Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 11, 2025

by | May 11, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 11, 2025

Could the Canucks bring back Brock Boeser? Who should the Islanders hire as their new general manager? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the Vancouver Canucks haven’t given up on the possibility of bringing back Brock Boeser, provided the 28-year-old winger wants to return.

Boeser is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Canucks management believes he’s earned the right to test the market.

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser (NHL Images).

General manager Patrik Allvin told Canucks’ season-ticket holders that they’re going to see if there’s a chance Boeser would return. However, Johnston considers that option unlikely, pointing to the frustration from the winger’s camp over how Allvin framed Boeser’s value at the trade deadline.

Boeser has stated how much he’s enjoyed living and playing in Vancouver, but won’t pass up his best opportunity for a big payday. Johnston also noted this season was one of upheaval for the Canucks. He speculated Boeser might prefer heading to his hometown Minnesota Wild, or a team that previously expressed interest in him, like the Carolina Hurricanes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported that contract term was the sticking point between Boeser and Canucks management. He wanted a long-term deal, while they prefer something less than five years.

Never say never, but it’ll be surprising if Boeser returns with the Canucks. He shouldn’t have much difficulty landing a deal to his liking on the open market.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes the New York Islanders need to take “a massive swing” hiring their next general manager.

Brooks hasn’t been impressed with what he called “a parade of recyclables vying for the job.” He doesn’t consider options like Marc Bergevin to be inspiring.

Instead, he’s beating the drum for the Islanders to pursue Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper to take over as their GM and team president. He cited his recent report claiming a “well-connected fellow” claimed we shouldn’t be surprised if Cooper stepped down as the Bolts’ bench boss to take over the operation in Utah for his friend and Mammoth owner Ryan Smyth.

Cooper has instead committed to returning to the Lightning next season. However, Brooks wondered if he might change his mind if allowed to build the Islanders in his image.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks thinks there’s no harm in the Isles seeking permission to speak with Cooper. However, we don’t know if they’ve even considered the Lightning coach as a viable candidate in the first place. Probably not, if the list of prospective candidates is anything to go by.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 3, 2025

by | May 3, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 3, 2025

The Sabres could shop for a defense partner for Owen Power, plus the latest on the Kings and Lightning in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SABRES TO SHOP FOR A DEFENSE PARTNER FOR OWEN POWER

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski believes the Sabres must find a steady, veteran right-hand defenseman to partner with Owen Power. The 22-year-old blueliner was the first-overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. He had 242 NHL games under his belt, but his defensive play remains inconsistent.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

Lysowski listed several potential options in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market, including Brent Burns, Aaron Ekblad, Cody Ceci and Dante Fabbro. However, he also suggested using left-shot defenseman Bowen Byram as a trade chip to acquire a right-shot rearguard to mentor Power.

Byram, 23, is a restricted free agent on July 1 with arbitration rights. He’ll be expensive to re-sign, and the Sabres would prefer using their salary-cap space elsewhere, with forwards Alex Tuch, JJ Peterka and Ryan McLeod being candidates for contract extensions.

Trade targets could including Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames, Noah Dobson of the New York Islanders, Zach Whitecloud of the Vegas Golden Knights, Luke Schenn of the Winnipeg Jets, Erik Gudbranson of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Sam Malinski of the Colorado Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres would have to part with Byram to acquire Dobson or Andersson, provided those two are available. They wouldn’t have to part with him to land Whitecloud, Schenn, Gudbranson or Malinski.

Byram could also be used as trade bait to add scoring forward like a second-line center.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE KINGS AND LIGHTNING?

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens wondered where the Los Angeles Kings go from here following an inexcusable early playoff exit at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.

The Kings entered that series as the favorites, finishing this season ahead of the Oilers in the regular-season standings. However, blown leads and bad coaching decisions proved to be their undoing.

Stephens wondered if there could be a front-office shakeup. General manager Rob Blake’s contract is up and he has no playoff series wins to show for it. Team president Luc Robitaille also deserves his share of the blame.

The Kings responded well to head coach Jim Hiller this season, tying franchise bests with 48 wins and 105 points. However, he made questionable decisions during the playoffs, including stubbornly leaning on nine forwards and four defensemen that ultimately took their toll as the series went on.

Tearing down the core and rebuilding isn’t an option with veterans Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty signed for next season and are uninterested in being part of a rebuild. They also have several other key players under long-term commitments.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Changes in the front office and perhaps behind the bench appear more likely than any significant roster changes.

Stephens also observed that more roster tinkering around their core doesn’t feel like the answer. If they’re unwilling to tear things down and rebuild, tinkering could be the only option.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Eduardo A. Encina listed the three biggest topics facing the Lightning that came out of GM Julien BriseBois’ end-of-season press conference.

The first was BriseBois squashing a rumor claiming head coach Jon Cooper was heading to the Utah Hockey Club, which is owned by Cooper’s good friend Ryan Smyth. He confirmed the long-time Lightning bench boss will return next season.

BriseBois admitted the odds are small that all his pending unrestricted free agents will return next season. They include centers Yanni Gourde and Luke Glendening, defenseman Nick Perbix, winger Cam Atkinson and goaltender Jonas Johansson.

Promising prospect Isaac Howard’s NHL future might not be with the Lightning. BriseBois said he appreciated the young forward’s honesty. He pointed out that the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner values the opportunity to choose where he wants to sign.

BriseBois said he won’t speak for Howard, but feels that it’s unlikely they’ll sign him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning have until next August to sign Howard. That gives them time to try to convince the promising youngster to sign with them. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if BriseBois uses Howard as a trade chip this summer to acquire another high-quality prospect or to add a good young NHL player to his roster.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 3, 2025

by | May 3, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 3, 2025

The Blues forced a seventh and deciding game with the Jets, Marc-Andre Fleury retires, several major individual award finalists are revealed, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: There will be a seventh and deciding game in the first-round series between the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets.

A four-goal second period lifted the Blues to a 5-2 victory over the Jets in Game 6, tying their series at three games apiece. Alexey Toropchenko and Philip Broberg each had a goal and an assist and Radek Faksa collected two assists. Cole Perfetti and Nino Niederreiter replied for the Jets.

Game 7 will be in Winnipeg on Sunday, May 4, at 7 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Every game in this series has been won on home ice. The Jets hope to continue that trend to finish off the pesky Blues, while the latter hopes to ride the shift in momentum to their first road win of this series.

Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was pulled from this game following the second period after giving up five goals on 18 shots. During this series, he’s gotten the hook in every game in St. Louis.

Jets center Mark Scheifele missed this game, remaining in Winnipeg to recover from an undisclosed injury suffered in Game 5. Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers returned to action after missing seven games with an injured foot.

NHL ALUMNI: Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has announced his retirement after 21 seasons.

Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We all knew Fleury intended to hang up his pads following this season. The future Hall-of-Famer had an impressive career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild.

Fleury’s best seasons were with the Penguins and Golden Knights. He won three Stanley Cups with the Penguins, backstopped the Golden Knights to the Cup Final in 2018 and won the Vezina Trophy in 2021. He’s second all-time among NHL goaltenders with 575 regular-season wins.

NHL.COM: Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli, and Panthers forward Sam Reinhart for finalists for the Frank J. Selke Trophy honoring this season’s top defensive forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barkov won this award in 2020-21 and 2023-24, and will be considered the favorite to win it this season. This is the first time Cirelli and Reinhart have been finalists.

Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, and Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan are the finalists for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, honoring the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All three are worthy finalists but Landeskog should get the nod for resuming his NHL career after spending almost three years recovering from knee surgeries.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar, and Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point are the finalists for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy honoring the player who best combines sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and ability.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lady Byng Trophy gets a bad rap because of its name and that it honors the quaint notion of “gentlemanly conduct”, as if the winner is someone who shys away from physical play. That’s not the case at all. These finalists continue to play a disciplined game at a high level of competition. They’re the players you want on the ice when the game’s on the line.

Scott Arniel of the Winnipeg Jets, Spencer Carbery of the Washington Capitals, and Martin St. Louis of the Montreal Canadiens are this year’s finalists for the Jack Adams Award as this season’s NHL Coach of the Year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All three are deserving finalists for their efforts to improve their respective teams. I’d give the nod to Carbery, who guided a Capitals team that squeaked into the playoffs last season into the top team in the Eastern Conference.

The NHL announced a change to the coverage of the 2025 Draft Lottery. Instead of a countdown from 16 to 1 after the lottery balls have been drawn behind the scenes, fans will watch live as the lottery balls are drawn at NHL Network’s studio in Secaucus, New Jersey. The drawing will be shown live in-studio for the first time in the lottery’s 30-year history.

The second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs begins Monday, May 5, with the Toronto Maple Leafs facing off against the Florida Panthers. Game 1 of the Washington Capitals-Carolina Hurricanes series will begin on Tuesday, May 6.

TSN: Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson and defenseman Miro Heiskanen will not be in the lineup for their club’s seventh and deciding game of their first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche. Heiskanen hasn’t played since suffering a knee injury on Jan. 28, while Robertson’s been sidelined since Apr. 16 with a knee injury. Game 7 is Saturday in Dallas, with the winner facing the St. Louis Blues or Winnipeg Jets in the second round.

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois confirmed head coach Jon Cooper will return next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: BriseBois was dispelling a recent rumor claiming Cooper might depart at the end of this season to join the Utah Hockey Club.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: BriseBois also revealed Lightning captain Victor Hedman fractured his right foot in Game 4 of their first-round series with the Florida Panthers.

Center Yanni Gourde broke a finger in Game 1 and center Anthony Cirelli suffered a sprained knee during that game.

BriseBois also said winger Oliver Bjorkstrand suffered a left-thigh acute compartment syndrome on Apr. 11 that required surgery soon afterward, sidelining him for the rest of the season.

Winger Nikita Kucherov suffered a left-hand extensor injury on Feb. 25 but continued playing. Forward Luke Glendening suffered an AC joint separation on Apr. 9, forward Nick Paul dealt with a tear in his left wrist, defenseman Erik Cernak suffered a knee contusion in Game 1, and winger Brandon Hagel suffered a concussion in Game 4.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning were eliminated from their first-round series because the Panthers were the better team. Nevertheless, these injuries factored into their demise.

SPORTSNET: Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault said he tore his groin in Game 3 of his club’s first-round series against the Washington Capitals. He won’t require surgery this summer. Meanwhile, winger Patrik Laine suffered a broken finger in Game 2 and missed the remaining three games of the series.

Canadiens winger Josh Anderson revealed he suffered upper and lower-body injuries that he wouldn’t have played through had the club not been in a position to make the playoffs.

NEW YORK POST: John Tortorella will not be returning to the Rangers. It was recently reported that he may be part of new head coach Mike Sullivan’s staff.

Speaking of the Rangers, they signed forward Juuso Parssinen to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $1.25 million.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks co-owner Paolo Aquilini has stepped down from his positions with the team. The club’s ownership also denied rumors suggesting the club could go up for sale.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 1, 2025

by | May 1, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 1, 2025

Check out the latest on Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner, Islanders forward Mathew Barzal, and Lightning coach Jon Cooper in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD MITCH MARNER LEAVE THE MAPLE LEAFS THIS SUMMER?

TORONTO SUN: Dan Bilicki cited NHL commentator Paul Bissonnette suggesting “a little hostility” between Maple Leafs management and Mitch Marner could see the 27-year-old winger depart this summer as an unrestricted free agent.

During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday, Bissonnette explained the “hostility” was based on the fact that the Leafs attempted to trade Marner to the Carolina Hurricanes for winger Mikko Rantanen at the March 7 trade deadline.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Bissonnette noted that the book remains open on Marner’s playoff performance, but he believes he could garner $14 million per season on his next contract. He also cited Marner’s connection with former Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas, who is now the GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reports at the time had Leafs GM Brad Treliving telling Marner they wanted to re-sign him, but if the winger didn’t think they could agree to a new contract, there was the opportunity to send him to Carolina for Rantanen. Marner declined to waive his no-movement clause, indicating that he wanted to stay in Toronto. 

The Leafs’ performance (including Marner’s) in this postseason could determine his future. Another early postseason exit could lead to his departure on July 1.

MATHEW BARZAL TRADE RUMOR DEBUNKED

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias noted a recent rumor making the rounds claiming Mathew Barzal wanted a trade from the Islanders because he was upset over the dismissal of GM Lou Lamoriello.

The rumor stated Barzal wanted out because he didn’t want to be part of a roster rebuild. However, Macias points out the Isles will be retooling rather than rebuilding.

They possess a top-five goaltender in Ilya Sorokin, a talented young defenseman in Noah Dobson, and emerging talent like Simon Holmstrom, Maxim Tsyplakov, Alexander Romanov and recently-acquired prospect forward Calum Ritchie.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whoever replaces Lamoriello will be tasked with building around Barzal and the players mentioned by Macias. Indeed, Barzal will likely be among the first people the new general manager contacts to discuss his plans for the future.

LIGHTNING COACH PLANNING A MOVE TO UTAH?

YARDBARKER: Cited Larry Brooks of the New York Post reporting on social media that a “plugged-in individual has told me not to be surprised” if Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper departs to “take over the operation” of the Utah Hockey club.

Brooks noted that Cooper signed an extension last year, taking him through 2025-26, finding it odd that it was only one year. He cited Cooper’s friendship with Utah owner Ryan Smyth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As the saying goes, “Huge if true”.

Don’t be surprised if pundits ask Cooper whether there’s any truth to Brooks’ report during the Lightning’s upcoming end-of-season press conference. It’ll be interesting to hear his response.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 17, 2025

by | Feb 17, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 17, 2025

Check out the latest news ahead of today’s 4 Nations Face-Off games in the NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: It’s a must-win scenario for three of the four teams in the 4 Nations Face-Off as Canada faces Finland (1 PM ET) and Sweden tangles with the United States (8 pm ET) at TD Garden in Boston.

If the game between Canada and Finland ends in regulation, the winner faces the United States in the championship game on Thursday. If Canada and Finland go to overtime, Sweden could advance to the championship game if they defeat the United States in regulation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some folks on social media raised the possibility of the United States throwing their game against the Swedes if Canada defeats the Finns in overtime, eliminating Canada and giving them an easier opponent in the championship game. It would be a devious tactic but I don’t believe the Americans would do that. They prefer going undefeated in the round-robin and beating Canada on home ice on Thursday to drive home the point that (to paraphrase Matthew Tkachuk) this is their time right now.

SPORTSNET: Team Canada defenseman Cale Makar hopes to participate in Monday’s must-win game against Finland. Illness sidelined him from Saturday’s game against Team USA, though he was close to playing in that game.

“I’m going to do everything I can to play tomorrow,” said Makar. “I just got to make sure I feel right, body and everything-wise, and go from there.”

Meanwhile, Thomas Harley has been cleared to play for Monday’s game against Finland regardless of Makar’s status. The Dallas Stars defenseman played well filling in for Makar during Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Americans.

Canada’s head coach Jon Cooper was staying mum on his starting goaltender for Monday’s must-win game against Finland. That’s raised speculation he could replace Jordan Binnington with Adin Hill, who served as Binnington’s backup in Canada’s previous two games in this tournament.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The decision to pass over Logan Thompson in favor of Binnington, Hill, and Sam Montembeault was questioned by fans and pundits before the tournament began. The Washington Capitals goalie sits second among NHL starters in save percentage (.921) and is fourth in goals-against average (2.23) and wins (24).

Thompson was reportedly snubbed because Team Canada assistant coaches Bruce Cassidy and Peter DeBoer didn’t have a great experience with him during their tenures with the Vegas Golden Knights. Whatever the reason, that decision will generate plenty of second-guessing if Canada comes up short in this tournament.

TSN: Team Canada remains confident despite their 3-1 loss to the Americans, which put them into a must-win situation against Finland.

“This is our Game 7,” said head coach Jon Cooper, adding his team has learned a lot during the previous two games.

“We don’t have a lot of time to think about it,” said team captain Sidney Crosby. “It’s a big one coming up here.”

Meanwhile, goaltender Kevin Lankinen will get his second straight start for Finland. He backstopped them to a 4-3 overtime victory over Sweden on Saturday.

DAILY FACEOFF: Sources say Team USA winger Matthew Tkachuk will likely sit out tonight’s game against Sweden. He suffered a lower-body injury against Canada that sidelined him for most of the third period.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tkachuk shouldn’t risk aggravating that injury against the Swedes in a meaningless game. It’s best to let him recuperate and prepare for the big match later this week.

THE ATHLETIC: ESPN reports that Saturday’s game between Canada and the United States drew 4.4 million viewers, peaking at 5.2 million at the 10:45 quarter-hour. It’s the most-watched non-Stanley Cup Final game since a Blue Jackets-Bruins playoff game in 2019 drew 4.5 million viewers. NHL postseason games last season averaged 1.54 million viewers.

It was also the most-watched NHL game in the United States since Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Panthers and Oilers last June, which drew 7.67 million viewers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL should scrap the old All-Star Game format in favor of annual two-week midseason international tournaments involving their best players in non-Olympic years. They could call it “The World Cup of Hockey” or something like that (insert wink emoji here).










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 26, 2024

by | Jun 26, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 26, 2024

Pavel Datsyuk, Shea Weber, and Jeremy Roenick are among seven new Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, the Avalanche sign Casey Mittelstadt, the Jets re-up Dylan DeMelo, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Pavel Datsyuk, Shea Weber and Jeremy Roenick were the former NHL stars elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Pavel Datsyuk and Shea Weber have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (NHL.com)

Former United States women’s national team forwards Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell-Pohl were also inducted in the player category.

Former Nashville Predators general manager David Poile and current NHL senior executive vice-president Colin Campbell were elected into the builder category.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the inductees for this well-deserved honor.

Meanwhile, Alexander Mogilny’s ongoing snub by the Hall of Fame is getting ridiculous.

Many of Mogilny’s former Vancouver Canucks teammates have called for his inclusion. He was a five-time All-Star, earning an appearance on all four NHL teams he played for in his career (Buffalo, Vancouver, New Jersey, Toronto). He’s among a handful of players to score over 70 goals in a season.

For whatever reason, Mogilny continues to be passed over. Maybe he’ll get his due next year.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche signed center Casey Mittlestadt to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $5.75 million. Mittestadt, 25, was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres before the March trade deadline. He was slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mittestadt was coming off back-to-back 50-plus point seasons. He quickly fit well within the Avs’ lineup. The young center was coming off a three-year deal with an AAV of $2.5 million.

This is a win for both sides here. Mittelstadt gets a significant raise and an opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent at age 28 when he’ll still be in his playing prime. The Avalanche, meanwhile, look up their second-line center at a reasonable rate. They also buy some time to grow more cap room to attempt to re-sign him down the road.

WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets signed Dylan DeMelo to a four-year contract extension with an AAV of $4.9 million. The 31-year-old defenseman was completing a four-year, $12 million contract and was due to become a UFA on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeMelo was a key part of the Jets blueline corps pairing with the puck-moving Josh Morrissey.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: On Tuesday, the Flyers officially announced that top prospect Matvei Michkov had officially terminated his contract with KHL club SKA St. Petersburg. The 19-year-old winger will join the Flyers for the 2024-25 season.

TSN: The Detroit Red Wings traded defenseman Jake Walman and a 2024 second-round draft pick to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for future considerations. Walman, 28, has two seasons remaining on his contract with an AAV of $3.4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Can you say, “salary dump”, kids? I knew you could!

SPORTSNET: Hockey Canada officially named Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper as head coach of Canada’s team at the NHL’s 4Nations Face-Off next February and of its Men’s Olympic team in 2026.

SPORTICO: Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has told his remaining executives he is dissolving what’s left of the franchise. He will no longer pursue the construction of a new NHL-worthy arena in the Phoenix area. The franchise should be disbanded within a month.

The hockey operations and players were sold to Utah Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith in April and moved to Utah, where they will play the 2024-25 season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: And with that, the Coyotes saga comes to a close. Some observers still believe the NHL will one day return to Arizona. That won’t occur until a suitable arena is constructed and that’s not happening in the foreseeable future.