NHL Rumor Mill – June 9, 2026

by | Jun 9, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – June 9, 2026

The latest on Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, a list of potential offer-sheet candidates, the Canucks could be interested in Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DYLAN LARKIN SUBMITS A THREE-TEAM TRADE LIST

DETROIT FREE PRESS: Helene St. James reported Monday that Dylan Larkin submitted a three-team trade list to Red Wings management. The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers are his preferred destinations.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Minnesota is better-positioned to land Larkin than Vegas and Florida. The Wild has sufficient salary cap space (though they’ll have to move out some salary just the same) to acquire him. While they traded away their best prospects for Quinn Hughes in December, they have enough left to put into an enticing trade package, depending on which roster player or players they’re willing to part with.

The Golden Knights lack the cap room to take on Larkin’s $8.7 million average annual value through 2030-31. And no, the Wings won’t retain salary. They don’t have a suitable center to include in the deal.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards looked at what it would cost the Panthers to land Larkin. He believes the Panthers would have to give up center Anton Lundell as part of the return.

Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman would probably jump at the chance to add Lundell, but it’s unlikely the Panthers will part with him. He’s the eventual replacement for Aleksander Barkov when the Panthers captain retires.

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker looks at how Larkin’s addition to the trade market might affect the Rangers’ efforts to move Vincent Trocheck this summer.

Trocheck is no longer the top center in the market. However, he could still prove enticing to clubs seeking a center who are not on Larkin’s trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin may be the best center in this trade market, but Trocheck is more affordable and more available. He has a 12-team no-trade list that drops to a 10-team list on July 1. Unless Larkin expands his trade list, it really won’t hurt Trocheck’s trade value.

POTENTIAL OFFER SHEET CANDIDATES

SPORTSNET: Rory Boylen recently did up an offer sheet primer, including a list of players who might get one this summer.

The list includes Buffalo Sabres winger Zach Benson, Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque, Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev, Florida Panthers forward Mackie Samoskevich, Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves, Colorado Avalanche center Jack Drury, Anaheim Ducks defensemen Olen Zellweger or Pavel Mintyukov, and Montreal Canadiens winger Zack Bolduc.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dorofeyev and Bourque could be the most likely offer-sheet candidates, assuming they’re willing to sign. The Golden Knights are squeezed for cap space, while the Stars will have to shed salary to re-sign winger Jason Robertson.

CANUCKS REPORTEDLY INTERESTED IN GALLAGHER

TVA SPORTS: Gerry Johansson, agent of Montreal Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher, told the Donnie & Dhali podcast that the Vancouver Canucks are interested in his client.

Gallagher, 34, told reporters last week that he would be moving on from the Canadiens. He has a year left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million and a six-team no-trade list.

A Vancouver native, Gallagher expressed an interest in playing for the Canucks. The Canadiens have permitted Johansson to speak with other teams about a trade.

“Vancouver initially expressed interest, but there are many variables. It’s on their desk; they are interested,” Johansson said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One variable could be what the Canadiens would want in return. The Canucks could also want the Canadiens to retain part of Gallagher’s salary. 

THE BLACKHAWKS ARE SHOPPING FOR A DEFENSEMAN

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope recently reported Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson is interested in making trades this summer to add more established talent into his young roster.

One target is a veteran left-shot defenseman. The Blackhawks’ young defense corps struggled after shipping out Connor Murphy at the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The most notable veteran left-shot blueliners include Morgan Rielly of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers. However, they’re unlikely to waive their no-movement clauses to join a rebuilding team.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 9, 2026

by | Jun 9, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 9, 2026

The Oilers are looking into hiring Mike Babcock as head coach; the Kings will reportedly name Peter Laviolette as their new bench boss; the latest on the Golden Knights and Hurricanes; and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: Darren Dreger reported the Edmonton Oilers are consulting with the NHL Players’ Association to see if there are any objections to be resolved before potentially hiring Mike Babcock as their new head coach.

Former Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Mike Babcock (NHL Images).

According to Dreger, if an investigation is required, sources say the league will manage it. The NHLPA has declined to comment.

Dreger’s colleague, Ryan Rishaug, reported members of the Oilers’ leadership group recently spoke directly to Babcock about the possibility of becoming their new coach.

The Columbus Blue Jackets hired Babcock as their new bench boss in the summer of 2023. However, he stepped down before the 2023-24 season following allegations that he asked players to show him personal photos from their phones, sparking concerns about invasion of the players’ privacy.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting sources claim that Babcock has directly spoken with Oilers owner Daryl Katz. He also stated that Babcock spoke with several members of the team’s leadership group.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers insider Bob Stauffer also reported that the Oilers are interested in hiring Babcock. “From ownership, to management, to the players, (Mike Babcock) is the selection for the Edmonton Oilers hockey club,” Stauffer said.

Babcock had a history of mistreating players during his tenures with the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Oilers’ interest in him isn’t going down well with some Edmonton pundits, who believe the unavailability of former Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy has pushed them toward Babcock.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: The Kings are reportedly set to hire Peter Laviolette as their new head coach. While the club hasn’t made it official yet, Laviolette is expected to sign a three-year contract with the Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings would be Laviolette’s seventh NHL team in his 23-season coaching career. He guided the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup in 2006. He also coached the Philadelphia Flyers (2010) and Nashville Predators (2017) to the Stanley Cup Final, and the New York Rangers to the Presidents’ Trophy in 2023-24.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Golden Knights enter Game 4 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final holding a 2-1 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes.

A strong camaraderie among the Vegas Golden Knights players helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2023. The same vibe permeates their dressing room in this postseason.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Hurricanes have yet to name their starting goaltender for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday.

Brandon Bussi relieved starter Frederik Andersen in Game 3 after the latter allowed four goals in the second period. Bussi backstopped the Hurricanes’ third-period comeback before they fell 5-4 in double overtime.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The speculation grew on Monday after Andersen missed practice for a maintenance day.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The annual Montreal Sports Celebrity Evening turned into an impromptu farewell party for Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher, who was honored on Sunday as Sports Personality of the Year.

Gallagher, 34, told reporters last week that he would be moving on from the Canadiens. His performance declined this season, leading to a reduction in his playing time. He was a healthy scratch for all but three of the Canadiens’ 19 playoff games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gallagher has expressed an interest in being traded to his hometown of Vancouver. He confirmed that the Canadiens have permitted his agent to speak with other teams to facilitate a trade. I’ll have more about that in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Plano, Texas city council voted to approve a $700 million funding plan for a new arena for the Dallas Stars, who currently reside at American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 8, 2026

by | Jun 8, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 8, 2026

Oilers captain Connor McDavid wins the Lindsay Award, the latest on the Hurricanes and Golden Knights, Joe Pavelski is among the candidates to become the next coach of the Maple Leafs, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid has won the Ted Lindsay Award, which is given annually to the league’s most outstanding player as voted by the membership of the NHL Players’ Association.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the fifth time that McDavid has won the Lindsay Award, tying Wayne Gretzky for the most in NHL history. McDavid is also a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA), which he’s won three times.

The Lindsay Award is the second trophy that McDavid has won this season. In April, he won the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leading scorer for the sixth time.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes face multiple questions as they find themselves down two games to one to the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final.

The biggest is whether to have Frederik Andersen or Brandon Bussi in net for Game 4 on Tuesday. Andersen has started every game in this postseason for the Hurricanes, but was pulled after the second period in Game 3 after giving up four goals. Bussi played well in the third period as the Canes rallied to force overtime before falling 5-4 in the second OT period.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes played poorly in front of Andersen in Game 3, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets the start on Tuesday.

Some argue that Andersen was tired after 16 straight postseason starts, but it’s unlikely that fatigue was a factor in Game 3. Andersen’s workload hasn’t been that heavy in these playoffs. He and his teammates had nearly two weeks off between the second round and the Eastern Conference Final, and they made quick work of their three previous opponents before facing the more experienced Golden Knights.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb has garnered praise from his teammates and head coach John Tortorella for his toughness in this series.

McNabb left Game 2 in the first period with facial injuries that required a trip to a local hospital for repairs. After receiving over 20 stitches in his nose, he played in Game 3 wearing a protective cage on his mask, logging 35:47 minutes of ice time and collecting two assists.

TSN: Former NHL forward Joe Pavelski is among the candidates to be head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs as the club’s search enters its second phase.

Pavelski played 18 seasons in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars from 2006-07 to 2023-24, netting 1,068 points in 1,332 regular-season games. However, he has limited coaching experience other than coaching his son Nate at the youth level.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It remains to be seen if Pavelski would get the job, but it shows the Maple Leafs are at least willing to think outside the box a little.

Like Pavelski, Hall of Famer Martin St. Louis’ only coaching experience was working with his sons when the Montreal Canadiens named him head coach in 2021-22. He’s since led that rebuilding team from dead last four years ago to the Eastern Conference Final this season.

RATINGS: Marco D’Amico recently profiled center Caleb Malhotra of the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs. The 18-year-old rookie finished second among the Bulldogs with 84 points.

The son of former NHL player and current Vancouver Canucks coach Manny Malhotra, Caleb hopes to emerge from his father’s shadow and shift the focus onto the player he’s trying to become.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see where Malhotra gets selected in the first round. Most scouting sites have him being chosen in the top 10 between fourth and seventh overall.

BOSTON HERALD: Milan Lucic officially announced his retirement on his 38th birthday (June 7).

Lucic spent 18 seasons in the NHL from 2007-08 to 2023-24 with the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames. He had 233 goals, 353 assists, 586 points, and 1,301 PIMs in 1,177 regular-season games. Lucic also had 29 goals and 48 assists for 77 points in 136 playoff games, winning the Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lucic’s best seasons were with the Bruins, becoming one of the league’s top power forwards during that time. However, his performance tailed off over the final seven seasons as age, injuries and the faster pace of the game took its toll.

Lucic attempted a comeback with the Blues this season, but that ended after five games with their AHL affiliate in Springfield. He finished this season in England with the Fife Flyers.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 7, 2026

by | Jun 7, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 7, 2026

The Golden Knights take Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in double OT, Andrei Vasilevskiy wins the Vezina Trophy, an update on prospect winger Gavin McKenna, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Shea Theodore scored in double overtime to give the Vegas Golden Knights a 5-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Vegas Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

After a scoreless first period, the Golden Knights took a 4-0 lead as Mitch Marner tallied a natural hat trick and collected an assist on Tomas Hertl’s goal after they had two goals overturned on video reviews.

However, the Hurricanes stormed back in the third period on goals by Jordan Martinook, Taylor Hall, and Jordan Staal within 39 seconds, setting the stage for Andrei Svechnikov’s tying goal late in the period following a goalmouth scramble.

Game 4 will be in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The first three games in this series have been very entertaining, with blown leads and each contest decided by one goal.

Theodore’s goal was a weird one. His point shot missed the net, ricocheting off the end boards and deflecting into the Hurricanes’ net off the skate of goalie Brandon Bussi, who replaced starter Frederic Andersen following the second period.

Marner continues to make the case as the leading candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. His hat trick was the fastest in Stanley Cup Final history (6:10), and he became the first player with four points in a period during the Cup Final. He leads all scorers in his postseason with 28 points.

Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb played in this game with a protective cage on his helmet. He left Game 2 with facial injuries that required a trip to a local hospital for repairs.

Hurricanes winger William Carrier left this game late in the first period with an upper-body injury.

NHL.COM: Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Vezina Trophy as this season’s top NHL goaltender. He led the league with 39 wins, and was second among goalies with 45 starts in goals-against average (2.31) and save percentage (.912). It’s the second time Vasilevskiy has won the Vezina, taking home the award in 2018-19.

NHL.COM: Gavin McKenna was among the top performers during fitness testing at the 2026 NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo. The 18-year-old Penn State winger ranked among the top-20 in seven events. He’s considered the top player in this year’s prospect class.

North Dakota defenseman Keaton Verhoeff finished in the top 10 in three categories. He’s ranked fifth among North American skaters. Brampton Steelheads center Caleb Malhotra was in the top 10 in four categories. He’s ranked sixth among North American skaters.

Top International skater Ivar Stenberg skipped the testing due to an illness. He said he hasn’t felt well since completing play with Sweden in the IIHF World Championship on May 28.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The fitness testing doesn’t guarantee that McKenna will be chosen first overall, but his results will certainly be taken into consideration by the Toronto Maple Leafs, who hold the first overall pick in this year’s draft.

Stenberg’s illness isn’t expected to affect his placement among the top prospects. Some scouts believe he could go first overall in this year’s draft, while others have him at second or third overall.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has terminated his KHL contract and hopes to return to the NHL next season.

Georgiev, 30, spent eight seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Avalanche, and San Jose Sharks. He won 40 games with the Avs in 2022-23 and led the league with 38 games the following season. However, Georgiev struggled with consistency during that season and early in the 2024-25 campaign, leading to his trade to the Sharks, where his difficulties continued.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Georgiev went to the KHL after failing to land a contract in last summer’s NHL free-agent market. Given the lack of quality goalies in this year’s UFA market, Georgiev might land with an NHL team desperate for experienced goaltending depth.

CBC NEWS: Former NHL enforcer Link Gaetz remains at large after police in British Columbia announced charges against him in an alleged attack on a taxi driver in Metro Vancouver.

Gaetz, 57, faces charges of assault and mischief under $5,000 in an unprovoked attack on the taxi driver last September. Police are urging the public to help them find him.

NHL.COM: Former NHL player Gerry Meehan passed away on Friday at age 79.

Meehan spent 10 seasons in the NHL from 1968-69 to 1978-79 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres, Washington Capitals, Vancouver Canucks, and Atlanta Flames. He also spent a season with the WHA’s Cincinnati Stingers.

In 670 regular-season games, Meehan had 180 goals and 243 assists for 423 points. He was the second captain in Sabres history.

Following his playing career, Meehan earned his law degree and rejoined the Sabres as an assistant general manager. He was general manager from 1986-87 to 1992-93, making a series of blockbuster trades for Dale Hawerchuk, Pat LaFontaine, and Dominik Hasek, and helped bring Alexander Mogilny to Buffalo following his defection from the Soviet Union in 1989.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Meehan’s family, friends, former teammates, and the Sabres organization.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 6, 2026

by | Jun 6, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 6, 2026

The reasons behind Dylan Larkin’s trade request, Nick Suzuki wins the Selke Trophy and Cole Caufield takes home the Lady Byng Trophy, the latest on the Hurricanes and Golden Knights, remembering Cliff Fletcher, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff pondered what changed for Dylan Larkin that prompted him to request a trade from the Red Wings.

Duff noted the change in Larkin after playing for Team USA’s gold-medal team at the Winter Olympics in February. Perhaps finally getting a taste of victory was behind it. He also wondered if Larkin’s Team USA Olympic teammates such as Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers, Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights, and Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild influenced his decision to move on to a club with a better chance of winning the Stanley Cup.

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan reported no one from the Larkin camp or the Red Wings is talking about the reason behind the 29-year-old center’s trade request.

One reason could be Larkin is turning 30 in July and apparently doesn’t believe the Red Wings will win the Stanley Cup while he’s in his prime. His frosty relationship with general manager Steve Yzerman probably hasn’t helped. Khan doubted that this relationship can be repaired.

Larkin has a full no-trade clause, which will complicate the Red Wings’ efforts to find a suitable trade partner. If Yzerman doesn’t get an offer to his liking during the offseason, he could hang onto Larkin, which could lead to an awkward situation if he’s still with the team next season.

DETROIT FREE PRESS: Helene St. James reports Larkin’s trade request has fired up Red Wings fans. Most of her readers are pointing the blame at Yzerman’s inability to build the club into a playoff contender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Playing for the US Olympic men’s hockey team may have been a factor behind his decision, but not because Tkachuk, Eichel, and Hughes talked him into it.

After spending 11 seasons with a club that has missed the playoffs for the past decade, Larkin represented his country with a team that won the biggest prize in international hockey. That experience may have led to a reevaluation of where he is in his professional career and the Red Wings’ direction under Yzerman’s management.

Larkin’s request continues to raise speculation over where he might be traded. I’ll have the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as this season’s top defensive forward. Teammate Cole Caufield won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of play.

Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki (NHL Images).

Suzuki is the third player in Canadiens history to win the Selke, joining Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau. He’s the first Hab to win it since Carbonneau in 1992.

Caufield is the third Canadiens to win the Lady Byng, joining Toe Blake (1945-46) and Mats Naslund (1987-88).

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal is drawing praise from his head coach and his teammates for his leadership, performance, and timely offense during this postseason.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Golden Knights forward Brett Howden’s play has put him into the conversation for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He leads all scorers in this postseason with 13 goals, tying the franchise record for most goals in a single postseason.

TWINCITIES.COM: Marcus Johansson’s NHL career is ending after 16 seasons. The 35-year-old Minnesota Wild forward signed a one-year contract with Farjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League.

Johansson’s departure leaves a hole on the Wild’s second line that will have to be addressed before next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: From 2010-11 to 2025-26, Johansson had 200 goals and 366 assists for 566 points in 1,058 regular-season games with the Wild, Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, Seattle Kraken, and Boston Bruins. He also had 51 points in 125 playoff games.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators hired former Los Angeles Kings general manager Rob Blake as their new executive vice president of hockey operations. Meanwhile, assistant GM Brian Poile, son of former Predators GM David Poile, is leaving the team after 16 seasons, eight of those in his recent role.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers hired Jay Leach as head coach of their AHL affiliate in Hartford.

TORONTO SUN: Former Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher passed away on Friday at age 90.

Fletcher began his NHL management career as GM of the expansion Atlanta Flames in 1972. He moved with the club to Calgary in 1980, building them into Stanley Cup champions in 1989.

Hired by the Maple Leafs in 1991, he made one of the biggest trades in franchise history by acquiring Doug Gilmour from the Flames in a blockbuster 10-player trade. Gilmour became the Maple Leafs’ franchise player, leading the Maple Leafs to back-to-back Campbell Conference Finals in 1993 and 1994.

In 1994, Fletcher made another significant trade for the Leafs, shipping Wendel Clark to the Quebec Nordiques for Mats Sundin, who went on to become one of the greatest players in franchise history.

Fletcher stepped down as Leafs GM in 1997. He went on to front-office roles with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Phoenix Coyotes before returning to the Leafs in 2008 as interim GM until Brian Burke was named general manager. He remained with the Leafs in an advisory role until his death.

Fletcher was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2004.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My sincere condolences to Fletcher’s family, friends, and the Flames’ and Maple Leafs’ organizations.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 5, 2026

by | Jun 5, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 5, 2026

The Hurricanes defeat the Golden Knights to tie the Stanley Cup Final at a game apiece, Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin requests a trade, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Seth Jarvis gave the Carolina Hurricanes a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, tying the series at a game apiece.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis (NHL Images).

Brett Howden scored twice to give the Golden Knights a 2-0 lead entering the third period. Howden leads the playoffs with 13 goals, tying Jonathan Marchessault’s franchise record for the most goals in a single postseason.

The Hurricanes rallied to take a 3-2 lead on goals by Logan Stankoven, Mark Jankowski, and Jordan Staal. The latter’s goal was the result of a failed coach’s challenge by the Golden Knights for a disallowed goal by Ivan Barbashev, leading to a power play for the Hurricanes.

Golden Knights captain Mark Stone tied the game with 1:21 remaining in the third, but it was Jarvis who was the hero for the Hurricanes on the power play in the extra frame.

The series shifts to Las Vegas for the next two games, with Game 3 on Saturday at 8 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb left this game midway through the first period after the puck struck him in the face. He left the arena to receive treatment at a local hospital. That left the Golden Knights playing the remainder of the game with five defensemen.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman broke the news that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin requested a trade.

Larkin has spent his entire 11-season NHL career with the Red Wings. The last time the 29-year-old center skated in the playoffs was during his rookie season in 2015-16.

Friedman stated neither Larkin’s camp nor Red Wings management would comment, but his potential availability in this summer’s trade market would be massive. Several teams are in the market for centers.

Larkin is signed through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $8.7 million. He also has a full no-trade clause until the end of the 2027-28 season, giving him complete control over this situation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This report was a bombshell that could be a serious setback for Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman and his rebuilding efforts, dubbed the “Yzerplan.” Larkin is the Wings’ first-line center, and trading him would significantly deplete their already-thin depth at center.

Yzerman doesn’t have to honor Larkin’s trade request, but having an unhappy team captain would be a major distraction for the Wings next season. Stripping him of the captaincy would only add to the hype surrounding this story.

This request by Larkin shouldn’t come as a surprise. It was evident last season that he was growing weary of the Wings’ inability to become a playoff contender when he openly criticized Yzerman for not making any significant additions at the trade deadline.

Larkin got an overdue taste of winning while playing for Team USA’s Olympic men’s gold-medal team in February. It had to have been crushing to go from that emotional high to missing the playoffs for the 10th straight season, and likely prompted him to reevaluate where he is in his career and whether his Stanley Cup hopes will be fulfilled in Detroit.

Yzerman is largely responsible for the Red Wings’ ongoing playoff drought during his seven-year tenure as general manager, especially over the past three years when they’ve faltered down the stretch.

However, Larkin also deserves his fair share. He’s the team captain and is supposed to lead by example, but at times his performance has seemed uninspiring. Injuries certainly haven’t helped, and he can’t be faulted for those, but that doesn’t fully absolve him from his responsibility as captain to motivate his teammates.

So, which clubs could be suitable trade destinations? Find out later this morning in my daily Rumor Mill update.

NHL.COM: Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno is this season’s winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. The award is presented to the NHL player “who best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community.”

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers are reportedly close to signing goaltender Dan Vladar to a five-year contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vladar played a major role in the Flyers exceeding expectations by qualifying for the postseason and eliminating the Pittsburgh Penguins from the opening round. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the deal is all but done, but it can’t be formally announced until July 1.

SPORTSNET: Ivan Demidov hopes to sign a long-term contract extension with the Montreal Canadiens this summer. The 20-year-old winger has one year remaining on his entry-level contract. He led all rookies with 62 points, and was runner-up for the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Demidov reportedly wants to get a deal done as soon as possible. Canadiens management does as well, especially since the deadline for re-signing players to eight-year contracts is Sept. 15. After that, the maximum term for re-signings will be seven years.

It remains to be seen what the AAV for Demidov’s next contract will be. However, the Canadiens tend to re-sign their young core players to affordable deals. Given that Lane Hutson inked an eight-year extension worth an AAV of $8.85 million last fall, Demidov could get a deal of similar term with roughly a similar cap hit.