NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 23, 2025

by | Feb 23, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 23, 2025

The NHL regular season returned from its 4 Nations Face-Off break with 14 games on Saturday. Check out the recaps and more in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines

NHL.COM: The league-leading Winnipeg Jets got two goals by Gabe Vilardi and a shootout winner from Kyle Connor to nip the St. Louis Blues 4-3, extending their win streak to a season-best nine games. Vilardi scored the tying goal with 28 seconds left in the third period. Robert Thomas scored twice and collected an assist for the Blues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets sit first overall with 83 points and are the first team to reach 40 wins this season. They went with backup goalie Eric Comrie to give starter Connor Hellebuyck a break after he played three games for Team USA in the 4 Nations tournament. Blues starter Jordan Binnington was in the lineup for the Blues but served as backup for Joel Hofer. Binnington appeared in four games for Canada at the 4 Nations.

Speaking of the Jets, they signed forward Vladislav Namestnikov to a two-year contract extension. The average annual value is $3 million.

Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun scored two of five second-period goals in an 8-3 drubbing of the Pittsburgh Penguins, extending their points streak to seven games (4-0-3). Pierre-Luc Dubois had three assists for the Capitals, who hold first place in the Eastern Conference and sit one point behind the Jets in the overall standings. Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Danton Heinen replied for the Penguins.

Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (NHL Images).

The Minnesota Wild overcame a 3-1 deficit to squeak past the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on an overtime goal by Marco Rossi. Wild forwards Matt Boldy and Marcus Foligno scored in the third period to force the extra frame. Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin each had a goal and an assist for the Red Wings as they hold the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 62 points. The Wild hold third place in the Central Division with 72 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was another milestone game for Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. He passed Roberto Luongo for the second-most games played by an NHL goaltender with 1,045. Hall-of-Famer Martin Brodeur holds the record with 1,266. Red Wings forward Andrew Copp left the game late in the second period with an apparent shoulder injury following a melee behind the Minnesota net following a thunderous bodycheck by DeBrincat on Wild defenseman Brock Faber.

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and center Tage Thompson each had two goals and an assist as their club thumped the New York Rangers 8-2. Jason Zucker picked up three assists and Ryan McLeod tallied twice as the Sabres erupted for five first-period goals, chasing Rangers starter Igor Shesterkin from the net before the end of the period. Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad scored for the Blueshirts (58 points) as they remain four points behind the Ottawa Senators for the final Eastern wild-card berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres rinkside commentator Rob Ray was struck in the face by a puck early in the first period. Sabres training staff attended to the former NHL enforcer, who finished the game. Sabres forward Jordan Greenway and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson were activated off injured reserve.

The Philadelphia Flyers got two goals from Owen Tippett in a 6-3 upset of the Edmonton Oilers. Sean Couturier and Matvei Michkov each had a goal and two assists for the Flyers (57 points) as they sit five points behind the Red Wings in the Eastern standings. Leon Draisaitl and John Klingberg each had a goal and an assist for the Oilers, who sit second in the Pacific Division with 72 points.

Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord stopped 26 shots to beat the Florida Panthers 2-1. Kaapo Kakko and Jared McCann scored for the Kraken while Eetu Luostarinen tallied for the Panthers, who hold first place in the Atlantic Division with 71 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk missed this game with a lower-body injury suffered during the 4 Nations Face-Off. Kraken captain Jordan Eberle returned to action after missing 40 games following pelvic surgery in mid-November.

The Dallas Stars got a 31-save performance from Casey DeSmith in a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Matt Duchene and Wyatt Johnston each had a goal and an assist as the Stars (74 points) remain two points ahead of the Wild for second place in the Central Division. Jack Hughes had both goals for the Devils (68 points) as they sit two points behind the second-place Carolina Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils captain Nico Hischier returned to the lineup after missing six games with an oblique injury.

Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault broke a 1-1 tie in the third period to lift his club past the Colorado Avalanche 2-1. Juuse Saros made 31 saves and Justin Barron also scored for the Predators. Sam Malinski had the lone goal for the Avalanche, who hold the first Western Conference wild-card berth with 68 points.

An overtime goal by Leo Carlsson gave the Anaheim Ducks a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins. Carlsson and Jackson Lacombe each finished with two points as the Ducks have won seven of their last eight games. Elias Lindholm and Morgan Geekie scored for the Bruins (61 points) as they sit one point behind the Senators for the final Eastern wild-card spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bruins winger David Pastrnak collected an assist to extend his points streak to 14 games. Ducks goalie John Gibson left the game following the second period with an upper-body injury.

The Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3. Auston Matthews scored his 389th regular-season goal, tying Darryl Sittler for second-most in Leafs history. Pontus Holmberg scored twice and set up another while rookie Alex Steeves scored his first NHL goal as the Leafs (70 points) moved within a point of the first-place Panthers in the Atlantic Division. Andrei Svechnikov had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes (70 points) as they sit second in the Metro Division.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs winger Max Pacioretty missed this game with an undisclosed injury and will be sidelined for Sunday’s match with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Montreal Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators to snap a three-game losing skid. Nick Suzuki picked up two assists and Sam Montembault turned aside 25 shots as the Canadiens (57 points) moved within five points of the Senators in the Eastern wild-card race. Tim Stutzle had a goal and an assist for the Senators as their losing streak reached four games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montreal winger Juraj Slafkovsky was a physical presence in this game, scoring a goal, fighting with Senators center Ridly Greig, and making a team-leading eight hits. Canadiens forward Emil Heineman returned to action after a 14-game absence with a lower-body injury after being struck by a car in Salt Lake City last month. Senators captain Brady Tkachuk missed this game with an undisclosed injury suffered during the 4 Nations tournament.

The Columbus Blue Jackets ended a four-game winless skid by defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1. Zach Werenski had a goal and two assists to extend his home points streak to 22 games while Kent Johnson scored twice for the Jackets (62 points). They’re just behind the Senators, who have two more regulation wins. Craig Smith scored for the Blackhawks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets fans sang Happy Birthday to Johnny Gaudreau Jr on his first birthday. His father was killed by an alleged drunk driver last August.

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty had a goal and two assists in a 5-3 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. Kevin Fiala had a goal and an assist for the Kings as they hold third place in the Pacific Division with 67 points. Barrett Hayton tallied the first hat trick in Utah’s short franchise history.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson returned to the lineup after missing four games with an injured finger.

The Vegas Golden Knights got 33 saves from Adin Hill to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 3-1. Brandon Saad snapped a 1-1 tie with his first goal for Vegas since signing with them on Jan. 31. The Golden Knights have won three straight and hold first place in the Pacific Division with 74 points. Jake DeBrusk scored for the Canucks, who hold the final Western wild-card spot with 63 points.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 19, 2025

by | Feb 19, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 19, 2025

Check out the latest on Blues captain Brayden Schenn, Flyers forward Scott Laughton, and Bruins forward Morgan Geekie in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Jeremy Rutherford weighed in on the trade speculation surrounding St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn.

Rutherford believes the well-respected Schenn would be the Blues player drawing the most attention in the trade market. The 33-year-old center has three years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million, but that might not hurt his value given the projected rise in the salary cap over the next three seasons.

St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (NHL Images).

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong plays things close to the vest. However, TSN’s Chris Johnston and Darren Dreger have reported he’s sent out feelers to gauge Schenn’s trade value. He has a full no-trade clause for this season but it becomes a 15-team no-trade list on July 1, prompting Rutherford to wonder if he’d waive it to join a contender.

Rutherford thinks the Blues would trade Schenn if they can get a first-round pick and move the remainder of his contract. However, he doesn’t think they’d move him just for the sake of doing so. The Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team he’s heard of thus far that could be interested in Schenn.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Lou Korac reports Schenn said he hasn’t been approached by Blues management about waiving his no-trade clause nor is there any indication that they will.

The Blues captain admitted being surprised to hear his name is in the rumor mill. He maintained he loves living and playing in St. Louis.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Armstrong might be willing to consider offers for Schenn but it could take a significant offer to tempt him. He’s under no pressure to move his captain by the trade deadline because he’s under contract beyond this season.

If Armstrong doesn’t get any suitable offers for Schenn by March 7 he can wait until the offseason, especially with the veteran center’s no-trade protection being reduced to 15 teams on July 1. By that point, there could be more willingness from teams that miss out on the best free-agent talent to meet Armstrong’s asking price.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere wasn’t lying when he said he’s not shopping Scott Laughton. He’s set a high asking price for the 30-year-old forward because he remains more important to them than to any team that acquires him.

Kurz thinks Briere might consider moving Laughton if a team like the Maple Leafs offered its 2026 first-round pick and a decent prospect. He singled out the Leafs as the only club that makes sense as a trade destination for the Toronto-area native. Kurz also doesn’t see them moving Laughton to another city without his approval because they want to do right by their players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton lacks no-trade protection but the Flyers could leave the trade destinations to him. His $3 million AAV through next season makes him a more affordable target for the Leafs than Schenn. Whether they would pay the Flyers’ asking price is another matter.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Boston Bruins are still trying to figure out what to do with Morgan Geekie. The 26-year-old forward is slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1 with arbitration rights. He’s in the final season of a two-year contract with an AAV of $2 million.

Murphy cited a source claiming there’s growing interest in Geekie from playoff contenders and clubs not likely to qualify for the postseason. He’s young enough to interest rebuilding or retooling teams. Geekie’s value has risen since being placed on a line with superstar David Pastrnak and center Pavel Zacha.

The Bruins would like to re-sign Geekie but he could price himself out of their market depending on their offseason plans.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Geekie’s matched his career-best for goals (17) and is only 10 points away from breaking his career-high 39 points set last season.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 18, 2025

by | Feb 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 18, 2025

Check out the latest on the Sabres, Ducks and Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TRADE DEADLINE AMONG SABRES STORYLINES WORTH WATCHING

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski reports the upcoming March 7 trade deadline is one of the storylines worth watching for the Sabres.

Center Dylan Cozens, winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram were frequently the subject of trade speculation this season. It’s unclear if either player fits into the Sabres’ long-term plans.

Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens (NHL Images).

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams is trying to make a trade similar to the one that brought Byram to Buffalo last season. That was a one-for-one swap with Casey Mittelstadt going to the Colorado Avalanche.

The Sabres aren’t interested in more draft picks or prospects. However, they might have to accept such offers for Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker if the pending unrestricted free agents aren’t re-signed by March 7. Right-shot defenseman Henri Jokiharju could also draw interest in the trade market.

Lysowski and Mike Harrington believe the Sabres should re-sign Byram. He’s a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights. Harrington thinks the 25-year-old defenseman’s next contract could carry an average annual value in the $9 million range.

As for Cozens, Lysowski felt he should be moved only if the return was significant given their lack of depth at center. Harrington thinks he should be retained, pointing out that the high number of calls they’re getting from rival teams speaks to Cozens’ value.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adams has been trying to add to his roster since last summer. He claims part of the difficulty in doing so is that teams with no-trade protection aren’t interested in coming to Buffalo. Finding a suitable return of a talented player lacking no-trade protection also isn’t easy.

Some pundits linked Cozens and Byram to Elias Pettersson. The Vancouver Canucks center lacks no-trade protection until July 1 but he carries an expensive long-term contract. His production has significantly declined this season, making him a risky acquisition.

WILL THE DUCKS BUY OR SELL?

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Andrew Knoll reports the Anaheim Ducks’ recent surge in the standings might move them from being abject sellers to a club that could look at adding to their roster to accelerate their rebuild.

Pending UFAs like defenseman Brian Dumoulin could be shopped by the trade deadline. Mason McTavish, Drew Helleson, Isac Lundstrom and Brett Leason are restricted free agents but it seems likely they’ll stay put.

Knoll noted the recent trade buzz around forward Trevor Zegras and goaltender John Gibson. The Ducks have no urgency to move Zegras and would set a high asking price. However, his struggles since last season mean the odds are low of someone meeting that price. Recent rumors claim Gibson would be open to getting traded to a contender like Edmonton or Carolina.

Knoll doesn’t see the Ducks pursuing rental players at the trade deadline. They have salary-cap flexibility and some attractive futures to use as trade bait if longer-term opportunities present themselves.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Kelsey Surmacz observed the Ducks had several scouts at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (the Pittsburgh Penguins’ AHL affiliate) during the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has indicated an openness to moving the conditional 2025 first-rounder received from the Vancouver Canucks in the Marcus Pettersson trade. Surmacz noted the Ducks have several young NHLers (Zegras, McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov) who could fit within Dubas’ plan of adding young talent to his aging roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be surprising if the Ducks parted with McTavish or Mintyukov. They aren’t under pressure to move Zegras but they could listen if Dubas dangled a first-round pick, though it would likely have to be bundled with a good young player who fits into their long-term plans.

WILL THE MAPLE LEAFS SPEND BIG AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel believes the Toronto Maple Leafs must throw caution to the wind as the March 7 trade deadline approaches. They need a third-line center, depth scoring (which could be addressed by filling that third-line center role) and another right-shot defenseman.

Siegel points out the Eastern Conference is wide open and the Leafs stars (including Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander) aren’t getting any younger. He pointed out that the boldest teams in the trade market in recent years (Tampa Bay, Vegas, Colorado and Florida) were all rewarded for their efforts. Siegel wondered how willing the Leafs are to part with their top prospects and their 2026 first-round pick to acquire impactful help.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whether Leafs general manager Brad Treliving shares Siegel’s viewpoint remains to be seen. If he does, it’ll depend on whether the Leafs’ future assets are good enough to outbid other teams for the best available talent.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 11, 2025

by | Feb 11, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 11, 2025

Check out the latest on Brad Marchand, Brock Nelson, Rickard Rakell, John Gibson, Jake Evans, Ryan Donato and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BRUINS ARE GETTING CALLS ABOUT BRAD MARCHAND

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports an “NHL executive source” said the Boston Bruins are getting calls on captain Brad Marchand. The 36-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, raising speculation about whether he’ll be re-signed or moved by the March 7 trade deadline.

Murphy’s source claimed teams were wondering what the Bruins intended to do with Marchand. For now, they appear to be just listening rather than actively shopping him. He also noted that the Bruins haven’t squashed the rumors as they’ve done in the past. Another source close to the situation indicated they’re not shopping Marchand.

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand (NHL Images).

The sources’ opinions vary on the price the Bruins could offer Marchand. One speculates it could be a first-round pick and a top prospect. Another believes it depends on which team is asking. The sources mentioned the Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild as possible suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand carries a cap hit of $6.125 million and an eight-team no-trade list. Interested clubs could ask the Bruins to retain some salary, which could raise their asking price. The Oilers and Wild are pressed against the $88 million cap, making them the least likely to land him. All five teams lack a first-round pick in this year’s draft.

BROCK NELSON BECOMES THE TOP TARGET IN THE RUMOR MILL

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias has a roundup of speculation from several insiders suggesting Islanders center Brock Nelson is the most coveted player in the trade market. Like Marchand, the 33-year-old is UFA-eligible on July 1. He carries a $6 million cap hit.

Macias cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple, and TSN’s Chris Johnston reporting the 33-year-old Nelson is garnering attention around the league. He claimed the Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are “very interested” in the veteran Isles center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The points I raised about the lack of a 2025 first-rounder for the Avalanche and Wild also apply here. The Wild currently have Kirill Kaprizov and his $9 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve but he’s expected to return from surgery in a few weeks. Like the Wild and Avs, the Leafs and Lightning don’t have first-round picks in this year’s draft.

The Jets have the advantage over those clubs, provided they’re not on his 16-team no-trade list. They’re first overall in the standings and in “win-now” mode, have over $12 million in projected trade-deadline cap space and a first-round pick in this year’s draft, and they can also draw on their prospect pipeline for trade bait.

RICKARD RAKELL COULD BE AVAILABLE BUT EXPENSIVE

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently reported the Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t in a hurry to trade Rickard Rakell. The 31-year-old winger is playing well alongside team captain Sidney Crosby. He’s also signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $5 million.

Nevertheless, Yohe believes the Penguins would listen if a team made a truly significant package offer containing a first-rounder and a blue-chip prospect close to NHL-ready. He claims GM Kyle Dubas hasn’t told teams that Rakell is untouchable, only that the asking price is high.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rakell’s trade value is very high right now. If a suitable offer isn’t possible at the trade deadline, they might wait for the offseason when the rising cap could entice teams to spend more than they currently would.

COULD JOHN GIBSON BE A FIT WITH THE OILERS?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting he’d heard the Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes are the preferred trade destinations for John Gibson.

The 31-year-old Anaheim Ducks goaltender is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $6.4 million and a 10-team no-trade list. He’s been the subject of trade rumors for some time.

Friedman said he’d heard Gibson wants to go where he’d be “the guy”, as in the starting goaltender. However, he doesn’t know if partnering with Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner will work for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staples doesn’t think Gibson would be a good fit for the Oilers. Even if the Ducks retained half his cap hit, he believes it would still take a hefty chunk out of their cap space. Meanwhile, Staples colleague Kurt Leavins doesn’t see Gibson as an improvement over Skinner, saying he’s been “very mediocre” over the past five years.

WILL JAKE EVANS STAY IN MONTREAL OR MOVE ON?

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan reports Canadiens center Jake Evans knows he’s facing a murky future. The 28-year-old is due to become a UFA this summer and could be shopped by the March 7 trade deadline.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Sunday that the Canadiens and the Evans camp exchanged contract numbers. However, the two sides remain far apart, suggesting he’ll be traded by March 7.

TVA SPORTS: Renaud Lavoie claims Evans’s re-signing with the Canadiens is a real possibility despite the reported gaps in their contract negotiations. However, he didn’t go so far as to guarantee his signing.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reports it’s “common knowledge” Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald is in the market for a third-line center. He believes Evans would fit the bill.

However, the Canadiens’ asking price would be at least a second-rounder and there are plenty of suitors. Nichols noted the Devils have three second-rounders but lack a first-rounder, which would put them out of the bidding if the price goes up.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Evans is the Canadiens’ best trade chip and could fetch a first-round pick if enough teams are interested leading up to March 7. They won’t hesitate to trade him if the two sides don’t agree to a new contract by then.

UPDATES ON RYAN DONATO AND PAT MAROON

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers recently reported that it is expected the Chicago Blackhawks could trade pending UFA forward Ryan Donato by March 7. However, it’s not a certainty that he’ll be moved as management hasn’t ruled out re-signing him.

DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek reports Blackhawks forward Pat Maroon is drawing some attention in the trade market. Marek suggests the Florida Panthers and Maroon’s former club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, as possible fits.

LATEST ON THE BLUE JACKETS

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports injuries to forwards Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko has GM Don Waddell shopping for a top-six forward. “We had some irons in the fire,” Waddell told Portzline. “But no action yet.”

Waddell is willing to move one of his club’s two first-rounders in this year’s draft but it would only be for a player with term on their contract. He also wouldn’t rule out moving one of his extra mid-round picks for a player on an expiring contract.

The Blue Jackets GM also said talks continue with pending UFAs Ivan Provorov and Mathieu Olivier. He also wants to re-sign defenseman Dante Fabbro.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline noted the Blue Jackets have two second-round picks in the 2027 draft, two third-rounders in 2026 and two in the 2027 draft, and two fourth-rounders in this year’s draft and three in 2026.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 9, 2025

by | Feb 9, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 9, 2025

Check out all the latest speculation on Vladimir Tarasenko, Brock Nelson, Brayden Schenn, Brad Marchand, Scott Laughton, Alex Tuch, and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE LATEST ON TARASENKO, NELSON, SCHENN AND DONATO

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Vladimir Tarasenko has recently surfaced in the rumor mill. The 33-year-old Detroit Red Wings forward is in the first year of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4.75 million and has a full no-trade clause for this season.

Detroit Red Wings forward Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).

Friedman said he’s heard “some noise” around Tarasenko. He also pointed out the Red Wings are playing better and are in the race for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Most of their players are performing well of late but he’s “kind of struggled to be a fit.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko is no longer the perennial 30-goal scorer he was during his long tenure with the St. Louis Blues. However, he reached 55 points last season split between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers, and 50 points in 2022-23 between the Blues and New York Rangers. He’s managed just 22 points in 53 games with the Wings.

Friedman also indicated that a lot of people are waiting to see what happens with New York Islanders center Brock Nelson. He believes the Isles will attempt to re-sign him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello could peddle the 33-year-old Nelson if they fail to agree to a new contract. Then again, he could hang onto him if they’re holding onto a wild-card spot by March 7. He has done that sort of thing before.

The St. Louis Blues are willing to talk about a lot of their players with other teams. However, they’ve set “a very, very high price” for team captain Brayden Schenn.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn’s versatility, leadership, playoff experience, and physical two-way play would make him enticing for any playoff contender. The 33-year-old forward signed through 2027-28 with an AAV of $6.5 million and he has a full no-trade clause for this season.

Friedman’s colleague Luke Fox noted that the Toronto Maple Leafs were linked to Schenn and Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens. Their limited salary-cap space makes acquiring either player difficult without some salary retention by the Blues or Sabres. Fox believes they’ll have to part with their 2026 first-rounder and a promising youngster like Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan as part of the return.

Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato could draw plenty of interest. He’s UFA-eligible this summer and carries a $2 million cap hit. The 28-year-old center is playing well in his contract year, with a career-high 19 goals and 37 points. Friedman believes the Edmonton Oilers are looking at him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Donato’s performance this season and his low cap hit could make him a valuable trade chip this season for the Blackhawks.

The Athletic’s Scott Powers is interested to see what the Blackhawks do with Donato. He expects they’ll move him closer to March 7 to maximize his trade value.

Powers doesn’t expect pending UFAs Alec Martinez and Pat Maroon to ask to be traded. He considers defensemen Seth Jones and Connor Murphy to be long shots as trade candidates.

THE LATEST BRUINS SPECULATION

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports teams are watching the Boston Bruins closely to see what they intend to do by the March 7 trade deadline. Last month, team president Cam Neely said they would be buyers or retool a bit depending on where they were in the standings by deadline day. GM Don Sweeney recently reiterated Neely’s comments.

Murphy cited an NHL source suggesting Bruins captain Brad Marchand could be in play but doesn’t think they’ve reached that stage yet. The 36-year-old winger is eligible for UFA status on July 1. Teams could also inquire about defenseman Brandon Carlo but the Bruins aren’t currently shopping him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins head into the 4 Nations Face-Off break sitting one point out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. A lot could depend on whether they can gain ground in games leading up to March 7.

LEAFS AND JETS REPORTEDLY INTEREST IN LAUGHTON

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports trade talks are “heating up” around Scott Laughton. The 30-year-old Philadelphia Flyers forward is signed through next season with an AAV of $3 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Di Marco cited sources claiming the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets are interested in Laughton. He added they are among several teams in the mix.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton is a feisty, hard-working two-way forward with leadership skills who can play center or wing. The Flyers were reportedly reluctant to part with him because of what he brings to their team. Nevertheless, he’s slated to become a UFA at the end of next season. It’s rumored the Flyers seek a first-round pick as part of their asking price.

SHOULD THE DEVILS PURSUE ALEX TUCH?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes the New Jersey Devils should look into acquiring Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch, provided they’re not on the 28-year-old’s five-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres GM Kevyn Adams wants to add to his team rather than subtract. That’s why he hasn’t shipped out Dylan Cozens as he wants a hockey trade if he were to part with him. The same thing would apply to Tuch, who is UFA-eligible at the end of next season.

Brooks mentioned Devils forward Dawson Mercer is struggling this season. Maybe they’d pitch the 23-year-old forward to the Sabres if they take an interest in Tuch.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 7, 2025

by | Feb 7, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 7, 2025

Another goal for Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin in his ongoing quest for the all-time goals record, a milestone game for Leafs winger Mitch Marner, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF THURSDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored his 879th regular-season goal as his club nipped the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3. Jakob Chychrun had a goal and an assist for the Capitals as they regained their hold on first overall with 79 points. Matvei Michkov tallied twice for the Flyers, who’ve dropped seven of their last eight games.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin sits 16 goals from Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894. The Capitals and Winnipeg Jets have 79 points but the Caps have a game in hand.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner collected his 500th career assist in a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken. Anthony Stolarz made 26 saves for the win in his first game since being sidelined by a knee injury on Dec. 12. Eeli Tolvanen replied for the Kraken as they’ve lost five of their last six games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner also returned to action after missing Tuesday’s game against the Calgary Flames with a lower-body injury. He’s second among this season’s assist leaders with 55. The Leafs sit second in the Atlantic Division with 68 points.

The Colorado Avalanche doubled up the Calgary Flames 4-2. Martin Necas scored twice and collected an assist, Nathan MacKinnon had three assists, and Cale Makar tallied his 20th goal of the season. Flames rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf made 30 saves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon regained the lead in the points race with 83, sitting two ahead of Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl. The Avalanche holds the first Western Conference wild-card berth with 66 points while the Flames (59 points) are two out of the final Western wild-card spot. Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson missed this game with a lower-body injury and is expected to miss Friday’s game against the Oilers.

A penalty shot goal by Drew O’Connor lifted the Vancouver Canucks to a 2-1 overtime victory over the San Jose Sharks. Dakota Joshua also scored and Thatcher Demko stopped 33 shots for the Canucks (61 points) as they regained the final Western wild card. Tyler Toffoli scored his 20th goal for the Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks captain Quinn Hughes remained sidelined with a lower-body injury. 

Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk scored with 12 seconds remaining in the third period to beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2. Tkachuk finished the night with two goals and an assist as the Panthers hold a one-point lead over the Maple Leafs for first place in the Atlantic Division. Zack Bolduc had a goal and an assist for the Blues, who are 1-5-1 in their last seven contests.

The Vegas Golden Knights ended a four-game losing skid with a 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. Nicolas Roy, Shea Theodore and Jack Eichel scored for the Golden Knights as they sit in second place in the Pacific Division with 70 points. Ondrej Palat replied for the Devils, who are third in the Metropolitan Division with 66 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: New Jersey goalie Jake Allen made 37 saves in this game. The Devils also placed captain Nico Hischier on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 25.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point had a goal and two assists to down the Ottawa Senators 5-1. Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov picked up two assists for the Lightning, who moved ahead of the Senators into third place in the Atlantic Division. Michael Amadio scored for the Senators as they dropped into the first Eastern wild-card spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning and Senators each have 62 points but the Lightning have three games in hand. Senators forwards Shane Pinto and Josh Norris and Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli missed this game due to injuries.

The Minnesota Wild got a 37-save performance by Filip Gustavsson to squeak by the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1. Yakov Trenin and Vinnie Hinostroza were the goal scorers for the Wild, who sit third in the Central Division with 68 points. Sebastian Aho replied for the Hurricanes, who hold second place in the Metropolitan Division with 68 points but have dropped three straight games.

An overtime goal by Dylan Guenther lifted the Utah Hockey Club to a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Lawson Crouse and Olli Maatta also scored for Utah while Justin Danforth and Ivan Provorov replied for the Blue Jackets, who sit one point out of the final Eastern wild-card spot with 60 points.

IN OTHER NEWS…

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The short-term outlook for Penguins captain Sidney Crosby as he nurses an injured left arm/shoulder. He mostly worked out on his own during practice on Thursday and rarely shot the puck. Crosby was injured during Tuesday’s loss to the New Jersey Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby is also the captain for Canada in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. His injury raises questions over whether he’ll participate in the tournament.

SPORTSNET: The availability of Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes for the 4 Nations tournament remains uncertain. Hughes is part of Team USA’s roster but he’s been nursing a lower-body injury.

THE SCORE: Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard is ignoring criticism of his play as he struggles through a sophomore slump. “I’m not watching broadcasts or anything. I’m playing hockey…I couldn’t really care less, to be honest, what people on the outside think of me or of us.”

Former NHLer Paul Bissonnette and Hall of Famer Mark Messier criticized Bedard’s recent performance. Bissonnette said he looked like he was playing pond hockey during a recent game against the Edmonton Oilers while Messier said the lack of consequences for his poor play would hurt team morale.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bedard’s in a tough spot this season, playing on a rebuilding club showing no sign of improvement. Meanwhile, opponents have adjusted to his style of play since last season. As the face of the franchise, Bedard is shouldering the burden of their offense and the expectations of Blackhawks fans. That’s a hell of a weight to carry for a 19-year-old.