NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 11, 2024

by | Sep 11, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 11, 2024

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly talks about several notable issues such as league expansion and teams in no-tax states, the latest on Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Marchessault, and the latest signings in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly met with the media on Tuesday to discuss the notable issues facing the league entering 2024-25 and beyond.

Daly said the league isn’t in the expansion process nor is it a priority. Nevertheless, he admitted the success of the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken has spurred interest around North America in other potential ownership groups in other cities. He also didn’t rule out a potential return to Arizona provided there are definitive plans and progress on a new state-of-the-art arena.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The league might not be actively pursuing expansion. Still, they’ll listen if a potential ownership group is willing to pay the expensive expansion fee, has a suitable marketplace to sustain that franchise, and possesses a viable NHL arena.

The deputy commissioner acknowledged conversations have grown over time regarding a perceived advantage for the six NHL teams in five states without a state tax (Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Seattle Kraken, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Vegas Golden Knights). However, there isn’t sufficient momentum at present that has created a paradigm shift, pointing to other factors that make other markets enticing such as cost of living and quality of family life.

Daly dismissed the notion of placing an artificially lower cap on teams in no-tax states.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Good luck getting the players who belong to those six teams and the owners of those clubs to agree to a lower cap than the other teams in the next round of collective bargaining.

Daly said he’s heard from the 32 NHL general managers regarding potential changes to salary cap exemptions teams receive for placing players on long-term injury reserve (LTIR). He indicated the majority would like to see the league make some kind of adjustment to alleviate some of the concerns. It’s a discussion they’ll continue having with the general managers before going to the players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is targeted at teams who place injured players on LTIR late in the season, use the cap savings to add players to their roster, and then activate those sidelined players during the postseason when the salary cap is no longer in effect. Daly is saying there’s little that can be done to address this issue until the next round of collective bargaining in two years.

Asked about the league’s view on the deferred salaries of Carolina Hurricanes players Seth Jarvis and Jaccob Slavin, Daly said deferred compensation is part of the CBA. He noted that determining what is permissible can be difficult and could be perceived as cap circumvention.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes were able to do it because those deferred payments are within the limitations set out in the CBA. Other clubs could try it provided the players they’re negotiating with are willing to defer part of their salary to help their team receive a more favorable cap hit. The league will review these types of payments carefully but it remains to be seen if it becomes a trend.

Daly also said he currently doesn’t see signs of contention in the league’s CBA discussions with the NHL Players’ Association.

SPORTSNET: Sidney Crosby remains optimistic he’ll have a contract extension in place with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He doesn’t foresee the season ending without one. The 37-year-old center doesn’t rule out playing at age 40, saying he’s more open to the possibility than he once was, though he admits it’s impossible to predict that right now.

Former Vegas Golden Knights winger Jonathan Marchessault (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A three-year deal will take Crosby to age 40

Jonathan Marchessault shed some light on his final contract discussions with the Vegas Golden Knights before signing with the Nashville Predators on July 1.

Marchessault said he called Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon on the Friday before July 1 and team president George McPhee the following day to find out if they were going to sign him or let him go. By Sunday, he said nothing had budged, adding he sought a four-year contract while the Golden Knights offered up three years.

The 33-year-old Marchessault admits the Golden Knights lack loyalty toward their players, but believes it is necessary in their quest to build a winner. He admitted he was disappointed but added he didn’t mind that mindset.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights have invested heavily in players they believe will help them win. However, they were reluctant to invest too much for too long in a player approaching his mid-thirties, even if that player won the Conn Smythe Trophy the previous year leading them to their first Stanley Cup.

TSN: The Toronto Maple Leafs signed winger Nicholas Robertson to a one-year, $875K contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson, 22, sought a trade earlier this summer but he had no leverage coming off an entry-level contract. He has an opportunity to establish himself as a regular middle-six forward with the Leafs.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports the Leafs are expected to bring veteran winger Max Pacioretty to training camp on a professional tryout offer.

DAILY FACEOFF/SPORTSNET: The Calgary Flames are bringing Tyson Barrie to training camp on a PTO and signed blueliner Jarred Tinordi to a one-year, two-way contract.

DAILY FACEOFF: Forward Adam Erne will attend the New York Rangers training camp on a PTO.

SPORTSNET: The Edmonton Oilers are bringing defenseman Travis Dermott to camp on a PTO.

PUCKPEDIA: Sam Gagner is expected to sign a PTO with the Carolina Hurricanes.

TSN: Defenseman Jordie Benn has announced his retirement. He played in 607 regular-season games from 2011-12 to 2022-23 with the Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring 26 goals and 111 assists for 137 points.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 10, 2024

by | Sep 10, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 10, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Roundup: the latest on the Leafs’ Mitch Marner and Nick Robertson, an update on the Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman, and why there could be more trades and waiver activity in this year’s preseason.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports there’s no contract extension imminent between the Toronto Maple Leafs and winger Mitch Marner.

Dreger indicated the relationship between Leafs management and the Marner camp is in a good place. He doesn’t believe Marner faces pressure to sign a new deal, adding the 27-year-old winger is happy for it to be quiet. While there’s no heavy negotiation between the two sides, there’s a good relationship between them and they’re ok with not rushing into getting a deal done.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both sides seem fine with letting the coming season unfold and seeing how things play out.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Nick Barden cited Dreger saying Nick Robertson seems likely to return with the Maple Leafs this season. The 22-year-old restricted free-agent winger requested a trade earlier this summer, but the two sides could soon agree to a new contract.

Robertson was unhappy with his role and limited playing time with the Leafs. However, new Leafs coach Craig Berube told him he’d be given an opportunity given their holes at the left wing position.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This could be Robertson’s best chance to earn top-six minutes with the Leafs. If it doesn’t work out, his trade request could be honored.

The Toronto Sun’s Lance Hornby reported Robertson preferred a trade to a Western Conference club to be closer to his family and brother Jason of the Dallas Stars. However, Nick doesn’t have much leverage in this situation.

Dreger also reports a contract between the Boston Bruins and RFA goaltender Jeremy Swayman might not be as far off as previous reports suggested. “Negotiations are probably closer than what we’re reading about,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reports last week claimed the two sides were far apart, with Swayman believed seeking an average annual value of around $8.5 million and the Bruins offering $6.2 million. There is speculation suggesting they could agree to a short-term deal.

Despite the conjecture, Swayman has been skating with his teammates in Boston with training camp over a week away.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico cites a source suggesting there could be more trades and waiver moves than usual during this year’s NHL training camp and preseason.

Thanks to the sharp rise in the salary cap for this season, several teams have considerable cap flexibility and lots of roster spots available. With additional youth coming into the league, there could be more trades and waiver moves. Rebuilding teams like the Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks and Calgary Flames could have the most to gain.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That period usually sparks an increase in trade activity and waiver wire moves as clubs evaluate their rosters for the upcoming season. D’Amico noted that 11 clubs have upwards of $5 million in cap space for 2024-25. Some could use it to their advantage to seek deals with cap-strapped teams looking to shed salary before the regular season begins.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 6, 2024

by | Sep 6, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 6, 2024

An update on the notable remaining restricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox provides an update on the notable remaining restricted free agents.

Fox noted a recent rumor claiming goaltender Jeremy Swayman seeks $10 million annually from the Boston Bruins drew skepticism. Another report claimed the Bruins offered the 25-year-old netminder a lowball $6.2 million average annual value for four seasons.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).

The Bruins training camp opens on Sept. 18. They possess $8.6 million in cap space. Meanwhile, Swayman was participating in captain’s skates with his teammates this week.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The AAV on Swayman’s new contract will likely be between $7 million and $8 million, depending on the length of the deal. It could be anywhere between four and eight years.

Fox cited an Aug. 28 report by Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff claiming the Red Wings are close to a deal with defenseman Moritz Seider. Meanwhile, some observers wonder how Seth Jarvis’ new contract with the Carolina Hurricanes affected Lucas Raymond’s negotiations with the Wings. Both wingers had comparable stats last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seider could get an eight-year deal worth between $8 million and $8.5 million. Jarvis is getting an AAV of $7.9 million (though the deferred salary actually reduces the annual cap hit to $7.42 million. Raymond’s negotiations have likely reached the point where it’s late in the game to introduce the concept of deferred payments into the discussions.

Nothing new to report on Thomas Harley’s negotiations with the Dallas Stars. Fox theorizes that the 23-year-old defenseman’s agent could be waiting to see what Seider gets with the Red Wings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If so, the Stars aren’t going to meet that demand given their $6.2 million in cap space.

Fox cited NHL Network Radio’s Dave McCarthy claiming some teams would be willing to sign Cole Perfetti to a two-year offer sheet with an AAV of $4.5 million. However, the Jets would surely match that offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets have over $5.7 million in cap space with only Perfetti to sign among their active roster players.

According to a recent report by The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta, the New Jersey Devils aren’t close to a new contract with forward Dawson Mercer. However, discussions continue between the two sides.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils have nearly $5 million in cap space. Mercer’s coming off his entry-level contract so he lacks leverage here. He could end up with a bridge deal worth between $3.5 million and $4 million annually.

Nothing new on Peyton Krebs’ contract talks with the Buffalo Sabres. Fox speculates the 23-year-old center will either get a short-term “prove-it” deal but isn’t ruling out a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buffalo Hockey Now’s Jason Moser believes Krebs’ limited options could leave him no choice but to accept his qualifying offer ($874,125). The Sabres could explore trade options but Moser believes the return would be minimal.

Fox believes Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nicholas Robertson has three options: sign his qualifying offer, let his agent Pat Brisson negotiate an offer sheet or an extension, or withhold his services and await a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun last night reported Robertson still wants to be traded. He’s reportedly training at home and waiting for a resolution but the process isn’t moving as fast as his camp was hoping for. LeBrun noted that the youngster lacks leverage in this situation.

That lack of leverage prompted The Athletic’s James Mirtle to join those observers who believe it doesn’t make sense for Robertson’s career to sideline himself at this point. He thinks the youngster should sign his qualifying offer, play for the Leafs this season, and establish himself as a roster regular. That would give him arbitration rights next summer and improve his value in the trade market if he still wants to be moved.

Nothing new to report on Nashville Predators forward Philip Tomasino and Los Angeles Kings forward Arthur Kaliyev. Both are in the same position as Robertson.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 3, 2024

by | Sep 3, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 3, 2024

​Could the Oilers attempt to get Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid to accept deferred payments on their next contracts? Could that also be an option for the Devils and Dawson Mercer? Would it make sense for the Flyers to pursue Nicholas Robertson? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jim Parsons wondered if the Edmonton Oilers will follow the Carolina Hurricanes’ lead and attempt to use deferred payments with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid to lower their cap hits.

The Hurricanes recently signed forward Seth Jarvis to an eight-year, $63.2 million contract in which Jarvis will defer part of his annual salary to the end of the contract. Instead of an annual cap hit of $7.9 million, it’ll be $7.42 million.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

Draisaitl is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July and could receive an eight-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $14 million from the Oilers. McDavid is eligible for UFA status in July 2026. 

Parsons believes the Oilers could free up considerable cap space if both players agree to defer part of their salaries. He cited a hypothetical scenario by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli in which Draisaitl agreed to defer $33.6 million of his contract to be paid out over 40 years following the completion of the deal.

Draisaitl would receive $80 million over the eight years of his contract in that scenario, lowering the AAV to $10 million. If McDavid’s deal was similarly structured, it could mean almost a combined $10 million annually not counting against the Oilers cap.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The deferred payment option has been part of the NHL CBA since 2005 but it’s rarely used because players prefer getting paid as much salary upfront as possible. Nevertheless, the Jarvis contract could result in more teams attempting to sign expensive talent to similar deals.

Deferred payments could help the Oilers lower the AAV on new contracts for Draisaitl and McDavid. That would make it possible for the club to put the cap savings toward maintaining a Stanley Cup contender by improving the roster depth.

Selling it that way to both players could be a convincing strategy. However, Seravalli also indicated that it’s uncertain how much of a salary-cap discount the league will allow before this blurs the line of salary-cap circumvention. A 40-year deferral could test those boundaries.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols also wondered if the Devils might attempt to go the same route in their negotiations with restricted free-agent winger Dawson Mercer.

The Devils have just over $4.9 million in cap space for 2024-25. That’s enough to sign the 22-year-old Mercer to a short-term deal worth less than 4 million annually but not enough to lock him up to a long-term contract unless he agrees to defer salary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Contract talks between Mercer and the Devils probably advanced too far to toss deferred payments into the equation. Nichols suggests it might be a better option for Luke Hughes. The 21-year-old Devils defenseman becomes an RFA next July.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey believes acquiring winger Nicholas Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs would make sense for the Flyers.

Robertson, 22, has requested a trade from the Maple Leafs. Bailey thinks Robertson’s youth and skills could make him a good fit for the rebuilding Flyers. He was also a former teammate with Flyers Cam York and Bobby Brink on Team USA’s U20 squad.

Bailey acknowledged the Leafs’ asking price could be an obstacle along with finding a suitable role with the Flyers. However, Robertson is younger and cheaper than most of the current Flyers’ wingers and could become a top-six forward with more playing time in Philadelphia.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs general manager Brad Treliving insists he’s not trading Robertson and believes the young winger has a great opportunity to elevate his game this season in Toronto. There’s no indication that the Flyers are kicking tires on Robertson. Still, we can’t dismiss that possibility though it’s likely a remote one.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 29, 2024

by | Aug 29, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 29, 2024

Is Jeremy Swayman seeking $10 million annually? What are the Leafs’ options to bolster their left wing? What’s the latest speculation about Seth Jarvis’ contract talks with the Hurricanes? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DOES SWAYMAN WANT $10 MILLION PER SEASON?

SPORTSNET: Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli told SN960 The FAN’s Big Show that he doubts Jeremy Swayman is seeking an average annual value of $10 million on his next contract with the Boston Bruins.

Seravalli believes the Swayman camp sought an AAV in the mid-$8 million range while the Bruins countered with something in the low $6 million range. He considers that a sizeable gap but indicates the two sides are still grinding away at it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: $10 million annually would tie Swayman with the Florida Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky as the second-highest-paid goalie in the league.

Swayman’s put up good numbers over the past two seasons, took over the starter’s job last season from Linus Ullmark, and the pair won the Jennings Trophy in 2022-23. However, Bobrovsky is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner who backstopped the Florida Panthers to consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances and a championship last season.

Bobrovsky earned his hefty contract. Swayman has yet to have the type of career that merits that salary. Nevertheless, given his recent performance, he deserves a substantial raise on a long-term deal.

Something at most around $8.5 million annually seems suitable. It wouldn’t be surprising if the two sides agreed to a cap hit somewhere in the middle of their initial proposals, perhaps around $7.5 million.

WHAT ARE THE MAPLE LEAFS OPTIONS ON LEFT WING?

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently examined options for the Toronto Maple Leafs to bolster their left-wing depth.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson (NHL Images).

Internal options include Nick Robertson. However, he requested a trade and the 22-year-old restricted free agent remains unsigned. Others include Alex Steeves, Alex Nylander or Nikita Grebenkin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs GM Brad Treliving believes Robertson could help his club this season. He thinks the young winger has a tremendous opportunity to establish himself as a middle-six forward.

Treliving has indicated he’s not interested in moving Robertson. Nevertheless, as I noted yesterday, there could be teams monitoring this situation who are willing to make a pitch if the Leafs GM wants to entertain offers.

Aging unrestricted free agents Max Pacioretty, Mike Hoffman, and former Leaf James van Riemsdyk remain available. Pacioretty reportedly has offers from three teams in hand and is expected to decide soon.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No indication yet which teams are interested in Pacioretty. Maybe the Leafs are one of them.

Physical options include former Florida Panthers forward Nick Cousins and former New York Islanders winger (and former Leaf) Matt Martin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not surprising that Treliving hopes Robertson will change his mind after looking at this list of available UFAs.

The scorers were once significant players but their best seasons are behind them now. Cousins and Martin provide grit but no secondary scoring.

ARE THE HURRICANES ANY CLOSER TO SIGNING SETH JARVIS?

THE ATHLETIC: Cory Lavalette lists whether the Carolina Hurricanes can sign Seth Jarvis among the five big questions they must answer before the start of the season.

Lavalette believes there’s nothing to worry about regarding Jarvis’ contract talks. The club wants him around for a long time and the winger wants to stay with the team that drafted him.

Jarvis might want a bridge contract that costs less now but will put him in line for a bigger payday down the road. The Hurricanes want to lock him into a long-term deal but prefer the average annual value to be lower than Andrei Svechnikov’s $7.75 million AAV.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Luke DeCock believes the Hurricanes will likely get Jarvis signed to a long-term deal rather than a bridge contract. He also considers Svechnikov’s AAV the ceiling for Jarvis’ new deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This might spill over into the start of training camp but Jarvis could be signed before then. The AAV could be around $7.5 million.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 28, 2024

by | Aug 28, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 28, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: Nick Robertson still wants the Leafs to trade him, free-agent winger Filip Zadina is close to signing with a new club, and the latest on the Flames. 

ROBERTSON STILL WANTS OUT OF TORONTO

TSN: Chris Johnston reports no resolution in the standoff between the Toronto Maple Leafs and unhappy winger Nick Robertson. The 22-year-old restricted free agent requested a trade earlier this summer. 

Johnston noted Robertson has little leverage here. If he doesn’t want to sign and the Leafs won’t move him, all he can do is sit out and hope to put pressure on the team. However, it’ll be costly to Robertson in terms of contract and preparation for the coming season. 

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson (NHL Images).

Earlier this summer, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said he wasn’t planning to move Robertson despite his trade request. He believes the young winger has a great opportunity this season with the Leafs to become a better player. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson has grown frustrated over his playing time thus far with the Leafs. Holding out for a trade likely won’t help his cause unless the Leafs get an offer too good to pass up. 

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: A reader asked Dan Kingerski what it might take for the Penguins to acquire Robertson. 

Kingerski observed Robertson is “an unproven commodity with loads of talent but a delayed progression.” He estimates his salary range at around $2 million. Kingerski reports Penguins general manager (and former Leafs GM) Kyle Dubas “really likes Robertson.” 

The Penguins could attempt to offer sheet Robertson but Kingerski believes the Leafs would match. It would have to be a trade with the Leafs getting a player with value in return. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t doubt that Dubas likes Robertson and might like to include the winger among his efforts to add more affordable young talent to the Penguins. Whether a trade is possible remains to be seen, especially if Treliving remains unwilling to trade him. 

ZADINA CLOSE TO SIGNING WITH A NEW CLUB

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski reports the agent for Filip Zadina denied a report out of Czechia claiming the 24-year-old winger was close to signing a contract with the Sabres. 

Darren Ferris told Lysowski he’s in the process of securing a professional tryout offer for his client with another team. 

Zadina was chosen sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Draft. He’s struggled to establish himself as a scoring winger, lasting four seasons with the Wings. Zadina spent last season with the San Jose Sharks, scoring 13 goals and 23 points in 72 games. 

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports sources tell him three teams are in discussion with Zadina. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a crucial period in Zadina’s sputtering NHL career. He’ll need a strong training camp and preseason to earn a contract for this season, and must significantly improve his performance to ensure he can stick in the NHL after that. 

LATEST ON THE FLAMES

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson and Daniel Austin were asked by a reader what Flames GM Craig Conroy might have up his sleeve in the lead-up to training camp. 

Gilbertson indicated Conroy has informed cap-strapped clubs that he’s willing to use his cap space to help them, for a price. That would be not just the player received in the deal but also a sweetener like a draft pick or prospect. 

The Flames have nearly $20 million in cap space, making them a perfect partner for a club looking to shed salary. 

Asked about possible PTO targets for the Flames, Gilbertson suggested center Steven Lorentz or winger Kailer Yamamoto. Austin suggested Filip Zadina.