NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 4, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 4, 2025

The Senators pick up their fifth straight win, the three stars of the week, Wild center Ryan Hartman suspended, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Ottawa Senators collected their fifth straight win by downing the Nashville Predators 5-2. Three unanswered third-period goals by Shane Pinto, David Perron and Ridly Greig carried the Senators (62 points) to victory, opening a three-point lead over the Detroit Red Wings for third in the Atlantic Division. Predators goalie Juuse Saros stopped 34 shots while teammate Filip Forsberg had a goal and an assist.

Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators captain Roman Josi set the franchise record for games played with 957. Senators center Tim Stutzle became the youngest player in franchise history to reach the 300-point milestone (23 years, 19 days) and the third fastest to do so (338 games played), sitting behind Jason Spezza (277 games) and Alexei Yashin (332).

Senators forward Josh Norris missed this game as he’s sidelined for several weeks with a mid-body injury. Predators forward Luke Evangelista didn’t play as he’s listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin, Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson, and Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson are the league’s three stars for the week ending Feb. 2, 2025.

Minnesota Wild center Ryan Hartman received a 10-game suspension from the department of player safety for roughing Senators center Tim Stutzle on Saturday, driving Stutzle’s head into the ice following a faceoff draw.

DAILY FACEOFF: New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal is sidelined indefinitely with a lower-body injury and defenseman Scott Mayfield is day-to-day (lower body).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barzal and Mayfield join injured teammates Noah Dobson, Ryan Pulock, Semyon Varlamov, Mike Reilly, and Marcus Hogberg. Those lengthy absences threaten to derail the Islanders’ efforts to secure a playoff spot.

NHL.COM: Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko is sidelined indefinitely with a broken jaw.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jackets are already missing Sean Monahan, Yegor Chinakhov, Erik Gudbranson and captain Boone Jenner, though the latter is expected to return to the lineup later this month. Marchenko’s absence is a significant blow. The 24-year-old winger is the Jackets’ leading goal scorer (21) and is second in points with 55.

CBS SPORTS: Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichuskin (lower body) was placed on injured reserve.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The White House honored the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers in a ceremony yesterday.

THE TENNESSEAN: Former Nashville Predators forward Martin Erat was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident in Nolensville, Tennessee on Saturday. No injuries were reported during the incident.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 29, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 29, 2024

Alex Ovechkin is dealing with an offseason injury, the Blue Jackets sign Kirill Marchensko, Ryan Lomberg looks forward to reuniting with Jonathan Huberdeau in Calgary, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber cited a report out of Russia indicating Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is dealing with a minor knee injury. It’s not considered serious and he’s expected to begin ramping up his offseason training soon in preparation for his 20th NHL season.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images)

Silber noted that Ovechkin missed a handful of games last season with a lower-body injury, but it’s unclear if it’s related to his current ailment.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier this offseason, Ovechkin said he intended to change his training after getting off to a slow start last season. His production was down compared to previous years but he still tallied 30 goals, marking the 18th time he’s reached that plateau.

With 853 career NHL goals, the 38-year-old Ovechkin is 42 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894. He could do it this season with a better start and a healthier season.

SPORTSNET: The Columbus Blue Jackets avoided arbitration with winger Kirill Marchenko, reaching an agreement on a three-year, $11.85 million contract. Marchenko, 23, is coming off back-to-back 20-plus goal seasons. He’ll earn an average annual value of $3.85 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchenko was among the few bright spots in a forgettable season for the Blue Jackets, leading the club with 23 goals and sitting third with 42 points.

Marchenko recently said he hadn’t received a contract offer from the Blue Jackets, sparking some speculation he might become available. That’s not the case as he remains part of their rebuilding process.

Only two scheduled hearings remain. New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren’s is slated for Aug. 2 and Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas’ is Aug. 4.

Of the 14 players who filed for arbitration, only one required an arbitrator to settle. Nashville Predators defenseman Spencer Stastney was awarded a two-year, $1.675 million contract on July 24.

THE SCORE: Ryan Lomberg looks forward to reuniting with former Florida Panthers teammate Jonathan Huberdeau. He signed a two-year contract earlier this month with the Calgary Flames.

Lomberg is confident that Huberdeau will regain his high-scoring form. “There’s no doubt he’s one of the best players in the league,” he said, praising Huberdeau’s “world-class” skills. “There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s gonna get back to the level he was at.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Huberdeau’s production has significantly declined since arriving in Calgary in 2022. He had a career-high 115 points in 2021-22 but managed 55 points in 2022-23 and 52 points last season with a Flames team undergoing a significant roster shakeup.

TSN: The AHL’s Toronto Marlies signed forward Alex Nylander to a one-year AHL contract. Nylander, 26, is the younger brother of Leafs star William Nylander. Drafted eighth overall in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, he has 25 goals and 49 points in 121 career NHL games. The Marlies are the Leafs’ AHL affiliate.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings promoted Aaron Kahn as assistant general manager and director of hockey operations.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 26, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 26, 2024

The latest on the Blue Jackets, Panthers, and Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE BLUE JACKETS

TSN: Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said his club will continue to explore potential trades for Patrik Laine but a move isn’t guaranteed.

Laine has been in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program since January. Waddell indicated he’s heard the 26-year-old winger is making positive progress but the team isn’t getting much information from the program’s doctors. Most of the info he’s received has come from Laine’s agent.

The Jackets GM said Laine made it clear last month that he’d like a fresh start someplace else. He stated he’d look at all the options, including the possibility of Laine returning with the Jackets if a deal that makes sense fails to materialize.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Waddell has said teams remain interested in Laine but wanted to speak with him before making trade offers. However, they’re not allowed until he’s been released from the program. Until that happens, his trade status remains in limbo.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jason Newland reports Waddell gave an update on contract negotiations with Kirill Marchenko. The 24-year-old winger filed for salary arbitration on July 5 and his hearing is scheduled for July 31.

Waddell said he’s had daily discussions with the Marchenko camp with both sides aiming for an agreement before July 31. He believes a two-year deal makes the most sense for both sides.

THE PANTHERS WILL FACE CAP CRUNCH NEXT YEAR

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards noted that salary-cap constraints could make it difficult for the Panthers to retain Aaron Ekblad, Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett next summer. Both players are eligible to become unrestricted free agents next July.

Puckpedia indicates the Panthers will have $22.5 million in projected cap space under the current $88 million cap.

Ekblad carries a $7.5 million cap hit for this season but Richards believes it can be argued that number is now too high as his play has leveled off. He speculates Ekblad might accept a pay cut to stay in Florida.

Rumors claim Panthers GM Bill Zito is shopping Ekblad but Richards doubts he’ll be moved given the departures of Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Verhaeghe ($4.166 million) and Bennett ($4.425 million) have been underpaid on their current contracts. Richards believes they’ll earn more in free agency than the Panthers can afford.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers can’t afford to keep those three even with the cap expected to rise to $92 million for 2025-26. At least one of them is playing their final season with the Panthers unless Zito can free up sufficient cap room.

COULD THE ISLANDERS TRADE WAHLSTROM DESPITE HIS NEW CONTRACT?

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears suggests Oliver Wahlstrom’s future with the Islanders remains doubtful despite signing a one-year, $1-million contract on Thursday.

The signing put the Isles over the $88 million salary cap. GM Lou Lamoriello acknowledged the team was seeking trade partners during the NHL Draft last month.

Lamoriello pointed out Wahlstrom’s hard work recovering from an ACL injury in 2022-23 that hampered his performance last season. He’s hoping to give the young forward an opportunity to remain on the roster but indicated he wouldn’t just give him away.

Sears suggests this signing allows Wahlstrom to earn a roster spot during training camp. They could also use that time to showcase him for a trade. He could also end up on waivers and be demoted.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I noted in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines a report suggesting the Isles could demote Maxim Tsyplakov as he’s waiver-exempt.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 24, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 24, 2024

Check out the latest on Igor Shesterkin, Jeremy Swayman, Patrik Laine, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Kirill Marchenko in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NHL.COM: In his latest mailbag, Dan Rosen was asked about the odds of the New York Rangers and goaltender Igor Shesterkin failing to agree to a new contract, forcing them to trade him.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).

Rosen dismissed that possibility, citing Shesterkin’s value to the Rangers. He also noted the 28-year-old netminder has plenty of years left in his playing prime. Shesterkin will seek market value on his next contract and Rosen expects a deal will be in place before his UFA eligibility next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shesterkin will receive the most expensive contract for a goaltender in NHL history. It’ll be between seven and eight years and could come in around $12 million annually.

One reader asked Rosen what Jeremy Swayman’s new contract with the Boston Bruins would look like. He anticipates it could come in around $9 million annually depending on the length of the deal. It could dip below $9 million if the 25-year-old goalie seeks an eight-year contract, or jump to the $10 million range if he wants a five-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could explain why the Bruins and Swayman haven’t yet hammered out an agreement. The two sides could still be negotiating the term and dollars. Plenty of time remains for them to get it done before training camp opens in September.

Another reader noted the Washington Capitals got $3.9 million back due to the termination of Evgeny Kuznetsov’s contract and wondered if they might pursue someone like Patrik Laine. Rosen thinks they could be in the mix for Laine once he’s cleared to resume his playing career. He believes the Capitals have sufficient cap space to add another forward via trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: PuckPedia shows the Capitals sitting over $10.2 million above the $88 million salary cap. However, they’ll get $9.2 million in cap relief with Nicklas Backstrom on long-term injury reserve. The Caps could also get an additional $5.75 million if T.J. Oshie joins Backstrom on the LTIR list. Factor in Kuznetsov’s buyout and they could have sufficient room to make another addition, be it Laine or another forward.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Speaking of Kuznetsov, Sammi Silber reports his agent, Shumi Babayev, said there is interest from 15 NHL teams in the 32-year-old center. The former Hurricane and Capital is also believed weighing offers from KHL teams.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuznetsov probably didn’t expect to hear from other NHL teams following the termination of his contract. Those clubs could attempt to sign him to a low-cost one-year deal worth around $2.5 million.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey noted a recent report indicating Kirill Marchenko hadn’t received a worthy offer from the Columbus Blue Jackets and had yet to speak with new general manager Don Waddell. Bailey suggested this could be an opportunity for the Flyers to attempt to acquire the 24-year-old forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchenko also indicated he believed he would hear from Waddell this week and would likely get a better offer from him then. His arbitration hearing is slated for July 31 but he’s likely to end up settling with the Jackets before then. It’s unlikely he’ll be available for the Flyers or anyone else to acquire.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 22, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 22, 2024

The latest on the Blues Jackets’ search for a new coach and Patrik Laine’s trade status, Dmitry Orlov supports his friend Evgeny Kuznetsov, a look at the Islanders’ defense corps, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell still has two major offseason moves remaining: hiring a new head coach and honoring Patrik Laine’s trade request.

Sources informed Portzline that former Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft came to Columbus last Tuesday and former Minnesota Wild bench boss Dean Evason followed on Wednesday or Thursday. Waddell set a deadline of Aug. 1 for hiring a new coach.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

Meanwhile, Laine’s trade request remains on hold as the Blue Jackets await his release from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. That will enable rival clubs to speak with the 26-year-old winger before making trade offers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Woodcroft or Evason will be named the Jackets’ new coach. Laine, meanwhile, continues his offseason training while in the assistance program. There is no deadline for his release. Receiving the necessary help and treatment for his mental health takes priority.

Meanwhile, restricted free-agent forward Kirill Marchenko told a Russian media outlet that discussions between his agent and Waddell are “progressing slowly.” They’ve talked about a short and long-term contract.

Marchenko, 24, filed for salary arbitration on July 1 and his hearing is scheduled for July 31. He’s hoping to receive a more specific offer from the Blue Jackets this week.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchenko is coming off back-to-back 20-plus goal seasons and netted a career-best 42 points last season. He was among the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable 2023-24 campaign.

Portzline also recently reported Josef Boumedienne had an expiring contract and will not return behind their bench for 2024-25.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dmitry Orlov supports his friend and former teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov. The 32-year-old center and the Hurricanes agreed to terminate his contract last week.

Kuznetsov is rumored to be signing a contract with a KHL club. Orlov believes he’s still good enough to play in the NHL but accepts his friend’s decision.

NEW YORK POST: The Islanders’ focus on bolstering their offense during the offseason means they’re returning with almost the same defense corps as last season. Sebastian Aho and Robert Bortuzzo were the only departures, leaving their top five of Noah Dobson, Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, Alexander Romanov and Scott Mayfield intact.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Injuries hampered the Isles blueline last season while Pelech and Pulock have declined. However, the article pointed out their defense improved after Patrick Roy took over as head coach in January. They’re banking on better health and a full season under Roy heading into 2024-25.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Golden Knights announced last week that the Tahoe Knight Monsters will be their new ECHL affiliate, replacing the Savannah Ghost Pirates.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 20, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 20, 2024

Check out the latest on some of this summer’s notable restricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox and Rory Boylen recently looked at where things stand with 12 of this summer’s notable remaining restricted free agents. Here are some of the more notable ones:

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman didn’t file for salary arbitration. Some observers wonder why the Bruins didn’t already have a “hush-hush handshake deal” with the Swayman camp in place before trading Linus Ullmark to Ottawa last month.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins have over $8.6 million in cap space for 2024-25 with the 25-year-old Swayman the only active roster playing to be signed. He’s two years away from UFA eligibility.

Swayman will get signed, it’s just a question of for how long and how much. The two sides could agree to a long-term contract or a two-year deal. The average annual value could be between $6.5 million and $7.5 million.

The Carolina Hurricanes hold the hammer in contract talks with Seth Jarvis. The 22-year-old winger is coming off his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights.

General manager Eric Tulsky could go for a short-term bridge deal or attempt to lock up Jarvis to an eight-year deal. His camp could seek a long-term deal worth over 8.35 million annually.

Tulsky isn’t worried about someone signing Jarvis to an offer sheet, pointing out they have the cap space to match.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Terminating Evgeny Kuznetsov’s contract gives the Hurricanes $13.9 million in cap space. That’s more than enough to match an offer sheet for Jarvis.

Speaking of the Hurricanes, Martin Necas has been the subject of trade speculation since their playoff elimination in May. The New Jersey Devils, Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames were believed to be monitoring the 25-year-old winger’s situation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fox and Boylen considered Necas most likely to be traded when this list was published on July 17. Since then, GM Tulsky said he’s not closing the door on a potential deal but it’s looking more likely Necas will remain with the Hurricanes.

Tulsky pointed out that teams have a lot less flexibility than they did a month ago, making it harder to do deals in the trade market. In other words, the clubs interested in Necas lack sufficient cap space to acquire him.

Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti had an inconsistent 2023-24 performance but still finished fifth among their leading scorers. The departures of Tyler Toffoli and Sean Monahan could lead to a fresh start for the 22-year-old forward under new head coach Scott Arniel.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press observed the Jets tend to sign players like Perfetti to bridge contracts. However, there is precedence for a long-term deal, citing Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers.

In that case, his camp could seek an average annual value between the $5 million AAV that Anton Lundell received from the Florida Panthers and the $6.25 million the Los Angeles Kings are paying Quinton Byfield.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko filed for arbitration on July 5. With Patrik Laine facing a doubtful future in Columbus, the 23-year-old Marchenko could get a nice raise.

The Rangers and Ryan Lindgren remain in contract negotiations despite the latter filing for arbitration. A one-year deal for the 25-year-old defenseman could cost $3.6 million. A longer deal will cost more due to the cost of his UFA years.