Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 17, 2025

by | Aug 17, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 17, 2025

Catching up on the recent speculation regarding Jets center Kyle Connor and Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, plus the latest Bruins conjecture in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

BLEACHER REPORT: Frank Servalli recently speculated over where Kyle Connor might go if he doesn’t re-sign with the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old winger is in the final season of his contract and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor (NHL Images).

Seravalli wondered if the Detroit Red Wings might be a fit for Connor. He thinks it would make a lot of sense for the Wings, as they could use the additional scoring punch that the Michigan native would provide.

However, Seravalli doesn’t discount the Jets re-signing Connor. Despite their early playoff exit last spring, they’ve got a good thing going, and he’d be part of the solution to their championship puzzle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets were unable to re-sign Nikolaj Ehlers, who headed to the Carolina Hurricanes as a UFA last month. However, they confounded the experts by re-signing goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele two years ago, so we can’t discount Connor signing an extension before next July.

EXPRESSEN: On August 8, Rasmus Andersson denied reports claiming he told the Calgary Flames he would only accept a trade to the Vegas Golden Knights.

A report from TSN’s Darren Dreger earlier this summer claimed the Flames received a significant offer from the Los Angeles Kings for Andersson. The 28-year-old defenseman said he knew what the proposal was, but wouldn’t say if it was from the Kings or another team. He rejected the trade because he didn’t want to move his family during his contract year.

Andersson also said that contract talks with the Flames have paused, adding they haven’t spoken in a month and a half.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The team in question was likely on Andersson’s six-team no-trade list. No word as to which clubs are on that list.

Reports out of Calgary earlier this summer indicated contract talks had stalled, sparking speculation that Andersson could be traded. However, Flames general manager Craig Conroy recently indicated that he had no problem with the blueliner being on the roster when the regular season opens in October.

It’s expected that Andersson will start the season with the Flames and could be shopped by the March trade deadline.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo have been fixtures in the rumor mill since the 2025 NHL Draft in late June. However, an NHL executive told Murphy that he heard Casey Mittelstadt could be on the move again.

Mittelstadt, 26, was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche along with prospect winger William Zellers before the 2025 March trade deadline. However, the common feeling among observers is that Zellers was the real target for the Bruins, who were restocking their prospect pool, leaving some to wonder if they intend to flip Mittelstadt to another club at some point.

Meanwhile, Korpisalo’s agent last month denied rumors claiming his client wanted a trade. Zacha’s agent dismissed the chatter about his client as “just rumors”.

SEKERES & PRICE: Matt Sekeres noted the trade rumors circulating in Boston about Zacha and Mittelstadt. Cam Robinson believes either player would be an upgrade at center for the Vancouver Canucks, particularly Mittelstadt.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trading Zacha or Mittelstadt makes sense if the Bruins were rebuilding. However, that isn’t the case as management is retooling for a bounce-back season. We’ll see what unfolds leading up to the start of the regular season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 31, 2025

by | Jul 31, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 31, 2025

Oilers GM Stan Bowman begins contract discussions with Connor McDavid’s camp, possible adjustments for the Maple Leafs and Rangers for 2025-26, the Jets avoid arbitration with Dylan Samberg, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said he’s “very encouraged” by the early discussions he’s had with Connor McDavid’s agent about a contract extension.

The 28-year-old Oilers captain is in the final season of his contract and can become an unrestricted free agent next July. Bowman indicated that they haven’t had detailed talks yet, but expects to have further conversations soon.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid is in the prime of his NHL career. If he and the Oilers fail to agree to a new contract, he would become the biggest name in next summer’s UFA market. However, most observers believe McDavid will sign an extension with the Oilers, making him the league’s highest-paid player starting in 2026-27.

TSN: Travis Yost recently examined the potential effect of Mitch Marner’s departure on the Toronto Maple Leafs, especially team captain Auston Matthews.

Yost believes the Maple Leafs remain a very good team despite Marner’s absence. Matthews is a superstar who should continue to produce with just about anyone as his linemates.

Matthews will have power forward Matthew Knies at left wing. Finding a suitable fit on right wing could be challenging, but Max Domi and recently acquired Matias Maccelli should get significant opportunities.

The Leafs should continue doing well at even strength. However, their power play suffered a downturn midway through last season and into the playoffs. If it persists, it could become a problem.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner’s departure will put the Maple Leafs under a brighter spotlight this season. They could attempt to address any offensive concerns via the trade market, but they have few expendable assets to use as bait.

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears looked at the issues the Rangers must address before the start of the regular season.

How well players like Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, and Alexis Lafreniere rebound from their disappointing performances last season is among the crucial factors. Their depth at center could be another, especially if Zibanejad remains on the wing. Fox’s season will depend on how quickly he and recent addition Vladislav Gavrikov can establish chemistry on the top defense pairing.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like the Leafs, the Rangers will be among the more closely scrutinized teams this season. General manager Chris Drury has been retooling his roster since December, and he could end up on the hot seat if his efforts fail to pan out.

THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: The Jets avoided salary arbitration with Dylan Samberg, as the two sides agreed to a three-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $5.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s a big raise from the $1.4 million AAV of Samberg’s previous contract. It’s also much closer to the $6 million cap hit he was seeking when he filed for arbitration, and well above the $2.5 million the Jets originally sought.

The Jets, however, had little choice. Samberg emerged last season as a solid top-four defenseman. Had this gone to arbitration, he would’ve become eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July. They want to keep this roster intact as much as possible as they pursue the Stanley Cup.

This agreement leaves Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson as the only restricted free agent still scheduled for arbitration. His hearing will take place on August 3 unless he and the Leafs agree to a contract before that date.

CALGARY SUN: The Calgary Flames signed forward Martin Pospisil to a three-year contract extension beginning in 2026-27. PuckPedia indicates the 26-year-old will earn an AAV of $2.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pospisil is currently in the final season of a two-year deal with an AAV of $1 million. A versatile physical forward who can play center or left wing, his hard-hitting style has made him a fan favorite in Calgary.

RG.ORG: Jimmy Vesey is considering offers from KHL teams. SKA St. Petersburg is viewed as the front-runner for the 32-year-old forward’s services.

Vesey’s future in the NHL is uncertain after the Colorado Avalanche declined to re-sign him. He’s spent nine seasons with the New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, and the Avalanche.

THE ATHLETIC: Carter Yakemchuk is hoping to crack the Ottawa Senators’ roster this season. The Senators need depth among their right-side defensemen, something the 19-year-old Yakemchuk hopes to address. A skilled puck-mover, he’s been working on improving his defensive game since last season.

KARPAT.FI: Former NHL defenseman Markus Nutivaara is staging a comeback with Finnish team Karpat, signing a one-year contract with his hometown club. The 31-year-old retired two years ago due to hip surgeries. His last game was with the Florida Panthers in 2021-22.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 30, 2025

by | Jul 30, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 30, 2025

The effect of Kyle Connor’s next contract on the Jets, the latest on Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy, the wild cards on the Canadiens’ roster, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau observed that the Winnipeg Jets have had little difficulty getting core players like Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, and Josh Morrissey to accept less money to stay in Winnipeg. However, Kyle Connor could become an exception.

Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor (NHL Images).

Connor is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. The 28-year-old winger currently earns an average annual value (AAV) of $7.14 million. Over five of the NHL’s last five full seasons, he’s never had less than 31 goals. Last season, he netted 41 goals and set career highs with 56 assists and 97 points.

If Connor is willing to accept between $9 million and $9.5 million on his next contract, it would be a significant win for the Jets. However, there’s no guarantee he will accept such a deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Connor has been a bargain for the Jets on his current contract. He’ll be seeking a substantial raise that will exceed $10 million, especially if he has another 40-goal campaign.

The salary cap will rise to $104 million for 2025-26, the first season of Connor’s next contract. Winnipeg has a projected $47.8 million in cap space, though that could shrink by around $5 million if they manage to re-sign Dylan Samberg to a contract. Nevertheless, they’ll have enough to re-sign Connor to a substantial raise if they want to.

Winnipeg lost Nikolaj Ehlers to free agency this summer. They’ll do what they can to avoid the same fate with Connor, but that depends on his asking price.

BOSTON HERALD: Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy is eager to return to action after his 2024-25 campaign was cut short by a shoulder injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.

McAvoy said he’s focused his offseason training on getting healthy and regaining his form. He indicated that he has accomplished a lot with his off-ice training and is starting to ramp things up on the ice.

The 27-year-old defenseman anticipates he’ll be ready for training camp in September. It’s expected he’ll be taking on a larger leadership role with the Bruins, along with teammate David Pastrnak.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins hope for a bounce-back performance in 2025-26 after an injury-ravaged season knocked them out of playoff contention last season. A healthy McAvoy will be crucial to their postseason hopes.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Brendan Kelly believes questions surround Canadiens forwards Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, and Patrik Laine for 2025-26.

The oft-injured Dach is trying to get his career back on track as he’ll again try to nail down the second-line center position. Newhook must bring more than speed to his game to improve the dynamic of the Canadiens’ forward group. As for Laine, Kelly believes the Habs will be almost guaranteed to become a playoff contender if the big Finnish winger can regain his high-scoring ways.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ core of young talent should be a contender if they continue improving and stay healthy. Nevertheless, getting better performances from Dach, Newhook ,and Laine will also be crucial to nailing down another postseason berth.

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma believes promising Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki would benefit from another season with their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

The 21-year-old right winger had 29 points in 36 AHL regular-season games and seven points in 16 Calder Cup playoff games. At times, however, the 5’11”, 172-pounder struggled and looked tired down the stretch as he adjusted to the North American pace.

Kuzma pointed out the Canucks are currently well-stocked on the right wing this season with Brock Boeser, Conor Garland, and Kiefer Sherwood. He believes it wouldn’t do Lekkerimaki any good to be skating on their fourth line.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lekkerimaki could force the issue if he has a strong training camp. Still, it wouldn’t hurt him to spend another season in Abbotsford. He’s waiver-exempt so there’s no fear of losing him to waivers this season.

CALGARY SUN: Flames prospect Zayne Parekh will skip the rest of Team Canada’s mid-summer camp for precautionary reasons related to a lower-body injury.

The 19-year-old defenseman has returned to Calgary to follow up with the Flames’ medical staff. He’s expected to be a full participant at their training camp in September.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Former Sabres head coach Ted Nolan is being recognized for his work in hockey and with Canada’s Indigenous communities. On Oct. 29, Nolan will receive Canada’s Order of Sport Award, marking his induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Nolan coached the Sabres from 1995 to 1997, winning the Jack Adams Award in 1996-97 as NHL Coach of the Year. He coached them again from 2013 to 2015.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 29, 2025

by | Jul 29, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 29, 2025

The latest on Mario Lemieux’s attempt to repurchase the Penguins, an update on Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg’s arbitration filing, the Canadiens avoid arbitration with Jayden Struble, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe provides more details behind the attempt to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins by a group led by Mario Lemieux.

Lemieux was co-owner of the franchise with partners Ron Burkle and David Morehouse from 1999 until 2021, when they sold the majority stake to Fenway Sports Group (FSG) for $900 million.

Former Pittsburgh Penguins captain and co-owner Mario Lemieux (NHL.com).

The Lemieux group has not yet made an offer or discussed one with FSG. Yohe anticipates those talks could be coming soon.

FSG is reportedly only seeking a minority investor to join in its ownership of the Penguins. However, the Lemieux group prefers a majority stake in the team.

According to Yohe, expansion is one reason behind the Lemieux group’s interest in buying back the Penguins. The NHL is expected to add two new teams within the next couple of years, with Houston and Atlanta mentioned as potential destinations. Each team could pay as much as $2 billion in expansion fees, which would be evenly split among the existing 32 franchises.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yohe anticipates FSG’s asking price for the Penguins will be much higher than the $900 million they paid for the franchise.

Sportico had the Penguins’ value at $1.47 billion last October. Statistica has its current value at $1.75 billion.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported Dylan Samberg and the Jets have filed their arbitration numbers for the 2025-26 season.

The Samberg camp set their number at $6 million, while the Jets settled at $2.5 million. His arbitration hearing is set for Wednesday, July 30.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s a significant gap between the two sides. Nevertheless, they could reach an agreement before Wednesday’s hearing.

Samberg completed a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $1.4 million. If this goes before an arbitrator, he will receive a one-year contract, making him eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens avoided arbitration with defenseman Jayden Struble as the two sides agreed to a two-year, one-way contract worth an AAV of $1.412 million. Struble, 23, was slated to have an arbitration hearing on August 3.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Samberg and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson are the only players with scheduled arbitration hearings. Robertson’s is slated for August 2.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Aaron Ekblad remains pleased that he and the Panthers were able to get a contract extension done. The 28-year-old defenseman was eligible to become a UFA on July 1, but the two sides agreed to an eight-year, $48.8 million extension on June 30.

Some insiders reported there was a sense that Ekblad and the Panthers were far apart in contract negotiations, sparking speculation he’d end up on the open market. He admitted the signing was a huge weight off his shoulders that he’d been carrying last season, but he wasn’t close to leaving the Panthers.

“It was always Florida,” Ekblad said. “I don’t think you guys understand; Florida is home.” He added that it meant the world to him to spend his entire NHL career with one team, adding that he has a lot of pride and expectations for his career over the next eight years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ekblad has been the linchpin of the Panthers’ defense corps. His contract could become burdensome to their salary cap over the final years of the deal, as could those of Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, who the Panthers also re-signed.

Nevertheless, the Panthers felt it was worthwhile to keep their Stanley Cup window open, especially with the salary cap projected to rise significantly in the next several years.

RG.ORG: Anaheim Ducks prospect forward Beckett Sennecke had a big season with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals. Chosen third overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, he had 86 points in 56 regular-season games in 2024-25, followed by 32 points in 18 playoff games as the Generals reached the OHL Finals.

The Ducks have maintained close contact with Sennecke, helping him improve his strength and puck protection. He will remain patient, saying he’s open to whatever path they believe is best for his development.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sennecke, 19, could make the jump this season if he has a strong training camp and preseason.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 27, 2025

by | Jul 27, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 27, 2025

The top remaining unrestricted free agents, the Blackhawks avoid arbitration with Arvid Soderblom, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin listed the notable players remaining on his list of the top unrestricted free agents.

Former Carolina Hurricanes forward Jack Roslovic (NHL Images).

Forward Jack Roslovic, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, and winger Max Pacioretty are the top three, followed by winger Victor Olofsson, goaltender James Reimer, winger Luke Kunin, goalie Ilya Samsonov, and center Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Other noteworthy players include goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, winger Robby Fabbri, defenseman Jan Rutta, and winger Conor Sheary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sheary signed a professional tryout offer with the New York Rangers last week. Nevertheless, he’s still a UFA and can sign a contract with another team.

Sheary is the first player in this summer’s UFA class to ink a PTO contract. Several of the players on this list could follow his lead before training camps open in September.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks avoided salary arbitration with Arvid Soderblom, as the two sides agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million contract. The average annual value (AAV) is $2.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Soderblom’s arbitration hearing was scheduled for July 28.

As of July 6, 11 players had filed for arbitration, and two (Bowen Byram of the Buffalo Sabres and Jack McBain of the Utah Mammoth) were to be taken to arbitration by their teams.

Entering this week, nine of the players and their teams avoided arbitration by reaching agreements on new contracts. Four – Dylan Samberg of the Winnipeg Jets, Conor Timmins of the Sabres, Nicholas Robertson of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Jayden Struble of the Montreal Canadiens – remain scheduled for hearings.

Don’t be surprised if the remaining four end up re-signing with their teams before their scheduled hearings.

DAILY FACEOFF: Michael Remis of Winnipeg Sports Talk doesn’t expect the Winnipeg Jets to make any significant additions over the rest of this summer.

Remis believes the Jets will take a step back this season without Nikolaj Ehlers, who signed with the Carolina Hurricanes earlier this month. They added center Jonathan Toews and forward Gustav Nyquist on one-year contracts.

Toews is attempting a comeback after missing the last two seasons with health issues. Nyquist’s production declined with the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild last season.

The Jets have lots of salary-cap space, but Remis said he’s heard that they’re not planning to add to the roster over the remainder of the offseason. They’ve set aside money for Toews’ bonuses and a new contract for Dylan Samberg, which could leave them with $4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff could prefer letting that cap space accrue during the season to address any roster issues that arise before the March trade deadline.

The Jets won the Presidents’ Trophy last season. Losing Ehlers will hurt their offense, but the rest of the roster is mostly intact. They should remain among the top teams in the Western Conference this season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 20, 2025

by | Jul 20, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 20, 2025

Blake Wheeler retires, Penn State’s Gavin McKenna’s potential effect upon this season’s trade market, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: Winger Blake Wheeler announced his retirement after 16 NHL seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers from 2008-09 to 2023-24.

Wheeler, 38, was a first-round pick (fifth overall) by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2004 NHL Draft, but signed with the Bruins after becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2008. After three seasons with the Bruins, he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009-10, and moved with the team to Winnipeg, spending 13 seasons with the Jets.

Former Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler (NHL Images)

The Jets’ single-season franchise leader in assists (71 in 2018-19), Wheeler is the franchise leader with 897 games-played, 550 assists, and 812 points. He served as team captain from 2016-17 to 2021-22.

Overall, Wheeler finished with 1,172 games played, 321 goals, 622 assists and 943 points, and 45 points in 66 playoff games.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports sources suggest that left wing Gavin McKenna could affect this season’s NHL trade market.

McKenna, 17, is the projected top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft. He spent the past three seasons with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. In 2024-25, he became the third-youngest player to win the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award. He will be playing this season for Penn State University in the NCAA.

Some teams could become sellers earlier than usual to improve their odds of winning the 2026 draft lottery and the opportunity to select McKenna.

The NHL’s annual trade deadline is typically the turning point in a season when clubs double down for a playoff run or sell off veteran players for draft picks and prospects. However, some observers believe the American Thanksgiving weekend in late November could serve as the start of the trade period.

Historically, over 76 percent of teams holding a playoff berth by the American Thanksgiving weekend go on to qualify for the postseason.

Rebuilding teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks are already expected to be basement dwellers this season. The Pittsburgh Penguins could soon join them. Other clubs to watch include the St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The sharp rise in this season’s salary cap could also facilitate more early-season trade activity.

Traditionally, most buyers wait for the trade deadline so they can accrue sufficient cap space throughout the season to make significant additions. However, there are currently 16 teams with at least $6 million in cap space, with 12 of those carrying over $10 million.

Some of those teams will probably use up that cap room this summer to bolster their rosters for this season. However, there will likely be several teams that will remain flush with cap room who could be actively shopping for depth earlier than usual.

NHL.COM: Matt Savoie has a golden opportunity to earn a full-time roster spot with the Edmonton Oilers this season.

The club needs a reliable penalty-killing forward after Connor Brown’s departure via free agency this summer. Savoie, 21, showed improvement with his defensive play last season with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate in Bakersfield.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Savoie is a promising all-around forward. If he makes the most of this opportunity, he could earn top-six minutes this season with the Oilers.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke was named head coach and general manager of the Vernon Vipers in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). The 46-year-old Cooke has coached at various levels since retiring as a player in 2015, including a stint with the ECHL’s now-defunct Newfoundland Growlers.

Speaking of former Penguins, Ty Smith signed a one-year contract with KHL team Dinamo Minsk. The 25-year-old defenseman spent four NHL seasons with the Penguins, New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

OTTAWA SUN: The National Capital Commission and the Senators are making significant progress to finalize the club’s purchase of 10 acres of land to build a new arena at LeBreton Flats.

Both sides aim to finalize the deal by the end of 2025. If discussions can be fast-tracked, it could be approved by the NCC’s board of directors during their annual public meeting on Sept. 23.