NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 2, 2025

by | Nov 2, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 2, 2025

In today’s NHL Morning Coffee, we recap a busy Saturday schedule, plus the three stars and the Rookie of the Month for October are revealed.

RECAPPING SATURDAY’S ACTION

NHL.COM: The Winnipeg Jets got two goals from Kyle Connor to down the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2. Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi each had two points for the 9-3-0 Jets as they picked up their third straight win. Sidney Crosby and Blake Lizotte replied for the 8-3-2 Penguins as their points streak ended at eight games (6-0-2).

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Scheifele took over the scoring lead, becoming the first player to reach 20 points this season. Penguins winger Justin Brazeau missed this contest with an upper-body injury.

A shootout goal by Brad Marchand lifted the Florida Panthers to a 4-3 victory over the Dallas Stars. Marchand also scored in regulation, as did teammates Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett for the Panthers, who improved to 6-5-1. Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist, and Sam Steel had three assists for the 6-3-3 Stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand returned to the Panthers’ lineup after taking a leave of absence to be with his friend and trainer, J.P. MacCallum, following the death of his daughter. Marchand immediately pointed skyward after he opened the scoring. Reinhart’s goal was the 300th regular-season goal of his NHL career.

San Jose Sharks forward Philipp Kurashev tallied twice, including the winner in overtime, in a 3-2 upset of the Colorado Avalanche. Macklin Celebrini scored to extend his points streak to seven games while Yaroslav Askarov kicked out 37 shots for the 4-6-2 Sharks, who’ve won three of their last four contests. Nathan MacKinnon netted his 10th goal of the season for the 7-1-5 Avalanche, who picked up a point to sit atop the overall standings with 19 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sharks defenseman Timothy Liljegren left this game with an upper-body injury after being struck by a puck while sitting on the bench. Avalanche call-up Taylor Makar made his debut, marking the first time he and older brother Cale Makar played together in the NHL. Taylor was returned to Colorado’s AHL affiliate after this game.

The Montreal Canadiens got an overtime goal from Alex Newhook for a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki extended his points streak to 11 games with two assists, and Cole Caufield scored his 10th goal of the season for the Canadiens (9-3-0), who sit first in the Atlantic Division with 18 points. Drake Batherson had a goal and an assist for the Senators, who dropped to 6-5-2.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Batherson ended up being the goat in this game, as his errant pass in overtime was picked off by Newhook, who made no mistake on the breakaway.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom turned in a 43-save performance to defeat the Los Angeles Kings 4-1. Dawson Mercer has two goals for the 9-3-0 Devils as they move into first place in the Metropolitan Division with 18 points. Andrei Kuzmenko had the only goal for the Kings as they dropped to 5-4-4 on the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils winger Connor Brown was ruled out for this game with an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, the Kings placed winger Warren Foegele (upper body) on injured reserve.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson had a goal and an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs got their first road victory of the season with a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Rookie Easton Cowan tallied his first career NHL goal, and John Tavares had two assists as the Maple Leafs improved to 6-5-1. Christian Dvorak and Tyson Foerster replied for the 6-4-1 Flyers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev was stretchered off the ice with a suspected head injury in the third period after being inadvertently hit from behind by Flyers winger Matvei Michkov. After the game, Leafs coach Craig Berube said they will know more about Tanev’s condition after he undergoes more tests, but added that the defenseman was moving. Berube thinks Tanev will be okay.

An overtime goal by Evan Bouchard lifted the Edmonton Oilers (6-4-3) over the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 3-2. Leon Draisaitl extended his points streak to eight games with a goal and an assist, and Connor McDavid assisted on all three Oilers goals. Andre Burakovsky had a goal and an assist for the 5-4-3 Blackhawks.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman stopped 27 shots to backstop his club over the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1. Casey Mittelstadt had a goal and an assist as the Bruins improved to 7-7-0. Alexander Nikishin scored for the Hurricanes, who have lost three of their last four games and dropped to 7-4-0.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis returned to action in this game after leaving Thursday’s 6-2 win over the New York Islanders with a lower-body injury.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski had a goal and an assist as his club nipped the St. Louis Blues 3-2. Jet Greaves made 37 saves for the Blue Jackets as they improved to 7-4-0. Justin Faulk and Nick Bjugstad scored for the Blues, who dropped to 3-7-2.

A shootout goal by Bowen Byram gave the Buffalo Sabres a 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals. Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch each netted their fifth goals of the season, and rookie Isak Rosen scored his first NHL goal for the 5-4-3 Sabres. Aliaksei Protas potted his fifth of the season for the Capitals (6-5-1), who are winless in their last four (0-3-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Capitals center Pierre-Luc Dubois missed this game as he’s day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

New York Rangers winger Will Cuylle scored in overtime to give his team a 3-2 win over the Seattle Kraken. Cuylle finished with two points, and teammate Adam Fox collected two assists for the 6-5-2 Rangers as they picked up their third straight win. Chandler Stephenson had a goal and an assist as the 5-2-4 Kraken extended their points streak to four games (2-0-2).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kraken winger Kaapo Kakko was held scoreless against his former team in his season debut after suffering a broken hand in a preseason game.

Minnesota Wild winger Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and two assists as his club snapped a five-game winless skid to beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-2. Filip Gustavsson stopped 26 shots for the 4-6-3 Wild. Drew O’Connor tallied twice as the Canucks slipped to 6-7-0.

The Nashville Predators ended a three-game losing skid by doubling up the Calgary Flames 4-2. Michael Bunting had a goal and two assists in the first period for the 5-6-2 Predators. Jonathan Huberdeau and Joel Farabee scored for the Flames, who sit last in the overall standings with a record of 2-9-2.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NHL.COM: Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele, and Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes are the three stars for October 2025. New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer was named Rookie of the Month.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 1, 2025

by | Nov 1, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – November 1, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we have the latest on Predators forward Steven Stamkos and Sabres goaltender Devon Levi, and updates on the Wild and Blues.

COULD THE PREDATORS TRADE STEVEN STAMKOS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau suggested trade speculation could arise about Steven Stamkos if the Nashville Predators don’t improve. They’ve started the season 4-6-2, and the 35-year-old forward has just two points in those 12 games.

Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos (NHL Images)

Proteau noted that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently said he could see a scenario where both sides meet to consider their options. Stamkos is in the second season of a four-year contract with an average annual value of $8 million. He also has a full no-movement clause.

If Stamkos is willing to accept a trade, Proteau believes it’ll be to a veteran-laden Stanley Cup contender. He suggested the Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, and Toronto Maple Leafs as possible trade destinations.

THE PROVINCE: Paul Chapman referenced a report by CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal, where the latter claimed the Canucks had poked around on Stamkos.

Chapman observed that Stamkos is a shell of his former self. Given the Canucks injury status, however, it makes sense to kick tires on everyone.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stamkos’ production has declined noticeably since his final season with the Tampa Bay Lightning two years ago. He’s getting plenty of playing time among the Predators’ top lines, but his scoring touch is no longer there.

A move to a better club might help Stamkos regain his form, but his contract makes him an expensive gamble. Interested teams could insist that the Predators retain up to half of his cap hit to facilitate a trade.

As for the proposed destinations, Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky is expected to make a big swing for a superstar this season. However, he has pursued superstars in their late-20s who are in the prime of their careers, such as Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner. Tulsky is unlikely to go after a declining star in his mid-thirties with an expensive contract.

Stamkos might welcome a trade to the Kings or the Maple Leafs, but they don’t look like Stanley Cup contenders. They lack salary-cap space, which is also an issue for the Canucks.

THE WILD ARE SHOPPING FOR HELP

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports a team source claiming that Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin is in the market to bolster his club’s middle-six forward group.

Injuries to Mats Zuccarello and Nico Sturm have hurt the Wild’s depth among those forwards. Guerin’s priority is to add offensive depth to their middle six regardless of the position.

Di Marco suggested Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri and Boston Bruins centers Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt as possible trade targets.

THE ATHLETIC: Joe Smith and Michael Russo also weighed in on the Wild’s early-season struggles. They don’t see an impact trade available that could provide immediate help.

Smith and Russo pointed out that it’s difficult to make in-season trades, especially with the salary cap rising and most teams wanting to improve, not sell. They also don’t see acquiring fourth-line players, such as Toronto’s Nick Robertson, as providing a jolt to their lineup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The problem is that the few players mentioned as trade candidates aren’t being moved yet, if at all. The Flames and Bruins haven’t given up yet on their seasons.

By the time the trade market improves, it could be too late to help the Wild. Smith and Russo believe it’s up to the current Wild players to get themselves out of the hole they’ve dug.

IS SABRES GOALIE DEVON LEVI AVAILABLE?

SABRES NOISE: Tim Daniels linked to a report from the Sabres podcast “After The Whistle” (hosted by former Sabres Craig Rivet and Andrew Peters) claiming that goaltender Devon Levi requested a trade.

“Rumor has it that Devon Levi asked to be moved prior to returning to Rochester,” Rivet and Peters reported.

RATINGS: James Murphy reported that requests from the Sabres and Levi’s agent to confirm the report were not returned. Nevertheless, he cited a source claiming the 23-year-old goalie’s name was out there in the trade market after he failed to crack the Sabres lineup following training camp.

Murphy’s source mentioned the Utah Mammoth, Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, and Carolina Hurricanes as clubs seeking goalie depth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are overloaded at the goalie position right now. Levi was once seen as their future starter, but his inability to secure a place among their goalie tandem is one reason why they loaded up with more experienced options.

Levi won’t fetch much of a return if the Sabres peddle him. He could bring in at most a third-round pick.

LATEST ON THE BLUES

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford recently pondered what St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong would do to help his struggling team. They have a 3-6-2 record after 11 games, and as of Oct. 31, they were winless in their last six contests (0-4-2).

Whatever Armstrong has in mind, it’s unlikely to involve the roster core. That includes Jordan Kyrou, Richard Thomas, Brayden Schenn, Pavel Buchnevich, and Colton Parayko. He observed they’re all under long-term contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would mean peddling depth players on short-term deals, but such moves likely won’t do much to change their fortunes.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 31, 2025

by | Oct 31, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 31, 2025

Updates on where contract talks sit for the Rangers’ Artemi Panarin and the Stars’ Jason Robertson, a look at several centers drawing interest in the trade market, and the latest on the Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATES ON PANARIN AND ROBERTSON

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes the New York Rangers want to see how this season unfolds before opening contract extension discussions with Artemi Panarin. The 34-year-old winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

Contract term could be the issue in those talks. LeBrun doubts that Panarin will be interested in a short-term deal, which would probably be the Rangers’ preference. The Panarin camp will seek the longest term possible, because this will be their client’s last big contract in his NHL career.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers’ performance this season, and that includes Panarin’s, will determine whether he has a future in New York beyond this season. Given his age, the Blueshirts could be reluctant to sign him for longer than three years. They could consider it if he’s willing to accept a substantial pay cut, but he was reportedly unwilling to do so this summer.

LeBrun reports the Dallas Stars’ focus has shifted to Jason Robertson after signing defenseman Thomas Harley to an extension earlier this week. The 26-year-old winger is due to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July, and will be a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility.

Robertson surfaced in the offseason rumor mill. The Stars weren’t shopping him, but wanted to see what teams were offering when they came calling.

The two sides decided to wait to open contract talks. LeBrun speculated they might begin in January, or they could wait until the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson is no longer on the top line following the Stars’ acquisition of Mikko Rantanen at the March 2025 trade deadline. However, he’s settling in on the second line, scoring nine points in 11 games.

The Stars want to keep Robertson, but it’ll depend on his asking price. His arbitration rights and his UFA eligibility the following year give him leverage whenever the two sides finally begin negotiating.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the trade market for centers appears to be heating up ahead of the American Thanksgiving (Nov. 27).

The Calgary Flames’ poor start to this season has made Nazem Kadri the subject of growing trade conjecture. However, his status reflects the Flames’ uncertain direction. They’re trying to right the ship but face mounting pressure to rebuild if things don’t improve by December.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri no longer has full no-trade protection, but he does have a 13-team no-trade list. His age (35) and average annual value ($7 million) through 2028-29 could make him difficult to move if he wants to be traded. So far, all reports claim he loves living in Calgary.

Meanwhile, teams are eyeing Alexander Wennberg of the San Jose Sharks. He’s UFA-eligible next July, and multiple clubs see him as a good middle-six trade option.

In Boston, the Bruins remain undecided on Pavel Zacha’s future as they consider competing and retooling. The 28-year-old forward has a year remaining on his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun recently reported that the Bruins believe Zacha fits into their long-term plans. He suggested it wouldn’t be surprising if the versatile forward signs a contract extension next summer.

Bo Horvat has also surfaced in recent trade speculation. However, Murphy claims the 30-year-old New York Islanders center is untouchable unless the club collapses in the standings. Even then, it would take a significant offer to pry him away from the Isles.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Horvat is signed through 2030-31 with an AAV of $8.5 million. He also has a full no-trade clause. If, and that’s a big if, he’s willing to waive that clause, it’s unlikely that sort of trade takes place during the season. That seems more like an offseason move.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to explore the idea of trading forwards David Kampf and Nick Robertson.

Kampf is now with the Leafs’ AHL affiliate, and they’d like to move his contract. The 30-year-old center is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $2.4 million and a 10-team no-trade clause for this season.

The Leafs have time for the 24-year-old Robertson, but he’s been up and down the Leafs’ lineup. They’d move him if they could get back a player of a similar age, but that’s what makes moving him so difficult, so they’re not in a rush to move him out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson’s been a fixture in the rumor mill since the summer of 2024, and yet he remains with the Maple Leafs. As I’ve mentioned before, either the Leafs have set a ridiculously high asking price, or he’s not as valuable a trade chip as some observers seem to believe.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 29, 2025

by | Oct 29, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 29, 2025

More updates on Bruins center Pavel Zacha and Flames center Nazem Kadri, plus the latest on the Hurricanes in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports sources confirming that the Vancouver Canucks reached out to the Boston Bruins during the summer about the availability of Pavel Zacha.

Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha (NHL Images).

LeBrun said the Bruins still see the 28-year-old center as a long-term fit. He’s signed through 2026-27, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he signs an extension next summer.

RG.ORG: James Murphy also noted the recent reports linking Zacha to the Canucks, and that the Bruins have told their players that they haven’t given up on this season. If the Bruins’ season goes south, their asking price for Zacha from the Canucks could be young defenseman Victor Mancini.

Murphy also reported that the Calgary Flames were also interested in Zacha during the offseason. The Edmonton Oilers could also be a good fit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams will keep an eye on the Bruins in the coming weeks. They could be sellers if they haven’t gained ground in the standings by midseason. Zacha will draw plenty of interest, but LeBrun’s report suggests it could take a significant offer to pry him away from the Bruins. If he’s willing to sign an extension, they’re unlikely to peddle him.

THE LATEST ON NAZEM KADRI

TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that there is plenty of media-driven speculation regarding Nazem Kadri based on the Calgary Flames playing well below expectations to start the season. There are other Canadian teams (Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs) that can envision the 35-year-old center in their lineup.

However, Kadri loves playing in Calgary. Unless the Flames decide to reconstruct their roster, any talk of moving him is premature.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Flames are still wallowing in the basement by the Christmas roster freeze, then it’s likely they’ll start exploring trade options for Kadri. However, they’re under no pressure to move him this season. He’s signed through 2027-28 with an annual average value of $7 million and a 13-team no-trade clause. They can afford to wait until next summer if necessary if they don’t get any suitable offers for him during this season.

WILL THE HURRICANES ATTEMPT ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER MOVE?

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo believes Carolina Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky will attempt to acquire a superstar for the long term.

League sources said the Hurricanes reached out to the Minnesota Wild to express an interest in Kirill Kaprizov if they were to consider trading him. This was before Kaprizov signed his eight-year extension with the Wild.

Russo also noted that the Hurricanes are often rumored to be looking to upgrade their goaltending. However, Tulsky said that doesn’t mean they’re unhappy with the current tandem of Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes acquired Mikko Rantanen last January, but moved him six weeks later to the Dallas Stars when he wouldn’t sign a contract extension. They also attempted to acquire Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline. So yes, Tulsky will likely attempt another big move in the trade market.

The Hurricanes currently have over $9 million in cap space, which accrues to over $36 million by the March 6 trade deadline. Tulsky won’t let that cap space go to waste if he can find a suitable trade target and meet the asking price.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 29, 2025

by | Oct 29, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 29, 2025

A milestone game for Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, a career-best performance by Avalanche winger Victor Olofsson, Canadiens winger Cole Caufield sets a franchise record, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard tallied his first career NHL hat trick and added an assist in a 7-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Frank Nazar, Andre Burakovsky, Nick Foligno, and Louis Crevier each had two points for the Blackhawks, who improved to 5-3-2. Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson each had two points for the 5-5-1 Senators as their three-game win streak ended.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

Colorado Avalanche winger Victor Olofsson collected his first career hat trick in a career-high five-point performance as his club thumped the New Jersey Devils 8-4. Cale Makar had four assists and Nathan MacKinnon scored twice and set up another for the 6-1-4 Avalanche, snapping their four-game winless skid. Jack Hughes had a goal and an assist as the Devils’ eight-game win streak ended (8-2-0), but they remain atop the Metropolitan Division with 16 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a shaky performance for Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom, giving up eight goals on 42 shots in his first game since being injured two weeks ago. Devils defenseman Brett Pesce missed this game as he is expected to be sidelined for at least a month with an upper-body injury. They also placed forward Cody Glass (lower body) on injured reserve.

The Avalanche dropped struggling captain Gabriel Landeskog from the first line. He has three assists in 11 games.

An overtime goal by Cole Caufield gave the Montreal Canadiens a 4-3 victory against the Seattle Kraken. The Canadiens blew a 3-0 lead until Caufield tallied his franchise-record 11th regular-season overtime goal. Caufield finished the night with two goals for the 8-3-0 Canadiens, who hold first place in the Atlantic Division. Brandon Montour scored twice and picked up an assist for the 5-2-3 Kraken.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki collected three assists to extend his points streak to a league-leading 10 games.

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger turned in a 24-save shutout performance for a 1-0 win over the Washington Capitals. Tyler Seguin scored for the Stars (6-3-1) as they picked up their third straight win. Logan Thompson turned aside 18 shots for the 6-4-0 Capitals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Stars announced the signing of defenseman Thomas Harley to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $10.587 million. The 24-year-old blueliner is in the second season of a two-year contract with a cap hit of $4 million, but his emergence as a top-four rearguard over the last two years earned him this lucrative new deal.

A 23-save shutout by Jonathan Quick carried the New York Rangers over the Vancouver Canucks 2-0. Mika Zibanejad and Sam Carrick scored for the 4-5-2 Rangers. Thatcher Demko stopped 23 of 24 shots for the Canucks, who dropped to 5-6-0.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was J.T. Miller’s first game in Vancouver since his trade to the Rangers in January. While he was booed by Canucks fans the first time he touched the puck, he received a standing ovation minutes later during a video tribute honoring his years with the Canucks.

Earlier in the day, the Rangers announced forward Matt Rempe is out “longer term” with an upper-body injury suffered during a recent fight with San Jose Sharks forward Ryan Reaves.

The Philadelphia Flyers nipped the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on a shootout goal by Bobby Brink, who also had a goal and an assist in regulation. Flyers winger Travis Konecny netted his 200th career NHL regular-season goal as his club improved to 5-3-1. Jonathan Brazeau and Sidney Crosby replied for the Penguins (7-2-2).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A brawl erupted at the end of overtime, resulting in eight players receiving misconducts, including Crosby, Trevor Zegras, Tyson Foerster, and Owen Tippett, leaving them ineligible to participate in the shootout.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi scored twice, including the game-winning goal, to lift his club over the Calgary Flames 4-3. Matthew Knies tallied two goals and picked up an assist as the Maple Leafs improved to 5-4-1. Morgan Frost, Joel Farabee, and Samuel Honzek scored for the Flames, who are 2-8-0 on the season.

The Vegas Golden Knights got two late goals from Jack Eichel in a 6-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Eichel finished the night with three points, and Pavel Dorofeyev also had two goals for the 6-1-3 Golden Knights, who sit atop the Pacific Division with 15 points. Andrei Svechnikov, Jordan Martinook, and Logan Stankoven scored for the 6-3-0 Hurricanes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere left this game with a lower-body injury. This comes a day after being activated from injured reserve.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Miles Wood scored two goals, including the overtime winner, to defeat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3. Jet Greaves turned aside 35 shots for the Blue Jackets as they improved to 5-4-2. Alex Tuch had two assists for the 4-4-2 Sabres.

The Anaheim Ducks squeaked past the Florida Panthers 3-2 on a shootout goal by Mason McTavish. Leo Carlsson had a shorthanded goal and an assist as the 5-3-1 Ducks took a 2-0 lead until the Panthers (5-5-1) rallied on goals by Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Ducks announced center Mikael Granlund is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo stopped 33 shots as his club overcame a 2-0 deficit to beat the New York Islanders 5-2. David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, and Michael Eyssimont each had a goal and an assist for the 5-7-0 Bruins. Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri tallied for the 4-4-1 Islanders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins activated defenseman Hampus Lindholm off injured reserve and made blueliner Mason Lohrei a healthy scratch for this game.

The Tampa Bay Lightning won their third straight by downing the Nashville Predators 5-2. Zemgus Girgensons scored two goals, and Brandon Hagel had a goal and an assist as the Lightning improved to 4-4-2. Luke Evangelista and Filip Forsberg replied for the Predators, who slipped to 4-5-2.

Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor’s overtime goal lifted his club to a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild. Connor Hellebuyck made 33 saves for the 7-3-0 Jets. Brock Faber and Marco Rossi each had two points for the 3-5-3 Wild, who have one win in their last eight games (1-4-3).

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin scored twice and collected an assist to defeat the St. Louis Blues 5-2. Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond each had two points for the 7-3-0 Red Wings. Brayden Schenn and Jordan Kyrou replied for the Blues (3-6-0), who are 0-4-1 in their last five contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blues forward Jake Neighbours is out for five weeks with an injured right leg.

The Edmonton Oilers overcame a 2-0 deficit for a 6-3 victory over the Utah Mammoth, snapping the latter’s seven-game win streak. Connor McDavid scored twice, Leon Draisaitl had a goal and an assist, and Evan Bouchard collected three assists to improve their record to 5-4-2. Logan Cooley, JJ Peterka, and Barrett Hayton scored for the 8-3-0 Mammoth, who remain in first place in the Central Division with 16 points.

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke snapped a 3-3 tie as his club downed the San Jose Sharks 4-3. The Kings had blown a 3-0 lead before Clarke’s game-winner. Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper got the win with a 37-save performance as his club improved to 5-3-3. Philipp Kurashev and Alex Wennberg each had a goal and an assist for the 2-6-2 Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kings forward Warren Foegele missed this game with an upper-body injury and is expected to miss some time. Meanwhile, the Sharks placed defenseman Nick Leddy (upper body) on injured reserve.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 27, 2025

by | Oct 27, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 27, 2025

The latest on the Flames, plus updates on the Leafs’ Nick Robertson, the Blue Jackets’ Yegor Chinakhov, and the Rangers’ Brennan Othmann in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox reports the trade market is stagnant right now because so many teams began this season targeting a playoff berth.

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (NHL Images).

It’s become a seller’s market, with the Calgary Flames being the only club in the cellar. They possess what Fox considers “two of hockey’s most moveable assets”: minute-munching defenseman Rasmus Andersson and two-way center Nazem Kadri

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames are off to a rough start with just two wins in their first 10 games. Nevertheless, general manager Craig Conroy is reportedly shopping around for additional scoring for his offensively anemic team.

Andersson and Kadri have frequently appeared in early-season trade rumors, but Conroy isn’t moving either guy at this stage unless he gets a mind-blowing offer, which isn’t likely. He’ll hang onto both of them and see how the season unfolds.

If the Flames remain bottom-feeders when the calendar flips to January, that’s when Conroy will likely go into sell mode.

The Chicago Blackhawks got a fourth-round pick when they shipped winger Lukas Reichel to the Vancouver Canucks last week.

Fox believes that’s set the trade market for Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov. A fourth-round pick doesn’t help either club when they’re trying to ice a better product now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That means Robertson and Chinakhov will likely be sticking with their current clubs for the time being.

THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano reports Brennan Othmann is aware his name recently surfaced in trade rumors. It’s believed New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury is willing to move the 22-year-old left winger for another young player with upside.

Othmann was sent down to the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford before the start of the season. However, his recent recall suggests the club still sees value in him and won’t give him away.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tony Ferrari pointed out that the aging Rangers have wasted a lot of their young talent of late, due to poor development or players not panning out. He believes they don’t have the luxury of wasting more young talent and need players like Othmann and other prospects to pan out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ferrari believes a trade is the most likely option trending right now for Otthman. A lot will depend on how he performs during this call-up with the Rangers. However, the best they might get is a return comparable to what the Blackhawks got for Reichel.