NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 31, 2025

by | Oct 31, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 31, 2025

The Penguins’ strong start continues, Trevor Zegras is settling in well with the Flyers, the Avalanche re-signs Martin Necas, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF THURSDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins’ surprisingly strong start to this season continued with a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild, pushing the Penguins into first place in the overall standings with 18 points (8-2-2). Bryan Rust and Ryan Shea each had a goal and an assist, and Tristan Jarry made 26 saves for the win. Kirill Kaprizov scored for the Wild, who dropped to 3-6-3 in their first 12 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Projected to finish near the bottom of the standings, the Penguins have defied expectations thus far. Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has 17 points, sitting second to Gordie Howe for the most points by a 39-or-older player through his first 12 games. Howe had 20 points in his first dozen games of the 1968-69 season.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).

Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras had two goals and an assist to lead his club over the Nashville Predators 4-1. It was Zegras’ second three-point game in his last three contests. Dan Vladar stopped 32 shots for the Flyers (6-3-1) as they extended their home win streak to five games. Rookie Matthew Wood tallied his first NHL goal as his Predators (4-6-2) have lost three straight games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers center Sean Couturier left this game in the first period with an undisclosed injury. Earlier in the day, the Flyers placed goaltender Sam Ersson (lower body) on injured reserve.

The Winnipeg Jets improved to 8-3-0 and moved into first place in the Western Conference with 16 points with a 6-3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks. Jets center Jonathan Toews had an assist in his first game against his former team, Gabriel Vilardi scored twice and collected an assist, and Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor each had three points for the Jets. Connor Bedard and Connor Murphy each had two assists for the 5-4-2 Blackhawks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets winger Gustav Nyquist left this game with an undisclosed injury.

Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood scored an NHL hat trick, and Jake DeBrusk scored the game-winner in a shootout to nip the St. Louis Blues 4-3. Kevin Lankinen kicked out 36 shots for the 6-6-0 Canucks. Pius Suter had a goal and an assist for the 3-6-2 Blues, who are winless in their last six (0-4-2).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks winger Brock Boeser left this game early in the first period after being struck by a puck in the “midsection”, which is a polite way of saying he took a shot in the balls.

The Carolina Hurricanes downed the New York Islanders 6-2. Andrei Svechnikov and Logan Stankoven each had a goal and an assist as the Hurricanes improved their record to 7-3-0. Matthew Schaefer and Simon Holmstrom replied for the Islanders, who are winless in their last three (0-2-1) as their record dropped to 4-5-1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis left the game in the third period after blocking a shot with his left foot. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour said it “doesn’t look great”, and added that Jarvis will be reevaluated on Friday. Meanwhile, Islanders forward Mathew Barzal was a healthy scratch after he was late arriving at the rink.

An overtime goal by Marat Khusnutdinov lifted the Boston Bruins to a 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Joonas Korpisalo turned aside 37 shots, David Pastrnak had a goal and an assist, and Morgan Geekie extended his goal streak to six games for the 6-7-0 Bruins. Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin each had a goal and an assist for the Sabres (4-4-0).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bruins center Elias Lindholm left this game in the second period with an injured left leg following an accidental knee-on-knee collision with Sabres forward Jordan Greenway. Earlier in the day, the Bruins announced that defenseman Jordan Harris underwent surgery on Monday for a right ankle fracture and will be sidelined for the next two months.

The San Jose Sharks scored three straight goals to open the first period as they upset the New Jersey Devils 5-2. Alexander Wennberg and Philipp Kurashev each had a goal and an assist for the 3-6-2 Sharks. Dawson Mercer scored both goals for the 8-3-0 Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Sharks placed forward Adam Gaudette (upper body) on injured reserve.

A shootout goal by Lucas Raymond gave the Detroit Red Wings a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Marco Kasper tallied two goals as the Red Wings took a 3-1 lead, but the Kings rallied to tie it on two goals by Corey Perry. The Red Wings moved into first place in the Atlantic Division with 16 points (8-3-0), while the Kings dropped to 5-3-4.

Shootout goals by Drake Batherson and Tim Stutzle lifted the Ottawa Senators over the Calgary Flames 4-3. Jake Sanderson scored the tying goal late in the third period, and Lars Eller had a goal and an assist for the 6-5-1 Senators. Devin Cooley stopped 35 shots for the 2-8-2 Flames.

An overtime goal by Anthony Cirelli gave the Tampa Bay Lightning a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars. Brandon Hagel also scored for the Lightning, who have won four straight and improved to 5-4-2. Jake Oettinger made 30 saves for the 6-3-2 Stars as they extended their points streak to five games (3-0-2).

New York Rangers captain J.T. Miller scored in overtime to lead his team over the Edmonton Oilers 4-3. Igor Shesterkin made 33 saves for the 5-5-2 Rangers. Darnell Nurse scored twice for the 5-4-3 Oilers.

IN OTHER NEWS…

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Martin Necas agreed to an eight-year contract extension with the Avalanche on Thursday. The 26-year-old winger was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He will earn an average annual value of $11.5 million starting in 2026-27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Having acquired Necas from the Hurricanes in January’s Mikko Rantanen trade, the Avalanche couldn’t risk losing him to free agency next summer. Fortunately for them, he’s proven to be a good fit alongside superstar center Nathan MacKinnon on the Avalanche’s top line with seven goals and 13 points in his first 11 games of this season.

After ponying up $11.5 million annually for Necas, some observers wonder why the Avalanche let Rantanen go in the first place, pointing to the former Avs winger signing with the Dallas Stars for $12 million annually. That’s because he was reportedly seeking a deal comparable to what Leon Draisaitl got from the Edmonton Oilers (eight years, $14 million AAV), which prompted Avalanche management to trade him.

RG.ORG: Sergey Pryahkin examines the cost of winning the Stanley Cup, revealing that frugal clubs rarely end up hoisting hockey’s holy grail.

Championship teams allocate over 93 percent of their salary-cap payroll, with some teams exceeding this amount. The age sweet spot for Cup-winning teams is between 26 and 30, with Cup rosters dedicating one-third of their cap payroll to three players and half toward five players, with elite centers being the most valuable asset.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link for a more detailed breakdown of Pryahkin’s findings.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 12, 2025

by | Oct 12, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 12, 2025

Check out the latest on Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, the Rangers’ potential plans for next year’s UFA market, plus the latest on Martin Necas in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

CANADIENS TO KEEP HUTSON’S CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS PRIVATE

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Montreal Canadiens and the representatives for Lane Hutson have agreed to take their contract negotiations out of the public eye. There is concern that the 21-year-old defenseman is being affected by his contract talks, which are the subject of public speculation. 

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL Images).

Friedman believes the two sides are continuing negotiations. However, they won’t discuss it with the media, allowing Hutson to focus on his game. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The recent contracts signed by New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes and Anaheim Ducks blueliner Jackson LaCombe shifted the focus toward Hutson. In hockey-mad Montreal, anything to do with a rising star like Hutson will generate speculation and headlines. 

It must be remembered that Hutson is in the final season of his entry-level contract. The Canadiens control his rights until July 2031, when he’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. He’s slated to become a restricted free agent next July without arbitration rights and will be ineligible to receive an offer sheet, giving the Canadiens considerable leverage. 

Most of the speculation centers on whether the average annual value of Hutson’s contract will be between $9 million and $10 million or possibly higher. So far, there’s no chatter suggesting the Canadiens might trade the 2025 Calder Trophy winner, but it’s bound to come up the longer this goes on. And no, the Canadiens won’t trade him, and no, he doesn’t want to move. 

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE RANGERS WITH THE TOP UFA TALENT OFF THE MARKET?

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh wondered what the New York Rangers will do now that the biggest names who were eligible to become unrestricted free agents next summer have re-signed with their respective teams. 

It was believed that the Rangers intended to pursue Connor McDavid if the Edmonton Oilers superstar had gone to market next year. Three of their core forwards (J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, and Vincent Trocheck) are 32 years old. 

That leaves the Rangers facing a tough decision regarding left winger Artemi Panarin, who turns 34 later this month. They have no clear path to replacing his production, but signing him to another expensive contract comes with risk. 

Rangers general manager Chris Drury could pursue younger talent in the trade market, such as winger Jason Robertson, depending on how his contract talks go with the Dallas Stars. Other intriguing UFA options include forwards like Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings, Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres, and Martin Necas of the Colorado Avalanche. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin is now the biggest name in next summer’s UFA market, which could lead to his departure if he and the Rangers can’t agree to an extension. Meanwhile, there’s no certainty that Kempe, Tuch, and Necas will still be available by next July. 

That could force Drury to go the trade route, provided he’s still the Rangers GM by that point. Another finish outside the playoff standings could cost him his job. 

THE LATEST ON MARTIN NECAS

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato wondered if Martin Necas could price himself out of Colorado. 

The 26-year-old Avalanche winger is UFA-eligible next July. He tallied 83 points last season, divided between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Avalanche, and could reach a career-high 90 points skating alongside Nathan MacKinnon for a full season. 

If Necas gets close to 90 points, he could seek a raise over his current $6 million average annual value to an AAV exceeding $10 million. If he does, it’ll raise questions as to why they didn’t just pay Mikko Rantanen, whom they traded last January to the Carolina Hurricanes in a three-team trade that brought Necas to Colorado. 

The Avalanche must also ensure they have sufficient long-term salary-cap room to re-sign Cale Makar. The superstar defenseman is UFA-eligible in 2027 and can sign an extension starting next summer. Some estimates suggest he could seek a cap hit that rivals the $17 million AAV of Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas’ contract situation will be closely watched. Amato wondered if the Avalanche would trade a key player like Brock Nelson, Devon Toews, Valeri Nichushkin, or Mackenzie Blackwood to free up cap room for Necas and Makar.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 11, 2025

by | Oct 11, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 11, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we have the latest on the Canadiens and a ranking of next summer’s best remaining UFA-eligible players.

UPDATE ON HUTSON’S CONTRACT TALKS, CANADIENS URGED TO RE-SIGN MATHESON.

TVA SPORTS: Jonathan Bernier reports the Montreal Canadiens and Lane Hutson could be closing in on a contract extension.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL Images).

Hutson’s agent, Ryan Barnes, was spotted with Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday during the Habs game against the Detroit Red Wings. It’s also believed Hughes had a busy morning after the Canadiens arrived in Chicago on Friday.

If the two sides were discussing an extension for Hutson, Bernier wondered if it would be a three-year bridge deal or a maximum eight-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported earlier this week that the two sides had come close to an agreement on an eight-year deal and were taking a cooling-off period when an agreement failed to materialize. Things may have picked up again after Thursday’s meeting in Detroit.

In a recent interview, Hughes remained optimistic about getting Hutson re-signed, reminding nervous Canadiens fans that the 21-year-old defenseman isn’t eligible for unrestricted free-agent status until 2031.

The Canadiens want to re-sign Hutson, and he wants to be part of the franchise. The average annual value of his next contract seems to be the sticking point. It could come in at between $9 million and $10 million annually, though it wouldn’t be surprising if it went slightly above $10 million.

Meanwhile, NHL analyst Renaud Lavoie believes Mike Matheson is a more than reliable asset on the Canadiens’ blueline. He thinks that they must do everything they can to keep the 31-year-old defenseman.

Eligible for UFA status next July, Matheson is in the final season of an eight-year contract with a cap hit of $4.875 million. Lavoie praised his all-around play and thinks being paired with Noah Dobson this season will improve his game and lighten some of his workload.

During the Canadiens’ golf tournament last month, Matheson said that he wanted to stay in Montreal as long as possible and that contract discussions had begun.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matheson’s role as the Canadiens’ blueline workhorse over the last three seasons opened him up for criticism whenever he’d make a defensive mistake. However, management has consistently praised his efforts, as have his teammates.

As Lavoie pointed out, the improved depth on the Canadiens’ blueline could reduce Matheson’s workload, in turn improving his game. Don’t be surprised if the Canadiens re-sign him before next July.

RANKING THE REMAINDER OF NEXT SUMMER’S TOP UFA-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

USA TODAY: Mike Brehm considers Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe as the best player who is eligible for UFA status next summer. The ranking was made after Jack Eichel re-signed with the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin is No. 2 on Brehm’s list, followed by Colorado Avalanche forward Martin Necas at No. 3, Buffalo Sabres power forward Alex Tuch at No. 4, and Utah Mammoth forward Nick Schmaltz at No. 5

Rounding out the list is Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson, New Jersey Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom, Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin, and New York Islanders winger Anders Lee.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kempe, Bobrovsky, Carlson, Markstrom, and Ovechkin are most likely to re-sign with their current clubs. Tuch wants to re-sign with the Sabres, but that could depend on what type of season they have.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 10, 2025

by | Oct 10, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 10, 2025

Check out the latest on Rangers winger Artemi Panarin, Kings winger Adrian Kempe, Sabres forward Alex Tuch, and Avalanche forward Martin Necas in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN: With the top of next summer’s free-agent market already thinning out, Pierre LeBrun believes the focus will shift toward New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin.

The recent signings of Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov, Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor, and Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel leave Panarin as the biggest name worth monitoring.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin is the oldest among that group of stars, turning 34 on Oct. 30. The play-making winger is coming off a seven-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $11.642 million.

Panarin won’t get another long-term contract. However, another solid season on his part could ensure he receives at least a three or four-year deal with an AAV close to his current number.

This situation could make things interesting for Panarin’s contract discussions with the Rangers. He reportedly rejected their offseason proposal of a short-term deal with a hometown discount. Both sides are staying silent about the subject as they await the outcome of this season.

LeBrun is also focused on Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe, Buffalo Sabres power forward Alex Tuch, and Colorado Avalanche forward Martin Necas. He believes the recent re-signings have affected the Kempe and Tuch negotiations.

Contract negotiations have been ongoing between Kempe and the Kings, with Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander’s contract ($11.5 million annual average value) brought up in those discussions. Connor’s new contract with the Jets ($12 million AAV) could also be mentioned, leaving LeBrun to suggest that Kempe’s next contract could be between $11 million and $12 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The case can be made that Kempe isn’t on the same skill level as Nylander and Connor and thus not worth between $11 million and $12 million. However, with the salary cap rising, his camp’s asking price would be less than 12 percent of next season’s $104 million salary cap, which would subsequently decline each year as the cap continues to rise.

LeBrun said there’s been good dialogue between Tuch and the Sabres, but nothing’s imminent. Meanwhile, Necas wanted to start this season and see how it goes, as it’ll be his first full one with the Avalanche. However, he could soon get his agent to open talks with them. LeBrun thinks Necas will eventually re-sign with the Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tuch told reporters last month that he’d love to sign a long-term extension with the Sabres. However, there could be another front-office housecleaning if the Sabres missed the playoffs again, which could leave Tuch facing an uncertain future in Buffalo.

As for Necas, RG.Org’s James Murphy cited an NHL source casting doubt on his finishing the season with the Avalanche, citing the club’s salary-cap crunch and the need to prioritize re-signing superstar defenseman Cale Makar.

Murphy listed the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Anaheim Ducks as possible playoff-rental destinations. The Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks could be clubs that trade for him with an extension in place.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 8, 2025

by | Oct 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 8, 2025

The potential effect of Connor McDavid’s new contract on the UFA market, the latest on Jack Eichel’s contract talks with the Golden Knights, Lane Hutson’s negotiations with the Canadiens, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

HOW MCDAVID’S CONTRACT COULD AFFECT THE UFA MARKET

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes the Los Angeles Kings would’ve attempted to sign Connor McDavid had he gone to free agency next July. He also thinks the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Dallas Stars would’ve been among the suitors for the 28-year-old center, who signed a two-year extension with the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes all eyes will be on Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar as the next big contract explosion. He claims the Avalanche have prepared for it and could just hand him a blank check. Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks could be another.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both players are eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July 2027. The earliest their teams can attempt to re-sign them is July 1, 2026.

The recent signings of McDavid and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov convinced Friedman that there will be more players earning eight-figure salaries. He singled out Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor, Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe, Colorado Avalanche forward Martin Necas, and Buffalo Sabres power forward Alex Tuch.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s been speculation suggesting that some NHL teams might point to McDavid accepting well below market value to stay with the Oilers to get their own superstars to do the same. However, most player agents will simply say that McDavid’s case was a unique one that has no bearing on their clients’ contract situations.

For example, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been underpaid for years, partly because of his superstition about his No. 87, and partly because his previous contract was an extremely long one (12 years). Those deals no longer exist due to the implementation of contract term limits since 2013.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (NHL Images).

Today, 45 players carry a higher AAV than Crosby. Not all of them are superstars.

UPDATE ON JACK EICHEL’S CONTRACT TALKS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports contract negotiations are ongoing between the Vegas Golden Knights and Jack Eichel. The 28-year-old center doesn’t want to go anywhere, and both sides are focused on an eight-year deal. LeBrun also said that Kirill Kaprizov’s $17 million average annual value with the Wild isn’t much of a factor in these negotiations.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman also noted it’s a happy marriage between Eichel and the Golden Knights, and he expects they’ll get a new deal done. He claimed the club would prefer to get Eichel and Mitch Marner for a combined $25 million. Marner is already earning $12 million annually on an eight-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Eichel is earning $10 million annually on his current contract. The Golden Knights might be offering $13 million, but he could be seeking something between $14 and $15 million.

THE LATEST ON THE CANADIENS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Montreal Canadiens made an eight-year contract extension offer to Lane Hutson. He believes it had some salary deferral, which the Hutson camp wasn’t interested in. Both sides are taking some time now to let things cool down before resuming discussions.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman felt that Hutson was hoping to sign an extension before the start of this season. He cited several sources claiming it was “slightly below 8 x $9 million”, including some deferral to lower the cap hit. The Canadiens also pitched a Canadian retirement compensation arrangement (RCA), which many players use to soften the tax burden. Hutson’s representatives were slightly above the $9 million AAV but weren’t interested in salary deferral or the RCA.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman indicated that the Canadiens still want to keep Hutson, and he still wants to stay. General manager Kent Hughes said the club’s fans shouldn’t be worried, pointing out that the 21-year-old defenseman isn’t eligible for unrestricted free-agent status until July 2031.

Hughes also acknowledged the recent new contracts for New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes and Anaheim Ducks blueliner Jackson Lacombe. He considers Hughes a better comparable for Hutson than Lacombe.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico believes the Canadiens are preparing to make a big trade during this season.

Instead of icing a 23-man roster to start this season, the Canadiens are using 22 players. In this way, they save about $775K in early-season salary obligations, which could compound into several million dollars by the trade deadline.

The Canadiens could be targeting a move before the December trade freeze (Dec. 20-27), as some teams could be pushed into becoming early sellers in the trade market. They’ll have around $14.5 million in prorated cap space by then, giving them a potential advantage over other teams.

UPDATE ON ROSLOVIC

TSN: Chris Johnston believed free-agent forward Jack Roslovic might not have to wait too long to land with an NHL team. He indicated that the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets are among several clubs already looking for forwards.

OTHER NOTABLE RUMORS FROM FRIEDMAN’S LATEST “32 THOUGHTS”

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Philadelphia Flyers are “definitely checking” to see what’s available on defense in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: William James of Philly Hockey Now pointed out that defenseman Cam York is joining fellow Flyers blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen on injured reserve to start the season. They have over $6.6 million in cap space after trading away Ryan Ellis’ contract to San Jose earlier this week, giving them cap flexibility to add a defenseman.

The Vancouver Canucks are continuing their search for a center. The Toronto Maple Leafs want to add a top-six forward, while the Carolina Hurricanes are “always lurking.” The Ottawa Senators could attempt to make a big move this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of the Hurricanes, Friedman reported they attempted to sign Evan Bouchard to an offer sheet this summer before he eventually re-signed with the Oilers. They instead acquired blueliner K’Andre Miller from the New York Rangers.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 1, 2025

by | Oct 1, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 1, 2025

How will Kirill Kaprizov’s new contract affect the free-agent market? What’s the latest Oilers speculation? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

KAPRIZOV’S NEW CONTRACT WILL BE FELT IN THIS SUMMER’S UFA MARKET

TSN: Chris Johnston doesn’t believe Kirill Kaprizov’s new contract with the Minnesota Wild will have any effect on Connor McDavid’s negotiations with the Edmonton Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In case you missed it, Kaprizov signed an eight-year, $136 million contract with the Wild. The average annual value is $17 million, and comes with a full no-movement clause throughout.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

Johnston believes McDavid isn’t seeking an eight-year deal. If he and the Oilers reach an agreement, it’ll be on a shorter term of two, three, or four years. The Oilers also need some cap flexibility to maintain a winning roster around McDavid.

Pierre LeBrun agrees with Johnston, but noted that Kaprizov’s new deal will affect other players eligible to become unrestricted free agents next summer. They include Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe, Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch, and Colorado Avalanche forward Martin Necas.

Darren Dreger adds Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor to that list. He reports the two sides continue to negotiate, but it has to be a deal that makes sense for both sides.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Robert Tychkowski believes Kaprizov’s contract leaves McDavid with a tough decision to make.

Does he accept a short-term deal and watch his salary increase with the cap, knowing the injury risks? Or does he take the security of an eight-year deal with a guaranteed $144 million if he pursues the maximum AAV of $20.8 million?

Assuming McDavid agrees to slightly less on his AAV of around $18 million, it still bites deeply into the Oilers’ salary-cap payroll, making it difficult for them to maintain a Stanley Cup contender.

Tychkowski’s colleague, Jim Matheson, doesn’t see McDavid agreeing to the same AAV as Kirill Kaprizov. He believes the Oilers captain could give his club a discount of $18 million annually for two or three years.

BLEACHER REPORT: Frank Seravalli doesn’t believe the Oilers can afford to go higher than $17 million annually for McDavid, partly because of the expensive contracts of teammates Leon Draisaitl ($14 million AAV) and Evan Bouchard ($10.5 million). McDavid also wants tangible proof that the Oilers intend to maintain a winning roster over the next several years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier this week, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said he thinks the AAV on McDavid’s next contract will be much lower than people think. How much lower, and for how long, remains to be seen.

If McDavid seeks top dollar, there are only a handful of teams with the cap space who can also be considered Stanley Cup contenders. They are the Dallas Stars (depending on what happens with RFAs Jason Robertson and Thomas Harley) and New York Rangers (if they can regain their 2023-24 Presidents’ Trophy form).

McDavid could join the Toronto Maple Leafs with the intention of leading them to the Stanley Cup. However, that signing would maintain their status as a team top-heavy with star forwards lacking the necessary depth to go deep in the playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Lightning could be another destination, but McDavid would have a short window with them to win the Cup with their aging roster.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Hannah Kirkell weighed in on how Kaprizov’s contract might affect Jack Eichel’s contract talks with the Golden Knights.

She cited insiders like Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, TSN’s Chris Johnston, and Bleacher Report’s Frank Seravalli speculating that Eichel’s AAV on his next deal will be between $13 million and $14 million.

That’s a lot of money, but it would only be between 12.5 and 13.46 percent of the $104 million salary cap for 2026-27. Eichel could seek $15 million, and the Golden Knights would probably pay him, but Kirkell believes he’ll come in at around $13.5 million.

BLEACHER REPORT: Frank Seravalli was asked how the Kaprizov contract will affect Martin Necas’ negotiation with the Colorado Avalanche.

Seravalli dismissed rumors suggesting Necas won’t re-sign with Colorado. He believes that Kaprizov’s new deal will push Necas’ asking price higher than the Avalanche would be comfortable with, especially if he has another point-per-game season. His asking price could be north of $10 million annually.

THE LATEST ON THE OILERS

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell wonders if the Edmonton Oilers will make a trade before the regular season begins.

Goaltending depth, the third line right-wing position, and the third-line center position are areas of concern this season.

Mitchell suggested Michael DiPietro of the Boston Bruins and Connor Ingram of the Utah Mammoth as trade options, pointing out the latter might make sense now that he’s cleared waivers and is in the minors. Free-agent center Evgeny Kuznetsov hopes to return to the NHL, but the Oilers aren’t believed to be linked to him.

Possible trade bait for the Oilers includes defenseman Ty Emberson or Troy Stecher.

SPORTSNET’s Mark Spector believes Chicago Blackhawks winger Lukas Reichel could draw interest from the Oilers. GM Stan Bowman drafted him in Chicago, and the Oilers need to get younger. Spector suggests a fresh start with a new club might help Reichel get his career back on track.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bleacher Report’s Frank Seravalli reported the Blackhawks’ asking price could be a mid-to-late-round draft pick. The Oilers have two fifth-rounders in the 2027 draft.

PREDATORS RISK LOSING ANOTHER YOUNG FORWARD

THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty believes the Nashville Predators’ contract standoff with RFA winger Luke Evangelista is a bad look for the franchise.

The two sides failed to reach a long-term agreement. A short-term contract is more likely, but they remain divided on salary.

Evangelista trends as a middle-six forward who can average a steady 15-20 goals per season. Daugherty believes the Predators aren’t in any position to treat young, offensive forwards with such hesitancy, given their lack of depth in their pipeline and among those who are NHL-ready.

Daugherty fears that Evangelista could follow the path of former Predators forwards like Kevin Fiala, Eeli Tolvanen, and Philip Tomasino, who moved on via trades or waivers.