NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 19, 2025

by | Aug 19, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 19, 2025

How the acquisition of JJ Peterka will affect the Mammoth’s offense, a new potential buyer emerges for the Penguins, former NHL coach Gerard Gallant heads to the KHL, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: Belle Fraser considers the Utah Mammoth’s acquisition of winger JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres to be their best roster addition of this offseason. She pointed out that the Mammoth lost 13 overtime games last season because of an offense that ranked 21st overall.

Utah Mammoth winger JJ Peterka (NHL Images).

Peterka had 68 points last season, including 27 goals. At 23, his ceiling could be much higher, and if he gels with Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, and Dylan Guenther, it could really change things for the Mammoth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Mammoth made significant improvement during their first season in their new home, finishing with 89 points. They missed the playoffs by seven points, which is why management sought to improve their scoring punch with the addition of Peterka, who should fit in well with their promising young forwards like Cooley and Guenther.

Fraser also indicated that there is nothing new to report on a contract extension for Cooley. However, she isn’t concerned, given the steep rise in the salary cap this season, suggesting that players are likely pushing for more money.

Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston could be a potential comparable for Cooley. In March, the 22-year-old center signed a five-year, $42 million contract extension with an average annual value of $8.4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With $6.6 million in cap space for this season, the Mammoth’s ownership has shown a willingness to spend near the ceiling. They have a projected $38.6 million available for 2026-27. That’s more than enough to re-sign a rising young star like Cooley and still have enough to re-sign or replace UFA-eligible forward Nick Schmaltz and RFA-eligible forward Barrett Hayton, and to add more talent to their roster.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: cites Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting that another buyer has emerged for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Hoffman Family of Companies, which owns the ECHL’s Florida Everblades, is the new suitor.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Former Penguins owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle are currently attempting to repurchase the franchise. However, recent reports suggest their offer is well below what Fenway Sports Group is presently seeking for the franchise.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former NHL coach Gerard Gallant was recently named the new bench boss of the KHL’s Shanghai Dragons. However, he’s frustrated about being snubbed for NHL coaching jobs.

“I’ve been out for two seasons and nothing has happened yet. Am I a little pissed off? Yes, but that’s the way it goes, you wait for your turn and your opportunities,” Gallant said.

Gallant indicated that his contract has an out clause after the first year. For now, he’s focused on heading to St. Petersburg and helping his new club reach the playoffs.

RG.ORG: Alexander Nikishin is looking forward to his first NHL regular season after debuting with the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2025 playoffs. He said that his main goal will be to contribute effectively without being the weak link on the roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nikishin is the Hurricanes’ top prospect and has considerable upside as a top-four defenseman. He’s likely to fill the left-side second-pairing role this season.

TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed former New York Islanders winger Hudson Fasching to a one-year, two-way contract.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 26, 2025

by | Jul 26, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 26, 2025

The latest on Flames center Nazem Kadri and defenseman Rasmus Andersson, plus some recent speculation about the Red Wings’ defense corps in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon noted Nazem Kadri’s impressive offensive totals with the retooling Calgary Flames. The 35-year-old is a valuable commodity to the Flames, and to a club trying to find a second-line center in an offseason where the trade and free-agent markets are bereft of such players.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Dixon acknowledged the Flames aren’t in any hurry to trade Kadri. He has four years left on his contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $7 million and a full no-movement clause for this season. Nevertheless, he’s been a stubborn fixture in the rumor mill.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri keeps appearing on trade boards because of the lack of skilled centers in the current trade and free-agent markets. That’s why some pundits continue to suggest that he’s a trade target.

The Flames could move Kadri if they receive a great offer and he’s willing to agree to the trade. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if he’s still in the Flames’ lineup when they open the regular season in October.

If Kadri is moved, Dixon listed the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, and Toronto Maple Leafs as potential destinations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche and Maple Leafs are Kadri’s former teams, and they would probably love to bring him back.

However, both clubs lack the cap space to take on his contract. They would still have to shed salary even if the Flames retained half of his AAV, which is unlikely because they aren’t under pressure to move him. The Avs and Leafs also have limited trade assets to tempt the Flames compared to the other three clubs.

Kadri’s age and contract length seem an unlikely fit with the Canadiens. They have been building their roster around young talent, and could be unwilling to part with tradeable assets for a 35-year-old center with an expensive contract.

Devils defenseman (and former Flame) Dougie Hamilton has surfaced in the rumor mill. However, a Kadri-for-Hamilton swap is doubtful as the Flames might not be on his 10-team list of preferred destinations.

The Hurricanes are in “win-now” mode with a creative general manager willing to make big moves. Kadri might be a fit there, provided he’s willing to go to Carolina.

CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin reports it seems increasingly likely Rasmus Andersson will start this season with the Flames. The 28-year-old defenseman is in the final season of his contract, becoming eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

Austin considers it “almost inevitable” that Andersson will be moved at some point this season. However, with no move taking place around the draft last month, a trade doesn’t seem imminent.

Flames GM Craig Conroy has no problem with Andersson being in the lineup when this season begins. He has stated that he has no concerns about the blueliner’s attitude. His future isn’t expected to be much of a distraction for the Flames this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson is far more likely to be traded by the Flames than Kadri. Conroy hasn’t received any suitable offers for him and is willing to wait until he does. Having him on the roster could also help them remain in the hunt for a playoff berth this season.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff recently reported the Red Wings might not be done adding to their blueline this season.

Duff noted that there are some “under-the-radar defensemen” who could be had in this summer’s trade market.

Jamie Oleksiak of the Seattle Kraken and Ryan McDonagh of the Tampa Bay Lightning are two possibilities. The Lightning traded McDonagh before and could do so again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oleksiak and McDonagh are UFA-eligible next summer. The Kraken are under new management, which also explains why Oleksiak has surfaced in the rumor mill. The Lightning could attempt to move McDonagh to free up cap space for other additions, but they could be content to stick with their current roster for now.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 25, 2025

by | Jul 25, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 25, 2025

The latest on Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell, and potential trade targets for the Penguins in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Sonny Sachdeva recently listed five potential trade destinations for Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson.

The Penguins carry $10 million of the 35-year-old Karlsson’s $11.5 million cap hit. Sachdeva noted that Karlsson was paid his $5 million signing bonus on July 1, meaning he’s owed $11.5 million in actual salary over the remaining two years of his contract.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images)

Karlsson has a full no-movement clause, but he could be open to waiving it to join a contender. The Penguins also have a logjam of right-shot defensemen after acquiring Matt Dumba from the Dallas Stars earlier this month.

The Vegas Golden Knights topped Sachdeva’s list, followed by the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ottawa Senators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All five teams have been previously mentioned as trade destinations for Karlsson if he agrees to waive his NMC. Whether any of them are interested remains to be seen.

Any deal involving Karlsson could mean the Penguins retain part of his annual salary-cap hit to facilitate a trade. Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas could be keen to get as much of Karlsson’s cap hit off his books, but he won’t just give him away. He’ll want a return that also helps with the rebuilding of his roster.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe believes trading a forward like Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell will sting for the Penguins, but it’s the right move for this rebuilding club to make.

Yohe commends Dubas for not rushing into trading either player, especially when the offers weren’t that great. However, he thinks both forwards could command a first-round pick or a top prospect. Moving them would also clear considerable cap space for the next three seasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A lot of clubs remain flush with cap space this summer. Some of them could use experienced top-six wingers like Rust and Rakell.

Nevertheless, they might still be with the Penguins when their season opens in October. Interested parties could also remain patient, assessing their early-season roster needs before pulling the trigger.

They could also prefer waiting to see how well the 33-year-old Rust and 32-year-old Rakell perform this season. Any decline in their play could scare off potential suitors, especially considering they’re each averaging at least $5 million annually through 2027-28.

Speaking of Rust, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal recently reported on some speculation tying him to the Oilers. However, they lack the cap space to take on his contract even if the Penguins retained half of his $5.125 million AAV.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski recently looked at a couple of trade targets for the Penguins.

The first is winger Yegor Chinakhov, who has requested a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kingerski suggested the 24-year-old could be a reclamation project akin to their acquisition of Philip Tomasino last season from the Nashville Predators.

Kingerski also suggested acquiring the contract of permanently sidelined goaltender Carey Price from the Montreal Canadiens. The Penguins have the cap space to take on his full $10.5 million cap hit, while only paying $2.5 million actual salary once his $5 million bonus is paid on September 1.

The Canadiens would like to move Price off their books, enabling them to accrue cap space this season. Kingerski suggests the Habs might be willing to include a second-round pick in the deal, if not more.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This season is the final one for Price’s contract.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 25, 2025

by | Jul 25, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 25, 2025

Five members of Canada’s WJC team found not guilty in sexual assault trial, the Florida Panthers could be on the verge of a dynasty, and more in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team were found not guilty of sexual assault in a London, Ontario courtroom on Thursday.

Former NHL players Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton were each acquitted of a sexual assault charge. McLeod was also found not guilty of a second charge of being a party to an offense.

In her ruling, Justice Maria Carroccia said she didn’t find the evidence of the complainant to be credible or reliable. She also stated that the Crown didn’t meet its burden to prove the five men’s guilt on any of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

SPORTSNET: The NHL released a statement indicating the five players remained ineligible to play in the league while it reviews the judge’s findings. The league stated that the allegations in the case were “very disturbing”, even if not deemed criminal. The league also described the players’ actions as “unacceptable.”

The NHL Players Association responded that the five players should “have the opportunity to return to work,” claiming the NHL’s decision doesn’t align with the terms of their collective bargaining agreement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A court of law found the players not guilty, but the court of public opinion could impede their return to the NHL. The league is handling this issue very carefully. Even if the players are allowed to return, teams could be reluctant to sign them.

Critics of the NHLPA’s position must realize that they’re doing their job by looking out for their members’ employment rights as per the CBA.

Since the allegations of sexual assault were revealed in 2022, Hockey Canada came under intense criticism for its handling of the situation, including a civil settlement paid in part from players’ registration fees. It led to changes within the organization’s leadership, a series of reforms regarding player conduct, and a loss of sponsors, though some of the latter have since returned.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Jackson Blake (NHL Images).

Some observers are concerned that the trial’s outcome could stall those changes to address sexual abuse, as well as hazing, racism, discrimination, and homophobia. It will be up to the current leadership of Hockey Canada to determine how far they will continue on their path of reforms.

SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes signed forward Jackson Blake to an eight-year, $45 million contract extension.

The listed average annual value is $5.65 million, but Elliotte Friedman reports the actual AAV is $5.1 million due to deferred money.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The son of former NHL forward Jason Blake, Jackson had a promising debut last season, finishing with 17 goals and 34 points in 80 games, and six points in 15 playoff contests. The 21-year-old is a speedy, hardworking, energetic forward whose play made an obvious positive impression on Hurricanes management.

Blake is the third member of the Hurricanes to have deferred salary in their contracts, joining Jaccob Slavin and Seth Jarvis. This tactic remains allowable under the current CBA but will be banned when the new agreement takes effect next September. It’ll be interesting to see if other players end up with similar contracts before then.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Alan Greenberg believes the Panthers could be on the verge of creating something once considered impossible: creating a Stanley Cup dynasty in the salary-cap era.

The last true Cup dynasty was the New York Islanders of the early 1980s. They were the last team to win three straight championships, going on to capture four straight Cups from 1980 to 1983.

Greenberg thinks the Panthers could pull it off, citing their ability to keep most of their roster core intact. The significant increases in the salary cap for 2025-26 and the following two seasons improve their chances of maintaining a championship roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Betting against the Panthers winning three in a row could be hazardous to your pocketbook. However, two factors could derail their dynasty dreams.

The first is the amount of hockey they’ve played. They’ve been to three straight Stanley Cup Finals since 2023, meaning they’ve had less recovery time than other teams. Many of their core players will also be participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics next February.

It’s impressive that they’ve been able to maintain their current pace, but it could catch up with them next spring.

Age is another factor. The Panthers enter 2025-26 with the fourth-oldest roster (29.49) in the league. Granted, that’s skewed with greybeards like the 37-year-old Brad Marchand and 36-year-old Sergei Bobrovsky in the lineup, but it’s still a reason for concern.

DAILY FACEOFF: Scott Maxwell recently examined the 10 worst moves the Buffalo Sabres have made during their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.

Trading away Ryan O’Reilly to St. Louis in 2018, Sam Reinhart to Florida, and Jack Eichel to Vegas were among those moves. They went on to bigger and better things (including Stanley Cup championships) with their new clubs.

Their first-round draft record was another significant factor. Apart from Eichel, Reinhart, and Rasmus Dahlin, they’ve done poorly between 2011 and 2022, with most of their choices being middle-of-the-road players or fringe NHLers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s the draft record that’s the most surprising. While the Sabres have had some good picks in the later rounds (Linus Ullmark, Brandon Hagel, JJ Peterka), they eventually traded them away.

TORONTO SUN: The Rosedale, Ontario home of former Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan is up for sale. If you have around $14 million, the property can be yours.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Damn, it’s just out of my price range.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 23, 2025

by | Jul 23, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 23, 2025

The latest on Stars winger Jason Robertson, Ducks center Mason McTavish and Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NHL.COM: Dan Rosen reports trade speculation persists about Jason Robertson.

The 26-year-old Dallas Stars winger has a year left on his contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $7.5 million and will become a restricted free agent (RFA) with arbitration rights next July. He also lacks no-trade protection.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

Rosen considers it a 50-50 possibility that Robertson gets traded, indicating it depends on if the two sides can or want to try to get an extension done sooner rather than later. He believes the Stars have enough cap space to make it work. However, they must ensure they have sufficient space to re-sign defenseman Thomas Harley, who is also RFA-eligible next summer with arbitration rights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have $27.9 million in projected cap space for 2026-27 with 15 active roster players under contract. They have enough room to re-sign Robertson and Harley to lucrative long-term deals, but it could cost a combined $18 million, with Robertson getting $10 million annually. That wouldn’t leave much to fill out the remaining depth of their roster.

SPORTSNET: If the Stars decide to trade Robertson, Ryan Dixon has a list of seven potential destinations.

The Los Angeles Kings top that list, partly because they’re Robertson’s hometown team. The Carolina Hurricanes are in “go-for-it mode”, while the Washington Capitals need a scorer for when Alex Ovechkin eventually retires.

Bubble teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings could use a scorer like Robertson. So could the struggling Seattle Kraken. The Utah Mammoth needs a premier young player as they establish themselves in their new market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars aren’t under pressure to move Robertson this summer. They’re cap-compliant after shipping Matt Dumba to the Pittsburgh Penguins. They also hold Robertson’s rights until July 1, 2027, when he’ll be UFA-eligible if he hasn’t signed an extension before then.

Robertson has been the Stars’ top scorer since his full-time NHL debut in 2020-21. Moving him would be a significant move on their part, and they won’t want just draft picks and prospects in return.

Given Robertson’s on-ice value to the Stars, they could hang onto him for this season and see how things pan out. Unless they get a comparable player back in a trade, their chances of winning the Stanley Cup this season are better with him in the lineup.

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma believes the Vancouver Canucks could be among the suitors if the Anaheim Ducks put Mason McTavish on the trade block. The 22-year-old center has the potential to become a prime playoff performer.

McTavish is an RFA without arbitration rights this summer. He’s yet to sign a new contract with the Ducks, which has made him the subject of considerable trade and offer-sheet speculation.

Kuzma believes it would cost the Canucks a roster player, a prime prospect, and a pair of high draft picks to pry McTavish from the Ducks. He cited AFP Analytics projecting the young center receiving a six-year contract with an AAV of $6.67 million. However, Kuzma claimed his camp is pushing for between $7 million and $8 million annually, hence the impasse.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the first report I’ve seen explaining the lack of progress in McTavish’s contract negotiations. Others have merely speculated about his availability and what it might cost to get him.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has a reputation as a tough negotiator, as former Duck Trevor Zegras learned the hard way. He’s also warned rival GMs that he’ll match any offer for McTavish, assuming the latter is open to signing with another team.

This standoff might not be resolved until training camp opens in September. The longer this goes on this summer, the more we’ll hear McTavish mentioned in the rumor mill.

NHL.COM: Dan Rosen believes Evan Rodrigues could become a trade candidate for the Florida Panthers to become cap-compliant when their regular season begins in October.

Rosen anticipates they’ll start the season with winger Matthew Tkachuk on long-term injury reserve (LTIR). However, that’ll only be a short-term fix as they must be under the cap when he returns to action later in the season.

Rodrigues is a versatile forward with an affordable $3 million AAV who the Panthers value, but they could have no choice but to move him once Tkachuk returns. Rosen does not doubt that teams have already inquired about his availability.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tkachuk is expected to undergo surgery in the coming weeks to repair injuries he suffered last season. Those procedures were likely delayed given his recent nuptials.

Rodrigues will probably still be with the Panthers when they begin their regular season. However, his days in Florida could be numbered if he becomes their likely cost-cutting candidate.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2025

by | Jul 22, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2025

The latest on Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson and forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, and an update on Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON ERIK KARLSSON, BRYAN RUST AND RICKARD RAKELL

THE SPORTING NEWS: Sam Bernardi cited Bleacher Report’s Frank Seravalli claimed recently that the Carolina Hurricanes are among the teams that spent some time investigating Erik Karlsson.

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell (NHL Images)

The 35-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value (AAV) of $11.5 million, of which the Penguins carry $10 million. However, in actual salary, he’ll be paid $11.5 million over the remainder of his deal.

Seravalli also suggested the Penguins might have to retain salary to entice clubs to pursue Karlsson. Bernardi believes the Hurricanes would have to move Sean Walker or Jalen Chatfield to make room for Karlsson on the right side of their blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson could be moved this summer if he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause, and if the Penguins agree to eat a chunk of his AAV in the deal.

Karlsson is more likely to be moved near the March trade deadline, depending on his performance this season and how much salary the Penguins are willing to retain.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski calculated the trade values of Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. He indicated that the Penguins have set a “sky-high” asking price for both forwards.

Kingerski doesn’t expect Rust or Rakell would fetch anything comparable to what the Buffalo Sabres received for JJ Peterka or what the New York Islanders got for Brock Nelson.

Rakell might be worth a good B+ level prospect or player, a draft pick in the range 25th to 48th overall, and a depth NHL player. The “sky-high” asking price for Rust might be a guaranteed first-rounder and a promising young player who might become a first-line forward within a couple of seasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As with all speculation over the trade value of a player, Rust and Rakell could bring in returns that are better or worse than predicted. Much depends on their performances this season and the level of desperation of the clubs interested in acquiring them.

AN UPDATE ON THE DOUGIE HAMILTON TRADE SPECULATION.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: If the Devils intend to trade Dougie Hamilton this summer, James Nichols believes it could hinge on what happens with several other defensemen in the rumor mill.

Hamilton, 32, has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $9 million and a 10-team trade list. He could become a salary-dump trade candidate if the cost of re-signing restricted free agent (RFA) blueliner Luke Hughes exceeds $7 million annually. The Devils currently have around $6.9 million in cap space for 2025-26.

One is Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames. The 28-year-old blueliner is eligible for unrestricted free agent (UFA) status next July. It’s believed he’d like a change of scenery and he carries an affordable $4.5 million cap hit this season.

The other, of course, is Erik Karlsson of the Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson would be the more desirable of the two in the trade market given his age, all-around skill and cap hit. The Flames are believed to be willing to entertain offers but they aren’t shopping him. General manager Craig Conroy said he’s fine with Andersson being in the lineup this season.

If Andersson and Karlsson are holding up the trade market for defensemen, and if Hughes’ next contract exceeds their current cap space, the Devils might have to consider moving someone other than Hamilton to become cap-compliant.