NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 26, 2026

by | Aug 26, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 26, 2026

The questions facing the Blues this season, the Senators’ move to name a new captain, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: How well offseason additions Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael boost the offense is among the three questions facing the St. Louis Blues entering this season.

St. Louis Blues center Mason McTavish (NHL Images)

MacTavish, 23, was acquired in a trade from the Anaheim Ducks while the 25-year-old McMichael was part of the return in the deal that sent Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals.

Both players are part of the Blues’ ongoing roster retool toward younger talent.

Whether Joel Hofer can replace Jordan Binnington and who becomes the next captain are the other questions the Blues must address this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McTavish is among the NHL players expected to bounce back this season. Difficult contract negotiations with the Ducks forced him to miss training camp last fall, and he struggled to adjust under new Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville. How well he adapts to this change of scenery will be a key factor for the Blues’ playoff hopes.

Binnington was a fixture in trade rumors last season. He’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July and could be moved by the March 1 trade deadline if Hofer nails down the starter’s job.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators general manager Steve Staios and head coach Travis Green are close to naming a new team captain. They could make the announcement when training camp opens on Sept. 16.

Garrioch’s suggested candidates include long-time defenseman Thomas Chabot, blueline star Jake Sanderson, and first-line center Tim Stutzle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chabot’s longevity and loyalty to the Senators make him the favorite, but Staios and Green could opt for a younger captain such as Sanderson or Stutzle.

TORONTO STAR: Rising ticket prices are leaving Maple Leafs fans shocked and frustrated, especially for single-game tickets.

Some of them believe the Maple Leafs are squeezing out regular fans in pursuit of corporate dollars. Others believe the club has little incentive to improve its product as long as their arena is sold out and there’s a wait list for season tickets.

A team spokesman pointed out that the recent ticket price increase was two percent, which is lower than the national inflation average. He also indicated that the club’s dynamic pricing continues to provide fans with a range of options, with higher prices for the most in-demand games and lower prices for other games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs are charging what their market will bear, with a significant portion coming from corporate support. For decades, there were dire predictions that escalating costs would hurt the league at the gate. However, that has yet to materialize given its rising popularity and record-setting attendance numbers.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres’ success last season created so much demand that they’ve sold out of season tickets for 2026-27. For the first time in a decade, they’ve opened a wait list for tickets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buffalo was a strong hockey town for decades. Their stunning improvement last season has brought back fans who were turned off by nearly 15 years of mismanagement and mediocrity.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic believes it’s only a matter of time until his rebuilding club becomes a playoff contender.

“The sooner we establish that goal as a team, the more realistic it can be,” Vlasic said. He believes the Blackhawks’ improvement will be driven by a maturing core of young talent and the offseason additions of Patrick Kane and Bowen Byram.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be challenging for the Blackhawks to get off to a good start to this season with first-line center Connor Bedard recovering from shoulder surgery earlier this summer. Overcoming that issue would be a significant step in the right direction.

TSN: Veteran forward Kevin Hayes signed a one-year contract with KHL club AK Bars Kazan.

Hayes, 34, began his 12-season NHL career in 2014-15 with the New York Rangers. He also played for the Winnipeg Jets, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins. In 805 regular-season games, Hayes scored 185 goals and 261 assists for 446 points, and 26 points in 58 playoff contests.

TSN: The Washington Capitals signed goaltender Cal Petersen to a professional tryout offer. A six-year NHL veteran, the 31-year-old Petersen spent last season with the AHL’s Iowa Wild.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Calgary Flames signed forward Alex Nylander to a PTO contract.

Nylander, 28, has 126 games of NHL experience over seven seasons but has spent most of his professional career in the AHL.

DAILY FACEOFF: According to a report by Chris Johnston of The Athletic, all NHL emergency backup goaltenders (EBUGs) will be required to wear the number 00.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 28, 2026

by | Jul 28, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 28, 2026

Three Oilers stars talk about new coach Mike Babcock, Nick Foligno stumps for Quinn Hughes to re-sign with the Wild, potential breakout players who changed teams this summer, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: New Edmonton Oilers head coach Mike Babcock was the hot topic for several Oilers players who attended teammate Zach Hyman’s annual charity golf tournament in Toronto on Monday.

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

Leon Draisaitl acknowledged Babcock’s brief tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets three years ago. However, he said the Oilers’ leadership group had an “honest conversation” with Babcock about the circumstances behind his decision to step down as Jackets coach.

The Blue Jackets hired Babcock in the summer of 2023. However, he stepped down before coaching a game for them after it was reported he asked players to share personal photos from their phones.

While Babcock hasn’t coached in three years, Draisaitl believes he’s the right coach to improve the Oilers. He said he’s “very excited” to work with Babcock and to learn from him.

Oilers captain Connor McDavid said that he, Draisaitl, and defenseman Evan Bouchard want to be pushed to be better, and he believes Babcock can do that. Hyman, who played for Babcock during his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, said he and his teammates want to win and believe hiring Babcock gives them the best chance to do so.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Babcock’s abrupt departure from the Blue Jackets brought back the stories of his bullying players during his tenure with the Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings.

Babcock claims he’s learned his lesson and changed his ways. If so, his hiring could be a positive move, though he’ll have his hands full trying to overcome their shaky goaltending and defensive depth issues.

On the other hand, things could get ugly if Babcock hasn’t changed. Oilers stars such as Draisaitl, McDavid, Hyman and Bouchard won’t have to worry about that. It’s the members of the supporting cast who could be singled out.

SPORTSNET: Minnesota Wild center Nick Foligno understands the pull of playing with family members. He and brother Marcus were reunited this year when the Wild acquired him from the Chicago Blackhawks before the March trade deadline.

Nevertheless, he believes teammate Quinn Hughes should forego the idea of joining his brothers, Jack and Luke Hughes, in New Jersey for a chance to win the Stanley Cup with the Wild.

“That part always works itself out,” Foligno told The Athletic. “You want to team up when it’s a good situation, and it matters. Hopefully, he understands that and realizes this is a great team right now and has a window to win, and he can see that through.”

Foligno pointed out that the Hughes brothers are still young and have plenty of time to play together.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes has been dogged by speculation regarding a reunion with his brothers for over a year. He’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July, but indicated at the end of this season that he’s open to signing an extension with the Wild.

Last month, Wild owner Craig Leipold indicated that his team would re-sign Hughes. However, that was before Leo Carlsson’s new contract gave the Anaheim Ducks’ center the highest average annual value in NHL history ($18 million).

Hughes could agree with Foligno that staying in Minnesota gives him a great chance to win the Stanley Cup. Whether the Wild can afford to keep him remains to be seen.

DAILY FACEOFF: Mike Gould recently listed five breakout candidates who changed teams this summer.

They include forward Mavrik Bourque, who the Dallas Stars traded to the Nashville Predators. Winger William Eklund could be another after being dealt to the Ottawa Senators by the San Jose Sharks. So could defenseman Kaedan Korczak, who was acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins from the Vegas Golden Knights.

Forward Connor McMichael could also be a breakout player after being shipped by the Washington Capitals to the St. Louis Blues as part of the Jordan Kyrou trade. Defenseman Simon Nemec is another candidate following his trade to the Calgary Flames by the New Jersey Devils.

THE ATHLETIC: Joel Ward could be on track to become the second Black head coach in NHL history. The first was Dirk Graham with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1998-99.

Ward spent the past six seasons as an assistant coach with the Vegas Golden Knights before being named head coach of their AHL affiliate in Henderson, Nevada, last month.

Former Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy and New York Islanders coach Peter DeBoer believe Ward has what it takes to become an NHL head coach.

Cassidy said he leaned on Ward’s experience as an NHL player, watching him grow from providing individual instruction to players to holding the entire dressing room’s attention with his voice. DeBoer said he saw Ward as a future coach when the latter played for him with the San Jose Sharks.

Cassidy and DeBoer also believe that Ward is doing the right thing by taking a head-coaching role in the AHL despite his years as an NHL assistant coach. They say it’s the best preparation for an NHL head-coaching career.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins named Trent Whitfield as the new head coach of their AHL affiliate in Providence.

DAILY FACEOFF: Goaltender Michael Hutchinson announced his retirement after 11 NHL seasons.

From 2013-14 to 2023-24, Hutchinson had a record of 57 wins, 62 losses, and 18 overtime losses in 127 games saved with the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Detroit Red Wings. He had a career goals-against average of 2.94, a save percentage of .902, and six shutouts.

Hutchinson also had a 2-1-0 playoff record in three games saved with a 2.75 GAA and .910 SP.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 17, 2026

by | Jul 17, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 17, 2026

The full 2026-27 schedule is released, forwards Connor McMichael and Kirby Dach avoid arbitration, the Canucks bring back Alexander Edler in a front-office role, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The league released the full schedule for 2026-27. It begins on Sept 29 with five games, featuring the Carolina Hurricanes raising their 2025-26 Stanley Cup banner at home against the Florida Panthers.

Other notable games throughout the season include the Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken playing two games in Helsinki, Finland (Nov. 12 and 14), and the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators playing two games in Düsseldorf, Germany (Dec. 18 and 20), as part of the NHL’s Global Series.

The first outdoor game of the season features the Winnipeg Jets hosting the Montreal Canadiens in the 2026 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic on Oct. 25. The Utah Mammoth host the Colorado Avalanche at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah in the Discover NHL Winter Classic on Dec. 31. The Dallas Stars will host the Vegas Golden Knights at AT&T Stadium in the 2027 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series on Feb. 20.

After a two-year hiatus, the NHL All-Star Game returns as the New York Islanders will host the 2027 All-Star Game at UBS Arena, with the skills competition on Feb. 5 and the game itself on Feb. 6.

The season concludes with all 32 teams in action on Saturday, Apr. 10.

St. Louis Blues forward Connor McMichael (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link above for the full schedule.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The St. Louis Blues avoided salary arbitration with Connor McMichael, signing the 25-year-old forward to a six-year contract worth an average annual value of $6.75 million.

The Blues acquired McMichael last month from the Washington Capitals as part of the trade that sent winger Jordan Kyrou to Washington.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McMichael completed a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.10 million. He had a career-best 57-point performance in 2024-25, but his production slipped to 46 points last season.

The Blues are banking on the versatile, play-making McMichael to regain his form as a key part of their young core of forwards. His pay raise is in line with the $6.4 million that AFP Analytics projected he’d get.

MTL HOCKEY NOW: The Montreal Canadiens avoided arbitration with Kirby Dach, signing the 25-year-old forward to a one-year, $3.6 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a slight increase over the $3.36 million that Dach received as his AAV on his previous deal.

This is a “last chance” contract for Dach with the Canadiens. Acquired four years ago from the Chicago Blackhawks, he was expected to become their second-line center. However, he’s been plagued by injuries that have hampered his development, resulting in inconsistent performances.

TSN: The Vancouver Canucks have brought back Alexander Edler as part of their front-office staff.

Edler spent 15 of his 17 NHL seasons with the Canucks as a defenseman. He is joining their player development department and will be working with the club’s prospects.

NJ HOCKEY NOW: Earlier this week, the New Jersey Devils announced the new additions to their coaching staff.

Leo Luongo was named Director of Goaltending, while Ted Donato and AJ MacLean will be assistant coaches.

NHL.COM: The Tampa Bay Lightning announced they’ve extended their affiliation with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch through 2029-30.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 24, 2026

by | Jun 24, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 24, 2026

Brady Tkachuk hopes to write a new chapter in Florida, Zach Werenski and the Blue Jackets to discuss his future, analysis of Tuesday’s trade action, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE LATEST ON BRADY TKACHUK AND ZACH WERENSKI

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Brady Tkachuk was formally introduced as the newest member of the Panthers on Tuesday. He was acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.

Tkachuk said he’s looking forward to starting a new chapter in his life and career with the Panthers. He got to know the team well during its back-to-back Stanley Cup championships through his brother, Matthew Tkachuk.

“Their sole focus is winning, and that’s something I’m excited to join, to help out,” Tkachuk said.

Tkachuk also thanked his former club, singling out team owner Michael Andlauer, general manager Steve Staios, his former coaches and teammates. He said it wasn’t an easy decision to leave, and would always be thankful to the Senators for what they did for him as a player and a person. “They always have a piece of my heart,” he said.

THE ATHLETIC: Justin Bourne pushed back against the notion that the appeal of warm-weather, US-based teams in no-tax states is a growing trend, suggesting it’s part of a boom-bust cycle.

Teams such as the Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, and Dallas Stars have been riding high in recent years, and NHL players want to play for winning franchises. However, Bourne pointed out several factors that will make it harder for those clubs to maintain their positions.

A significant factor will be the increasing difficulty of maintaining Stanley Cup contenders when they’re getting thin on tradeable assets. Their respective prospect pipelines rank 24th or worst among all NHL clubs. Some are lacking first-round picks over the next two to four years. As key players age out and their contracts remain on their books, it becomes harder to acquire talent to replace them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Strong management was the prime reason why those four clubs became preferred destinations for NHL stars. However, as Bourne points out, they could soon reach the point where they will lack sufficient assets to maintain their place as Cup contenders.

Meanwhile, well-managed teams like the Hurricanes and Wild are becoming enticing landing spots for talented players. Rising clubs like the Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks, and Utah Mammoth could join them if they build into Stanley Cup contenders.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Columbus Blue Jackets and Zach Werenski will meet following the upcoming NHL Draft to discuss his future. The 28-year-old superstar defenseman will be eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July 2028.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)

With trade requests around the league dominating headlines and the rumor mill, Werenski’s future in Columbus has become the subject of growing speculation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets narrowly missed the playoffs over the past two seasons, sparking the conjecture that Werenski might be getting frustrated over their inability to get over the postseason hump. However, he could be willing to see how next season unfolds before deciding if his future lies elsewhere. They could also name him their new team captain if Boone Jenner departs via free agency on July 1, which could also factor into his plans.

ANALYSIS OF TUESDAY’S TRADES

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow this link for the details of the four notable trades that occurred on Tuesday.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: Bill Hoppe wonders what other moves Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has in store after shipping defenseman Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

Moving Byram and winger Jordan Greenway free up over $10.25 million in salary cap space. The Sabres could use it to attempt to re-sign pending UFA winger Alex Tuch, or to add another established talent.

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn reported Tuch is expected to test the free-agent market on July 1. He thinks GM Jarmo Kekalainen could use the first-round pick in this year’s draft (No. 4 overall) that he received from the Blackhawks as a trade chip if he wants to add another player. However, the Sabres GM could keep the pick and use it to add a potentially franchise-altering talent.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Jack Bushman believes Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson overpaid for Byram and Greenway by including the fourth-overall pick as part of the return, along with blueliner Louis Crevier and a 2026 second-round pick.

Bushman also pointed out that Davidson still has to find a suitable winger to play alongside first-line center Connor Bedard. That task becomes more difficult without that No. 4 pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Davidson made no secret of his intent to bolster their blueline. Nevertheless, the reaction to this move has been mostly negative among Blackhawks fans. Some preferred he use that first-round pick to select a promising young defenseman, while others hoped he’d use it as bait for a proper wingman for Bedard.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber believes Jordan Kyrou will be a perfect fit with the Washington Capitals. They acquired the speedy winger from the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. She noted that the Capitals needed scoring depth at right wing.

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford pointed out that more moves could be coming for the St. Louis Blues. They got a first-round pick from the Capitals in this deal, giving them four in this year’s draft. He also thinks the addition of Connor McMichael will boost the Blues’ top nine, while forward Milton Gastrin will boost their prospect pipeline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s doubtful the Blues will retain all four of those picks. They could bundle a couple of them in a trade for another young player or two.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch noted that Senators GM Steve Staios wasted little time making another trade after shipping Brady Tkachuk to Florida on Sunday. He bundled the first-round pick (No. 9 overall) he received from the Panthers with two prospects to the San Jose Sharks for winger William Eklund. Garrioch believes Staios will use the No. 25 pick as a trade chip to pursue another player, pointing out their interest in Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng noted the Sharks now hold the No. 2, 9, and 27 picks in this year’s draft. Moving Eklund could clear the path for them to use the No. 2 pick to select prospect forward Ivar Stenberg, but they could also use it as trade bait for an established talent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks still need to bolster their blueline. One or two of those draft picks could be used to add a quality defenseman.

CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin reports Flames GM Craig Conroy pursued Simon Nemec because he thought highly of the young defenseman. He traded away two first-round picks (one from the Golden Knights, one from the Colorado Avalanche) to the New Jersey Devils as part of the return for the 22-year-old blueliner.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols noted that the Flames don’t have a contract extension in place for Nemec, who is a restricted free agent on July 1. The move frees up space on the crowded Devils blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nemec should be a good addition to the rebuilding Flames. He was going to be an expensive re-signing for the Devils. They can use those two first-round picks as trade chips to address their need for more scoring punch among their top-six forwards. This move probably means that the Devils won’t be trading veteran blueliner Dougie Hamilton.

IN OTHER NEWS…

EDMONTON JOURNAL: As expected, the Oilers officially hired Mike Babcock as head coach.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Hoffman Family of Companies received unanimous approval from the NHL Board of Governors to purchase the Penguins. The purchase process had been ongoing since last August.

THE ATHLETIC: The NHL is exploring the feasibility of expansion into either Austin or Atlanta. It has entered a short-term agreement with Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin to put a franchise in one of those cities. The agreed-upon price is $3.5 billion, covering the expansion fee ($2 billion) and the cost of a new arena ($1.5 billion).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The worst-kept secret in the league is now, finally, out in the open. Expect an NHL franchise in at least one of those cities by 2030.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The New York Islanders hired Pascal Dupuis as their new Director of Player Development. Since 2021-22, the former NHL forward has owned the QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes, serving in different roles with the team.










NHL Trade Tracker – June 23, 2026

by | Jun 23, 2026

NHL Trade Tracker – June 23, 2026

St. Louis Blues trade winger Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals (NHL Images).

 The Buffalo Sabres trade defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for the fourth-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, defenseman Louis Crevier, and a 2026 second-round pick.

The St. Louis Blues trade winger Jordan Kyrou to the Washington Capitals in exchange for forward Connor McMichael, prospect forward Milton Gastrin, and a first-round pick (No. 16) in the 2026 NHL Draft. Kyrou waived his no-trade clause to join the Capitals.

The Ottawa Senators acquire winger William Eklund, forward Kasper Halttunen, and the rights to forward prospect Brandon Svoboda from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the No. 9 pick in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. That pick originally belonged to the Florida Panthers.

The New Jersey Devils traded defenseman Simon Nemec and forward Maxim Tsyplakov to the Calgary Flames for conditional first-round picks in the 2027 and 2028 drafts, a second-round pick in the 2026 draft, and prospect defenseman Etienne Morin. Both conditional picks are top-10 protected.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 15, 2025

by | May 15, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 15, 2025

The Oilers advance to the Western Conference Final, the Panthers push the Maple Leafs to the brink of elimination, the Flyers hire Rick Tocchet as their new coach, the Canucks promote Adam Foote as their new bench boss, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF WEDNESDAY’S NHL ACTION

NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers are heading to the Western Conference Final for the third time in four years after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 1-0 in Game 5 of their second-round series.

Edmonton Oilers winger Kasperi Kapanen (NHL Images).

Kasperi Kapanen scored in overtime, and Stuart Skinner turned in 24 saves for his second straight shutout as the Oilers took the series four games to one. Adin Hill made 31 saves for the Golden Knights, who played without sidelined captain Mark Stone for the first time in a postseason game since he joined the team in 2019.

The Oilers await the winner of the Winnipeg Jets-Dallas Stars series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was Kapanen’s second game in this postseason, but he scored the biggest goal of his career, becoming the seventh player in Oilers history to score a series-clinching overtime goal.

Kapanen is another example of the Oilers’ depth making the difference in this postseason. The bulk of their offense still comes from Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard, but they’re also getting production from Connor Brown, Vasily Podkolzin, and veterans like Adam Henrique, Viktor Arvidsson, Corey Perry and a healthy Evander Kane.

Meanwhile, their defensive game continues to improve as the playoffs continue. They’ll get a boost with sidelined defenseman Mattias Ekholm and backup goalie Calvin Pickard expected to be ready for the Conference Final.

Skinner’s critics are quieter after his back-to-back shutout performance, joining Cam Talbot and Curtis Joseph among Oilers goalies to accomplish that feat in the postseason. He’s also the fifth in franchise history to post a series-clinching shutout, joining Joseph, Bill Ranford, Dwayne Roloson, and Mike Smith.

The Florida Panthers are on the verge of advancing to the Eastern Conference Final for the third straight year after crushing the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 in Game 5 of their second-round series.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves, Dmitry Kulikov tallied the game-winning goal, and Aaron Ekblad and Jesper Boqvist each had a goal and an assist for the Panthers, who’ve taken a 3-2 series lead. Nick Robertson scored for the Leafs, who pulled starting goalie Joseph Woll after he gave up five goals on 25 shots.

Florida can wrap this series up on home ice in Game 6 on Friday, May 16, at 8 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers deserve full marks for their superb performance in this game, but the Maple Leafs made it easy for them with a lifeless effort that had the Toronto crowd booing them off the ice following the second period. Some of their fans tossed their Leafs jerseys on the ice in disgust during the final period.

Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues missed this game with an undisclosed injury. Boqvist took his place.

This was the Leafs’ third straight loss after taking a 2-0 lead over the Panthers in this series. Another pathetic effort like that in Game 6 on Friday, and the Leafs will be booking tee-times on Saturday.

HEADLINES

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers will make Rick Tocchet their 25th coach in franchise history. He will reportedly receive a five-year, $25 million contract. Tocchet won the Jack Adams Trophy last season with the Vancouver Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise here, Tocchet was considered the favorite for this job. He should work well with the younger players on the rebuilding Flyers.

Speaking of the young Flyers, Matvei Michkov was involved in a single-car accident while vacationing in Dubai. He rented the car but was not the driver. There were no injuries, and there was no alcohol or drugs involved.

Michkov and his friend had their passports illegally taken away by the car rental company and were reportedly extorted for $100K to avoid having details of the accident leaked to the media.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks promoted assistant coach Adam Foote as their new head coach, taking over from the departed Rick Tocchet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Manny Malhotra appeared to be the favorite because of his success with their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford this season. However, Foote was praised by team captain Quinn Hughes earlier this season, which may have factored into his promotion.

The Canucks also signed prospect defenseman Tom Willander to an entry-level contract. Willander, 20, completed his sophomore season with Boston University. He was selected 11th overall by the Canucks in the 2023 NHL Draft.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars is poised to take the crown of the USA’s top goaltender away from the Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck. While the former is poised to win his third Vezina Trophy, the latter has a better playoff record and is on the verge of eliminating Hellebuyck and his teammates from the postseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck is one of the best regular-season goalies in the league, but he struggles mightily during the playoffs. He’ll need to have the best game of his career if the Jets hope to avoid elimination tonight by the Stars.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Hurricanes’ superior depth has made the difference in their second-round series against the Washington Capitals.

Meanwhile, the Capitals had Connor McMichael replacing Lars Eller centering their third line during practice on Wednesday. Eller is expected to be a healthy scratch from Game 5 on Thursday.

PUCKPEDIA: It doesn’t appear that the Ottawa Senators have forfeited their 2025 first-round pick. They had 24 hours following the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery to forfeit the pick as part of the punishment handed down by the league for their role in a trade being invalidated in 2022.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators were given the choice of forfeiting their 2024, 2025 or 2026 pick.