NHL Rumor Mill – September 19, 2025

by | Sep 19, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 19, 2025

The latest on Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov, updates on the Penguins, the latest on Ducks winger Mason McTavish, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON KAPRIZOV’S CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

STARTRIBUNE.COM: Sarah McLellan reports Kirill Kaprizov is focusing on training camp as the Minnesota Wild prepare for the coming 2025-26 regular season.

Neither he nor Wild general manager Bill Guerin said much about the status of their contract negotiations. Guerin called the talks “private”, but added that things were going fine. “The most important thing is we want to sign Kirill,” Guerin said.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

Kaprizov is leaving the contract issues to his agent, Paul Theofanous. He indicated that he wants to stay with the Wild. “You guys know I like Minny, and everyone knows this,” Kaprizov said. “We have a lot of time. It’s just 2025, and it’s one more year I have. I just want to play hockey and focus and win some games and go in playoffs and win from there. Just focus on this now.”

The 28-year-old winger is in the final season of a five-year deal worth $45 million. He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July if he and the Wild fail to agree to a new deal by then.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov’s recent rejection of an eight-year, $128 million offer from the Wild raised eyebrows as well as questions about his future with the club.

Kaprizov’s remarks were the first he’s made on the subject. It’s apparent he doesn’t want this to be a distraction, but the longer he goes without an extension, the more speculation will grow.

UPDATE ON THE PENGUINS

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reports Penguins GM Kyle Dubas spoke with the media on Thursday about the club’s plans for the coming season.

Dubas indicated that the message to the veteran players is that the younger players are coming and will get every opportunity to make the roster. The veterans know what the expectation is if they want to retain their jobs. If a younger player earns a roster spot, Dubas will deal with the fallout regardless of the veteran’s salary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, Dubas will trade or demote the veteran to make room for the younger player.

Dubas also downplayed a recent comment by Sidney Crosby’s agent suggesting there was always a possibility that his client could be traded. He expects a better performance from defenseman Erik Karlsson this season, and shrugged off a report claiming the Penguins had reached out to free-agent goaltender Carter Hart.

The Penguins GM said he’d had plenty of trade discussions during the offseason, but he wasn’t just going to offload key veterans. “So if the right return is there, we would look at anything, and in the meantime, we’re gonna do everything we can to get the most out of those guys.”

TSN: Dubas also said that there was no change in Evgeni Malkin’s contract status. Management will meet with the 39-year-old center during the Olympic break to discuss his future. Malkin is in the final season of a four-year contract with a full no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This season could be Malkin’s last in the NHL. A great player in his prime, his performance has declined in recent years as age and injuries have taken a toll. He’s said that he wants to retire as a Penguin, but that depends on his play this season and if he wants to continue his playing career.

Karlsson said he’s not surprised that he wasn’t traded this summer despite plenty of rumors about his future with the Penguins. “It was a quiet summer for me,” he said. “Didn’t really hear much other than what I read from you guys (reporters) and all the other people around the league, which is typical for the offseason.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson frequently surfaced in media trade chatter this summer. However, the decline in his performance over the last two years, combined with his hefty salary-cap hit through 2026-27, makes him a tough sell in the trade market.

THE LATEST FREE-AGENT CHATTER

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Mason McTavish is training with the OHL’s Ottawa 67s as contract negotiations continue with the Anaheim Ducks. The 23-year-old center hasn’t requested a trade and wants to stay in Anaheim. There hasn’t been any real offer-sheet talk.

LeBrun’s colleague, Eric Stephens, indicated both sides remain interested in getting a long-term deal done and remain in regular contact. However, this is starting to dredge up memories of the previous contract standoffs with Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale, who are no longer with the club.

Stephens claims the Ducks have no interest in trading McTavish, who they see as an important part of their roster going forward. However, he believes GM Pat Verbeek needs to get this deal done soon.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Verbeek has a well-earned reputation as a tough negotiator with players coming off their entry-level contracts. The more training camp time McTavish misses, the more likely it is that it will adversely affect his performance this season.

LeBrun also touched on the contract standoff between the Nashville Predators and restricted free agent Luke Evangelista. He stated that GM Barry Trotz has no intention of trading the young forward. Contract talks are expected to resume on Friday.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports an NHL executive said the Utah Mammoth and Carolina Hurricanes are among the teams showing an interest in goaltender Carter Hart.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 15, 2025

by | Sep 15, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 15, 2025

Should the Rangers attempt to acquire Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov? Which teams should become sellers this season? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST KAPRIZOV SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Vince Z. Mercogliano was recently asked what a realistic trade offer from the New York Rangers would be needed to acquire winger Kirill Kaprizov from the Minnesota Wild.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov, 28, is in the final season of his contract with the Wild and eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1. He reportedly rejected an eight-year offer from the Wild worth an average annual value of $16 million.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

Mercogliano indicated there are many connections here. Kaprizov shares the same agent as Rangers winger Artemi Panarin. He’s also believed to be close to Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. He claimed that he’s heard the Blueshirts would be on Kaprizov’s short list of trade destinations, and Rangers general manager Chris Drury has growing cap space and a desire to reshape the roster.

As for the asking price, Mercogliano believes it would include two first-round draft picks and a player like Alexis Lafreniere. Clearing the 23-year-old winger’s $7.45 million AAV through 2031-32 might make it possible to sign Kaprizov and retain Panarin, provided the latter agreed to a pay cut.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks took to social media to dismiss the possibility of the Rangers “hollowing out their roster and draft capital” to trade for Kaprizov and then signing him for an AAV between $16 million and $18 million. He called it “about as ludicrous as it gets.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Kaprizov really wants to join the Rangers, and if they have the cap space to sign him, then why trade away solid assets to get him? It would give them exclusive signing rights until July 1, but as Brooks points out, it would do more harm to their roster depth now and in the future.

The Rangers are projected to have over $29.6 million in cap space for 2027-28 with 17 active roster players. Assuming it costs $18 million annually for Kaprizov, that would leave them with only $11 million, most of which would be used to re-sign Panarin or to find a suitable replacement.

Moving Lafreniere’s cap hit increases that cap space to over $37 million, giving them more wiggle room to sign Kaprizov and retain Panarin. However, Lafreniere’s contract is a tough sell right now, and another disappointing campaign means the Rangers would have to retain part of it or take on a bad contract in return.

Age is also a concern. Kaprizov turns 29, and Panarin is currently 33. The Rangers would be investing a significant amount of that projected cap space into two players whose next contracts might not age well, becoming more burdensome during the final years of those deals.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jim Parsons recently looked at several teams that have the cap space to sign Kaprizov to a massive new contract.

They include rebuilding teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, and Chicago Blackhawks. The retooling Boston Bruins are another, as is the Washington Capitals, who finished first overall in the Eastern Conference last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If it’s all about the money for Kaprizov, he won’t care where he goes as long as he gets paid. However, the 28-year-old superstar winger might prefer landing with a club that has a chance at becoming a Stanley Cup contender. That rules out all those rebuilding teams for at least the next four or five years.

The Bruins have the cap room, but it’s unlikely that their ownership would approve a massive contract for Kaprizov. That leaves the Capitals, who will seek a replacement for future Hall-of-Famer Alex Ovechkin in the near future. Whether they’re willing to pony up to get him remains to be seen.

WHICH TEAMS SHOULD BECOME SELLERS THIS SEASON?

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato looked at four teams that should consider becoming sellers this season.

The Nashville Predators could consider offloading the salaries of veteran forwards like Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O’Reilly now that the salary cap will rise significantly over the next two years. Stamkos and Marchessault have no-trade clauses, but they’re in the mid-30s and might not want to stick with a retooling club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It wouldn’t be surprising if Stamkos and Marchessault get peddled to playoff clubs if the Predators are out of contention by the March trade deadline.

If the Pittsburgh Penguins want to improve their chances of winning the 2026 draft lottery, they should offload as many veterans as possible. They’ve been trying to move defenseman Erik Karlsson, but should also attempt to trade wingers Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. There are rumblings that this season is Evgeni Malkin’s last, so perhaps he’d consider moving on for one last shot at the Stanley Cup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In February, Malkin stated he intends to retire as a Penguin. Unless he’s changed his mind, we can rule out the possibility of shipping him to a playoff contender.

The Calgary Flames are almost certain to move UFA-eligible defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Given the massive demand for centers, they should attempt to trade Nazem Kadri. Veteran winger Blake Coleman could also draw some interest in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames came within a whisker of clinching a playoff berth last season. It’ll be interesting to see what they do if they’re still in the hunt by the deadline. Andersson could still be moved, but they will likely hang onto Kadri and Coleman unless those two want to be moved.

This could also be a perfect time for the Boston Bruins to retool their roster. Players like Pavel Zacha, Viktor Arvidsson, Sean Kuraly, and Andrew Peeke could be in demand, enabling them to get returns that help them restock their prospect pipeline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trade rumors have dogged Zacha throughout the offseason. He could be their most valuable trade chip this season if they decide to sell.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 1, 2025

by | Sep 1, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 1, 2025

Will the Canadiens trade Carey Price’s contract soon? Which teams could they send it to? Find out in the Labor Day edition of the NHL Rumor Mill.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports sources claim the Montreal Canadiens could trade Carey Price’s contract in the coming days.

Price, 38, has been on LTIR since 2022 as a knee injury ended his career. He’s in the final season of his contract, which carries an average annual value of $10.5 million. However, in actual salary, he’s owed $7.5 million, with $5.5 million paid as a signing bonus on Sept. 1.

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (NHL Images).

The Canadiens are over the salary cap by $6 million for this season. They can remain above the cap with Price on LTIR, but they won’t be able to accrue cap space during the season. Trading his contract would give them that flexibility, making it easier to acquire talent if necessary before the March trade deadline.

One source told D’Amico that he has heard Price’s contract has been in play for a while, with speculation that things could shake loose on Sept. 1 or soon afterward.

The Canadiens could attempt to peddle Price’s contract to rebuilding clubs. It would enable one of those teams to remain salary-cap compliant if they ship out veteran players by the trade deadline. With Price now only owed $2 million in actual salary, his contract for this season becomes much more affordable.

Sources claim the San Jose Sharks have been mentioned most as a destination. They’re currently sitting just $5 million over the $70.6 million salary-cap minimum for this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation that the Canadiens could trade Price’s contract to a rebuilding club has been percolating in the rumor mill for weeks. Now that his bonus has been paid, we’ll find out soon enough if there is anything to that conjecture.

The Canadiens might have to bundle a mid-range draft pick, perhaps a third-rounder, as a sweetener. Price has a full no-movement clause, but he’s not going to block a move if it happens.

TVA SPORTS: Jean-Charles Lajoie also speculated that Price’s contract could be moved as early as Sept. 1. He also suggested it could be part of a larger deal.

Lajoie claimed Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes could be inclined to part with draft picks, particularly in the first round, to acquire a natural center.

The Canadiens have been linked to Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks and Jared McCann of the Seattle Kraken. So far, nothing has materialized.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The main thing for the Canadiens is clearing Price’s cap hit from their books this season. It will give them greater cap flexibility to pursue a second-line center at any point in the season, though the longer they wait, the more cap space they’ll have by the trade deadline.

It would be a significant move by Hughes if he could land McTavish, but a recent report by Eric Stephens of The Athletic indicated the Ducks intend to re-sign the 22-year-old center.

As for McCann, the Kraken reportedly aren’t moving him. Besides, he’s played on the wing for most of his tenure in Seattle.

RDS.CA: Rebuilding clubs like the Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, and Pittsburgh Penguins could use Price’s contract to ensure they remain cap-compliant if they stage a sell-off before the trade deadline.

For example, the Penguins might be tempted to trade players like Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell. They could also attempt to trade Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, but they would have a say if any of them were to leave Pittsburgh.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks are over the cap floor by roughly $6.2 million. Trade candidates would include pending unrestricted free agents such as Nick Foligno ($4.5 million), Jason Dickinson ($4.5 million), Ilya Mikheyev ($4.03 million), Connor Murphy ($4.4 million), and Laurent Brossoit ($3.3 million).

The Sharks could shop UFA-eligible players such as Alexander Wennberg ($5 million), Jeff Skinner ($3 million), Nick Leddy ($4 million), John Klingberg ($4 million), Mario Ferraro ($3.25 million), Timothy Liljegren ($3 million), and Alex Nedeljkovic ($2.5 million).

As for the Penguins, they’re above the cap floor by over $12 million. They could also try to move Kevin Hayes ($3.571 million), Anthony Mantha ($2.5 million), Matt Dumba ($3.5 million), and Connor Clifton ($3.333 million).

It’s unlikely Letang, Malkin, and Crosby will hit the trade block, especially as this season is Malkin’s last with the Penguins and possibly the last of his playing career.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 1, 2025

by | Jul 1, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 1, 2025

Alex Pietrangelo to step away from hockey, an update on Evgeni Malkin, Brad Marchand re-signs with the Panthers, Ivan Provorov re-ups with the Blue Jackets, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL’s annual free-agent period begins at noon ET on July 1.

PIETRANGELO STEPS AWAY FROM HOCKEY FOR HEALTH REASONS

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Alex Pietrangelo released a statement on Monday indicating he was stepping away from hockey for health reasons. In an additional statement, Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said the 35-year-old defenseman is dealing with hip injuries that would require bilateral femur reconstruction, with no guarantee of success.

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (NHL Images).

Pietrangelo said doctors advised him to remove the intensity of hockey to see if his body improves so that he can enjoy a normal quality of life. He didn’t indicate that he was retiring, but admitted there was a low likelihood of resuming his playing career.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pietrangelo’s condition likely means he’s played his final game. He is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $8.8 million. It’s expected the Golden Knights will place him on long-term injury reserve to free up salary-cap space to accommodate their recent acquisition of Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Pietrangelo’s absence leaves a big hole on the Golden Knights’ blueline. He was their best all-around defenseman, playing a key role in their march to the 2023 Stanley Cup.

EVGENI MALKIN TO REMAIN WITH THE PENGUINS

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reports sources close to Evgeni Malkin and within the Penguins organization confirm the 38-year-old center will play with the club for 2025-26. Beyond that, nothing has been decided positively or negatively.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said he told Malkin and his agent that they’ll see how the season goes and will meet again at the Olympic break next February. They’ll see where the veteran center is at that point, and then meet after the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malkin was the recent subject of speculation suggesting he could agree to be traded this summer. Barring the unforeseen, he’ll be back in a Penguins jersey to start this season.

LATEST NOTABLE NHL SIGNINGS

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Analysis of Mitch Marner being signed by the Maple Leafs and traded to the Golden Knights, and the new contracts for Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard, Florida’s Aaron Ekblad, the Islanders’ Alexander Romanov, and more can be found at this link.

THE SCORE: The Florida Panthers re-signed winger Brad Marchand to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $5.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers GM Bill Zito is ensuring his roster core remains intact as he attempts to keep his club’s Stanley Cup window open for the foreseeable future. As with the new contracts for Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad, Marchand’s deal should help the Panthers remain competitive in the short term, but it won’t age well as the 37-year-old winger’s performance inevitably declines.

Those contracts will eventually become burdensome, even under a rising salary cap. Zito could shed them via trades, buyouts or LTIR, but there’s no certainty those moves will be easy to pull off.

Potential trade partners will insist on some salary retention or sweeteners like draft picks and prospects. Buyouts count against the cap as two-thirds of the remaining value over twice the remaining term (and in Marchand’s case, as a “plus-35” player, the full value would still count against the cap). LTIR means they cannot accrue cap space during the season.

TSN: The Columbus Blue Jackets are finalizing a new seven-year contract with defenseman Ivan Provorov. The deal would be worth an AAV of $8.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets attempted to acquire Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, but they lost out to the Montreal Canadiens. That left Provorov with considerable leverage to land this deal.

The 28-year-old is a good second-pairing blueliner, but this contract would pay him like a first-pairing rearguard. It would be a significant raise over the $6.75 million of his previous contract.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings re-signed forward Patrick Kane to a one-year contract with a cap hit of $3 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise here. Both sides wanted this done. The 36-year-old finished fifth among the Wings last season with 59 points in 72 games as a second-line right wing.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Los Angeles Kings signed winger Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, $4.3 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 29-year-old Kuzmenko struggled last season with the Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers. However, he regained his scoring touch following a trade to the Kings, tallying 17 points in 22 regular-season games and six points in six postseason contests. A solid performance this season could earn him an extension with more term.

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE PROVINCE: Thatcher Demko is reportedly close to signing a contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks. The 29-year-old goaltender is in the final season of his five-year contract with an AAV of $5 million.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames hired Brent Seabrook as a player development coach.

RG.ORG: Evgeny Kuznetsov is hoping to return to the NHL this season. The 33-year-old center spent last season with KHL team SKA St. Petersburg. His agent claims that around 10 NHL clubs have expressed some interest in his client.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens traded goaltender Cayden Primeau to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 30, 2025

by | Jun 30, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – June 30, 2025

Updates on Alex Pietrangelo, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Kyrou, Brayden Schenn, Brad Marchand, Brock Boeser and Patrick Kane in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

ALEX PIETRANGELO TO MISS THE 2025-26 SEASON?

THE FOURTH PERIOD’s David Pagnotta claims he’s heard Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo “is dealing with serious injuries and is going to require multiple major surgeries this summer, which will result in him missing the entire 2025-26 season, at least.”

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pietrangelo’s condition has been the subject of frequent speculation for weeks, with some pundits speculating his NHL career could be over. There hasn’t been confirmation yet from the Golden Knights. During the draft weekend, general manager Kelly McCrimmon said they’ll know more soon.

If Pietrangelo is sidelined next season, the Golden Knights can place him on long-term injury reserve. He has an average annual value (AAV) of $8.8 million, giving them salary cap flexibility to find a replacement or to address another roster issue.

The Golden Knights have been linked to Mitch Marner as the front-runner to sign the 28-year-old winger when free agency begins on July 1. PuckPedia shows them with less than $758,000 in cap space for 2025-26 with 21 active roster players under contract. Putting Pietrangelo on LTIR would be necessary if they hope to sign Marner or anyone else this summer.

THE LATEST ON EVGENI MALKIN, JORDAN KYROU AND BRAYDEN SCHENN

RG.ORG: James Murphy cited an NHL executive suggesting the possibility of Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin getting traded this summer. The Penguins won’t be offering the 38-year-old Malkin a contract extension, meaning he’ll either retire next July or try to sign elsewhere as an unrestricted free agent (UFA).

Murphy’s source suggested the trade option as a way for Malkin to earn a contract extension elsewhere or improve his value for next summer’s free-agent market. Another NHL source told Murphy he expects Malkin will be traded during the season, not this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malkin has a full no-movement clause, so he’s not going anywhere. He has already indicated he intends to retire as a Penguin. Age and the wear and tear of 19 NHL seasons have caught up with him.

The Montreal Canadiens have been linked to St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou. A source told Murphy the two clubs have had more than one conversation. The same source also said several teams (including the Canadiens) are interested in Blues center Brayden Schenn.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens need a second-line center but would add a top-six winger if a center isn’t available. Teams might be interested in Schenn, but it would take a significant offer to pry away Schenn. They’re flush with wingers but thin at center.

THE LATEST NOTABLE UFA RUMORS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reported the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs hope to get the chance to speak with Brad Marchand when the UFA market opens on July 1.

If the 37-year-old winger doesn’t re-sign with the Florida Panthers, the Bruins would be open to bringing him back. They shipped Marchand to the Panthers at the March trade deadline.

Meanwhile, The Athletic’s James Mirtle believes Marchand will be the Leafs’ top UFA target. He believes the winger will get $8 million per season on the open market, but also thinks he could end up staying with the Panthers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most observers are leaning toward Marchand re-signing with the Panthers, which could leave long-time Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad as the odd man out.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited several NHL insiders claiming the Oilers could be a destination for Brock Boeser. The 28-year-old winger is headed to the UFA market after nine seasons with the Vancouver Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers have $12.35 million in cap space for 2025-26 with 20 active roster players under contract. Their priority is re-signing restricted free agent (RFA) defenseman Evan Bouchard, who could command around $10 million annually.

Rumor has it the Oilers hope to trade winger Viktor Arvidsson and his $4 million cap hit. However, that still won’t leave them enough to sign Boeser once they re-sign Bouchard unless they can shed another contract.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman remains confident he’ll be able to re-sign Patrick Kane. The 36-year-old winger is coming off a one-year, $4 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane didn’t sign his previous contract with the Wings until June 30 of last year. The same thing could happen this year.










NHL Late Afternoon Headlines – June 17, 2025

by | Jun 17, 2025

NHL Late Afternoon Headlines – June 17, 2025

Next season will be Evgeni Malkin’s last with the Penguins, the latest on the Panthers and Oilers on the eve of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, Canada and the USA are among the nations to reveal their starting six players for the 2026 Olympics, and more in today’s NHL Afternoon Headlines.

PENGUINS NOT EXPECTED TO OFFER AN EXTENSION TO EVGENI MALKIN

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reported the 2025-26 season will be Evgeni Malkin’s last with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The club is not expected to offer the 38-year-old center a contract extension.

Malkin has one season remaining on his four-year contract and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He has repeatedly stated that the Penguins are the only NHL team he wants to play for.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (NHL Images).

Yohe noted that Malkin remained a productive player this season, with 50 points in 68 games. However, he’s a far cry from the dominant player he was a decade ago.

In his prime, Malkin helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2009, 2015 and 2016. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2009 as playoff MVP, the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2012, and the Art Ross Trophy in 2009 and 2012.

Yohe also pointed out that Malkin hasn’t been the same skater since undergoing two reconstructive surgeries to the same knee.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was perceived when Malkin signed his current contract that it would be his last in the NHL. Whether he wants to continue his NHL career elsewhere is unknown. He could conclude his playing career in his native Russia or hang up his skates for good.

Malkin’s future could be determined by his performance this season. Another 50-plus point effort could entice him to continue his NHL career. If his production declines again, he could decide his playing days are over.

STANLEY CUP FINAL NOTEBOOK

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers hope their Stanley Cup nerves are behind them when they face off on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the Cup Final. Last year, the Panthers held a 3-0 series lead over the Oilers but struggled to contain their nervousness, losing the next three games before winning Game 7.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was different last year because the Panthers were poised to win their first-ever Stanley Cup. This time, they’re defending champions and in a better place mentally to deal with the nerves.

SPORTSNET: Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk said he’s at the best he’s felt since returning from the lower-body injury he suffered in the 4 Nations Face Off tournament in February. He missed the remainder of the regular season, returning to action in the Panthers’ opening game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tkachuk admitted he’s had some “ups and downs” during this postseason, but he’s tied with Sam Bennett as the Panthers’ points leader with 22 points. He has the same number of points as he had at the end of last year’s playoffs.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers captain Connor McDavid said he’s not letting the pressure of trying to lead his team to the Stanley Cup get to him. “I don’t think about it that way,” he said. “If you think about it that way, you’d probably be pretty crippled in terms of how you prepare and how you play.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like the Panthers, the Oilers have been in this position before. Nevertheless, it’s still a hefty burden for McDavid as his team’s captain and being the NHL’s biggest star. They’ll need him at his absolute best if they hope to overcome the 3-2 series deficit.

TSN: Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins wasn’t on the ice for Monday’s practice with his teammates. He’s been battling an injury in this series. Meanwhile, goaltender Stuart Skinner was in what was the starter’s net the last time the Oilers practiced in Florida.

IN OTHER NEWS

IIHF: Canada, the United States, and Germany were among the nations that qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics Men’s Hockey tournament to reveal their first six players named to their respective rosters.

Canada’s “starting six” includes Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers).

Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers), Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators), Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks), Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights) and Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins) were revealed for the United States.

Germany’s first six players include Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers), Tim Stutzle (Ottawa Senators), Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings), Philipp Grubauer (Seattle Kraken), Nico Sturm (Florida Panthers) and Lukas Reichel (Chicago Blackhawks).

Nikolaj Ehlers (Winnipeg Jets), Frederik Andersen (Carolina Hurricanes), Lars Eller (Washington Capitals), Oliver Bjorkstand (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Jonas Rondbjerg (Vegas Golden Knights) are among the NHL players named to Denmark’s Olympic squad.

Slovakia’s six players include Juraj Slafkovsky (Montreal Canadiens), Martin Fehervary (Washington Capitals), Erik Cernak (Tampa Bay Lightning), Tomas Tatar and Simon Nemec (New Jersey Devils) and Martin Pospisil (Calgary Flames).

St. Louis Blues forward Alexandre Texier and former NHL player Pierre-Edouard Bellemare are among the first six named to France’s roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The “starting six” for Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Switzerland and Latvia was revealed earlier on Monday and duly noted in yesterday’s Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Winger Andrew Mangiapane won’t be signing a contract extension with the Washington Capitals and will become a UFA on July 1.

TSN: The Los Angeles Kings signed goaltender Pheonix Copley to a one-year, $775K contract.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders hired Ryan Bowness as assistant general manager and director of player personnel.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames named Peter Hanlon as their new assistant GM. He was vice-president of communications for years.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Long-time NHL player agent Steve Reich died of a heart attack on Sunday. He was 64.

Reich’s former clients included Hall of Famers like Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis, Tom Barrasso, Chris Chelios, Luc Robitaille and Scotty Bowman. He also represented Scott Gomez, Daniel Briere, Kevin Stevens, and Brad Stuart, and was the signing agent on Vincent Trocheck’s current contract with the New York Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Reich’s family, friends, colleagues and clients.