NHL Rumor Mill – January 31, 2025

by | Jan 31, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 31, 2025

Are the Blue Jackets interested in Canucks center Elias Pettersson? Which teams might pursue free-agent winger Brandon Saad? What next for the Flyers following their multi-player trade with the Flames? All this and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BLUE JACKETS TALKING TO CANUCKS ABOUT PETTERSSON

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Columbus Blue Jackets are among the clubs talking to the Buffalo Sabres about Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson.

The Jackets have the same question as other interested parties like the Buffalo Sabres: “Who is Elias Pettersson right now?” Is the 26-year-old center the one who warranted a massive contract extension last season or the one who’s been struggling this season?

LeBrun believes teams are waiting to see if the Canucks will lower their asking prices for Pettersson (and J.T. Miller) before engaging more fully in contract talks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets were linked to Pettersson earlier this month but Aaron Portzline (The Athletic’s Blue Jackets beat writer) cited a team source claiming no trade discussions had taken place. Maybe the situation has now changed. It’s worth pointing out that Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell attempted to acquire Pettersson last season while GM of the Carolina Hurricanes.

THE LATEST ON BRANDON SAAD

TSN: Chris Johnston reported winger Brandon Saad will become an unrestricted free agent on Friday afternoon following the mutual termination of his contract with the St. Louis Blues.

Former St. Louis Blues winger Brandon Saad (NHL Images).

Johnston believes the Toronto Maple Leafs will be among the suitors. They’re in the market for a center but are interested in seeing if Saad might be a fit as a potential wing option. The cost of signing him will be a determining factor. He walked away from the $5 million remaining on his contract with the Blues and might not necessarily be a cheap signing.

Darren Dreger believes the Leafs have a moderate interest in Saad, who played for head coach Craig Berube during the latter’s tenure in St. Louis. They’re interested in secondary scoring but the 32-year-old winger had difficulty filling that need for the Blues this season. The Leafs also have other needs to fill at center and on the blueline.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli suggested the Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning as teams to watch regarding Saad.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Saad won’t be a UFA for long. He could accept a cheap, prorated one-year deal with a playoff club, hoping that a strong performance with them could elevate his stock in this summer’s free-agent market.

FLYERS MIGHT NOT BE DONE IN THE TRADE MARKET

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz looked at what could be in store for the Philadelphia Flyers after trading former first-rounders Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee to the Calgary Flames on Thursday for Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier.

Flyers GM Daniel Briere sees value in Pelletier and in the 2025 second-round pick he received from the Flames. That gives them seven picks in the first two rounds of this year’s draft, including four in the second round. Kurz speculates Briere could attempt to package some of those picks for a high-end asset. Shedding Farabee’s $5 million annual cap hit creates room to add a player with a significant salary and term.

Kurz also believes this move set the bar high for younger players like Cam York, Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink, Jamie Drysdale or Noah Cates if they wish to remain with the Flyers for the long term.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuzmenko is a UFA this summer. Briere could flip him for a draft pick before the March 7 trade deadline, perhaps for another second-rounder if the 28-year-old winger regains his scoring touch with the Flyers.

CAPITALS TALKING CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH CHARLIE LINDGREN

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber cited ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports the Washington Capitals are exploring a contract extension for goaltender Charlie Lindgren with an AAV in the range of $3.5 million and $4 million.

Lindgren, 31, is UFA-eligible on July 1. He’s in the final year of a $3.3 million deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals re-signed goalie Logan Thompson earlier this week to a six-year extension with an AAV of $5.85 million.

KINGS NOT PEDDLING BRANDT CLARKE

TSN: Chris Johnston noted an undercurrent of speculation regarding Brandt Clarke when the 21-year-old Los Angeles defenseman was scratched from their lineup to make way for the return of Drew Doughty.

Johnston stated Clarke was “not in play,” adding the scratch was merely a recharge for the promising young blueliner.

UPDATE ON THE CANADIENS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Montreal Canadiens won’t search for a rental defenseman before the March 7 trade deadline to replace Kaiden Guhle. The 23-year-old blueliner is sidelined indefinitely following surgery to repair a lacerated quadricep.

LeBrun indicated the trade discussions the Canadiens have had with other teams involve players who will help them beyond this season. They could retain their pending UFAs as “own rentals” if they remain in the playoff chase leading up to the deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens have cooled from the hot streak that had them briefly holding the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. Nevertheless, management remains focused on their long-term picture. It’s not about quick fixes. Any additions via trades will be players carrying term on their contracts, like their acquisition of Alexandre Carrier last month from Nashville.

SALARY CAP SPECULATION

TSN: Darren Dreger reports it’s expected the NHL will reveal its updated salary cap projection for 2025-26 during the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off (Feb. 10-21). He said he’s been told that it is “very unlikely” to rise beyond $96 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Last month, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman projected the cap could reach $92.4 million but didn’t rule out a higher number. It could end up between $94.5 and $96 million. Any amount over $92.4 million will be welcomed by most NHL general managers, especially those with expensive players to re-sign or those looking to add to their rosters for next season.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 30, 2025

by | Jan 30, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 30, 2025

The latest on Canucks center Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, Brandon Saad, Sidney Crosby and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON PETTERSSON AND MILLER

THE ATHLETIC: Harman Dayal and Shayna Goldman noticed the recent rise of trade speculation around Elias Pettersson.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reported the 26-year-old center was close to getting traded to the Carolina Hurricanes before they acquired Mikko Rantanen. He added trade discussions regarding Pettersson are ongoing.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

Dayal and Goldman believe if it came to a choice for the Canucks they would retain Pettersson and trade J.T. Miller, who turns 32 in March and doesn’t have as many productive seasons ahead.

However, Miller’s trade value appears distressed, the number of interested teams is dwindling and his no-movement clause gives him full control of his situation. Pettersson’s age, track record, and lack of no-trade protection this season could give him more lucrative trade value.

Dayal and Goldman included the Philadelphia Flyers among their proposed list of trade destinations for Pettersson. However, their colleague Kevin Kurz believes Miller would be a better choice, citing his more affordable contract, size, body of work and the Canucks’ lower asking price.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The offer the Canucks received from the New York Rangers could be the only one they’ve had for Miller. That would explain the recent increase in the Pettersson trade chatter.

The Flyers need a No. 1 center but they might not be interested in Miller because of his age or Pettersson because of his contract. Given the drama between those two, they might not view either player as a good fit for their rebuilding club.

WHAT NEXT FOR BRANDON SAAD AND THE BLUES?

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford believes Brandon Saad’s decision to accept contract termination from the St. Louis Blues is the club’s best-case scenario in addressing this issue.

The Blues tried finding a trade partner for Saad but had no takers partly because of his contract. He had a year left on his deal with an average annual value of $4.5 million and a full no-trade clause this season. The 32-year-old winger cleared waivers and was due to be assigned to their AHL affiliate in Springfield.

By accepting contract termination, Saad becomes an unrestricted free agent. Rutherford speculated the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals and Dallas Stars could become suitors, citing their needs for more forward depth.

The contract termination also clears Saad’s $4.5 million from their books for next season, giving them $10 million in cap space.

Rutherford’s colleagues Jonas Siegel and Chris Johnston examined whether the Maple Leafs should sign Saad. They believe he could be despite his struggles this season, citing he’s played for Leafs coach Craig Berube in St. Louis plus he’d be an affordable addition to their forward lines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Saad’s championship experience with the Chicago Blackhawks, his seven 20-plus goal seasons, and his affordability will make him a tempting option for contenders seeking forward depth for the postseason.

UPDATE ON THE PENGUINS

TSN: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is done addressing trade rumors as his team faces a third season outside the playoff picture. The 37-year-old center was recently linked to the Colorado Avalanche after they traded Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes.

“I know how speculation works: Everybody’s looking to talk about different things, different scenarios,” said Crosby. “I can’t control that. I don’t know where that comes from. I don’t think that it’s something I’m going to discuss every time somebody speculates something. I’m not going to answer it every time it happens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: For the umpteenth time: Crosby has a full no-movement clause in his current contract and his two-year extension that he signed with the Penguins last year. He wouldn’t have signed that team-friendly extension if he didn’t want to stay in Pittsburgh. He would’ve played out this season, thanked the Penguins and their fans for 20 wonderful years, and hit this summer’s free-agent market where everyone and their dog would’ve fallen all over themselves trying to sign him.

Crosby is a Penguin until he decides he doesn’t want to be. Neither he nor the team have indicated he doesn’t want to be. Until then, as The Bard would say, it’s all sound and fury, signifying nothing.

NHL.COM: Meanwhile, in the real world, Dan Rosen believes Penguins defensemen Marcus Pettersson and Matt Grzelcyk could become rental players by the March 7 trade deadline. He speculates there could be a bigger trade to be made for forward Rickard Rakell or winger Michael Bunting.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins are five points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. They could become sellers if they haven’t gained ground in the standings by March 1.

PREDATORS COULD BECOME BUYERS IF THEY IMPROVE IN THE STANDINGS

THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty reports Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz isn’t ruling out the possibility of becoming a buyer at the March 7 trade deadline. He indicated he could make an addition or two if his club crawls back into the playoff race by then. If not, Trotz said he could become a seller if the returns make sense.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 30, 2025

by | Jan 30, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 30, 2025

Recaps of Wednesday’s games, the Kings and Predators reveal their Quarter-Century Teams, the Blues and Brandon Saad mutually agree to terminate his contract, the Kraken put Philipp Grubauer on waivers, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (NHL Images).

RECAPPING WEDNESDAY’S NHL GAMES

NHL.COM: The New Jersey Devils got two-point performances from Jack and Luke Hughes in a 5-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Jack and Luke each had a goal and an assist while Jake Allen made 24 saves for the shutout as the Devils sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 64 points. Flyers winger Owen Tippett left the game with an undisclosed injury following an open-ice hit by Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon. With 52 points, the Flyers sit three points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils captain Nico Hischier missed this game as he’s week-to-week with an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson will replace sidelined Devils netminder Jacob Markstrom on Team Sweden in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes collected two assists as his club defeated the Nashville Predators 3-1. Thatcher Demko stopped 31 shots and rookie forward Linus Karlsson tallied his first NHL goal for the Canucks (56 points) as they sit one point ahead of the Calgary Flames in the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Tommy Novak replied for the Predators as they’ve dropped two straight games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks forward Dakota Joshua returned to action after missing 11 games with an injured leg.

An overtime goal by Sidney Crosby lifted the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 3-2 win over the Utah Hockey Club. Alex Nedeljkovic turned aside 27 shots as the Penguins (50 points) are five points behind the Lightning in the Eastern wild-card race. Mikhail Sergachev and Michael Carcone scored for Utah, who are six points behind the Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Utah Hockey Club has narrowed its prospective team names to three choices: the current name, the Utah Mammoth, and the Utah Wasatch. Fans will vote during Utah’s next four home games.

Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky kicked out 29 shots to blank the Los Angeles Kings 3-0. Matthew Tkachuk scored and picked up two assists as the Panthers vaulted over the Toronto Maple Leafs into first place in the Atlantic Division with 63 points. Los Angeles defenseman Drew Doughty made his season debut after being sidelined by a broken ankle since preseason. The Kings are third in the Pacific Division with 58 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Doughty’s return to the Kings lineup resulted in young defenseman Brandt Clarke being a healthy scratch.

Speaking of the Maple Leafs, they dropped a 3-1 decision to the Minnesota Wild. Filip Gustavsson made 32 saves and Jared Spurgeon netted what proved to be the winning goal for the Wild, who sit third in the Central Division with 64 points. William Nylander tallied for the Leafs (62 points) as their losing skid extended to three games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs winger Max Pacioretty was activated off injured reserve for this game. Winger Matthews Knies went on IR with an upper-body injury but could return to action on Saturday.

HEADLINES

The Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators unveiled their Quarter-Century Teams on Wednesday.

Forwards Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar and Jeff Carter, defensemen Drew Doughty and Alec Martinez, and goaltender Jonathan Quick made up the Kings’ First Team. The Second Team comprised forwards Justin Williams, Adrian Kempe and Zigmund Palffy, defensemen Mattias Norstrom and Lubomir Visnovsky, and goalie Felix Potvin.

The Predators’ First Team featured goaltender Pekka Rinnie, defensemen Roman Josi and Shea Weber, and forwards Filip Forsberg, Paul Kariya and Mike Fisher. The Second Team comprised forwards David Legwand, Ryan Johansen and Steve Sullivan, defensemen Mattias Ekholm and Kimmo Timonen, and goalie Juuse Saros.

STLTODAY.COM: The St. Louis Blues and winger Brandon Saad agreed to terminate his contract once he clears unconditional waivers today. Saad had a year remaining on his deal with an average annual value of $4.5 million. He had cleared waivers and was slated to be assigned to the Blues’ AHL affiliate in Springfield.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Saad will become an unrestricted free agent, enabling him to sign with another team. I’ll have more about him and the Blues in today’s Rumor Mill update.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken placed goaltender Philipp Grubauer on waivers for the purpose of assigning him to their AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley. He’s signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $5.9 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report indicates the Kraken doesn’t have to send down Grubauer but gives them the option. Given his contract, he’s unlikely to be claimed by another NHL team. This also raises questions about his future with the team, including a potential contract buyout in June.

Grubauer was the Kraken’s starter when he signed his contract in 2021 but Joey Daccord outplayed him for the job last season. He’s struggled this season with a 3.83 goals-against average and an. 866 save percentage.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle is sidelined indefinitely following surgery to repair a lacerated quadriceps muscle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guhle is the Canadiens’ best shutdown defenseman so his absence is a big blow to the blueline in their quest for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They’ve recalled Jayden Struble from his conditioning stint in Laval.

TSN: Ottawa Senators forward Nick Cousins is out for six to eight weeks with a knee injury.

CALGARY SUN: Flames defenseman Kevin Bahl is week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

DAILY FACEOFF: San Jose Sharks goaltender Vitek Vanecek was assigned to his club’s AHL affiliate on a conditioning stint as he works his way back from a fractured cheekbone.

NESN: The Boston Bruins are talking with former captain Zdeno Chara about returning to the club as a front-office consultant.

RG.ORG: NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly was surprised by Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer suggesting his club play some regular-season games in Quebec City.

He made those remarks during a recent press conference announcing his team will play two preseason games there in September.

Andlauer also said he believes Quebec City deserves an NHL franchise but acknowledged that’s not his decision.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andlauer will likely get a gentle reminder from the commissioner’s office about speaking out of turn regarding potential NHL expansion destinations.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 28, 2025

by | Jan 28, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 28, 2025

Is there any truth to the recent Sidney Crosby trade speculation? What’s next for the Blackhawks? Does Ryan Lindgren want to remain a Ranger? Could the Leafs target Sharks center Luke Kunin? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DEBUNKING THE CROSBY TRADE RUMORS

THE ATHLETIC: Pittsburgh Penguins beat writer Josh Yohe debunked the recent trade rumors swirling around Sidney Crosby following Friday’s blockbuster trade that sent Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes.

The rumors started when Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli made a cryptic tweet following the Rantanen trade claiming “an impeccable source” told him that deal wasn’t the biggest thing on the table within the previous 48 hours.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

That prompted some pundits, including Spittin’ Chiclets podcasters (and former Crosby teammates) Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney, to suggest that Seravalli could be referring to the Penguins trading their captain to Colorado, uniting him with his good friend and fellow Nova Scotian Nathan MacKinnon.

Yohe lamented that those folks, some of whom he felt knew better, were spreading such a baseless rumor. He referred to what Crosby told his colleague Rob Rossi earlier this season.

“I don’t worry about that stuff,” Crosby said. “I’ve said I’m always going to be here. I just signed a new contract to be here. I’ve been very upfront about it – I’m a Pittsburgh Penguin.”

Yohe suspects some NHL pundits are bored and are titillated by the thought of a blockbuster trade involving Crosby that would have him finish his career elsewhere.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yohe isn’t the only pundit pouring cold water on the Crosby trade rumors. TSN’s Chris Johnston (a colleague of Yohe’s with The Athletic) and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman quickly dismissed that chatter over the weekend, pointing out Crosby’s new contract with the Penguins and his full no-movement clause.

Some pundits have made the case for a Crosby trade because they believe he deserves better than to finish his NHL career with a rebuilding Penguins club. Yohe makes the point that Crosby wants to stick around and help them rebuild, perhaps even return to the postseason before his career ends.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE BLACKHAWKS?

TSN: Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson met with the media on Monday to explain his reason for trading Taylor Hall to the Hurricanes and his plans for the rest of the season.

Davidson said he moved Hall at this time because he wouldn’t use one of his two remaining salary retention spots on Rantanen and use the other for Hall in a separate trade later this season. The Blackhawks retained half of Rantanen’s $9.25 million salary and sent Hall to the Hurricanes for a third-round pick.

The Blackhawks GM also didn’t see Hall fetching more than a third-rounder. The pick the Blackhawks received was their third-round which they sent to the Hurricanes last year.

Davidson didn’t believe Hall’s market value would improve by hanging onto him until closer to the March 7 trade deadline. He indicated there was the risk of an injury or his diminishing role affecting his market value.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Greg Boysen noted that Davidson intends to continue listening to offers leading up to March 7. He believes he has the luxury of patiently waiting to see what unfolds.

Davidson continued to preach patience with the Blackhawks’ rebuild. He’s pleased with the progress that young players like Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Colton Dach, and Nathan Allen have shown this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Davidson will entertain offers for pending UFAs like Ryan Donato and Pat Maroon. He’s more likely to become a buyer this summer, using his cap space and his trade capitals in draft picks and prospects to target one or two impact players in their mid-to-late twenties who are in their playing prime.

RYAN LINDGREN WANTS TO REMAIN A RANGER

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren doesn’t want to be moved by the trade deadline. The 26-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible this summer and has surfaced in recent trade speculation tying him to Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller.

Brooks believes it was a foregone conclusion that Lindgren would be moved by the trade deadline. However, the club’s recent rebound into playoff contention could change that plan.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whether that also affects his chances of getting a contract extension remains to be seen.

COULD THE MAPLE LEAFS TARGET LUKE KUNIN?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Max Miller cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggesting the Toronto Maple Leafs could have San Jose Sharks center Luke Kunin on their radar.

Kunin, 27, is signed through next season with an average annual value of $2.75 million. Friedman cited his affordable contract, versatility and defensive play as enticing factors for the Leafs, who are believed to be in the market for a reliable third-line center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sharks GM Mike Grier is likely open for business and willing to entertain offers for his veterans provided they fetch a return that helps his rebuilding process. Kunin could attract interest from several playoff contenders by March 7.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 27, 2025

by | Jan 27, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 27, 2025

The latest on Leafs winger Mitch Marner and Hurricanes forward Mikko Rantanen plus an update on the Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Toronto Maple Leafs could get a king’s ransom if they peddle Mitch Marner before the March 7 trade deadline.

Proteau pointed to the return the Colorado Avalanche received from the Carolina Hurricanes in Friday’s Mikko Rantanen trade, suggesting Marner could fetch the Leafs many assets. Like Rantanen, the 27-year-old Marner can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

If the Leafs are unable to re-sign Marner and put him on the trade block, Proteau suggested offering him to the Vancouver Canucks for center Elias Pettersson. He also proposed offering Marner to the Utah Hockey Club for winger Clayton Keller.

However, Proteau also pointed out that Marner has a full no-movement clause. He wants to stay in Toronto and the Leafs hope to re-sign him. Proteau doubts Marner will hit the open market on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner would undoubtedly fetch a significant return in the trade market. We can’t rule out the possibility (however remote) that things could change. After all, we didn’t think the Avs would trade Rantanen. Nevertheless, it’s unlikely to be moved by March 7.

THE ATHLETIC: Speaking of Marner and Rantanen, Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus believe Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson will be interested in both if they become free agents on July 1.

They point out that the Blackhawks need to accelerate their rebuild. Attendance is slipping, the TV situation with CHSN has been a debacle, and the novelty of Connor Bedard is wearing off. This doesn’t mean Davidson has to derail the rebuild, but they need to add a player in a higher tier who can improve Bedard, take pressure off other young players, and excite the fans.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks will have over $32 million in cap space if the ceiling rises to $92.4 million as projected. That’s enough to sign a free-agent superstar in their late twenties or acquire one via trade using their trade capital of draft picks and prospects.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes something is very wrong if Kyle Palmieri and Brock Nelson remain with the New York Islanders after March 7. He claims Palmieri is coveted by his former team, the New Jersey Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello recently said his club’s performance will determine his course of action by the trade deadline. They’ve improved in recent weeks but are six points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. He could become a seller if they’re still in that position when the calendar flips to March.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 26, 2025

by | Jan 26, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 26, 2025

The Avalanche and Hurricanes play their first games since the blockbuster trade involving Mikko Rantanen, the Senators reveal their Quarter-Century Team, and more from a busy Saturday in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall were held scoreless in their debuts with the Carolina Hurricanes as they dropped a 3-2 decision in overtime to the New York Islanders. Brock Nelson tallied the winning goal as the Isles overcame a 2-0 deficit. Jack Roslovic and Sebastian Aho scored for the Hurricanes, who remain second in the Metropolitan Division with 64 points. The Islanders (49 points) have won four straight and sit six points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In case you missed it, Rantanan and Hall were traded to the Hurricanes on Friday evening in a three-team deal involving the Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks. Islanders goaltender Marcus Hogberg left this game in the third period with an upper-body injury while teammate Ryan Pulock (upper body) departed in the first period.

Meanwhile, former Hurricanes Martin Necas and Jack Drury didn’t fare any better in their debuts with the Colorado Avalanche as they fell 3-1 to the Boston Bruins. Morgan Geekie scored two goals while David Pastrnak had a goal and two assists for the Bruins, who moved into third place in the Atlantic Division with 56 points. Artturi Lekhonen replied for the Avalanche (58 points) as they hold the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas and Drury were shipped from the Hurricanes to the Avalanche in the Rantanen trade. Colorado general manager Chris MacFarland acknowledged the move was a tough business decision. He wanted to re-sign Rantanen and improve his roster depth but couldn’t do both, so he chose the latter.

Rantanen’s departure saddened Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon. “I never thought in a million years he’d leave. So yeah, it just sucks,” he said, calling Rantanen a great friend and teammate. “I’m gonna miss him”.

Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (NHL Images).

Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored twice, including the go-ahead goal in the third period to lift his club over the Buffalo Sabres 3-2. Stuart Skinner stopped 39 shots as the Oilers took over first place in the Pacific Division with 65 points. Alex Tuch and Jiri Kulich scored for the Sabres, who’ve dropped four of their last five games.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko scored in overtime to lift his club to a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski scored to extend his home points streak to 19 games as his club holds the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 55 points. Kevin Fiala had two assists and Quinton Byfield scored the tying goal for the Kings, who sit third in the Pacific Division with 58 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sidelined Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan will miss an additional six to eight weeks as he suffered a setback in his recovery from a wrist injury.

The Seattle Kraken got a 28-save performance from goaltender Joey Daccord in a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jared McCann and Chandler Stephenson each collected two assists as the Kraken got their third win in their last four contests. Sidney Crosby tallied for the Penguins, who’ve lost three of their last four and sit seven points out of the final Eastern wild-card berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins forwards Evgeni Malkin and Matt Nieto left this game with injuries. There was no postgame update on their conditions.

An overtime goal by Jack Hughes lifted the New Jersey Devils over the Montreal Canadiens 4-3. Jesper Bratt had a goal and an assist and Jake Allen made 29 saves against his former club. Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes kicked out 40 shots while Nick Suzuki had a goal and two assists for the Canadiens (53 points), who sit two points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot. The Devils (62 points) moved within two points of the second-place Hurricanes in the Metro Division.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a costly victory for the Devils as captain Nico Hischier left the game in the third period after receiving an unpenalized cross-check to the mid-section from Suzuki in the previous period.

The Ottawa Senators nipped the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1. Shane Pinto broke a 1-1 tie midway through the third period while Anton Forsberg made 28 saves for the win, moving the Senators (54 points) within one point of the final Eastern wild card position. Bobby McMann scored for the Leafs (62 points), who’ve dropped two in a row but remain in first place in the Atlantic Division.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Leafs placed forward Connor Dewar (upper body) on injured reserve and called up Nikita Grebenkin. They placed sidelined netminder Anthony Stolarz on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) to clear cap space for Grebenkin.

Meanwhile, Senators forward Nick Cousins is expected to miss some time after a knee-on-knee collision with Leafs rookie Jacob Quillan in the first period. His teammate, Nick Jensen, missed this game as he’s listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

Detroit Red Wings goalie Cam Talbot made 28 saves for his 33rd career shutout in a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Marco Kasper and Michael Rasmussen were the goal scorers as the Red Wings (51 points) are four points out of the final Eastern wild card spot. Andrei Vasilevskiy turned aside 29 shots for the Lightning (55 points), who’ve lost three of their last four and dropped into the first Eastern wild-card berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning and Blue Jackets are tied in points but the Bolts have more wins (26 to 24) and hold two games in hand over the Jackets.

The Dallas Stars got a 33-save shutout from Casey DeSmith to blank the St. Louis Blues 2-0. Evgenii Dadonov and Esa Lindell scored as the Stars picked up their third win in their last four games and sit second in the Central Division with 63 points. Blues goalie Jordan Binnington made 17 saves as his club sits five points out of the final Western wild card with 50 points.

Calgary Flames winger Andrei Kuzmenko tallied twice and added an assist in a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Wild, handing the latter their fifth defeat in their last six contests. The Flames hold the final Western wild card with 55 points. Marco Rossi had three assists for the Wild as they cling to third place in the Central Division with 60 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames defenseman Kevin Bahl left this game after being boarded by Wild forward Jakub Lauko. There was no postgame update on his status.

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes scored both goals in his club’s 2-1 win over the league-leading Washington Capitals. Kevin Lankinen stopped 32 shots for the Canucks (52 points) for their third win in their last 11 games (3-6-2) as they sit three points behind the Flames. Pierre-Luc Dubois replied for the Capitals as their 12-game points streak ended (9-0-3).

The Anaheim Ducks beat the Nashville Predators 5-2. Mason McTavish scored twice while Trevor Zegras had a goal and an assist for the Ducks. Gustav Nyquist and Ryan O’Reilly tallied for the Predators as their five-game win streak ended.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson left this game following the first period with an upper-body injury.

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad had a goal and an assist in his return from injury as his club cruised to a 7-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and two assists as the Panthers (61 points) sit one point behind the Atlantic Division-leading Maple Leafs. Cody Ceci and Will Smith tallied for the Sharks, who’ve lost six straight games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Sharks placed forward Ty Dellandrea (upper body) on injured reserve.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: The Ottawa Senators unveiled their Quarter-Century Team on Saturday.

Forwards Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley, defensemen Erik Karlsson and Wade Redden, and goaltender Craig Anderson comprised the First Team.

The Second Team featured forwards Marian Hossa, Mark Stone and Brady Tkachuk, defensemen Zdeno Chara and Chris Phillips, and goaltender Patrick Lalime.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers signed defenseman Will Borgen to a five-year, $20.5 million contract extension. Borgen, 28, was acquired from the Seattle Kraken last month in exchange for winger Kaapo Kakko. The average annual value of his new deal is $4.1 million.