NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2025

by | Jul 1, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2025

The NHL’s annual free-agent market opens at noon ET today. Check out the latest free-agent and trade speculations in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON NIKOLAJ EHLERS

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported Monday that the Carolina Hurricanes are considered the favorites to land Nikolaj Ehlers. The 29-year-old former Winnipeg Jets winger is among the few notable players potentially available in the unrestricted free-agent market.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss believes the Bruins should pursue Ehlers. He cited the winger’s offensive consistency as a top-six forward.

Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Vancouver Canucks and New York Islanders could also attempt to sign Ehlers. He could still re-sign with the Jets, but it appears he’s heading to market today.

COULD THE JETS TARGET BROCK BOESER?

THE CHRIS JOHNSTON SHOW: Johnston yesterday suggested Brock Boeser could be “Plan A” to replace Nikolaj Ehlers if the latter goes to market on Tuesday. The Jets have over $23 million in cap space, and Johnston indicated he wouldn’t be surprised if they pursue the former Vancouver Canucks winger today.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored the Oilers might attempt to sign Boeser. However, that seems unlikely without shedding significant salary after their recent signings of Evan Bouchard and Trent Frederic.

CANADIENS AMONG TEAMS INTERESTED IN JORDAN KYROU

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Montreal Canadiens remain interested in Jordan Kyrou. The 27-year-old St. Louis Blues winger is signed through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $8.125 million. His no-trade clause begins on July 1.

LeBrun indicated the Blues had spoken with several teams to determine his value in the trade market before deciding if they’d move him or retain him after his NTC began. It would take multiple assets for the Canadiens to acquire him, and they’d have to free up more cap space to take on his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kyrou’s NTC could prevent the Blues from shipping him to Montreal. The Canadiens are in the market for a top-six forward this summer, but they might have to consider other options.

UPDATE ON RASMUS ANDERSSON

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the thinning free-agent market for defensemen could rekindle trade interest in Rasmus Andersson. The 28-year-old Calgary Flames defenseman will be UFA-eligible next July and isn’t expected to re-sign with the Flames.

Teams like the Vegas Golden Knights, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings are interested in Andersson. They would like assurances that he’d sign an extension with them, but the only club he’s willing to do that for is the Golden Knights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames aren’t feeling pressured to trade Andersson this summer. They’re reportedly fine with going into this season with him still in the lineup. It remains to be seen if the Golden Knights remain interested after their expensive acquisition of Mitch Marner on Monday.

RANGERS STILL EYEING GAVRIKOV

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reports the Rangers remain interested in signing Vladislav Gavrikov if the 29-year-old Los Angeles Kings defenseman becomes a UFA today. However, their inability to move blueliner K’Andre Miller complicates their pursuit of Gavrikov, who could command between $7 million and $8 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gavrikov was seen as the Rangers’ replacement for Miller, who is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. They have around $13 million in cap space. Adding Gavrikov would eat up over half of it.

WILL JAKE ALLEN REMAIN WITH THE DEVILS?

DAILY FACEOFF’s Frank Seravalli reports the New Jersey Devils and Jake Allen remain in negotiations. He claimed the Devils had made progress, suggesting the 34-year-old goaltender could be re-signed before noon today.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers could be closely watching Allen’s situation.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 29, 2025

by | Jun 29, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 29, 2025

The Maple Leafs and Golden Knights discuss a sign-and-trade scenario for Mitch Marner, updates on Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad and Vladislav Gavrikov, and notable news from the second day of the draft in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

LEAFS AND GOLDEN KNIGHTS DISCUSS “SIGN-AND-TRADE” FOR MARNER

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights were in ongoing talks regarding a potential “sign-and-trade” scenario for Mitch Marner. The 28-year-old right wing is expected to test the unrestricted free-agent market when it begins on July 1.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Dreger reported the talks could carry over into Sunday. He indicated there was more work to be done in terms of the return for Toronto. Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said the Leafs would prefer to get something for Marner rather than lose him to free agency for nothing, but declined to comment about the speculation linking the winger to the Golden Knights.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported the Leafs were believed to be asking for forward Nicolas Roy and defenseman Nicolas Hague in return for Marner’s rights.

THE ATHLETIC: Jesse Granger looks at what this trade would mean for the Golden Knights, particularly their salary-cap payroll.

Assuming Marner receives an average annual value (AAV) between $12 million and $14 million, the Golden Knights would have over $80 million invested in their top-10 player, leaving little room under the $95.5 million cap to fill out the rest of the roster.

Granger noted there were questions about the health of Vegas defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. If he lands on long-term injury reserve (LTIR), it would free up his $8.8 million cap hit, leaving the Golden Knights with around $17.4 million before acquiring Marner. It would be a tight squeeze adding Marner, another defenseman, and another forward, but it could be doable.

Nevertheless, this scenario would leave the Golden Knights’ roster more top-heavy and would come at the expense of their roster depth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adding Marner would make them a more powerful offensive team, but it would come at the expense of their defense. Their pursuit of big-name talent has hurt their overall depth, which explains why they haven’t repeated as Stanley Cup champions over the last two seasons.

As for the Leafs, getting two established NHL players for a star who is heading to free agency would be a good return that helps them defensively. However, it wouldn’t replace the offense that Marner brought to the club over the past nine years.

UPDATES ON MARCHAND, EKBLAD AND GAVRIKOV

NHL.COM: Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito remains focused on trying to sign pending UFAs Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad before the free-agent market opens on Tuesday. On Friday, the Panthers announced that center Sam Bennett signed an eight-year contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers have $11 million in cap space with 17 active roster players under contract for next season. Marchand reportedly seeks a raise over the $6.13 million AAV of his previous deal. Ekblad could accept a pay cut from the $7.5 million of his former deal, but the contract term is reportedly the sticking point in his negotiations.

MAYOR’S MANOR: John Hoven reports Los Angeles Kings GM Ken Holland said it looks like Vladislav Gavrikov is heading to market on July 1. Holland said he’s had several talks with the 29-year-old defenseman’s agent over the past week.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gavrikov has been linked to the New York Rangers in the rumor mill. I’ll have more about that in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

NOTABLE NEWS FROM THE SECOND DAY OF THE 2025 NHL DRAFT

THE SCORE: The San Jose Sharks chose Simon Wang with the 33rd overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, making Oshawa Generals defenseman the highest-drafted Chinese player in NHL history.

NHL.COM: Ten current or committed NCAA Division 1 players were chosen during the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. It’s the third-most in college hockey history and the most since 2016.

For the first time in 38 years, at least 20 Canadian-born players were chosen in the opening round.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow this link for the complete list of every pick made in the 2025 NHL Draft.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning GM Julien BriseBois is trying to trade top prospect Isaac Howard but hasn’t found a deal yet that satisfies both sides.

Howard is the 2025 winner of the Hobey Baker Memorial Trophy as the top player in US college hockey. However, the 21-year-old Michigan State University winger hasn’t agreed to an entry-level NHL contract with the Lightning, preferring the option to choose which team he’ll sign with.

If unsigned by next August, Howard will become an unrestricted free agent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: BriseBois might have to wait until next year’s trade deadline to find a suitable offer.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin recently underwent surgery for an upper-body injury. He could be sidelined for the start of the 2025-26 schedule in October.

STLTODAY.COM: The St. Louis Blues signed goaltender Joel Hofer to a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.4 million. He was slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: So much for Hofer becoming an offer-sheet target this summer.

WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets signed defenseman Haydn Fleury to a two-year, $1.9 million contract extension.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: The Penguins acquired defenseman Connor Clifton and a 2025 second-round pick (39th overall) from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for defensemen Conor Timmins and Isaac Beliveau.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Washington Capitals acquire defenseman Declan Chisholm and the 180th pick in this year’s draft from the Wild in exchange for blueliner Chase Priskie and pick No. 123.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 21, 2025

by | Jun 21, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 21, 2025

An update on the Oilers’ offseason plans, Jonathan Toews signs with the Jets, the latest on Joe Pavelski, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

TSN: Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said Friday that signing team captain Connor McDavid to a contract extension is the team’s top offseason priority.

Bowman said McDavid has earned the right to determine the timeline for negotiations, but said the Oilers will be ready once he’s ready to begin. The Oilers superstar is eligible for unrestricted free-agent (UFA) status next July, but he can sign an extension as early as this July 1.

The Oilers GM indicated that the Oilers’ defense corps will remain largely intact. That includes Evan Bouchard, who is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.

Bowman will focus on making modifications to the forward lines and the goaltending. He said he’s not singling out the goalie tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, but the club will explore changes to that position.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Based on Bowman’s comments, Robert Tychkowski believes the Oilers GM plans a mid-level change or two to his roster.

Tychkowski expressed concern over the Oilers’ aging roster and its thin prospect cupboard. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that their priority is winning the Stanley Cup next season.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (NHL Images).

Meanwhile, Jim Matheson wondered if Skinner returns next season as the Oilers’ starting goalie, or will he be sharing the crease in a “1 and 1A scenario” without Pickard.

Matheson wondered if the Oilers might target Joel Hofer of the St. Louis Blues with an offer sheet. If they sign him to no more than an average annual value (AAV) of $4,680,076, it’ll only cost them a second-round pick in 2026 as compensation, which is a pick they have.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Assuming Hofer is open to signing an offer sheet, the Blues are in a good position to match it. They have roughly $5 million in cap space for 2025-26 with 22 active roster players under contract. They could get $6.5 million in additional cap flexibility if Torey Krug (ankle) remains on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) next season.

Bigger names that have surfaced in the rumor mill include Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins, Jordan Binnington of the Blues, and Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Swayman will play a key role in the Bruins’ plans for a bounce-back performance next season. Trading him would leave them with Joonas Korpisalo as their full-time starter, and history has shown he’s best suited as a backup.

Binnington’s fortunes have rebounded following a strong performance in the 4 Nations Face Off tournament and the Blues’ memorable first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets this spring. He’s not going anywhere.

Saros struggled along with his Predators teammates last season. They could trade him before his new contract (with its full no-movement clause) begins on July 1, but it’s doubtful the Oilers would be comfortable with his $7.7 million AAV through 2032-33.

Besides, Predators GM Barry Trotz signed Saros to that hefty contract. It’s unlikely he’ll put the netminder on the trade block this summer.

Smaller names that could be available via trade or free agency include John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks, Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils, and Tristan Jarry of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not much to choose from there, but Gibson might be worth the risk. He’s signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $6.5 million, but the Ducks might be willing to retain some salary to facilitate a trade for the right return. Allen is a reliable backup while Jarry’s inconsistency is a significant concern.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews has agreed to a one-year contract with the Jets. The 37-year-old center is staging a comeback after being sidelined for the last two seasons by long COVID symptoms and chronic immune response issues.

Toews will earn a base salary of $2 million. With bonuses for games played, that number will more than double if he suits up for at least 50 games in 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a low-cost gamble by the Jets. If it pays off, Toews could fill their second center position. If it doesn’t, they’ll have sufficient cap space to address that position later in the season.

RG.ORG: Former San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski admitted he had a moment where he felt the itch to return to the NHL during this season. However, it passed quickly as he confirmed that he is retired for good.

Pavelski played 18 seasons in the NHL, establishing himself among the greatest American-born players in league history.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes signed forward Eric Robinson to a four-year contract extension with an AAV of $1.7 million. Robinson, 30, was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

TSN: The Dallas Stars signed restricted free agents Mavrik Bourque and Nils Lundkvist to one-year contracts. Bourque will earn $950,000 while Lundkvist will earn $1.25 million.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames signed depth forward Dryden Hunt to a two-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $825,000 at the NHL level.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken inked defenseman Cale Fleury to a two-year contract with an AAV of $890,000.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils are reportedly not qualifying the rights of restricted free agent Cody Glass, making him a UFA on July 1.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 8, 2025

by | Jun 8, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 8, 2025

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: the latest Bruins’ speculation, updates on Jason Robertson and Nikolaj Ehlers, and some potential free agent targets for the Rangers.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE BRUINS AFTER HIRING A NEW HEAD COACH?

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa reports Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney got the coach he wanted when he hired Marco Sturm last week as his new bench boss. Now, Sweeney must find suitable players to plug holes in his roster and fit within Sturm’s system.

Shinzawa doesn’t see Sweeney pursuing an expensive free agent like Mitch Marner. Instead, he expects the Bruins GM to fill those holes with second and third-line reinforcements.

NESN: Jay Pritchard believes Marco Rossi could make sense as a Bruins trade target. The 23-year-old Minnesota Wild center is a restricted free agent without arbitration rights this summer. His future with the Wild is murky amid a contract stalemate.

Pritchard believes Rossi isn’t yet a top-line center, but he’s coming off a 60-point season and would bring youth, skill and upside to the Bruins’ roster.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pritchard noted that Rossi is seeking a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million. The Bruins have over $26 million in cap space and could afford that salary, but it would take up a significant chunk of their cap payroll when they have 14 active roster players under contract. Rossi’s asking price could be too expensive for Sweeney if he’s seeking the type of replacements mentioned by Shinzawa.

THE STARS AREN’T SHOPPING JASON ROBERTSON

TSN: cited a report by Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, citing league executives claiming the Dallas Stars haven’t shown any interest in trading Jason Robertson. He added that there haven’t been any trade talks involving the 25-year-old winger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars headed into the offseason with less than $5 million in cap space, needing to re-sign or replace pending UFAs like Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund. Some pundits suggested Robertson as a cost-cutting trade candidate.

The Stars may have other salary-reducing options in mind. They could peddle or buy out a defenseman like Matt Dumba ($3.75 million cap hit for 2025-26) or Ilya Lyubushkin ($3.25 million AAV through 2026-27).

THE LATEST ON NIKOLAJ EHLERS

THE ATHLETIC: Shayna Goldman and Murat Ates expect Nikolaj Ehlers will get a nice raise in the offseason with the Winnipeg Jets or another club via free agency. They cite Evolving Hockey projecting a seven-year deal worth $8.9 million annually on the open market, while their colleague Dom Luszczyszyn projected an AAV of $8.1 million.

The Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Los Angeles Kings are among 11 clubs they believe could target Ehlers if he goes to market on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of those clubs, the Hurricanes are in the best salary-cap position to sign Ehlers. They have over $28 million in cap space, and GM Eric Tulsky said in March he’d have around $20 million in cap space if he re-signed all his free agents.

The Jets can also afford to pay Ehlers a big raise, sitting with over $26 million in cap room. Whether they want to or intend to sign a replacement remains to be seen. The Leafs ($25.7 million) and Kings ($21.7 million) also have sufficient room.

UPDATE ON THE RANGERS

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker recently looked at six pending UFAs who could be on the Rangers’ offseason radar.

Dallas Stars center Mikael Granlund topped her list, followed by New Jersey Devils defenseman Brian Dumoulin, Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato, Colorado Avalanche winger Jonathan Drouin, Edmonton Oilers center Trent Frederic, and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gavrikov would be the best of the bunch. The 29-year-old left-shot defenseman was the Kings’ best blueliner last season. He’s completing a two-year contract with an AAV of $5.875 million.

Unsurprisingly, the Kings hope to retain him, and he wants to stay in Los Angeles. The Rangers would have to free up cap space for the $7 million AAV he’d seek on the open market.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 29, 2025

by | May 29, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 29, 2025

Mitch Marner to the Golden Knights? Jonathan Marchessault to the Canadiens or Golden Knights? Rangers shopping K’Andre Miller? Find the answers to these questions, plus the latest on Marco Rossi and Brock Nelson, in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TORONTO STAR: Gord Stellick believes the Vegas Golden Knights will aggressively pursue Mitch Marner if the Maple Leafs’ winger becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Stellick believes the Golden Knights weren’t pleased with their second-round elimination by the Edmonton Oilers. They could shed some of their aging players and add some younger talent. They have a history of acquiring big-name talent via trades and free agency.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights have a projected salary-cap space of $9.6 million with 18 active roster players under contract next season. It could cost an average annual value between $13 million and $14 million to sign Marner. They’ll have to make a couple of significant cost-cutting trades to free up enough cap room for Marner and to fill out the rest of the roster.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Hannah Kirkell cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli saying Jonathan Marchessault is open to a trade. The 34-year-old former Golden Knights winger signed a five-year contract ($5 million AAV) last summer with the Nashville Predators, but his production slipped as the Predators finished 28th overall this season.

Kirkell didn’t rule out a reunion, but she noted that Marchessault’s contract was a point of contention before he left Vegas. The Predators could retain part of his cap hit, but the rebuilding club wants to get younger and the Golden Knights lack suitable trade assets to help them.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont cited Seravalli claiming the Quebec-born Marchessault might welcome a trade to the Canadiens. The Habs were among the finalists to sign Marchessault last season, but they offered a three-year deal while the Predators offered five.

Dumont doubts the Canadiens will be willing to acquire the remaining four years of the aging Marchessault’s contract. They’re seeking elite talent with size, which Marchessault cannot help them with this year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchessault’s age, the remaining years on his contract, and his 15-team no-trade list are stumbling blocks in the path to a trade. The Predators could retain up to half of his salary and perhaps include a draft pick to sweeten the deal if they just want to get most of his cap hit off their books.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Remy Mastey cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting the New York Rangers are testing the trade market on K’Andre Miller. The 25-year-old defenseman becomes a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.

Friedman said it’s no guarantee that Miller will be traded, but the Rangers want to see what his value will be. Mastey observed that this comes after a season in which the blueliner’s performance declined, sparking doubts about his ultimate potential.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s no surprise that the Rangers are looking into Miller’s trade value. They were among the busiest teams in this season’s trade market as general manager Chris Drury attempts to retool the roster on the fly. This news confirms that Drury will continue to tinker during the offseason.

Miller could become an offer-sheet target. However, the drop in his play this season makes that an unlikely possibility. Rangers forward Will Cuylle is the more likely target, partly because of the Blueshirts’ limited cap space.

RG.ORG: James Murphy cited an NHL executive speculating that Marco Rossi might not be back with the Minnesota Wild next season. The 23-year-old center is due to become an RFA without arbitration rights on July 1.

Rossi has been the topic of trade speculation throughout this season. Murphy cited sources claiming the Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, and Seattle Kraken have expressed interest in the young center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murphy suggests Rossi could be shopped heading into the 2025 NHL Draft weekend (June 27-28). One of his sources believes the Wild won’t want this situation to carry over into the free-agency period (beginning July 1) when they can’t dictate terms as much.

Meanwhile, Marco D’Amico cited a source claiming the New York Islanders had a deal in place that would’ve sent Brock Nelson to the Winnipeg Jets before the March trade deadline. However, the 33-year-old center declined to waive his no-trade clause.

It’s believed one of the Jets’ top prospects (Brad Lambert, Colby Barlow, or Brayden Yager) would’ve been part of the deal, along with draft picks.

The Islanders instead shipped Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 29, 2025

by | May 29, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 29, 2025

The Panthers advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year, Oilers winger Zach Hyman’s postseason is over, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: For the third straight year, the Florida Panthers are going to the Stanley Cup Final, defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 in Game 5 of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Final.

Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe (NHL Images).

Panthers winger Carter Verhaeghe snapped a 3-3 tie at 12:21 of the third period and Sam Bennett scored the insurance goal into an empty net to clinch the victory. Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk each had a goal and an assist, while Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart each collected two assists.

Sebastian Aho tallied twice and Seth Jarvis had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes, who the Panthers have eliminated from two of the last three Eastern Conference Finals.

Reinhart returned to action after being sidelined since Game 2. His teammates Niko Mikkola and AJ Greer also rejoined the lineup after suffering undisclosed injuries in Game 3. Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen left this game in the first period with an undisclosed injury, but he is expected to be fine for the upcoming Stanley Cup Final. 

Hurricanes defensemen Jalen Chatfield and Sean Walker missed this game. Chatfield’s been sidelined since Game 4 of their second-round series with Washington, while Walker’s been out since Game 2 of this series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carolina took a 2-0 lead in the first period, but Florida quickly rallied in the second to go up 3-2. Jarvis tied it for the Hurricanes in the third before Rodrigues and Bennett put it away for the Panthers.

The Hurricanes are a talented team, but they can’t match the Panthers’ roster depth and grit. They’re also lacking a game-breaking talent like Barkov and a reliable starting goalie like Sergei Bobrovsky, who doesn’t get rattled when opponents get physical around his net.

The Panthers’ victory prompted some observers to take to social media, calling for the league to address the so-called advantage that teams in tax-free states supposedly enjoy. The Panthers had two advantages this season, but they had nothing to do with being in a tax-free state.

One is the shrewd management of GM Bill Zito. Since being hired by the Panthers in 2020, he turned a perennial laughingstock into a three-time Stanley Cup Finalist, with the potential to win the Cup for the second straight year.

The other was Tkachuk going on long-term injury reserve over the final two months of the regular season, enabling the Panthers to use the cap flexibility to acquire impact players like winger Brad Marchand and defenseman Seth Jones.

The Panthers cannot be faulted for doing as other clubs have done in the past, but LTIR is an issue being discussed in the current CBA negotiations.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers winger Zach Hyman will undergo potentially playoff-ending surgery to repair an undisclosed upper-body injury (believed to be his right shoulder). He’s expected to be sidelined for the rest of the postseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hyman is fifth among the Oilers’ scorers this postseason with 11 goals in 15 games. His absence is a big blow to their scoring punch and will test their forward depth for the remainder of their playoff run.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars need more of an edge to their game if they hope to stave off elimination against Edmonton when the two clubs face off for Game 5 on Thursday in Dallas (8 pm ET). They’ve struggled to match the Oilers’ aggressive physical style.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets captain Adam Lowry will miss five to six months after undergoing hip surgery on Tuesday. The timeline suggests the earliest he’ll return is late-October, meaning he’ll miss training camp and the opening weeks of the 2025-26 regular season.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning assistant general manager Stacy Roest has parted ways with the club. He was the head of player development and general manager of their AHL affiliate in Syracuse since 2013.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the second significant front-office departure for the Lightning. Earlier this week, former assistant general manager Mathieu Darche was named GM of the New York Islanders.

TSN: The Seattle Kraken signed forward John Hayden to a two-year, one-way contract extension.