NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 27, 2026

by | Apr 27, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 27, 2026

The Avalanche eliminate the Kings as Anze Kopitar’s playing career ends, the Sabres humble the Bruins, the Ducks push the Oilers to the brink, and the Lightning even their series with the Canadiens. Details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF SUNDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Los Angeles Kings 5-1 to sweep their best-of seven first-round series. Nathan MacKinnon scored twice and collected an assist while Gabriel Landeskog picked up two assists for the Avalanche. Joel Edmundson replied for the Kings in what was the final game for team captain Anze Kopitar, who announced last fall that he would be retiring at the end of this season.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche await the winner of the Dallas Stars-Minnesota Wild series, which is currently tied at two games apiece. The previous three games in this series were closely contested, but the Avs’ depth made the difference as the series progressed.

Kopitar received a standing ovation from the Los Angeles crowd as he skated out for his final shift. He was among the best two-way forwards in the game, and ended his career as the greatest player in franchise history.

In 20 NHL seasons (all with the Kings), Kopitar is their all-time leader in games played (1,521), assists (864), and points (1,316). He helped them win two Stanley Cups, took home the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy three times, and the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2015-16.

A four-goal first period powered the Buffalo Sabres to a 6-1 romp over the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of their first-round series. Alex Tuch, Bowen Byram, Josh Doan, and Peyton Krebs each had a goal and an assist for the Sabres, who hold a 3-1 lead over the Bruins as the series returns to Buffalo for Game 5 on Tuesday. Sean Kuraly scored for the Bruins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Sabres win Game 5, it’ll be their first playoff series victory since 2007.

The Bruins were justifiably embarrassed by their lackluster performance in this game. Head coach Marco Sturm refused to blame starting goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who was hung out to dry by his fellow Bruins. Swayman had some harsh words for his teammates on the bench after he was finally pulled from the game, prompting Sturm to say that at least one of his players had some fire in them on Sunday.

Speaking of the Bruins, winger Viktor Arvidsson left this game in the first period with an upper-body injury.

An overtime goal by Ryan Poehling gave the Anaheim Ducks a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of their first-round series. The Oilers took 2-0 and 3-2 leads, but the Ducks battled back with Jeffrey Viel scoring the tying goal that sent the game into OT. Evan Bouchard had a goal and an assist for the Oilers, who are now on the verge of elimination with the Ducks holding a 3-1 series lead. Game 5 is in Edmonton on Tuesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was some controversy over Poehling’s goal. The puck appeared to fully cross the goal line, but it was pinned under the skate of Oilers goalie Tristan Jarry. The on-ice officials had no clear view of it from their vantage points, and there was no conclusive footage in the video reviews. Nevertheless, the ruling from the Situation Room was that the puck had indeed fully crossed the goal line.

The Tampa Bay Lightning overcame a 2-0 deficit to nip the Montreal Canadiens 3-2, tying their series at two games apiece. Brandon Hagel scored twice in the third period while Jake Guentzel had a goal and an assist for the Lightning. Zachary Bolduc and Cole Caufield scored their first goals of this postseason for the Canadiens. The series returns to Tampa Bay for Game 5 on Wednesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens were cruising with that 2-0 lead in the second period until Lightning defenseman Max Crozier laid out Habs winger Juraj Slakovsky with a thunderous, clean hit at center ice. Slafkovsky left the game but returned for the third period none the worse for wear. Nevertheless, that hit was the turning point, energizing the Lightning players as they rallied back for the victory.

Hagel has been the Lightning’s best player in this series. He leads all postseason scorers with six goals. Meanwhile, sidelined Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson (thumb injury) has resumed skating and will be reevaluated on Tuesday. If he’s good to go, he could make his series debut on Wednesday.

HEADLINES

THE ATHLETIC: Minnesota Wild winger Matt Boldy’s poise and timely scoring have made him a clutch player in his club’s first-round series with the Dallas Stars.

TRIBLIVE.COM: If the Pittsburgh Penguins hope to overcome a 3-1 series deficit against the Philadelphia Flyers, forwards Anthony Mantha and Egor Chinakhov must regain their scoring touch. Both players have been held scoreless in this series.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Speaking of the Flyers, sophomore winger Matvei Michkov could be a healthy scratch in Game 5 against the Penguins on Monday in Pittsburgh. Michkov skated with two of the Flyers’ extra forwards during practice on Sunday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Young Flyers such as Trevor Zegras and Porter Martone have thrived in their first-ever NHL playoff series. However, Michkov has struggled to adjust to the postseason pace and was held scoreless through the first two games.

SPORTSNET: MacKenzie Weegar is relishing his leadership role with the Utah Mammoth in his return to the playoffs for the first time in four years. Weegar was acquired from the Calgary Flames at the March trade deadline and is tied for the team scoring lead in this series with two goals and three points.

TSN: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin suffered a concussion on Saturday after taking a crushing hit by Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven. The Hurricanes swept that series, and Nikishin returned to Carolina with his teammates, where he will continue concussion protocols.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There is currently no timetable for Nikishin’s return.

OTTAWA SUN: Speaking of the Senators, forward Ridly Greig will have a hearing with the league’s department of player safety for sucker-punching the Hurricanes’ Sean Walker during the second period of Game 4.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was no excuse for Greig’s actions in that situation. It’ll be interesting to see if he gets a slap on the wrist or a multigame suspension at the start of next season.

TSN: Dallas Stars defenseman Nils Lundkvist avoided having to go to the hospital after being struck in the face by a skate blade during Game 4 of his club’s series with the Wild.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 26, 2026

by | Mar 26, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 26, 2026

The Bruins defeat the Sabres, the Rangers are officially eliminated from the playoff race, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Pavel Zacha lifted the Boston Bruins over the Buffalo Sabres 4-3. David Pastrnak had a goal and two assists for the 40-24-8 Bruins, who hold the first Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 88 points. Jason Zucker tallied twice for the Sabres (44-20-8), who remain in second place in the conference standings with 96 points.

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin’s fiancée, Carolina Matovac, attended her first Sabres game since her heart transplant last year. She’s spent the seven months recovering in the couple’s native Sweden.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll kicked out 40 shots in a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers, officially eliminating the latter from this season’s playoff race. Dakota Joshua had a goal and an assist for the 31-29-13 Maple Leafs. Alexis Lafreniere had a goal and two assists, and Mika Zibanejad tallied twice for the 28-35-9 Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers are the first Eastern Conference team, and the second overall, to be eliminated from the postseason chase. On Sunday, the Vancouver Canucks’ postseason hopes were ended.

HEADLINES

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning captain Victor Hedman has taken a temporary leave of absence from the club for personal reasons. He missed the last three games with an ailment.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Another member of the Panthers has been sidelined by an injury. Center Anton Lundell could miss the rest of this season with an injured rib. He’s not expected to require surgery, but his recovery time could be between two and six weeks.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators might have to continue their playoff push without Thomas Chabot. The 29-year-old defenseman suffered an injured arm after being cross-checked by New York Rangers captain J.T. Miller on Monday. It’s speculated that Chabot could be out of the lineup for six weeks.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins winger Anthony Mantha is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings signed defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $1.6 million.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Jacob Winterton, brother of Kraken forward Ryan Winterton, died Tuesday at age 25 following a battle with cancer. Jacob spent two seasons in the OHL from 2018-19 and 2019-20 with the Flint Firebirds and Oshawa Generals, followed by four seasons playing for the University of Guelph

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to the Winterton family and Jacob’s friends and former teammates.

THE ATHLETIC: Harman Dayal recently examined why NHL goaltending has become one of the most volatile positions in all major sports.

Several reasons explain this problem. One is that offenses have improved while goalies haven’t caught up. There’s also been a generational loss of workhorse goalies in recent years, as stars such as Roberto Luongo, Henrik Lundqvist, Carey Price, and Marc-Andre Fleury have retired.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dayal’s column is behind a paywall, but it’s well worth the read if you have access to it.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 23, 2026

by | Mar 23, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – March 23, 2026

Check out the latest on notable pending unrestricted free agents such as the Sabres Alex Tuch, the Golden Knights’ Rasmus Andersson, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently examined the rumors involving some of the notable players in this year’s thin unrestricted free-agent market.

Topping the list is Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch. The 29-year-old Tuch earned an average annual value of $4.75 million on his current deal, and could reportedly seek a deal comparable to Adrian Kempe’s new eight-year contract ($10.625 million AAV) with the Los Angeles Kings. The Sabres’ opening bid was reportedly $8 million annually.

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)

Talks between the two sides have cooled, but Fox indicated they remain in contact and there’s mutual interest in getting a deal done. Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen remains hopeful of getting an extension in place before July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tuch has been an invaluable part of the Sabres’ rise this season. They have over $13 million in cap space for 2026-27 with 21 active roster players under contract, so there’s room to sign him to a big raise. Perhaps a compromise between $9.5 million and $10.2 million might be found before July 1.

The Vegas Golden Knights want to re-sign defenseman Rasmus Andersson, whom they acquired from the Calgary Flames in January. He carries an AAV of $4.55 million on his current deal.

Fox pointed out that the Golden Knights only have $3.78 million in projected cap space for next season with 17 active roster players under contract. They’ll have to perform some “roster surgery” to free up the cap space. Hanging over this situation is the status of sidelined defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. He’s on long-term injury reserve this season, but has one more season left on his contract with an AAV of $8.8 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pietrangelo could end up on permanent LTIR if he’s unable to return from his season-ending injuries. Even then, as Fox noted, they still might have to move another player to free up sufficient cap space to re-sign Andersson and fill out the rest of their roster.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh’s career year will put him in line for a big raise over his current cap hit of $970,000. Fox speculates the 30-year-old blueliner could seek something comparable to defense partner JJ Moser’s eight-year deal with an AAV of $6.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning have $15.23 million in projected cap space for next season and 21 active roster players under contract. They could afford that raise for Raddysh, but Fox also observed they’ll need as much cap space as possible kept free to sign superstar Nikita Kucherov to a new deal before his UFA eligibility next summer.

Fox also weighed in on several aging superstars, such as Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and John Carlson of the Anaheim Ducks.

The greatest goal scorer of all time, Ovechkin could retire from the NHL after this season and return to Moscow to finish his playing career. However, if the 40-year-old winger wants to return for another season, Capitals owner Ted Leonsis will make it happen.

Malkin has met multiple times with Penguins management. The 39-year-old center has improved this season, and he’s indicated a willingness to return for another season or two. Both sides have agreed to wait until the offseason to continue talks. A one-year contract would take Malkin through the final season of long-time teammate Sidney Crosby’s contract.

The Ducks acquired Carlson from the Capitals at the trade deadline. Fox wondered if a two-year contract, perhaps with performance bonuses, might keep the 36-year-old defenseman in Anaheim.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It wasn’t that long ago when having Ovechkin, Malkin, and Carlson in the same UFA class would’ve generated considerable excitement about where they might land and how expensive their new contracts might be. However, they’re all past their playing prime with retirement on the horizon. Their days of landing lucrative long-term deals are over.

Ovechkin and Malkin are more likely to return with their current clubs next season. It’s not a certainty, but at this stage of their careers, playing for other NHL teams isn’t the ending they (or their fans) want to see. Carlson could test the UFA market, but that will depend on how the remainder of this season with the Ducks plays out.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are hoping to re-sign forwards Charlie Coyle and Mason Marchment. They must also make decisions on team captain Boone Jenner and defenseman Erik Gudbranson. Cap space isn’t an issue, and Coyle has fit in well with the Blue Jackets, but it remains to be seen if he’ll stick with them or test his luck in free agency.

Jacob Trouba has been a good fit with the Anaheim Ducks. His performance, and that of his teammates, will determine if he has a future in Anaheim beyond this season.

Stuart Skinner of the Pittsburgh Penguins is the best option for goalies 30-and-under in this year’s UFA market. His inconsistencies have been well-documented, but his career save percentage above the league average and back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals will ensure he won’t have difficulty landing elsewhere if he goes to market on July 1.

Others worth watching include Penguins winger Anthony Mantha, and Seattle Kraken forwards Bobby McMann and Jaden Schwartz.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Fox indicated, this summer’s UFA pool is very shallow. That’s why there’s an expectation that teams will put more focus on the trade market to address their roster needs. Still, some of the players on this list could end up cashing in, though Tuch and maybe Andersson are the only ones who’ll get anything close to expensive long-term deals.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 19, 2026

by | Mar 19, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – March 19, 2026

Check out the recent Penguins speculation and the latest on the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill. 

LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports there’s a feeling within the Pittsburgh Penguins’ organization that Sidney Crosby could stick around for a while. The 38-year-old center and team captain is happy with the club’s direction. Crosby has a year left on his current deal, but no one Yohe has spoken to believes it will be his last. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins have really turned things around this season under head coach Dan Muse. Meanwhile, general manager Kyle Dubas’ efforts to transition to a younger roster over the past two years have been paying off.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Crosby is in the late stages of his career but remains among the league’s elite stars. It wouldn’t be surprising if he decides to keep going past next season, and to do so with the Penguins if they continue to improve. 

Yohe dismissed recent rumors suggesting the Penguins might attempt to trade Erik Karlsson during the offseason. The 35-year-old defenseman has improved after struggling over the past two seasons. 

Karlsson has a year left on his contract, but Yohe wouldn’t be surprised if they extend him for a couple of years. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That extension will come with a significant pay cut from Karlsson’s current $11.5 million average annual value. However, he could accept that if he feels the Penguins are heading in the right direction.

Yohe also doesn’t believe that the Penguins will let Anthony Mantha depart via free agency this summer. He expects they’ll attempt to re-sign the 31-year-old winger. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mantha enjoyed a fine bounce-back performance this season and seems comfortable in Pittsburgh. He will likely seek stability after bouncing around the league in recent years. If he’s not seeking too much for too long, a deal is possible. 

The Penguins seem interested in bringing back Stuart Skinner next season, but likely on a short-term deal. They also want to retain Arturs Silovs, and the promising Sergei Murashov could be on his way next season. They also have Joel Blomqvist in their system. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Skinner could decide that he’d prefer a long-term deal, which could spell his departure from Pittsburgh on July 1. Much will depend on the Penguins’ confidence in Silovs and Murashov as a future tandem. 

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reported earlier this week that Evgeni Malkin sounds optimistic regarding a possible new contract with the Penguins. 

Malkin wouldn’t go into details about his earlier discussions with management. However, he’s okay with waiting until the offseason to begin those talks. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malkin wants to return for another season or two with the Penguins. They might be willing to do one season with a bonus-laden contract. Things could get dicey if he seeks more than that. 

UPDATE ON THE CANADIENS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes explained that his comments about attempting to make a major move at the trade deadline were to address fans’ concerns that management was more interested in the future and not in its present roster needs. 

Following the deadline, Hughes said his efforts to make a significant deal didn’t quite materialize. He indicated they could attempt to follow up on those efforts in the offseason. 

That sparked speculation that the Canadiens tried to get Matthew Knies, Nazem Kadri, and Rasmus Ristolainen, among others. LeBrun confirmed they called the Toronto Maple Leafs about Knies, but it didn’t get close. He also indicated that whatever Hughes was working on didn’t involve any of the players mentioned as trade targets in the media. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That shouldn’t be surprising. No one saw last summer’s acquisition of Noah Dobson coming. It’ll be interesting to see if Hughes can successfully revisit that deal and who his intended target would be. Let your imagination run wild, Habs fans! 

TVA SPORTS: Columnist Tony Marinaro believes Arber Xhekaj no longer has a future in Montreal. The 25-year-old Canadiens’ defenseman has been in and out of the lineup this season, playing a reduced role on their blueline. 

The Canadiens have several young defensemen in their system, including Adam Engstrom and David Reinbacher. That could push Xhekaj out the door. Marinaro said he wouldn’t be surprised if something happened during the draft week in June. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Xhekaj’s size and physical style made him a fan favorite in Montreal, but there’s no denying that he’s played a decreasing role over the past two seasons. Perhaps he’ll be part of that mystery trade that Hughes could revisit in the season.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 3, 2026

by | Jan 3, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – January 3, 2026

Check out the latest on the Flyers and Penguins in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST FLYERS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz was asked what a contract extension for Trevor Zegras would look like.

The 24-year-old forward is in the final season of a three-year deal with a salary-cap hit of $5.75 million. Acquired from the Anaheim Ducks last summer, he leads the Flyers with 39 points.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).

Kurz speculated that Zegras could get a five-year, $45 million contract, with an average annual value of $9 million. It would make him the highest-paid player on the rebuilding Flyers, and enable him to sign another potentially monstrous deal when he turns 30.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be interesting to see if Zegras’ negotiations with the Flyers are smoother than those with the Ducks. The discussions for his current contract weren’t settled until Oct. 2, 2023. By that point, he missed training camp and the preseason, which adversely affected his play and contributed to a lower-body injury that cost him 20 games in 2023-24.

Zegras has arbitration rights this time, giving him more leverage with the Flyers than he had with the Ducks. If he maintains his point-per-game pace, he could seek more than $9 million annually.

Kurz doesn’t see the Flyers making big moves at the March trade deadline. He indicated they have no obvious candidates to sell that wouldn’t hurt their overall roster depth, and they aren’t in a position to trade high-end futures for rental players.

If the Flyers make a move, Kurz speculated that they might acquire a depth piece or two.

UPDATE ON THE PENGUINS

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski pointed out that winger Anthony Mantha’s improved play this season is helping the Penguins and improving his trade value if they become sellers by the March trade deadline. They could also opt to re-sign him or keep him as an “own rental” for the playoffs and let him depart via free agency in July.

Recently-acquired defenseman Brett Kulak has played significantly better since joining the Penguins and being paired with Kris Letang, which has also improved the latter’s performance. That could increase Kulak’s trade value if the Penguins become deadline sellers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As always, much will depend on where the Penguins are in the standings when the calendar flips to March. If they’re still in contention by then, they won’t jeopardize their chances of reaching the playoffs by shipping out Mantha and Kulak. Not when the hockey world keeps clamoring for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to get one more shot at the postseason before their careers end.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 23, 2025

by | Jul 23, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 23, 2025

Chris Kreider talks about his move to the Ducks, the top available UFAs, the arbitration schedule is released, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: Former Rangers winger Chris Kreider is gradually adjusting to life with the Anaheim Ducks. He was traded to the Ducks last month after 13 seasons as one of the most productive players in Blueshirts history.

Anaheim Ducks winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Kreider said he was intrigued by the Ducks’ recent hiring of Joel Quenneville as their new head coach. He also likes the club’s young core, especially at center.

The 33-year-old winger revealed he underwent surgery following last season to repair his injured left hand, which hampered his performance. He has recovered and is in training for the coming season.

While he hasn’t traveled to Anaheim since the trade, Kreider intends to make the journey soon. He indicated that he’s found a place where he can be close to his new teammates.

ESPN.COM: Forwards Jack Roslovic and Max Pacioretty, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, and goaltenders Ilya Samsonov and Alexandar Georgiev are the notable players among the remaining unrestricted free agents.

Others include forwards Victor Olofsson and Robby Fabbri, defenseman Jan Rutta, and goaltender James Reimer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Roslovic has surfaced frequently in the rumor mill. The 28-year-old winger has been linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks, but there’s no indication he’s close to signing with any club yet.

Some of the players available in the UFA market could sign short-term contracts with new teams before training camp opens in September. The rest will consider signing professional tryout offers (PTOs), continuing their playing careers in Europe, or retirement.

PUCKPEDIA: The arbitration hearing schedule was released on Monday for the remaining six restricted free agents who filed on July 5.

Nicolas Robertson, Toronto Maple Leafs: August 3

Dylan Samberg, Winnipeg Jets: July 30

Arvid Soderblom, Chicago Blackhawks: July 28

Jayden Struble, Montreal Canadiens: August 3

Conor Timmins, Buffalo Sabres: August 2

Maxim Tsyplakov, New York Islanders: July 29.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kraken winger Kaapo Kakko’s hearing was set for July 25. However, he and the club avoided arbitration by agreeing to a three-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $4.525 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Arbitration hearing dates are usually treated as a deadline for the player and the team to agree to a new contract. Don’t be surprised if the others end up following Kakko’s lead.

Kakko’s new cap hit is nearly double the $2.4 million of his previous deal. Traded to the Kraken from the New York Rangers last December, he fit in well with his new club. After managing 14 points in 30 games with the Rangers, he had 30 points in 49 games with the Kraken.

TORONTO SUN: New Maple Leafs forward Dakota Joshua will wear No. 81, which was formerly worn by Phil Kessel.

Like Kessel, Joshua is a survivor of testicular cancer. “I knew his story and looking forward to playing a long time here like Kessel did.”

TRIBLIVE.COM: Anthony Mantha has endured season-ending knee surgery and a lengthy rehab, aiming to be ready for training camp in September. On July 2, the 30-year-old winger signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW’s Sheng Peng reports player agent Mike Curran denied a recent report suggesting his client, Kevin Labanc, could be heading to the KHL. Current said Labanc has fully recovered from season-ending shoulder surgery and is “ready to go”.