NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 14, 2025

by | Jun 14, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 14, 2025

The latest on the Oilers and Panthers on the eve of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, long-time Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen to retire, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

STANLEY CUP FINAL NOTEBOOK

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Corey Perry’s speech to his Oilers teammates following the first period of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final may have saved the club’s season.

Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry (NHL Images).

Down 3-0 to the Florida Panthers on Thursday and on the verge of falling behind 3-1 in the series, Perry gave a pep talk that rallied the Edmonton players. They tied the game 3-3 in the second period en route to a 5-4 overtime victory, knotting the series at two games apiece.

Perry’s teammates didn’t elaborate as to what he said. Nevertheless, they credited him with helping them regain their focus, providing the motivation necessary for their comeback.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Oilers win the Stanley Cup, “Perry’s Pep Talk” will go down in hockey lore as the turning point of this series.

TSN: Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch had yet to commit to any lineup changes on Friday, including their starting goaltender for Game 5. Starter Stuart Skinner got the hook in Game 4 after giving up three goals in the first period. Backup Calvin Pickard got the win with a 22-save performance.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Skinner can be inconsistent, but he got the Oilers this far since returning to the net midway through their second-round series with the Vegas Golden Knights, showing the ability to bounce back. On the other hand, Pickard is a perfect 7-0 in this postseason, playing well in their Game 4 comeback.

THE SCORE: Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice doesn’t seem troubled by how tightly-contested this Stanley Cup Final has been. If anything, he is enjoying it.

“This is as good as this thing gets,” he told reporters. “This is Christmas. This is the payoff. You want to be a good pro, but Tuesday on the road on the West Coast in November, not as much fun as you’d think. This is where you get the payback…this is truly the juice that you live for.”

Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final is Saturday in Edmonton at 8 pm ET.

IN OTHER NEWS

TORONTO SUN: Long-time Maple Leafs play-by-play man Joe Bowen announced that the 2025-26 season will be his last. Known for his catchphrase “Holy Mackinaw!”, the 74-year-old Bowen has been broadcasting for nearly 44 years, 28 of those calling Leafs games on the radio, earning the title of “The Voice of the Maple Leafs.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be the end of an era for the Leafs. Bowen will be among a long list of notable long-time hockey broadcasters who’ve retired since 2020, joining Mike Emrick, Pat Foley, Sam Rosen, and the late Rick Jeanneret and Mike Lange.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins re-signed winger Boko Imama to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: The Blackhawks traded the rights of defenseman Victor Soderstrom to the Boston Bruins for prospect defenseman Ryan Mast and a 2025 seventh-round pick.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Earlier this week, the Kraken parted ways with assistant coach Bob Woods.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 13, 2025

by | Jun 13, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 13, 2025

The Oilers rally to defeat the Panthers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck wins the Hart and Vezina trophies, Kings captain Anze Kopitar wins the Lady Byng Trophy, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

OILERS RALLY, DEFEAT THE PANTHERS IN GAME 4 OF THE STANLEY CUP FINAL

NHL.COM: Leon Draisaitl’s overtime goal gave the Edmonton Oilers a 5-4 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, tying the series at two games apiece.

The Panthers dominated the first period, with Matthew Tkachuk scoring twice and Anton Lundell tallying to take a 3-0 lead, putting the Oilers on the verge of collapsing as they did in Game 3. After swapping out starting goalie Stuart Skinner for Calvin Pickard, the Oilers tied it on goals by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, and Vasily Podkolzin.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

Edmonton took the lead with just over six minutes remaining in the third period on a slapshot by Jake Walman. However, Florida pulled goalie Sergei Bobrovsky for an extra attacker and cashed in as Sam Reinhart tied it with 20 seconds remaining in the period.

The Panthers nearly won it in overtime when Sam Bennett hit the crossbar. Moments later, Draisaitl hopped onto the ice, skated into the Panthers’ zone, and shoveled a one-handed backhander that deflected off Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola past Bobrovsky.

This series returns to Edmonton for Game 4 on Saturday, June 14, at 8 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That was one of the greatest Stanley Cup Final games I’ve ever seen. Edmonton seemed done like dinner after the first period, and Florida appeared on the verge of taking a 3-1 stranglehold on the series.

The Panthers completely controlled the first period, outplaying Edmonton to take what seemed an insurmountable three-goal lead. Skinner couldn’t be faulted for those goals, which were the result of his teammates’ sloppy play. Swapping him for Pickard felt like a desperation move, but it helped to settle the Oilers down. He was steady throughout the rest of the game, stopping 22 of 23 shots.

Draisaitl set an NHL record for the most overtime goals (four) in a single postseason. The Oilers shook up their lineup before the game, sitting forward Viktor Arvidsson and defenseman John Klingberg in favor of Jeff Skinner and Troy Stecher.

After the game, Draisaitl praised teammate Corey Perry for rallying his teammates following the first period. “Corey spoke up. When he speaks up, you listen, and you do what he says. We did a great job of grabbing it, grabbing some momentum and keeping it.”

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is the winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Vezina Trophy for 2024-25. He’s the first goalie to win both awards since Carey Price in 2014-15, and the only active three-time winner of the Vezina.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise here, as a photo of Hellebuyck with both trophies was recently leaked on social media. Nevertheless, he was a deserving winner. He was the best goaltender in the league this season and was considered the front-runner for the Hart Trophy.

Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for the third time in his career, taking only two minor penalties this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hockey followers often deride the Lady Byng Trophy because it rewards “gentlemanly play”, which is a quaint early 20th-century way of saying the winners play a strong, disciplined game. The 37-year-old Kopitar remains among the most respected two-way players in the game, whose play remains worthy of recognition.

Hellebuyck and Jets winger Kyle Connor were named to the 2024-25 First All-Star Team, joining Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar, Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov, and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski.

Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, defenseman Victor Hedman, and winger Brandon Hagel were part of the Second All-Star Team. Joining them were Oilers center Leon Draisaitl, Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak, and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes.

Calder Memorial Trophy winner Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens and 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks were among the players named to the 2024-25 NHL All-Rookie Team. They joined Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf, Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov, Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier, and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Denton Mateychuk.

Former NHL star and future Hall-of-Famer Jaromir Jagr won a regional Emmy Award for his work as a producer and writer on last year’s broadcast of his jersey retirement ceremony by the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 12, 2025

by | Jun 12, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 12, 2025

Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar wins the Norris Trophy, an update on the Rangers’ efforts to trade Chris Kreider to the Ducks, the latest on the Panthers and Oilers on the eve of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Cale Makar is the winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman for 2024-25. It’s the second time the 26-year-old Colorado Avalanche blueliner has taken home this award, having won in 2021-22.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Makar has been the NHL’s dominant defenseman since 2020-21. In addition to winning the Norris twice, he’s been a finalist three times (2020-21, 2022-23, 2023-24). He joins Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins as the only active multiple Norris Trophy winner.

Since Makar’s NHL debut in 2019-20, he leads all defensemen with 428 points and 24 game-winning goals, sits fourth in takeaways (295) and sixth in 5v5 puck possession (55.5 percent shot attempt percentage) among defensemen with 300-plus games played.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the Rangers have an agreement in principle on a trade that would send winger Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks. Now, they await his blessing.

Anaheim is on Kreider’s 15-team no-trade list, but his camp permitted the Rangers to hold trade discussions with the Ducks. As of Tuesday night, the 33-year-old winger hadn’t signed off on the deal, but Brooks cited an Anaheim source saying it was a fait accompli.

Should the deal go through as expected, it will be a straightforward salary dump by the Rangers. The Ducks will take on Kreider’s full $6.5 million average annual value through 2026-27, while the Rangers would receive prospect Carey Terrance.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored the Rangers could also receive a third or fourth-round pick in the deal.

**UPDATE**

Kreider approved the trade. The Rangers send him and a 2025 third-round pick to the Ducks for Terrance and a 2025 fourth-rounder.

Brooks believes Rangers forward Miko Zibanejad could be amenable to waiving his no-movement clause if Kreider is traded, pointing out that the pair are close friends.

Moving Zibanejad might not be as easy as trading Kreider. He has five years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Florida Panthers host the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. Leading the best-of-seven series 2-1, the Panthers have an opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 lead with a win.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch isn’t expected to reveal his starting goaltender for Game 4 until Thursday morning. Starter Stuart Skinner has a perfect 6-0 record in his previous Game 4s, while backup Calvin Pickard is a perfect 6-0 in this postseason.

NHL.COM: The Oilers could replace defenseman John Klingberg with Troy Stecher for Game 4. Center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins remains a game-time decision with an undisclosed injury. He had the same status in Game 3, but played 15:34 in that contest.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Game 4 is the pivotal contest. An Edmonton win ties the series, turning it into a best-of-three with the Oilers holding home-ice advantage if it goes the distance. A Panthers victory puts them in a position to win their second straight Stanley Cup in Game 5.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the NHL and NHL Players’ Association are getting closer to a CBA extension.

They’ve been meeting in Florida during the Stanley Cup Final and, while issues remain, it’s expected a deal could be completed soon. LeBrun speculates it could be done in time to present to the Board of Governors meeting on June 25.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If it reaches that stage, the CBA extension could supersede the current agreement, slated to expire in September 2026. James Mirtle of The Athletic suggested the deal would run to September 2030.

Reports suggest there would be few significant changes in the next CBA. The most notable would be adjusting the long-term injury reserve (LTIR) rules to address the issue of playoff contenders using LTIR to bolster their rosters at the trade deadline.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Former Penguins owners Mario Lemieux, Ron Burkle and David Morehouse are reportedly interested in purchasing a minority stake in the franchise. They sold the club to Fenway Sports Group in 2021 for $900 million.

It was initially reported that the Lemieux group was investigating the possibility of buying back the Penguins. Still, FSG reiterated that they’re only interested in selling a minority share to raise capital as they develop the property around PPG Paints Arena.

THE SCORE: An Atlanta group eyeing NHL expansion has received agreements from the Forsyth County Commission for a $3 billion project that includes the construction of an NHL-ready arena.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rumors have swirled suggesting the NHL could soon return to Atlanta. The league has played coy on the matter, and building a new arena doesn’t guarantee the arrival of an NHL franchise. Nevertheless, it’s only a matter of time.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators revealed a new-look third jersey for 2025-26. It will be themed in red with metallic black and gold striping.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 11, 2025

by | Jun 11, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 11, 2025

The Ducks and Rangers are discussing a Chris Kreider trade, Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson wins the Calder Trophy, the fallout from Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RANGERS, DUCKS REPORTEDLY DISCUSSING A TRADE INVOLVING CHRIS KREIDER

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports sources indicate the New York Rangers are in discussions with the Anaheim Ducks regarding a trade that would send Chris Kreider to the Ducks.

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Kreider, 34, has two years remaining on his contract. The Rangers winger carries an average annual value of $6.5 million and a 15-team no-trade list.

The two clubs intend to continue discussions on Wednesday. There is mutual interest between the parties, and a framework for a deal is in place. The recent talks involved Ducks prospect Carey Terrance being part of a return that would send Kreider to the Ducks.

NEW YORK POST: Andrew Battifarano cited a report claiming the Rangers would receive a prospect and a draft pick in return for the Ducks acquiring Kreider and his entire $6.5 million AAV.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This deal could become the first involving an NHL player since the March trade deadline.

Kreider has been a fixture in the rumor mill since the Rangers included him on a list of available players that was sent around the league last November. This proposed trade would reunite him with Jacob Trouba, who was shipped to the Ducks last December.

The Rangers have been among the busiest teams in this season’s trade market as general manager Chris Drury attempts to retool his roster. His club currently has over $8.4 million in cap space, with 19 active roster players under contract for the 2025-26 season and restricted free agents Will Cuylle and K’Andre Miller to re-sign. However, the latter is also considered a trade candidate.

Trading Kreider for futures would increase the Rangers’ cap space to almost $15 million. That gives them the wiggle room to re-sign Cuylle for sure and Miller if they wish. It also leaves enough to make a significant acquisition via trade or free agency.

HUTSON WINS THE CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY

NHL.COM: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson is the 2024-25 winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s Rookie of the Year. He learned of his win during a surprise party arranged with his family.

Hutson, 21, is the seventh player in franchise history to win the Calder, and the first since Ken Dryden in 1971-72. Dryden congratulated the young blueliner via video.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hutson led all rookies this season with 66 points, tying Hall-of-Famer Larry Murphy’s single-season rookie assist record (60). Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf finished second among the voters, while San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini was third.

STANLEY CUP FINAL NOTEBOOK

THE ATHLETIC: The Florida Panthers aren’t getting ahead of themselves following their lopsided 6-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. They expect a stronger response from the Oilers in Game 4 on Thursday in Florida at 8 pm ET. Florida holds a 2-1 lead in the series. 

TSN: Oilers defenseman Jake Walman was fined $10,000 by the NHL department of player safety for roughing Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk and unsportsmanlike conduct during Game 3.

IN OTHER NEWS…

CALGARY SUN: The Flames signed winger Adam Klapka to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $1.25 million.

RG.ORG: Reports claiming KHL free-agent forward Maxim Shabanov signed with the Philadelphia Flyers are premature. His agent said his client will make his decision which NHL team he will sign with after the NHL Draft (June 27-28) and when the free-agent market opens on July 1.

Shabonov had 23 goals and 67 points in 65 games with Chelyabinsk Traktor and was a finalist for the KHL’s MVP award. Due to his age, his first NHL contract would be a one-year, two-way deal.

TSN: The verdicts in the sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Team will be announced on July 24.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The five (Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton, and Callan Foote) went on to become NHL players, but have not played in the league or anywhere else since charges were filed against them in January 2024. They all pleaded not guilty.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 10, 2025

by | Jun 10, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 10, 2025

In today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines: the Panthers maul the Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, T.J. Oshie officially retires, and the Islanders hired two new assistant coaches.

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers romped to a 6-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, taking a 2-1 lead in the series.

Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart and Evan Rodrigues each had a goal and an assist, Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett scored again, and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 32 shots for the Panthers. Corey Perry had the only goal for the Oilers, who pulled goalie Stuart Skinner in the third period after he gave up five goals on 23 shots.

Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe (NHL Images).

Game 4 is Thursday in Florida at 8 pm ET

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The scoresheet doesn’t tell the full story. Put simply, the Panthers mauled the Oilers from start to finish.

Marchand opened the scoring just 56 seconds into the game, Verhaeghe scored what proved to be the winning goal later in the period, and the Panthers’ relentless forechecking put the game out of reach after Perry got the Oilers to within one goal early in the second period.

More importantly, the Panthers’ agitating style antagonized the Oilers throughout the game, getting under their skin and disrupting their rhythm. This was the worst performance by the Oilers in this postseason, and the Panthers knew it, laughing in their faces during the scrums and suckering them into taking retaliatory penalties.

Another performance like that by the Oilers in Game 4, and they can write off any hope of wrenching the Stanley Cup from the Panthers.

DAILY FACEOFF: This was a milestone game for Panthers head coach Paul Maurice. He became the third bench boss in NHL history to reach 1,000 combined regular-season and playoff wins.

TSN: Panthers forward A.J. Greer returned to action after missing the last two games with an undisclosed injury.

NHL.COM: Washington Capitals winger T.J. Oshie officially announced his retirement after 16 seasons in an event held at the Washington Harbor on Monday.

A chronic back injury had Oshie on long-term injury reserve throughout 2024-25. This season was the final one of his eight-year contract.

Oshie had 302 goals and 393 assists for 695 points in 1,010 regular-season games with the St. Louis Blues and the Capitals. He also had 34 goals and 69 points in 106 playoff games, winning the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders hired Ray Bennett and Bob Boughner as new assistant coaches on Monday. Bennett was the power-play coach for the Colorado Avalanche from 2017 until being fired this spring. Boughner spent the past three seasons as the Detroit Red Wings’ defense and penalty-killing coach.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 9, 2025

by | Jun 9, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 9, 2025

The latest on the Oilers and Panthers ahead of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, an update on Anthony Duclair, results from the Draft Combine, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DAILY FACEOFF: Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is a game-time decision for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday in Florida. The question of his health came up after he skipped practice on Sunday. Head coach Kris Knoblauch didn’t specify what might be ailing Nugent-Hopkins.

Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It could be the same illness that affected teammate Connor Brown on the eve of Game 1. Like Nugent-Hopkins, he was a game-time decision, but suited up for that match and Game 2.

TSN: The Oilers shuffled up their defense pairings during their Sunday practice. Darnell Nurse was moved up to the first pairing alongside Evan Bouchard. Mattias Ekholm was dropped to the second pairing with John Klingberg, who was elevated from the third pairing. Jake Walman will play on the third pairing with Brett Kulak, who was on the second pairing with Nurse in Game 2.

Speaking of defensemen, Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers participated in the club’s optional skate on Sunday. He took a shot off his left hand by Nurse during the second overtime in Game 2.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers are getting lots of production from their blueline. Florida defenseman has produced a franchise-record 17 goals in his postseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seth Jones leads all Panthers blueliners with four goals, followed by Nate Schmidt, Niko Mikkola, and Ekblad with three each. Dmitry Kulikov has tallied twice, and Gustav Forsling and Uvis Balinskis with a goal apiece.

NEWSDAY: Andrew Gross reports New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche is hopeful that head coach Patrick Roy and winger Anthony Duclair have put their issues behind them.

Duclair took a leave of absence for the final eight games of the regular season following a public clash with Roy. Darche said he has a “bit of a relationship” with Duclair, saying the 29-year-old winger was in a good mood when he spoke with him, adding he’ll sit down with Duclair again soon.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Duclair joined the Islanders last summer as a free agent, signing a four-year contract with an average annual value of $3.5 million and a full no-trade clause for the first two seasons. A promising start last season was derailed by a leg injury, limiting him to 11 points in 44 games.

Roy ripped Duclair following a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Apr. 1, calling his performance “god awful” and criticizing his overall effort. That led to the winger’s leave of absence and questions about his future with the Islanders.

SPORTSNET: The results from the fitness testing held at the 2025 NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo were released on Saturday. 

Center Anton Frondell of Djurgardens IF in Sweden and forward Cole Reschny of the University of North Dakota tied for the best VO2 max (64.7). Winger Cameron Schmidt of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants had the best bench press (7.82 watts/kg), forward Milton Gastrin of MoDo Hockey in Sweden topped the agility test to the left side, and Bill Zonnon of the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand Armada did the most consecutive pull-ups. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I singled out those four because they’re among the prospects expected to be chosen in the first round of this year’s draft, which will be held in Los Angeles on June 27-28. Doing well in the combine can be a determining factor in the selection process, but it’s not a definitive measure of whether a prospect will become an NHL star.

During the 2014 Draft Combine, Sam Bennett failed to perform a single pull-up. Nevertheless, he was chosen fourth overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2014 Draft and went on to stardom with the Florida Panthers.  

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs jersey worn by Hall-of-Famer Darryl Sittler during his record-setting 10-point game against the Boston Bruins in 1976 sold at auction for over $143 K.