NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 30, 2026

by | Jun 30, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 30, 2026

The Canucks acquire Brendan Gallagher and trade Nils Hoglander, Radko Gudas returns to the Panthers, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE/THE PROVINCE: The Montreal Canadiens traded Brendan Gallagher to the Vancouver Canucks for future considerations. The Canadiens also retained 50 percent of the 34-year-old winger’s $6.5 million cap hit for 2026-27.

Montreal Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After 14 seasons, Gallagher no longer fit into the Canadiens’ system. The club did right by him by trading him to a team he wanted to join. He’ll bring grit, experience, and leadership to the rebuilding Canucks. Gallagher also has a connection with Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra, as the two were teammates with the Canadiens during the latter’s final season as a player in 2014-15.

THE PROVINCE/THE TENNESSEAN: Speaking of the Canucks, they traded winger Nils Hoglander to the Nashville Predators for a third-round pick in 2029.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hoglander, 25, tallied a career-high 24 goals in 2023-24, but he struggled to regain that form in 2024-25 and missed most of last season with a lower-body injury. The winger has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $3 million.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Florida Panthers acquired Radko Gudas from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the contract rights of pending free-agent forward A.J. Greer.

Gudas played three seasons with the Panthers from 2020-21 to 2022-23 before departing for the Ducks as a free agent in 2023. Over the past two seasons, he served as the Ducks’ captain.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers appear to be adding more grit and snarl to a lineup that already has plenty of it. However, the 36-year-old Gudas’ performance isn’t at the same level it was during his previous tenure in Florida. His knee-on-knee hit on Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews ended the latter’s season, earning him a five-game suspension and condemnation from NHL fans.

Greer could replace some of Gudas’ physicality if the Ducks can sign him before the free-agent market opens on Wednesday. He’s completing a two-year contract with an AAV of $850,000.

TSN/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Panthers also acquired goaltender Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a 2028 third-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun believes the Panthers are bringing in Schmid to replace pending UFA backup goalie Daniil Tarasov. They are still believed to be in contract talks with starter Sergei Bobrovsky.

Schmid was third on the Golden Knights’ depth chart, behind Carter Hart and Adin Hill. Some pundits had suggested that Hill might become a trade candidate, but his struggles last season, his 10-team trade list, and his $6.25 million AAV through 2030-31 make him difficult to move.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t expected to sign forwards Corey Perry and Oliver Bjorkstrand to new contracts, making them eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

TORONTO SUN/TSN: The Maple Leafs opted not to qualify the rights of winger Matias Maccelli, making him UFA-eligible on July 1. They signed defenseman Troy Stecher to a two-year, $2.7 million contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs acquired Maccelli last summer to fill the gap at right wing following the departure of Mitch Marner. He had a disappointing performance this season, with 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points in 71 games. Qualifying the 25-year-old’s rights would’ve cost $4.11 million.

THE HOCKEY NEWS/DAILY FACEOFF/PUCKPEDIA: The Utah Mammoth signed winger Kailer Yamamoto to a two-year, $1.75 million contract extension and inked defenseman Nick DeSimone to a two-year, $2 million deal. 

Meanwhile, Barrett Hayton becomes the first player this summer to file for salary arbitration. By doing so, the 25-year-old center is ineligible to receive an offer sheet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: PuckPedia has corrected this. It’s the Mammoth taking Hayton to arbitration, not the other way around. Because it’s a club-elected arbitration, he’s still eligible to receive an offer sheet. 

THE WINNIPEG SUN/PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Winnipeg Jets traded forward David Gustafsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Jack St. Ivany.

THE ATHLETIC: The Minnesota Wild did not qualify the rights of Bobby Brink. However, they’re working to re-sign the 24-year-old winger before his UFA eligibility on July 1. He’s coming off a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild acquired Brink from the Philadelphia Flyers at the March trade deadline. He had arbitration rights, which the Wild want to avoid.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators have not qualified the rights of winger Arthur Kaliyev, making him UFA-eligible on July 1.

DAILY FACEOFF: Other notable players whose rights weren’t qualified include Samuel Ersson of the Ottawa Senators, Joe Veleno of the Montreal Canadiens, Paul Cotter of the New Jersey Devils, Jordan Harris of the Boston Bruins, Philip Tomasino of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Philipp Kurashev of the San Jose Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators are believed to be negotiating a new contract with Ersson.

MAYOR’S MANOR: The Los Angeles Kings added Phil Housley, Chris Hajt, and Ray Whitney to their coaching staff.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 18, 2026

by | Jun 18, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – June 18, 2026

The latest on Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, Ducks center Mason McTavish, Maple Leaf winger Matthew Knies, Canucks winger Brock Boeser, and many more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

IS JETS GOALTENDER CONNOR HELLEBUYCK AVAILABLE?

TSN: Darren Dreger is the latest to claim there is “noise in Winnipeg” regarding Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

Dreger believes teams are calling the Jets about Hellebuyck because the goaltender shared his disappointment about their performance this season. He believes Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff “is at least in a position where he knows he has to listen.”

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

According to Dreger, the Jets need centers for their second and fourth lines, and they’d also like to look at their blueline. If they trade Hellebuyck, they’ll need a replacement for him as well.

The Jets struggle to make big trades because it’s hard to lure players with no-trade protection to Winnipeg. But if the three-time Vezina Trophy-winning Hellebuyck is in play, who has a no-movement clause, and teams are calling, Dreger believes Cheveldayoff “is at least willing at this point to consider that.”

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos also reports there is “lots of noise” growing around the league that Hellebuyck wants a change of scenery. However, he acknowledged that, if the goaltender has requested a trade, both sides have done a tremendous job keeping it quiet.

If Hellebuyck has asked to be traded, Kypreos suggested the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, and the Florida Panthers as possible landing spots.

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Ken Wiebe and Mike McIntyre report the Hellebuyck camp and Jets management aren’t commenting on the trade speculation.

Wiebe and McIntyre noted Hellebuyck’s frustration over the Jets’ disappointing performance during his end-of-season media availability and in his exit interview with Cheveldayoff, who praised his goalie’s competitiveness.

The expectation was that the Jets would attempt to address Hellebuyck’s concerns by making off-season upgrades while he remains front and center in their efforts to put this season behind them.

So far, there’s nothing official about a trade request. Wiebe and McIntyre suggest the recent buzz is an example of playing “connect the dots” after Hellebuyck’s Team USA teammates Dylan Larkin requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings and Quinn Hughes forced his way out of Vancouver.

The recent speculation doesn’t mean a trade is imminent, but the prospect is at least worth acknowledging. If the Jets put Hellebuyck on the block, their asking price will be high.

History shows Cheveldayoff isn’t one to make a panic move when a player requests a trade. Evander Kane, Jacob Trouba, Patrik Laine, and Pierre-Luc Dubois weren’t moved until the Jets received what they considered to be suitable offers.

Wiebe and McIntyre also point out that this isn’t the first time that Hellebuyck was considered to be on his way out of Winnipeg. He and Scheifele were considered trade candidates entering the final season of their previous contracts, only to sign contract extensions.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The only reason I can see for the Jets to trade Hellebuyck is if he wants out. Otherwise, trading him would derail their chances of regaining playoff contender status next season, let alone any chance of winning the Stanley Cup.

The Jets are built to win right now, with Hellebuyck as the centerpiece of that plan. That’s why they re-signed Kyle Connor to a lucrative long-term extension last fall. It’s why Cheveldayoff brought in Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist last summer, who ultimately turned into busts and were contributing factors in the Jets missing the playoffs.

I agree with what Wiebe and McIntyre are saying about this situation. If Hellebuyck wants out, Cheveldayoff won’t rush into a deal. The Jets will also need a new starting goaltender, and no, they won’t want a castoff or a washed-up veteran. They also won’t want a package of solely draft picks and prospects.

The asking price will be high, and Cheveldayoff will wait for the right return, even if it takes until next year’s trade deadline to get it. That shouldn’t adversely affect Hellebuyck’s performance because playing at his best will maintain his high value in the trade market.

As Dreger admitted, everything is just speculation right now, and will remain so until there’s definitive word that Hellebuyck is on the trade block.

THE LATEST MAPLE LEAFS SPECULATION

TSN: Darren Dreger reports “a number of NHL executives” believe the Toronto Maple Leafs will trade winger Matthew Knies. GM John Chayka is conducting his due diligence, while other clubs are finding out why the 23-year-old power forward would be available.

Dreger also thinks Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly seems more likely to change addresses. Management isn’t pushing it, but that’s the expectation from the Rielly camp.

Teams are also calling about defenseman Jake McCabe. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs would be interested in Darren Raddysh if the Tampa Bay Lightning blueliner hits the open market on July 1.

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos also reports that the buzz about Matthew Knies hasn’t gone away with the Leafs’ recent management change. He noted that everyone links Knies to the Montreal Canadiens, but other clubs are also looking into it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Understandably, Chayka would at least want to find out what Knies’ trade value would be, and whether the return would improve the Leafs. As with Hellebuyck, however, there’s no certainty he’ll be moved. Leafs ownership wants this club to bounce back as a playoff contender, and Knies would play an important role in those efforts.

As for Rielly, recent reports indicate he hasn’t been asked to waive his no-movement clause, and he hasn’t submitted a list of preferred destinations.

FOUR CANUCKS ON THE TRADE BLOCK

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the rebuilding Vancouver Canucks “are virtually shopping everyone this offseason”. That includes center Elias Pettersson and wingers Brock Boeser, Nils Hoglander, and Jake DeBrusk.

The Canucks aren’t going out of their way to trade Boeser, but Johnston said he’s believed to be available. A source claimed that management believes Hoglander needs a fresh start, but he won’t fetch much of a return.

DeBrusk has said he’s not keen to be part of a rebuild, and the Ottawa Senators are believed to be interested. As for Pettersson, Johnston cited a source claiming the Los Angeles Kings considered a move for the 27-year-old center at the trade deadline. He wonders if they might revisit their interest now that Anze Kopitar has retired.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk seems the most likely to be dealt. Boeser could draw some interest, but his contract (with a full no-movement clause) could be a stumbling block. Speaking of contracts, Pettersson’s $11.6 million AAV through 2031-32 makes him almost immovable unless the Canucks retain salary or take back a couple of contracts in return.

UPDATES ON BOBROVSKY AND TUCH

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos reports the Florida Panthers and pending UFA goalie Sergei Bobrovsky remain far apart in contract talks. It’s believed the 37-year-old Bobrovsky seeks a $42 million contract over a six or seven-year period.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Any general manager who signs Bobrovsky to that type of deal should be fired immediately. It doesn’t matter how much the salary cap rises; paying a goalie who turns 38 in September a long-term deal worth between $6 million and $7 million annually is ridiculous.

Kypreos wondered if the Seattle Kraken would pursue Alex Tuch if the Buffalo Sabres winger goes to market on July 1. Kraken GM Jason Botterill is facing a lot of pressure to shake up their roster and add more scoring. Kypreos believes they can afford to sign the 30-year-old Tuch to a long-term deal worth over $10 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s a lot to hand out to a 30-year-old power forward whose best seasons could soon be in his past.

LATEST ON MASON MCTAVISH AND SIMON NEMEC

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes tweeted Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish is drawing plenty of attention in the trade market. The Ducks would be seeking a “hockey trade”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, the Ducks prefer a player-for-player swap. They could be open to a larger deal where draft picks and/or prospects are involved, but they’ll also want to get an established player (likely a good young forward) in return.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec continues to be a player of interest in the trade market.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 9, 2025

by | Dec 9, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 9, 2025

Recaps of Monday’s action, the three stars of the week are revealed, injury updates, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING MONDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson kicked out 39 shots to shut out the Vancouver Canucks 4-0. James van Riemsdyk scored to extend his goal streak to four games as the Red Wings vaulted into first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 16-11-3 (35 points). The Canucks dropped to 11-16-3, losing five of their last six games.

Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks winger Nils Hoglander made his season debut after missing 29 games with a lower-body injury.

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby made 29 saves for his first NHL shutout in a 2-0 blanking of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Morgan Rielly and Auston Matthews were the goal scorers as the Maple Leafs (14-11-4) have won four of their last five contests. Jonas Johansson stopped 22 of 23 shots for the 16-11-2 Lightning, who’ve dropped four straight games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning forward Gage Goncalves was ejected early in the third period for kneeing Maple Leafs defenseman Dakota Mermis. Shortly afterward, Leafs winger Bobby McMann received a match penalty for slashing Lightning forward Oliver Bjorkstrand.

Lightning forwards Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point returned to action after being sidelined by injuries. Earlier in the day, the Lightning moved starting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy to injured reserve.

Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson was a healthy scratch for this contest. Head coach Craig Berube said his play had dropped off recently.

The Minnesota Wild defeated the Seattle Kraken 4-1. Joel Eriksson Ek had a goal and two assists, and Filip Gustavsson turned aside 23 shots for the Wild, who improved to 16-9-5. Jordan Eberle replied for the struggling Kraken (11-10-6) as their losing skid reached six games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Kraken announced that rookie forward Berkly Catton is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. He’s unlikely to be joining Canada for the 2026 World Junior Championship.

Los Angeles Kings winger Joel Armia tallied twice in a 4-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth. Adrian Kempe had a goal and an assist for the 14-8-7 Kings. Clayton Keller had a goal and an assist for the Mammoth (14-14-3), who’ve dropped six of their last eight contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the struggling Mammoth announced that first-line center Logan Cooley is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.

The Calgary Flames defeated the Buffalo Sabres 7-4. Nazem Kadri had a goal and two assists, and Yegor Sharangovich tallied twice and picked up an assist for the improving Flames (12-15-4), who’ve won three straight and are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and an assist for the 11-14-4 Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After struggling through the opening weeks of this season, the Flames have been red-hot of late (pun intended), sitting only three points out of a wild-card berth in the Western Conference.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin, Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, and Florida Panthers winger Carter Verhaeghe are the league’s three stars for the week ending Dec. 7, 2025.

THE SCORE/SPORTSNET: The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) downplayed concerns over the smaller ice surfaces at the two arenas in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Both rinks will be 60 meters long by 26 meters wide, or approximately 196.85 feet by 85.3 feet. The standard NHL rink is 200 feet by 85 feet (60.96 by 25.908 meters).

The IIHF stated the dimensions of the two rinks are fully consistent with its regulations and the NHL’s requirements for its Global Series rink specifications, adding that the differences are “insignificant.”

Meanwhile, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly is optimistic that the main rink will be completed on time and to league standards. His main concern is with the quality of the ice surface.

Daly said that if the players felt the ice was unsafe, they wouldn’t play. Nevertheless, he doesn’t see anything insurmountable that would prevent the main rink from being completed in time for the Games.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks have sent forward Landon Slaggert and rookie defenseman Sam Rinzel to their AHL affiliate in Rockford.

NHL.COM: Center Craig Smith announced his retirement after 14 NHL seasons with the Nashville Predators, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Capitals, and Detroit Red Wings.

In 987 regular-season games from 2011-12 to 2024-25, Smith tallied 220 goals and 232 assists for 452 points. He also had 23 points in 83 playoff games.

OTTAWA CITIZEN: The Senators have hired a firm to lobby the provincial and federal governments to help pay for the team’s planned new arena at LeBreton Flats in Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sports teams make enough money to pay for their own arenas, but most have convinced provincial and state governments to pick up a larger chunk of the tab. The Senators’ efforts will likely sway the Ontario government to pay part of the cost.

THE ATHLETIC: surveyed 120 NHL players, in which over 86 percent believe playing in a no-tax state matters. Many cited how teams in Florida convinced many of their best players to sign team-friendly contracts.

Some also suggested that teams in higher-tax states should have a higher salary cap, and those in lower or no-tax states should have a lower cap to balance things out. Some believe it is advantageous to sign in no-tax states because their dollars will go further.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Playing in a warm-weather state with no state tax on a good team is an obvious enticement for players. However, the state has to make money somehow, which means high property taxes, sales taxes, cost-of-living expenses, and fees that can offset some or most of those financial benefits.

Some pundits and fans believe that teams in no-tax states have an advantage over others when it comes to building and maintaining a Stanley Cup contender or champion, citing the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. However, it hasn’t worked so well for the Seattle Kraken and Nashville Predators.

Speaking of the Panthers, their no-tax advantage didn’t help them from 1997-98 to 2018-19, when they only made the playoffs three times and struggled to retain their best players. It wasn’t until they finally brought in good management and coaches that they turned themselves around.

That’s when being in a no-tax state made it possible for the Panthers to retain most of their key players. It’s easier to convince them to take team-friendly contracts when you’re a winner or a contender.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 1, 2025

by | Oct 1, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 1, 2025

The latest on Jason Robertson’s contract extension talks with the Stars, the Wild’s Mats Zuccarello and the Canucks’ Nils Hoglander will miss time due to injuries, Max Pacioretty officially retires, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Dallas Stars and winger Jason Robertson have decided to take a “wait-and-see” approach in contract extension talks as a new season opens.

Robertson, 26, is in the final season of a four-year contract with an average annual value of $7.75 million. He’s eligible to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July, and can become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 if his next contract is awarded via arbitration.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

The plan is for Robertson to play the entire season with the Stars, and then the two sides will revisit their contract discussions after that.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson surfaced as a trade candidate after the Stars were eliminated from the 2025 Western Conference Final. Some teams reportedly inquired about his availability, but general manager Jim Nill said he never intended to move him.

THE MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE: Wild winger Mats Zuccarello will miss at least the next seven to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on a lower-body injury that sidelined him throughout training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Head coach John Hynes told reporters that Zuccarello’s ailment was a back injury. The 38-year-old winger usually skated on the Wild’s top line, so his absence will be felt during the opening weeks of the regular season.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander will be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks following ankle surgery.

NHL.COM: Max Pacioretty has officially retired after 17 NHL seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has joined the University of Michigan as a special assistant to the head coach.

Pacioretty, 37, had six 30-plus goal seasons and finished with 335 goals and 346 assists for 681 points in 939 regular-season games, and 28 goals and 58 points in 89 playoff contests. In 2011-12, he was the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pacioretty spent 10 of his 17 seasons with the Canadiens and was their team captain from 2015-16 to 2017-18. Traded to the Golden Knights in Sept. 2018, the Canadiens received a future captain in Nick Suzuki as part of the return.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Jets forwards Jonathan Toews and Vladislav Namestnikov left Tuesday’s preseason 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild with undisclosed injuries. Head coach Scott Arniel said Toews “tweaked something” and will be reevaluated when the club returns to Winnipeg. There was no postgame update about Namestnikov’s status.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck played in this game after leaving practice with an undisclosed ailment on Monday. Arniel said he will play in the final game of the preseason on Friday against the Calgary Flames.

DAILY FACEOFF: Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn is listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators combined for 152 penalty minutes as the Canadiens blanked the Senators 5-0 during their preseason game in Quebec City on Tuesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That was a rough game, prompting speculation that both teams could sit their best players during their next preseason game on Saturday.

Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov left the game in the third period after being slashed on his right wrist by Senators forward Nick Cousins, but Habs head coach Martin St. Louis doesn’t think Demidov was seriously hurt.

Twenty-two players were placed on waivers on Tuesday. Carolina Hurricanes forward Tyson Jost and Calgary Flames forward Dryden Hunt were among the players hitting the waiver wire.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 27, 2025

by | Sep 27, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 27, 2025

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov is sidelined for the season, Marc-Andre Fleury returns to the Penguins for a special weekend, an update on Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov underwent surgery to repair injuries to ligaments in his right knee suffered during practice on Thursday. He is expected to be sidelined for seven to nine months.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov (NHL Images).

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said Barkov’s absence leaves a big hole in their roster. “He is such an important piece in that locker room,” Maurice said. “What we’ll get to know now is some of the other leaders in the room.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers were already dealing with winger Matthew Tkachuk recovering from offseason surgeries, but they knew that he would return by January. Barkov’s absence is a much bigger blow to their hopes for a Stanley Cup “three-peat.”

Barkov is one of the key reasons why the Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Final three straight times, winning the Cup twice in a row since 2024. They will miss his leadership and elite two-way play.

Depending on Barkov’s recovery, it’s unlikely that he will return later in the regular season. The earliest he could be back is for the first round of the 2025 playoffs, and even that’s not a certainty.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Marc-Andre Fleury joined the Penguins’ practice on Friday as part of a special weekend for the 40-year-old goaltender.

Fleury began his NHL career with the Penguins, spending 13 of his 21 seasons in Pittsburgh. He retired at the end of last season, but signed a tryout contract to practice with the Penguins on Friday and play one period of Saturday’s preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

It was a special reunion for Fleury with his former teammates Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Bryan Rust. It felt like old times as he good-naturedly chirped his teammates and played some pranks on them, including putting decals of his jersey number (29) on their vehicles.

Fleury also clarified that he wants it to be known that he’s retiring as a member of the Minnesota Wild, with whom he spent his last four NHL seasons. He’s grateful to finish in Pittsburgh, where everything started for the future Hall of Famer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The usually buttoned-down Crosby couldn’t hide his joy over having his old teammate back for a final practice. Wearing his throwback yellow pads, Fleury made several saves that drew cheers from the fans in attendance, including a windmill save on a Crosby one-timer.

Speaking of the Penguins, goalie Joel Blomqvist will be sidelined for four weeks with a lower-body injury.

TSN: Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said starting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to be ready for their season opener on Oct. 9. Vasilevskiy has been absent since Sept. 19 with an undisclosed injury.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers winger Artemi Panarin returned to practice with his teammates on Friday. He’d spent the past week nursing a lower-body injury.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Sabres winger Alex Tuch will be in the lineup when they face the Detroit Red Wings in preseason play on Saturday. He missed their first three preseason contests with an undisclosed injury.

Sabres starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) could return to play their final two preseason games.

TORONTO STAR: The Maple Leafs signed James Reimer to a professional tryout offer. The 37-year-old goaltender began his NHL career with the Leafs in 2010-11, becoming a fan favorite during his six seasons with the franchise.

The Leafs have brought back Reimer as insurance with Joseph Woll on a leave of absence for personal reasons and Dennis Hildeby an unproven rookie.

TSN: Speaking of the Maple Leafs, defenseman Marshall Rifai requires wrist surgery after suffering an injury during Thursday’s preseason win over the Montreal Canadiens.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander is listed as week-to-week with a sprained ankle.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Canadiens defenseman David Reinbacher suffered a broken bone in his hand and will be sidelined for four weeks.

DAILY FACEOFF: Goaltender Ivan Fedotov, forward Liam Foudy, and defenseman Kevin Connauton are the notable players placed on waivers on Friday.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 25, 2025

by | Sep 25, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 25, 2025

The latest on Islanders captain Anders Lee, Stars captain Jamie Benn, Senators winger Drake Batherson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders captain Anders Lee will be sidelined for one to two weeks with an upper-body injury. The timeline is precautionary, and there’s little concern that he’ll miss their season opener on Oct. 9.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Islanders, goaltender Semyon Varlamov is not close to rejoining his teammates. His last game was in November 2024, and he underwent knee surgery in December. He’s been skating individually during training camp.

New York Islanders captain Anders Lee (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders signed goalie David Rittich this summer to a one-year contract as insurance in case Varlamov remained out of the lineup.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars captain Jamie Benn is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. He was held out of practice on Wednesday as a precautionary measure, but there’s no indication that the injury is serious.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators winger Drake Batherson has been ruled out for two weeks after pulling an upper-body muscle. He could miss their season-opening game on Oct. 9.

TSN: Milan Lucic is day-to-day with a suspected groin injury. He’s attending the St. Louis Blues training camp on a professional tryout offer. Head coach Jim Montgomery suggested the 37-year-old winger could get into a couple of preseason games next week if he returns to the lineup by then.

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators defenseman Nicolas Hague will miss the next four to six weeks with an upper-body injury. He left the second game of a doubleheader against the Florida Panthers on Sept. 21 and didn’t return. The Predators acquired the 26-year-old Hague in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights and signed him to a four-year contract on July 1.

SPORTSNET: Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander left Wednesday’s game with the Calgary Flames after suffering a lower-body injury. He was wearing a walking boot after the game and will be evaluated on Thursday.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins goalie Joel Blomqvist is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

DAILY FACEOFF: Edmonton Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin is taking a leave of absence after his father, Alexander, died suddenly on Tuesday. Earlier this week, Podkolzin signed a three-year contract extension with the Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Podkolzin on the passing of his father.