NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 6, 2025

by | Jul 6, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 6, 2025

Eleven players file for salary arbitration, three potential new duos formed by recent trades and free agency, the latest contract signings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHLPA.COM: Eleven players elected salary arbitration by the July 5 deadline.

Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi (NHL Images).

Three of them are with the Winnipeg Jets. They are forwards Morgan Barron and Gabriel Vilardi and defenseman Dylan Samberg. Two of them – goaltender Lukas Dostal and defenseman Drew Helleson – are with the Anaheim Ducks.

The others are winger Kaapo Kakko of the Seattle Kraken, forward Nicholas Robertson of the Toronto Maple Leafs, goaltender Arvid Soderblom of the Chicago Blackhawks, defenseman Jayden Struble of the Montreal Canadiens, defenseman Conor Timmins of the Buffalo Sabres, and winger Maxim Tsyplakov of the New York Islanders.

The deadline for club-elected salary arbitration notification is Sunday, July 6, at 5 pm ET. Arbitration hearings will be held from July 20 and August 4, 2025.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The schedule will be released in the coming days. These players are now ineligible to receive offer sheets from rival teams.

These players probably won’t require arbitration to receive new contracts. It’s often a tactic used to set a deadline in negotiations to avoid talks dragging on throughout the summer.

Both sides usually agree to contract terms before the arbitration date. Don’t be surprised if all of them end up settling before their scheduled hearings.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andre Leal looked at three new potential duos recently formed through trades and free agency that could dominate once they hit the ice together.

Right wing Mitch Marner is expected to skate alongside center Jack Eichel with the Vegas Golden Knights. The 28-year-old Marner was traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Golden Knights last week, signing an eight-year contract. He had a career-best 102 points last season, while Eichel reached his career best of 94 points.

The Montreal Canadiens acquired defenseman Noah Dobson on June 27 from the New York Islanders. Leal believes he’d be a perfect complement alongside 2025 Calder Memorial Trophy winner Lane Hutson on the Canadiens’ top defense pairing.

On June 23, the Anaheim Ducks traded forward Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers. Leal cited Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet suggesting the possibility of putting Zegras on the same line as scoring winger Matvei Michkov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner with Eichel seems the most certain pairing, but it comes down to whether their styles will mesh.

Tocchet said the Flyers would be idiots not to consider at least putting Zegras and Michkov together, but seemed to leave the door open to the possibility that they’ll be playing on separate lines.

Dobson and Hutson seem the least likely pairing, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. They could see power-play time together.

Daily Faceoff’s roster projection shows Dobson on the top pairing with Kaiden Guhle, with Hutson on the second pairing with Jayden Struble. Meanwhile, PuckPedia has Dobson with Mike Matheson on the top pairing, with Hutson and Guhle on the second. That’s just their best guess, as we won’t know those pairings for certain until the start of the season in October.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed forward Dmitri Voronkov to a two-year, $8.35 million contract with an average annual value of $4.175 million.

Voronkov, 24, finished last season with a career-best 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points, sitting sixth among Blue Jackets’ scorers. He led the Jackets with eight power-play goals and was fourth in plus/minus with plus-17.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A reasonable bridge deal for Voronkov, who completed his entry-level contract last season. He had a solid sophomore season following his 18-goal, 34-point debut in 2023-24.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken signed forward Tye Kartye to a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.25 million.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Washington Capitals signed center Hendrix Lapierre to a one-year, one-way contract worth $850K.

THE DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche named Mark Letestu as the new head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Letestu spent 11 NHL seasons with five teams as a player, and spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.

NESN: Former NHL winger Lyndon Byers died on July 4 at age 61. He spent nine seasons with the Boston Bruins and one season with the San Jose Sharks from 1983-84 to 1992-93. An enforcer who became a fan favorite in Boston, Byers had 28 goals and 43 assists for 71 points and 1,081 PIMs in 279 games.

Following his playing career, Byers returned to Boston, where he became a member of a popular radio morning show from 1996 to 2019.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Byers’ family, friends, his former teammates, and coworkers.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 4, 2025

by | Jul 4, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 4, 2025

What’s the latest on Bowen Byram? What will teams do that missed out in the free-agent market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST BOWEN BYRAM SPECULATION

TSN: cited the Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford reporting the St. Louis Blues have been trying hard to acquire Bowen Byram. He also speculated that the 24-year-old Buffalo Sabres defenseman could receive an offer sheet.

The Blues made headlines last summer by using offer sheets to successfully sign away defenseman Philip Broberg and winger Dylan Holloway from the Edmonton Oilers.

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn reminded us that Byram is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. However, he’s yet to put pen to paper on a new contract with the Sabres.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

Earlier this week, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams indicated that he would match any offer sheet for Byram, pointing out they saved cap space ($12 million) to address that possibility.

If Adams decides to trade Byram, his preference is for a return that immediately helps the Sabres. Fairburn speculated that it could contain multiple players, like the recent JJ Peterka deal with the Utah Mammoth. It could also involve packaging Byram with a pick or prospect for a better player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have just over $625,000 in cap space, but they can free up $6.5 million by placing Torey Krug on long-term injury reserve (LTIR). Nevertheless, that won’t be enough for an unmatchable offer sheet for Byram.

If Byram wants out of Buffalo, signing an offer sheet could backfire on him if the Sabres match. A trade seems the only way he gets moved this summer, and that’s not a certainty if Adams doesn’t get the return he wants.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR TEAMS THAT MISSED OUT ON FREE AGENCY?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jonathan Tovell cited TSN’s Chris Johnston speculating that teams that lost out on the best available talent in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market (UFA) could turn to the trade market to address their roster needs.

Potential trade options include Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson, or Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins are open to offers for Rust and Rakell but they aren’t shopping them. The asking price will include a good young NHL player in the return.

The Stars are roughly $1.8 million over the salary cap. They can be over the cap by 10 percent during the offseason but must be cap-compliant at the start of the regular season.

Robertson surfaced in the rumor mill following the Stars’ third-straight elimination from the Western Conference Final. He’s a year away from restricted free-agent status (RFA) with arbitration rights and a year away from UFA eligibility after that.

Shedding Robertson’s $7.75 million AAV for this season would not only make them cap-compliant but also provide invaluable wiggle room for other moves during the season. Given his value to their offense, however, they could opt for a more affordable move to shed salary.

As for Marchessault, Nashville general manager Barry Trotz said there was no truth to the recent trade rumors, indicating the veteran winger will return with the Predators this season.

Tovell also mentioned the possibility of some teams targeting RFAs on other clubs with offer sheets. Possible targets include Kaapo Kakko of the Seattle Kraken, Alex Laferriere of the Los Angeles Kings, Gabriel Vilardi of the Winnipeg Jets, Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild and Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks.

However, those players must be willing to entertain those offer sheets. If they do, their current clubs have the option to match them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be a waste of time for clubs to target most of those players as their current teams have over $10 million in salary-cap space, more than enough to match.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 21, 2025

by | Feb 21, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 21, 2025

Check out the latest on Seth Jones, Nick Robertson, and potential Rangers trade-deadline targets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli took note of the news out of Chicago indicating Seth Jones and his agent were discussing trade possibilities with Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson. The 30-year-old defenseman hasn’t requested a trade but appears open to moving to a winner if the right opportunity arises.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones (NHL Images).

Seravalli doesn’t believe Davidson’s phone is ringing off the hook with calls about Jones. He also pointed out the blueliner’s contract is difficult to move. He’s signed through 2029-30 with an average annual value of $9.5 million and a full no-movement clause.

The biggest question for interested teams is how much of Jones’ cap hit would the Blackhawks retain. Jones must present Davidson with a list of trade destinations. Since he wants to go to a winner, those teams usually have the most salary-cap issues.

Seravalli believes the Blackhawks could afford to carry half of Jones’ cap hit over the next five seasons if it’ll fetch them a significant return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The significant projected increases in the salary cap over the next three seasons could make it easier for the Blackhawks to retain part of Jones’ cap hit. PuckPedia shows them carrying over $36 million of cap space for 2025-26 with 17 roster players under contract. There’s enough room to retain $4.75 million annually going forward.

The Blackhawks could find a trade partner for Jones by the March 7 deadline but it might take a three-team swap to pull it off. They should have better luck in the offseason when more clubs are flush with cap room.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, James Mirtle was asked about Nick Robertson’s trade value. The 23-year-old forward is on a one-year, $875K contract and becomes a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights.

Mirtle observed that Robertson is a small offensive winger with 12 points in 47 games seeing sheltered minutes. He could become a salary-cap casualty at the trade deadline to create room if the Leafs attempt to add players at the trade deadline. Mirtle doesn’t see him fetching more than a fourth-rounder in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson was a hot topic for trade speculation last summer when he tried to force a trade by refusing to sign with the Leafs. He eventually inked his current deal before training camp opened last fall.

THE ATHLETIC: A reader asked Arthur Staple if he thinks the New York Rangers will try to add a third-line center or top-six winger by the March 7 trade deadline.

Staple doesn’t see Rangers GM Chris Drury going after a rental player like Ryan Donato. However, he thinks Drury would prefer adding a player who can be part of their future beyond this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staple mentioned Ryan McLeod of the Buffalo Sabres as an example if he becomes available. The 25-year-old center is a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights carrying an AAV of $2.1 million on his current contract. He could also see the Rangers GM adding a pending UFA like Boston’s Trent Frederic if he can re-sign him.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2025

by | Jan 2, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2025

Could the Canucks trade Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller? What’s the latest Leafs speculation? Could the Penguins attempt to trade Jesse Puljujarvi? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE CANUCKS FACE A CHOICE BETWEEN PETTERSSON AND MILLER?

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston observed Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin’s recent comments about Elias Pettersson during his year-end interview with Sportsnet.

Allvin said he believes Pettersson has the tools to become a No. 1 center but needs more maturity and accountability. He also didn’t dismiss the possibility of a trade.

Johnston suggests Allvin could be trying to encourage improvement from Pettersson, or perhaps signal to his team that everyone must be held accountable. Another option could be trying to re-set the trade market for Pettersson, whose hefty contract and recent struggles could be difficult to move.

“Will they trade (Pettersson)? Almost certainly not,” writes Johnston. “But that doesn’t mean they won’t”.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes Canucks management is leaning closer toward making a major roster change, citing the feud between Pettersson and J.T. Miller. “Don’t be surprised if we start hearing the Canucks are willing to take calls on Miller,” writes Kypreos.

Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In the middle of this speculation came recent remarks by former Canucks forward Brad Richardson regarding Miller’s interactions with Pettersson.

Richardson said he loves Miller but felt the veteran center was being too hard on Pettersson. “Listen, J.T., he’s the man. But there is a lot of tension. And something’s gonna give. I’m not saying you’re going to love every guy on your team – it helps – but something’s gonna give here. We’ll see.”

Johnston believes Richardson’s remarks jibe with what others have said about the relationship between Miller and Pettersson. He considers both players demanding and exacting but Miller’s brash, outspoken personality hasn’t sat well at times with the introverted Pettersson.

Both players recently denied a rumored rift. However, Allvin’s and Richardson’s remarks add fuel to the fire. It could come down to Allvin and president of hockey ops Jim Rutherford having to choose between them.

THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos took note of Auston Matthews’ nagging upper-body injury and its potential effect on the remainder of the season for the Maple Leafs captain.

If the setbacks continue, Kypreos speculates the Leafs could place him on long-term injury reserve before the March 7 trade deadline to help him get healthy for the playoffs. They could use the salary-cap savings ($13.25 million) to trade for another top center and give them a healthy boost when Matthews returned for the postseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Putting Matthews on LTIR for the remainder of the regular season would enable Leafs management to add more than a center. They could also buttress their blueline, especially on the right side. Whether they go that route remains to be seen and requires sufficient medical evidence to pass muster with league HQ.

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons believes the Leafs should attempt to acquire Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders. He thinks they need a second or third-line center to provide additional depth at that position for the playoffs.

Nelson, 33, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. With the Islanders struggling, he could be shopped by the trade deadline if he hasn’t signed a contract extension.

Simmons acknowledged the cost of acquiring Nelson won’t be cheap. A source suggested acquiring a player like him could cost a first-round pick plus other pieces. More affordable trade targets could include Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken, Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers, Alexander Wennberg of the San Jose Sharks, or Ryan Strome of the Anaheim Ducks.

Nelson’s cap hit is $6 million but he also has a 16-team no-trade list that could affect where he ends up if the Isles attempt to move him before the deadline.

SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN: Elliotte Friedman recently said the Maple Leafs are trying to improve their roster. It’s been reported they’re trying to add a center, preferably one with term remaining on his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton, Wennberg and Strome would fit the bill. Laughton and Wennberg each have a year remaining on their contracts while Strome has two years.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Leafs will have to clear some cap space to make additions before the March 7 trade deadline. He recommends forwards Pontus Holmberg, David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, Nick Robertson and defenseman Conor Timmins as trade candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson was a fixture in last summer’s rumor mill when he requested a trade rather than re-sign with the Leafs. His lack of leverage forced him to ink a one-year deal before training camp opened in September. The 23-year-old could have the most value of that bunch but that’s not saying much.

WHAT NEXT FOR JESSE PULJUJARVI?

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Vensel reports Jesse Puljujarvi may have asked Penguins GM Kyle Dubas to be moved to a place where he can play. He was placed on waivers Tuesday but went unclaimed.

Puljujarvi is in the final season of a two-year contract. He’s been a healthy scratch since Dec. 7, during which the Penguins went 5-4-1. Having cleared waivers, he can be sent to their AHL affiliate but the Penguins are keeping him on their roster as injury insurance as they prepare to face the Florida Panthers on Friday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A team could attempt to acquire Puljujarvi via trade since he cleared waivers and wouldn’t have to go on them again to be sent to the minors. That seems unlikely given his struggles throughout his NHL career.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 21, 2024

by | Dec 21, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 21, 2024

The holiday roster freeze (Dec. 20-27) is in effect but it hasn’t silenced the trade and free-agent rumors. Check out the latest on the Canucks, Ducks and Avalanche in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE CANUCKS MOVE PETTERSSON OR MILLER?

THE PROVINCE: Dave Pottinger cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman spitballing a trade that would see the Vancouver Canucks trade Elias Pettersson to the Buffalo Sabres for Dylan Cozens and Bowen Byram.

That prompted some observers to take to social media suggesting a rift could exist between Pettersson and J.T. Miller.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

Meanwhile, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun believes a trade by the Canucks could be imminent. He pointed out the club has been inconsistent this season and believes team president Jim Rutherford and his club’s management won’t sit on their hands.

LeBrun cited league sources saying the Canucks are in the market for a top-four defenseman, a need further highlighted by the absence of Filip Hronek as he recovers from a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli made a couple of recent reports indicating the Canucks are shopping for a defenseman. CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal advocates acquiring Ivan Provorov from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s difficult to see the Canucks trading Miller or Pettersson but it’s not impossible to believe it could happen. Nevertheless, one would think Rutherford or head coach Rick Tocchet would sort out any issue between those two players rather than put one of them on the trade block.

If the Canucks were willing to trade Miller or Pettersson, the latter would be the easiest to move, assuming the former isn’t asking for a trade. Pettersson’s contract is more expensive than Miller’s but his no-movement clause doesn’t kick in until July 1, 2025, whereas Miller has full no-movement protection. Pettersson is also five years younger than Miller.

COULD THE DUCK MOVE VATRANO AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens reports Frank Vatrano could become an attractive candidate for the March 7 trade deadline. The 30-year-old Anaheim Ducks forward is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. He carries an affordable $3.65 million cap hit this season.

Vatrano surfaced in the rumor mill leading up to last season’s trade deadline but the Ducks held onto him. Management hopes to re-sign the veteran winger to a comfortable amount and term length.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vatrano fits in well with the Ducks. He could stick with this rebuilding club to help them see it through but the lure of signing a lucrative contract with a contender could be enticing. Vatrano will attract interest if he becomes available by the trade deadline.

AVALANCHE NEEDS TO BOLSTER BOTTOM-SIX FORWARD DEPTH.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen believes the Avalanche’s bottom-six forward depth needs improvement. He believes they should bring in a third-line center to play alongside Jonathan Drouin.

Deen suggested pursuing affordable options like Juuso Parsinen of the Nashville Predators, Nick Robertson of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jonatan Berggren of the Detroit Red Wings or Mathieu Olivier of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets are reportedly keen to re-sign Olivier so he’s unlikely to be available unless their negotiations go south in the coming weeks.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 7, 2024

by | Nov 7, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – November 7, 2024

Check out the latest on the Maple Leafs and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle wondered if another cost-cutting trade could be coming to help the Toronto Maple Leafs get under the salary cap.

Defenseman Jani Hakanpaa and forward Connor Dewar will soon complete their AHL conditioning stints as they return from injury. Meanwhile, the Leafs have an extra forward (Pontus Holmberg) and two extra defensemen (Matt Benning and Philippe Myers).

Mirtle indicates the Leafs are trying to trade Benning. Failing that, he or Myers could be placed on waivers and sent to the minors if unclaimed.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson (NHL Images).

They’ll also have to free up a spot for Calle Jarnkrok when he returns from injury. Holmberg could be waived and demoted while trade candidates include Nick Robertson and David Kampf. Moving Kampf would clear his $2.4 million annual cap hit (through 2025-26) from their books.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes it’s time for the Leafs and Nick Robertson to part ways. The 23-year-old winger has had a sub-par start to the season and should be traded.

Robertson asked for a trade this summer but eventually signed a one-year, $875K contract with the Leafs. He had five goals in preseason play but only one in 11 games thus far and has been a healthy scratch from a couple of recent games.

Proteau thinks Robertson might benefit from a fresh start elsewhere. He believes the young winger would get a longer look as a top-nine forward with a club like the Colorado Avalanche or New York Islanders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see what kind of roster juggling Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has in store to address this issue.

It’s been rumored he could shop a forward like Kampf or Jarnkrok. Robertson also remains a trade possibility.

Proteau suggested the Avs and Isles because injuries have left them thin on their respective forward lines. He’d be an affordable addition to those cap-strapped clubs but his inconsistent play affects his value in the trade market.

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels recently answered some questions from Montreal Canadiens fans.

First, he doesn’t believe Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis is on the hot seat and doesn’t expect he’ll be fired anytime soon. Despite the team’s current struggles, management expected this and they believe St. Louis will seize the opportunity to improve and come out a better coach.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: St. Louis remains part of the Canadiens’ long-term plans but he could use some help from the coaching staff, especially with their defensive game. Any changes behind the bench could involve his assistants.

Engels also repeated recent reports indicating Canadiens GM Kent Hughes is shopping around for a veteran defenseman and a gritty forward. However, Hughes doesn’t want to pay a high price for depth.

Hughes could be interested in re-signing center Jake Evans but shouldn’t rush based on his strong start to this season. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old center could price himself out of Montreal if he seeks over $3 million annually on his next contract.

They could be interested in re-signing 34-year-old defenseman David Savard if he accepts a short-term deal for less money.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes isn’t going to make any panicky deals based on his team’s poor start. Management remains in rebuild mode despite hoping to be in the mix for playoff contention this season. They hope to get a boost when sidelined winger Patrik Laine returns from a knee injury in December.