NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 30, 2025

by | Jul 30, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 30, 2025

The effect of Kyle Connor’s next contract on the Jets, the latest on Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy, the wild cards on the Canadiens’ roster, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau observed that the Winnipeg Jets have had little difficulty getting core players like Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, and Josh Morrissey to accept less money to stay in Winnipeg. However, Kyle Connor could become an exception.

Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor (NHL Images).

Connor is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. The 28-year-old winger currently earns an average annual value (AAV) of $7.14 million. Over five of the NHL’s last five full seasons, he’s never had less than 31 goals. Last season, he netted 41 goals and set career highs with 56 assists and 97 points.

If Connor is willing to accept between $9 million and $9.5 million on his next contract, it would be a significant win for the Jets. However, there’s no guarantee he will accept such a deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Connor has been a bargain for the Jets on his current contract. He’ll be seeking a substantial raise that will exceed $10 million, especially if he has another 40-goal campaign.

The salary cap will rise to $104 million for 2025-26, the first season of Connor’s next contract. Winnipeg has a projected $47.8 million in cap space, though that could shrink by around $5 million if they manage to re-sign Dylan Samberg to a contract. Nevertheless, they’ll have enough to re-sign Connor to a substantial raise if they want to.

Winnipeg lost Nikolaj Ehlers to free agency this summer. They’ll do what they can to avoid the same fate with Connor, but that depends on his asking price.

BOSTON HERALD: Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy is eager to return to action after his 2024-25 campaign was cut short by a shoulder injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.

McAvoy said he’s focused his offseason training on getting healthy and regaining his form. He indicated that he has accomplished a lot with his off-ice training and is starting to ramp things up on the ice.

The 27-year-old defenseman anticipates he’ll be ready for training camp in September. It’s expected he’ll be taking on a larger leadership role with the Bruins, along with teammate David Pastrnak.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins hope for a bounce-back performance in 2025-26 after an injury-ravaged season knocked them out of playoff contention last season. A healthy McAvoy will be crucial to their postseason hopes.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Brendan Kelly believes questions surround Canadiens forwards Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, and Patrik Laine for 2025-26.

The oft-injured Dach is trying to get his career back on track as he’ll again try to nail down the second-line center position. Newhook must bring more than speed to his game to improve the dynamic of the Canadiens’ forward group. As for Laine, Kelly believes the Habs will be almost guaranteed to become a playoff contender if the big Finnish winger can regain his high-scoring ways.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ core of young talent should be a contender if they continue improving and stay healthy. Nevertheless, getting better performances from Dach, Newhook ,and Laine will also be crucial to nailing down another postseason berth.

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma believes promising Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki would benefit from another season with their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

The 21-year-old right winger had 29 points in 36 AHL regular-season games and seven points in 16 Calder Cup playoff games. At times, however, the 5’11”, 172-pounder struggled and looked tired down the stretch as he adjusted to the North American pace.

Kuzma pointed out the Canucks are currently well-stocked on the right wing this season with Brock Boeser, Conor Garland, and Kiefer Sherwood. He believes it wouldn’t do Lekkerimaki any good to be skating on their fourth line.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lekkerimaki could force the issue if he has a strong training camp. Still, it wouldn’t hurt him to spend another season in Abbotsford. He’s waiver-exempt so there’s no fear of losing him to waivers this season.

CALGARY SUN: Flames prospect Zayne Parekh will skip the rest of Team Canada’s mid-summer camp for precautionary reasons related to a lower-body injury.

The 19-year-old defenseman has returned to Calgary to follow up with the Flames’ medical staff. He’s expected to be a full participant at their training camp in September.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Former Sabres head coach Ted Nolan is being recognized for his work in hockey and with Canada’s Indigenous communities. On Oct. 29, Nolan will receive Canada’s Order of Sport Award, marking his induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Nolan coached the Sabres from 1995 to 1997, winning the Jack Adams Award in 1996-97 as NHL Coach of the Year. He coached them again from 2013 to 2015.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 15, 2025

by | Jul 15, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 15, 2025

Will the Penguins trade Erik Karlsson or Tristan Jarry this summer? What does the future hold for Canadiens winger Patrik Laine and defenseman Mike Matheson? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST PENGUINS SPECULATION

TRIBLIVE.COM: Mark Madden believes the Pittsburgh Penguins’ recent acquisition of right-shot defenseman Matt Dumba “indicates that Erik Karlsson’s exit is pending and promising 19-year-old prospect Harrison Brunicke won’t make the team.”

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images)

Madden thinks landing Dumba is the first domino. He believes Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is primed to make a flurry of trades.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Since dealing for Dumba last Thursday, Dubas acquired promising goaltender Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. Other moves could be in the works, but whether they involve Karlsson remains to be seen.

TSN: Travis Yost wonders if Karlsson might land with a Canadian team like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers or reunite with his first NHL team, the Ottawa Senators. He believes the 35-year-old puck-moving defenseman would benefit under “the right structure, defense partner, and deployment insulation to reestablish himself as a difference-maker.”

Yost acknowledged Karlsson’s defensive shortcomings, but believes his offensive contributions remain significant at even strength and on the power play that he’s still a valuable contributor.

The Maple Leafs need to restore some of the offensive pop they lost by trading Mitch Marner. There are questions about defenseman Morgan Rielly’s long-term status in Toronto. Yost thinks Karlsson could be a fit there if the Penguins retain a big piece of their $10 million share of his $11.5 million annual cap hit through 2026-27.

Yost suggested that Oilers superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can only benefit from adding another blueline playmaker. He also proposed the possibility of the Oilers moving Darnell Nurse and his $9.25 million cap hit as part of a bigger trade.

As for the Senators, Karlsson might be willing to return to Ottawa now that the club has new ownership. Their core players are no longer young, their window to contend is now, they have over $4 million in cap space, and Nick Jensen’s contract comes off their books at the end of this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anything’s possible, but it seems unlikely that Karlsson will join one of those three clubs.

The Leafs could be the better fit, but it’ll still require some complicated salary-cap juggling to make it happen, something that might have to wait until closer to the trade deadline. They don’t have many tradeable assets (draft picks, prospects, young players) to use as trade bait.

Nurse was reportedly asked if he would waive his no-movement clause, but he declined. As for the Senators, they might not be among the teams Karlsson would accept being traded to. His career is winding down, and so are his chances of winning the Stanley Cup. It’s rumored he would waive his NMC to join a contender.

DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek noted the Penguins’ acquisition of Silovs from the Canucks earlier this week. With Joel Blomqvist poised to take on a significant role this season, Marek wondered where starting goalie Tristan Jarry might end up and how much the Penguins will have to pay to move him.

“Could this be a deal for the Edmonton Oilers?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No. No, it couldn’t. Jarry is more inconsistent than Skinner, and he’s signed through 2027-28.

Granted, there aren’t many palatable options that could be considered upgrades for the Oilers’ goaltending position, but Jarry’s record over the last three years and his limited playoff experience don’t inspire confidence.

By the way, some fans have wondered if the Oilers might pursue former Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart if he is found not guilty in the sexual assault trial involving members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team.

Daily Faceoff’s Jason Gregor stated that any report linking the Oilers to Hart is incorrect. They won’t be approaching him even if he’s found not guilty.

UPDATE ON THE CANADIENS

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau wondered about the status of Patrik Laine. The 28-year-old Montreal Canadiens winger is in the final year of his contract with a cap hit of $8.7 million.

GM Kent Hughes must decide if he’ll re-sign Laine for the same amount or less than market value, move him before the March deadline, or let him depart via free agency next July.

Proteau observed Hughes isn’t under pressure to move Laine imminently, but the longer he goes without a contract extension, the more likely his time with the Canadiens will come to an end.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine surfaced briefly in trade rumors this spring, but Hughes and Jeff Gorton (the Canadiens’ executive VP of hockey operations) shot them down.

Laine missed the first two months of the season with a knee injury. He scored 20 goals in 53 games, with a team-leading 15 power-play goals, but struggled at even strength and was banged up down the stretch.

His future in Montreal will be determined by his performance this season.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports that Gorton believes Mike Matheson remains a key cog on the Canadiens’ blueline.

The 31-year-old defenseman was the subject of trade speculation after they acquired Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders last month. Like Laine, he’s a year away from UFA status.

However, Gorton praised Matheson’s overall play, experience and leadership. Murphy speculates he could end up on the top pairing alongside Dobson this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matheson’s occasional defensive gaffes made him the target of criticism from Canadiens fans, prompting some to suggest he be used as trade bait for a second-line center. However, the limited options in the trade market to address that need suggest they’ll hang onto him for this season. It wouldn’t be surprising if they sign him to an extension.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 6, 2025

by | May 6, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 6, 2025

What’s the latest on the off-season plans for the Canadiens, Canucks and Senators? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CANADIENS?

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Herb Zurkowsky and Stu Cowan report Jeff Gorton, the Canadiens executive vice-president of hockey operations, is pleased and proud of his rebuilding club’s performance this season. However, he felt there was still work to be done.

Gorton believes the Canadiens must improve defensively, they need more scoring, and must get bigger and more competitive. “We want to build a team that can compete for a Stanley Cup every year,” he said. “We’re getting there (but) we’re not quite there.”

Gorton acknowledged the club’s need for a second-line center, but suggested adding a creative winger who can drive the play could be another way to bolster their top-six forwards. He didn’t rule out the possibility of using an offer sheet to address a roster need.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes will explore the trade and free-agent markets for a second-line center. However, Gorton’s remark about seeking a winger suggests limited options will be available to address that center position.

Cowan noted that Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs is the type of winger Gorton was referring to. The 28-year-old is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. If Marner goes to market, the Canadiens could find it difficult to win a bidding war that could see him earn over $15 million annually on his next contract.

TSN: Canadiens GM Kent Hughes came to the defense of Patrik Laine. The 27-year-old winger had an up-and-down performance this season, missing the first two months of the season with a knee injury and the final three games of the postseason with a broken finger.

Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

Speaking in French, Hughes told reporters the Canadiens wouldn’t have made the playoffs without Laine. He scored 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine received recent media criticism regarding his play, culminating in Pat Hickey of The Gazette calling for the winger to be traded or bought out. However, Laine’s return to the lineup in December was among the factors in their midseason turnaround that vaulted them into playoff contention.

Laine has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $8.7 million and a 10-team no-trade clause. They’ll likely hang onto him and try to find a playmaking second-line center or winger that best suits his shoot-first style of play.

TVA SPORTS: Hughes said the Canadiens haven’t announced their intentions regarding their UFA players like Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak and Michael Pezzetta. Management intends to meet soon to discuss their options and will inform those players of their decision.

COULD THE CANUCKS TRADE THEIR FIRST-ROUND PICK?

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma believes the Vancouver Canucks should use their first-round pick in this year’s draft (15th overall) as a trade chip to bring in a proven center.

The jury remains out on Elias Pettersson as a reliable first-line center. Meanwhile, health concerns continue to dog midseason acquisition Filip Chytil.

Kuzma suggested targeting someone like Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings. Larkin recently expressed his unhappiness with management’s inability to make a significant move at the March trade deadline to improve the club’s playoff chances.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin may be unhappy with the Wings’ direction this season but there’s no indication that he wants to be traded. He also has a full no-trade clause and Kuzma acknowledged it would take something special to pry him out of Motown. A first-round pick would only be one piece of a likely three-asset offer to get him.

Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre also believes the Canucks must shop their 2025 first-rounder for a return that will help them bounce back next season. He agrees that they’ll target a top-six forward.

WHAT ARE THE SENATORS’ OFFSEASON PLANS?

THE ATHLETIC: Julian McKenzie believes the Ottawa Senators will attempt to find a scoring forward this summer.

Toronto’s Mitch Marner could be a free-agent option but he’ll likely be out of the Senators’ price range. Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets seems a realistic target. They could also be linked to Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks.

The Senators also need more blueline depth. One option could be Rasmus Andersson if he and the Calgary Flames don’t agree to a contract extension this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The availability of salary-cap space and tradeable assets will be an issue if the Senators intend to go big-game hunting this summer.

They have a projected $17.5 million in cap room with 14 active roster players (including their core players except Giroux) under contract next season. Landing a top-six scorer will take up a big chunk.

The Senators used to have a deep prospect pool, but it’s now ranked 27th by The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler. They also don’t have a lot of extra draft picks to use as trade bait.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports sources told him the Senators will likely search for a top-six right wing and a right-shot defenseman.

Senators forward Drake Batherson’s name surfaced at the trade deadline, but the club instead traded Josh Norris to Buffalo for Dylan Cozens. Garrioch writes that several teams wonder if general manager Steve Staios would be willing to listen to offers for Batherson around the draft.

Garrioch believes the Senators would have to tread carefully regarding Batherson because of their scoring difficulties this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators would want an established player in return for Batherson, not picks, prospects or an inexperienced young NHLer. In other words, something like the Cozens-for-Norris deal.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 4, 2025

by | May 4, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 4, 2025

What’s next for the Wild and Avalanche heading into the offseason? Has Patrik Laine played his final game with the Canadiens? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE WILD?

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith looked at the offseason “to-do” list for Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin.

Topping the list is signing Kirill Kaprizov to a contract extension. He has one season left on his five-year, $45 million contract. Russo and Smith speculate they’ll re-sign the 28-year-old superstar winger to an eight-year deal worth between $120 million and $128 million (between $15 million and $16 million annually).

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: John Shipley of The Pioneer Press acknowledged Kaprizov’s love of playing in Minnesota. However, he suggests money won’t be the critical factor. He raised the possibility that the winger might prefer playing in a bigger city, a bigger market, a warmer climate, a club better-situated to win the Stanley Cup, or one with more Russian players.

Shipley, Russo and Smith all believe the Wild must improve the roster around Kaprizov to show him they’re serious about building and maintaining a winner. They’ll have the salary-cap space this summer to do so ($20.5 million), but must ensure they leave enough long-term cap room for their superstar’s next contract.

Determining Marco Rossi’s future will also be on Guerin’s list. The 23-year-old center finished second among Wild scorers this season with 60 points, but he was buried on the fourth line during the playoffs.

Rossi rejected a contract offer from the Wild earlier this season. He’s a pending restricted free agent eligible to receive an offer sheet from a rival club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rossi was the subject of trade speculation until December, when Guerin indicated he wasn’t trading the young center. The decline in his playing time in the postseason will only stoke the trade chatter this summer, especially with the threat of an offer sheet hanging in the air.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE AVALANCHE?

THE DENVER POST: Sean Keeler believes the Colorado Avalanche should part ways with head coach Jared Bednar and replace him with David Carle, the head coach of the University of Denver.

He believes Bednar has served the Avalanche well, but he’s been outcoached by Dallas Stars bench boss Peter DeBoer, going 0-4 in series against teams coached by DeBoer.

Keeler noted the Avalanche “maxed out their credit card” trying to buy a second championship for superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. The club lacks a first-round pick until 2027, when Bednar’s contract expires. The return of Gabriel Landeskog is inspiring but also adds $7 million to their salary cap, while Makar is due for a significant pay raise when his contract ends in 2027.

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus wondered what the consequences will be for the Colorado Avalanche after suffering an early playoff exit for the second straight year at the hands of the Dallas Stars.

He considers it unlikely that Bednar or general manager Chris McFarland won’t be back.

Bednar is the second-longest-tenured coach in the league and is well-respected. McFarland was praised for his midseason makeover of the roster, but he mortgaged part of the farm for Brock Nelson, who was an awkward fit and likely to depart as a free agent this summer. The Mikko Rantanen trade will hang around his neck for good or bad, fair or not.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have $8.7 million in projected cap space for next season with 18 active roster players under contract. Nelson, Jonathan Drouin, Ryan Lindgren and Erik Johnson are among their notable UFAs and are unlikely to return.

Lazerus pointed out that Nelson’s expected departure will leave the Avalanche still searching for a reliable second-line center. They don’t have many tradeable assets to work with, and peddling a roster player like defenseman Samuel Girard or Martin Necas will only weaken their current roster.

A coaching change might help, but it’s not guaranteed to change things. Carle is seemingly on everyone’s dance card, but he wants to find the right fit, as was apparent when he took himself out of the running for the Chicago Blackhawks’ coaching job. A veteran-laden club under pressure to keep its Stanley Cup window open might not suit his needs.

COULD THE CANADIENS PART WAYS WITH LAINE?

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Pat Hickey suggests Patrik Laine has reached a crossroads with the Canadiens.

A broken finger sidelined Laine from the Habs’ final three playoff games, but Hickey indicated they were a better team without him. He noted that Laine didn’t seem to be suffering as he practiced before the Canadiens departed for Washington for Game 5.

Hickey considers Laine as “a one-trick pony”, saying teams have to hope this big shot will compensate for his lack of effort in the defensive zone. He believes the winger doesn’t fit head coach Martin St. Louis’ system and he has to go.

Laine’s track record and $8.7 million cap hit for next season make him an unlikely trade candidate unless the Canadiens retain salary or add a draft pick in the deal. A contract buyout is another option.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine’s power-play goals helped power the Canadiens into a playoff berth by mid-January. However, his production noticeably declined following the 4 Nations Face-Off, and he wasn’t missed on their power play during those final games against the Capitals.

The Canadiens have a projected $8.6 million in cap space for next season with 18 active roster players under contract. However, they’ll garner $10.5 million in additional cap flexibility with Carey Price on permanent long-term injury reserve.

They could afford to retain salary if they want to move Laine to one of the teams not on his 10-team no-trade list. A contract buyout of his final season will count as $3.966 million against their cap for 2025-26 and $2.366 million for 2026-27.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 26, 2025

by | Apr 26, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 26, 2025

The Canadiens, Devils and Oilers pick up big wins in their first-round series. Check out the recaps plus the latest news in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING FRIDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: Three unanswered third-period goals by Christian Dvorak, Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook gave the Montreal Canadiens a 6-3 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 3 of their best-of-seven first-round series.

Newhook and Cole Caufield finished with a goal and an assist each. Connor McMichael, Jakub Chychrun and Alex Ovechkin replied for the Capitals, who hold a 2-1 lead in the series. Game 4 is Sunday, Apr. 27, at 6:30 pm ET.

The two teams lost their starting goaltenders to injuries during this contest. Canadiens starter Sam Montembeault suffered an undisclosed injury in the second period and made way for Jakub Dobes. Capitals netminder Logan Thompson injured his left knee following a third-period collision with teammate Dylan Strome and was replaced by Charlie Lindgren. There were no post-game updates regarding their conditions.

Montreal Canadiens winger Josh Anderson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the most complete game I’ve seen the Canadiens play this season. After being dominated in the first two games in Washington, they fed off the energy in the Bell Centre, outshooting the Capitals 40-19, winning 53.7 percent of the faceoffs, going two-for-five on the power play, and outhitting the Caps 45-26.

Winger Josh Anderson didn’t collect any points, but made his presence felt as Montreal’s physical leader, dishing out six hits and battling Washington winger Tom Wilson in a scrap at the end of the second period that spilled into the Capitals bench. Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj made his playoff debut and led all blueliners with four hits.

Canadiens winger Patrik Laine missed this game with an upper-body injury. That might explain his subpar performances in the first two contests.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec scored in double-overtime as his club nipped the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in Game 3 of their first-round series.

The Devils had a 2-0 lead on goals by Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer, but the Hurricanes got two unanswered third-period goals by Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho to tie it. Game 4 is Sunday at 3:30 pm ET, with the Hurricanes holding a 2-1 series lead.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A big win for New Jersey after two lifeless losses to the Hurricanes in Carolina. Nemec set the franchise record as the youngest player (21 years, 69 days) to score a playoff overtime goal.

Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler returned to action after being sidelined by a lower-body injury in early February. However, blueliner Johnathan Kovecevic left the game with an undisclosed injury.

The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings 7-4 in Game 3 of their series. Evander Kane and Evan Bouchard scored the tying and winning goals 10 seconds apart in the third period.

Bouchard and Connor Brown each had two goals and Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists for the Oilers. Adrian Kempe and Drew Doughty each had a goal and an assist for the Kings, who lead the series two games to one. Game 4 is Sunday in Edmonton at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane’s tying goal came under automatic review for a kicking motion. It was determined he did kick the puck, but then knocked it into the net with his stick, making it a good goal.

Kings head coach Jim Hiller challenged for goaltender interference but the call went against him, leading to a delay-of-game penalty with Bouchard’s winning goal on the subsequent power play.

HEADLINES

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Vegas Golden Knights need more production from their top line of Jack Eichel, Mark Stone and Ivan Barbeshev if they hope to defeat the Minnesota Wild in their first-round series. The trio has yet to register a point in the series, with the Wild leading two games to one.

THE DENVER POST: Gabriel Landeskog has been promoted to the Colorado Avalanche’s second line and their top power-play unit. After being sidelined for the past three seasons by knee surgeries, the 32-year-old winger returned to action in Game 3 of their series with the Dallas Stars. The Stars have a 2-1 series lead over the Avalanche.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel received a one-game suspension by the NHL department of player safety for a late hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov in Game 2 of the series between the two clubs on Thursday.

Barkov left that game and remains questionable for Game 3 on Saturday.

NHL.COM: The league also fined the Ottawa Senators $25,000.00 for unsportsmanlike conduct and Senators forward Nick Cousins $2,083.33 for unsportsmanlike conduct for an incident during warm-ups for Game 3 of their series with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cousins’ offense was shooting a puck down the ice at Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: A mistrial was declared by the presiding judge in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case. A new trial will begin once new jurors are selected, which was expected to occur on Friday.

Former NHL players Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart and Cal Foote face one charge each of sexual assault for an alleged incident that occurred in 2018 while members of Canada’s World Junior team. McLeod faces an additional charge as a party to the offense.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 16, 2025

by | Feb 16, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 16, 2025

Team USA defeats Canada, Finland upsets Sweden in 4 Nations Face-Off action. Details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TEAM USA DEFEATS CANADA, SECURES SPOT IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

NHL.COM: The United States got two goals by Jake Guentzel while Dylan Larkin tallied the game-winner to defeat Canada 3-1 before a sellout crowd of 21, 015 fans at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Team USA winger Jake Guentzel (NHL.com).

Guentzel was named Player of the Game while teammate Connor Hellebuyck stopped 25 shots for the Americans. They have six points in the tournament, earning a spot in the Championship Game on Feb. 20 in Boston.

Connor McDavid opened the scoring in the first period for Canada, who outshot the Americans 26-23. This was the first game the Canadians have lost to the United States in a tournament featuring NHL players since the round-robin of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

TSN: The game got off to a raucous start with the Bell Centre crowd booing the American anthem, followed by three fights within the first 10 seconds of the game. The first tilt featured USA forward Matthew Tkachuk and Canadian winger Brandon Hagel, followed by Brady Tkachuk tangling with Sam Bennett, and American forward J.T. Miller scrapping with Canadian defenseman Colton Parayko.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Tkachuk brothers later said they and Miller engaged in those fights to “send a message” to the Canadians. It was something they planned during a group chat before the game.

NHL.COM: Matthew Tkachuk suffered a lower-body injury that forced him to sit out the final 12:36 of the third period. He later downplayed the injury but Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan said Tkachuk was still being evaluated by team doctors, leaving his status uncertain for Monday’s game against Sweden.

SPORTSNET: Canadian defenseman Cale Makar missed this game due to illness. He was replaced by Dallas Stars blueliner Thomas Harley.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a well-deserved victory for the Americans. Matthew Tkachuk said postgame that he and his teammates wanted to send the message to the Canadians that “it’s our time right now.” It was received loud and clear.

McDavid’s goal aside, Team USA did a masterful job shutting down Canada’s vaunted offense with their physical defensive play. They took away the middle of the ice and the shooting lanes and cleared traffic in front of Hellebuyck, who was superb between the pipes.

Following the game, McDavid said he and his Canadian teammates are determined for a rematch with the United States. That will depend on the outcome of Monday’s game against the Finns.

Makar could return to action for that game. Canada missed his offensive presence and puck-moving skills against the Americans.

The biggest question for Canada will be whether Binnington, Adin Hill, or Sam Montembault gets the start against the Finns. Binnington looked shaky at times during Canada’s win over Sweden. He didn’t play badly against Team USA but Guentzel’s game-tying goal was a softie that even he knew he should’ve stopped.

The tournament shifts to Boston with Canada facing Finland and the USA taking on Sweden on Monday, Feb. 17. The championship game will be held on Thursday, Feb. 20.

If Canada or Finland wins in regulation on Monday, they’ll face the Americans on Thursday. If either team wins in overtime or a shootout, Sweden can advance to the final with a regulation win over the Americans.

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Mikael Granlund lifted Finland to a 4-3 victory over Sweden during their afternoon game.

Anton Lundell, Mikko Rantanen and Aleksandar Barkov scored in regulation, Patrik Laine collected two assists and Kevin Lankinen turned aside 21 shots for Finland. Mika Zibanejad, Rasmus Dahlin and Erik Karlsson replied for Sweden. Filip Gustavsson left the Swedish net after the first period due to an illness, with Linus Ullmark stopping 15 of 17 shots the rest of the way.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canada-USA game overshadowed an entertaining back-and-forth contest between these long-time Nordic rivals.

The Swedes know their chances of reaching the championship game aren’t good. Karlsson praised the Finns’ game while lamenting his team’s inability to reach the standards they’d set for themselves.

Before the game, Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman spoke about the sporting rivalry between the two countries. “I think if you ask them, they say they’re the big brother. If you ask us, we’re the big brother.” Following the game, Laine replied, We’re the big brother now.”

IN OTHER NEWS…

RG.ORG: Hall-of-Fame winger Pavel Bure criticized the Vancouver Canucks’ handling of J.T. Miller during a discussion of his former club’s recent struggles. “If you’ve got a talented player who doesn’t fit into the team, that’s a failure of management,” said Bure. “If it gets to the point where you have to trade him, something has already gone wrong.”

THE PROVINCE: Speaking of the Canucks, season tickets will be rising by 11 percent for next season. Seats in the upper bowl of Rogers Arena will cost $6,900.00 CDN. The team said the increase covers ongoing renovations to the arena and their intention to keep pace with the rising salary cap.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The article notes the rising cap has little to do with the price increase and more to do with ownership’s belief they’re selling a luxury good, “a thing that their season ticket members value as a symbol, not as much as an experience.”

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Sidelined Canadiens defenseman David Reinbacher is close to returning from a knee injury suffered during preseason. The promising blueliner could start playing with their AHL affiliate in Laval by the end of February.