NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 12, 2026

by | Feb 12, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 12, 2026

Juraj Slafkovsky leads Slovakia to an upset over Finland, Italy throws a scare into Sweden, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky scored two goals and collected an assist as Slovakia upset Finland 4-1 in the opening game of the 2026 Olympic Men’s hockey tournament. St. Louis Blues rookie center Dalibor Dvorsky also scored, and Minnesota Wild goalie prospect Samuel Hlavaj stopped 39 shots for Slovakia. Eeli Tolvanen scored, and Juuse Saros made 21 saves for Finland.

Slovakia winger Juraj Slafkovsky (AP.com).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Slafkovsky picked up from where he left off four years ago when he was named tournament MVP after leading Slovakia to a bronze medal, the country’s first in Olympic Men’s ice hockey. He silenced the critics who felt he would struggle against deeper clubs in these Olympics, as they overlooked the fact that Slafkovsky has four NHL seasons under his belt and is becoming a scoring star with the Canadiens.

Hlavaj was outstanding for Slovakia between the pipes. He tended to slide around a bit in his crease, but his acrobatic style and quick glove hand made the difference, making him the star of this game.

The questions that dogged Finnish goalie Juuse Saros since last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off persist. He looked shaky at times in this contest and could be replaced in the next game by Vancouver Canucks netminder Kevin Lankinen. However, Saros didn’t get much help from his teammates, who managed to get only one shot past Hlavaj.

IIHF.COM: Third-period goals by Mika Zibanejad and Victor Hedman lifted Sweden over Italy 5-2. Rasmus Dahlin collected three assists while Zibanejad and Gustav Forsling each had a goal and an assist for Sweden, who outshot Italy 60-22 in this contest.

Italian goalie and Anaheim Ducks prospect Damien Clara was outstanding for Italy, making 46 saves before leaving with an injury with 14 minutes remaining in the third period. Luca Frigo and former Canadiens prospect Matt Bradley scored for the Italians.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Thanks to Clara’s heroics, the gritty Italians threw a scare into the heavily favored Swedes in this game. They opened the scoring, tied the game at 2 in the second period, and hung tough in this one until Zibanejad made it 4-2.

Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm came off injured reserve, enabling him to play for Sweden in this game.

NHL.COM: Switzerland officially named Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi as their team captain for this tournament. New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier, Los Angeles Kings winger Kevin Fiala, and Winnipeg Jets winger Nino Niederreiter were named alternate captains.

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu believes the Olympic neck guard mandate is a major opportunity for NHL adoption. He interviewed several NHL players in this tournament who had different opinions on the subject, but it could be a matter of time before they’re worn more frequently.

CHL.CA: The Canadian Hockey League announced its top-50 players of the past 50 years. Fans can vote from Feb. 10 to March 10 to determine the final ranking of these players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The list includes current NHL stars such as Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor Bedard, and Hall of Famers like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Patrick Roy. Follow the link above for the full list and details on how you can vote to determine the final ranking.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The postponed Jan. 26 game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Blue Jackets is scheduled for Monday, March 9, at 4 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That start time isn’t sitting well with some Blue Jackets fans, who pointed out they’ll be at work when that game begins.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 10, 2026

by | Feb 10, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – February 10, 2026

Could the Blues move Jordan Kyrou by the trade deadline? Will the Kings peddle winger Warren Foegele? What could the Sabres do by the deadline? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE ST. LOUIS BLUES?

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford recently looked at other possible moves by the St. Louis Blues after trading center Nick Bjugstad to the New Jersey Devils last week.

Center Robert Thomas, center and team captain Brayden Schenn, defenseman Justin Faulk, winger Jordan Kyrou, and goaltender Jordan Binnington are considered candidates that could be moved before the March 6 trade deadline.

However, the Blues are currently setting high asking prices for those players. Some teams expressing some interest in these players have cap management issues to sort out. Rutherford also pointed out that these players have some form of no-trade protection this season.

St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be surprising if the Blues don’t make at least one more trade before the deadline. The limited options for quality center in the trade market explain the interest in Thomas, but the expensive price tag could make that an offseason move. Schenn and Faulk seem the more likely trade candidates.

TSN: Travis Yost believes Kyrou would be an alluring trade target, suggesting that his “down year” this season is reflective of the team he’s playing for.

Kyrou has averaged 32 goals in 82 games in each of the last four seasons. That justifies the $8 million annual cap hit for a 27-year-old winger in his playing prime. He also carries a full no-trade clause, giving him control over potential trade destinations.

After examining Kyrou’s analytic numbers, Yost considers him a worthwhile target for teams seeking a speedy scoring upgrade on the wing.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The market for Kyrou would be higher if he were a center instead of a winger. Nevertheless, he’d be a valuable asset for contenders looking for some scoring punch.

Kyrou’s no-trade clause complicates things. The Montreal Canadiens were interested in him last summer until that clause went into effect on July 1, and they instead settled on Zachary Bolduc. His cap hit is reasonable, but it could still be difficult for some teams to absorb.

THE KINGS COULD MOVE WARREN FOEGELE BEFORE THE TRADE DEADLINE

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andre Leal recently noted that Los Angeles Kings general manager Ken Holland has indicated he could be peddling winger Warren Foegele.

The Kings acquired winger Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers last week. Asked if he had more moves up his sleeve, Holland replied, “We’ve got a lot of forwards now.”

That glut of forwards has resulted in winger Warren Foegele being a recent healthy scratch.

“Warren Foegele had a great year last year,” Holland said. He acknowledged the 29-year-old winger has been out of the lineup lately, adding that he had to work the phones to address this situation.

Leal also noted that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the Kings attempted to get center Vincent Trocheck included in the Panarin deal. Foegele could be used as a trade chip in a package deal to bring in a center.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples suggested the Oilers consider bringing back Foegele, who spent three seasons with them from 2021-22 to 2023-24, including their run to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.

Staples cited several observers suggesting the Oilers swap Andrew Mangiapane for Foegele, citing their nearly identical cap hits. Foegele carries an average annual value of $3.5 million through next season, while Mangiapane earns $3.6 million annually through 2026-27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Kings use Foegele as trade bait for a center, they won’t be interested in adding another winger like Mangiapane.

THE SABRES COULD SHOP FOR A DEFENSEMAN

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn recently suggested that Buffalo Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen must add an experienced depth defenseman at the trade deadline to bolster his blueline.

Injuries have hampered Michael Kesselring, while Jacob Bryson and Zach Metsa have struggled, forcing the top-four defensemen to carry the bulk of the workload.

The Sabres will soon have sidelined forwards Josh Norris and Zach Benson back in the lineup following the Olympic break. However, Fairburn believes they still need a forward with postseason experience who can play a heavy game.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 8, 2026

by | Feb 8, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 8, 2026

Will the Canadiens trade Patrik Laine? Could the Red Wings or the Mammoth make big moves before the trade deadline? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WILL THE CANADIENS MOVE PATRIK LAINE AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels reported Thursday that Jeff Gorton, the executive vice-president of hockey operations for the Montreal Canadiens, said his club is exploring all options ahead of the NHL’s March 6 trade deadline.

“We’d like to be aggressive, and we will be, if necessary,” Gorton said. However, the Canadiens will balance that need against avoiding anything that could impede their long-term goal of becoming a perennial contender. If they don’t find a suitable fit by March 6, they’ll be content to wait.

Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

The Canadiens also have some injured players returning to action soon that could help them. One is Patrik Laine, who’s been out for the last 14 weeks recovering from abdominal surgery. The 27-year-old winger could return to action following the Olympic break, but Engels believes it could be with another club.

Engels cited the Canadiens’ offense improved this season, meaning they no longer need Laine’s goal-scoring ability as much as they did last season. He believes management is willing to retain half of the winger’s prorated $9.1 million salary to get the remainder of his expiring $8.7 million cap hit off their books. However, league sources claim the Canadiens won’t sacrifice an asset to move Laine.

RATINGS.ORG: Marco D’Amico looked at several possible trade destinations for Laine.

The Calgary Flames have some cap space open with winger Jonathan Huberdeau undergoing season-ending hip surgery. The Carolina Hurricanes have significant cap space and have two of Laine’s best friends (Sebastian Aho and Nikolaj Ehlers) on their roster. The Los Angeles Kings and Seattle Kraken seek more firepower.

D’Amico pointed out the market for scoring wingers could thin out with teams like the Kraken, Utah Mammoth, and Columbus Blue Jackets remaining in the playoff chase by the trade deadline. That could work to the Canadiens’ advantage.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine could draw interest from contenders seeking help on the power play. The Canadiens must retain salary or take back a high-salaried player in return. Given his long absence from the lineup, they still might have to include a mid-range draft pick in the deal.

The Flames are out of contention, so it’s unlikely that they’ll waste their time acquiring a pending UFA. The Hurricanes will likely pursue a player who can have a bigger impact on their Stanley Cup aspirations.

The Kings’ recent addition of Panarin addresses their need for more scoring. What they need now is depth at center. The Kraken are in the market for a scorer, but they could prefer a more reliable one with term left on his contract.

THE RED WINGS COULD BE BUSY IN THE POST-OLYMPIC TRADE MARKET

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman reported on Thursday that the Red Wings’ biggest need is a second-pairing defenseman, preferably on the right side. He felt they needed someone who could play tough minutes and take some pressure off rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka, who’s been filling the second-pairing right-side role alongside veteran Ben Chiarot.

Bultman believes Justin Faulk of the St. Louis Blues would be the best fit. Other options include Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils and Braden Schneider.

Those three have term remaining on their contracts. That could appeal to Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, who is usually hesitant about parting with assets for rental players.

RATINGS.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports the Detroit Red Wings are evaluating options for a center in the trade market.

Sources claim the Red Wings seek a veteran top-six center with term remaining on their contract. They’re believed to be willing to pay a high price. The Wings recently moved Marco Kasper to the wing, leaving Andrew Copp as their second-line center.

D’Amico suggested Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers as a trade target. The 32-year-old center is signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $5.625 million. He also has a 12-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers are sellers and shipped superstar Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings last week. The limited number of quality centers in the trade market could make Trocheck a prized trade option for playoff contenders like the Red Wings.

The Wings have plenty of cap space to take on the remainder of Trocheck’s contract. They also have the depth in draft picks, prospects, and promising young players to make a competitive offer to the Rangers. That’s assuming Detroit isn’t on Trocheck’s no-trade list.

If the Red Wings make a big splash for a defenseman, Bultman doubts they’ll have the assets left to pursue a top-six center. They’ll have to decide which is the more pressing need for the trade deadline and address the other in the offseason.

THE MAMMOTH COULD MAKE A SPLASH BEFORE THE TRADE DEADLINE

RATINGS.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports the Utah Mammoth have been looking to make another big move in the trade market since acquiring winger JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres last summer.

The Mammoth are jockeying for a playoff berth in the Western Conference. Sources told D’Amico that they’ve been in talks for a top-six forward to bolster their scoring, which has declined since center Logan Cooley was sidelined on Dec. 5 with a lower-body injury. 

It’s believed they’ve kicked tires on several centers, including Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames. Speculation suggests they could take a big swing in the market, with centers such as Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks and Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues said to be available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like the Red Wings, the Mammoth have the cap space and depth in tradeable assets to pursue a big-ticket center. However, Kadri carries a 13-team no-trade list, Pettersson has a full no-movement clause, and Thomas has full no-trade protection.

Kadri might be the easiest to acquire if Utah isn’t on his no-trade list, but the Mammoth might prefer somebody younger.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 6, 2026

by | Feb 6, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – February 6, 2026

The latest on Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault, Flames center Nazem Kadri, Sabres winger Alex Tuch, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

KINGS WERE INTERESTED IN VINCENT TROCHECK

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Los Angeles Kings’ recent acquisition of winger Artemi Panarin doesn’t diminish their need for a center. They reportedly tried to get Vincent Trocheck included in the deal with Panarin, but his preference is to remain in the Eastern Conference. Kings general manager Ken Holland is also looking to move winger Warren Foegele, who’s been a healthy scratch lately.

New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (NHL Images)

Friedman also mentioned that the Detroit Red Wings attempted to sign Trocheck when he was an unrestricted free agent, but the Rangers beat them to it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trocheck is going to draw plenty of attention leading up to the March 6 trade deadline. The 32-year-old center is signed for three more seasons with an average annual value of $5.625 million and a 12-team no-trade list. Most of the teams on that list could be from the Western Conference.

COULD THE PREDATORS SHOP MARCHESSAULT AND O’REILLY?

Elliotte Friedman believes Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault could be a trade candidate. He has a full no-movement clause, but could waive it to go to a place with a good minor hockey infrastructure for his children.

Friedman believes the Montreal Canadiens are interested in Ryan O’Reilly, but it’s unknown if the Predators center will be traded.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchessault could be available, but his stock is down from two years ago because of the decline in his production. He’s 35 and carries a $5.5 million average annual value through 2028-29.

As for O’Reilly, Predators general manager Barry Trotz said he hasn’t received an offer suitable enough to take to the 34-year-old center. That could change as the trade deadline approaches, but he could be content to stay in Nashville.

THE LATEST ON FLAMES FORWARDS KADRI AND COLEMAN

Elliotte Friedman believes one of the reasons Nazem Kadri’s market slowed is the availability of Trocheck and St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. He said the Utah Mammoth checked in with the Calgary Flames and believes this could pick up. There is a slight concern about the remaining term in Kadri’s contract, but the Flames are willing to be flexible.

Friedman also mentioned there has been a lot of talk linking winger Blake Coleman to the Montreal Canadiens, but he doesn’t think that’s feasible.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames are facing pressure to move Kadri and Coleman because the duo is signed beyond this season. Nevertheless, one of them could be on the move by the March 6 trade deadline.

Coleman seems the most likely candidate because of his versatility, experience, and affordable $4.9 million cap hit.

OTHER TIDBITS FROM THE LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” COLUMN

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes some teams will use the Olympic break to engage in contract extension discussions.

He wondered how the Winnipeg Jets and center Jonathan Toews might feel about another year. Meanwhile, there’s been some discussion between the Buffalo Sabres and winger Alex Tuch, but they’re not close to a deal. He noted that the Sabres aren’t interested in making their team worse, which suggests they’re not going to move Tuch. Friedman also thinks they might add a “beefier blueliner, if possible.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are in a good position to end their 14-year playoff drought. They won’t risk upsetting that by moving Tuch even if they can’t agree on a new contract. They’ll hang onto him and revisit those discussions in the offseason.

The Toronto Maple Leafs seek a first-round pick for winger Bobby McMann. What makes it challenging is that several possible suitors, such as the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights, traded away their 2026 first-rounders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs could end up settling for a second-round pick bundled with another pick or a prospect.

The Edmonton Oilers need to move Andrew Mangiapane.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Easier said than done thus far. They have reportedly trying to trade him since December without success.










New York Rangers Trade Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings

by | Feb 4, 2026

New York Rangers Trade Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Emily Kaplan report the New York Rangers have traded winger Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a conditional 2026 third-round draft pick and prospect forward Liam Greentree.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s not much of a return for a player of Panarin’s caliber, but the Rangers didn’t have much choice. The 34-year-old winger has a full no-movement clause, and Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports the Kings were the only team he wanted to go to and the only club the Rangers had to work with.

New York Rangers trade winger Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings (NHL Images).

Walker reports that the conditional third-round draft pick can become a second-round pick if the Kings win a playoff round and a conditional fourth-rounder in 2028 if they win two playoff rounds.

Panarin was reportedly seeking a contract extension before waiving his no-movement clause. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported there’s no extension yet, but the two sides are working on it.

Recent reports claimed Panarin was seeking a $40 million or a $50 million extension. Either one guarantees he would get at least $10 million annually. That’s a bit of a pay cut from his current $11.642 million annual average value, but still a hefty price to pay for a playmaking winger who turns 35 in October.

(UPDATE: ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reports sources claim the Kings and Panarin have agreed to a two-year extension worth an AAV of $11 million.)

The Kings are among the lowest-scoring teams in the league, which is hampering their efforts to secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Panarin should provide a welcome boost to their offense in the short term, especially with team captain Anze Kopitar recently returning from injury.

Over the long term, however, Panarin won’t be able to fill Kopitar’s skates as a center, and locking him up to an expensive, lengthy deal will take a big chunk out of their projected $26 million in cap space for 2026-27. That could complicate efforts to land a potential replacement for Kopitar.

 










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 1, 2026

by | Feb 1, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 1, 2026

Check out the latest on Rangers winger Artemi Panarin and Blues center Robert Thomas, plus updates on the Maple Leafs and Red Wings in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

UPDATE ON ARTEMI PANARIN

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Artemi Panarin still prefers to be traded to a team willing to sign him to a contract extension.

The 34-year-old New York Rangers winger is in the final season of a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $11.64 million. He also has a full no-movement clause, giving him full control over this situation. The Rangers are holding him out of their lineup as they attempt to find a suitable trade partner for Panarin

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

Friedman believes the Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, and Detroit Red Wings could be interested in doing the contract extension. However, he indicated there is some question over how the cap-strapped Panthers might pull this off.

The Carolina Hurricanes are interested in Panarin and are willing to be flexible regarding an extension, but it depends on how much they’re willing to pay him.

Friedman indicated that the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, and Dallas Stars are trying to convince Panarin to join them as a playoff rental. He believes that as long as the Stars remain committed to re-signing Jason Robertson, they’ll remain interested in Panarin solely as a rental.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals and Sharks have sufficient trade-deadline cap space to acquire the remainder of Panarin’s contract, though they’re likely to move some salary to the Rangers or request that they retain some of his cap hit to make it happen. The Kings, Red Wings, and Hurricanes have more than enough to take him on.

The Panthers have over $2.562 million in cap space, which might not be enough to absorb the remainder of Panarin’s contract without the Rangers retaining salary in the deal.

Complicating things is the possibility of team captain Aleksander Barkov returning to the lineup before the end of the regular season or in the first round of the playoffs. He was supposed to be out for the season with a knee injury, but has been skating recently with his other sidelined teammates. If it appears that Barkov might return later this season, the Panthers might not be able to pull this off.

INJURY TO ROBERT THOMAS MIGHT SLOW TRADE TALKS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman noted that St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas underwent a minor procedure on one of his legs and will be sidelined until after the Olympic break.

That might slow down any trade conversations involving the 26-year-old center. Friedman said there are “a bunch of teams” that believe there aren’t many clubs that could meet what the Blues want to do here.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Thomas is the Blues’ top center. Given the lack of depth of quality centers in this year’s trade market, they’re going to set a high asking price. His contract is also an issue. He carries an average annual value of $8.125 million through 2030-31, and has a full no-trade clause through 2029-30.

THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Toronto Maple Leafs management had a conversation with Auston Matthews’ camp regarding his future. He reiterated that nothing has changed, that the Maple Leafs captain remains committed to the club despite its struggles this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews has two years left on his contract, which understandably has some Maple Leafs followers concerned about whether he’ll remain part of their long-term plans. There’s no certainty as to whether he’ll still be with the Leafs by the time his current deal expires in 2028, but if the club rebounds from this disappointing performance, the odds improve that he could stay.

Friedman reports the Maple Leafs have started conversations around the league to gauge what other teams think of their roster and what they might be interested in. So far, there’s nothing that Friedman could consider “earth-shattering” being discussed.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, the Leafs aren’t shopping their core players such as Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, or Matthews Knies. Players most likely to be discussed include UFA-eligible players such as Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, Calle Jarnkrok, and Troy Stecher, and players due to become restricted free agents like Matias Maccelli and Nick Robertson.

COULD A DEAL BE BREWING BETWEEN THE JETS AND RED WINGS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: On Friday, Jake Tye noted that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman made mention of a possible trade between the Winnipeg Jets and Detroit Red Wings.

During Friday’s episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast,” Friedman said a source informed him that the Jets and Red Wings could have a match when it comes to a potential trade. He said that he didn’t know what the framework of the deal would be, but it could involve a Jets defenseman such as Luke Schenn or Logan Stanley.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets are eight points out of a playoff berth in the Western Conference and struggling to gain ground. They could start selling pending UFA players such as Schenn or Stanley if they’re no longer part of the club’s plans beyond this season.

Tye observed that the Red Wings have lots of cap space and can draw on their significant draft capital and deep prospect pool for trade bait. A lot could depend on whether they get seriously into the bidding for New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin.