NHL Rumor Mill – October 12, 2024

by | Oct 12, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 12, 2024

Check out the latest on Ducks forward Trevor Zegras and Stars goalie Jake Oettinger in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Andrew Knoll wondered if Trevor Zegras remains part of the Anaheim Duck’s nucleus after a disappointing, injury-shortened 2023-24 campaign in which he was the subject of trade rumors.

The Ducks are flush at center with Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish anchoring their top-six forwards. Zegras, 23, has played on both the left and right wings and is being challenged to improve his all-around game.

Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).

Zegras is entering the second season of his three-year contract with an annual average value of $5.75 million. Nevertheless, Knoll suggests this season could be critical for his future with the Ducks and his capability of reaching a high level of NHL stardom.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek denied he was shopping Zegras or received any trade calls from other clubs. That didn’t stop the young forward from popping up in the rumor mill.

An improved effort by Zegras this season could restore his place among the Ducks’ foundation of budding young stars. It could also increase his value to other teams before the March 7 trade deadline.

Zegras isn’t the only Duck showing up in recent trade speculation. Defenseman Cam Fowler reportedly had discussions with management about his future in Anaheim, including the possibility of a trade. Goaltender John Gibson has also been the topic of media trade chatter.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discussed what Jake Oettinger’s next contract might look like. The 25-year-old Dallas Stars goaltender can become a restricted free agent in July.

Yaremchuk suggested the next contract for Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers would be the high level while Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins could be the floor for elite goaltenders.

Swayman signed an eight-year deal last Sunday worth an AAV of $8.25 million. If Shesterkin’s next AAV is $12 million, Yaremchuk speculated Oettinger could seek the middle ground, perhaps around $9 million to $9.25 million.

Seravalli said the Stars and Oettinger haven’t started contract extension talks. Given how the market for goalie contracts is changing, he suggests the Stars should open those discussions sooner instead of later.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Swayman’s new contract will be the baseline for Oettinger, who has a larger body of work. He could use Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy ($9.5 million AAV) or Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky ($10 million) as a comparable if he backstops the Stars to the Stanley Cup next spring.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 9, 2024

by | Oct 9, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 9, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: reaction to Igor Shesterkin rejecting the Rangers’ contract offer, plus the latest on Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, the Leafs and Blue Jackets.

WHAT NEXT AFTER SHESTERKIN REJECTS RANGERS OFFER?

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reacted to yesterday’s report of Igor Shesterkin rejecting the New York Rangers’ contract extension offer of eight years at $11 million annually.

LeBrun indicated the Rangers’ season opener (Oct. 9) was considered an unofficial deadline as Shesterkin might not negotiate during the regular season. That puts some pressure on the Rangers to try and get a deal done before then. However, he stressed that this deadline isn’t 100 percent, pointing out that an agreement could still be reached during the season.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).

According to LeBrun, dialogue continues between Rangers management and the Shesterkin camp. What’s certain is he will become the NHL’s highest-paid goalie, whether it’s with the Rangers or somebody else, suggesting the average annual value will come in between $11 million and $12 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shesterkin reportedly seeks $12 million annually. That would make him the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history.

LeBrun’s colleague Chris Johnston indicated Shesterkin might not insist on an eight-year contract. He wondered if the 28-year-old goalie would accept something a little shorter if the Rangers agreed to pay him $12 million.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports Shesterkin’s representatives believe they can get around $12 million annually or more on the open market. However, he wondered if the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner would want to leave a good team in New York that has a chance to win.

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reports sources claim Shesterkin’s camp isn’t pleased that the offer to their client was leaked to the media.

Larry Brooks wonders if the Rangers were responsible for the leak, suggesting it would be “extremely disappointing” to create unnecessary controversy on the eve of their season opener.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Regardless of who leaked this offer, it’s clear the Rangers remain intent on signing Shesterkin and are willing to make him the league’s highest-paid goalie. The question now is whether the two sides can agree on the dollars.

A $1 million difference seems to exist between the two sides. It shouldn’t be too difficult to bridge that gap. Shesterkin could get more on the open market but that doesn’t mean he’ll join any club willing to pay it.

COULD OETTINGER BE SEEKING SWAYMAN MONEY?

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes Jake Oettinger was probably paying close attention to Jeremy Swayman’s new contract with the Boston Bruins.

The 25-year-old Dallas Stars goalie is a restricted free agent on July 1. That would put him in the same position as Swayman before he signed an eight-year, $66-million deal with the Bruins on Monday.

LeBrun reports there’s been no meaningful contract talks yet between Oettinger and Stars management. He believes the goalie will prefer to wait until the end of this season but wouldn’t be surprised if Stars general manager Jim Nill tried to get this going during the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oettinger will get as much, if not more, than Swayman, especially if he backstops the Stars to the Stanley Cup. He’s helped them reach the Western Conference Final twice and played a key role in the Stars being among the top teams in the league.

UPDATES ON THE LEAFS AND BLUE JACKETS

TSN: LeBrun reports there have been contract discussions between the Toronto Maple Leafs and center John Tavares. He doesn’t think anything’s imminent but talks could pick up again later in the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tavares, 34, is slated to become a UFA next summer. He’s earning an AAV of $11 million on his current deal but won’t get anything close to that on his next deal. However, he seems keen to finish his career as a Leaf, something management could be willing to do for the right price.

LeBrun also recently tweeted that the Columbus Blue Jackets had been in trade talks with teams during training camp looking for help at forward. However, their recent signings of Kevin Labanc and Zach Aston-Reese should be it for them for now.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 26, 2024

by | May 26, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 26, 2024

The Stars down the Oilers to tie the Western Conference Final, the latest on the Panthers and Rangers ahead of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAP

NHL.COM: The Dallas Stars defeated the Edmonton Oilers 3-1 in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final, tying the series at one game apiece. Stars captain Jamie Benn opened the scoring early in the first period but the Oilers’ Connor Brown tallied less than a minute later. Mason Marchment scored the winning goal early in the third period and Esa Lindell put the game away with an empty netter.

The series shifts to Edmonton for the next two games with Game 3 on Monday, May 27 at 8:30 pm EDT.

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Edmonton dominated the first period, outshooting Dallas 16-4. Thanks to goaltender Jake Oettinger, the Stars’ defense weathered the storm, limiting the Oilers to 13 shots over the next two periods. They also held the Oilers’ top offensive players without a point.

The Oilers are puzzled by the lack of penalty calls on the Stars. Their lethal powerplay had just three opportunities with the man advantage in this series thus far. When asked about it, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged it’s tougher to draw penalties in the playoffs. “The standard is the same for both teams. I’m not saying it’s unfair to us, but we would like the same standard.”

HEADLINES

NEW YORK POST: Rangers winger Jimmy Vesey is listed as week-to-week after suffering an apparent shoulder injury in Game 2 on Friday. Veteran winger Blake Wheeler could replace Vesey for Game 3 on Sunday in Florida at 3 pm EDT.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: New York winger Kaapo Kakko was a healthy scratch in Game 2, raising questions about his role with the team going forward in this postseason and perhaps beyond. He has two points in 11 games during this postseason.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers dropped Game 2 to the Rangers but received solid performances from Gus Forsling, Ryan Lomberg, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

THE SCORE: Reports indicate the Columbus Blue Jackets are poised to hire Don Waddell for their top hockey operations position. His exact title has yet to be determined.

Waddell resigned Friday as president and general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes.

IIHF.COM: San Jose Sharks defenseman Jan Rutta received a one-game suspension for elbowing Sweden’s Isac Lundestrom during Saturday’s game between Czechia and Sweden in the IIHF World Championships. Rutta will miss Sunday’s gold-medal game between Czechia and Switzerland.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 23, 2024

by | May 23, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 23, 2024

The Panthers take Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, the latest on the Stars and Oilers ahead of the Western Conference Final, the Devils and Kings hire new head coaches, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAP

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers blanked the New York Rangers 3-0 to take Game 1 of the 2024 NHL Eastern Conference Final. Sergei Bobrovsky turned in a 23-save shutout and Matthew Tkachuk opened the scoring with what proved to be the game-winning goal.

Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe each finished with a goal and an assist, with Verhaeghe’s goal the result of an accidental deflection by New York winger Alexis Lafreniere into his own net. Igor Shesterkin made 25 saves for the Rangers.

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (NHL Images).

Game 2 is in New York on Friday, May 24 at 8 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers’ strong defensive play made the difference in this contest. They kept the Rangers from registering shots on goal for long stretches, especially in the second period.

The Blueshirts didn’t look sharp in this game but we can expect a more determined effort from them on Friday. That could include boosting their physical play by inserting hulking forward Matt Rempe into the lineup.

PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Adam Henrique could return to the Oilers lineup for Game 1 or 2 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars. Henrique missed all but one game of their second-round series with the Vancouver Canucks dealing with a suspected ankle injury. He’ll bring invaluable secondary scoring and depth to their special teams.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger left practice on Wednesday with an illness. However, head coach Pete DeBoer is confident Oettinger will be good to go for the first game of the Western Conference Final tonight in Dallas at 8:30 pm EDT. Sidelined Stars Roope Hintz (upper body) and Jani Hakanpaa (lower body) remain day-to-day.

HEADLINES

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Various reports indicate the Devils have hired Sheldon Keefe as their new head coach. It’s believed he’s signed a four-year contract.

Keefe was the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs for five seasons until fired earlier this month. He guided them to a regular-season record of 212-97-40 but won only one playoff series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: So much for the rumors of Keefe being hired by his old buddy, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas, to replace Mike Sullivan, enabling Sullivan to be hired by his old friend, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald.

Keefe has a proven record of working well with a team carrying plenty of offensive talent. However, his efforts were hampered by the Leafs lack of reliable goaltending and blueline depth. He faces the same issues in New Jersey but Devils management will attempt to address those problems.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: The Kings removed the interim tag from Jim Hiller’s job title, making him their full-time head coach. He took over on Feb. 2 after Todd McLellan was hired with the Kings in danger of falling out of playoff contention. Hiller righted the ship as the club went 21-12-1 in 34 games, clinching a playoff berth but getting eliminated from the opening round in five games by the Edmonton Oilers.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames and assistant coach Marc Savard mutually agreed to part ways after one season. His responsibilities included running the power-play, which finished as the league’s seventh-worst.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hockey News’ David Alter cited rumors linking Savard to the Maple Leafs as a possible assistant coach to their new bench boss, Craig Berube.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Kings have granted the Sharks permission to speak with Marco Sturm as part of their search for a new head coach. Sturm coached the Kings AHL affiliate and began his NHL playing career with the Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Eishockey News recently indicated Sturm was interested in the Sharks coaching job.

THE ATHLETIC: The Penguins are looking into having Jaromir Jagr return to the club in an official capacity. Jagr spent his first 11 NHL seasons with the Penguins, winning five Art Ross Trophies and helping them win two Stanley Cups.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 19, 2023

by | Dec 19, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 19, 2023

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby continues moving up among the all-time points leaders, the three stars of the week are announced and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby broke a 3-3 tie in a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild. Crosby also collected an assist to move into 13th place among the NHL’s all-time points leaders with 1,535. Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel also had a goal and an assist for the 14-13-3 Penguins (31 points), who sit three points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. Ryan Hartman, Jake Middleton and Vinni Lettieri scored for the Wild (12-13-4) as they overcame a 3-0 deficit before Crosby netted the game-winner.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby will soon overtake Joe Thornton, who sits 12th with 1,539 points. He’s also within range of Ray Bourque (1,579) and Phil Esposito (1,590).

An overtime goal by Justin Barron lifted the Montreal Canadiens over the Winnipeg Jets 3-2. Josh Anderson and Christian Dvorak gave the Canadiens a 2-0 lead but Gabriel Vilardi and Cole Perfetti replied for the Jets to force the extra period. The Canadiens improved to 14-13-4 (32 points) to sit two points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot. The Jets fell to 18-9-3 and slipped into third place in the Central Division with 39 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey left the game early in the third period after taking a puck to the face but got stitched up and returned 11 minutes later.

Speaking of the Central Division, the Dallas Stars regained first place (40 points) by nipping the Seattle Kraken 4-3 on an overtime goal by Thomas Harley. Matt Duchene tallied twice and collected an assist as the Stars improved to 18-8-4. Matty Beniers and Tomas Tatar each had a goal and an assist for the 10-14-9 Kraken.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, Stars head coach Pete DeBoer indicated that starting goaltender Jake Oettinger is considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom stopped 33 shots in a 3-1 upset of the Florida Panthers. Mikael Backlund broke a 1-1 tie in the third period as the Flames have won three of their last four and improved to 13-14-5 (31 points), sitting one point out of the final Western Conference wild-card berth. Sam Reinhart scored for the Panthers (18-11-2) as they sit in third place in the Atlantic Division with 38 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Panthers placed forward Anton Lundell on injured reserve.

The Anaheim Ducks held off the Detroit Red Wings 4-3. Adam Henrique and Troy Terry each had a goal and an assist for the 12-19-0 Ducks, who’ve won two straight games. Alex DeBrincat tallied twice and Patrick Kane had two assists for the Red Wings (15-12-4), who have lost three straight and sit just outside the final Eastern wild-card spot with 34 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin returned to action after missing the last four games with a head injury. However, goaltender Ville Husso left this game with an injured right leg.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko and New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending Dec. 17.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Columbus Blue Jackets placed winger Patrik Laine (fractured clavicle) on injured reserve.

TSN: The Boston Bruins have loaned forward Matthew Poitras to Canada for the upcoming 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. Poitras, 19, has 13 points in 27 games with the Bruins this season.

TSN: The Carolina Hurricanes signed free-agent goaltender Aaron Dell to a professional tryout offer.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 16, 2023

by | Dec 16, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 16, 2023

A milestone game for the Rangers’ Chris Kreider, the league and NHLPA investigate a breach in treatment protocol for Coyotes defenseman Juuso Valimaki, and the Avalanche trade Tomas Tatar to the Kraken. Details on these and other stories in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider scored two goals in a 5-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Jonathan Quick made 29 saves while Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox each picked up two assists for the Rangers (20-7-1) as they sit in first place in the Metropolitan Division and second overall in the Eastern Conference with 41 points. Lukas Dostal made 34 saves for the Ducks (10-19-0) as they’ve lost five straight games and nine of their last ten.

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was a milestone game for Kreider as he surpassed Adam Graves to move into third place among the Rangers’ all-time goalscoring leaders with 281. He also tied Graves for fourth on their all-time list for power-play goals (100) and surpassed the 500-point mark (501). He’s just seven points away from surpassing Graves for tenth place among the Blueshirts in total points.

The Boston Bruins defeated the New York Islanders 5-4 on a shootout goal by David Pastrnak, who also had a goal and an assist in regulation time. James van Riemsdyk and Morgan Geekie also each scored and collected an assist for the 19-5-4 Bruins, who sit in first place in the Eastern Conference with 42 points. Bo Horvat had a goal and two assists while Mathew Barzal set up two goals for the Islanders (14-7-8), who sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 36 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders announced that defenseman Scott Mayfield (upper body) was placed on injured reserve before this game.

Four unanswered third-period goals lifted the Buffalo Sabres to a 5-2 upset of the Vegas Golden Knights. Casey Mittelstadt scored twice and collected an assist while Dylan Cozens had a goal and two assists for the 13-15-3 Sabres. Ivan Barbashev and Jack Eichel replied for the Golden Knights (20-6-5) as they held a three-point lead over the Bruins for first place in the overall standings with 45 points.

An overtime goal by Filip Forsberg lifted the Nashville Predators over the Carolina Hurricanes 6-5. Roman Josi and Ryan O’Reilly each had a goal and two assists for the Predators (17-13-0), who’ve won three straight games and hold the first Western Conference wild-card berth with 34 points. Martin Necas and Stefan Noesen each had a goal and an assist for the 16-12-2 Hurricanes as they cling to the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 34 points.

The Dallas Stars overcame a 4-2 deficit in a 5-4 win over the Ottawa Senators. Matt Duchene had a goal and an assist while Scott Wedgewood made 25 saves as the Stars improved to 17-8-3 and sit in second place in the Central Division with 37 points. Drake Batherson scored two goals and Jakob Chychrun picked up three assists for the 11-14-0 Senators, who have dropped seven of their last 10 games and remain mired in last place in the Eastern Conference with 11 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars goalie Jake Oettinger started this game but left just eight minutes into the first period with a lower-body injury. He will not be traveling with his team to St. Louis for Saturday’s game against the Blues.

Meanwhile, Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko missed this game due to a family matter. Teammate Mathieu Joseph suffered a lower-body injury early in the first period and didn’t return.

Arizona Coyotes goalie Connor Ingram made 21 saves to shut out the San Jose Sharks 1-0. Mattias Maccelli scored for the Coyotes (14-13-2) as they regained the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference with 30 points. Kaapo Kahkonen turned aside 23 shots for the 9-18-3 Sharks.

HEADLINES

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli cited sources indicating the NHL and NHL Players Association are investigating a gap in treatment protocol as defenseman Juuso Valimaki was left in a Dallas hospital without care for hours last month after suffering a serious facial injury during a game against the Stars on Nov. 14.

According to Seravalli’s sources, Valimaki was dropped off at the emergency room and left to advocate for his own care with his wife Vilma (who was traveling with him during that road game) and a Coyotes employee. After initial observation, the overworked Dallas hospital told Valimaki to find a local hotel and return the next day as they were treating more critical incoming trauma patients.

Valimaki, however, required immediate treatment. With a bloodied face, a hole in his mouth, and internal bleeding, he was unable to function. Doctors later said he might have asphyxiated in his sleep on his blood had he gone to the hotel as instructed. Five hours later after the NHLPA stepped in, Valimaki received 55 stitches in his mouth to close the wound, which included a fractured bone and the loss of three teeth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seravalli’s story indicates it was Valimaki’s wife who called the NHLPA after her husband spent an hour in the emergency room without care. It was two hours later when his face and wound were finally cleaned, another hour before he was admitted to the hospital for surgery to close the wound in his mouth and another 12 hours before he received surgery to repair the fractured bone in his mouth and realign his remaining teeth.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW/THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Avalanche traded winger Tomas Tatar on Friday to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tatar, 33, signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract this summer with the Avalanche. He struggled to mesh with his new club, tallying one goal and nine points in 27 games. The move frees up cap space for the Avalanche if they wish to make another move later in the season.

The Kraken, meanwhile, are struggling to score this season. Pressed for cap space, they hope Tatar (a former six-time 20-plus goal scorer) can regain his form in Seattle.

THE PROVINCE/SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Vancouver Canucks traded forward Jack Studnicka to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Nick Cicek and a 2024 sixth-round draft pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In what could be a related move, the Sharks also placed forward Nico Sturm on injured reserve.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Sam Carchidi reports Flyers general manager Daniel Briere doesn’t intend to be a buyer before this season’s NHL trade deadline. While the club is exceeding expectations, Briere doesn’t intend to mortgage the future just to sneak into the playoffs.

Briere would love for the Flyers to reach the postseason. However, he still believes his club should stockpile draft picks rather than trade those assets for rental players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see if Briere becomes a seller by the March 8 deadline if the Flyers are still holding a playoff berth by then. He could stand pat rather than shop his own pending unrestricted free agents such as Sean Walker and Nick Seeler.

Both defensemen have reportedly drawn lots of interest in the trade market. Briere could still move one or both by March 8 for the right offer.

TSN: Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine is expected to miss six weeks as he recovers from a fractured clavicle suffered during Thursday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine has been plagued by injuries over the past three seasons. He’s recently surfaced in media trade conjecture though there’s no indication he wants to be moved or that the Blue Jackets are shopping him. If he was available in the trade market, his injury history would hurt his value.

CBS SPORTS: The Los Angeles Kings placed defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (lower body) in injured reserve. He’s listed as week-to-week.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Kings, backup goalie Pheonix Copley left practice on Friday with an undisclosed injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have reportedly called up David Rittich.

TRIBLIVE.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward Vinnie Hinostroza on waivers to send him to their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.