NHL Rumor Mill – March 4, 2025

by | Mar 4, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – March 4, 2025

The trade deadline is 3 PM ET on Friday, March 7. Check out the latest on the Flames, Panthers, Predators, Islanders, Penguins, Kraken, Leafs, Canucks and Jets in today’s NHL Rumor mill.

FLAMES

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports it sounds like the Calgary Flames have reached out to the Boston Bruins about Brandon Carlo. “Teams have yet to dive into the details, but CGY is interested.”

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun report Flames general manager Craig Conroy would love to add a young center and has shown interest in Dylan Cozens of the Buffalo Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Conroy is a buyer this season. He’s established a reputation for making bold moves, with the most recent being his acquisition of forwards Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee from the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 31. We’ll learn by Friday if he has another up his sleeve.

PANTHERS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito may not be done making trades. Over the weekend, he acquired defenseman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Panthers have placed winger Matthew Tkachuk on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) to call up goaltender Chris Driedger. Zito hopes Tkachuk will return for the playoffs but it sounds like he’ll be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. He has over $8 million in projected trade deadline cap room to make further acquisitions by the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun speculates Zito could attempt to add a forward. The Panthers GM also said he might consider adding a No. 3 goaltender.

PREDATORS

THE ATHLETIC: Johnston and LeBrun report the Nashville Predators are listening to proposals for center Ryan O’Reilly. It’ll take an offer of a promising young player to compel them to move O’Reilly.

THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty listed defenseman Luke Schenn and forwards Michael McCarron and Colton Sissons as the Predators’ most likely trade candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn, McCarron and Sissons seem more likely to move than O’Reilly. Still, never say never.

ISLANDERS

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple cited a league source saying all options remain on the table for Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders ahead of Friday’s trade deadline. The 33-year-old center could sign a contract extension, get traded before the deadline, or remain with the Islanders without a new contract for the rest of the season.

New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (NHL Images).

Johnson and LeBrun report that no one knows for sure whether Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello will become a seller by the deadline. He could hang onto Nelson and fellow UFA-eligible forward Kyle Palmieri.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lamoriello could be trying to keep everyone guessing in the hope that it elevates the trade value of Nelson and Palmieri. Of course, that’s a guess on my part. We’ll just have to wait and see what unfolds for the Isles leading up to Friday.

PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe expects Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas could attempt to make multiple trades but will not stage a fire sale. He anticipates that Dubas’ main moves could come a day or two ahead of the deadline to ensure he has a full roster for Friday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Penguins are willing to move Erik Karlsson, but his hefty contract means a summer deal seems more likely. Winger Rickard Rakell is available, but the asking price is steep and Dubas feels no pressure to move him. Yohe claims some Western Conference teams are interested in Rakell. He also said there’s no indication that Dubas has asked Kris Letang and Bryan Rust to waive their no-movement clauses.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rakell carries an average annual value of $5 million through 2027-28. He also has an eight-team no-trade clause.

KRAKEN

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kate Shefte listed Brandon Tanev, Jamie Oleksiak, Andre Burakovsky and Oliver Bjorkstrand as Kraken trade candidates. Tanev has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill. As of Monday, he hadn’t been linked to any specific teams.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch reported the Senators could be interested in Tanev. Whether they’ve made inquiries or offers is another matter.

MAPLE LEAFS

THE ATHLETIC: Johnston and LeBrun report the Toronto Maple Leafs have been attempting to find a suitable third-line center. They’ve looked at St. Louis’ Brayden Schenn and Philadelphia’s Scott Laughton while keeping tabs on fall-back options like Montreal’s Jake Evans, Seattle’s Yanni Gourde and Utah’s Nick Bjugstad. They’re also hoping to add a depth defenseman.

TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran listed the Leafs’ potential trade chips, including prospects Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan, and roster players Nick Robertson and Pontus Holmberg.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs are also pressed for cap space, meaning they’ll have to shed salary to acquire a center and a defenseman. The Blues are listening on Schenn, as are the Flyers with Laughton, but they’re in no hurry to move those players and have set high prices for them.

CANUCKS

THE ATHLETIC: Johnston and LeBrun believe the Vancouver Canucks’ most pressing decision surrounds Brock Boeser. The 28-year-old winger could depart as a free agent this summer unless he’s re-signed or traded by Friday. Management would also like to find an upgrade at center.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Canucks continue to evaluate all their options with Boeser. They made a contract extension offer earlier in the season, but it’s no longer on the table.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vancouver shipped J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers on Jan. 31. It’s looking like Boeser will be the next notable Canuck to be traded this season.

JETS

THE ATHLETIC: Johnston and LeBrun believed Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff seeks a bottom-six forward and a depth defenseman. They’re among the teams linked to Montreal Canadiens forwards Jake Evans and Joel Armia and Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato.

Murat Ates wonders what the Jets will do with Nikolaj Ehlers. If they keep the UFA-eligible winger, they risk his departure on July 1. If they trade him, they remove a big piece of their power play and second line. Ates believes they’ll retain him and rely on their existing team chemistry.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 2, 2025

by | Mar 2, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 2, 2025

Check out the latest on Mikko Rantanen, Brayden Schenn, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, Evander Kane and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LATEST ON MIKKO RANTANEN

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes it’s unlikely Mikko Rantanen will decide about re-signing with the Carolina Hurricanes by the March 7 trade deadline. He doesn’t think it has anything to do with the Hurricanes’ contract offer to the 28-year-old winger. Instead, he’s found it’s been “too much of a whirlwind” adjusting to getting traded and the lack of time he’s spent in Carolina.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).

Friedman said it’s now up to Hurricanes management to decide if they’ll retain Rantanen for the rest of the season or flip him to another club before Friday. That decision could come within the next couple of days. He also indicated that the Hurricanes are the only team that can offer him the maximum eight-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman indicated that only the team that has Rantanen at the trade deadline can offer up the maximum term. If the Hurricanes trade him before then, the acquiring team will become the only club that can give him an eight-year deal.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston cited a source claiming the Vancouver Canucks were interested in Rantanen, while another source doubted the Hurricanes will move him.

RG.ORG: James Murphy cited a source suggesting the Los Angeles Kings as a suitor for Rantanen. Another source noted the Hurricanes are building up their defense corps and could be interested in Kings blueliner Jordan Spence.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent speculation suggested the Hurricanes could hang onto Rantanen for a run at the Stanley Cup this season. It would also buy more time to allow him to become acclimated to his new teammates and surroundings.

Rantanen could be moved again, especially if the Hurricanes are willing to retain half of their share ($4.625 million) of his cap hit. However, if he’s having difficulty dealing with “the whirlwind” since getting traded on Jan. 24, how well will he adjust to another move?

MAPLE LEAFS LOOKING AT CENTERS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Toronto Maple Leafs have a list of centers they’re looking at in the trade market. One player they’re considering is Brayden Schenn of the St. Louis Blues, but they’re not the only club interested in the 33-year-old center. Friedman suggested the Vegas Golden Knights could also be looking at him.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan reports Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving isn’t tipping his hand about his trade deadline plans. However, he downplayed speculation suggesting that he could attempt a major acquisition like Schenn or Rantanen.

“It’s not, to me, about taking big swings”, said Treliving. “It’s where do you think you can help your team the most. Historically, these attention-grabbing deadline deals, look back at how many really pay dividends.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Treliving sounds like he’s trying to temper the expectations of Leafs fans. He might take a big swing and acquire someone like Schenn or Rantanen. However, he could also make more affordable depth additions based on his cap space and available trade assets.

UPDATE ON THE CANUCKS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Canucks are looking to add to their forward group either now or later. He doesn’t expect they’ll attempt to move struggling center Elias Pettersson.

Brock Boeser’s situation remains up in the air. A report last week claimed he’d been offered a five-year contract with an AAV of $8 million. Friedman believes that pitch was made earlier in the season. He thinks Boeser and the Canucks are expecting all options to be open.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston believes the Canucks haven’t given up on Pettersson. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if they decide he needs a fresh start elsewhere and trade him at the deadline or during the draft in Los Angeles in June.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anything can happen but it will take a significant offer to tempt the Canucks into moving Pettersson. His $11.6 million cap hit through 2031-32 is a hefty amount to absorb, even with the salary cap rising significantly in the coming years.

OILERS LOOKING AT MARKET FOR EVANDER KANE

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said Evander Kane’s full no-trade clause reverted to a 16-team approved trade list. He indicated the Edmonton Oilers are going through those teams to see what the market could be for the 33-year-old winger.

Kane remains sidelined as he rehabs from recent surgery and there’s not a firm timetable for his return. However, they could open up more cap space if they decide to move him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane won’t be easy to move. He has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5.125 million. He’s missed the entire season due to injury and it will take him time to return to game shape once he’s cleared for action.

The Oilers have few tradeable assets to bundle with Kane to make him more enticing. They might have to retain half his cap hit to make him palatable in the trade market.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE RANGERS?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes any deal made by the Rangers between now and the trade deadline will not involve making a run for a wild-card berth at the expense of acquiring future assets in exchange for expiring contracts. Brooks suggests impending free-agent winger Reilly Smith could fetch tangible value from a Stanley Cup contender.

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple also believes Smith is the next likely to be moved. Larger trade options on the roster, like Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, probably won’t be happening this week, given Zibanejad’s recent improvement and Kreider’s ongoing injury issues.

K’Andre Miller has been the subject of trade speculation but doesn’t seem to be on the trade block. Staple also believes the Rangers will be targeted buyers seeking players with term on their contracts

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All of GM Chris Drury’s trades this season brought back returns that can help the team now and in the future.

DEVILS EXPECTED TO BE “ALL-IN” AT THE DEADLINE

RG.ORG: James Murphy cited an NHL executive suggesting the New Jersey Devils could attempt to make an impact move by March 7. They’d like to add a rugged, scoring playoff-type performer into their top-six forwards and bring more depth to their defense corps.

The Devils would also like to add a middle-six forward. They’ve been linked to Jake Evans of the Montreal Canadiens. The Devils have $1.4 million in cap space, so any deal would involve moving a player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dawson Mercer recently surfaced as a trade candidate. He’s struggled this season under head coach Sheldon Keefe. The 23-year-old forward carries an AAV of $4 million through 2026-27.

WHAT ARE THE LIGHTNING’S TRADE TARGETS?

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Eduardo A. Encina reports the Lightning have just over $6 million in projected trade deadline cap space. He’s expected to target forward depth to take some pressure off his top scorers. Encina suggested that Montreal’s Jake Evans or Buffalo’s Alex Tuch are players who’ve stood out to them over the years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning have some trade capital, including two second-rounders and two fourth-rounders in this year’s draft. They also have all their 2026 draft picks. The Bolts also have prospects like Conor Geekie, Isaac Howard, and Ethan Gauthier to draw on for trade bait.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 21, 2025

by | Feb 21, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 21, 2025

Check out the latest on Seth Jones, Nick Robertson, and potential Rangers trade-deadline targets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli took note of the news out of Chicago indicating Seth Jones and his agent were discussing trade possibilities with Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson. The 30-year-old defenseman hasn’t requested a trade but appears open to moving to a winner if the right opportunity arises.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones (NHL Images).

Seravalli doesn’t believe Davidson’s phone is ringing off the hook with calls about Jones. He also pointed out the blueliner’s contract is difficult to move. He’s signed through 2029-30 with an average annual value of $9.5 million and a full no-movement clause.

The biggest question for interested teams is how much of Jones’ cap hit would the Blackhawks retain. Jones must present Davidson with a list of trade destinations. Since he wants to go to a winner, those teams usually have the most salary-cap issues.

Seravalli believes the Blackhawks could afford to carry half of Jones’ cap hit over the next five seasons if it’ll fetch them a significant return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The significant projected increases in the salary cap over the next three seasons could make it easier for the Blackhawks to retain part of Jones’ cap hit. PuckPedia shows them carrying over $36 million of cap space for 2025-26 with 17 roster players under contract. There’s enough room to retain $4.75 million annually going forward.

The Blackhawks could find a trade partner for Jones by the March 7 deadline but it might take a three-team swap to pull it off. They should have better luck in the offseason when more clubs are flush with cap room.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, James Mirtle was asked about Nick Robertson’s trade value. The 23-year-old forward is on a one-year, $875K contract and becomes a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights.

Mirtle observed that Robertson is a small offensive winger with 12 points in 47 games seeing sheltered minutes. He could become a salary-cap casualty at the trade deadline to create room if the Leafs attempt to add players at the trade deadline. Mirtle doesn’t see him fetching more than a fourth-rounder in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson was a hot topic for trade speculation last summer when he tried to force a trade by refusing to sign with the Leafs. He eventually inked his current deal before training camp opened last fall.

THE ATHLETIC: A reader asked Arthur Staple if he thinks the New York Rangers will try to add a third-line center or top-six winger by the March 7 trade deadline.

Staple doesn’t see Rangers GM Chris Drury going after a rental player like Ryan Donato. However, he thinks Drury would prefer adding a player who can be part of their future beyond this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staple mentioned Ryan McLeod of the Buffalo Sabres as an example if he becomes available. The 25-year-old center is a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights carrying an AAV of $2.1 million on his current contract. He could also see the Rangers GM adding a pending UFA like Boston’s Trent Frederic if he can re-sign him.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 11, 2025

by | Feb 11, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 11, 2025

The three stars of the week, updates on Sidney Crosby and Mikko Rantanen ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko, and Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending Feb. 9, 2025.

Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby (NHL.com).

  TSN: Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby declared himself good to go for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The status of the 37-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins center was in question after he suffered an upper-body injury last week. He was skating on a line with Mark Stone and Nathan MacKinnon during Canada’s practice on Monday.

SPORTSNET: Finland forward Mikko Rantanen is joining his compatriots in Montreal for the upcoming tournament. The 28-year-old Carolina Hurricanes winger missed Saturday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club with a lower-body injury.

TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was centering a line with Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel and New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes during Team USA’s practice on Monday.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jesse Puljujarvi signed a tryout agreement with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL). Puljujarvi cleared unconditional waivers and agreed with the Penguins to terminate his NHL contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Checkers are the AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers. Whether this tryout leads to him landing a role with the defending Stanley Cup champions remains to be seen.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators claimed Andreas Englund off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings.

SPORTSNET: Loui Eriksson announced his retirement on Monday. The winger spent 16 NHL seasons with the Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, and Arizona Coyotes from 2006-07 to 2021-22, tallying 253 goals and 360 assists for 613 points in 1,050 regular-season games and 14 points in 44 postseason contests. His best performances were with the Stars, exceeding 70 points in three straight seasons from 2009-10 to 2011-12.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former Toronto Maple Leafs PA announcer Paul Morris passed away at age 86. He was with the Leafs from 1961 to 1999, calling 1,585 consecutive games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Morris’ low-key announcing style was an iconic part of the experience at Maple Leaf Gardens – my condolences to his family, friends, and the Leafs organization.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – November 3, 2024

by | Nov 3, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – November 3, 2024

Check out the latest on the Rangers, Islanders and Maple Leafs in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple recently looked at what New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury could do to free up salary-cap space for next season.

Goaltender Igor Shesterkin still needs a new contract. So does defenseman K’Andre Miller, Kaapo Kakko and Will Cuylle. He’ll also have to decide about pending unrestricted free agents Ryan Lindgren, Reilly Smith and Jonathan Quick.

New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

Staple believes all arrows point to Jacob Trouba getting moved in an offseason trade. He’ll have a year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8 million. Drury could move the 30-year-old defenseman without having to retain salary or include major assets to get a deal done.

Drury doesn’t have many cost-cutting trade options outside of Trouba. Center Mika Zibanejad’s hefty contract is almost untradeable and they’d only get $700K in savings next season if he were bought out. Chris Kreider would draw interest but moving him and Trouba could be too much for the Rangers.

Staple also suggested a wild-card move like trading the 24-year-old Miller. He’d fetch a significant return and his absence could be offset by the maturing Braden Schneider and the promising Vincent Mancini.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Drury’s ill-fated attempt to trade Trouba in late June signaled this season will be the blueliner’s last with the Rangers. He’s now got a 15-team no-trade list which gives Drury some flexibility and potential trade partners.

Trading away Miller would be a risky move despite the promising return. Drury must ensure that Schneider and Mancini have matured enough to replace Trouba and Miller.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the New York Islanders are believed to be seeking help for their injury-battered defense corps. Bluelines Adam Pelech, Mike Reilly and Alexander Romanov are sidelined with Pelech (upper body) out for four-to-six weeks. All three are left-hand shots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reilly and Romanov are day-to-day and are expected to return to action soon. Nevertheless, Pelech’s lengthy absence could be difficult to address from within. They’ve called up Grant Hutton and Samuel Bolduc from their AHL affiliate.

They could also be in the market for a scoring forward. Their offense was among the league’s lowest before Mathew Barzal was sidelined for four to six weeks by an upper-body injury. They’ve placed him on long-term injury reserve to give themselves some cap relief to accommodate adding Hutton and Bolduc.

Friedman reports the Toronto Maple Leafs have two players (Jani Hakanpaa and Connor Dewar) on conditioning stints with their AHL affiliate. They have about a week to address their impending roster crunch when everyone is healthy to return.

The Leafs acquired defenseman Matt Benning when they shipped Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks last week. They’ve let teams know they want to do right by Benning and made him available in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The cost of moving Liljegren and his $3 million average annual value through next season was taking on Benning’s $1.25 million AAV. He’s an affordable veteran right-shot blueliner and should draw some interest around the league.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 5, 2024

by | Oct 5, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 5, 2024

The Devils down the Sabres in the opening game of the 2024-25 season, a recap of preseason action, Utah Hockey Club names a captain, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DEVILS WIN FIRST GAME OF THE 2024-25 NHL SEASON

NHL.COM: The New Jersey Devils defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-1 in the opening game of the 2024-25 season before 16, 913 fans at O2 Arena in the 2024 NHL Global Series in Prague, Czechia.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).

It was a game of firsts for several Devils’ offseason additions. Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves for the win in his first game with the Devils, Johnathan Kovacevic and Paul Cotter picked up their first points (one goal, one assist each) with the club, and Sheldon Keefe got his first win as their head coach.

Owen Power scored for the Sabres. Game 2 of their Global Series is Saturday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres also made some offseason changes and have a new head coach (Lindy Ruff) but produced the same old result. The Buffalo News’ Lance Lysowski pointed out that they once again gave up an early multi-goal deficit, failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities, and couldn’t overcome their mistakes.

RECAPS OF FRIDAY’S PRESEASON GAMES

NHL.COM: New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal had a goal and four assists to defeat the New York Rangers 5-2. Bo Horvat tallied twice and Anthony Duclair scored and collected two assists. Adam Fox had a goal and an assist and K’Andre Miller picked up two assists for the Rangers.

The Ottawa Senators nipped the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on an overtime goal by Noah Gregor. Ridly Greig and Carter Yakemchuk each had two assists and Anton Forsberg made 30 saves for the Senators. Marco Kasper scored two goals for the Red Wings.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Lars Eller scored two goals and set up two others as his club thumped the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-3. Noel Acciari tallied twice and Rutger McGroarty and Jesse Puljujarvi each had a goal and two assists for the Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets placed winger Dmitry Voronkov (upper body) on injured reserve earlier in the day. Captain Boone Jenner missed this game after suffering an upper-body injury during practice.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere’s overtime goal lifted his club to a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Martin Necas picked up two assists for the Hurricanes. Anthony Cirelli replied for the Lightning

The Minnesota Wild defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 6-1. Mats Zuccarello had a goal and two assists while teammates Brock Faber, Marco Rossi and Jonas Brodin each scored a goal and picked up an assist. Seth Jones scored for the Blackhawks.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck made 32 saves to backstop his club to a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames. Kyle Connor snapped a 2-2 tie late in the third period for the Jets. Jonathan Huberdeau and Mikael Backlund scored for the Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames winger Yegor Sharangovich left the game in the third period after an awkward fall. He was still being evaluated following the game.

The Vancouver Canucks downed the Edmonton Oilers 4-1. Arshdeep Bains and Jake DeBrusk each had a goal and an assist and Elias Pettersson picked up two assists for the Canucks. Evan Bouchard scored for the Oilers.

A shootout goal by Cutter Gauthier lifted the Anaheim Ducks to a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Gauthier also scored in regulation. Vitek Vanecek made 40 saves for the Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks sent goaltender Yaroslav Askarov to their AHL affiliate earlier in the day. Askarov made headlines in August with his refusal to join the Nashville Predators’ farm team, resulting in his trade to the Sharks.

Askarov was expected to challenge Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood for one of the two goaltending jobs on the Sharks. However, an injury combined with solid camps by Vanecek and Blackwood sends Askarov to the AHL to start the season.

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Utah Hockey Club named Clayton Keller as their team captain. The 26-year-old was their leading scorer last season with 33 goals and 76 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Keller is the club’s first captain since Oliver Ekman-Larsson was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 2021.

TSN: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty underwent successful surgery on Friday to repair his fractured ankle. He remains month-to-month.

SPORTSNET: The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that Nick Robertson, Jake McCabe, and Calle Jarnkrok are listed as day-to-day with injuries.

LAS VEGAS SUN: The Golden Knights signed winger Tanner Pearson to a one-year, $775K contract after joining the club last month on a professional tryout offer.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings goaltender Jack Campbell entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Campbell’s performance deteriorated noticeably over the past two seasons. Here’s hoping he gets the help he needs to get his life and career back on track.

DAILY FACEOFF: Ethan Bear is among the players placed on waivers Friday. The Washington Capitals defenseman is in the second season of his two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.062 million.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Former NHL forward Artem Anisimov, 36, officially announced his retirement on Friday. From 2008-09 to 2020-21, he tallied 180 goals and 196 assists for 376 points in 771 regular-season games with the New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators. He also had 17 points in 43 playoff contests.