Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 20, 2025

by | Jul 20, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 20, 2025

Recent updates on Jason Robertson, Morgan Rielly, Nazem Kadri, Erik Karlsson and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos recently released his updated offseason trade board.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of this is a rehash of previously reported rumors by Kypreos. However, it’s been a slow weekend for rumors, so I’m including them as a recap.

The big question regarding Jason Robertson is whether the Dallas Stars are willing to sign him to a long-term extension. The 25-year-old left winger is among the Stars’ top scorers and is a restricted free agent next summer.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have Robertson and defenseman Thomas Harley as RFA-eligible with arbitration rights next summer. However, they have over $27 million in cap space with 15 active roster players under contract, so there’s room to re-sign both to expensive new contracts if they choose.

Robertson was mentioned in trade rumors after the Stars were eliminated from the Western Conference Final for the third straight year. However, it doesn’t appear as though there was any serious effort on their part to move him. That could change if they fail to stage a Cup run next spring.

Three members of the Pittsburgh Penguins (Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson) are on the list. It doesn’t include Sidney Crosby but Kypreos suggests keeping a close eye on the Penguins captain.

Kypreos claimed there’s “a ton of interest” in Rust. The 33-year-old wing has three years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $5.125 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Rakell also has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $5 million, but carries an eight-team no-trade list. He could interest teams that are still seeking top-six scoring depth.

Karlsson is now owed a total of $11.5 million in actual salary over the final two years of his contract. If the Penguins retained part of their $10 million share of his $11.5 million cap hit, the 34-year-old defenseman could become an appealing trade target.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent reports out of Pittsburgh claim Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas isn’t shopping Rust and Rakell but is willing to listen to offers. There has been little indication that he’s willing to retain any part of Karlsson’s salary; he’ll have to if he intends to move the aging blueliner at some point.

As for Crosby, he’s in the first season of the two-year extension he signed last fall. All the speculation about him leaving the Penguins isn’t originating from Pittsburgh. Indeed, the local media is constantly reminding everyone that Crosby wants to stay put.

That could change, of course, but until it does, there’s nothing to see here.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri was added to the list. Given how thin the depth is for centers and his performance last season, the 34-year-old’s stock has never been higher.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos claimed that Kadri was willing to waive his no-movement clause for Toronto and Montreal. Previous reports indicate Kadri hasn’t requested a trade and the Flames aren’t willing to move their top center and leading scorer. If they were, the Maple Leafs lack the trade assets to acquire him, and the Canadiens aren’t giving up assets for a center who turns 35 in October with an AAV of $7 million through 2028-29.

Speaking of the Flames, Kypreos believes Rasmus Andersson will most likely be playing on a new team by the March trade deadline. The 28-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible next July and there’s no indication he’ll sign an extension before then.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: He’ll definitely be moved if the Flames are out of playoff contention by the trade deadline.

Kypreos wondered if Morgan Rielly might waive his no-movement clause for a fresh start elsewhere. The 31-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman has five years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $7.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m guessing Rielly has no intention of waiving his NMC.

Speaking of the Maple Leafs, Kypreos adding Brandon Carlo to the list. While it’s hard to believe the Leafs could trade the recently acquired defenseman, a lack of sufficient trade assets to acquire a scoring forward could make Carlo expendable.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos published this list before the Leafs acquired checking-line forward Dakota Joshua. He won’t address that need for a scoring winger, which suggests they’re shoring up depth elsewhere in the lineup instead. That would mean the current makeup of their top-six forwards is what we’ll likely see to start the season in October.

According to Kypreos, the Jordan Kyrou trade rumors won’t go away. St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong would like to make more changes to his roster, and he could move the 27-year-old winger for a big return. Kyrou is signed through 2030-31 with an AAV of $8.l25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kyrou rumors died away on July 1, when his full no-trade clause kicked in.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton recently surfaced in the rumor mill. The 32-year-old carries a $9 million AAV for the next three seasons with a 10-team no-trade list. Kypreos wondered if they might move Hamilton for a return that brings back a solid contributor. He thinks we could get a clearer picture once the Devils re-sign blueliner Luke Hughes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule anything out, especially with a dozen teams carrying over $10 million in cap space this summer. That doesn’t mean Hamilton is certain to be traded, but it could make it easier if one of the teams not on his no-trade list is interested in him.

The contract standoff between the Minnesota Wild and Marco Rossi has made the latter the subject of trade conjecture. Wild GM Bill Guerin said he’ll match any offer sheet for the 23-year-old center. Kypreos believes there could be clarity on this once the Wild sign superstar Kirill Kaprizov to an extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos suggests Guerin could be unwilling to part with Rossi until he knows for certain how much it’ll cost to keep Kaprizov in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Wild GM recently insisted that his club wants to retain Rossi.

The Colorado Avalanche must sort out Martin Necas’ future. The 26-year-old forward is a year away from UFA status and could seek around $10 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have over $26 million in cap space for 2026-27 with 15 active roster players under contract. There’s plenty of room to re-sign Necas, but they must ensure they have sufficient long-term cap room to re-sign Cale Makar to the hefty raise that he’ll seek when his contract expires in 2027.

Jonathan Marchessault could become a trade candidate if the Nashville Predators decide to shed one of their expensive long-term contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators GM Barry Trotz shot down speculation that Marchessault was unhappy in Nashville and would welcome a trade. He’s got a full no-movement clause. Trotz said he wanted to allow his veteran core to rebound from last season’s poor performance.

The Florida Panthers must shed salary to become cap-compliant if Matthew Tkachuk doesn’t start the season on long-term injury reserve. Winger Evan Rodrigues could become a cost-cutting trade candidate.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning could attempt to create some salary cap space by peddling defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

Kypreos wonders if the Seattle Kraken’s addition of left-side defenseman Ryan Lindgren could make blueliner Jamie Oleksiak available.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 19, 2025

by | Jul 19, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 19, 2025

Updates on Bowen Byram and Yegor Chinakhov plus the latest on the Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Following the Sabres’ signing Bowen Byram to a two-year bridge contract earlier this week, Mike Harrington looked at whether the 24-year-old defenseman remains a trade candidate.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

Byram will become eligible for unrestricted free-agent status when the deal expires in 2027.

Harrington suggested Byram could still have plenty of value at the March 2026 trade deadline because he’ll have another year remaining on his contract. That would provide the Sabres with the opportunity to move him in a “hockey trade” for another player, rather than for draft picks and prospects.

However, Harrington cited three NHL sources who confirmed that Byram never requested a trade before signing his contract and the Sabres aren’t shopping him. General manager Kevyn Adams could listen to calls about the defenseman now that he’s signed through 2027, but he’s not initiating those discussions.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byram’s new contract immediately ended all the trade speculation that swirled around him for months. Nevertheless, his name will likely resurface in the rumor mill if the Sabres get off to a poor start this season, or if they’re out of playoff contention as the trade deadline approaches.

THE PROVINCE: Steve Ewen wondered if the Vancouver Canucks will use the salary-cap space created by trading Dakota Joshua to Toronto to pursue UFA forward Jack Roslovic.

The Canucks now have $3.27 million in cap room and must boost their depth among their top-six forwards. They’ve been linked to the 28-year-old Roslovic in the rumor mill.

Roslovic earned $2.8 million on a one-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. The Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs are also rumored to have an interest in him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Canucks can’t land Roslovic, they could turn to the trade market. They were recently suggested as a potential suitor for Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann if he becomes available.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Yegor Chinakhov’s agent, Shumi Babaev, doubts there’s any way his client can stay with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Earlier this week, Chinakhov requested a trade. Babaev said the 24-year-old winger is comfortable with the team and the city but not with head coach Dean Evason. Babaev isn’t confident that the relationship between the two can be repaired.

Portzline indicated that Evason had conversations last season with Chinakhov, and there were conversations between the player and the assistant coaches. Through a spokesman, Evanson stated that the lines of communication were open and would remain so.

Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell is open to trading Chinakhov, but only if he gets the right offer. The expectation is that the winger will report to training camp in September, which Babaev confirmed his client will do.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see if Chinakhov gets traded before training camp. Several teams still have forward depth issues to address.

NESN’s Jay Pritchard believes Chinakhov could be a “smart gamble” for the Boston Bruins. Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski suggested the winger’s youth and potential could be a good fit with the rebuilding Penguins.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 16, 2025

by | Jul 16, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 16, 2025

The latest on Nazem Kadri and Jared McCann, plus updates on the Canucks and Blue Jackets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NAZEM KADRI ADDRESSES TRADE RUMORS

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson reports that Nazem Kadri addressed his name floating around in recent trade rumors linking him to his former club, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Kadri called the speculation “a little bit bizarre”. The 34-year-old center has four years left on his contract, he’s the Calgary Flames’ leading scorer, and there’s no indication they want to move him.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Nevertheless, there has been persistent speculation out of Southern Ontario suggesting Kadri reunite with the Leafs. They are reportedly seeking a top-six forward to offset some of the offense they lost following Mitch Marner’s departure.

During an appearance on the “Knight Shift” podcast, Kadri maintained he and his family were happy in Calgary. He also acknowledged the trade rumors, calling them part of the business.

“I mean, there’s not a whole lot in terms of sports going on right now,” he said. “I think it’s definitely a topic to talk about. And hey, why not talk about it?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some folks took Kadri’s comment as a suggestion that he’d be willing to waive his no-movement clause to get traded to Toronto. That’s not the case, but when it comes to trade options for the Leafs, some fans will engage in wishful thinking during the dog days of summer.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos claimed Kadri would waive his no-movement clause for the Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens.

Marc Dumont shoots down the possibility of the Canadiens pursuing Kadri, suggesting general manager Kent Hughes wouldn’t be keen to part with valuable assets to acquire a player on the wrong side of 30.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montreal needs a second-line center and has the trade assets to swing that deal. Nevertheless, Hughes prefers acquiring players in their twenties who could be part of the Canadiens’ long-term future.

KRAKEN WILLING TO SHOP MCCANN

THE CHRIS JOHNSTON SHOW: The host suggested the Seattle Kraken might be willing to move forward Jared McCann.

McCann, 29, has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McCann has spent the past four years with the Kraken and has led them in scoring each season, including a career-high 40-goal performance in 2022-23.

It seems odd that the Kraken would be willing to trade their leading scorer. There has been nothing in the Seattle media verifying his availability.

However, the Kraken have a new GM in Jason Botterill. He could be gauging the market value of some of his veterans with an eye on bringing in younger talent.

UPDATE ON THE CANUCKS

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance reports Vancouver Canucks management is eyeing several players in the unrestricted free-agent market. However, they lack the salary-cap space to add to their roster.

Teams are allowed to be over the cap by 10 percent during the offseason, but must be cap-compliant before their season-opening game.

Drance indicates the Canucks are attempting to shed salary to make room for further additions. He suggested Teddy Blueger ($1.85 million AAV on an expiring contract) and Dakota Joshua ($3.25 million AAV for the next three seasons) as possible trade candidates.

BLUE JACKETS SHOPPING FOR A GOALTENDER

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reported Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell is in the market for a goaltender, perhaps two. He’s seeking a No. 3 netminder with AHL experience who wouldn’t look out of place in the NHL.

If Waddell cannot find that goalie in the trade market, he’s willing to wait out the waiver wire during training camp. He indicated a willingness to carry three goalies on his roster to start the season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 10, 2025

by | Jul 10, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 10, 2025

Golden Knights center Jack Eichel on new teammate Mitch Marner, Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere looks forward to 2025-26, the Canucks’ goaltending logjam, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel said he understands what it’s like to start over with a new NHL club. He’s willing to lend a hand to help new teammate Mitch Marner adjust.

“Having went through the situation of leaving an organization in the city and having a fresh start with Vegas, I think I can relate, to a point, to some of the things he’s going through,” said Eichel. He added that he’s looking forward to continuing getting to know Marner and the opportunity of playing with him.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (NHL Images).

During the “Leafs Morning Take” podcast, Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy said it was difficult to predict if Eichel and Marner would end up on the same line this season, but he is looking forward to seeing the two players together when training camp opens in September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s possible that Eichel and Marner might not mesh well as linemates. Nevertheless, it won’t be surprising if they’re on the first line when the Golden Knights open their season in October.

RDS.CA: New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere acknowledged he and his teammates didn’t play well last season. His struggles at times made him the subject of trade speculation.

However, Lafreniere expressed optimism for this season, pointing out that the Rangers have a new head coach (Mike Sullivan) and a slightly different roster. He’s hoping to regain the form that saw him net a career-high 57 points in 2023-24.

Lafreniere also indicated that he ignores trade rumors, saying he loves playing in New York.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lafreniere’s struggles and general manager Chris Drury’s ongoing roster tinkering fueled the trade speculation. However, it seems that Drury still believes the 23-year-old winger fits into his team’s long-range plans. Lafreniere is in the first season of a seven-year contract that he signed last fall.

THE PROVINCE: Arturs Silovs was the 2025 AHL playoff MVP backstopping the Vancouver Canucks’ AHL affiliate win the Calder Cup. However, he’s stuck as the Canucks’ No. 3 goalie behind Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen.

Silovs’s Calder Cup performance and his solid play for the Canucks in the 2024 NHL playoffs could make the 24-year-old goaltender a player of interest for teams seeking depth between the pipes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Silovs is no longer exempt from NHL waivers. It’s doubtful he’d pass unclaimed if the Canucks try to return him to Abbotsford before the start of the regular season. With several teams in the market for goalie depth, Silovs could surface in trade rumors during training camp in September.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Climate Pledge Arena co-developer Tim Leiweke stepped down as CEO of Oak View Group following a grand jury indictment for allegedly rigging a bidding process for an arena project at a public university in Austin, Texas.

Climate Pledge Arena is the home of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. The team released a statement indicating Leiweke’s indictment has nothing to do with the team or the arena and won’t affect their day-to-day operations.

Leiweke is the former CEO and president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. None of the allegations have been proven in court. If found guilty, he would face up to 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

TSN: NHL player agent Todd Diamond believes the organizational makeup of a team plays a bigger role in where players sign rather than their location.

“I think it’s a red herring,” said Diamond, referring to the issue of teams based in no-tax states. “It’s all about winning and how organizations are treating their players.”

Diamond acknowledged that lifestyle, weather and climate play a role to a certain extent, but pointed out that he has had clients who preferred to re-sign in Pittsburgh and Carolina. “It’s all about the feel and the ability for organizations to compete that are the foremost drivers in deciding where players want to play.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A team in a no-tax state has an advantage in re-signing or adding stars for slightly less than market value compared to other states. However, it doesn’t assure that those teams will become Stanley Cup champions.

Some believe it was a key factor behind the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning winning five of the last six Stanley Cup championships.

Whenever someone raises this issue, they never have a suitable answer for why the Panthers and Lightning had long periods in their history when they failed to reach the playoffs. They can’t explain why the Golden Knights didn’t advance past the second round over the past two years, or why the Lightning haven’t won a playoff round since 2022.

Shrewd management and strong coaching were the real reasons behind the success of those teams.

NEW YORK POST: The employer of former NHL enforcer Nick Tarnasky is looking into a fight he had with another man on an Alberta golf course on July 4. The incident was filmed and subsequently appeared on social media.

Tarnasky coaches Red Deer Minor Hockey’s U17 team. Local authorities looked into the incident, but no charges were laid. Police were dispatched to the golf course following a report of a drunken man starting fights, but the probe was closed when officers arrived and the suspect was gone.

The video shows a man charging at someone who is thought to be Tarnasky, who tossed the assailant into a lake. The individual kept coming after Tarnasky, who threw several punches and then tossed the man to the ground. The man was then led away by his companion.










Notable NHL Signings and Trades – July 1, 2025

by | Jul 1, 2025

Notable NHL Signings and Trades – July 1, 2025

 Anaheim Ducks sign unrestricted free-agent forward Mikael Granlund to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million.

The New York Rangers signed winger Will Cuylle to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.9 million. Cuylle was a restricted free agent completing his entry-level contract.

Buffalo Sabres re-sign center Ryan McLeod to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $5 million. McLeod was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

The San Jose Sharks signed John Klingberg to a one-year, $4 million contract. He was an unrestricted free agent.

 

Defenseman Ryan Lindgren signed a four-year contract with the Seattle Kraken with an average annual value of $4.5 million.

The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman Nate Schmidt inked a three-year contract ($3.5 million AAV) and forward Brandon Tanev to a three-year contract ($2.5 million AAV).

The Los Angeles Kings signed defenseman Cody Ceci to a four-year contract with an AAV of $4.5 million, blueliner Brian Dumoulin to a three-year deal with a $4 million AAV, and winger Corey Perry to a one-year, $2 million contract.

Winger Jonathan Drouin agreed to a two-year contract ($4 million AAV) with the New York Islanders.

Forward Radek Faksa inked a three-year contract ($2 million AAV) with the Dallas Stars.

 

The Vancouver Canucks brought back Brock Boeser, signing him to a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7.25 million.

The New York Rangers sign defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year deal with an AAV of $7 million.

The Los Angeles Kings sign forward Joel Armia to a two-year contract with a $2.5 million AAV.

The Boston Bruins signed forward Tanner Jeannot to a four-year deal with an AAV of $3.5 million.

The New Jersey Devils sign forward Connor Brown to a four-year contract with an AAV of $3 million.

The Philadelphia Flyers sign goaltender Dan Vladar to a two-year contract with a $3.35 million AAV.

The San Jose Sharks sign winger William Eklund to a three-year deal with an AAV of $5.6 million. Eklund, 22, was a restricted free agent.

The Philadelphia Flyers signed center Christian Dvorak to a one-year, $5.4 million contract.

The Montreal Canadiens trade defenseman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for forward Zachary Bolduc.

Logan Stankoven signs an eight-year contract extension ($6 million AAV) with the Carolina Hurricanes. The 22-year-old forward was slated to become an RFA next July.

Jake Allen re-signed with the New Jersey Devils. The 34-year-old goaltender agreed to a five-year contract with an AAV of $1.8 million.

The Edmonton Oilers trade winger Viktor Arvidsson to the Boston Bruins for a fifth-round draft pick in 2027. This move frees up $4 million of salary-cap space for the Oilers.

Thatcher Demko signs a a three-year contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks worth an average annual value of $8.5 million. The 29-year-old goaltender was eligible for UFA status next July.

The Canucks also confirmed that Conor Garland signed a six-year contract extension with an AAV of $6 million. Like Demko, he was slated to become a UFA next July.

Martin Fehervary signed a seven-year contract extension with the Washington Capitals worth an AAV of $6 million. The 25-year-old defenseman was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 28, 2025

by | Jun 28, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 28, 2025

The Islanders select Matthew Schaefer first overall in the first round of the 2025 draft, further details emerge in the new CBA extension, the Stars’ Jim Nill is GM of the Year again, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FIRST ROUND OF THE 2025 NHL DRAFT

NHL.COM: An emotional Matthew Schaefer was chosen first overall by the New York Islanders in the opening round of the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles.

The 17-year-old Erie Otters defenseman overcame a broken clavicle this season and the loss of his mother, Jennifer, to breast cancer and his billet mother, Emily Matson, to an apparent suicide last year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schaefer was the consensus pick as this year’s top prospect among scouts and analysts. He has tremendous character and determination to match his skills as a potential first-pairing NHL defenseman.

First-overall pick Matthew Schaefer (center) is flanked by second-overall pick Michael Misa (left) and third-overall pick Anton Frondell (NHL.com).

The San Jose Sharks chose center Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit with the second-overall pick. Center Anton Frondell of SHL club Djurgardens IF went third overall to the Chicago Blackhawks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other notable selections included center Caleb Desnoyers of the Moncton Wildcats going fourth overall to the Utah Mammoth. He’s the first QMJHL player to be a top-10 pick since the New York Rangers chose Alexis Lafreniere first overall in 2020.

James Hagens of Boston College began this season projected to become the top prospect in this draft. He tumbled to seventh, not because he played poorly but because those ahead of him had better seasons. Comedy actor Adam Sandler reprised his Happy Gilmore character to announce the Bruins had chosen Hagens, much to the young center’s delight.

The Nashville Predators selected Brady Martin with the fifth-overall pick. However, the 18-year-old Soo Greyhounds center wasn’t in attendance in Los Angeles, preferring to remain at home helping tend his family’s dairy farm in Elmira, Ontario. Martin was surrounded by family and friends watching the draft on a big-screen TV in his backyard.

Analysts were caught by surprise when the Columbus Blue Jackets went off the board to select Russian goaltender Pyotr Andreyanov with the 20th overall pick. It wasn’t as bad as when they (and everyone else) were left scratching their heads over the Blue Jackets selecting Yegor Chinakhov 21st overall in 2020, but the move still raised some eyebrows.

You can see the complete list of first-round picks and analysis at NHL.com. Rounds 2-7 will be held on Saturday starting at noon ET.

Meanwhile, the reaction to the decentralized format of this year’s draft on social media was overwhelmingly negative. My friend Scotty Wazz of The Face Off Hockey Show has the details.

I felt sorry for the prospects. The best day of their young careers was spoiled by this lifeless, overly long event. It lacked the energy and excitement of the previous format in NHL arenas, with executives from all 32 teams in attendance to announce their selections. Hopefully, the league returns to the tried-and-true previous formula. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

MORE DETAILS EMERGE FROM THE NEW NHL CBA

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association announced they had agreed to a four-year extension of their collective bargaining agreement (CBA). It will begin in 2026-27, pending ratification votes on both sides.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun revealed some additional key points in the new agreement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: You can see the pertinent details originally reported (including an 84-game schedule beginning in 2026-27, reduction of contract terms, plugging the LTIR loophole) by following this link.

Training camp will be shortened from 21 days to 13 (18 days for rookies) to accommodate the 84-game schedule.

A salary cap will be introduced for the playoffs that applies only to the 20 players suiting up for each game. Teams will be able to shuffle their rosters between games, but the game-day lineup must be cap-compliant.

The minimum salary will be $850,000 in 2026-27, $900,000 in 2027-28, $950,000 in 2028-29, and $1 million in 2029-30.

Salary retention will still be allowed in trades, but a second retention on the same contract can only happen 75 regular-season days after the first one. That ends the use of a third-party broker in real time to facilitate a trade.

Neck protection will become mandatory beginning in 2026-27. Players with at least one NHL game before that season will be grandfathered and won’t be subject to this rule.

Fitness testing will no longer be permitted during training camp or the regular season.

Year-over-year increases on front-loaded contracts will be limited to 20 percent of the first year, down from 25 percent. The lowest year must be at least 71 percent of the highest year, up from 60 percent. For example, if the highest year’s compensation is $10 million, the lowest year’s compensation cannot be less than $7.1 million. The year-to-year differences cannot exceed $2 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow The Athletic’s link above for the entire list.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: Jim Nill of the Dallas Stars is the 2024-25 winner of the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. It’s the third straight year he’s received this honor, making him the first GM to win this award three times.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights officially announced the re-signing of winger Brandon Saad. He agreed to a one-year contract with a cap hit of $2 million. The 32-year-old receives a base salary of $1 million with a $1 million signing bonus and a full no-trade clause.

TSN: The Edmonton Oilers officially announced the re-signing of forward Trent Frederic to an eight-year extension with an AAV of $3.85 million. This deal was initially reported several days ago, although the cap hit is slightly lower than the original report of $4 million.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kraken GM Jason Botterill intends to retain Philipp Grubauer rather than buy out the final two years of the struggling goaltender’s contract. “We believe that Philipp can bounce back from that situation,” said Botterill. “We think there’s an opportunity still for success here.”

THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres signed forward Jack Quinn to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $3.375 million. Quinn, 23, was slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports Austin, Texas, is tossing its hat into the NHL expansion ring. The league has informed interested parties that the expansion fee is $2 billion. Atlanta, Houston, Indianapolis and New Orleans are also believed to be potential expansion markets.