NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 11, 2025

by | Nov 11, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 11, 2025

The Oilers stage a comeback win, the Rangers finally win at home, Zdeno Chara, Joe Thornton, and Duncan Keith highlight the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame inductions, the 3 stars of the week are announced, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF MONDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Connor McDavid scored twice, Jake Walman netted the tying goal, and Jack Roslovic scored in overtime as the Edmonton Oilers overcame a 4-2 deficit to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4. Walman finished with three points (including two goals) for the Oilers, who snapped a three-game winless skid (0-2-1) and improved to 7-6-4. Adam Fantilli and Boone Jenner each had a goal and an assist for the 7-7-1 Blue Jackets, who are winless in their last four (0-3-1).

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Oilers placed center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (undisclosed) on injured reserve, moved winger Kasperi Kapanen (undisclosed) on long-term injury reserve, and activated forward Mattias Janmark off injured reserve.

The New York Rangers picked up their first home win of the season by beating the Nashville Predators by a score of 6-3. Artemi Panarin tallied twice, and Alexis Lafreniere had a goal and two assists for the Rangers (8-7-2). Rookie forward Matthew Wood scored all three goals for the Predators, who are winless in five games (0-3-2) and dropped to 5-9-4 on the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers center Vincent Trocheck collected two assists as he returned to action after missing 14 games with an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, Wood is among the few bright spots for the struggling Predators. The 20-year-old rookie winger sits third among their scorers and fifth among NHL freshmen with 10 points in 11 games.

An overtime goal by Mathew Barzal lifted the New York Islanders over the New Jersey Devils 3-2. Ilya Sorokin made 33 saves as the Islanders, who improved their record to 8-6-2. Timo Meier had a goal and an assist for the Devils (11-4-1), who collected a point and sit in first place in the Eastern Conference with 23 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils forward Zack MacEwen returned to the lineup after missing 13 games with an upper-body injury.

Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand extended his goal streak to five games in a 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Jesper Boqvist and Sam Reinhart also scored, and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 30 shots for the 8-7-1 Panthers. Tomas Hertl and Ivan Barbashev replied for the Golden Knights (7-4-4), who are winless in their last three games (0-2-1).

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Former NHL stars Zdeno Chara, Joe Thornton, Duncan Keith, and Alexander Mogilny were among those officially inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on Monday.

Former women’s stars Jennifer Botterill and Brianna Decker were also inducted into the Players’ category. Jack Parker and Daniele Sauvageau were inducted into the Builders’ category.

Chara thanked fellow Hall of Fame defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom for inspiring him as a player. He also thanked several of his Boston Bruins teammates, including Patrice Bergeron, with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2011.

Keith thanked his mother for taking him to practices when he was a child. He also thanked Trent Yawney, his first coach with the Blackhawks, his long-time defense partner Brent Seabrook, and his son, Colton Keith.

Thornton thanked several Hall of Famers for inspiring him as a child and during his NHL career, including Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, Pat LaFontaine, Cam Neely, Eric Lindros, and Steve Yzerman. He got emotional as he thanked his wife and children.

Mogilny didn’t attend the ceremony, but sent a video message thanking the teams he played for and their fans. He also joked that he had a shot of Russian vodka to celebrate, as he was unable to return to sleep after getting the call from the Hall at three in the morning.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the HhoF Class of 2025. You can watch the full induction speeches by following the link above.

NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, and Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson were the league’s three stars for the week ending Nov. 9.

TSN: Buffalo Sabres forward Jiri Kulich will miss a significant period of time this season due to a blood clot issue that is described as serious. Head coach Lindy Ruff expects Kulich to return later this season, depending on how things go over the next several weeks.

NESN: Boston Bruins center Casey Mittelstadt is listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

CBS SPORTS: San Jose Sharks defenseman Nick Leddy has been activated off injured reserve. He’s been sidelined since late October with an upper-body injury.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin has been named GM of Canada’s 2025 Spengler Cup team. Bergevin is currently an advisor with the Los Angeles Kings.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 1, 2025

by | Nov 1, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – November 1, 2025

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

COULD THE PREDATORS TRADE STEVEN STAMKOS?

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

Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos (NHL Images)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE WILD ARE SHOPPING FOR HELP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IS SABRES GOALIE DEVON LEVI AVAILABLE?

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

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

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

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

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

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

LATEST ON THE BLUES

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

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

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










NHL Rumor Mill – September 4, 2025

by | Sep 4, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 4, 2025

Check out the latest on Ducks center Mason McTavish and Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RG.ORG: James Murphy wondered if the NHL trade market for a second-line center would pick up with all general managers and coaches gathered in Detroit for meetings this week.

An NHL executive told Murphy he’s not sure, but he indicated that talks are picking up again. “I just think there are more buyers than sellers still,” he said.

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

The biggest name remains center Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks. A restricted free agent, McTavish remains unsigned with training camp two weeks away. However, an NHL executive told Murphy that there is no indication of an impasse between the 22-year-old center and Ducks management.

According to Murphy’s sources, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has not yet signaled to his peers that he’s shopping McTavish.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Verbeek and the McTavish camp have kept their contract talks out of the media for the most part. Nevertheless, Ducks beat writer Eric Stephens of The Athletic reported last month that the club wants to sign McTavish, claiming the two sides had exchanged several different contract proposals.

Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild (who recently signed a three-year contract), Jared McCann of the Seattle Kraken, Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames, and Boston Bruins forwards Casey Mittelstadt and Pavel Zacha have been mentioned as possible trade candidates. However, the executive told Murphy that he wondered which ones were really available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild didn’t sign Rossi with the intention of trading him. McCann has spent most of his tenure with the Kraken as a winger. Kadri has a full no-movement clause and hasn’t requested a trade, nor are the Flames interested in moving him.

Mittelstadt and/or Zacha could be available later this season if the Bruins fail to rebound from their disappointing 2024-25 campaign. For now, it’s unlikely either one will be moved.

THE ATHLETIC: Joe Smith reports Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold said his club wasn’t that far off from getting winger Kirill Kaprizov signed to a contract extension.

The 28-year-old superstar is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. His average annual value on his current contract is $9 million.

Contract extension talks have been ongoing during the summer, but the lack of a deal thus far has raised some speculation about his future with the Wild.

“I kind of think we’re there,” Leipold said. “I like to believe when Kirill comes over and gets a sense again for the excitement and the love of the city, I think we’ll be moving in a good direction”.

Leipold is prepared to open the vault for Kaprizov. “This will be a huge deal, likely the biggest in the NHL ever,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bleacher Report’s Frank Seravalli believes the AAV for Kaprizov’s next contract will be in the $15 million range. Smith’s colleague, Michael Russo, said he’s heard it could go as high as $16 million. The only question is whether he’ll want the maximum deal or a shorter term.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 20, 2025

by | Aug 20, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 20, 2025

Check out the latest on Stars winger Jason Robertson, Blues winger Jordan Kyrou, and Bruins forwards Casey Mittelstadt and Pavel Zacha in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE SPORTING NEWS: cited Dallas Stars beat writer Sean Shapiro reporting the club had considered trading Jason Robertson in anticipation of making a bigger deal this summer.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

According to Shapiro, the Stars were among the clubs pursuing winger Mitch Marner, who ultimately landed with the Vegas Golden Knights via a sign-and-trade deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

To make room for Marner, the Stars would’ve had to trade Robertson. While the deal never happened, this story will only stoke speculation about the 26-year-old winger’s future in Dallas.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson has a year remaining on his contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $7.75 million. He’s eligible to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July and could be UFA-eligible in July 2027.

Robertson’s contract status is primarily responsible for the conjecture about his future with the Stars. His role with the club has also changed with the addition of winger Mikko Rantanen last season.

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford was recently asked if there was anything to the trade speculation swirling around the St. Louis Blues this summer.

Rutherford indicated he hasn’t heard anything specific, pointing out that trade talks with the Buffalo Sabres about Bowen Byram cooled before the defenseman re-signed with the Sabres. He also pointed out that clubs were still interested in Blues winger Jordan Kyrou.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kyrou frequently surfaced in the rumor mill following the Blues’ first-round playoff elimination this spring. The conjecture continued until after the NHL Draft in late June, with the 27-year-old winger linked to the Montreal Canadiens, but the chatter died out once his no-trade clause kicked in on July 1.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Andrew Fantucchio weighs in on the recent trade speculation surrounding Bruins forwards Casey Mittelstadt and Pavel Zacha.

Fantucchio dismisses the rumors, pointing out that trading away two top-six players will further deplete their already weakened offensive depth. He points out the Bruins intend to compete for the playoffs this season, which they can’t do if they trade away Mittelstadt and Zacha. Fantucchio also noted that it wouldn’t make sense to move either player when their trade stock is low.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fantucchio believes trading Zacha and/or Mittelstadt now would be giving up on the season before it’s begun. Indeed, if they were truly rebuilding, they would’ve likely peddled away both players well before now.

That doesn’t mean they’re untouchable. As Fantucchio points out, if the Bruins are out of playoff contention later in the season, moving either or both players near the trade deadline makes more sense.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 17, 2025

by | Aug 17, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 17, 2025

Catching up on the recent speculation regarding Jets center Kyle Connor and Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, plus the latest Bruins conjecture in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

BLEACHER REPORT: Frank Servalli recently speculated over where Kyle Connor might go if he doesn’t re-sign with the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old winger is in the final season of his contract and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor (NHL Images).

Seravalli wondered if the Detroit Red Wings might be a fit for Connor. He thinks it would make a lot of sense for the Wings, as they could use the additional scoring punch that the Michigan native would provide.

However, Seravalli doesn’t discount the Jets re-signing Connor. Despite their early playoff exit last spring, they’ve got a good thing going, and he’d be part of the solution to their championship puzzle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets were unable to re-sign Nikolaj Ehlers, who headed to the Carolina Hurricanes as a UFA last month. However, they confounded the experts by re-signing goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele two years ago, so we can’t discount Connor signing an extension before next July.

EXPRESSEN: On August 8, Rasmus Andersson denied reports claiming he told the Calgary Flames he would only accept a trade to the Vegas Golden Knights.

A report from TSN’s Darren Dreger earlier this summer claimed the Flames received a significant offer from the Los Angeles Kings for Andersson. The 28-year-old defenseman said he knew what the proposal was, but wouldn’t say if it was from the Kings or another team. He rejected the trade because he didn’t want to move his family during his contract year.

Andersson also said that contract talks with the Flames have paused, adding they haven’t spoken in a month and a half.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The team in question was likely on Andersson’s six-team no-trade list. No word as to which clubs are on that list.

Reports out of Calgary earlier this summer indicated contract talks had stalled, sparking speculation that Andersson could be traded. However, Flames general manager Craig Conroy recently indicated that he had no problem with the blueliner being on the roster when the regular season opens in October.

It’s expected that Andersson will start the season with the Flames and could be shopped by the March trade deadline.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo have been fixtures in the rumor mill since the 2025 NHL Draft in late June. However, an NHL executive told Murphy that he heard Casey Mittelstadt could be on the move again.

Mittelstadt, 26, was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche along with prospect winger William Zellers before the 2025 March trade deadline. However, the common feeling among observers is that Zellers was the real target for the Bruins, who were restocking their prospect pool, leaving some to wonder if they intend to flip Mittelstadt to another club at some point.

Meanwhile, Korpisalo’s agent last month denied rumors claiming his client wanted a trade. Zacha’s agent dismissed the chatter about his client as “just rumors”.

SEKERES & PRICE: Matt Sekeres noted the trade rumors circulating in Boston about Zacha and Mittelstadt. Cam Robinson believes either player would be an upgrade at center for the Vancouver Canucks, particularly Mittelstadt.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trading Zacha or Mittelstadt makes sense if the Bruins were rebuilding. However, that isn’t the case as management is retooling for a bounce-back season. We’ll see what unfolds leading up to the start of the regular season.










Notable NHL Trades – March 7, 2025

by | Mar 7, 2025

Notable NHL Trades – March 7, 2025

The Boston Bruins traded Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers for a conditional 2027 second-round pick. The Bruins retained half of Marchand’s $6.13 million cap hit.  

Boston Bruins traded Brandon Carlo to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Fraser Minten and a first-round pick. 

Toronto Maple Leafs trade Conor Timmins and Connor Dewar to the Pittsburgh Penguins. More to follow. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets acquire Luke Kunin from the San Jose Sharks for a 2025 fourth-rounder. 

The Ottawa Senators acquired Fabian Zetterlund, Tristen Robins and a fourth-round pick from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Noah Gregor, Zack Ostapchuk and a second-round pick. 

Philadelphia Flyers trade Erik Johnson to the Colorado Avalanche for Givani Smith.

The Buffalo Sabres shipped Henri Jokiharju to the Boston Bruins. Details to follow.  

The Dallas Stars acquired Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks. The Stars sign Rantanen to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $12 million. More details to follow.

New Jersey Devils acquire Cody Glass from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a third-round pick.

The Boston Bruins Trade Charlie Coyle to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt, prospect Will Zellers and a second-round pick.

The Detroit Red Wings Acquire Petr Mrazek and Craig Smith from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Joe Veleno.

The Philadelphia Flyers trade Scott Laughton, a fourth-round pick and a sixth-rounder to the Toronto Maple Leafs for prospect Nikita Grebenkin and a 2027 first-round pick.

The Buffalo Sabres trade Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert and a 2026 second-round pick to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for forward Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker.

The Winnipeg Jets acquire Luke Schenn from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

The Jets also acquire Brandon Tanev from the Seattle Kraken for a 2027 second-round pick.

The Pittsburgh Penguins traded Anthony Beauvillier to the Washington Capitals for a second-round pick in 2025.

The Philadelphia Flyers traded Andrei Kuzmenko to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick. Flyers retain 50 percent of Kuzmenko’s $5.5 million cap hit.