NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 21, 2025

The Stars defeat the Blues as preseason action begins, plus the latest on Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, Canucks netminder Thatcher Demko, Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: A shootout goal by Sam Steel lifted the Dallas Stars to a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues as preseason play began on Saturday.

Justin Carbonneau opened the scoring for the Blues 50 seconds into the second period, but Mavrik Bourque tied it for the Stars later in the period. Jordan Binnington and Colten Ellis combined to make 33 saves in regulation and overtime for the Blues, while Stars goaltenders Remi Poirier and Antoine Bibeau made 14 saves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: 15 preseason games are on tap for Sunday.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy skipped practice on Saturday to undergo treatments. Head coach Jon Cooper wasn’t concerned, saying it was “player management” and he’d likely miss a few days.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko credits fatherhood with giving him a new outlook on life. After struggling with a rare knee injury during a tumultuous season for his teammates, the 30-year-old netminder is healthy and looking forward to the coming campaign.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A return to the form that made Demko a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2023-24 will be crucial to the Canucks’ plans to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW’s Aarif Deen reports Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Brent Burns won’t play in any of the club’s two preseason games on Sunday. The veteran defenseman tweaked something, but it’s not considered serious.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders captain Anders Lee doesn’t expect to have a contract extension in place before the start of the regular season. The 35-year-old winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both sides appear willing to wait and see how the season unfolds.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour is impressed by Logan Stankoven’s willingness to learn and adapt to the center position. The 22-year-old forward was part of the return from the Dallas Stars in the Mikko Rantanen trade last March.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brind’Amour is trying to find a suitable second-line center. He’s previously used Seth Jarvis in that role, but could prefer keeping him at right wing alongside center Sebastian Aho on the first line. Stankoven had nine points in 19 regular-season games and eight points in 15 playoff contests for the Hurricanes.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames hired Marcus Nilson as a European pro scout. He spent the final four seasons of his NHL career (2003-04 to 2007-08) with the Flames.

THE ATHLETIC: The Chicago Blackhawks settled a second lawsuit filed by a former player who sued them for failing to act when informed of sexual assault allegations against former video coach Brad Alrich.

The club previously settled a case with former player Kyle Beach when similar accusations were made against Aldrich and the organization stemming from the 2010 playoffs.