NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 24, 2026

by | Jul 24, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 24, 2026

Patrick Kane returns to the Blackhawks, Mitch Marner’s agent claims the Maple Leafs never protected his client, John Tortorella wants to continue coaching, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I will be off Saturday (July 25) and Sunday (July 26). The next update to this site will be Monday, July 27. Enjoy the weekend, everybody!

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Patrick Kane is returning to Chicago. The 37-year-old winger signed a two-year contract with the Blackhawks worth an average annual value of $8 million. He also gets a full no-movement clause through 2027-28.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks had been trying to woo Kane back as they attempt to bolster their offense and add more skilled experience to their lineup. He could also be playing alongside rising superstar Connor Bedard on the top line once the latter returns from shoulder surgery in November.

Chicago Blackhawks sign former Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

It’s a feel-good story, but also a surprisingly expensive one. Kane’s earning much more per season on this deal than he did during his three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. He put up respectable numbers during his tenure with the Wings, but nothing that justifies $8 million annually. It’s unlikely those stats will improve given his age.

Nevertheless, the Blackhawks believe they can comfortably carry Kane’s new contract. They’ll feel justified in the investment if he helps them improve offensively.

Speaking of the Red Wings, Kane’s departure is another blow for a club whose captain has requested a trade and is currently seeking a new general manager after removing Steve Yzerman from that role. It could also push winger Alex DeBrincat closer to following Kane out the door via free agency next summer.

SPORTSNET: Mitch Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, provided new information on what led to his client’s departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade move last June.

Ferris claimed Marner “bled” for the Maple Leafs, but he was “never really protected” by the organization. He rehashed some of the issues about the departure, claiming his client and his family became the scapegoat for the Leafs’ playoff failures, and blaming “misinformation” regarding his client’s previous contract negotiations with the club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Based on social media reaction, most Maple Leafs followers are fed up with what they perceive as whining from the Marner camp and want to move on.

Some of the flak that Marner received as a Maple Leaf was unjustified, such as the personal attacks against his family. But he was also one of the club’s highest-paid players and a local boy to boot, and that put him into a brighter spotlight than most. He also claimed he and his Leafs teammates were “looked upon as kind of gods” in discussing the love that they received from Leafs Nation.

Marner wasn’t solely responsible for the Leafs’ playoff woes, but he deserves his fair share of the blame.

THE ATHLETIC: In an exclusive interview with Joe Smith, John Tortorella said that he hopes to continue his NHL coaching career.

The 68-year-old Tortorella took over as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights late last season, guiding them to the Stanley Cup Final. However, the club subsequently informed him that they were replacing him with Ryan Craig.

Tortorella said he understood the decision, noting that the Golden Knights had spent several years grooming Craig, calling him “a good coach and a good man.” He said he was grateful to the Golden Knights but wanted to finish the job.

Asked what he felt was the turning point of the Cup Final, Tortorella said it was the Hurricanes replacing starter Frederik Andersen with Brandon Bussi in Game 3. He also defended his decision to stick with Carter Hart as his starter in the Final, crediting the latter with getting them to the Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tortorella’s role in getting the Golden Knights into the Stanley Cup Final hasn’t been overlooked. While he can be stubborn and outspoken, and has a contentious relationship with the media, he has a proven record for turning struggling teams into playoff contenders. It won’t be surprising if he’s back behind an NHL bench at some point this season.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets avoided salary arbitration with Jet Greaves, signing the 25-year-old goaltender to a three-year contract worth an AAV of $5 million.

In their arbitration filings, Greaves sought $7.5 million on a one-year deal while the Blue Jackets had offered $2.8 million. His hearing had been slated for Thursday morning.

The Blue Jackets have $19 million in cap space left with forwards Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger to sign. Sillinger is slated for arbitration on July 27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jackets had little choice but to reach common ground with Greaves, who emerged as their starting goalie last season. They need reliable goaltending if they hope to make the playoffs this season.

Sillinger isn’t expected to cost much to re-sign, and it’s unlikely his case will reach arbitration.

The Jackets appear focused on getting Greaves and Sillinger signed before sorting things out with Fantilli, who lacks arbitration rights but is eligible to sign an offer sheet. A rival club could attempt to sign him if he’s receptive, but the Jackets should have enough space to match.

Speaking of the Blue Jackets, former defenseman Jack Johnson has joined the coaching staff of Ohio State University’s women’s hockey team as associate head coach.

NHL.COM: Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck appeared on “Celebrity Family Feud” alongside their fellow Olympic and Paralympic gold medalists.

RDS.CA: Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis is a big fan of Jerry Seinfeld, admitting earlier this year that he listens to “Seinfeld” episodes to relax.

On Thursday, St. Louis met his comedy idol during the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal. He presented the American comedian with a Canadiens jersey bearing Seinfeld’s name.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 17, 2026

by | Jun 17, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 17, 2026

The latest on the Golden Knights, John Carlson won’t re-sign with the Ducks, the latest trades, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Golden Knights announced Tuesday that head coach John Tortorella will not be returning next season.

Tortorella was hired on an interim basis when the Golden Knights fired bench boss Bruce Cassidy on March 29. They went 7-0-1 over the remainder of the regular season to clinch first place in the Pacific Division and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, falling in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Former Vegas Golden Knights coach John Tortorella (NHL.com).

Golden Knights captain Mark Stone credited Tortorella with giving the club “a shot of adrenaline” when they were struggling down the stretch. “I’ve got all the respect in the world for his professionalism and everything he did in his short time here.”

Center Jack Eichel said it was “an honor to play for (Tortorella) every day and I think all the guys in the room would agree.” Goaltender Carter Hart spoke of the respect he and his teammates had for Tortorella.

Danny Webster believes all signs point to the Golden Knights promoting Ryan Craig as their next head coach. Craig is currently the coach of their farm team, the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights.

NHL.COM: Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner credited the move to the Golden Knights last summer and his work improving his mental health with helping relieve the stress and pressure he’d felt during his final seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Marner, 29, led all scorers in the 2026 postseason with 29 points in 22 games.

DAILY FACEOFF: Rasmus Andersson said he’d love to return with the Golden Knights. The 28-year-old defenseman was acquired from the Calgary Flames in January and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He’s completing a six-year contract with an average annual value of $4.55 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored that the Golden Knights are waiting until July 1 to re-sign Andersson, as that’s when they’ll be cap-compliant to do so.

However, Shayna Goldman of The Athletic believes his inconsistent play could make Andersson a risky signing. She noted that his current market value is $6.8 million annually.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reported John Carlson will not be returning with the Anaheim Ducks. The 36-year-old defenseman’s agent informed the Ducks that his client will be testing the UFA market on July 1. Carlson prefers to return to the Eastern Conference to be close to his family.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite his age, the puck-moving Carlson had 60 points in 71 games split between the Washington Capitals and the Ducks. He’s completing an eight-year contract with an AAV of $8 million.

TORONTO SUN/PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Maple Leafs traded goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to the Flyers on Tuesday for goalie Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae, and a third-round pick in 2026.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This move indicates Dennis Hildeby will back up Leafs starter Anthony Stolarz. The rise of promising netminder Artur Akhtyamov made it possible to part ways with Woll to free up some cap space. Ersson could end up with their AHL affiliate if they re-sign the restricted free agent, who has arbitration rights this summer.

Andrae’s puck-moving skills will be seen as an improvement over Benoit for the Leafs. Like Ersson, he’s an RFA with arbitration rights this summer. Both players should be affordable re-signings.

Woll has an injury history, but he should be a more reliable backup for Flyers starter Dan Vladar. Benoit currently slots in as a seventh defenseman, but his physical play could earn him more playing time.

THE TENNESSEAN/THE DENVER POST: The Nashville Predators acquired center Ross Colton and goaltender Isak Posch from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a third-round pick in 2026, a third-rounder in 2027 that originally belonged to the Avalanche, and goaltender Magnus Chrona.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was Chris MacFarland’s first trade since leaving the Avalanche to become team president and general manager of the Predators.

Colton was the obvious prize here for the Predators. The versatile forward is under contract for two more seasons and should provide experienced depth to their checking lines. This move frees up Colton’s $4 million AAV from the cap-strapped Avalanche’s books, which could be put toward re-signing center Jack Drury and defenseman Brett Kulak.

Speaking of the Predators, MacFarland said head coach Andrew Brunette and his staff will be back next season.

CBC.CA: The CBC will no longer broadcast NHL games after it and national rights-holder Sportsnet were unable to agree to a new sub-licensing deal that would’ve allowed the public broadcaster to continue airing games on its Saturday night program Hockey Night in Canada.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s the end of a 74-year era on CBC-TV. Hockey Night in Canada began in 1952 and for seven decades was a cultural institution for millions of Canadians, covering all aspects of the game. Heck, they even mentioned me back in 2007 on an intermission segment about the rise of hockey bloggers, which provided a welcome boost of traffic and new readers to this site.

This day was coming ever since Sportsnet won the bidding for the NHL’s Canadian national broadcast rights in 2014. It seems they no longer want to provide those Saturday night games for free through the public broadcaster.

CBC owns the Hockey Night in Canada brand, but it will no longer be used to televise NHL games. They could use it to broadcast PWHL games or perhaps junior or senior men’s hockey.

NHL.COM: Former NHL forward Kyle Calder passed away on Monday at age 47 following a brief illness.

Calder spent 10 seasons in the NHL from 1999-2000 to 2009-10 with the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks. In 590 regular-season games, he tallied 114 goals and 180 assists for 294 points, and three points in 18 playoff games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Calder’s family, friends, and former teammates.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors – June 14, 2026

by | Jun 14, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors – June 14, 2026

The latest on the Hurricanes and Golden Knights on the eve of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Devils gauge the trade market for Jacob Markstrom, the latest Dylan Larkin speculation, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors. 

THE ATHLETIC: Sean Gentille listed three keys for the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday.

Whether Mitch Marner can restart his push for the Conn Smythe Trophy and dealing with the absence of two-way center William Karlsson are among the keys for the Golden Knights.

Vegas Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Since his hat trick performance in Game 3, Marner has only one point in five-on-five play. Meanwhile, Karlsson will miss Game 6 (and possibly Game 7 if required) with an upper-body injury.

Meanwhile, Gentille wondered how Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers follows up his “worst game” of the playoffs. He also wondered if their struggling power play can produce as well as it did in Game 5, when they scored twice with the man advantage.

Ehlers had three assists in Game 5, but also took two uncharacteristic delay-of-game penalties, with the first resulting in a Golden Knights goal.

TSN: Hurricanes former starting goaltender Frederik Andersen remained the team’s third-stringer during practice on Saturday. Brandon Bussi will be their starter for the third straight game, while Pyotr Kochetkov will serve as his backup.

Bussi replaced Andersen after the latter gave up four goals in the second period of Game 3.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella is doubling down on Carter Hart as his starting goaltender. Despite Hart giving up at least four goals in each of the previous five games in this series, Tortorella believes the netminder has a better game in him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes can become Stanley Cup champions with a win in Game 6 on Sunday in Las Vegas. A win for the Golden Knights will force the seventh and deciding game on Wednesday.

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports sources claim the New Jersey Devils are gauging the trade market for goaltender Jacob Markstrom. He also indicated that a deal isn’t imminent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A lack of quality goaltending depth in this summer’s free-agent market could push teams into the trade market for help.

Markstrom’s coming off a difficult season, finishing with a record of 23-19-1, a 3.07 goals-against average, and an .883 save percentage. He’s in the final season of his six-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million and a full no-movement clause. He starts a two-year contract extension on July 1 with an average annual value of $6 million and a 20-team no-trade list in 2026-27 and a 5-team NTC in 2027-28.

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan believes the Detroit Red Wings must land a first-line center for Dylan Larkin. Proposed packages of draft picks, prospects, wingers or goaltenders won’t address their need for a suitable replacement for Larkin.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman recently reported the Florida Panthers have made an offer for Larkin, but he didn’t reveal the details.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s unlikely the Red Wings will get a first-line center straight up for Larkin. They’ll either have to swing a three-team deal or use whatever assets they receive and try to make a separate move to address that need.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen speculated that Larkin’s addition in the trade market could delay the New York Rangers’ efforts to trade Vincent Trocheck. He noted that the Red Wings’ interest in the 33-year-old center could intensify if they don’t get a center back in the Larkin trade.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of Trocheck, Jack Studley believes he’ll remain on the Boston Bruins radar as they search for a No. 1 center this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin has a three-team trade list, though his camp is reportedly open to expanding it. Teams seeking a first-line center that aren’t among his preferred destinations could continue to pursue Trocheck, but the latter will likely have to wait until the Larkin saga is settled.

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato listed four players who could become contract buyout candidates this summer.

Center Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Carolina Hurricanes tops that list, followed by winger Ondrej Palat of the New York Islanders, forward Jordan Greenway of the Buffalo Sabres, and winger Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kotkaniemi and Palat are the more likely buyout candidates.

Kotkaniemi has four years left on his deal with an AAV of $4.82 million. He’s been a healthy scratch throughout this postseason.

Palat has a year left on his deal with a $6 million cap hit. The Islanders acquired him from the Devils at midseason, but the move did little to improve his performance.

Gallagher has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $65 million. He’s been linked to the Vancouver Canucks in the rumor mill, but the Canadiens might have to retain part of his salary. Greenway (one year, $4 million cap hit) could still have value in the trade market.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 7, 2026

by | Jun 7, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 7, 2026

The Golden Knights take Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in double OT, Andrei Vasilevskiy wins the Vezina Trophy, an update on prospect winger Gavin McKenna, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Shea Theodore scored in double overtime to give the Vegas Golden Knights a 5-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Vegas Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

After a scoreless first period, the Golden Knights took a 4-0 lead as Mitch Marner tallied a natural hat trick and collected an assist on Tomas Hertl’s goal after they had two goals overturned on video reviews.

However, the Hurricanes stormed back in the third period on goals by Jordan Martinook, Taylor Hall, and Jordan Staal within 39 seconds, setting the stage for Andrei Svechnikov’s tying goal late in the period following a goalmouth scramble.

Game 4 will be in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The first three games in this series have been very entertaining, with blown leads and each contest decided by one goal.

Theodore’s goal was a weird one. His point shot missed the net, ricocheting off the end boards and deflecting into the Hurricanes’ net off the skate of goalie Brandon Bussi, who replaced starter Frederic Andersen following the second period.

Marner continues to make the case as the leading candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. His hat trick was the fastest in Stanley Cup Final history (6:10), and he became the first player with four points in a period during the Cup Final. He leads all scorers in his postseason with 28 points.

Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb played in this game with a protective cage on his helmet. He left Game 2 with facial injuries that required a trip to a local hospital for repairs.

Hurricanes winger William Carrier left this game late in the first period with an upper-body injury.

NHL.COM: Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Vezina Trophy as this season’s top NHL goaltender. He led the league with 39 wins, and was second among goalies with 45 starts in goals-against average (2.31) and save percentage (.912). It’s the second time Vasilevskiy has won the Vezina, taking home the award in 2018-19.

NHL.COM: Gavin McKenna was among the top performers during fitness testing at the 2026 NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo. The 18-year-old Penn State winger ranked among the top-20 in seven events. He’s considered the top player in this year’s prospect class.

North Dakota defenseman Keaton Verhoeff finished in the top 10 in three categories. He’s ranked fifth among North American skaters. Brampton Steelheads center Caleb Malhotra was in the top 10 in four categories. He’s ranked sixth among North American skaters.

Top International skater Ivar Stenberg skipped the testing due to an illness. He said he hasn’t felt well since completing play with Sweden in the IIHF World Championship on May 28.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The fitness testing doesn’t guarantee that McKenna will be chosen first overall, but his results will certainly be taken into consideration by the Toronto Maple Leafs, who hold the first overall pick in this year’s draft.

Stenberg’s illness isn’t expected to affect his placement among the top prospects. Some scouts believe he could go first overall in this year’s draft, while others have him at second or third overall.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has terminated his KHL contract and hopes to return to the NHL next season.

Georgiev, 30, spent eight seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Avalanche, and San Jose Sharks. He won 40 games with the Avs in 2022-23 and led the league with 38 games the following season. However, Georgiev struggled with consistency during that season and early in the 2024-25 campaign, leading to his trade to the Sharks, where his difficulties continued.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Georgiev went to the KHL after failing to land a contract in last summer’s NHL free-agent market. Given the lack of quality goalies in this year’s UFA market, Georgiev might land with an NHL team desperate for experienced goaltending depth.

CBC NEWS: Former NHL enforcer Link Gaetz remains at large after police in British Columbia announced charges against him in an alleged attack on a taxi driver in Metro Vancouver.

Gaetz, 57, faces charges of assault and mischief under $5,000 in an unprovoked attack on the taxi driver last September. Police are urging the public to help them find him.

NHL.COM: Former NHL player Gerry Meehan passed away on Friday at age 79.

Meehan spent 10 seasons in the NHL from 1968-69 to 1978-79 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres, Washington Capitals, Vancouver Canucks, and Atlanta Flames. He also spent a season with the WHA’s Cincinnati Stingers.

In 670 regular-season games, Meehan had 180 goals and 243 assists for 423 points. He was the second captain in Sabres history.

Following his playing career, Meehan earned his law degree and rejoined the Sabres as an assistant general manager. He was general manager from 1986-87 to 1992-93, making a series of blockbuster trades for Dale Hawerchuk, Pat LaFontaine, and Dominik Hasek, and helped bring Alexander Mogilny to Buffalo following his defection from the Soviet Union in 1989.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Meehan’s family, friends, former teammates, and the Sabres organization.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 2, 2026

by | Jun 2, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 2, 2026

The latest on the Stanley Cup Finalists, the Canucks name their new head coach, the Canadiens head into the offseason, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

NHL.COM: Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights begins Tuesday at 8 pm ET in Raleigh.

ESPN.COM: Golden Knights center Jack Eichel believes teammate Mitch Marner was treated unfairly during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“As a teammate and a friend of his, and somebody who cares about him and his family, of course I do,” Eichel said. “I think the world of Mitch. Anybody that has negative or bad things to say about him, obviously I disgree with, because I think highly of him.”

Vegas Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Marner leads all postseason scorers with 21 points entering the Stanley Cup Final, with Eichel second with 18 points. That’s in contrast to his playoff performances during his nine seasons with the Maple Leafs, where he was often criticized for failing to produce in crucial games.

Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon believes the Golden Knights have given Marner a chance to thrive.

“I think our team is deeper and a better team than what he had played on in Toronto,” McCrimmon said. “Not that Toronto didn’t have real good teams. But you have to have that depth throughout your roster, because everyone’s going to take their turn.” He added that Marner is playing “with tremendous confidence” and is “savouring the moment.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner is the front-runner for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP heading into this series. That’s led to the inevitable comparison to his postseason play with the Maple Leafs, much to the consternation of Leafs fans, who believe their team and the city of Toronto are getting a bad reputation for putting too much pressure on their players.

Marner faced considerable pressure during his time with the Maple Leafs. As a Toronto native, he probably put a lot of stress on himself to meet expectations. Some players can rise to the occasion playing for their hometown club while others wilt.

Playing in a market where the spotlight isn’t as harsh has been just as important to Marner’s performance in this postseason as playing for a deeper roster.

TORONTO SUN: Marner isn’t the only former Maple Leaf in the running for the Conn Smythe Trophy. Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen has played a big role in his club’s run to this year’s Stanley Cup Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner spoke highly of Andersen during Monday’s media availability. He said the netminder was among the first players on the Leafs to make him feel welcome when he joined the club in 2016, calling him “a fun character” and “a joy to be around.”

Andersen returned the compliment, noting how Marner has grown from the young rookie he first met to a family man today.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Hurricanes winger Taylor Hall could make history by tying the longest gap between being selected first overall in the NHL Draft and winning the Stanley Cup. The record is 16 years, held by Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and former NHL defenseman Erik Johnson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Skating on the Hurricanes’ second line with Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake, Hall sits third among this postseason’s leading scorers with 16 points.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks named Manny Malhotra as their new head coach.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This hiring doesn’t surprise me, especially when the rebuilding Canucks recently promoted assistant GM Ryan Johnson to general manager. As GM of the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford, Johnson hired Malhotra as their head coach in 2024, and he led that club to the Calder Cup last season.

TSN: The Montreal Canadiens hope to sign rookie forward Ivan Demidov to a long-term contract extension this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Demidov also hopes to ink a long-term deal with the Canadiens. Both sides will likely try to get this done before Sept. 15, when the maximum term for re-signing players drops from eight years to seven.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: A tearful Brendan Gallagher told reporters that he’s played his final game with the Canadiens. The 34-year-old winger has a year remaining on his contract, and could be traded or bought out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gallagher spent 14 seasons with the Canadiens, but the decline in his performance led to a drop in his playing time over the past two years. The gritty veteran winger carries a cap hit of $6.25 million for next season, but will be paid $4 million in actual salary.

Gallagher has a six-team no-trade list. He indicated that he’d like to play for his hometown team, the Vancouver Canucks. Whether the two clubs can work out a trade remains to be seen.

TSN: Canadiens winger Patrik Laine is looking forward to landing with another NHL club. The 27-year-old winger played only five games this season before being sidelined by core muscle surgery. He was cleared to return to the Canadiens lineup in December and practiced with his teammates, but didn’t draw back into the lineup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens kept Laine on injured reserve for the rest of the season. Management said it was because he fell behind the pace of his teammates, and since they were in a must-win situation, there wasn’t enough time to integrate him into the lineup.

However, the move raised some eyebrows. Being on IR for the remainder of the season makes Laine eligible to receive a bonus-laden UFA contract with a low base salary. Patrick Johnston of The Province believes the Canadiens skirted the rules regarding injured reserve and called on the league and the NHLPA to look into it.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Toronto Maple Leafs hired Judd Brackett as their new assistant general manager overseeing player development. Brackett spent the past six years as head of amateur scouting for the Minnesota Wild.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zeev Buium, Charlie Stramel, Liam Ohgren, Danila Yurov, and Jesper Wallstedt were among the notable players chosen by the Wild during Brackett’s tenure.

SPORTSNET: The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired prospect Jack Pridham from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a third-round draft pick in 2027. The 20-year-old Kitchener Rangers winger helped his club win the 2026 Memorial Cup, leading the tournament with five goals and nine points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks traded Pridham’s rights because he wasn’t expected to sign an entry-level contract with them by the 5 pm deadline on June 1. He’s expected to join the University of Denver for next season, which means the Lightning will have two years to sign him to an ELC.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 1, 2026

by | Jun 1, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 1, 2026

The latest on the Golden Knights and Hurricanes ahead of the Stanley Cup Final, Finland wins the 2026 IIHF World Championship, the Kitchener Rangers win the 2026 Memorial Cup, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Dan Rosen looked at the notable storylines to watch during the upcoming Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights.

Vegas Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner will be facing the team he refused to be traded to last season when he was a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marner was in the final season of his contract with the Maple Leafs. However, he invoked his no-movement clause to reject a trade to the Hurricanes because his wife was in the third trimester of pregnancy and he didn’t want to leave her or Toronto.

The potential goaltending battle between the Hurricanes’ Frederik Andersen and the Golden Knights’ Carter Hart is another storyline to follow. Another will be Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal chasing his second Stanley Cup after winning his first Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins 17 years ago.

THE SCORE: Buffalo Sabres forward Konsta Helenius scored in overtime to give Finland a 1-0 victory over host Switzerland in the gold medal game at the 2026 IIHF World Championship.

Nashville Predators goaltender Justus Annunen stopped 22 shots for Finland, who won their fifth World Championship and their first since 2022.

Norway shocked Canada 3-2 in overtime in the bronze-medal game, marking the first time the Norwegians have medalled in the World Championship. St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas scored both goals for Canada.

Predators defenseman and Swiss captain Roman Josi was named tournament MVP. Team Canada captain Macklin Celebrini, who plays for the San Jose Sharks, was named the tournament’s top forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been a disappointing season for Canada on the international stage, taking silver in the Olympics and bronze in the World Juniors. Some observers wonder whether Canada’s depth in skilled players is declining. That may be true when it comes to goaltending, but the real reason is the rest of the world has caught up. There are no longer any easy games in international play, and if you take your opponent for granted, it will cost you.

Former NHL stars Patrice Bergeron, Niklas Kronwall, and Thomas Vanek were inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to all the inductees for this well-deserved honor.

TSN: The Kitchener Rangers defeated the Everett Silvertips 6-2 to win the 2026 Memorial Cup.

Rangers winger and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Sam O’Reilly has three points in the game and nine points in the tournament, winning the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP. Chicago Blackhawks prospect Jack Pridham had a goal and an assist in the Cup-clinching game.

It’s the second straight year that Rangers defenseman Jared Woolley has won the Memorial Cup. The Los Angeles Kings prospect won it last year with the London Knights.

TSN: Chris Johnston reported Sunday that there was no validity to speculation linking the Toronto Maple Leafs to University of Denver coach David Carle. The Leafs are searching for a new head coach, and Carle was among those they were interested in Carle.

TWINCITIES.COM: Judd Brackett, the Minnesota Wild’s director of amateur scouting, will be leaving the club for an elevated role with another team. Brackett’s former team, the Vancouver Canucks, are believed to be a potential destination. He’s also been linked to the Maple Leafs.