NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 5, 2025

by | Sep 5, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 5, 2025

Check out the latest on Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, Maple Leafs forward Scott Laughton, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: Connor McDavid told Ryan Rishaug that there is nothing new to report regarding his contract extension negotiations with the Edmonton Oilers. The 28-year-old superstar center is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

McDavid said that everything is currently status quo. He’s in no rush, as he’s working through it with his family and his agent. He explained that this is a well-thought-out process for both sides to get a deal done that makes sense for him and the organization.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

The Oilers captain dismissed the notion that his negotiations might be a distraction for his teammates. “We’re all professional hockey players. We’re all adults; this is a mature group. If guys can’t play with Ryan Rishaug talking about a contract, then we’re probably in the wrong line of work here, we’re probably in the wrong business.”

McDavid also indicated that he’s focused on the upcoming season. He said he’s excited about it, adding that he felt he and his teammates have something to prove.

SPORTSNET: Mark Spector reported McDavid will focus on shooting the puck more this season after tallying only 26 goals last season. He wants to prove that his career-high 64-goal performance in 2022-23 wasn’t a one-off.

“Ultimately, I want to help this team win, and I’m happy to play the passer role. I’m always going to be that player,” McDavid said. “But I’d like to be a little bit more – not necessarily selfish – but assertive with my chances.”

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson reports Leon Draisaitl is eager to see his friend and teammate sign an extension.

“Of course I want him here as long as possible, and I want to do it (win) with him,” said Draisaitl, who is entering the first season of his eight-year contract. Nevertheless, he understands that McDavid’s decision comes down to what’s best for him and his family.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid’s contract situation might not be a distraction for his teammates, but it will become a regular subject of conjecture for fans and media for as long as he remains unsigned.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jeremy Swayman said he’s a changed man going into this season. The 26-year-old Bruins goaltender is hoping to rebound from a disappointing performance in 2024-25.

Swayman’s contract negotiations with management led to him missing training camp and preseason before an agreement was finally reached before the start of last season. He struggled to regain his form, and his inconsistency contributed to the Bruins missing the playoffs last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Swayman’s performance will be a key factor in whether the Bruins can bounce back and contend for a postseason berth this season.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Scott Laughton is looking forward to his first full season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old forward was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers before the March trade deadline.

Laughton spent the offseason focusing on improving the small details of his game. He’s hoping that an improved performance will lead to a contract extension. The veteran forward is in the final season of his current deal with an annual cap hit of $3 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton could seek over $5 million annually on his next deal, especially if he performs well in his contract year.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Former Red Wings forward Klim Kostin remains an unrestricted free agent. He blames his inability to land a new contract on his role with the Wings last season. The 26-year-old winger claims he was instructed by the team brass to act as an on-ice enforcer. He believes that has hurt his reputation as a player.

RG.ORG: Former NHL defenseman Josh Gorges is looking forward to his new role as head coach of his former junior team, the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets. Among the young players he’ll be working with is Montreal Canadiens prospect center Hayden Paupanekis, who stands out for his size and skillset.

Gorges spent over seven of his 13-season NHL career with the Canadiens from 2006-07 to 2013-14. He reflected on his time with the Habs and with goaltender Carey Price. “You don’t really appreciate what he did and who he is until you don’t have him around anymore,” Gorges said, going on to praise Price’s puckhandling abilities. “Half the time, he made better breakout plays than I did.”

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Former Lightning forward Pat Maroon has rejoined the club as an alumni brand ambassador and television analyst. Maroon spent four seasons with the Lightning from 2019-20 to 2022-23, helping them win two Stanley Cups.

SPORTSNET: Marco Scandella announced his retirement from the NHL after 14 seasons. The 35-year-old defenseman played with the Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and St. Louis Blues from 2010-11 to 2023-24. He had 170 points in 784 regular-season games and nine points in 56 playoff contests.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2025

by | Aug 16, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2025

Here’s a look back at the notable news during my vacation in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

ESPN.COM: Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk said he remains undecided over whether he’ll undergo surgery for a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia before the 2025-26 season. However, he acknowledged he could miss the first two to three months of the schedule if he goes under the knife.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Based on Tkachuk’s offseason workouts, he’ll know for certain if he needs surgery. We’ll know by mid-September when the Panthers’ training camp begins.

TSN: Keith Tkachuk shot down any trade speculation about his son, Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. He said Brady loves it in Ottawa and has cemented himself within the community. Keith believes the Senators are a team on the rise, and Brady wants to be a part of it.

Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Keith believes Matthew’s departure from Calgary three years ago has fans wondering if Brady will also do so. However, there was also speculation out of New York last season claiming the Rangers had made the Senators’ captain a trade target, prompting Senators ownership to suggest the Blueshirts were engaged in “soft tampering” regarding Tkachuk.

During his end-of-season press conference, Brady dismissed the rumors as lies. It hasn’t fully put to rest the speculation, given that his father had to recently dispel it. They’ll likely continue to surface whenever the Senators are struggling, and the chatter will likely go into overdrive when he enters the final season of his contract in 2027-28.

RG.ORG: Winger Brad Marchand said the club’s re-signings of center Sam Bennett and defenseman Aaron Ekblad were key reasons behind his decision to ink a six-year contract with Florida.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand is in the tail end of his long career and wants to remain with a Stanley Cup contender. Now 37, it’s unlikely he’ll play out the entirety of his contract, but neither he nor the Panthers is concerned about the long term. Winning three Cups in a row and becoming the first true NHL dynasty since the early 1980s New York Islanders is what matters.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson is fully fit a month before training camp and is seeking “revenge” after his abysmal 2024-25 season. The 26-year-old Pettersson said he’s learned from last season and will be a more mature player in 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson’s disappointing performance last season was a key factor in the Canucks missing the 2025 playoffs. A return to form this season is a must if they’re to be postseason contenders.

RG.ORG: Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin isn’t surprised that superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov and promising center Marco Rossi remain unsigned. He said the talks have been “pretty consistent, and I’ve been happy with them”. Guerin also said reports claiming Rossi can’t be signed until Kaprizov is under contract are false.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The dearth of real hockey news through the first half of August has fueled speculation over the status of the Wild’s contract negotiations with Kaprizov and Rossi. Kaprizov is in the final season of his contract and eligible to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next July, while Rossi is a restricted free agent awaiting a new contract.

Guerin has plenty of time to get both players signed before the start of training camp. However, the speculation will persist if the current drought of notable NHL news continues throughout the remainder of this month.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks made the case for J.T. Miller to be named the new captain of the Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll know by October whether the Rangers will have a captain for this season, and who it’ll be. Do you agree with Brooks that it should be Miller? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.

NESN.COM: Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm has been cleared for training camp in September. He appeared in 17 games last season until sidelined by a fractured kneecap.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm’s absence contributed to the Bruins missing the playoffs last season. He’ll be a key factor in their attempt to rebound in 2025-26.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports an arbitrator ruled in favor of the Philadelphia Flyers in a grievance filed by the NHL Players’ Association following the termination of forward Ryan Johansen’s contract in August 2024.

Johansen was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche on March 6, 2024, and immediately placed on waivers. He was assigned to the Flyers’ AHL affiliate in LeHigh Valley, but didn’t play for the remainder of the season due to a hip injury.

The Flyers placed Johansen on unconditional waivers last August and terminated his contract, citing a “material breach”. He missed all of last season recovering from hip surgery and remains a UFA.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johansen played every game of the 2023-24 season with the Avalanche, but informed the Flyers that he couldn’t report to the AHL or play due to his hip injury. At the time, he had a year remaining on his contract. The Flyers would’ve been on the hook for that final season had the ruling gone against them.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators and the National Capital Commission (NCC) reached an agreement in which the club will purchase 11 acres of land for a new arena at LeBreton Flats in Ottawa. It’s believed the Senators will pay over $30 million for the land, which is 10 minutes from downtown Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report indicates the Senators still have several hurdles to clear before the deal becomes a reality. Nevertheless, this is a significant step toward realizing the dream of a new arena near the heart of Ottawa.

THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE: The Wild signed defenseman Jack Johnson to a professional tryout contract (PTO).

TSN: The Detroit Red Wings signed UFA defenseman Travis Hamonic to a one-year, $1 million contract.

USHL.COM: Former NHL forward Pat Maroon joined the coaching staff of the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Maroon won three straight Stanley Cups (2019 to 2021) with the St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Former NHL defenseman Josh Gorges was hired by the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets as an assistant coach. Gorges spent eight of his 13 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens.

TSN: Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kyle Clifford announced his retirement as a player and is joining the club’s front office in a player development role. Clifford spent 13 seasons in the NHL (2010-11 to 2022-23) with the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and the Maple Leafs, winning two Stanley Cups (2012, 2014) with the Kings. In 753 NHL games, Clifford had 66 goals and 78 assists for 144 points, and 16 points in 65 playoff games.

DAILY FACEOFF: Defenseman Chad Ruhwedel retired after 13 NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Rangers. In 369 regular-season games from 2012-13 to 2024-25, he had 13 goals and 37 assists for 50 points. He also appeared in 25 playoff contests, winning the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2016-17.

MLIVE.COM: The Detroit Red Wings will go with their “Hockeytown” center ice logo for their 2025-26 centennial season. The logo was introduced in 1996-97. It was removed in 2018 following the move from Joe Louis Arena to Little Caesars Arena.