NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 13, 2025

by | Jul 13, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 13, 2025

Notable points from the NHL/NHLPA CBA Memo of Understanding, teams vote to continue decentralized, the Canadiens pass on Evgeny Kuznetsov, and more in today’s morning coffee headlines.

NHLPA: released the link to download the 2025 NHL/NHLPA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding updates to their collective bargaining agreement. It goes into effect on September 16, 2026, and expires on September 15, 2030.

PUCKPEDIA: has a breakdown of the key changes, including playoff long-term injury reserve (LTIR), double-retained contracts, the reduction of contract term limits by one year, elimination of deferred salary on future contracts, revised limitations on front-loaded contracts and signing bonuses, maximum entry-level compensation, emergency backup goalie (EBUG) rules, and more.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the changes were reported late last month and summarized on this site on June 27 and June 28. The NHLPA link provides detailed information on the noteworthy updates, while the PuckPedia link is a worthwhile summary for quick reference.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the NHLPA was focused more on player lifestyle issues in this MOU.

The league gained on systemic issues, including contract lengths, bonus structure that affects hypothetical buyouts, deferred salary, and front-loading of contracts. However, the PA gained on more universal issues such as pension contributions, workman’s compensation, increasing the playoff fund, and accommodation for family members’ visits. They also codified the NHL’s participation in the 2030 Winter Olympics.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers felt the PA gave up too much in this MOU while gaining very little. However, most of their concessions affect only a minority of their membership (the highest-paid players) to a small degree, while the gains are for the good of the overall membership.

SPORTSNET: Sources confirm a two-thirds majority of the NHL’s 32 teams voted to keep the decentralized draft format for 2026. They intend to make changes to the production to shorten the length of the opening round, which lasted over four hours this year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like many of you, I’m no fan of the decentralized draft, but if they’re going to continue the format, they must improve their presentation and production. The opening round of this year’s draft was an embarrassment, overshadowing what was the biggest moment in the lives of the young players chosen in that round.

LA PAGE SPORTIVE: Louis-Andre Lariviere reported that the Montreal Canadiens won’t be offering a contract to Evgeny Kuznetsov.

The former Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes center spent last season in the KHL as a linemate with Montreal prospect Ivan Demidov. Kuznetsov was linked to the Canadiens, who need a second-line center this season.

Kuznetsov’s agent, Shumi Babaev, said his client is not currently in the Canadiens’ plans. “Evgeny would be a good fit. He wants to play in Montreal, but there’s no room,” Babaev said.

Babaev said as many as 10 teams are interested in Kuznetsov. He remains optimistic about landing an NHL contract for the 33-year-old center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The decline in Kuznetsov’s performance during his final two years in the NHL might have had something to do with the Canadiens’ reluctance to sign him.

TSN: Columbus Blue Jackets first-round pick Pyotr Andreyanov signed a five-year contract with KHL club CSKA Moscow last week. The 18-year-old was selected 20th overall in this year’s draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Young Russian prospects often spend several years in the KHL before making the jump to the NHL. This will allow Andreyanov an opportunity to develop his skills against professional players, some of whom have NHL experience.

TSN: Former Olympic figure skating champion David Pelletier joined the Dallas Stars last week as an assistant coach. He spent the last 11 years as a skating coach with the Edmonton Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL players have trained with figure skaters to improve their skating ability since the early 1970s, when former US Olympian Laura Stamm pioneered power skating instruction.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2025

by | Jul 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2025

Check out the latest on the Penguins and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TEAMS STILL CALLING ABOUT PENGUINS FORWARDS RUST AND RAKELL

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports that Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell “remain considerable commodities on the trade market.” He cited league and Penguins sources claiming “opposing teams still have heavy interest in both wingers.”

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas doesn’t feel that he needs to trade either winger. They are talented players who enjoy playing in Pittsburgh, team captain Sidney Crosby enjoys being their linemate, and they’re fairly paid.

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust (NHL Images).

Nevertheless, Yohe cited league sources saying they expect one of them to be traded this summer. He also indicated the Carolina Hurricanes were interested in both players, but instead signed winger Nikolaj Ehlers last week.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski suggested the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Seattle Kraken as possible trade destinations for Rakell. He also felt the rebuilding San Jose Sharks could be a wild card.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rust carries an average annual value of $5.125 million through 2027-28. He had a full no-movement clause until July 1 and now lacks no-trade protection. Rakell is also signed through 2027-28 ($5 million AAV) with an eight-team no-trade list.

Rust seems the easiest to move, but Dubas could give him the choice of potential destinations. We can’t dismiss the possibility of Rakell fetching a better offer from one of the teams not on his no-trade list.

Dubas is trying to rebuild as quickly as possible. His asking price could be a high draft pick or a top prospect bundled with a promising young NHL player.

The Penguins GM can afford to remain patient. If there aren’t any suitable offers for Rust or Rakell this summer, he can try again before the March trade deadline.

CANADIENS ARE STILL SHOPPING IN THE TRADE MARKET

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports the Montreal Canadiens are still trying to make moves in the trade market. On June 27, they acquired defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, and last week shipped defenseman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for gritty winger Zack Bolduc.

D’Amico cited sources claiming the Canadiens are still looking at Blues winger Jordan Kyrou. While his no-trade clause kicked in on July 1, he remains a hot topic for teams seeking offense.

The Canadiens are also interested in former Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov. They would like to free up some salary cap space before the start of the regular season.

D’Amico also noted some online rumors concerning Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli. However, his no-trade clause began on July 1, and the Lightning have no one to replace him.

Mason McTavish has been the subject of offer-sheet speculation. However, D’Amico reports the 23-year-old center doesn’t want to leave the Anaheim Ducks. He also noted teams are reluctant to part with their 2026 first-round picks, which would be necessary as part of the compensation to the Ducks if McTavish were successfully signed away.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues may be willing to listen to offers for Kyrou, but they’re not believed to be shopping Kyrou. Their asking price will be expensive. It could cost the Canadiens a top prospect like Michael Hage or David Reinbacher, their 2026 first-round pick, and a decent roster player.

Kuznetsov played alongside promising Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov in the KHL last year. However, it’s questionable that the 33-year-old center can adequately fill the role of an NHL second-line center. His performance declined significantly during his final NHL campaign in 2023-24. That’s the reason why he ended up playing in Russia last season.

The Cirelli rumor was wishful-thinking nonsense long before his NTC began. He’s among the top two-way centers in the league and was a finalist for the Selke Trophy last season. The Lightning aren’t trading him.

Idle speculation about McTavish’s role with the Ducks blew up into suggestions that he could be a trade or offer-sheet candidate this summer. Like the Cirelli rumor, it was wishful thinking. The Ducks have no reason to trade McTavish; they have the cap space to match any offer sheet, and it’s doubtful any team will overpay to get him.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 1, 2025

by | Jul 1, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 1, 2025

Alex Pietrangelo to step away from hockey, an update on Evgeni Malkin, Brad Marchand re-signs with the Panthers, Ivan Provorov re-ups with the Blue Jackets, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL’s annual free-agent period begins at noon ET on July 1.

PIETRANGELO STEPS AWAY FROM HOCKEY FOR HEALTH REASONS

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Alex Pietrangelo released a statement on Monday indicating he was stepping away from hockey for health reasons. In an additional statement, Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said the 35-year-old defenseman is dealing with hip injuries that would require bilateral femur reconstruction, with no guarantee of success.

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (NHL Images).

Pietrangelo said doctors advised him to remove the intensity of hockey to see if his body improves so that he can enjoy a normal quality of life. He didn’t indicate that he was retiring, but admitted there was a low likelihood of resuming his playing career.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pietrangelo’s condition likely means he’s played his final game. He is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $8.8 million. It’s expected the Golden Knights will place him on long-term injury reserve to free up salary-cap space to accommodate their recent acquisition of Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Pietrangelo’s absence leaves a big hole on the Golden Knights’ blueline. He was their best all-around defenseman, playing a key role in their march to the 2023 Stanley Cup.

EVGENI MALKIN TO REMAIN WITH THE PENGUINS

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reports sources close to Evgeni Malkin and within the Penguins organization confirm the 38-year-old center will play with the club for 2025-26. Beyond that, nothing has been decided positively or negatively.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said he told Malkin and his agent that they’ll see how the season goes and will meet again at the Olympic break next February. They’ll see where the veteran center is at that point, and then meet after the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malkin was the recent subject of speculation suggesting he could agree to be traded this summer. Barring the unforeseen, he’ll be back in a Penguins jersey to start this season.

LATEST NOTABLE NHL SIGNINGS

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Analysis of Mitch Marner being signed by the Maple Leafs and traded to the Golden Knights, and the new contracts for Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard, Florida’s Aaron Ekblad, the Islanders’ Alexander Romanov, and more can be found at this link.

THE SCORE: The Florida Panthers re-signed winger Brad Marchand to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $5.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers GM Bill Zito is ensuring his roster core remains intact as he attempts to keep his club’s Stanley Cup window open for the foreseeable future. As with the new contracts for Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad, Marchand’s deal should help the Panthers remain competitive in the short term, but it won’t age well as the 37-year-old winger’s performance inevitably declines.

Those contracts will eventually become burdensome, even under a rising salary cap. Zito could shed them via trades, buyouts or LTIR, but there’s no certainty those moves will be easy to pull off.

Potential trade partners will insist on some salary retention or sweeteners like draft picks and prospects. Buyouts count against the cap as two-thirds of the remaining value over twice the remaining term (and in Marchand’s case, as a “plus-35” player, the full value would still count against the cap). LTIR means they cannot accrue cap space during the season.

TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets are finalizing a new seven-year contract with defenseman Ivan Provorov. The deal would be worth an AAV of $8.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets attempted to acquire Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, but they lost out to the Montreal Canadiens. That left Provorov with considerable leverage to land this deal.

The 28-year-old is a good second-pairing blueliner, but this contract would pay him like a first-pairing rearguard. It would be a significant raise over the $6.75 million of his previous contract.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings re-signed forward Patrick Kane to a one-year contract with a cap hit of $3 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise here. Both sides wanted this done. The 36-year-old finished fifth among the Wings last season with 59 points in 72 games as a second-line right wing.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Los Angeles Kings signed winger Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, $4.3 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 29-year-old Kuzmenko struggled last season with the Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers. However, he regained his scoring touch following a trade to the Kings, tallying 17 points in 22 regular-season games and six points in six postseason contests. A solid performance this season could earn him an extension with more term.

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE PROVINCE: Thatcher Demko is reportedly close to signing a contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks. The 29-year-old goaltender is in the final season of his five-year contract with an AAV of $5 million.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames hired Brent Seabrook as a player development coach.

RG.ORG: Evgeny Kuznetsov is hoping to return to the NHL this season. The 33-year-old center spent last season with KHL team SKA St. Petersburg. His agent claims that around 10 NHL clubs have expressed some interest in his client.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens traded goaltender Cayden Primeau to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 27, 2025

by | Jun 27, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 27, 2025

The NHL and NHLPA are expected to announce a new CBA extension, the first round of the 2025 draft begins Friday, the latest on pending free agents Mitch Marner and Nikolaj Ehlers, the Stars re-sign Jamie Benn, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports sources indicate the NHL and NHL Players’ Association could announce the framework of a four-year extension to the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) before the NHL Draft on Friday.

The two sides are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), followed by a formal ratification that isn’t expected to face any obstacles. Once ratified, the extension would take effect for 2026-27 and expire at the end of the 2029-30 season.

Among the notable potential changes:

The NHL will move to an 84-game regular-season schedule starting in 2026-27. The preseason would be shortened to four games per team. Players with 100-plus games of NHL experience can play a maximum of two preseason games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL veteran players should be happy with that change. Most find the preseason too long or a waste of time.

Player contracts will be term-limited from eight years to seven for players re-signing with their current clubs, and from seven years to six for unrestricted free agents starting in 2026-27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Many players won’t have an issue with this change. The average length of an NHL contract is three years. The longest contract most can expect to see is four years.

A comprehensive playoff salary-cap mechanism will be implemented to remove the long-term injury reserve loophole that allowed teams to pad their playoff rosters by using injury relief cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the biggest problem in the current CBA that drew criticism from teams, players, and fans around the league. It’ll be interesting to see the details of this mechanism.

Other notable changes include outlawing deferred salary in player contracts to reduce the salary cap hit, signing bonuses capped at 60 percent, significant increases in the playoff bonus pool, establishment of a full-time emergency backup goalie for each team, improved player benefits such as health insurance and post-playing career insurance stipends, and the elimination of a mandated player dress code for arriving and departing games.

The next three seasons of the salary cap will be $95.5 million for 2025-26, $104 million for 2026-27, and $113 million for 2027-28.

NHL.COM: The New York Islanders are looking forward to the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles on Friday. They hold the first-overall pick and are expected to select defensemen Matthew Schaefer of the OHL’s Erie Otters. The 17-year-old Schaefer is considered the top prospect in this year’s draft class.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I conducted an updated mock draft of the first round for Bleacher Report earlier this week. It’ll be fun to see how things shake out because there are always surprises. Some players go higher or lower than expected, and there might even be a trade or two involving first-round picks.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving anticipates Mitch Marner will test the unrestricted free-agent market on July 1. The 28-year-old left winger spent nine seasons with the Leafs and will be the top player among this year’s UFA class.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff intends to continue contract talks with Nikolaj Ehlers. However, recent reports indicated the 29-year-old winger intends to head to the UFA market on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprises here. There’s been no contract discussions between Marner and the Leafs, and there’s been an expectation that this season could be Ehlers’ last with the Jets. Both will land lucrative contracts with new clubs next month.

TSN: The Dallas Stars re-signed captain Jamie Benn to a one-year, bonus-heavy contract. The deal has a base salary of $1 million, with $3 million in bonuses.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Benn completed an eight-year contract with an AAV of $9.5 million. The 35-year-old center has spent his entire career with the Stars and took a significant pay cut to stay in Dallas. The reduction also reflects the recent decline in his play. He had 16 goals and 49 points during the 2024-25 regular season, but only three points in 18 playoff games.

THE MERCURY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks placed defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic on unconditional waivers to buy out the final season of his eight-year contract. Vlasic, 38, spent his entire 19-season NHL career with the Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The buyout counts as $4.66 million against the Sharks’ cap for 2025-26, dropping to 1.16 million for 2026-27.

During his playing prime (2008-09 to 2017-18), Vlasic was among the league’s best shutdown defensemen. However, his performance steadily declined, and injuries limited him to 27 games this season.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly set to sign winger Conor Garland to a six-year, $36-million contract. The average annual value is $6 million, and would begin in 2026-27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garland currently earns an AAV of $4.95 million. He’s a fast and hardworking forward whose energetic style has made him a fan favorite among Canucks fans. Garland will be 30 when this deal begins, which could become burdensome if his play declines.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW/THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Panthers acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Tarasov will back up starting goalie Sergei Bobrovsky next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This could be another instance of Florida GM Bill Zito acquiring a struggling player who goes on to shine with the Panthers. Zito was assistant GM with the Blue Jackets when they drafted Tarasov in 2017.

This move opens the opportunity for promising goalie Jet Greaves to earn a full-time roster spot with the Blue Jackets. He played well in call-up situations over the past couple of seasons.

Meanwhile, the Jackets’ intentions for struggling starter Elvis Merzlikins remain uncertain. He has two seasons remaining on his contract. There’s speculation he could be traded or bought out. It’s also believed that they might not be done making other moves in this summer’s trade market.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken acquired center Frederick Gaudreau from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former NHL center Evgeny Kuznetsov will attempt a comeback next season. The 33-year-old had 37 points in 39 games in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 29, 2024

by | Sep 29, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 29, 2024

Recapping Saturday’s preseason action, Patrik Laine suffers a knee injury, Jonathan Marchessault and Sean Monahan made impressive debuts with their new teams, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF SATURDAY’S NHL PRESEASON GAMES

NHL.COM: The Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens was overshadowed by what appears to be a serious knee injury suffered by Canadiens winger Patrik Laine following a knee-on-knee hit by Leafs forward Cedric Pare early in the first period. Nick Robertson scored both goals for the Leafs while Kirby Dach replied for the Canadiens.

Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine had to be helped off the ice and reportedly left the arena on crutches wearing a knee brace following the game. There was no update on his condition but it’s obvious that the injury is serious.

Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj retaliated against Pare by pummelling the Leafs forward, earning 17 minutes in penalties including a game misconduct.

Laine wasn’t the only Hab to depart with a leg injury. Rookie defenseman David Reinbacher left in the game’s opening seconds after falling awkwardly on his left leg following a check by Leafs forward Marshall Rifai. There was no update regarding his injury after the game as he’ll be re-evaluated on Sunday.

Philadelphia Flyers rookie winger Matvei Michkov scored twice, including the winner in overtime, to defeat the Boston Bruins 3-2. Joonas Korpisalo made 37 saves for the Bruins.

The Edmonton Oilers nipped the Seattle Kraken 5-4 with Raphael Lavoie scoring the game-winner late in the third period. Mattias Ekholm scored a goal and collected two assists for the Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Edmonton goaltender Calvin Pickard left this game following a first-period goal-mouth collision with teammate Noah Philp. Following the game, Oilers coach Kris Knoblach said he’d know more about Pickard’s status on Sunday.

Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault had a goal and two assists in a 6-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Juuse Saros made 23 saves for the shutout. This was Marchessault’s first game with the Predators since joining them on July 1 as a free agent.

The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-3 with Sean Monahan scoring two goals. Elvis Merzlikins got the win with a 28-save performance. This was Monahan’s debut with the Blue Jackets, having signed a five-year deal with them in July.

St. Louis Blues winger Dylan Holloway’s second goal of the game was an overtime winner in a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, who had a 2-0 lead at one point in this contest.

The Calgary Flames doubled up the Vancouver Canucks 4-2. Ryan Lomberg and Brayden Pachal each had a goal and an assist for the Flames.

Florida Panthers forward Jesper Boqvist was the overtime hero in a 5-4 comeback victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Panthers scored the final four goals of this game after the Hurricanes went up 4-1 early in the second period.

The Los Angeles Kings downed the Anaheim Ducks 3-2. Alex Laferriere scored twice and Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist for the Kings. Lukas Dostal turned aside 30 shots for the Ducks.

IN OTHER NEWS…

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings game scheduled for Saturday was postponed and rescheduled for Monday in Detroit. Mechanical issues prevented their plan from flying to Detroit on Saturday afternoon.

YARDBARKER: Former NHL center Evgeny Kuznetsov suffered an undisclosed injury during a recent game. It’s expected he’ll be sidelined for at least two months.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning owner Jeff Vinik announced the Lightning Foundation will donate $2 million toward relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Helene in Florida.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 7, 2024

by | Aug 7, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 7, 2024

The preseason schedule is announced, Evgeny Kuznetsov talks of his struggles with the Capitals and Hurricanes, the Blue Jackets shake up their coaching staff, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The league released its 15-day, 106-game preseason schedule across 40 NHL and neutral-site venues in North America and Europe from Sept. 21 to Oct. 5.

The highlights include the Utah Hockey Club’s debut, the Buffalo Sabres playing in Munich, Germany and the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrating Kraft Hockeyville in Elliot Lake, Ontario.

The opening day of preseason features the Penguins facing off against the Buffalo Sabres, the St. Louis Blues going up against the Dallas Stars, and the Minnesota Wild meeting the Winnipeg Jets.

Former Carolina Hurricanes center Evgeny Kuznetsov (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: So what are your thoughts on the preseason? Are you looking forward to it? Is it too long? Let me know in the comments below.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Evgeny Kuznetsov told Russia’s MatchTV that he wasn’t happy with his performance during the final two seasons of his NHL career. It bothered him so much that he didn’t want his children to watch him play.

The former Capitals and Hurricanes center admitted last week that he’d been dealing with rheumatoid arthritis that causes pain in the joints. He was taking medication and injections to address the condition. He was also dealing with severe insomnia. Kuznetsov sought help through the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.

Kuznetsov said he’s been off the medication for three months and is feeling better as he begins the next stage of his career. He terminated the final year of his NHL contract and signed a four-year deal with KHL club SKA St. Petersburg.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuznetsov said he wants his family, including his children, to see what he can really do now that he’s back in the KHL.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports the Columbus Blue Jackets shook up their coaching staff under new bench boss Dean Evason.

Assistant coach Mark Recchi was fired after only one season. He joined the club under unusual circumstances last September after Pascal Vincent was promoted to replace head coach Mike Babcock when he was fired just before training camp.

Mike Haviland was promoted from associate coach with their AHL affiliate in Cleveland to join the Blue Jackets staff. Assistant coaches Steve McCarthy and Jared Boll will be retained. Meanwhile, Derek Dorsett resigned from his position as a player development coach.

TSN: New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said he isn’t closing the door to bringing back Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck. The two forwards remain unrestricted free agents.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lamoriello has previously waited until the last minute to sign some UFAs due to salary cap constraints. He could do the same with Clutterbuck or Martin but the Islanders are right at the $88 million cap with 22 active roster players under contract.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Konsta Helenius is foregoing the final season of his contract in Finland and is heading to North America to play for the Sabres or their AHL affiliate in Rochester this season. The 18-year-old forward was chosen 14th overall by the Sabres in this year’s NHL Draft.

OTTAWA SUN: Carter Yakemchuk signed his entry-level contract with the Senators. The 18-year-old defenseman was chosen seventh overall in this year’s draft.

NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: The Blackhawks signed winger Marek Vanacker to an entry-level deal. The 18-year-old was the 27th overall pick in this year’s draft.