NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 24, 2026

by | Jul 24, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 24, 2026

Patrick Kane returns to the Blackhawks, Mitch Marner’s agent claims the Maple Leafs never protected his client, John Tortorella wants to continue coaching, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I will be off Saturday (July 25) and Sunday (July 26). The next update to this site will be Monday, July 27. Enjoy the weekend, everybody!

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Patrick Kane is returning to Chicago. The 37-year-old winger signed a two-year contract with the Blackhawks worth an average annual value of $8 million. He also gets a full no-movement clause through 2027-28.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks had been trying to woo Kane back as they attempt to bolster their offense and add more skilled experience to their lineup. He could also be playing alongside rising superstar Connor Bedard on the top line once the latter returns from shoulder surgery in November.

Chicago Blackhawks sign former Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

It’s a feel-good story, but also a surprisingly expensive one. Kane’s earning much more per season on this deal than he did during his three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. He put up respectable numbers during his tenure with the Wings, but nothing that justifies $8 million annually. It’s unlikely those stats will improve given his age.

Nevertheless, the Blackhawks believe they can comfortably carry Kane’s new contract. They’ll feel justified in the investment if he helps them improve offensively.

Speaking of the Red Wings, Kane’s departure is another blow for a club whose captain has requested a trade and is currently seeking a new general manager after removing Steve Yzerman from that role. It could also push winger Alex DeBrincat closer to following Kane out the door via free agency next summer.

SPORTSNET: Mitch Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, provided new information on what led to his client’s departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade move last June.

Ferris claimed Marner “bled” for the Maple Leafs, but he was “never really protected” by the organization. He rehashed some of the issues about the departure, claiming his client and his family became the scapegoat for the Leafs’ playoff failures, and blaming “misinformation” regarding his client’s previous contract negotiations with the club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Based on social media reaction, most Maple Leafs followers are fed up with what they perceive as whining from the Marner camp and want to move on.

Some of the flak that Marner received as a Maple Leaf was unjustified, such as the personal attacks against his family. But he was also one of the club’s highest-paid players and a local boy to boot, and that put him into a brighter spotlight than most. He also claimed he and his Leafs teammates were “looked upon as kind of gods” in discussing the love that they received from Leafs Nation.

Marner wasn’t solely responsible for the Leafs’ playoff woes, but he deserves his fair share of the blame.

THE ATHLETIC: In an exclusive interview with Joe Smith, John Tortorella said that he hopes to continue his NHL coaching career.

The 68-year-old Tortorella took over as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights late last season, guiding them to the Stanley Cup Final. However, the club subsequently informed him that they were replacing him with Ryan Craig.

Tortorella said he understood the decision, noting that the Golden Knights had spent several years grooming Craig, calling him “a good coach and a good man.” He said he was grateful to the Golden Knights but wanted to finish the job.

Asked what he felt was the turning point of the Cup Final, Tortorella said it was the Hurricanes replacing starter Frederik Andersen with Brandon Bussi in Game 3. He also defended his decision to stick with Carter Hart as his starter in the Final, crediting the latter with getting them to the Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tortorella’s role in getting the Golden Knights into the Stanley Cup Final hasn’t been overlooked. While he can be stubborn and outspoken, and has a contentious relationship with the media, he has a proven record for turning struggling teams into playoff contenders. It won’t be surprising if he’s back behind an NHL bench at some point this season.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets avoided salary arbitration with Jet Greaves, signing the 25-year-old goaltender to a three-year contract worth an AAV of $5 million.

In their arbitration filings, Greaves sought $7.5 million on a one-year deal while the Blue Jackets had offered $2.8 million. His hearing had been slated for Thursday morning.

The Blue Jackets have $19 million in cap space left with forwards Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger to sign. Sillinger is slated for arbitration on July 27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jackets had little choice but to reach common ground with Greaves, who emerged as their starting goalie last season. They need reliable goaltending if they hope to make the playoffs this season.

Sillinger isn’t expected to cost much to re-sign, and it’s unlikely his case will reach arbitration.

The Jackets appear focused on getting Greaves and Sillinger signed before sorting things out with Fantilli, who lacks arbitration rights but is eligible to sign an offer sheet. A rival club could attempt to sign him if he’s receptive, but the Jackets should have enough space to match.

Speaking of the Blue Jackets, former defenseman Jack Johnson has joined the coaching staff of Ohio State University’s women’s hockey team as associate head coach.

NHL.COM: Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck appeared on “Celebrity Family Feud” alongside their fellow Olympic and Paralympic gold medalists.

RDS.CA: Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis is a big fan of Jerry Seinfeld, admitting earlier this year that he listens to “Seinfeld” episodes to relax.

On Thursday, St. Louis met his comedy idol during the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal. He presented the American comedian with a Canadiens jersey bearing Seinfeld’s name.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 23, 2026

by | Jul 23, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 23, 2026

 

Check out the latest on Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, plus updates on the Blues and Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman wondered if Steve Yzerman stepping down as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings would affect center Dylan Larkin’s trade request.

Larkin, 29, listed the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers as his preferred trade destinations. It’s believed he expanded that list to include the Dallas Stars.

Bultman believes it’s a complicated situation, looking at several possibilities.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).

One of them could be a new general manager taking a different stance from Yzerman’s hard-line approach to Larkin’s request. That GM could be more collaborative toward getting a deal done, which could convince Larkin to expand his list.

For now, it’s too soon to say how this will unfold until a new general manager is named.

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan believes it would be worthwhile for the Red Wings if the new general manager can convince Larkin to stay. They have no one within their system to fill his role as first-line center, and such players are difficult to find in the trade market. His $8.7 million average annual value is considered a bargain in today’s market.

Larkin shouldn’t have any difficulty returning to the Red Wings dressing room if his strained relationship with Yzerman is the reason behind his trade request. Khan acknowledged that Larkin would be booed at first by Red Wings fans if he stays, but that could fade if he continues to produce as he has in recent years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been over a week since the Red Wings announced that Yzerman was out as general manager and executive vice president. So far, there’s no sign that Larkin has changed his mind about his trade request.

Larkin could be waiting to see who replaces Yzerman. On the other hand, his mind could be made up that he wants out regardless of who becomes GM.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Jeremy Rutherford was asked if Pavel Buchnevich will still be on the St. Louis Blues’ roster after the 2027 trade deadline.

Rutherford replied that he’d be shocked if the Blues were able to move Buchnevich, whose performance has declined in recent years. He noted that the winger will turn 32 in April and has four years remaining on his contract.

Rutherford was also asked if the Blues were interested in Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies.

The Blues have shown an interest in Nikishin and will continue to do so if the price is right. Rutherford is sure they checked in on Knies, but the asking price sounded exorbitant.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have a better chance of landing Nikishin than they do Knies.

The Hurricanes are reportedly weighing trading Nikishin over re-signing the 24-year-old blueliner. Meanwhile, the new management in Toronto isn’t as keen to move Knies as their predecessor was.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston recently reported that the Vancouver Canucks’ ownership would like to reduce player payroll by $20 million.

He noted the Canucks are already down $12 million in payroll compared to last season. PuckPedia indicates that their current salary cap payroll is $86,185, 833.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks could attempt to free up that $8 million by trading Elias Pettersson, but his $11.6 million AAV and his declining production make him difficult to move.

Brock Boeser ($7.25 million AAV) and Jake DeBrusk ($5.5 million) are more likely trade candidates. One or both could be moved at the deadline, provided those moves don’t put the Canucks below the salary cap minimum of $76.9 million.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 17, 2026

by | Jul 17, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 17, 2026

What’s the latest on the Red Wings? Will Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli sign an offer sheet? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MORE FALLOUT FROM THE RED WINGS’ MANAGEMENT CHANGE

TSN: What’s next for the Detroit Red Wings after Steve Yzerman moved out of the general manager role?

Questions persist over whether team captain Dylan Larkin will rescind his trade request. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild’s efforts to land the 29-year-old center have become more complicated.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I examined those issues in greater detail in the July 16 NHL Rumor Mill.

Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat (NHL Images).

The uncertainty over who replaces Yzerman will also affect the futures of winger Alex DeBrincat and center Andrew Copp. Both are slated to become unrestricted free agents next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Goaltender John Gibson, defenseman Justin Faulk, and forward Mason Appleton are also UFA-eligible next summer.

Those UFAs will become trade bait if the Red Wings are out of playoff contention by the March 2027 trade deadline.

DeBrincat will be the most valuable trade chip. He matched his career high of 41 goals last season and set a career high in points with 85. Even if those numbers dip in 2026-27, he will still draw plenty of interest from contenders seeking a scoring winger.

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan listed his potential candidates to become the Red Wings’ new general manager.

They include Boston Bruins senior advisor Kevyn Adams, Carolina Hurricanes assistant GM Tyler Dellow, Red Wings assistant GM Kris Draper, Bruins assistant GM Evan Gold, Red Wings assistant GM Shawn Horcoff, New York Rangers assistant GM Ryan Martin, and Dallas Stars assistant GM Scott White.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau included former Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan and former New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald among his five-man candidate list.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman included Buffalo Sabres associate GM Marc Bergevin, Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill, Florida Panthers assistant GM Brett Peterson, and Pittsburgh Penguins hockey ops consultant Brandon Pridham among his proposed list of candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adams and Pridham could be unavailable after being recently hired by their current clubs. Bultman admits Nill is a heavy long shot as he’s unlikely to leave his current job.

The Wings have indicated their search for Yzerman’s replacement will be conducted within and outside the organization. Draper and Horcoff could be suitable options if they can’t find better options from other teams, but they might not deviate very much from the “Yzerplan”.

Gold could be the best option if they prefer a fresh approach. He’s reportedly widely respected around the league. Peterson could be another good “new blood” choice. Still, the Panthers might be reluctant to part with him after letting Sunny Mehta depart to become the New Jersey Devils’ general manager.

THE LATEST ON BLUE JACKETS CENTER ADAM FANTILLI

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Brian Hedger reports the Leo Carlsson offer sheet has made the cost of re-signing Adam Fantilli more expensive for the Blue Jackets.

Hedger believes that getting Fantilli’s signature on a contract with an average annual value between $10 million and $12 million is no longer possible. “Now, it’s anyone’s guess how much it might take to keep him.”

The Blue Jackets have $23.2 million in cap space, but Fantilli’s next contract will take a significant chunk out of it.

Meanwhile, the scheduled salary arbitrations for goaltender Jet Greaves and center Cole Sillinger will complicate efforts to re-sign Fantilli. AFP Analytics projects it will cost the Blues Jackets $4.3 million to keep Greaves and $4.2 million to retain Sillinger on one-year deals.

That would leave $14.8 million to re-sign Fantilli, which could be difficult if his asking price exceeds that amount.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have indicated that they are prepared to match any offer for Fantilli, but a rival club with cap space and the need for a first-line center could test that theory, especially if he’s still unsigned after Greaves and Sillinger receive their new contracts.

It was assumed the Flyers would use Fantilli as their “Plan B” once the Ducks matched their offer sheet to Carlsson. However, reports emerged claiming they’re not going that route after failing to land Carlsson.

The threat of an offer sheet could be meaningless if Fantilli isn’t interested in signing one.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 16, 2026

by | Jul 16, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 16, 2026

How does Steve Yzerman’s stepping away as general manager affect the Red Wings? What’s the latest on Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

FALLOUT FROM YZERMAN STEPPING ASIDE AS RED WINGS GM

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Kahn reports the Red Wings face several unanswered questions following the club’s announcement that Steve Yzerman was stepping away as their general manager. He will become a special advisor to team owner Chris Illich.

The biggest question is whether it will affect team captain Dylan Larkin’s trade request. It was reported in early June that the 29-year-old center asked to be moved soon after the end of the regular season in April.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).

On June 9, Larkin submitted a three-time list of trade destinations (Minnesota, Vegas, and Florida). A month later, he added Dallas to his list.

Khan believes Larkin’s request may have triggered the timing of Yzerman’s removal. He thinks that the club’s ownership would rather retain its first-line center than a GM who has underperformed during his seven-year tenure in the role.

Another question is whether this news will lead Larkin to change his mind about a trade. If it does, it means the request was due to problems with Yzerman. Otherwise, it will mean that he’s lost all hope of the Red Wings becoming a contender regardless of who’s in charge.

Khan also wondered whether assistant GM Shawn Horcoff or Kris Draper would replace Yzerman, or whether the organization would look elsewhere. He thinks the new GM would be reluctant to fire head coach Todd McLellan because few suitable alternatives are currently available.

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith felt that Yzerman’s departure adds a new wrinkle to the Minnesota Wild’s pursuit of Dylan Larkin.

At a minimum, there will be a further delay for the Wild as the Red Wings conduct their search for a new general manager. However, it could kill off any momentum they had toward acquiring Larkin as Yzerman’s replacement takes some time to meet with the Wings captain and assess the situation.

The new Wings GM must determine whether to maintain a win-now mentality to end a decade-long rebuild or retool by acquiring future assets instead of established players.

It will become a headache for the Wild if Larkin changes his mind. There are no suitable “Plan B” options to fill their first-line center position in the trade or free-agent markets. They passed on an opportunity to pursue Vincent Trocheck in favor of going after Larkin.

Max Bultman also wonders what effect the change in management will have on the Red Wings.

He pointed out that they have a clear foundation with defensemen Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson and winger Lucas Raymond. They also have a deep prospect pool, young players, and some serious tradeable assets, led by Larkin. The option of resetting around a younger core could be enticing to a new GM.

Bultman also pointed out that Alex DeBrincat’s future is another major decision facing Yzerman’s replacement. The 28-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: So far, there’s been no indication that Larkin could rescind his request. He could be waiting to find out who replaces Yzerman before making that decision.

If Larkin changes his mind, it will be a significant relief for the Wings, who were facing the prospect of entering this season without their captain and first-line center.

Trading away Larkin would be a significant setback to the Wings’ hopes of ending their decade-long playoff drought. While the argument can be made that they weren’t able to qualify with him, they’d stand even less of a chance without him.

Should Larkin maintain his request, it could work to the Wild’s favor. Yzerman wanted roster players (especially a center) in return rather than draft picks and prospects. If the Wings opt to go in a different direction under a new GM, the Wild might be able to land without giving up a significant roster player in return.

For now, all we’ve got is speculation about what Yzerman’s replacement could have in store for the Red Wings, especially for Larkin. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long to find out.

UPDATE ON MORGAN RIELLY

TORONTO STAR: Dave Feschuk noted the trade chatter surrounding Morgan Rielly has been loud. The 32-year-old Maple Leafs defenseman struggled over the past two seasons, and a trade might be the best option for both sides.

Shedding his $7.5 million cap hit through 2028-29 would help the Maple Leafs create more flexibility for other roster moves. They’ve also already done some renovations to their blueline, bringing in Darren Raddysh and Emil Andrae while trading away Brandon Carlo.

Rielly has reportedly provided the Maple Leafs with a four-team, Western-leaning list of trade destinations. However, Feschuk feels that if there were a trade to be had, it would’ve happened by now. It could lead to an uneasy offseason for Rielly that bleeds over into training camp in September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s a long offseason, and trades can still happen. Rielly could also be moved during training camp or preseason should injuries arise that force a rival club into the trade market. Still, Feschuk isn’t wrong about how this could turn into an awkward situation if he’s not moved before the start of the regular season.

Rielly was reportedly under consideration as a trade target by the San Jose Sharks, but they ultimately went with Darnell Nurse from Edmonton.

The Sharks may have been the Leafs’ best chance to unload Rielly and his full cap hit. Any other opportunities might have to involve retaining some salary, depending on which clubs might be interested and how much cap space they have left.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 15, 2026

by | Jul 15, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 15, 2026

Check out the latest on Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier, Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DOES CUTTER GAUTHIER WANT THE SAME DEAL AS LEO CARLSSON?

DAILY FACEOFF: cited a recent episode of the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, in which Keith Yandle said he was “fed a little tidbit” that Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier “will not be taking one dollar less” than what teammate Leo Carlsson received on his new contract.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (NHL Images).

Carlsson, 21, signed a five-year, $90 million offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers on July 3, which the Ducks matched six days later. The average annual value is a league-leading $18 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jimmy Murphy of The Sick Podcast said there was no truth to this report, adding that there has been no confirmed ask from Gauthier.

Gauthier’s asking price will likely exceed $10 million annually now that Carlsson’s new AAV has become the league benchmark. However, first-line centers are usually more valuable than wingers, which is why the Ducks had to match that offer sheet for Carlsson.

The Gauthier camp could be waiting to see what Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson receives on his next contract. The 26-year-old winger filed for salary arbitration on July 5. He’s reportedly seeking an AAV of $14 million, while the Stars countered with $12 million.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN

THE ATHLETIC: Joe Smith reports Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin remains in play, but things are currently quiet.

Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman remains patient in his search for the right return. Smith wouldn’t be surprised if Larkin is still with the Red Wings when training camp opens in September, though the situation could become uncomfortable in Detroit if it comes to that.

The Wild have made their offer to the Red Wings, who are seeking roster players rather than futures. Regarding Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos’ report that the Red Wings want Matt Boldy in return for Larkin, Smith doesn’t see a scenario in which the Wild move on from Boldy.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Smith believes the Wild will wait if they can’t trade for Larkin. Other options could become available over the course of the summer or during training camp.

UPDATE ON ZEGRAS AND DRYSDALE

NHL.COM’s Bill Meltzer cited two team sources claiming the Flyers expect new contracts for forward Trevor Zegras and defenseman Jamie Drysdale to be hammered out before their scheduled arbitration hearings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Players usually file for arbitration to set a deadline for signing their new contracts, rather than having them drag on throughout the summer. Few end up needing arbitration to settle things.

Drysdale’s hearing is scheduled for July 20, and Zegras’ is July 22.

TEAMS ARE SHOWING INTEREST IN ARBER XHEKAJ

TVA SPORTS: cited Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, claiming more than one team has contacted the Montreal Canadiens about Arber Xhekaj.

The 25-year-old Canadiens defenseman is a restricted free agent this summer. He’s completed a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.3 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Xhekaj sees third-pairing minutes while also serving as the Canadiens’ enforcer. His physical style has made him popular among his teammates and a fan favorite in Montreal. Nevertheless, some Montreal pundits believe he could be traded to make room for one of their up-and-coming blueliners.

The Canadiens could wait and see how things shake out in training camp and the preseason before deciding whether to move Xhekaj.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 10, 2026

by | Jul 10, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 10, 2026

Leo Carlsson is staying with the Ducks, Red Wings center Dylan Larkin slightly expands his trade list, Sharks center Macklin Celebrini receives the top individual international hockey award, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE DUCKS MATCH THE FLYERS’ OFFER SHEET FOR LEO CARLSSON

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Anaheim Ducks matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet to center Leo Carlsson, making him the highest-paid player in the NHL this season.

Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (NHL Images)

Carlsson, 21, was a restricted free agent lacking arbitration rights after completing his entry-level contract. His new deal is for five years, with a league-leading average annual value of $18 million, the largest in league history.

More than 40 percent of the $90 million contract will be paid out in signing bonuses.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carlsson got a $19.5 million signing bonus for this season. He’ll get $18.1 million in 2027-28, $17.050 million in 2028-29, $15.2 million in 2029-30, and $15 million in 2030-31.

Forget about the recent grumbling over no-trade/no-movement clauses. That isn’t a hill the NHL will die on in the next round of collective bargaining in 2030. Signing bonuses will be the real bone of contention. Expect those to be capped in the next CBA.

DAILY FACEOFF: Carlsson said he’s happy that the Ducks matched the Flyers’ offer.

“It was an offer that 99% of people would sign too,” Carlsson said. “It’s a pretty simple answer. I really wanted to be here, though. I really wanted them to match. I wanted to be an Anaheim Duck.”

Carlsson also said he spoke with his Ducks teammates, who were supportive of his decision.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most observers expected Anaheim to match the offer. Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek is publicly pleased to retain Carlsson, but his lack of foresight in this situation has significant salary-cap consequences for his club.

Keeping Carlsson screws up the Ducks’ salary cap for this season, leaving little space to re-sign high-scoring winger Cutter Gauthier and to bolster their young blueline. It will also affect their cap plans throughout Carlsson’s contract, potentially hampering their development as a future Stanley Cup contender.

However, not matching the offer would’ve cost them their first-line center, setting them back for a few years as they tried to find a suitable replacement.

Some observers suggested using the four compensatory first-round picks they would’ve received from the Flyers as trade bait to address that issue. That’s much easier said than done, and anyone they find might not adequately replace Carlsson.

Where do both teams go from here? Find out in my NHL Rumor Mill.

IN OTHER NEWS…

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan reports Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has expanded his list of trade destinations to include the Dallas Stars. However, the Red Wings would prefer that he include some other options.

Larkin’s request for a trade was reported a month ago. His original list includes the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers.

Khan cited a league source claiming the Red Wings had trade discussions with the Stars. They asked for young center Wyatt Johnston in return, but there was no chance of that happening.

It’s believed the Stars offered up winger Jason Robertson, but he’d had to agree to sign a long-term contract with the Red Wings. There’s no reason to believe he will do that after rejecting a long-term offer from the Seattle Kraken worth $15 million annually, and it’s unlikely the Red Wings will pay him that much.

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman wants young NHL talent in return for Larkin. He’s not interested in a return of draft picks and prospects unless he can turn that return into assets that can help the Wings right away.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Khan believes that if a deal could’ve been had to send Larkin to Minnesota, Vegas, or Florida, it would’ve happened by now. He thinks it could take a three-team deal to pull this off, or Larkin expanding his list of destinations further.

IIHF.COM: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini has been voted the IIHF’s Male Player of the Year for 2025-26. Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck finished second in the voting, with Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho finishing third.

Celebrini led the 2026 Olympics with five goals and was second in points with 11. He later played in the World Championship, finishing second in scoring and being named the tournament’s top forward. In the NHL, he finished fourth in scoring with 115 points, the third-highest by a teenager after Wayne Gretzky (137 points) and Sidney Crosby (120).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This won’t be the only individual hardware Celebrini will receive in his professional career. The kid is something special and will be a contender for the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy in the coming years.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils captain Nico Hischier is being lauded for his role in rescuing a family in distress from a river in Switzerland.

Hischier downplayed his role in the rescue, crediting others who joined him in helping the family until first responders arrived. No one was hurt in the ordeal.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER/TSN: Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon is facing criticism for having his name and that of his wife and five school-age children engraved on the Stanley Cup.

The Dundon family took up the first two lines etched into the side of the Cup to commemorate the Hurricanes winning the NHL championship in 2025-26.

SPORTSNET: The Dundons aren’t the only family members to be engraved on the Cup. In 2024 and 2025, Florida Panthers owner Vinnie Viola included his wife, Teresa, and their three sons. Penny Vinik, the then-wife of Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeffrey Vinik, had her name engraved on the Cup.

In 1984, Edmonton Oilers owner Peter Pocklington had his father’s name etched on the Cup, but it was later covered with Xs because he had nothing to do with the championship.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is an embarrassment for the NHL and the Hockey Hall of Fame. Whoever approved this should be sacked.

Tom Dundon is the only member of his family who has any official role with the team. His wife and children do not. Like Basil Pocklington with the 1984 Oilers, they had nothing to do with the Hurricanes’ championship.

Dundon’s name should be on the Stanley Cup as the club’s owner. The rest of his family doesn’t belong there.

As for the other families, they are there because the spouses and adult children held official roles with those teams.

Viola’s wife is the co-owner of the Panthers, as was Vinik’s then-wife in 2021. Viola’s sons also have roles within the Panthers’ organization.

The Illich family have their names engraved on the Cup commemorating the Red Wings’ 2007-08 championship. Like the Violas, they also had official roles within the franchise.

The league and the HHoF can easily fix this by making a rule that only the primary owner of the team will have their name engraved on the Cup. But of course, they won’t do that because it would upset the team owners.

TSN: Haley Wickenheiser announced she is no longer working for the Toronto Maple Leafs. She’d served as their assistant general manager in charge of player development since 2018.

SPORTSNET: The Maple Leafs named Steve Sullivan as the new head coach of their AHL franchise, the Toronto Marlies. He replaced John Gruden, who was promoted to assistant coach with the Leafs.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators avoided salary arbitration with forward Xavier Bourgault, signing him to a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level.