NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 6, 2022

by | Aug 6, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 6, 2022

A look at what David Pastrnak’s contract extension could look like plus the latest notable contract signings in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss recently examined what he believes David Pastrnak’s contract extension could look like. The 26-year-old Bruins winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak (NHL Images).

Goss points out Pastrnak’s value to the Bruins as one of the NHL’s most-skilled forwards. Since 2019-20, only five players (Auston Matthews, Leon Draisaitl, Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid and Kyle Connor) have scored more goals than Pastrnak. He suggests an eight-year deal worth $9.5 million per season would be fair for both sides, matching defenseman Charlie McAvoy as the highest-paid Bruin.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Joe Haggerty believes Jonathan Huberdeau’s eight-year, $10.5 million contract with the Calgary Flames sets the table for Pastrnak’s new deal. He points out the Bruins winger is three years younger than the 29-year-old Huberdeau but has averaged more goals and points in his career with the Bruins than Huberdeau did in his career with the Florida Panthers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pastrnak is going to get a lucrative long-term contract between $9.5 million and $10.5 million per season. He’s getting it from the Bruins on an eight-year deal or from another club in next summer’s free-agent market on a seven-year contract.

The Bruins’ expensive commitment to McAvoy indicates they have no plans of rebuilding their roster. I expect they’ll pay out a massive raise to Pastrnak and use those two as their foundation players going forward.

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators forward Yakov Trenin has signed the two-year contract he was awarded via arbitration. The deal is worth an average annual value of $1.7 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trenin, 25, is coming off a career-best 17-goal performance in 80 games last season. The 6’2”, 201-pound forward plays a physical two-way game and can skate at left wing or center. The arbitration award is a significant raise over the $725K AAV of his previous contract.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights avoided salary arbitration with Keegan Kolesar, signing the 25-year-old forward to a three-year contract with an annual cap hit of $1.4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A versatile, physical checking-line forward, Kolesar had 24 points in 77 games last season with the Golden Knights. He earned an AAV of $725K on his previous contract.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 3, 2022

by | Aug 3, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 3, 2022

Max Pacioretty criticizes a lack of accountability on the Golden Knights while the Flames avoid arbitration with Andrew Mangiapane and Oliver Kylington. Details and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Former Vegas Golden Knights winger Max Pacioretty criticized what he considered the club’s laid-back approach toward losing. The 33-year-old left winger was traded last month by the Golden Knights to the Carolina Hurricanes in a cost-cutting move.

Former Vegas Golden Knights winger Max Pacioretty (NHL Images).

Speaking on the Raw Knuckles podcast with Chris Nilan and Tim Stapleton, Pacioretty talked about how there was no accountability with losing throughout the club when he joined the Golden Knights following a trade from the Montreal Canadiens in 2018. He indicated that was quite a change from what he was used to in Montreal where there was pressure to win.

Pacioretty pointed out that there were players on the Golden Knights who don’t know what it’s like because they haven’t played anywhere else. He felt that demands for accountability by a coach or management or elsewhere helped bring out the best in him, adding he thought that was missing for the Golden Knights last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pacioretty said he didn’t want to say there was a country club attitude on the Golden Knights. However, the perks the players seem to enjoy there (Pacioretty mentioned having their cars washed, organic food deliveries and going to play golf) combined with Las Vegas being a new NHL market in the Sun Belt could also be detrimental if they’re not answerable for poor performance.

Other factors, such as injuries to key players like Pacioretty, contributed to the Golden Knights missing the playoffs last season for the first time in their short history. Nevertheless, his comments about the club’s relaxed atmosphere could also explain the under-performance of some players last season. Making the playoffs in their first four seasons, including reaching the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural campaign, could also be a contributing factor, a case of too much too soon.

The Golden Knights hired former Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy in June. Perhaps he can bring the accountability that Pacioretty believes was lacking in Vegas.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: The Flames avoided salary arbitration with Andrew Mangiapane as the two sides agreed to a three-year, $17.4 million contract. The annual average value is $5.8 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s a significant raise from the $2.425 million AAV that Mangiapane was earning on his previous contract. A career-best 35-goal season in a contract year will do that.

The 26-year-old winger has been trending toward that level of production over the previous two seasons. He had 17 goals in 68 games in 2019-20 and 18 goals in 56 games in 2020-21. If not for COVID-19 shortening those seasons, he would’ve probably reached 25 goals or more in each.

The Flames also avoided arbitration with defenseman Oliver Kylington as they agreed to a two-year, $5 million contract. The AAV is $2.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kylington is betting on himself after a career-best 31-point effort. He also gets a nice pay bump over the $750K he earned last season. The 25-year-old blueliner will be eligible for unrestricted free agent status in two years’ time. He could put himself in a good position for a much better payday by then if he reaches or exceeds the 30-point plateau again.

TSN: Nashville Predators forward Yakov Trenin had his arbitration hearing yesterday. He’s coming off a one-year, $725K contract, scoring a career-best 17 goals and 24 points. The two sides now await the ruling from the arbitrator.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Prior to 2020, a team and a player could still reach an agreement on a new contract prior to the arbiter’s decision. That’s no longer the case.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: The Flyers avoided arbitration with rugged winger Zack MacEwen, agreeing to a one-year, $925K deal.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: After 40 years with the Oilers as a player, general manager, president of hockey operations and alternate governor, Kevin Lowe announced his retirement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Lowe and his family as they embark on the next stage of their lives outside the NHL spotlight.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 1, 2022

by | Aug 1, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 1, 2022

A former NHL scout claims Nazem Kadri is heading to the Islanders, a list of the coming season’s cap-crunched teams, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Adrian Dater cited a tweet by the Barrie Colts director of player personnel claiming free agent center Nazem Kadri is heading to the New York Islanders.

Former Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Mark Seidel, a former NHL scout with the Minnesota Wild, tweeted Sunday that he believes Kadri has a deal done with the Islanders. “They have to clear out some cap room & then it’ll be announced,” wrote Seidel. “I’m FAR from an Insider but I’m very confident it’s done.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No confirmation yet of this anywhere else. As Dater observes, Seidel’s an experienced hockey man so I doubt he’s posting this up just for laughs. Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello has reportedly been in the market for a scoring forward this summer. Nevertheless, this remains speculation until the Isles announce that a deal with Kadri is done.

Cap Friendly shows the Islanders with $11.1 million in cap room with restricted free agents Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov to re-sign. Adding Kadri will drive them over the cap even if Dobson and Romanov get affordable short-term bridge contracts. Lamoriello will have to make a cost-cutting trade to ensure he’s cap compliant when the regular season begins in October.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ian Kennedy recently listed several NHL teams that are already facing a salary-cap crunch before the season begins in October.

The Vegas Golden Knights are already over the cap with just two-thirds of their roster signed. The Philadelphia Flyers could be forced to move a player such as James van Riemsdyk to get under the cap. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings could bury some of their promising waiver-exempt players in the minors to free up room to sign their remaining restricted free agents.

Other clubs that could face shedding some salary include the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Islanders if they add a scorer like Kadri.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kennedy observed that some of the clubs on his list, such as the Edmonton Oilers, could put players on long-term injury reserve to be under the cap when the season begins. Still, we could see some of them attempt to dump some salaries through the trade market by the time October rolls around.

SI.COM: Speaking of the Leafs, David Alter believes they don’t have to make a trade to become cap compliant for 2022-23.

They could decide to carry 20 players on their roster to start the season. A player put on waivers for the purpose of sending him to the minors could be claimed by another club. A player injured in training camp or preseason could be placed on long-term injury reserve if the injury is serious enough to sideline him for a lengthy period of time.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs GM Kyle Dubas doesn’t have to rush into anything right now. Teams are allowed to sit above the cap by 10 percent during the offseason but must be under it when the regular season begins in October. That provides him with sufficient time to evaluate his options.

SPORTSNET’s Elliotte Friedman took to Twitter on Sunday to report on the arbitration filings for Nashville Predators forward Yakov Trenin. The team is seeking a two-year deal at $1.35 million annually while the Trenin camp seeks $2.4 million on a one-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trenin’s arbitration hearing is slated for Tuesday, Aug. 2.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 21, 2022

by | Jul 21, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – July 21, 2022

What are some possible trade destinations for Matthew Tkachuk? What’s the latest on Patrick Kane, Nazem Kadri and Samuel Girard? Find out in today’s NHL rumor mill.

WHERE WILL THE FLAMES TRADE MATTHEW TKACHUK?

THE ATHLETIC: In the wake of yesterday’s report regarding Matthew Tkachuk’s decision not to sign a long-term extension with the Calgary Flames, Hailey Salvian and Sean Gentille examined several possible trade destinations. It’s based in part on a list of teams with whom he would agree to sign a contract extension.

Calgary Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk (NHL Images).

The St. Louis Blues are often mentioned as the top destination for Tkachuk because he grew up in St. Louis and his family still lives there. Others include the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Salvian and Gentille examined the pros and cons of each club. I’m going to offer up my brief take on each.

Before I begin, I believe the Flames aren’t looking to rebuild. They’ll seek a return that helps them remain a playoff contender in the coming season as well as for several seasons afterward. They’ll want at least one good young NHL player as part of a package deal that could also include a first-round pick and/or a top prospect.

Cap space is also important. Tkachuk will command over $9 million annually on his next contract. Some of the aforementioned teams lack the cap room to pull it off unless they’re sending a couple of salaried players to the Flames or making a cost-cutting move with another club to free up sufficient space to re-sign him.

The Blues are bumping against the $82.5 million cap. It could cost them winger Jordan Kyrou as part of the return. And no, I don’t see the Flames accepting Vladimir Tarasenko, who’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He’s also older (30) and might not waive his no-trade clause.

After re-signing Filip Forsberg, the Predators have three forwards each earning at least $8 million annually on long-term deals. General manager David Poile could be reluctant to add a fourth. I don’t think they have a suitable young player to tempt the Flames. Sophomore Philip Tomasino has potential but he’s yet to fully display it.

The Red Wings have the cap space and plenty of promising youngsters to entice the Flames. However, I don’t see Wings GM Steve Yzerman parting with Lucas Raymond and he’s definitely not giving up Calder Trophy winner Moritz Seider. I also don’t consider Jakub Vrana or Tyler Bertuzzi (a UFA next summer) as centerpiece players for the Flames.

Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello needs a scoring winger to skate alongside playmaking center Mathew Barzal. However, the Flames could ask for Barzal in return. NYI Hockey Now’s Stefen Rosner points out the Isles lack prospect depth. He also shot down the notion of the Flames having an interest in forwards such as Anthony Beauvillier or Kieffer Bellows.

The Vegas Golden Knights love to make blockbuster moves. However, they’re over the cap already and I don’t see the Flames having any interest in William Karlsson or Jonathan Marchessault as part of the return. They recently had to move Max Pacioretty and Evgenii Dadonov in cost-cutting deals to remain cap compliant.

If the Stars want Tkachuk, they must part with rising star Jason Robertson. They also have $11 million in cap space with restricted free agent goaltender Jake Oettinger to re-sign. They need offense but I think GM Jim Nill will stick with the more affordable Robertson.

I think the Devils are the best fit. Winger Jesper Bratt could be a good return though he recently filed for salary arbitration. If he’s willing to accept a long-term deal from the Flames, there could be a deal there. The Flames would probably have an interest in a prospect such as Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec or Alexander Holtz as part of the return.

UPDATES ON PATRICK KANE, NAZEM KADRI AND SAMUEL GIRARD

TSN’s Darren Dreger tweeted he’s checked into recent trade speculation regarding Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane. He said the winger’s camp remains undecided on his future so everything at this point is speculative.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Adrian Dater reports former Avalanche center Nazem Kadri has offers on the table from several clubs but they’re either teams he doesn’t want to play for due to location, they lack contender status or both. Maybe a team or two that he wouldn’t mind playing for and would like to have him lacks the cap space to sign him.

Dater believes Kadri would love to return with the Avalanche but doesn’t think their offer is what the center hoped for. He puts the odds of Kadri returning to Colorado at 30-70 or maybe 20-80.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve heard that Kadri was waiting for teams that had an interest in him to clear cap space to sign him. Whatever’s behind the holdup in signing him, it appears he might have to accept less than he hoped to get. He’ll still receive more than the $4.5 million AAV of his previous contract, but it probably won’t be anywhere near the $8 million per season that some observers predicted he’d get.

Dater also tweeted he’s not hearing that the Avs are shopping Samuel Girard. “Things can always change but I believe he’s staying.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Girard and his $5 million AAV came up as a trade option if the Avs wanted to shed salary to make room for Kadri.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 7, 2022

by | Jul 7, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – July 7, 2022

The rumor mill is abuzz leading up to the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Check out the latest on J.T. Miller, Matthew Tkachuk, Alex DeBrincat, Blake Wheeler, Claude Giroux, the Senator’s first-round pick and much more in today’s NHL rumor mill.

J.T. MILLER

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the New York Rangers are among the suitors for Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller.

SPECTOR’ S NOTE: I wonder if the Capitals are still interested with Nicklas Backstrom determined to return to action in 2022-23 following hip surgery? They were linked to Miller in recent rumors because of uncertainty over Backstrom’s status.

MATTHEW TKACHUK

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports teams are “delicately approaching” the Calgary Flames about Matthew Tkachuk. The representatives for the restricted free agent winger want to see how things play out with his teammate (and pending UFA) Johnny Gaudreau before formalizing a game plan for their client.

Calgary Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch cited St. Louis broadcaster Andy Strickland suggesting the Blues would be interested if Tkachuk becomes available in the trade market. If the Flames lose Gaudreau I expect they’ll put all their focus on signing Tkachuk to a big raise on a long-term deal.

ALEX DEBRINCAT

Pierre LeBrun said teams are starting to put their best offers forward to the Chicago Blackhawks for winger Alex DeBrincat. A first-round pick would have to be part of the return.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope believes the New Jersey Devils (second overall pick), Philadelphia Flyers (fifth overall) and Ottawa Senators (seventh overall) are the most likely suitors for DeBrincat. He reports rumors involving the Flyers and DeBrincat have cooled of late.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks traded away their first-round pick in this year’s draft to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Seth Jones.

BLAKE WHEELER

THE SCORE: cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reporting the Winnipeg Jets have started exploring the trade market for captain Blake Wheeler. The 35-year-old winger’s no-movement clause has now become a modified no-trade in which he submits five preferred trade destinations. He has two seasons left on his contract with an annual average value of $8.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wheeler’s age, cap hit and limited trade destinations make him difficult to move in an offseason where the salary cap has only risen by $1 million.

CLAUDE GIROUX

Pierre LeBrun adds the Carolina Hurricanes to the list of possible suitors for Florida Panthers forward Claude Giroux. They’re prioritizing offense this season and could lose forwards Nino Niederreiter and Vincent Trocheck to free agency next Wednesday.

WILL THE SENATORS SHOP THE SEVENTH-OVERALL PICK?

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion has said there was a 50-50 chance he might trade it. Dreger believes he’s now leaning toward trading that selection.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports there’s some “serious interest” in that seventh-overall pick. The offers have increased dramatically since Dorion and his staff arrived in Montreal for the upcoming draft. It’s believed the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes have been the most aggressive teams pursuing a top-10 pick.

Dorion was asked by a reporter if the Canadiens had offered up winger Josh Anderson for that pick. He declined to say anything about that but added that he’d seriously consider an offer from the Habs if it allowed both clubs to improve.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico reports sources say the Senators are interested in Anderson and teammate Christian Dvorak.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s also talk the Canadiens are interested in the Devils’ pick and could offer up Anderson in a package deal for that. I’d say they’ll have better luck landing the Senators’ pick with that package but I’m not holding my breath they’ll get either pick.

JESSE PULJUJARVI

EDMONTON JOURNAL’s Jim Matheson believes Oilers GM Ken Holland could seek a first-round pick who hasn’t panned on other clubs in return for Jesse Pujujarvi. He listed Detroit’s Filip Zadina, Nashville’s Eeli Tolvanen and Carolina’s Martin Necas as options.

LATEST ON THE LEAFS GOALTENDING SITUATION

TSN: Chris Johnston reports Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said his club is still talking to Jack Campbell’s camp. However, there doesn’t appear to be much progress toward a deal. He felt the Leafs will look to add at least one goaltender, mentioning the Minnesota Wild’s Marc-Andre Fleury as an option. Dubas also indicated Petr Mrazek could be sticking around next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The whole point of trading Mrazek is to free up cap space for Campbell. If they can’t afford him with Mrazek still on the books, how can they afford Fleury?

Darren Dreger believes Campbell is headed to the open market. He listed the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils as possible destinations for the 30-year-old netminder with the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings as honorable mentions. Dreger believes Campbell could seek a five-year deal worth $5 million per season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My guess is it’s Edmonton or New Jersey for Campbell.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the word is the Leafs have kicked tires on Senators goaltender Matt Murray as one of their options if Campbell departs next week via free agency.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unless the Senators are retaining half of Murray’s $6.25 million cap hit, I don’t see how the Leafs can afford him. I also think they should seek better options rather than a goalie with a long injury history or it’s Mrazek time again next season.

GOLDEN KNIGHTS COULD SEEK A GOALTENDER

LAS VEGAS SUN: Danny Webster reports the Vegas Golden Knights could be in the market for a goaltender if Robin Lehner and Laurent Brossoit haven’t recovered from their offseason surgeries in time for training camp.

Webster suggested the Montreal Canadiens’ Jake Allen and the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Brian Elliott as possibilities. He rules out any hope of a Marc-Andre Fleury reunion. Webster also indicated the Golden Knights could shop defenseman Alec Martinez. Center William Karlsson has come up as a trade candidate but the sense is things have cooled on that front.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One option could be the Rangers’ Alexandar Georgiev. The New York Post’s Larry Brooks reports the Blueshirts could move the 26-year-old restricted free agent if they don’t intend to file a qualifying offer by Monday’s deadline.

The Canadiens aren’t moving Allen until they’ve had more clarity on Carey Price’s health and that won’t be known until later in the summer. The Lightning re-sign Elliott in April to a one-year, $900K contract so he’s not going anywhere.

RUMORS FROM THE OTTAWA SUN

Bruce Garrioch reports a couple of teams have contacted the St. Louis Blues about Vladimir Tarasenko but the club isn’t shopping him. He wouldn’t mind staying in St. Louis.

The Florida Panthers are expected to let defenseman Ben Chiarot depart as a free agent next week.

Teams might want to reach out to the Minnesota Wild about defenseman Matt Dumba. He was being shopped before the Wild shipped Kevin Fiala last week to the Los Angeles Kings.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 4, 2022

by | Jul 4, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – July 4, 2022

Should the Islanders pursue Johnny Gaudreau? What’s the latest on Jakob Chychrun? Could the Blackhawks have an interest in Petr Mrazek or Matt Murray? What’s the latest on the Oilers, Golden Knights and Sabres? Find out in today’s NHL rumor mill.

SHOULD ISLANDERS TRY TO SIGN GAUDREAU?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks made the case for the New York Islanders to sign Johnny Gaudreau if the Calgary Flames left winger hits the open market on July 13. He acknowledged it would be an expensive undertaking but suggested general manager Lou Lamoriello should shed a combination of Semyon Varlamov, Josh Bailey and Anthony Beauvillier to do it.

Calgary Flames winger Johnny Gaudreau (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders need a high-scoring winger to skate alongside playmaking center Mathew Barzal. However, it’s unlikely Lamoriello will set his sights on such an expensive target as Gaudreau.

Lamoriello seems unwilling to move Varlamov. Bailey could be a cost-cutting candidate while Beauvillier becomes a trade chip to add a forward or defenseman. However, I don’t see them being part of a grand plan to land a blue-chip free agent like Gaudreau.

CHYCHRUN STAYING IN ARIZONA?

GOPHNX.COM: Craig Morgan reports Arizona Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong said not much has changed on the Jakob Chychrun trade front. He’s still willing to entertain offers but for now, he expects the 24-year-old defenseman will be returning with the Coyotes for 2022-23.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, no one’s made an offer that would entice Armstrong to part with Chychrun. That could change this week leading up to the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal on Thursday and Friday.

If not, Armstrong seems content to have Chychrun in the lineup for the ’22-’23 campaign. The blueliner is under contract through 2024-25 with an affordable $4.6 million annual average value and lacks no-trade protection for the coming season.

COULD THE BLACKHAWKS TAKE ON MRAZEK OR MURRAY?

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers believe the Chicago Blackhawks could begin to address their goaltending this week. They anticipate GM Kyle Davidson could contact the Toronto Maple Leafs about Petr Mrazek or the Ottawa Senators regarding Matt Murray. He might be willing to take on one of them in exchange for draft picks and/or prospects.

Mrazek carries a $3.8 million annual salary-cap hit for the next two seasons. Murray is signed through 2023-24 with an AAV of $6.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Davidson will likely ask for a sweetener like a draft pick and/or prospect to be packaged with Mrazek or Murray. He also won’t part with a high draft pick or prospect to do this favor for the Leafs or Senators.

LATEST ON THE OILERS, CANUCKS, GOLDEN KNIGHTS AND SABRES

THE ATHLETIC: Daniel Nugent-Bowman reports the Edmonton Oilers are still awaiting answers from Mike Smith and Duncan Keith before free agency begins next week. Both players have a year remaining on their contracts and there’s talk they could retire. Given Smith’s injuries, it appears more likely he’ll go on long-term injury reserve for next season than retire.

Nugent-Bowman also reports winger Jesse Puljujarvi hasn’t requested a trade. It sounds as though he’d like to return with the Oilers as a top-six winger. The Oilers could ask the restricted free agent to start the season on their third line and see if he can work his way higher in the lineup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My guess is Smith goes on LTIR, Keith returns to finish his contract, and Puljujarvi gets traded.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Owen Krepps acknowledged recent trade speculation swirling about Golden Knights defenseman Nic Hague. He believes it wouldn’t be a bad thing to move him in a cost-cutting deal given their blueline depth, allowing the Golden Knights to recoup some assets in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most pundits I’ve read on the subject believe moving Hague isn’t an option at this point. However, the Golden Knights might not have much choice if they can’t find other ways to reduce their payroll before 2022-23.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Mike Harrington reports the Sabres signing goaltender Craig Anderson last week to a one-year deal doesn’t mean they’re done seeking help between the pipes. He anticipates they’ll sign or trade for a netminder while allowing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen more time to develop.

Harrington doesn’t expect they’ll pursue notable UFAs such as St. Louis’ Ville Husso or Toronto’s Jack Campbell. Free-agent targets could include Dallas’ Braden Holtby, Pittsburgh’s Casey DeSmith or Winnipeg’s Eric Comrie. Trade options could be the Islanders’ Semyon Varlamov, San Jose’s James Reimer or the New York Rangers’ Alexandar Georgiev.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I noted earlier, the Isles seem unwilling to move Varlamov. I think the Sharks intend to retain Reimer for the coming season. Georgiev could be a good addition if they’re looking beyond 2022-23.