NHL Headlines & Rumors – September 9, 2024

by | Sep 9, 2024

NHL Headlines & Rumors – September 9, 2024

What the future could hold for signing bonuses in player contracts, an update on NHL CBA talks, and more in NHL Headlines & Rumors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a shortened edition published early because I’m taking a personal day. Normal updates will resume on Tuesday, Sep 10.

TORONTO STAR: Dave Feschuk examines why players are signing contracts with hefty signing bonuses.

One reason is they make the contract “essentially buyout proof”. Another is based on “the time value of money,” meaning getting the money upfront is worth more than money later. Most importantly, they offer protection for the player in case of a lockout, ensuring they’ll get the bulk of that season’s earnings in one lump sum.

Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (NHL Images).

Players who live in the United States but play for Canadian teams traditionally enjoy substantial tax savings on signing bonuses, paying a rate of 15 percent. However, a dispute between Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares and the Canada Revenue Agency could change that.

If Tavares loses his case, he’ll owe $6.8 million in back taxes plus interest. Plenty of players and agents along with the Canadian NHL franchises, are monitoring this situation closely.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the ruling goes against Tavares it could make it difficult for Canadian teams to attract unrestricted free agents.

ESPN: Greg Wyshynski reports NHL Players’ Association executive director Marty Walsh said there haven’t been any major discussions yet with the NHL regarding the collective bargaining agreement. The CBA will expire in two years (Sep. 15, 2026) unless the two sides agree to extend or update the deal.

“We’ll be talking to players about the agreement coming down the road and how we lay the foundation for that agreement,” said Walsh.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The two sides have plenty of time to work out a new agreement. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly recently sounded upbeat about the relationship between the league and the PA.

This could also be Commissioner Gary Bettman’s last round of collective bargaining. Now 72, Bettman presided over three lockouts, including the one that killed the entire 2004-05 season, leading to the current salary cap system.

However, there’s been labor peace since the last lockout ended on Jan. 6. 2013. With league coffers swelling, Bettman will likely want the next round of collective bargaining to go as smoothly as possible. Whether that’s possible remains to be seen.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael DeRosa cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculating that Radko Gudas could become the next captain of the Anaheim Ducks. The 34-year-old defenseman is a 13-season NHL veteran.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks haven’t had a team captain since Ryan Getzlaf retired in 2022. Their alternate captains last season were Cam Fowler, Mason McTavish and Troy Terry.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan believes Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj could be an inspiration to the club’s rookies. Entering his third NHL season, the 23-year-old Xhekaj was never selected in the OHL or NHL drafts but made the Canadiens after being invited to their rookie camp in 2021.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski noted several clubs, like the Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, and Buffalo Sabres, might need to shore up their depth between the pipes this season.

Kingerski wondered if this might provide the Penguins with a trade opportunity, suggesting Tristan Jarry or Alex Nedeljkovic as possible options. He also mused over whether a rival GM might pry away prospect Joel Blomqvist from the Penguins for the right price.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jarry’s surfaced in the rumor mill over the past couple of seasons but Kingerski admits his trade value is low. His contract and inconsistent play are significant obstacles.

If Blomqvist has a good camp and preseason, Nedeljkovic could become a trade option. He’s starting a two-year contract with a cap-friendly annual cap hit of $2.5 million.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 18, 2024

by | Aug 18, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 18, 2024

Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog remains focused on returning for the start of this season, Alex Nedeljkovic looks forward to another season with the Penguins, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: In an interview with NHL.com, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said team captain Gabriel Landeskog is trying to return near the start of this season.

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog (NHL Images).

Landeskog, 31, hasn’t played since Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final. He’s been sidelined by two knee surgeries.

Bednar also indicated that forward Artturi Lehkonen could miss the start of the season following offseason shoulder surgery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bednar said Landeskog’s potential return would boost the Avalanche roster. How effective he’ll be after missing two seasons recovering from knee surgeries remains to be seen.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Alex Nedeljkovic is happy to return with the Pittsburgh Penguins and looks forward to sharing the goaltending duties again with Tristan Jarry.

Nedeljkovic, 28, took over from a slumping Jarry as the Penguins’ starting goalie late in the season, keeping his club in the playoff race with a record of 8-1-3, a 3.05 goals-against average, and a .898 save percentage. He finished the season with a record of 18-7-7, a 2.97 GAA, and a .902 save percentage.

Eligible for unrestricted free agent status on July 1, Nedeljkovic instead signed a two-year contract extension in June.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins need consistency between the pipes to reach the playoffs this season. They’re putting their faith in two goalies with reputations as streaky performers.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly signed free-agent defenseman Jani Hakanpaa to a two-year contract but have not officially announced it.

Hakanpaa, 32, is reportedly dealing with a career-threatening knee injury. He believes he can still play but not everyone involved agrees.

Last week, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said they were “working through that” and hope to get to it “sooner rather than later.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I mentioned last week, the definitive answer could come when the Leafs players undergo training camp medicals in mid-September.

BOSTON HERALD: Bruins forward John Beecher enters his sophomore season hoping to build on his rookie campaign.

Beecher, 23 had an up-and-down 2023-24, at one point spending almost two months with the Bruins AHL affiliate in Providence. However, he returned to the Bruins in March and played well down the stretch and in the postseason.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Washington Capitals could bring back their black Screaming Eagle jersey for their 50th anniversary this season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 21, 2024

by | Jun 21, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 21, 2024

The latest on the Oilers and Panthers ahead of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Penguins re-sign Alex Nedeljkovic, the Canucks grant Ilya Mikheyev permission to seek a trade, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers star Leon Draisaitl has struggled to score in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. The 28-year-old forward has 30 points in this postseason but his production has been declining since the Western Conference Final, netting four points in that series and only two assists thus far in the Stanley Cup Final.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch defended Draisaitl’s play, suggesting bad puck luck could be behind his recent low production. The decline could also be due to an undisclosed injury we’ll learn about after the series ends.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers are making a change to their lineup for Game 6 tonight in Edmonton. Nick Cousins will replace Kyle Okposo and be reunited with linemates Ryan Lomberg and Kevin Stenlund. It’s Cousins’ first game since Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins re-signed goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $2.5 million. Nedeljkovic was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nedeljkovic was Tristan Jarry’s backup in 2023-24. He appeared in the Penguins’ final 14 games of the regular season, starting 13 and picking up points in 10 games.

THE PROVINCE: Ilya Mikheyev’s agent, Dan Milstein, said he’s been permitted by the Vancouver Canucks to seek a trade for his client. The 29-year-old winger has two years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $4.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mikheyev had 28 points in 46 games in 2022-23 before undergoing season-ending knee surgery. He struggled with consistency in 2024-25.

DAILY FACEOFF: Calgary Flames goaltender Dan Vladar is expected to have fully recovered from hip surgery when training camp opens in September. The 26-year-old went under the knife in March with a recovery time of four to six months.

TSN: The Los Angeles Kings unveiled their new logo on Thursday, returning to a look similar to their 1990s style.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, it’s the Oakland Raiders on ice.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 22, 2024

by | Apr 22, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 22, 2024

Could the Flyers part ways with Cam Atkinson, Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost? What’s the latest on the Penguins goaltenders? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST FLYERS SPECULATION

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey believes the Flyers and Cam Atkinson could part ways during the offseason. The 34-year-old winger finished the season on a 23-game pointless skid and was a healthy scratch for 12 games.

Atkinson missed all of 2022-23 with a neck injury. He had a good start to this season but his production declined in the second half.

Bailey noted that Atkinson looked and sounded miserable during his exit interview with the media. He also pointed out that Flyers general manager Daniel Briere nor head coach John Tortorella used their opportunities to say Atkinson would return next season. Bailey speculated that Atkinson could be bought out of the final season of his contract.

Philadelphia Flyers winger Cam Atkinson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bailey also pointed out that Atkinson’s production was declining before Briere’s predecessor acquired the winger from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021. His neck injury and age are likely the key factors behind that drop-off in his performance.

Trading Atkinson is almost impossible at this stage. He carries a $5.875 million cap hit for next season. Buying him out would leave them with a cap hit of $2.358 million for 2024-25 dropping to $1.758 million in 2025-26.

Bailey also cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman wondering if the Flyers might move Joel Farabee in the offseason. The 24-year-old left winger didn’t sound like he was happy in his role with the club during his exit interview.

The Flyers have a lot of wingers on their roster and within their prospect system. Farabee is in the second year of a six-year, $30 million contract and lacks no-trade protection.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz also wondered if Farabee has a future with the Flyers beyond this season. Briere felt that Farabee and Noah Cates didn’t develop as well as expected this season but believes they can take on bigger roles.

Kurz also ponders Morgan Frost’s future in Philadelphia. The 24-year-old center struggled through the first half of the season but his production improved after he initiated a meeting with Tortorella. Frost has a year left on his contract with a $2.1 million cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Farabee, Frost or Cates could become trade chips if Briere intends to shake things up this summer. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Flyers GM remains patient and gives those three another season to find their game.

It could be worth watching those three during the offseason, especially leading up to the NHL Draft on June 28-29. That’s usually the period when summer trade activity is at its busiest.

UPDATE ON THE PENGUINS’ GOALTENDERS

TRIBLIVE.COM: Justin Guerriero reports Pittsburgh Penguins starting goaltender Tristan Jarry got a vote of confidence from head coach Mike Sullivan and general manager Kyle Dubas during their end-of-season interviews last week.

It appears the 28-year-old Jarry will remain the Penguins’ starter going forward despite the struggles that saw him supplanted by backup Alex Nedeljkovic down the stretch.

Dubas revealed Jarry battled an illness in early April which partially explains why Nedeljkovic got more playing time late in the season. Still, the latter got the call more often than Jarry with the club’s backs to the wall in the playoff chase.

Trading Jarry would be a big change in the Penguins’ plans after re-signing him to a five-year contract last summer. However, it’s doesn’t appear that’s afloat based on Sullivan’s and Dubas’ comments.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reports the signs point to the Penguins parting ways with Nedeljkovic.

The 28-year-old netminder is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. They could let him walk to make room for promising Joel Blomqvist.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jarry’s contract would be difficult to move given his inconsistent play this season. He’s signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $5.37 million and a 12-team no-trade list.

Barring a surprising move, Jarry and Blomqvist will be the Penguins’ goalie tandem next season.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 5, 2024

by | Apr 5, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 5, 2024

Is Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry playing his way out of Pittsburgh? Should the Canadiens try to contact big-name free agents this summer? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SHOULD THE PENGUINS MOVE ON FROM TRISTAN JARRY?

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: A reader asked Paul Zeise what he felt the future held for Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry. “He does just enough each year to make you believe he’s finally going to be a solid NHL goaltender, only to revert back to form by season’s end.”

Zeise believes Jarry’s situation will be interesting to watch unfold. He thinks there’s a difference in the 28-year-old netminder’s value at the trade deadline and his value now because he hasn’t played well lately.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (NHL Images).

Jarry’s contract will be an issue as he’s “locked up for a decent amount of money over the next several years.” If the Penguins trade him, they won’t get a good return. If they keep him, they’ll be on the hook for a goalie who hasn’t played up to his contract.

Alex Nedeljkovic has outplayed Jarry in recent weeks. However, he can become an unrestricted free agent this summer and may have played his way out of town.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Last summer was the time to move on from Jarry when he was UFA-eligible. Incoming Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas signed him to a five-year extension with an average annual value of $5.375 million.

Jarry made Dubas look good earlier this season, stealing his fair share of games for the inconsistent Penguins. In his first 40 games, he had a record of 17-18-4 with a .912 save percentage and six shutouts. There were a few stinkers in there but he still played well for the most part. In his last 10 games, however, he has a 2-6-1 record with a save percentage of .870.

I don’t see the Penguins finding any takers for Jarry when this summer’s trade market could feature such notable goalies as Boston’s Linus Ullmark, Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom and Nashville’s Juuse Saros.

SHOULD THE CANADIENS LOOK INTO SIGNING A BIG-NAME FREE AGENT?

TVA SPORTS: Tony Marinaro believes the Montreal Canadiens must look into the availability of this summer’s notable unrestricted free agents.

He thinks the Canadiens are interested in speaking with all the free agents to find out what they think of Montreal and to sell them on their rebuilding project.

Marinaro doesn’t think older UFA stars like the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Steven Stamkos and the Vegas Golden Knights’ Jonathan Marchessault would fit well with a Canadiens team transitioning towards young players. He also believes they would be too expensive, with Stamkos likely to command $10 million annually on a four or five-year contract and Marchessault getting between $35 million and $40 million on a five-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed that the Canadiens will search for a scoring forward this summer. However, they’re not pursuing older stars like Stamkos and Marchessault. I don’t see either player spending their final NHL seasons with a rebuilding team.

The best younger UFA options are Florida’s Sam Reinhart (28) and Carolina’s Jake Guentzel (29). Reinhart could re-sign with the Panthers while Guentzel could prefer signing with a contender. They’re also going to be too expensive for the Canadiens.

Canadiens GM Kent Hughes could look to free agency for one or two affordable depth additions. He’ll likely turn to the trade market for a scorer, preferably a forward in their mid-twenties who would fit in well with the Habs’ youth movement.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 20, 2023

by | Nov 20, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 20, 2023

William Nylander extends his points streak as the Leafs win again in Sweden, tough times for the Blue Jackets and Wild, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander extended his season-opening points streak to 17 games with the overtime winner in a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild in the NHL Global Series in Stockholm, Sweden. Nylander and Auston Matthews each had a goal and an assist while Morgan Rielly had a goal and two assists for the 10-5-2 Maple Leafs. Mats Zuccarello had a goal and an assist for the Wild as they slid to 5-8-4 on the season.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nylander remains the Leafs’ best player this season, leading them with 27 points and sitting among the league’s scoring leaders.

The Wild, meanwhile, have been struggling this season, prompting general manager Bill Guerin to express his unhappiness over the club’s performance during a team meeting with players and coaches.

Guerin recently attempted to bolster his blueline by shipping Calen Addison to the San Jose Sharks and adding Zach Bogosian from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Handcuffed by over $14 million in dead cap space due to buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter two years ago, there’s little the Wild GM can do to help his cap-strapped club.

The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2, handing the latter their ninth straight loss. Ryan Poehling had a goal and two assists for the Flyers (10-7-1) as they extended their win streak to five games. Blues Jackets winger Patrik Laine was a healthy scratch as his club fell to 4-11-4. Jackets defenseman Damon Severson left this game during the second period with an upper-body injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jackets have tied their franchise record for the longest losing streak in a season. The Athletic’s Blue Jackets beat writer Aaron Portzline wondered who’ll take the fall for this club’s poor performance. He doesn’t see head coach Pascal Vincent getting the axe less than two months after being hired. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen has been criticized by Jackets fans but he still has the support of team president John Davidson.

The Flyers, meanwhile, placed goaltender Felix Sandstrom on waivers after taking him off injured reserve.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic returned to the lineup with a 38-save performance to shut out the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0. Ryan Graves, Noel Acciari and Evgeni Malkin scored as the Penguins improved to 9-8-0. Golden Knights goalie Adin Hill stopped 30 shots as his team remains on top of the Western Conference with a record of 13-4-2 (28 points).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jeff Carter returned to the Penguins’ lineup as Vinnie Hinostroza is sidelined by a lower-body injury. The Golden Knights activated Nicolas Hague off injured reserve for this game.

The Buffalo Sabres snapped a three-game losing skid by nipping the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2. Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and two assists for the 8-9-1 Sabres. Philipp Kurashev has a goal and an assist for the Blackhawks as they fell to 5-11-0.

St. Louis Blues netminder Joel Hofer had a 30-save performance in a 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks, handing the latter their third straight loss. Pavel Buchnevich scored what proved to be the game-winner as the Blues moved to 9-7-1. John Gibson stopped 28 shots and Mason McTavish scored for the 9-9-0 Ducks.

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE BOSTON GLOBE: Bruins winger Milan Lucic will appear in a Boston court on Monday to face a charge of assault and battery on a family member. Lucic was arrested on Saturday morning following a domestic incident and is on an indefinite leave of absence from the Bruins.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov is listed as day-to-day with a knee injury and will miss Monday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.