list of candidates despite never coaching at the pro level. Former New York Islanders bench boss Patrick Roy is also believed to be on that list.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Former Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin has joined the Kraken as vice president and assistant GM.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens must find a new head coach for their AHL affiliate in Laval, as Pascal Vincent will serve as an assistant coach with the Kraken.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 11, 2026

by | Jun 11, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 11, 2026

The latest on the Golden Knights and Hurricanes ahead of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, the league is moving ahead with an investigation into former coach Mike Babcock, takeaways from Peter Laviolette’s introduction as the new Kings coach, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

SPORTSNET: Eric Francis believes the Vegas Golden Knights need more from their top line if they’re going to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final.

The line of center Jack Eichel, “whether it featured Pavel Dorofeyev or the newly assembled combination with Mark Stone and Ivan Barbashev”, has struggled against the Hurricanes in this series.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (NHL Images).

After four games, Eichel, Stone, and Barbashev each have two points in this series. Dorofeyev hasn’t collected any points since Game 2 of the Western Conference Final.

Meanwhile, the second line of Mitch Marner, William Karlsson, and Brett Howden has combined for nine of Vegas’ 16 goals in this series.

Francis noted that Eichel, the franchise center, has played well in this series at both ends of the ice. Given how close this series has been, Vegas needs more offense from Eichel and his linemates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes’ first line of Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Seth Jarvis has also had its difficulties generating offense in this postseason. Aho has done a little better than Eichel with four assists, but Jarvis and Svechnikov each have two points in this series.

Like the Golden Knights, the Hurricanes’ second line (Logan Stankoven, Taylor Hall, and Jackson Blake) has stepped up, though not at the same level as the Marner line.

Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal has had a bigger impact on this series. He has five goals and an assist through those four games, including the series-tying game-winner in Game 4.

THE SCORE: cited a report by The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, who indicated that the Hurricanes talked to the Florida Panthers about goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky at the trade deadline. However, they balked at the Panthers’ asking price of a first-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes made do with Frederik Andersen until Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. He was replaced in that game with Brandon Bussi, who got the loss in that contest, but went on to win Game 4 in his first NHL playoff start.

TSN: The NHL is moving ahead with an investigation of former head coach Mike Babcock at the request of the NHL Players’ Association. The investigation is regarding allegations that Babcock invaded players’ privacy during his brief tenure as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023.

This investigation began after the Edmonton Oilers consulted with the NHLPA to determine whether any objections needed to be resolved before they could potentially hire Babcock.

DAILY FACEOFF: cited NHL insider Frank Seravalli claiming the PA is in receipt of “significant” additional claims from their own investigation with players that were not publicly reported in 2023. Those claims were presented to the league before Babcock resigned from the Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The league was looking into the allegations against Babcock, but reportedly stopped when he stepped down as the Blue Jackets’ coach. The PA requested the league continue its inquiry after being contacted by the Oilers about their intention to hire him.

MAYOR’S MANOR: Alexander Legget has seven takeaways from Peter Laviolette’s introduction press conference as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Kings.

The most notable is Laviolette’s intention to implement a more offensive-minded system while ensuring they don’t sacrifice their defensive play. He also wants to see his defensemen join the offensive rush more often.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have played a defensive-oriented style for years, going back to their Stanley Cup championship runs in 2012 and 2014. As Laviolette pointed out, it is now a more attack-oriented game, and they have the players who could make it happen. They include forwards Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe, Kevin Fiala, Alex Laferriere, and Quinton Byfield, and puck-moving defenseman Brandt Clarke.

THE SCORE: Former Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy said he’s interested in coaching the Toronto Maple Leafs if granted permission to be interviewed by the Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights have prevented Cassidy from speaking with the Oilers and the Kings about their coaching jobs. Some observers believe it’s because they don’t want him becoming the bench boss of a division rival. It’ll be interesting to see what their reaction would be regarding his desire to apply for the Leafs job, assuming they’re interested in hiring him.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Steve Ott signed a contract extension to remain the head coach of the St. Louis Blues’ AHL affiliate in Springfield, Massachusetts.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 10, 2026

by | Jun 10, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 10, 2026

The Hurricanes get a critical win in the Stanley Cup Final, Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog wins two awards, the latest on the Oilers’ efforts to hire Mike Babcock, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Stanley Cup Final is tied again as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 to even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.

The Hurricanes jumped to a 3-1 lead in the first period on goals by Logan Stankoven, Jackson Black, and Jordan Staal. However, Golden Knights forwards William Karlsson and Brett Howden scored in the second period to tie the game. Howden leads this postseason with 14 goals, setting the Golden Knights’ single-season playoff record.

Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal (NHL Images).

Staal put the Hurricanes back on top in the third period with a diving backhand goal that left him sprawling on the ice. Nikolaj Ehlers netted an empty-net insurance goal late in the period as his clearing effort from behind his own net travelled the length of the ice.

This series returns to Carolina for Game 5 on Thursday at 8 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a critical win for the Hurricanes. A loss would’ve put them behind three games to one. Instead, they’re heading home with the series tied at two.

Staal has a series-leading five goals and has scored in each game of the Final. Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella admitted his team has had difficulty containing the Hurricanes’ captain. “He’s killing us in front of the net,” Tortorella said. “We’ve gotta do a better job around the blue paint.”

Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi picked up his first win in his first start in an NHL playoff game. He relieved starter Frederik Andersen after the second period of Game 3 when the latter gave up four goals. Pyotr Kochetkov was Bussi’s backup while Andersen was listed as a healthy scratch. Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said he felt Andersen needed a break, but some observers wonder if the veteran netminder might be nursing an injury.

It was another rough outing for Carter Hart. The Golden Knights goalie entered this series considered a candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. However, he’s become the first netminder in Stanley Cup Final history to give up at least four goals in each of the first four games.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy and the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

Landeskog was a finalist for the Masterton last season for his efforts in resuming his playing career after being sidelined for over two seasons recovering from knee surgeries. This season was his first full campaign, finishing with 35 points in 60 games.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the NHL Players’ Association has asked the league to conduct a full investigation into Mike Babcock’s departure from the Columbus Blue Jackets before the Edmonton Oilers can officially hire him as head coach.

The league’s initial position was that it had to be informed that the Oilers intended to hire Babcock before stepping in. However, sources told Friedman that what’s at issue is the fact the league was prepared to investigate what happened with the Blue Jackets before Babcock resigned as their head coach in September 2023.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Babcock stepped down over allegations he was invading his players’ privacy by requesting to see personal photos on their cellphones.

Friedman said it’s expected the PA’s request will be granted and an investigation will be conducted. He’s not certain if it will prevent the Oilers from hiring Babcock in the meantime, but he thinks it’s hard to see them doing so knowing an investigation is imminent.

TWINCITIES.COM: The Minnesota Wild signed center Michael McCarron to a six-year, $20-million contract extension. McCarron, 31, will earn an average annual value of $3.333 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: PuckPedia indicates he also has a full no-movement clause for the first three seasons. The NMC remains in place in the final three seasons to prevent him from being demoted to the minors, but he will have a 15-team no-trade clause.

Acquired from the Nashville Predators at the trade deadline, McCarron’s physical style and versatility made him a good fit with the Wild. This is the best contract of his career, coming off a two-year deal with an AAV of $900K.

With all due respect to McCarron, it’s unusual for a player of his caliber to get a six-year contract. It was likely done to ensure his cap hit would be an affordable $3.333 million. However, the full no-movement clause is rare for someone like him, and could come back to haunt the Wild if they need to make a cost-cutting move down the road.

This signing could also complicate the Wild’s efforts to acquire Dylan Larkin. The Detroit Red Wings center has Minnesota on his three-team list of trade destinations. McCarron’s signing leaves the Wild with over $9.4 million in cap space for next season.

Larkin carries an AAV of $8.7 million through 2030-31. The Wings won’t be open to retaining part of his cap hit for the next five seasons. The Wild will have to include one or two roster players in that deal to ensure they have sufficient salary-cap flexibility next season.