NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 3, 2024

by | Jul 3, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 3, 2024

The 2024-25 schedule is released, reaction to Victor Hedman re-signing with the Lightning and Pavel Buchnevich re-upping with the Blues, the latest UFA signings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL RELEASES 2024-25 SCHEDULE

NHL.COM: The 2024-25 season begins in Europe on Oct. 4 when the Buffalo Sabres face off against the New Jersey Devils at O2 Arena in Prague, Czechia.

The season begins in North America on Oct. 8 with a triple-header on ESPN highlighted by the Florida Panthers raising their first Stanley Cup banner ahead of their home opener against the Boston Bruins. The Utah Hockey Club will have their first home game in Salt Lake City against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Other must-see games include Macklin Celebrini’s potential NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 10 against the St. Louis Blues, the New Jersey Devils meeting the Toronto Maple Leafs as Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe faces his former club for the first time, Nashville Predators winger Steven Stamkos returning to Tampa Bay to face the Lightning on Oct. 28, and the NHL Winter Classic on Dec. 31 between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field.

LIGHTNING RE-SIGN HEDMAN, BLUES RE-UP BUCHNEVICH

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Tuesday was a bittersweet day for Victor Hedman. He signed a four-year contract extension with the Lightning with an average annual value of $8 million while dealing with the departure of friend and long-time teammate Steven Stamkos the day before.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (NHL Images).

Hedman admitted Stamkos’ signing with the Predators was “a sad, sad day” for himself and the organization. However, he’s also “super excited and proud” to sign a new contract that will likely ensure he finishes his career with the Lightning.

Asked whether he’ll accept the captaincy vacated by Stamkos’ departure, Hedman replied it was “way too early” to discuss that.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The bottom line is the Lightning felt their top defenseman was more important to retain than their scoring winger. Hedman got the same contract that Stamkos received from the Predators.

The report indicates the Lightning’s offer to Stamkos was believed to be in the $3 million AAV range. No wonder he felt disrespected and opted to hit the open market.

Speaking of the Lightning, they signed winger Cam Atkinson to a one-year, $900K contract. The 35-year-old Atkinson was bought out of the final year of his contract last week by the Philadelphia Flyers.

STLTODAY.COM: The St. Louis Blues and Pavel Buchnevich agreed to a six-year contract extension with an AAV of $8 million beginning in 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buchnevich is among the Blues’ top forwards. Nevertheless, this contract could be a risky investment over the long term. He’ll be 30 when it kicks in, and while the Blues will likely get solid value during the first three years, it could become costly over the final three years if his production begins to fade approaching his mid-thirties.

The Blues also built up their forward depth by acquiring Radek Faksa from the Dallas Stars for future considerations and Mathieu Joseph and a 2025 third-rounder from the Ottawa Senators for future considerations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I like these additions for the Blues. They gave up nothing for two affordable players who should improve their checking-line depth. The Blues weren’t finished making additions on Tuesday, signing former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph to a one-year contract.

OTHER NOTABLE CONTRACT SIGNINGS

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators signed center Shane Pinto to a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I speculated yesterday that Pinto would get a two-year deal for around $3 million annually. The 23-year-old had no leverage and staging a holdout wouldn’t have done him or the club any good. There was speculation his agent was angling for a contract offer from a rival club. If so, he didn’t get any nibbles.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Tomas Tatar returns to the Devils on a one-year deal worth $1.8 million. The 33-year-old winger spent two seasons with the Devils from 2021 to 2023.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Victor Olofsson signed a one-year, $1.075 million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. The 28-year-old winger spent the past six seasons with the Buffalo Sabres.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Florida Panthers signed former Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt to a one-year contract worth $800K.

Jack Johnson is returning to the Columbus Blue Jackets, signing a one-year deal worth $775K. The 37-year-old defenseman spent nearly seven seasons with the Jackets from 2011-12 to 2017-18.

TSN: The Seattle Kraken traded defenseman Brian Dumoulin to the Anaheim Duck for a 2026 fourth-round pick.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche inked Erik Brannstrom to a one-year deal worth $900K. The 24-year-old defenseman spent the past six seasons with the Ottawa Senators.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 19, 2024

by | Apr 19, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 19, 2024

Check out the latest on the Senators and Penguins as they head off into the offseason in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST SENATORS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Ian Mendes looked at the burning questions facing Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios heading into the offseason.

Topping the list is determining the Senators’ next head coach. Staios will have competition as the Buffalo Sabres are also in the market for a new bench boss while the Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues have interim coaches.

Candidates could include established NHL coaches like Craig Berube, Dean Evason and Todd McLellan, AHL coaches such as John Gruden and Joel Bouchard, or current NHL assistant coaches like Doug Houda and Chris Kelly.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored Gruden is at the top of Staios’ wish list.

Goaltending is another area to be addressed as Joonas Korpisalo and Anton Forsberg didn’t have good seasons. Staios believes the duo is better than their stats suggest and expects they’ll have a better offseason in preparation for 2024-25.

Korpisalo has four years and $16 million left on his contract while Forsberg has a year left. Mendes suggested bringing in a third goalie if trading one of the other two isn’t possible and sorting things out during training camp.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch claimed the Senators kicked tired on Boston’s Linus Ullmark before the March trade deadline and could revisit their interest. However, Ullmark has a 15-team no-trade list. The Senators could be on that list.

Mendes pointed out that Jake Sanderson is evolving into the Senators’ No. 1 defenseman. Staios might have to choose between Thomas Chabot and Jakob Chychrun.

Chabot’s no-trade clause kicks in on July 1 while Chychrun is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. Like Sanderson, they’re left-shot defensemen who are more comfortable on their natural side.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ottawa Sun’s Tim Baines reported Chychrun is uncertain about his future with the Senators. He was the subject of trade speculation leading up to the trade deadline that bothered the 26-year-old blueliner.

It’ll be interesting to see if Chychrun or Chabot are still with the Senators after July 1. One of them could be traded for a right-shot defenseman.

Who do you prefer as a trade candidate, Senators fans? Let me know in the comments section below.

Mendes also wondered what Staios would do with aging defenseman Travis Hamonic. He has a year left on his contract with a $1.1 million cap hit but he holds a full no-movement clause. Restricted free agent blueliner Erik Brannstrom could become a trade candidate.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garrioch suggested a contract buyout for Hamonic. He also believes forward Mathieu Joseph could get peddled in this summer’s trade market. He lacks no-trade protection and has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $2.95 million.

UPDATE ON THE PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Rob Rossi speculated on possible offseason changes for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

He expects head coach Mike Sullivan will be back but assistant coaches Todd Reirden and Mike Vellucci could be replaced. Offseason acquisition Erik Karlsson will be back given his large salary-cap hit and full no-movement clause.

The goalie situation remains murky. Struggling starter Tristan Jarry’s contract won’t be easily moved, at least for a quality return. Alex Nedeljkovic is due to become a UFA on July 1 while promising Joel Blomqvist is their most NHL-ready prospect.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Joe Starkey believes the Penguins need to move on from Jarry. He suggested retaining some of his $5.375 million AAV to make it happen but he could still prove difficult to move.

General manager Kyle Dubas couldn’t find any takers for winger Reilly Smith at the trade deadline. Finding a deal this summer isn’t guaranteed. Rickard Rakell’s trade value might improve given his late-season surge.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubas isn’t planning on rebuilding his roster but must find a way to shed some salary and bring in some younger, affordable talent this summer.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 27, 2023

by | Oct 27, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – October 27, 2023

What happens next for the Senators and Shane Pinto following his 41-game suspension? Could the Panthers and Blue Jackets become trade partners? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Pinto won’t sign his contract until January once his suspension is served. This will also give the Senators more time to swing a trade to free up cap space to sign him. LeBrun also stated that the investigation had nothing to do with why Pinto hadn’t been signed yet by the Senators.

Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (NHL Images).

Darren Dreger indicated that the NHL Players Association negotiated the 41-game suspension. They recognized that league commissioner Gary Bettman could hit Pinto with a much harsher punishment.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports that it’s believed the Senators were close on a two-year contract for Shane Pinto prior to his 41-game suspension on Thursday for activities that violated the NHL’s wagering rules. The deal would’ve paid the 22-year-old center an average annual value of $2 million.

When informed of the investigation, the Senators were told to rescind any contract offers to Pinto’s agent. Garrioch expects that Pinto will sign his one-year qualifying offer to get the contract out of the way while he’s serving his suspension.

THE ATHLETIC: Ian Mendes believes the trade winds that were circulating around Senators forwards Mathieu Joseph and Dominik Kubalik will ease in the wake of Pinto’s suspension.

The earliest the young center can return to action is Jan. 21, which buys general manager Pierre Dorion time to determine a proper cost-cutting trade candidate.

This situation could also work to Dorion’s advantage in his negotiations with the Pinto camp. Mendes wondered if the latter would still attempt to get a little bit of security in his contract or accept a one-year deal at a lesser rate and try again next summer. He’s not assuming that Pinto and his agent will accept the one-year qualifying offer of $874, 125.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This situation could also prompt speculation of the Senators attempting to trade Pinto once he’s served his suspension given all that’s transpired. Reports out of Ottawa in recent weeks claimed that they don’t want to move him and the club issued a statement following his suspension that they’ll welcome him back with open arms.

Still, we can’t dismiss the possibility of Doirion peddling Pinto starting in January, though I daresay this suspension could hurt his value in the trade market. 

COULD THE PANTHERS AND BLUE JACKETS SWING A TRADE?

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy noted that the Columbus Blue Jackets have been attempting to trade a defenseman for weeks now. It’s believed right-shot blueliners Erik Gudbranson, Adam Boqvist and Andrew Peeke are available.

Murphy indicated that the Florida Panthers are interested in upgrading their blueline though they’ll be squeezed for salary-cap space once defenseman Aaron Ekblad comes off long-term injury reserve. A source told Murphy that the Panthers and Dallas Stars have an interest in Boqvist.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers have only used just over $1 million of their LTIR cap space. They have room to add Boqvist’s $2.6 million cap hit but they’ll have to shed salary to make room for Ekblad when he returns in January.

They could prefer instead waiting until close to the March 8 trade deadline to boost their defense corps. There could be more affordable options available by that time plus they’ll have accrued some cap space by then.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 26, 2023

by | Oct 26, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – October 26, 2023

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest Canadiens speculation plus a look at why the Jets didn’t opt for a rebuild during the offseason.

LATEST ON THE CANADIENS

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico recently noted that the Canadiens’ early-season injury woes provide them with an advantage in salary cap space.

The Canadiens have $15 million in relief space with Carey Price and Christian Dvorak on long-term injury reserve. Dvorak is expected to return to action in November but Kirby Dach’s season-ending knee injury would still ensure they have over $13 million in cap relief once Dach is placed on LTIR. Defenseman Chris Wideman is also out indefinitely and can also be placed on LTIR.

Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes (NHL.com).

D’Amico suggests the Canadiens could use this wiggle room to help teams shed some salary, like the Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators. He noted that the Canucks’ Conor Garland, the Blue Jackets’ Adam Boqvist, the Capitals’ Anthony Mantha and the Senators’ Mathieu Joseph are all currently on the trade block.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes was inclined to help those clubs directly or as a third-party broker he’ll want them to include a draft pick or prospect as part of the return.

Hughes could keep his powder dry for now as he accrues cap space over the course of the season. Making an early-season move might bite into that when he could be in a good position to get a better return closer to the March 8 trade deadline.

THE FOURTH PERIOD: Dave Pagnotta recently noted the Canadiens recalled Joel Armia from their AHL affiliate in Laval. He pointed out that they attempted to trade the 30-year-old forward during the offseason and re-engaged in trade talks last week. Armia has a year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $3.4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Armia also lacks no-trade protection so the Canadiens can send him anywhere if they find a trade partner. His cap hit is difficult to move this early in the season with so many teams pressed against the $83.5 million ceiling.

Nevertheless, they could try to sweeten the deal by retaining part of his cap hit. They’re already retaining salary on Joel Edmundson and Jeff Petry for this season but have one retention spot left.

There’s a rumor flying around suggesting that the Canadiens could use Armia as a trade chip to broker a deal that would involve sending Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland to another NHL club. The Habs were a third-party broker in the August trade that sent Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

WHY DIDN’T THE JETS REBUILD THIS SUMMER?

TSN: Darren Dreger reported Winnipeg Jets co-owner Mark Chipman explained why his club opted to re-sign Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele rather than start rebuilding the roster this summer.

Chipman talked about how long it would take to stage a rebuild as well as the cost. Dreger indicated that it was decided that the market couldn’t sustain a historic rebuild and instead is investing in the here and now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That doesn’t bode well for the Jets’ long-term future unless they can draft and develop young players who transition well into their lineup. Enticing veteran talent via free agency or acquiring it via trade could prove difficult.

They’ll eventually need replacements for Hellebuyck and Scheifele when their skills inevitably decline in the coming years. Having both players under expensive long-term contracts will still take a big bite out of their cap space even with the cap rising significantly in the coming years.

The Jets seem to be hoping that their fans will return if the team plays better. If they don’t improve, however, their supporters could have less incentive to show up. In addition, the high cost of attending NHL games in the league’s smallest market is bumping up against the rising cost of living. If that cost remains high while the on-ice product stagnates, the Jets could be in a world of hurt in a few years.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 13, 2023

by | Oct 13, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – October 13, 2023

Musing over whether the Oilers would pursue Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark plus the latest on the Flames’ Elias Lindholm, the Senators’ Shane Pinto, and the Hurricanes’ defense corps in today’s NHL Rumor Roundup.

COULD THE OILERS PURSUE BRUINS GOALIE LINUS ULLMARK?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: That’s the question Jimmy Murphy pondered after watching the Edmonton Oilers get blown out 8-1 by the Vancouver Canucks in their season opener on Wednesday.

Murphy cited an NHL executive source saying a few more games like that from Oilers goalies Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner will force general manager Ken Holland into the trade market seeking a more permanent solution between the pipes. The source claimed they had heard the Oilers expressed interest in Bruins netminders Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman over the summer.

Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (NHL Images).

Ullmark carries a modified no-trade clause and might be reluctant about moving to Edmonton. Murphy also pointed out that both clubs have limited cap space this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s way too early to start pondering whether Holland will hit the panic button and go shopping for a more reliable starting goalie. Yes, the Oilers’ season-opener was awful but it wasn’t just on their goalies. The whole club looked flatter than pancakes for that contest.

I expect Campbell and/or Skinner will improve in the coming weeks. If they don’t, Holland could end up having to shop for help. As for Ullmark, I don’t see the Bruins parting with him unless their season goes off the rails.

FLAMES ARE NO CLOSE TO AN EXTENSION WITH LINDHOLM

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports dialogue continues between the Calgary Flames and Elias Lindholm regarding a new contract for the 28-year-old center. While there’s been no line in the sand from either side, they’re nowhere close yet on a number that works for both sides.

LeBrun speculates the Flames may be looking at Mark Scheifele’s seven-year extension worth $8.5 million annually with the Winnipeg Jets as a possible comparable.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is probably going to go on all season. The Flames can point to Scheifele’s contract but Lindholm’s camp believes his two-way play is worth more. Most pundits believe it’s probably going to cost over $9 million for the Flames to get him under contract.

SENATORS STILL TRYING TO FREE UP CAP SPACE FOR PINTO

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion is still working the phones trying to move a player to free up sufficient cap room to re-sign restricted free agent Shane Pinto.

Dorion has been trying to move Mathieu Joseph. Dreger also said he’s had conversations about moving defenseman Erik Brannstrom.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is what happens when you invest $5 million in an unrestricted free-agent winger like Vladimir Tarasenko without first ensuring you’ve got sufficient cap space to re-sign a key restricted free agent such as Pinto.

The Senators seemed to be counting on Pinto accepting a bargain-basement deal given his lack of leverage coming off his entry-level contract. Instead, the Pinto camp has dug in its heels and shows no sign of budging.

Dorion is left scrambling to move a salaried player in a season where most clubs are also pressed for cap space. Many teams can’t afford Joseph’s $2.95 million cap hit or Brannstrom’s $2 million. Those who could will want something else attached like a draft pick or a quality prospect.

NO MOVES COMING FOR HURRICANES BLUELINE

THE ATHLETIC: Cory Lavalette reported on Wednesday that Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said his club is not actively trying to shop a defenseman. However, he said it’s his job to listen if a club comes calling.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pending UFA defensemen Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei were frequent topics of trade chatter during the offseason. The Hurricanes’ blueline depth entering this season also prompted speculation that one of them could be used as a trade chip to land a scoring winger.

Much will depend on the Hurricanes’ performance and where they are in the standings leading up to the March 8 trade deadline.

WHY ARE TEAMS HOARDING GOALTENDERS?

TSN: Chris Johnston noted several teams, such as the Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks are carrying three goaltenders on their respective rosters this season. He thinks a lot of those teams are trying to hold back one of their veteran goalies rather than risk losing them to waivers.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 24, 2023

by | Sep 24, 2023

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 24, 2023

Could the Hurricanes land Patrick Kane? Is a new contract coming for the Flames’ Mikael Backlund? Will the Canucks shed more contracts? Who could be a cost-cutting candidate for the Senators? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

COULD THE HURRICANES BECOME PATRICK KANE’S NEW TEAM?

SPORTSNET: That’s the question Ryan Dixon asked among his biggest questions for each team this season in the Metropolitan Division.

Patrick Kane is still rehabbing from an offseason hip resurfacing procedure. Dixon believes the Hurricanes are in no danger of missing the playoffs but felt they could use another offensive player to get them over the postseason hump.

Free agent winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dixon noted the Hurricanes’ experiment with Max Pacioretty last season failed when he was sidelined for all but five games by a twice-torn Achilles.

During the summer, Kane’s agent said his client was expected to be ready to return to action by December. By that point, he’s supposedly going to weigh offers from clubs that he believes will give him the best shot at winning the Stanley Cup.

The Hurricanes could be among that group as they’re considered among the Cup favorites. Finding the cap dollars, however, could be difficult as they’re entering the season with just over $920K in cap space.

IS A NEW CONTRACT COMING FOR BACKLUND?

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson reports there are rumblings of contract extension discussions heating up between the Flames and Mikael Backlund. The 34-year-old center is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

“We’ll see what happens,” said Backlund on Saturday. “It’s pretty quiet right now, but we will see what happens. We haven’t made a decision yet.”

Gilbertson cited reports from earlier in the week suggesting Backlund is open to re-signing with the Flames. He also indicated that his teammates believe he should be wearing the captaincy. He noted that the Flames intend on naming a new captain before their season opener on Oct. 11.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Gilbertson pointed out, that date for naming their next captain could also be the deadline for getting a new contract done for Backlund if he is to wear the “C”.

MORE COST-CUTTING MOVES IN STORE FOR THE CANUCKS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: In the wake of the Vancouver Canucks trading Tanner Pearson to the Montreal Canadiens, Jeff Paterson reported Canucks hockey ops president Jim Rutherford indicated his club is “probably a contract or two away” from unraveling their salary-cap issues.

Rutherford didn’t single out any specific contracts but Paterson believed he was referring to Tyler Myers, Brock Boeser and Conor Garland. Myers is on an expiring deal with an average annual value of $5 million, Boeser has two years remaining with an AAV of $6.65 million while Garland has three years left at $4.95 million AAV.

Paterson pointed out that Myers, Boeser and Garland have floated repeatedly in the rumor mill. However, Rutherford blames the flattened salary cap for the Canucks’ difficulty in shedding unwanted contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Myers could still come off the Canucks’ books before the end of this season. All but $1 million of his $6 million AAV was paid out in a signing bonus. That could make him enticing for budget-conscious clubs seeking an experienced playoff rental defenseman.

If the Canucks still intend to move Boeser and/or Garland, they might have better luck next summer. That’s when the salary cap is projected to rise by at least $4 million.

WHO COULD THE SENATORS TRADE TO CLEAR CAP SPACE FOR PINTO?

SPORTSNET: Limited salary-cap space is complicating the Ottawa Senators’ efforts to sign restricted free-agent center Shane Pinto. They’d prefer not to part with the 22-year-old center, especially with Josh Norris starting training camp wearing a non-contact jersey.

They’ll have to trade somebody else to make room for Pinto. Mathieu Joseph keeps popping up as a trade candidate. The 26-year-old winger carries an annual cap hit of $2.95 million through 2025-26. They might have to include a sweetener in the deal to make it work.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The article also cited Elliotte Friedman saying the Philadelphia Flyers “have been buzzing around the situation.” It was rumored they (and the Boston Bruins) were interested in Pinto. Perhaps the rebuilding Flyers would take Joseph off the Senators’ hands if he comes with a pick or a prospect.