NHL Rumor Mill – June 3, 2026

by | Jun 3, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – June 3, 2026

Are the Islanders shopping Mathew Barzal? What’s the latest on Vincent Trocheck? Could the Maple Leafs trade a goalie? Which young RFA defensemen would be good trade options for the Penguins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ISLANDERS SPECULATION

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Russell Macias weighed in on a recent report claiming the Ottawa Senators were testing the trade market on forward Mathew Barzal

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal (NHL Images).

According to Macias’ colleague Stefen Rosner, the Islanders aren’t actively shopping Barzal. He noted that teams have made inquiries, and it’s general manager Mathieu Darche’s job to listen, but the 29-year-old forward is not on the trade block.

Macias also noted that Barzal has four years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $9.15 million and a 22-team no-trade list.

According to Macias and Rosner, Darche would like to free up some salary-cap space this summer. They currently have over $10.6 million. He would like to re-sign his UFA-eligible captain Anders Lee, but needs to clear some cap room first.

Anthony Duclair tops the list of Islanders’ trade candidates. They attempted to move the 30-year-old winger, but he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause. However, it drops from a full no-trade to a 16-team list on July 1. He has two years remaining on his deal with an AAV of $3.5 million.

The Islanders could also attempt to move Pierre Engvall ($3 million AAV through 2029-30, 16-team NTC) and Ondrej Palat ($6 million for next season, 10-team trade list).

Defenseman Adam Pelech has also been mentioned as a trade option. He has three years left on his deal with an AAV of $5.75 million and a 16-team no-trade list. Macias suggested the San Jose Sharks as a trade partner given their need for defensemen. He also wondered if Ryan Pulock (four years, $6.15 million AAV) or Scott Mayfield (four years, $3.5 million AAV) might be moved, though both hold full no-trade clauses until next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Duclair’s injury history and inconsistent play could make him difficult to move in the trade market. The same applies to Engvall. Palat is past his prime, making him a potentially tough sell.

Pelech and/or Pulock could draw more serious interest. Macias considered Pelech the better trade candidate, believing his value is high right now. A team in desperate need of blueline depth that isn’t on his no-trade list could have serious interest in him, depending on the asking price.

MAPLE LEAFS INTERESTED IN VINCENT TROCHECK

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reports the Toronto Maple Leafs have reached out to the Rangers about Vincent Trocheck. This comes after the Maple Leafs learned Max Domi is out indefinitely due to complications from his recent back surgery.

Domi’s absence puts the Maple Leafs in the market for a second-line center. Walker believes Trocheck could be a fit, depending on whether the Maple Leafs are on his no-trade list and the Pittsburgh native is willing to go to Canada.

As for what the Maple Leafs might offer in return, Walker suggested winger Nick Robertson could be a trade option. The Rangers could also target defense prospect Ben Danford. Matthew Knies could be on the Blueshirts’ radar, but it’s unclear if the Leafs would part with the 23-year-old power forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the high number of teams seeking a second-line center, the Maple Leafs could have difficulty outbidding other clubs for Trocheck’s services even if he was willing to play for them. Offering up Knies could tip it in their favor, but it’s doubtful the Leafs would do that.

Walker noted the Minnesota Wild and Detroit Red Wings were interested in Trocheck before the March trade deadline. A report out of Ottawa earlier this week claimed the Montreal Canadiens had spoken to the Rangers about the 33-year-old center. However, Walker indicated that a league source said there was no communication at all between those two teams.

COULD THE MAPLE LEAFS TRADE A GOALTENDER?

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox speculated the Toronto Maple Leafs could attempt to trade a goalie during this offseason.

Fox pointed out that Joseph Woll, Anthony Stolarz, and Dennis Hildeby are on one-way contracts for next season, with each of them having to clear waivers before being sent to their AHL affiliate. Promising Artur Akhtyamov will be joining them in 2027-28.

However, Fox believes the Leafs could find it challenging to move one of them. A few teams are willing to discuss a goalie trade, but names such as Jordan Binnington, Filip Gustavsson, Jesper Wallstedt, Devon Levi, and Adin Hill could garner more attention in the rumor mill.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There could be more interest in the Leafs goalies if those other netminders are out of the market for one reason or another.

The St. Louis Blues could retain Binnington for next season. Gustavsson won’t be going anywhere until he has fully recovered from his recent hip surgery, which means Wallstedt won’t be available until his fellow Minnesota Wild goalie is healthy. Levi is the odd man out in Buffalo and the most likely to be moved among the Sabres’ netminders. The Vegas Golden Knights could move Hill in a cost-cutting deal.

FOUR POTENTIAL DEFENSE TRADE TARGETS FOR THE PENGUINS

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski recently listed four restricted free agent defensemen who could be suitable trade targets for the Penguins.

They include Simon Nemec of the New Jersey Devils, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger of the Anaheim Ducks, and Michael Kesselring of the Buffalo Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kingerski noted their respective pros and cons, but each of them could be a fit for the Penguins as they continue to retool by adding young NHL-ready talent.

The Penguins aren’t the only clubs that could be keeping an eye on those four blueliners. How much it would cost to acquire and sign them will be the determining factor. Clubs with plenty of cap space and draft picks could also try the offer-sheet route.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 25, 2026

by | May 25, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – May 25, 2026

Will the Sabres sign defenseman Bowen Byram to a contract extension? Could the Bruins pursue Devils blueliner Simon Nemec? Could the Blue Jackets and Boone Jenner part ways? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST SABRES SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn looked at the offseason “to-do” list for Buffalo Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.

Bowen Byram’s future with the Sabres is part of that list. The 24-year-old left-shot defenseman is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility and can sign a contract extension on July 1.

Kekalainen told Byram during his exit interview that he’d love to keep the puck-moving blueliner. The Sabres’ top-four defense, of which Byram was a part, played a significant role in the club’s impressive improvement this season.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

Byram wants to play for a winner, and the Sabres check that box. However, Fairburn wondered if he wants to remain a second-pairing defenseman with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson also playing big minutes.

If Byram wants a top-pairing role and a contract to match, free agency might be his best option. However, if he’s happy with his current role, the Sabres must find a way to re-sign him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byram was the subject of media trade speculation last year, but he surprised the pundits by inking a two-year contract. His situation will be worth monitoring this summer.

Byram could opt for a long-term deal. He could also opt for another short-term deal, ensuring he could be UFA eligible again while still in his playing prime. He and the Sabres could also wait to see how next season pans out before committing to serious contract talks.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Russell Macias suggested Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring could be on the New York Islanders’ radar this summer.

Kesselring, 26, is completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.4 million. He will become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. Injuries sidelined him for 29 games, and he was a healthy scratch for all but three games from March 12 to May 18.

Macias expects Kesselring to be traded this summer. He expects the asking price to be a second or third-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres acquired the 6’5”, 215-pound Kesselring from the Utah Mammoth last year to skate alongside Owen Power, but it didn’t work out as hoped. He put up good numbers (29 points in 82 games) during his final season with the Mammoth.

MORE DEVILS TRADE RUMORS

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss believes the Boston Bruins should pursue New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec if he becomes available in the trade market this summer.

Conflicting reports emerged last week regarding a supposed trade request by the 22-year-old Nemec. He’s a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights.

Goss believes Nemec’s puck-moving ability, offensive skills, and right-hand shot are what the Bruins desperately need on their blueline. He would also be a younger, more affordable option than pursuing Tampa Bay’s Darren Raddysh or Vegas’ Rasmus Andersson via free agency.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins won’t be the only club interested in Nemec if the Devils shop him in this summer’s trade market. They do have some promising young players and draft picks, including two first-rounders in the 2027 and 2028 NHL Drafts, to draw on for trade capital.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols listed several players he considers trade targets that could bolster the Devils’ lack of scoring depth.

Ross Colton of the Colorado Avalanche tops that list, followed by Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets, Connor Zary of the Calgary Flames, and Mavrik Bourque of the Dallas Stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Colton has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $4 million. Zary has two years left with an average annual value of $3.775 million. Perfetti and Bourque are both restricted free agents with arbitration rights.

The Jets could be reluctant to part with Perfetti despite the drop in his production this season. Colton could be available if the Avs shed salary to make some roster changes, especially if they get swept in the Western Conference Final.

Zary hasn’t progressed as the Flames had hoped, but they might give him another season. Bourque could be an affordable offer-sheet target if he’s willing to sign. If he’s not, he could become a trade candidate if the Stars’ efforts to re-sign Jason Robertson leave them little cap room for other players.

COULD THE BLUE JACKETS PART WAYS WITH BOONE JENNER?

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline speculated that long-time Columbus Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner might be moving on this summer.

Jenner, 32, is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Blue Jackets captain is completing a four-year contract with an AAV of $3.75 million.

This is Jenner’s last opportunity to sign a multi-year contract via free agency. Portzline believes he will draw plenty of suitors, pointing out that the Blue Jackets received plenty of calls about him at the March trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline observed that nothing’s settled yet, and Jenner could still re-sign with the Blue Jackets. However, he doubted that the veteran forward would be happy with a one or two-year deal. He also pointed out that it appears the Jackets management hasn’t made re-signing him a priority.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 4, 2026

by | Jan 4, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 4, 2026

Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews set a franchise goal record, the Avalanche made history as they extended their win streak to 10 games, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Auston Matthews scored twice to become the Toronto Maple Leafs’ all-time goal-scoring leader (421) in a 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders. Matthew Schaefer tallied twice, including the winning goal, for the 23-15-4 Islanders, while the Maple Leafs (19-15-7) extended their points streak to six games (4-0-2).

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews moved past Mats Sundin, who held the previous record of 420 goals for 18 seasons. It was also a milestone game for Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who played in his 1,100th NHL regular-season game.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and three assists to rally his club from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3. Brock Nelson scored two goals for the league-leading Avalanche (31-2-7, 69 points), as they extended their win streak to 10 games. Sebastian Aho had a goal and an assist for the 24-14-3 Hurricanes, who have lost three straight games but remain in first place in the Metropolitan Division.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche became the fourth team in NHL history to post two double-digit win streaks in one season, joining the 2019-20 Tampa Bay Lightning, the 1970-71 Boston Bruins, and the 1929-30 Bruins. Meanwhile, Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns played his 965th straight NHL regular-season game, which is the third-most in league history.

Nikita Kucherov had a goal and four assists, and teammate Darren Raddysh tallied his first career NHL hat trick, as the Tampa Bay Lightning rolled to a 7-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Pavol Regenda scored all three goals for the Sharks (20-18-3) as their three-game win streak ended. The Lightning picked up their seventh straight victory, improving to 25-13-3 and taking over first place in the Eastern Conference with 53 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin left this game with an undisclosed injury. There was no postgame update regarding his status.

The Buffalo Sabres’ 10-game win streak ended in a 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Denton Mateychuk had a goal and an assist, and Jet Greaves stopped 31 shots for the Blue Jackets (18-16-6), who’ve won four of their last five games. Josh Doan replied for the 21-15-4 Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring missed this game with a lower-body injury.

Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno’s shootout goal lifted his club over the Washington Capitals by a score of 3-2. Spencer Knight made 32 saves for the 16-18-7 Blackhawks. Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard scored for the Capitals (21-15-6), who have only four wins in their last 14 games (4-6-4).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Washington winger Tom Wilson left in the first period with an injured right leg. Following the game, head coach Spencer Carbery said he thought Wilson’s injury wasn’t too bad, and they’ll know more on Sunday. Meanwhile, Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas was a late scratch with a lower-body injury.

The Ottawa Senators doubled up the Winnipeg Jets 4-2. Thomas Chabot scored two goals, and Tim Stutzle picked up an assist to extend his points streak to 12 games for the 20-15-5 Senators. Kyle Connor had a goal and an assist for the Jets (15-21-4) as their winless skid reached nine games (0-6-3).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets defenseman Logan Stanley got into a tussle with Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, ending with Stanley dropping Tkachuk with a sucker punch. Stanley received two roughing penalties, while Tkachuk was handed a misconduct penalty.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby collected two assists in a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Yegor Chinakhov scored his first goal for Pittsburgh since being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets last week, as the Penguins (19-12-9) have won four straight games. Alex DeBrincat replied for the 24-15-4 Red Wings, who were limited to 12 shots in this contest.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of recently-acquired Penguins, Egor Zamula was suspended by the team for failing to report to its AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 31.

The Philadelphia Flyers defeat the Edmonton Oilers 5-2. Travis Sanheim and Owen Tippett each had a goal and an assist, and rookie forward Denver Barkey tallied his first NHL goal for the 21-12-7 Flyers. Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist to extend his points streak to 15 games for the Oilers (20-16-2), who remain in first place in the Pacific Division with 46 points.

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington made 25 saves for his first shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens, ending the latter’s points streak at seven games. Jonatan Berggren and Robert Thomas scored for the 17-18-8 Blues, while Jacob Fowler turned aside 17 shots for the 22-13-6 Canadiens.

A shootout goal by Brandt Clarke gave the Los Angeles Kings a 5-4 victory against the Minnesota Wild. Quinton Byfield had a goal and an assist for the Kings as they improved to 17-14-9 on the season. Brock Faber had a goal and an assist, and Jesper Wallstedt made 35 saves for the 25-10-8 Wild.

The Boston Bruins got an overtime goal from Vancouver native Fraser Minten for a 3-2 win over the Canucks. Minten finished with two goals against his hometown club, and Jeremy Swayman kicked out 31 shots for the Bruins (22-18-2). Filip Hronek had a goal and an assist for the 16-20-5 Canucks, who are winless in their last three games (0-1-2).

New Jersey Devils winger Jesper Bratt had a goal and an assist as his club defeated the Utah Mammoth 4-1. Jacob Markstrom stopped 30 shots while Jack Hughes and Brett Pesce each had two assists for the Devils (22-17-2). Michael Carcone replied for the 19-20-3 Mammoth.

Nashville Predators forward Michael Bunting had a goal and three assists as his club nipped the Calgary Flames by a score of 4-3. Erik Haula tallied two goals for the Predators, who improved to 19-18-4. Dustin Wolf stopped 32 shots, and Matt Coronato collected two assists for the Flames (18-19-4) as their three-game win streak ended.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 19, 2025

by | Dec 19, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 19, 2025

Recaps of Thursday’s action and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Connor McDavid scored a shorthanded goal and picked up an assist in a 3-1 victory over the Boston Bruins. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also had a goal and an assist for the 17-12-6 Oilers, who have won six of their last eight games. Pavel Zacha replied for the Bruins (20-15-0), who dropped two of their last three contests.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid has caught up with Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon for first place in the scoring race, with each player having 58 points. Calvin Pickard replaced Oilers starting goalie Tristan Jarry as the latter left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury. There was no postgame update on his status.

The Minnesota Wild extended their win streak to six games by downing the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2. Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov each had a goal and two assists, and Jesper Wallstedt made 27 saves as the Wild improved to 21-9-5. Zach Werenski scored both goals for the Blue Jackets (14-14-6), who have lost six of their last seven games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boldy join Kaprizov with his 20th goal of the season, making the Wild the only team thus far this season to have two 20-goal scorers.

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson stopped 22 shots to shut out the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0. Jakob Chychrun tallied twice, and John Carlsson had a goal and two assists for the Capitals (19-11-4) as they snapped a three-game losing skid. Dennis Hildeby made 25 saves for the Maple Leafs, who slipped to 15-13-5.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube pulled no punches about his team’s performance following this game, laying the blame for the loss at the feet of his players. He pointed out that the Capitals played with more passion and urgency. When asked why his players were so flat in this game, Berube replied, “Ask those guys, not me.”

Speaking of 4-0 wins, Ottawa Senators netminder Linus Ullmark made 24 saves to earn his shutout over the Pittsburgh Penguins, handing the latter their seventh straight loss (0-3-4). Brady Tkachuk netted two goals, and Drake Batherson collected two assists for the 16-13-4 Senators, who have won three of their last four games. Arturs Silovs stopped 22 shots for the Penguins as their record dropped to 14-10-9.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Senators announced that former head coach Jacques Martin will be inducted into their Ring of Honour in a pregame ceremony on Jan. 24, 2026. Martin coached the Senators from 1996 to 2004, following a brief return behind the bench in 2023-24. In 748 games with the Senators, his record was 367-261-96-24.

Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe scored two goals, and Anton Forsberg kicked out 31 shots for a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. With the win, the Kings (15-10-9) ended a four-game winless streak (0-2-2). Oliver Bjorkstrand replied for the Lightning (18-13-3), who are winless in their last three games (0-1-2).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and defenseman Ryan McDonagh returned to action after missing time with injuries.

An overtime goal by J.T. Miller lifted the New York Rangers over the St. Louis Blues by a score of 2-1. Igor Shesterkin made 26 saves, and Gabe Perreault also scored for the Rangers, who improved to 17-15-4. Jonatan Berggren tallied for the Blues (13-15-8).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers winger Artemi Panarin missed this game with an illness.

Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson scored to extend his goal streak to five games in a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Zach Benson and Mattias Samuelsson each had two assists for the Sabres, who won their fourth straight game and improved to 15-14-4. Bobby Brink had two points for the Flyers (17-10-6).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff picked up his 915th win to move into fourth place on the all-time list. Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring returned to action after missing a month with an injury. However, the Sabres lost defenseman Conor Timmins to a broken leg that will sideline him for six to eight weeks, while forward Tyson Kozak departed with an upper-body injury.

The Calgary Flames got two goals from Mikael Backlund to double up the Seattle Kraken 4-2. Nazem Kadri had a goal and an assist for the 14-17-4 Flames. Joey Daccord made 42 saves for the Kraken (12-14-6), who have lost four straight games and have one win in their last 11 contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Flames announced defenseman Jake Bean will be sidelined indefinitely as he will undergo surgery for an undisclosed injury.

Montreal Canadiens winger Zachary Bolduc tallied twice in a 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Lane Hutson had three assists for the 18-12-4 Canadiens. Frank Nazar scored, and Spencer Knight had 31 saves for the Blackhawks (13-15-6), who have lost four straight.

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston had two goals as his club held off the San Jose Sharks by a score of 5-3. Roope Hintz had a goal and an assist, and Jake Oettinger stopped 34 shots for the Stars (23-7-5). Chad Graf scored twice for the 17-15-3 Sharks.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 19, 2025

by | Nov 19, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 19, 2025

Hat trick performances by the Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard, the Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini, and the Lightning’s Jake Guentzel, a milestone game for the Jets’ Mark Scheifele, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF TUESDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard tallied his second career hat trick (and his second of the season) in a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames. Rookie forward Oliver Moore had a goal and an assist as the Blackhawks (10-5-4) are 5-0-1 in their last six games. Rasmus Andersson had a goal and an assist for the 5-13-2 Flames, who’ve lost five of their last six.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bedard is on a roll, with 11 goals in as many games. His 13 goals tied him with six other players for second among NHL scorers, and is tied for second in points with San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini.

Before this game, the Flames claimed center John Beecher off waivers from the Boston Bruins.

Speaking of Macklin Celebrini, his overtime goal completed a hat trick to nip the Utah Mammoth 3-2. Will Smith collected two assists, and Yaroslav Askarov made 24 saves as the Sharks improved to 9-8-3 on the season. JJ Peterka scored both goals for the Mammoth (10-7-3), leaving them with a record of 2-5-3 in their last 10 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was also Celebrini’s second hat trick of the season, making it the second time in NHL history that multiple hat tricks were scored by two players age 20 or younger. The last time was on Feb. 19, 1944, by Jack Hamilton and Bud Poile of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Tampa Bay Lightning got a hat trick from Jake Guentzel in a 5-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. Darren Raddysh had a goal and two assists while Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 31 shots for the 10-7-2 Lightning. Nico Hischier replied for the Devils (13-5-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak missed this game with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele collected three assists and became the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (898) in a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey, and Neal Pionk each had a goal and an assist as the Jets improved to 12-7-0. Zach Werenski scored to become the first defenseman in Blue Jackets history to reach 400 career points. His club’s record slipped to 10-8-2 as its five-game points streak (3-0-2) ended.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko’s points streak ended at 12 games.

Detroit Red Wings rookie Nate Danielson had a goal and an assist for his first two NHL points to double up the Seattle Kraken 4-2. Lucas Raymond also had a goal and an assist,and team captain Dylan Larkin scored for his 600th career NHL regular-season point as the Red Wings moved into first place in the Atlantic Division. Jordan Eberle and Ryker Evans tallied for the Kraken, who dropped to 9-5-5.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord returned to action after being sidelined by a lower-body injury since Nov. 5.

The New York Islanders got their fifth win in six games by holding off the Dallas Stars 3-2. Kyle Palmieri got the game-winning goal and picked up an assist for the 11-7-2 Islanders. Jason Robertson scored both goals for the Stars (12-5-3) as their five-game win streak ended.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars winger Mikko Rantanen received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for hitting Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov from behind late in the third period. Romanov had to be helped off the ice, but did not require off-site treatment. Islanders forward Simon Holmstrom missed this game due to illness.

William Nylander’s overtime goal lifted the Toronto Maple Leafs over the St. Louis Blues 3-2, snapping a five-game winless skid (0-4-1). Jake McCabe and Steven Lorentz also scored, and Joseph Woll made 28 saves for the 9-9-2 Maple Leafs. Nathan Walker and Dalibor Dvorsky replied for the Blues, who have dropped three straight and fallen to 6-9-5.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies missed this game with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the New York Rangers 3-2, ending the latter’s six-game road win streak. Tomas Hertl collected two assists, and Shea Theodore tallied the winning goal as the Golden Knights improved to 9-4-6. Vincent Trocheck and Jonny Brodzinski replied for the 10-9-2 Rangers.

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Penn State University forward Gavin McKenna has struggled thus far in his first season in the NCAA.

Ranked as the early top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, the 17-year-old left wing has four goals and 15 points in 14 games, but his performance hasn’t been as dominant as expected. He’s struggled at even strength and with the physical style of the NCAA game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McKenna wanted to test himself against NCAA competition, and he’s finding that it’s more challenging than he expected. How he responds and adjusts over the rest of this season could determine whether he remains the top prospect in next year’s draft.

DAILY FACEOFF/PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ville Koivunen is listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, the club placed winger Philip Tomasino on waivers.

DAILY FACEOFF: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring is expected to be sidelined for an extended period with a lower-body injury.

NHL.COM: The department of player safety fined Ottawa Senators forward Nick Cousins $2,000.00 for embellishment during a Nov. 9 game against the Utah Mammoth.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 26, 2025

by | Jun 26, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 26, 2025

The Mammoth acquire JJ Peterka from the Sabres, the Oilers trade Evander Kane to the Canucks, the Golden Knights re-sign Reilly Smith and are close to re-signing Brandon Saad, the latest CBA news, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE BUFFALO NEWS/THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE: The Buffalo Sabres traded winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for defenseman Michael Kesselring and forward Josh Doan. The Mammoth also signed Peterka to a five-year, $38.5-million contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $7.7 million.

Buffalo Sabres trade winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Peterka, 23, completed his three-year, entry-level contract. The up-and-coming winger finished second among Sabres scorers this season with a career-best 68-point performance. However, he was reportedly unhappy in Buffalo and wanted to move on.

This is the second significant June trade made by Utah general manager Bill Armstrong. Last year, he acquired defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to improve the depth on his blueline. This time, he’s bolstered the offense among his top-six forwards with a player who fits well within his club’s young roster core.

Kesselring, 25, should address the Sabres’ need for an experienced right-shot defenseman to skate alongside Owen Power. Doan, 21, is a promising power forward with middle-six forward potential.

The Sabres might not be done dealing. I’ll have more in today’s Rumor Mill.

EDMONTON JOURNAL/THE PROVINCE: The Oilers traded winger Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks for a fourth-round pick in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a straightforward salary dump by the cap-strapped Oilers, clearing Kane’s $5.125 million cap hit from their books for next season. The move removes some toughness and speed from the Oilers’ scoring lines, but it was necessary to free up cap room to re-sign restricted free agent Evan Bouchard and to address other roster needs.

The Canucks are betting that Kane can replace the toughness and physical leadership they lost when they traded J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers in January. The 33-year-old winger is a Vancouver native who is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility.

It’s assumed Kane will be motivated to play well for his hometown club in the final year of his contract. Canucks management downplayed his history as a toxic dressing-room presence earlier in his career. Nevertheless, Kane is entering a fragile Vancouver dressing room. Divisions between Miller and Elias Pettersson before the former’s departure contributed to the Canucks’ missing the playoffs.

Adding Kane could be like pouring gasoline on a fire. If that happens, the ensuing drama could have significant consequences for the Canucks’ hopes of rebounding from this season’s disappointing performance.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights re-signed winger Reilly Smith to a one-year, $2 million contract. They are also reportedly close to signing winger Brandon Saad to a new contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Smith signing leaves the Golden Knights with $7.6 million in cap space with 18 active roster players under contract for 2025-26. Saad is coming off a one-year, $1.5 million deal with Vegas after his previous contract with the St. Louis Blues was terminated earlier this season.

Vegas is rumored to be among the favorites to sign Mitch Marner when the Toronto Maple Leafs winger becomes a UFA on July 1. Assuming Saad gets a deal similar to Smith, the Golden Knights will have to shed considerable cap space to create room to make a competitive bid for Marner.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the NHL and NHL Players’ Association are believed to be getting close on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Details haven’t been revealed, but Friedman listed several items believed to be under consideration. They include reducing maximum length contracts from eight years to seven for re-signing players and from seven years to six for free agents from another team (UFAs).

Draft rights could be extended to age 22, and deferred salaries could be eliminated. There could be the implementation of a “permanent” emergency backup goalie (EBUG) to practice and travel with their NHL team. Revenue sharing could be tweaked to help some of the more middle-class teams.

The league will poll teams this summer for feedback on the decentralized draft. If the format proves unpopular, the league could revert to the previous format.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The players might not kick up much of a fuss over a one-year reduction of contract lengths. Seven and eight-year deals can be cumbersome for a player who might prefer a trade, but the remaining term of their contract hampers efforts to move them. Besides, we could see fewer of those lengthy deals if more players sign shorter-term deals with an eye on cashing in under a higher salary cap down the road.

Moving from an 82-game regular season to an 84-game schedule has also been discussed. It could go into effect in 2026-27, reducing the preseason by four games. Changes to long-term injury reserve rules have also been part of the talks.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers’ 2025 Stanley Cup playoff run raked in over $266 million for the city of Edmonton.

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports the New Jersey Devils remain in contract talks with Jake Allen. The pending UFA goalie is seeking at least a two-year term with an AAV of around $5 million, depending on the market and term. Allen is the top player in a shallow UFA goalie market.