NHL Rumor Mill – January 22, 2024

by | Jan 22, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 22, 2024

Should the Leafs approach John Tavares about waiving his no-movement clause? What’s the latest on the Capitals’ Evgeny Kuznetsov and the Canadiens’ Sean Monahan? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill

SHOULD THE LEAFS ASK TAVARES TO ACCEPT A TRADE?

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons observed the decline in John Tavares’ production this season. If the Maple Leafs can expect this from their 33-year-old captain over the remainder of his contract, perhaps the two sides should consider parting ways.

Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares (NHL Images).

Simmons wondered if Tavares, who has one year remaining on his contract with a full no-movement clause, would be willing to “make a most unselfish gesture and waive his no-trade arrangement?” He speculated that question might come before this season ends or in the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tavares made it very clear that he intends to play out his contract with the Leafs. I’ll be astonished if Leafs management asks him to waive his movement clause and even more shocked if he agrees to accept a trade.

Assuming that unlikely scenario took place, there is no market for a declining center that turns 34 in September carrying an average annual value of $11 million through 2024-25.

Tavares is earning $7.95 million in actual salary per season on the final two years of his contract Nevertheless, I don’t believe any club will take on that contract unless the Leafs are retaining half of his annual cap hit.

Even then, it would still be too expensive for most clubs to carry. Those who could are rebuilding teams whose playoff hopes for next season will be slim at best.

THE LATEST ON KUZNETSOV

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber noted that Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov was moved to the fourth line during Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Blues. Head coach Spencer Carberry said Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin were “getting crushed” when playing together this season.

The move was made in part to spark Kuznetsov, who hasn’t shown any consistency or momentum this season. Silber doesn’t see the 31-year-old center getting moved by the March 8 trade deadline because of his $7.8 million AAV and declining trade value. However, she speculated he could become a good draft trade asset.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuznetsov is signed through 2024-25. His performance has significantly eroded this season with just 14 points in 40 games. For that matter, so has that of the 38-year-old Ovechkin with just eight goals and 28 points in 41 contests. However, the Capitals captain is in no danger of becoming a trade candidate.

The combination of Kuznetsov’s contract and performance makes it unlikely that he’ll be moved by deadline day. I also think it will hurt his value in the offseason trade market unless the Capitals retain half of his AAV for the final season of his contract.

SUGGESTED TRADE DESTINATIONS FOR MONAHAN

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin recently looked at six possible trade destinations for Montreal Canadiens center Sean Monahan. He’s on a one-year deal with an AAV of $1.985 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Canadiens management reportedly has an agreement with the 29-year-old center that they would try to trade him to a contender if they’re out of playoff contention leading up to the March trade deadline.

Larkin listed (in alphabetical order) the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets as potential landing spots for Monahan.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Monahan would make an affordable and worthwhile “Plan B” for teams that fail to land Calgary’s Elias Lindholm if he becomes available leading up to the deadline.

The Oilers might not make any further additions following their reported signing of Corey Perry. As for the Leafs, defense and goaltending are more urgent priorities.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 16, 2024

by | Jan 16, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 16, 2024

Check out the latest on Jacob Markstrom as well as updates on the Canadiens and Capitals in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON MARKSTROM

SPORTSNET: Eric Francis isn’t putting much stock into recent trade speculation regarding Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom.

Francis noted the 33-year-old Markstrom’s no-movement clause gives the netminder complete control over this situation. He also felt that teams in the market for an upgrade between the pipes could be leery about pursuing established, highly-paid goalies, pointing out that the Vegas Golden Knights carried four unproven ones on their Stanley Cup roster last season.

Cap-strapped clubs could prefer employing cheaper options, such as the New Jersey Devils with Nico Daws and the Toronto Maple Leafs with Martin Jones.

Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).

Francis believes the Flames aren’t about to tear down their roster after moving back into playoff contention. He also thinks it would take an overwhelming offer for management to approach Markstrom about waiving his NMC. Such an offer, if it comes at all, might not occur until the offseason.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Trevor Neufeld pointed out that Markstrom hasn’t requested a trade while his outstanding play of late is a crucial factor in the Flames’ surge in the standings.

Nevertheless, Neufeld believes Markstrom faces a “Catch-22” backlash from a contingent of Flames fans upset that the netminder wants to stay in Calgary. If he’s playing poorly, it generates talk that they need to find a new starter. If he plays well, fans and media start examining how much he might fetch in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames general manager Craig Conroy has indicated he’s willing to listen to offers on pretty much everyone on his roster. However, he’s not about to start trading away assets while his team is battling for a playoff spot.

That could change if the Flames fall out of contention in the coming weeks. If so, Conroy will look at the market for pending free agents such as Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev. Someone like Markstrom (assuming he’ll waive his NMC) usually isn’t traded until the offseason when interested clubs have more cap space to work with.

WHAT WILL THE CANADIENS DO AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels expects the Montreal Canadiens to be sellers at the March 8 trade deadline. As many as five players could be shipped out in the coming weeks.

Sean Monahan is expected to be the most likely to move should Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes receive the right offer. Defenseman David Savard could be another trade candidate as well as winger Tanner Pearson. It’s also possible Hughes could shop one or two of his young defensemen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Don’t expect first-pairing defenseman Kaiden Guhle to be moved. It’s also unlikely that Jayden Struble will be peddled given that he’s been a pleasant surprise for the Habs this season. Justin Barron, Jordan Harris and fan favorite Arber Xhekaj have occasionally surfaced in the rumor mill.

Engels also reported on the Canadiens’ need for a scoring star. However, he noted that Hughes, head coach Martin St. Louis and team captain Nick Suzuki bristle at the notion that the club is devoid of elite forward talent. “It’s there, but in development,” wrote Engels.

Nevertheless, Hughes admitted that he’d like to add forwards who can help the Canadiens. They possess a stockpile of 22 picks in the next two drafts, a loaded prospect pool and plenty of promising young defensemen. As a result, Engels noted the Habs GM seemed confident that trade was one of three ways he could address that need in the next year or two.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie believes Hughes is working on adding a scoring forward to support Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook. However, Lavoie is uncertain if it’ll come through the draft or via trade for someone like the Anaheim Ducks’ Trevor Zegras.

THE SCORE: Kayla Douglas cited Montreal Hockey Now’s Marc Dumont indicating Hughes isn’t guaranteeing he’ll move one of his three goaltenders by the March trade deadline.

Hughes acknowledged the plan at the start of the season was to carry the trio of Sam Montembeault, Cayden Primeau and Jake Allen and evaluate potential trades. It’s still not the plan to carry all three for the rest of the year but he admits there’s no certainty he’ll move one of them by deadline day.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montembeault isn’t going anywhere as he’s emerged as their clear-cut starter, earning a three-year contract extension as a result. It’s down to Primeau and Allen and I think the latter is the most likely candidate as the former has improved throughout this season.

UPDATES ON THE CAPITALS

THE HOCKEY NEWS: In a recent mailbag segment, Sammi Silber was asked which members of the Washington Capitals could be moved by the March trade deadline.

Silber believed it’ll depend on where the club sits in the standings leading up to deadline day. She suspected winger Anthony Mantha and defenseman Joel Edmundson could become trade chips given their eligibility for unrestricted free-agent status this summer.

Evgeny Kuznetsov has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill. However, Silber doesn’t see him getting moved at the deadline given his $7.8 million cap hit through next season and his declining performance. She considers him more of an offseason trade candidate.

Nic Dowd, Sonny Milano and Nick Jensen could also become trade candidates if the Capitals become sellers.

Silber was also asked if the Capitals would trade goaltender Darcy Kuemper and take a flyer on Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Elvis Merzlikins. She doesn’t see either scenario taking place, especially for Merzlikins after he was involved last month in an on-ice altercation with Capitals winger Tom Wilson.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2024

by | Jan 2, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2024

Check out the latest on Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jeremy Swayman, Michael McLeod and Kaapo Kahkonen in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: On New Year’s Eve, Sammi Silber reported trade rumors are picking up for Evgeny Kuznetsov with the latest speculation suggesting the 31-year-old center could be moved in the offseason.

Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (NHL Images).

Kuznetsov is signed through 2024-25 with an average annual value of $7.8 million and a 10-team no-trade list. With the salary cap expected to jump by over $4 million this summer, there could be more of a trade market for him.

The Capitals were reportedly going to move Kuznetsov last summer to the Nashville Predators. However, the deal fell through.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuznetsov’s production has been in decline since reaching 78 points in 2021-22. He managed 55 points in 2022-23. At his current rate of production (11 points in 30 games), he’s on pace for around 30 points this season. That won’t help his value in this summer’s trade market unless the Capitals are willing to retain salary in the deal.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy last week cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noting that Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman is among several restricted free agents on one-year contract who can be signed to extensions as of Jan. 1.

Given Swayman’s performance, Friedman said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Bruins re-sign the 25-year-old goaltender, who’s eligible for salary arbitration in July. Murphy noted that Swayman repeatedly said he wanted to remain with the Bruins last summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins have over $25 million in projected salary-cap space for next season with 14 active roster players under contract. They can afford to pay Swayman a significant raise over his current $3.475 million.

Murphy wondered if an extension for Swayman could come as early as this week. Whether this week or this summer, I believe the Bruins will get him signed to a lucrative new deal.

After that, expect plenty of speculation over Linus Ullmark’s future in Boston. Swayman’s goalie partner has a year remaining on his contract with a 15-team no-trade clause for next season and an average annual value of $5 million.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reported on New Year’s Eve that forward Michael McLeod has come up in trade rumors as Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald scours the trade market to bolster his defense and goaltending.

Citing an NHL source, Nichols reported that teams were calling about McLeod and the Devils might be willing to part with the 25-year-old center. He’s on an affordable $1.4 million contract for this season and is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. With seven goals and 14 points in 35 games, he’s on pace for a career-best performance.

Nichols clarified his report after the Devils denied they were willing to part with McLeod. While his sources insist there is strong interest in the center, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Devils will trade him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hockey News’ Kristy Flannery explains why teams are interested in McLeod. He’s made significant improvement this season thanks to a boost in confidence from his play in the 2023 playoffs. In addition to his current offensive production, he plays a physical game and leads the league in faceoff win percentage. Those traits are also why the Devils prefer to retain him.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Max Miller noted that Kaapo Kahkonen has found his form with the San Jose Sharks. However, the 27-year-old goaltender is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and his value in the trade market is growing.

Miller listed the Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota Wild (Kahkonen’s former club) and New Jersey Devils as possible suitors for Kahkonen. The cap-strapped Maple Leafs would likely need to shed salary to take him on. The Wild could need help if Filip Gustavsson should be sidelined long-term. There’s a recent trade history between the Sharks and the Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kahkonen carries a $2.75 million cap hit and lacks no-trade protection. Still, he’d be a difficult acquisition for the Leafs given their cap situation.

Gustavsson is reportedly out for a week so the Wild won’t have to plunge into the trade market for a short-term replacement. The Devils can afford Kahkonen but his lack of playoff experience could send them looking elsewhere.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 23, 2023

by | Dec 23, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 23, 2023

The holiday roster freeze is in effect through Dec. 27 but that hasn’t stopped the media trade speculation. Check out the latest on Elias Lindholm, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jake Allen in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

POSSIBLE SUITORS FOR ELIAS LINDHOLM

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports there haven’t been any contract extension talks between Calgary Flames management and Elias Lindholm. However, management hasn’t told the 27-year-old center that they’re moving him and he hasn’t completely shut the door on staying with them.

Nevertheless, LeBrun believes all signs point toward a trade. He listed the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes as potential suitors.

Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).

LeBrun suggests it could cost the Bruins their 2025 first-round pick (they traded away their 2024 pick) or they could try to entice the Flame with a young player as part of the deal. If Lindholm were willing to sign an extension with them it would justify the cost.

The Avalanche have their 2024 first-rounder to use as trade bait but it’s too early to know what asking price the Flames will set for Lindholm. If they’re leaning toward a retool rather than a rebuild, they could want young players or prospects closer to helping them. The Avalanche, however, doesn’t want to spend too high a price.

LeBrun thinks the Hurricanes (Lindholm’s former club) have internally discussed the possibility of bringing him back. However, it’ll probably only work if Lindholm signs an extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Salary cap space will be a factor but we’ve seen in the recent past that clubs can get creative (use of long-term injury reserve, three-team deals) to get around that hurdle. Still, the club with the most cap flexibility near the trade deadline will have an advantage.

Of the three clubs mentioned by LeBrun, the Hurricanes are the only ones not using LTIR to be cap-compliant. They also have the most projected trade deadline cap space at $9.2 million.

Depth in prospects will be another factor. In August, The Athletic ranked the Hurricanes prospect pipeline 14th among the 32 clubs with the Avalanche 25th and the Bruins 32nd.

The Hurricanes appear to hold the advantage in cap space and prospect depth. Nevertheless, it will come down to which club makes the best offer. Despite their handicaps, the Bruins or Avs could be more willing to meet whatever asking price the Flames set for Lindholm.

MORE SPECULATION OVER EVGENY KUZNETSOV

LeBrun believes Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov looks like he could use a fresh start. However, he doesn’t see much of a market for him before the March 8 trade deadline because he’s signed through next season with a $7.8 million cap hit. The Capitals could have better luck moving him during the draft when teams have more cap space to work with.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The decline in Kuznetsov’s performance since last season will make it difficult to move him. Even with the cap going up for next season, clubs will be leery about taking on a struggling center who turns 32 next May and carries that kind of cap hit even for one season.

INTEREST GROWING IN JAKE ALLEN

LeBrun reports some teams have interest in Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen. They’ve informed the Habs that they’ll circle back next month to restart trade talks.

LeBrun believes the Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers have chatted with the Canadiens since the start of the season. He isn’t sure if the Hurricanes have decided for sure if they want a goaltender as they wait for sidelined Frederik Andersen to return. Allen, meanwhile, is signed through next season with a $3.85 million cap hit and a seven-team no-trade clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens signed Sam Montembeault to a three-year extension last month while young Cayden Primeau’s performance has been improving of late. That appears to make Allen the odd man out.

Still, Habs GM Kent Hughes seems willing to remain patient while waiting for the right offer. This could carry on through to the March 8 trade deadline.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 15, 2023

by | Dec 15, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 15, 2023

Lightning stars Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov enjoy milestone performances, the Blue Jackets beat the Leafs after blowing a huge lead, the Canucks honor Roberto Luongo, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos enjoyed his first-ever four-goal game while Nikita Kucherov becomes the first player this season to reach 50 points in a 7-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Andrei Vasilevskiy kicked out 53 shots as the Lightning (14-12-5) sit just outside the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 33 points. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had three points and Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist for the 13-13-1 Oilers as their win streak ended at eight games.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With 40 points, McDavid now sits 10 behind Kucherov in the scoring race while his Oilers (27 points) are two points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Meanwhile, Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman missed his second straight game with an upper-body injury.

The Columbus Blue Jackets blew a 5-0 lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs but prevailed 6-5 on an overtime goal by Kent Johnson, who finished the night with two goals and an assist. Elvis Merzlikins stopped 43 shots for the 10-16-5 Blue Jackets as he returned to action after missing three games to an illness. Auston Matthews scored twice and added an assist while Mitch Marner had a goal and two assists for the Leafs (15-6-6) as they sit second in the Atlantic Division with 36 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets seemed to be cruising to an easy victory entering the third period but the Leafs made it interesting with a five-goal rally. It was a costly win for the Jackets as winger Patrik Laine left this game favoring his left shoulder. Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves departed with a lower-body injury.

After inducting Hall-of-Famer Roberto Luongo into their Ring of Honour, the Vancouver Canucks blanked the Florida Panthers 4-0. Thatcher Demko turned in a 36-save shutout while Dakota Joshua tallied twice for the Canucks, who became the second team to reach 20 wins (41 points) this season and second overall in the Western Conference. The Panthers (17-10-2) sit third in the Atlantic Division with 36 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Demko and his Canucks teammates are starting to look like the squad that Luongo backstopped to five division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies and a run to the 2011 Stanley Cup Final from 2008-09 to 2012-13.

A shootout goal by Bobby Brink gave the Philadelphia Flyers a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals. Owen Tippett scored the game-tying goal late in the third period while Morgan Frost collected two points as the Flyers improved to 16-10-3 to sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 35 points. Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome each had a goal and an assist as the Capitals slipped to 14-8-4 (32 points) to sit one point out of an Eastern wild-card berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov missed this game due to an illness.

The Carolina Hurricanes nipped the Detroit Red Wings 2-1. Jordan Staal netted the game-winning goal in the second period while Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 25 shots for the Hurricanes (16-12-1), who hold the final Eastern wild-card spot with 33 points based on wins. Ville Husso made 37 saves for the 15-10-4 Red Wings as they hold the first Eastern wild-card berth with 34 points.

Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy’s shootout goal gave his club a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames. Boldy also scored in regulation while Filip Gustavsson turned aside 35 shots for the win as the Wild improved to 11-12-4 (26 points), sitting three points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Yegor Sharangovich had a goal and an assist for the Flames (11-14-5) as they sit two points out of a wild-card spot in the West with 27 points.

The St. Louis Blues doubled up the Ottawa Senators 4-2 in their first game under interim head coach Drew Bannister. Robert Thomas scored twice and set up another while Jordan Binnington made 32 saves as the Blues (14-14-1) snapped a four-game losing skid to move into the final Western wild-card spot with 29 points. Joonas Korpisalo stopped 26 shots for the Senators (11-13-0), who remain in last place in the Eastern Conference with 22 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, Blues forward Jordan Kyrou was asked about the firing of now-former head coach Craig Berube. “I’ve got no comment. He’s not my coach anymore,” said Kyrou.

Those remarks didn’t sit well with Blues fans as they booed Kyrou during this game. He was visibly upset afterward, saying he respected Berube and was only trying to say that he was focusing on his future and helping the team win. Overcome by emotion, Kyrou said, “I love playing here, so it’s tough hearing the fans boo me.”

Speaking of coaching changes, one wonders how much longer the Senators front office will remain patient with bench boss D.J. Smith as the losses mount and another season starts to slip away.

The Seattle Kraken thumped the Chicago Blackhawks 7-1, ending Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard’s 10-game road points streak. Kailer Yamamoto tallied twice while Oliver Bjorkstrand had a goal and two assists for the 10-14-7 Kraken, who also sit just outside the final Western wild-card spot with 27 points. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, remain mired in last place in the overall standings a record of 9-19-1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Kraken indicated goaltender Philipp Grubauer is sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

HEADLINES

THE ATHLETIC: Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin was the focus of an investigation following a human resources complaint by a team employee alleging verbal abuse in the workplace.

The alleged incident took place in late November. Two team sources claim the investigation is completed and determined Guerin did not commit a fireable offense.

The Wild aren’t commenting on the matter but released a statement indicating they conducted two separate investigations into alleged violations of their code of conduct and took appropriate steps to address those issues. This news comes a day after the club and assistant general manager Chris O’Hearn “mutually agreed to part ways”. Team sources say it was coincidental that the two investigations were concluded almost simultaneously.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said he and league commissioner Gary Bettman had been briefed about the investigations and were satisfied with the results.

SPORTSNET: Oilers winger Zach Hyman is calling for the eradication of antisemitism. Hyman is Jewish and the grandson of Holocaust survivors. “We live in Canada, in the US, where these things (antisemitism) shouldn’t be happening. And we can’t turn a blind eye to it,” he said. “Being a Jewish person doesn’t feel comfortable right now, and that’s a scary feeling.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No one should be the target of hate because of their religion. Freedom of religion is among the rights guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Buffalo Sabres placed winger Jeff Skinner (upper body) on injured reserve.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy and center Pavel Zacha were placed on injured reserve.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Arizona Coyotes center Nick Schmaltz (undisclosed injury) will be a game-day decision for Friday’s matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Sean Durzi (lower body) has missed the last two games and is doubtful to face the Sharks.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 5, 2023

by | Dec 5, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 5, 2023

The Lightning defeat the Stars during a milestone game for Victor Hedman, the Jets re-sign Nino Niederreiter, the latest projection for next season’s salary cap, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Tampa Bay Lightning celebrated Victor Hedman’s 1,000th career NHL game with a 4-0 victory over the Dallas Stars. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 25 saves for the shutout and Anthony Cirelli scored twice as the Lightning (11-10-5) snapped a four-game losing skid. Jake Oettinger stopped 19 shots for the 14-6-3 Stars.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (NHL Images).

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Laurent Brossoit kicked out 42 shots as his club held off the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1. Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers each had a goal and an assist as the Jets improved their record to 14-8-2 (30 points) to sit one point back of the second-place Stars in the Central Division. Martin Necas replied for the 14-9-1 Hurricanes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Jets announced the signing of Nino Niederreiter to a three-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $4 million. It’s the same AAV on the 31-year-old winger’s current contract. Acquired from the Nashville Predators last season, Niederreiter quickly fit in well with the Jets. He’s got 14 points in 24 games on their third line.

A five-goal first period carried the Arizona Coyotes to a 6-0 drubbing of the Washington Capitals. Nick Schmaltz tallied two goals, Alex Kerfoot had three assists and Connor Ingram turned aside 26 shots for the shutout as the Coyotes (13-9-2) picked up their fifth straight win. The Capitals made Evgeny Kuznetsov a healthy scratch from this game following a disappointing performance in a 4-1 loss on Saturday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Coyotes hold the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference with 28 points. Meanwhile, their ongoing saga for a new arena could be testing the patience of some of the NHL governors, who are currently meeting in Seattle.

As long as league commissioner Gary Bettman supports the Coyotes’ efforts to remain in the Phoenix area and has the support of the majority of league governors, it won’t matter if a handful of the others are growing weary of this situation.

An overtime goal by Pavel Buchnevich lifted the St. Louis Blues over the Vegas Golden Knights by a score of 2-1. Jordan Binnington made 33 saves while Alexey Toropchenko also scored for the Blues as they improved to 13-10-1. Jack Eichel scored for the Golden Knights (16-5-5), who remain in first place in the Western Conference with 37 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights played without defenseman Shea Theodore (upper body) as he was placed on long-term injury reserve on Saturday. The earliest he could return to action is Dec. 17.

The Philadelphia Flyers nipped the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on an overtime goal by Sean Couturier. Carter Hart stopped 31 shots, Tyson Foerster also scored and Travis Konecny collected two assists for the 13-10-2 Flyers. Sidney Crosby scored for the Penguins as they fell to 11-10-3.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins played without forward Matt Nieto (lower body) as he was placed on injured reserve on Saturday.

Montreal Canadiens center Sean Monahan scored two goals as his club doubled up the Seattle Kraken 4-2. Sam Montembeault stopped 31 shots while Josh Anderson finally tallied his first goal of the season as the Canadiens boosted their record to 11-11-3. Vince Dunn had a goal and an assist for the 8-12-6 Kraken.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Canadiens loaned defenseman Arber Xhekaj to their AHL affiliate in Laval. He’d been sidelined since Nov. 16 with an upper-body injury.

HEADLINES

DAILY FACEOFF: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman informed the league Board of Governors yesterday that the salary cap is on track to reach $87.7 million for 2024-25. The cap is currently at $83.5 million and has been flattened since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The $4.2 million increase is in line with the “lag formula” contained in the 2020 Memorandum of Understanding between the NHL and NHL Players Association coming out of the pandemic. The two sides can negotiate for a higher formula, something NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh hinted at during a recent interview with Frank Seravalli.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The PA could push to have it increased to between $88 million and $89 million. As Seravalli indicates in his report, however, achieving that goal would mean the PA having to make a concession, something the league isn’t planning on based on their report on Monday to the Board of Governors.

NHL.COM: Arizona Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram, New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal and New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes are the league’s three stars for the week ending Dec. 3.

CALGARY SUN: Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom left practice yesterday after suffering an injury to his right hand. An update on his condition could be made today.

CBS SPORTS: Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish did not travel with his club for their upcoming two-game road trip. He suffered an upper-body injury during Saturday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche.

THE MERCURY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks placed forward Ryan Carpenter and defenseman Ty Emberson on injured reserve.

NHL.COM: The 2024 IIHF World Junior U-20 Championship begins on Dec. 26, 2023, and will end with the gold medal game on Jan. 5, 2024 The tournament opens with the United States facing off against Norway while defending champion Canada meets Finland in preliminary round action. Slovakia will also face Czechia while Sweden takes on Latvia.

Speaking of the IIHF, all players participating in their tournaments will be mandated to wear a neck laceration protector.