NHL Rumor Mill – November 14, 2024

by | Nov 14, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – November 14, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, an update on the Penguins plus the latest on the Ducks’ John Gibson, the Kings’ Vladislav Gavrikov, and the Sharks’ Mackenzie Blackwood.

LATEST PENGUINS SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Pittsburgh Penguins trading Lars Eller won’t be the last player move they make this season. He claims they’ve let teams know they’re “open for business.”

The Penguins seek young NHL players, followed by already-drafted prospects, followed by draft picks. He believes pending UFAs Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor will be among those to follow.

Friedman doesn’t see Sidney Crosby wanting out given he signed a two-year extension in September. He doesn’t think the Penguins want to trade Evgeni Malkin nor does Malkin want to be moved.

Kris Letang has three years remaining with a no-movement clause. Friedman believes his history of injuries and ailments makes the 37-year-old defenseman a gamble for other clubs. even if he wanted to be traded.

Erik Karlsson also has no-move protection and still carries a hefty salary-cap hit. However, Friedman noted that his actual salary will decline over the remaining two years of his contract, prompting him to suggest there would be interest in the talented defenseman.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images)

Friedman also wondered about the future of Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan. If they fire Sullivan, he believes it’ll be because they feel they need a new voice in the dressing room, not because he’s a bad coach. Sullivan would draw interest from other teams if he becomes available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One of those Penguins stars could agree to be traded. However, their respective cap hit would make it difficult to find a suitable deal. Age will also be a factor as they’re in the mid-to-late thirties.

Some folks took to social media following the Penguins’ humiliating loss to the Dallas Stars on Monday calling for Crosby to be traded to a better team, believing he deserves better than this. That’s his call, folks, not yours.

Maybe Crosby will one day accept a trade to a contender. However, that day doesn’t appear to be coming anytime soon.

MORE RUMOR TIDBITS FROM THE LATEST “32 THOUGHTS”

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports a lot of teams expect the Los Angeles Kings will re-sign Vladislav Gavrikov. Doing so would shrink next summer’s pool of UFA defensemen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gavrikov was the subject of considerable trade speculation before the Kings acquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets before the 2023 trade deadline. He’ll draw lots of interest if he tests next summer’s UFA market. Gavrikov could also become a valuable trade chip for the Kings if they become sellers before this season’s trade deadline.

Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson has two years remaining on his contract. He’s made it clear he’s willing to consider more trade options than his trade protection states. However, the oft-sidelined Gibson must stay in the lineup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson has a 10-team no-trade list.

During Monday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast” episode, Friedman claimed the Colorado Avalanche revisited their interest in San Jose Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood. They’ve had an eye on Blackwood since last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blackwood is eligible for UFA status next summer and probably won’t re-sign with the rebuilding Sharks. They could peddle him by the March 7 trade deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 13, 2024

by | Nov 13, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – November 13, 2024

Are more moves coming for the Penguins? What changes could be coming in the next CBA? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE PENGUINS?

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t engaging in a fire sale despite recent speculation.

Dreger claims Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas recently reached out to other GMs around the league to let them know he’s open for business and to call him if they have any ideas. However, that’s standard practice for NHL general managers, especially those with struggling teams but there’s no sense of panic.

DK PITTSBURGH SPORTS: Taylor Haase reported a league source told her Dubas had let it be known that “everyone is available, except 87 (Sidney Crosby)”. However, he doesn’t intend to tear down the roster and start a full rebuild. Haase believes that won’t happen until Crosby retires.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (NHL Images).

Any future moves by Dubas will be to get back players instead of draft picks and prospects. He remains committed to trying to win with at least Crosby.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: These reports came out before the Penguins traded Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals yesterday evening.

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman pointed out that selling off pending unrestricted free agents (like Eller) is common practice for teams near the bottom of the standings like the Penguins. Potential rental chips include Anthony Beauvillier, Drew O’Connor, Marcus Pettersson and Matt Grzelcyk.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Kelsey Surmacz added Jesse Puljujaarvi to that list of pending UFAs. She also suggested players signed beyond this season like Noel Acciari, Alex Nedeljkovic, and perhaps Kris Letang.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those pending UFAs likely won’t fetch much as far as players go. As for Letang, he has a full no-movement clause until the end of 2025-26, which he’ll have a 10-team no-trade list. He could waive it to go elsewhere but there’s no certainty he will.

Everyone may be available but some could be difficult to move because of their no-movement clauses (Evgeni Malkin) or a combination of expensive contracts and slumping performance (Erik Karlsson).

WHAT CHANGES COULD WE SEE IN THE NEXT NHL CBA?

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported on feedback from the NHL general managers to tweak the CBA in the next round of collective bargaining with the players, slated to start next year.

Reducing term limits on player contracts was the one that most interested LeBrun. According to NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, it wasn’t anything more specific than the GMs saying if they could achieve bargaining shorter contract limits, it should be on the list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun reminds us that contract term limits were a contentious issue during the 2012 negotiation. Both sides agreed on eight years for a player re-signing with his team and seven years for those signing elsewhere as unrestricted free agents.

Other issues raised by the general managers include revising the restricted free agent compensation chart for offer sheets, potentially moving to a high/low model for salary arbitration, updating the walkaway thresholds for arbitration awards, and expanding buyout rights.

LeBrun indicated the preliminary sense is neither side wants another difficult CBA battle, preferring to make tweaks rather than major changes. Nevertheless, he cautions that things could change once both sides are in the same room.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL has come out of the uncertainty of the COVID seasons with growing revenue due to factors like expansion, the rise of sports gambling and recent national broadcasting deals in the United States.

Neither side wants to do anything that will jeopardize that growth. Talks could go sideways if one side digs in its heels, but I believe they’ll reach an agreement the current CBA expires in September 2026 without too much difficulty.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 19, 2024

by | Sep 19, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 19, 2024

Check out the latest on Jeremy Swayman and Mitch Marner plus the latest on the Canucks and the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill. 

LATEST ON SWAYMAN’S NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE BRUINS

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Christopher Hurley reports Bruins general manager Don Sweeney responded to a report by “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcaster Paul Bissonnette regarding his contract negotiations with goaltender Jeremy Swayman. 

Bissonnette claimed the Bruins GM ignored calls from Swayman. “I think it’s bullshit that somebody says I wouldn’t return a call for three weeks,” said Sweeney. 

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).

Sweeney declined to go into detail regarding the negotiations with the Swayman camp. “I have respect for the position that Jeremy and his camp have taken,” he said. “And we continue to try and find common ground.”

The Bruins GM said he’s disappointed but remains optimistic that a deal can be reached before Dec. 1. He also scoffed at reports claiming he refused to offer Swayman an eight-year contract or was unwilling to compromise with the netminder. 

“That’s far from the truth,” said Sweeney, adding that there’s been constant dialogue and communication between the two sides. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dec. 1 is the deadline for Swayman to be under contract or he’ll be forbidden to play for the rest of this season. That’s not a scenario either side wants. It would cost Swayman a year of his playing prime while robbing the Bruins of their promising starter. 

The last notable standoff involving a restricted free agent was in 2018 when last-second negotiations led to an agreement between William Nylander and the Toronto Maple Leafs before the 5 pm ET deadline on Dec. 1. 

It’ll be interesting to see how long this saga goes. It could drag on for weeks or a breakthrough could happen within days. 

MARNER DECLINES TO DISCUSS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. 

SPORTSNET: Mitch Marner met with the media on Wednesday but indicated he wouldn’t discuss his contract situation. The 27-year-old winger is in the final season of his deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs and can become an unrestricted free agent next July. 

Leafs GM Brad Treliving has also declined to publicly discuss Marner’s contract status until there’s news to announce. 

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel believes Marner and the Leafs are holding contract talks despite their public unwillingness to discuss it with the media. He cited Marner’s agent Darren Ferris releasing a statement earlier this week indicating he preferred to keep “ongoing negotiations” confidential. 

TORONTO STAR: Rosie DiManno believes Marner’s contract situation could fester if it remains unresolved during the coming season. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner and Treliving won’t discuss this with the media, but the latter abhors a vacuum, leaving this situation ripe for speculation the longer this goes. 

CANUCKS UNCERTAIN IF THEY’LL NEED TO ADD A GOALIE

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin doesn’t know when sidelined starting goaltender Thatcher Demko will return to action. It could be a talking point that dogs the club for weeks or months. 

Allvin was asked if he would need to add another goaltender before the start of the season. “I don’t know,” he replied, adding he’ll see how Demko comes along rehabbing his injury and how well their young netminders perform over the next two weeks in training camp. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adding a goaltender won’t be easy. There are few available in the trade market while the free agent market has been mostly picked clean. 

The Canucks reached out to former Predators backup Kevin Lankinen. It’s rumored they offered him a one-year deal for less than $1 million but he’s seeking more than that.

LATEST ON THE CANADIENS

RDS.CA: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang laughed off a rumor from earlier this summer claiming he requested a trade to the Montreal Canadiens. 

“People were talking about that? They weren’t talking to me!”, replied Letang. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Assuming Letang wanted a trade to Montreal, I doubt the rebuilding Canadiens would be interested in a 37-year-old defenseman who’s past his prime carrying an annual cap hit of $6.1 million through 2027-28. 

TVA SPORTS: Eric Fichaud doesn’t expect Cayden Primeau to finish the season with the Canadiens. The 25-year-old netminder will serve as Samuel Montembeault’s backup this season. 

Fichard believes the Canadiens need a more experienced veteran backing up Montembeault. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens had that with Jake Allen and they shipped him to the New Jersey Devils at the March trade deadline. They wouldn’t have made that move if they didn’t have faith in Primeau. They spent most of last season carrying three goalies because they didn’t want to risk losing Primeau to another club via waivers.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 16, 2024

by | Aug 16, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 16, 2024

What’s the latest on the Oilers’ offer sheet saga? Did Penguins defenseman Kris Letang request a trade to the Canadiens? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE OILERS’ OFFER SHEET SAGA

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cites Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying he expects the Oilers will match the St. Louis Blues’ offer sheet to Dylan Holloway but not the one to Philip Broberg.

Speaking with Bob Stauffer of “Oilers Now”, Friedman also believes there’s no way that St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong would’ve signed Holloway and Broberg if Ken Holland was still the Oilers GM. “I do think that…Armstrong’s friendship with Ken Holland absolutely plays a role in how this played out,” said Friedman.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Philip Broberg (NHL Images).

The Sportsnet insider also thinks there’s lingering unhappiness on Broberg’s part over how the Oilers handled him this season. He spent much of this season with their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield.

Friedman claimed Broberg asked for a trade in December. He doesn’t believe the blueliner changed his mind. He also claimed Broberg sought $1.8 million annually on his next contract with the Oilers before receiving a two-year offer from the Blues with an annual cap hit of $4.58 million.

Staples colleague Jim Matheson pointed out that signing Broberg would give the Blues 10 defensemen on one-way contracts. He believes the young defenseman could replace Scott Perunovich as the Blues’ second-pairing left-side defenseman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One of those defensemen is Torey Krug, who could miss this season after being diagnosed with pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch scolded the Oilers for putting themselves in a position where they risk losing two promising young players like Broberg and Holloway to another team via offer sheets.

He believes they should’ve taken a page from the Ottawa Senators’ blueprint with Shane Pinto. Senators GM Steve Staios didn’t waste time signing the 23-year-old center in early July, especially after word got out that Pinto’s agent was shopping around for an offer sheet.

Garrioch claimed the Oilers are trying to trade Cody Ceci ($3.25 million AAV) and Brett Kulak ($2.75 million) to free up cap space to match the offer sheets. He also indicated teams were showing an interest but the Oilers will have to package those players with draft picks like their 2026 first and second-rounders.

The Oilers could also place winger Evander Kane ($5.125 million) on long-term injury reserve if he undergoes surgery for a sports hernia. However, that’s not a given.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers are above the cap by over $7.225 million factoring in the new contracts for Broberg and Holloway. That’s how much they must free up to become cap-compliant by their season-opener in October. Trading away Ceci and Kulak won’t achieve that goal if Kane doesn’t go on LTIR. If he does, they must clear cap space for when he returns to action later in the season.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston wondered if the Vancouver Canucks might be one of those clubs interested in Brett Kulak.

Rather than asking for a draft pick along with Kulak, Johnston suggested the Oilers acquire sidelined Canucks defenseman Tucker Poolman. He’s been sidelined with migraines since January 2023 and isn’t expected to play again. The Oilers could place Poolman on LTIR, freeing up $2.5 million to match one of those offer sheets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s an interesting suggestion by Johnston. The Oilers could be considering that type of scenario, if not with the Canucks, perhaps with another club carrying a player on permanent LTIR.

DID KRIS LETANG REQUEST A TRADE TO THE CANADIENS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Conor Tomalty recently cited Pittsburgh radio host Mark Madden claiming he’d heard Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang sought a trade to the Montreal Canadiens.

During an Aug. 5 episode of the “Breakfast with Benz” podcast, Madden said he’d heard “there were discussions to try and bring Letang to Montreal at his request, but nothing came of it.”

Letang, 37, is a Montreal native. However, Tomalty doubted the Canadiens would make this move, pointing out they already have a logjam on defense. Even if they did a defenseman-for-defenseman swap, Letang would take up a roster spot from one of their promising blueliners.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation linked Letang to the Canadiens when he was negotiating his current contract with the Penguins two years ago but he dismissed it, saying he wanted to finish his career in Pittsburgh.

If Letang changed his mind, why would he request a trade from a team starting to rebuild to another club already deep in their rebuilding process? Surely, he’d prefer a move to a contender where he’d have one last shot at winning another Stanley Cup?

All due respect to Madden but I’m not buying that Letang asked to be traded to Montreal. Assuming he did, I don’t believe the rebuilding Canadiens want a 37-year-old defenseman whose best years are behind him with four years left on his contract at an AAV of $6.1 million.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 16, 2024

by | May 16, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 16, 2024

The Avalanche force Game 6 with the Stars, updates on the other second-round series, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAP

NHL.COM: The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Dallas Stars 5-3 in Game 5 of their best-of-seven second-round series. Cale Makar scored twice (including the game-winning goal) and Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche. Joe Pavelski scored his first of this postseason and added an assist for the Stars, who hold a 3-2 lead in the series. Game 6 is in Denver on Friday, May 17 at 10 pm EDT.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A strong bounce-back effort by the Avalanche following their disastrous performance in Game 4. Makar and MacKinnon rose to the occasion, providing the leadership and clutch play expected of them. The Avs got a boost on the blueline with defenseman Devon Toews returning to action after an illness sidelined him in Game 4.

The Stars have the best road record (4-1) in this postseason but they’ve struggled at home, winning three of seven contests in Dallas. They also missed center Roope Hintz, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury suffered in Game 4.

PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson seems to have few answers to address his lack of production in this postseason. Head coach Rick Tocchet admits his wingers haven’t helped but felt Pettersson can drive the play more. Pettersson insists it’s not for lack of effort but acknowledges only he can control what he does on the ice.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson can play harder but he’s not being helped with low-scoring forwards like Ilya Mikheyev and Sam Lafferty as his wingers.

SPORTSNET: Tocchet had some good news about Thatcher Demko. The Canucks starting goalie has been sidelined by a lower-body injury since suiting up in Game 1 of their first-round series with the Nashville Predators. Tocchet said Demko has “improved immensely the last 72 hours”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks have relied on third-stringer Arturs Silovs, who backstopped the Canucks over the Predators in the first round and has been solid in their current series with the Edmonton Oilers. No word if Demko will return to action in this series but there’s speculation he might get the nod for Game 6.

Speaking of goaltenders, Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is keeping mum as to whether Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard gets the start for Game 5 tonight. Pickard replaced the struggling Skinner in Game 3 and got the start (and the win) in Game 4.

NHL.COM: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce has returned to practice with his teammates. He’s been sidelined with a lower-body injury since Game 2 of their first-round series with the New York Islanders. Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour didn’t rule out Pesce’s return if the blueliner felt he was good to go. The Hurricanes are down 3-2 in their series with the New York Rangers with the two clubs facing off tonight in Game 6.

NEW YORK POST: After losing their last two games to the Hurricanes, the Rangers could shake up their defense corps for Game 6. During practice on Wednesday, K’Andre Miller was reunited with Jacob Trouba while Braden Schneider was back with Erik Gustafsson.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: Utah goaltender Connor Ingram is this season’s winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. He nearly retired due to obsessive-compulsive disorder and lingering depression before seeking help through the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in 2021. Ingram had a career-best performance this season, sporting a 23-21-6 record with a 2.91 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage and six shutouts.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Three Penguins recently underwent surgery. Kris Letang had an operation on May 10 to repair a fractured left finger and will require eight weeks of recovery. Blueliner John Ludvig is sidelined for four to six months following surgery in April on a damaged extensor tendon in his left wrist. Winger Matt Nieto will be out for six-to-seven months following surgery on the MCL in his left knee.

THE TENNESSEAN: Former Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne will be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame on July 20. He spent the entirety of his 15-season NHL career with the Predators, winning 30-plus games eight times. Rinne was a four-time finalist for the Vezina Trophy, winning it in 2018.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Sharks are reportedly considering Jeff Blashill as their next head coach. He coached the Detroit Red Wings from 2015 to 2022 and spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Los Angeles Kings signed backup goaltender David Rittich to a one-year, $1 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings are expected to go shopping for a starting goaltender in this summer’s trade market. They reportedly attempted to acquire Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark before the March trade deadline but it’s believed he used his no-trade clause to spike the deal.

CBS NEWS: A Native American woman who worked for the Chicago Blackhawks is suing the club and its charity for breach of oral contract, fraud and sexual harassment. Nina Sanders said she was brought in to build relationships between the team and the Native American community but was later pushed out.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 20, 2024

by | Apr 20, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 20, 2024

The opening round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs begins today, the latest on the Coyotes’ move to Utah, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

PLAYOFF NOTES

NHL.COM: The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin today with the New York Islanders facing off against the Carolina Hurricanes (5 pm ET) in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series. At 8 pm ET, the Toronto Maple Leafs meet the Boston Bruins to start their series.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson returns to action after missing the final three games of the regular season with an upper-body injury. However, forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

TSN: Maple Leafs forwards William Nylander and Bobby McMann were absent from Friday’s practice. Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said Nylander (undisclosed) and McMann (lower-body injury) are “possibilities” for Game 1 against the Bruins.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Keefe also said Leafs general manager Brad Treliving told him there will be no daily injury updates during the playoffs.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will return to action in Game 1 of his club’s first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He missed the last six games of the Panthers’ regular-season schedule. The two clubs face off on Sunday at 12:30 PM ET.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche backup goaltender Pavel Francouz officially announced his retirement on Friday. The 33-year-old missed the entire season following surgery on his adductors last summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Francouz was with the Avalanche for six seasons but injuries limited him to just four seasons on the ice. He played 73 regular-season games with 64 games saved, finishing with a record of 44-21-6, a 2.49 goals-against average, .919 save percentage and four shutouts. He saw action in 13 playoff games with a record of 8-4 with a 3.01 GAA, .899 SP and two shutouts. Francouz helped the Avalanche win the 2022 Stanley Cup.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: Utah franchise owner Ryan Smith announced about 22,700 deposits have been made for season tickets during Friday’s press conference at Delta Center in Salt Lake City announcing the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league was thrilled with the demand for season tickets for the Utah franchise.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Bettman also had to sit through what Remy Mastey described as a bizarre press conference with Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo, who attempted to explain his plans to bring an NHL expansion team back to Arizona within the next five years.

Meruelo appeared nervous and unprepared for the press conference. At one point, he said he didn’t like the media as an explanation for why he hasn’t spoken publicly about the Coyotes over the past year. Bettman sometimes clarified Meruelo’s remarks, jumping in occasionally to answer questions directed at the Coyotes owner.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Meruelo has five years to construct a state-of-the-art NHL arena to receive an expansion franchise. He must win an auction on June 27 (which he mistakenly said was June 29 during the press conference) for a parcel of land near Scottsdale where he intends to build this arena.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas revealed defenseman Kris Letang was dealing with multiple injuries, one of which could be serious enough to require surgery. Forward Matt Nieto and defenseman John Ludvig also suffered injuries that could require surgery in the offseason.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale could also go under the knife after saying he played injured through most of this season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Flyers, Ryan Johansen’s playing career could be over. The 31-year-old center played 63 games this season with the Colorado Avalanche until traded to the Flyers on March 6. He’s been sidelined with an undisclosed ailment. Flyers GM Daniel Briere doesn’t expect him to be back, saying Johansen doesn’t think he can play hockey.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johansen’s situation has been shrouded in mystery. That’s prompted speculation that he doesn’t want to play under Flyers head coach John Tortorella due to their contentious relationship during their days with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Johansen hasn’t spoken publicly about the situation. It was obvious that his play had declined this season. Neither he nor the Avalanche mentioned an injury before the trade. It appears the Avs weren’t aware of his condition.

Johansen has one year left on his contract. If medically unfit to play, the Flyers could place him on long-term injury reserve at the start of next season.

STARTRIBUNE: Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber said he played the final two months of the regular season with fractured ribs. The 21-year-old blueliner is considered a candidate to win the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Faber finished the season sitting sixth among all NHL skaters in ice time per game (24:58), blocked the second-most shots among the Wild (150), quarterbacked their power play and finished tied for second among rookie scorers with 47 points.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman said he’d like to sign Shayne Gostisbehere to a new contract. The 31-year-old puckmoving defenseman had 56 points with the Wings this season. Yzerman called him “a valuable player for how we’re set up on the back end.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings are Gostisbehere’s fourth NHL team since 2020-21. It appears “The Ghost Bear” might be settling down for a spell in Motown.

TSN: Interim Ottawa Senators head coach Jacques Martin is moving to an advisor role with the club.

SPORTSNET: Speaking of the Senators, general manager Steve Staios said he doesn’t expect to buy out any of his players this summer.

SPORTSNET: Former NHL star Jaromir Jagr became the oldest professional hockey player on Thursday when he skated for his club Kladno at age 52 years and 63 days. Gordie Howe was the previous record holder when he finished his NHL career in 1980 with the Hartford Whalers.