NHL Rumor Mill – August 4, 2025

by | Aug 4, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 4, 2025

Check out the latest on Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk, Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson, and free-agent forward Jack Roslovic in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: In the latest episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman said he expects Matthew Tkachuk will miss considerable time this season. The Florida Panthers winger revealed he played with a torn adductor muscle during his club’s run to the Stanley Cup this spring.

Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (NHL Images).

Friedman anticipates that Tkachuk will miss the start of this season, but believes he’ll return in time for the 2026 Winter Olympics in February. Playing for Team USA with his brother, Brady, is “a huge deal” for Tkachuk.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This isn’t a trade or free-agent rumor, but it ties into speculation over how the Panthers will become cap-compliant to start their season.

Based on Friedman’s remarks, Tkachuk could undergo surgery that sidelines him until the New Year. The Panthers currently sit $3.725 million above the $95.5 million salary cap for 2025-26. Teams are permitted to be above the cap by 10 percent during the offseason, but must be compliant when their regular season begins in October.

The Panthers will likely wait until just before their season opener to put Tkachuk on long-term injury reserve. That’ll put them under the cap when the season begins.

However, they’ll have to shed salary before Tkachuk returns to action. Forward Evan Rodrigues has been mentioned as a cost-cutting option for the Panthers.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston speculates Nick Robertson could become a trade candidate for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Robertson, 23, avoided arbitration with the Leafs by agreeing to a one-year, $1.85 million contract for 2025-26.

Johnston observed that the Leafs are currently carrying 14 forwards. He believes they “could still ship out one or more of David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, or Robertson before the season begins.” However, he noted they’ve been reluctant to move him in the past because of his age and scoring ability.

SPORTSNET: During Sunday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman was asked if a Nick Robertson-for-Yegor Chinakhov trade would make sense for both clubs. Friedman believes the Leafs would want a better return.

Friedman also wondered if the Pittsburgh Penguins might have an interest in Robertson. He pointed out that Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas drafted the young winger during his tenure as GM of the Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like Johnston, Friedman believes the Leafs must move out one or two forwards before the start of the season. Kampf and Jarnkrok seem the more likely trade candidates, but clubs might prefer the younger, affordable Robertson.

Friedman also reported that “five or six teams” are believed to be interested in Jack Roslovic, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 28-year-old forward remains the best player available in the depleted unrestricted free-agent market. He’s said to be still evaluating his options.

Friedman thinks the remaining UFAs, like Roslovic, aren’t willing to sign yet because they don’t want to accept deals that could be considered too much of a bargain.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs were linked to Roslovic last month, but their acquisition of winger Dakota Joshua from the Vancouver Canucks and their re-signing of Nick Robertson leaves them with just over $1.9 million. That’s another reason why they must move out a forward like Kampf or Jarnkrok.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 3, 2025

by | Aug 3, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 3, 2025

A theory behind the lack of offer sheets this summer, Lane Hutson reportedly passed over for Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp, the Maple Leafs avoid arbitration with Nick Robertson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RG.ORG: James Murphy examined the lack of offer sheets thus far for this summer’s restricted free agents.

The rise in the salary cap to $95.5 million for 2025-26 left several clubs flush with cap space. Factor in the St. Louis Blues signing away Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway from the Edmonton Oilers last summer, and there was anticipation of more offer sheet signings this year.

However, one NHL player agent theorized that some team owners may be reluctant to drive up the market value by overpaying players with expensive offer sheets. Another factor is that there are clubs with plenty of cap room that can easily match any offer for one of their restricted free agents.

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: PuckPedia indicates 10 teams have over $10 million in cap space for 2025-26. Some of those teams, like the Carolina Hurricanes, could target another team’s RFAs to bolster their roster for a future Stanley Cup run.

However, there are also teams with the cap room to match an offer sheet. For example, Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks is frequently mentioned as a possible target, but the Ducks have over $21 million in cap space. It’s a waste of time to target McTavish when his club can quickly and easily match it.

It’s been suggested that teams should test that theory by offering McTavish a contract with a cap hit of $9 million or more. However, all that accomplishes is driving up the value of comparable players, which is great for them, but not for the teams that have to pay them.

The compensation for signing a player like McTavish to a grossly inflated cap hit is also costly to the team making that signing. Anything between $9.36 million and $11.7 million costs two first-round picks, a second-round pick, and a third-round pick. Anything over $11.7 million is four first-rounders.

McTavish, 22, is a very good player with considerable upside, but he’s not worth over $9.3 million annually, nor is he worth the cost in futures a club would have to pay for a successful signing.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: cited a report by Tony Marinaro of “The Sick Podcast” claiming Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson will not be invited to attend Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp.

Hutson, 21, won the Calder Memorial Trophy last season as NHL Rookie of the Year, becoming the first Canadien to do so since Ken Dryden in 1971-72. However, the Americans already have a defenseman of comparable size and skills in Vancouver Canuck captain Quinn Hughes, who also has more NHL experience than Hutson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hutson will get more opportunities to represent his country on the international stage in future tournaments, including the 2030 Winter Olympics. The Americans already have a deep, experienced defense core with Hughes, Zach Werenski, Brock Faber, Adam Fox, Jaccob Slavin, Charlie McAvoy, Noah Hanifin, and Jake Sanderson. Most of those blueliners were part of Team USA in February’s 4 Nations’ Face-Off.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs avoided salary arbitration with winger Nick Robertson. Both sides agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.85 million on Saturday.

The Robertson camp sought $2.25 million while the Leafs offered $1.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That concludes this summer’s arbitration period. The 11 players who filed and the two who were to be taken to arbitration ultimately agreed to new contracts before their scheduled hearings.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Center James Hagens looks forward to starting his NHL career with the Bruins as soon as possible. However, it appears he’s committed to returning to Boston College this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins selected Hagens with the seventh-overall pick in this year’s draft. It’ll do the 18-year-old center good to spend at least one more season in the NCAA to develop his skills before making the jump to the pro ranks.

RDS.CA: Anaheim Ducks prospect Roger McQueen is reportedly leaving Canadian junior hockey to join the NCAA’s ranks this season. Rather than return to the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings, the 18-year-old center is expected to join Providence College.

McQueen was chosen 10th overall by the Ducks in this year’s draft. He’ll join Chicago Blackhawks prospect center Julius Sumpf, who has also joined Providence after spending the last two seasons with the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 2, 2025

by | Aug 2, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 2, 2025

Hockey Canada invites 42 NHL players to their National Teams orientation camp, a list of the top remaining unrestricted free agents, the Kings re-sign Alex Laferriere, the latest on Leafs winger Nick Robertson, and more in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: Hockey Canada invited 92 players from its’ mens’, womens’, and para hockey teams to attend its National Teams Orientation Camp in preparation for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The camp will be held from Aug. 26-28 in Calgary.

Forty-two NHL players (three goaltenders, 13 defensemen, and 26 forwards) were selected by Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong and his staff:

Goaltenders: Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues; Adin Hill, Vegas Golden Knights; Sam Montembeault, Montreal Canadiens.

Team Canada center Connor McDavid celebrates his winning goal in the 4 Nations Face-Off (NHL.com).

Defensemen: Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers; Noah Dobson, Montreal Canadiens; Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings; Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers; Thomas Harley, Dallas Stars; Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche; Brandon Montour, Seattle Kraken; Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets; Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues; Travis Sanheim, Philadelphia Flyers; Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights; Devon Toews, Colorado Avalanche; MacKenzie Weegar, Calgary Flames.

Forward: Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks; Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers; Quinton Byfield, Los Angeles Kings; Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks; Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning; Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins; Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning; Bo Horvat, New York Islanders; Zach Hyman, Edmonton Oilers; Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes; Wyatt Johnston, Dallas Stars; Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers; Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche; Brad Marchand, Florida Panthers; Mitch Marner, Vegas Golden Knights; Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers; Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning; Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers; Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets; Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights; Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens; John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs; Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues; Carter Verhaeghe, Florida Panthers; Tom Wilson, Washington Capitals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Many of these players were part of Canada’s gold-medal squad in last February’s 4 Nations Face-Off. Most of that 4 Nations group will be selected for the 2026 Winter Olympics team.

DAILY FACEOFF: Forward Jack Roslovic, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, and winger Max Pacioretty remain among the noteworthy players still available in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.

Other notables include winger Victor Olofsson, goaltender James Reimer, winger Luke Kunin, netminder Ilya Samsonov, and center Evgeny Kuznetsov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of these players will be signed to low-cost, one-year contracts before training camp opens in mid-September. The others will get professional tryout offers (PTOs), or face the choice of retirement or continuing their playing careers in Europe.

MAYOR’S MANOR: The Los Angeles Kings signed forward Alex Laferriere to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $4.1 million.

Laferriere, 23, was a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level contract last season. He enjoyed a promising sophomore campaign in 2024-25, netting 19 goals and 42 points in 77 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have their full 23-man roster under contract for this season. Management’s focus will shift to signing first-line forward Adrian Kempe to a contract extension. The 28-year-old winger carries a $5.5 million salary-cap hit this season and is UFA-eligible next summer.

Team captain Anze Kopitar is also due to become a UFA next summer, but he intends to finish his career with the Kings.

TORONTO SUN: cited Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reporting there is a $1 million cap between Nick Robertson and the Maple Leafs as they prepare for his arbitration hearing on Aug. 3.

Friedman claims the Robertson camp seeks $2.25 million, while the Maple Leafs are countering with $1.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson is the last player scheduled for salary arbitration this summer. The others all reached agreements on new contracts before their hearings.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Former Oilers defenseman and captain Jason Smith was named the new head coach of the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings on July 31.

Smith spent 15 seasons in the NHL, eight of those with the Oilers from 1998-99 to 2006-07. His previous head-coaching job was with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets from 2016 to 2019. He was also an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers’ AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley.

THE ATHLETIC’s Aaron Portzline reported on July 31 that former NHL player Stefan Matteau has joined the coaching staff of the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 28, 2025

by | Jul 28, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 28, 2025

The trade market for Erik Karlsson may be fading, and the latest Leafs speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Shayna Goldman recently observed that the Pittsburgh Penguins could find it increasingly difficult to trade Erik Karlsson this summer.

The Penguins have a year and a half (to the 2027 trade deadline) to move Karlsson, so they don’t have to rush into anything this summer. However, starting this season in Pittsburgh could affect his trade value. He’s now 35, and the team around him isn’t getting any better.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images)

Moving Karlsson during this summer might be the best path, but suitable trade options have dwindled in recent weeks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins could garner more interest in Karlsson if they agree to retain half of their share ($10 million) of his $11.5 million average annual value (AAV). Whether they’re willing to do that will depend on the type of return he would fetch in the trade market, or how keen they are to move him out of Pittsburgh.

Karlsson’s no-movement clause remains a sticking point. It’s believed he’ll waive it to join a contender, but there’s no indication that there are any of those clubs currently interested in him.

A solid start to this season with the Penguins could bolster Karlsson’s value in this season’s trade market. If his performance continues to decline, it will be difficult to move him even if they retain half of his cap hit.

Turning to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Goldman noted that they have improved their bottom-six forwards by bringing in Dakota Joshua and Nicolas Roy, and added a middle-six playmaking winger (Matias Maccelli) at a low cost.

However, they still haven’t suitably addressed the offense they lost by trading Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights on the eve of free agency. That could affect their chances of staging a deep playoff run this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This season will be interesting for the Maple Leafs. Their lousy playoff record since 2017 led to Marner’s departure. Another disappointing effort could lead to a more significant roster shakeup next summer.

DAILY FACEOFF: Tyler Yaremchuk and Matt Larkin last week discussed what the future could hold for Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson.

The 23-year-old Robertson is a restricted free agent awaiting an arbitration hearing on August 2. He had 15 goals in 69 games last season in a limited role, and he’s not necessarily a clear fit within their top-12 forwards.

Larkin observed that the Leafs are pressed for cap space, but the departure of Marner leaves them in need of affordable depth scoring. If Robertson is traded to a weaker team, he could score 20-25 goals playing second-line minutes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs have just over $2.9 million in cap space. A big chunk of that is likely allocated for Robertson, who made $875K last season. He could end up signing with them before his hearing.

It’s been suggested that the Leafs could use Robertson could become a trade chip in a larger deal to add a scorer. However, that could be wishful thinking given their limited trade assets.










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.