NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 20, 2026

by | Sep 20, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 20, 2026

Recapping Saturday’s preseason action plus the latest on Senators goalie Linus Ullmark, Rangers winger Pavel Dorofeyev, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

PRESEASON GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in split-squad action in their preseason openers on Saturday.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL Images).

Cole Caufield scored in overtime and Lane Hutson had a goal and two assists to nip the Maple Leafs 4-3 in Montreal, while Phillip Danault tallied twice for a 4-1 victory in Toronto. In the latter contest, Darren Raddysh scored in his preseason debut with the Maple Leafs, while Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna was held scoreless in his first NHL preseason contest.

Edmonton Oilers superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each had a goal and an assist to down the Winnipeg Jets 5-2. Evan Bouchard collected four assists for the Oilers.

The Minnesota Wild defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on an overtime goal by Tyler Pitlick.

Vegas Golden Knights prospect Jackson Hallum scored twice to double up the Los Angeles Kings 4-2.

The Seattle Kraken beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2. Prospect center Jake O’Brien scored and added an assist for the Kraken.

The Dallas Stars defeated the St. Louis Blues 2-1 on a goal by minor-league center Jack Becker.

HEADLINES

OTTAWA SUN: Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark is refreshed, confident, and looking forward to his season after enduring a difficult 2025-26 campaign.

Ullmark struggled through the first half of last season and took a leave of absence for mental health reasons. He returned to backstop the Senators into the playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Inconsistent goaltending nearly derailed the Senators last season until Ullmark returned to form in the second half. A more consistent effort on his part could push the Senators higher in the standings this season.

NEW YORK POST: Pavel Dorofeyev is looking forward to starting this season with the Rangers. They acquired the 25-year-old scoring winger from the Vegas Golden Knights last June and signed a seven-year, $77-million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dorofeyev is coming off two seasons with 35 or more goals. He’s expected to play a significant role on their first line and on the power play. How he adjusts to playing for an Original Six club in one of hockey’s biggest markets will be a factor in determining whether the Rangers will be a playoff contender.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Anaheim Ducks signed center Tim Washe to a four-year contract extension that comes with an average annual value of $2.25 million.

Washe, 25, had two goals and five points in 39 games with the Ducks last season. He’s in the final year of his entry-level contract.

Ozzy and Oasiz Wiesblatt took sibling rivalry to another level when the two Nashville Predators youngsters got into a tussle during an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday. Neither brother was injured during the scrap.

Both are battling for jobs with the Predators. Ozzy has 45 NHL games on his resume while Oasiz spent last season with the Preds’ AHL affiliate in Milwaukee.

CBS SPORTS: San Jose Sharks winger Adam Gaudette is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

NESN: The Boston Bruins announced team executive Alex Gimenez’s death on Friday.

Gimenez spent more than a decade with MLB’s Boston Red Sox. He recently joined the Bruins as Director of Hockey Operations, Collective Bargaining Agreement, which was a newly created position within the organization.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Gimenez’s family, friends, and the Bruins’ organization.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 17, 2026

by | Sep 17, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 17, 2026

The Jets suspend Connor Hellebuyck; Dylan Larkin to miss the start of Red Wings training camp; Drew Doughty is the Kings’ new captain; and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TOP HEADLINES

DAILY FACEOFF: The Winnipeg Jets suspended goaltender Connor Hellebuyck for failing to report to training camp. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will speak with the media on Thursday to discuss the decision.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Last month, Hellebuyck released a statement revealing he had requested a trade. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner has four years left on his contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck is trying to pressure Cheveldayoff into trading him. The Jets GM will likely cite breach of contract when addressing this issue today. The suspension will likely be without pay as per the collective bargaining agreement. Hellebuyck won’t feel that right away because NHL players don’t start getting paid until the regular season begins.

It’ll be interesting to hear what Cheveldayoff has to say. If he bends and moves Hellebuyck quickly for a poor return, it could encourage other unhappy players to follow suit. It could also cost him his job.

Given Cheveldayoff’s history of dealing with players who want to be traded, he won’t make a move until he gets a decent offer, something he reportedly hasn’t received yet. That could change if injuries strike any team interested in Hellebuyck. A poor start by one of those teams could make them willing to meet Cheveldayoff’s asking price.

This could backfire on Hellebuyck. Cheveldayoff can afford to wait patiently for better offers. If the Jets struggle in Hellebuyck’s absence, fans will blame him more than the general manager. If the club copes well, that strengthens Cheveldayoff’s position. It could leave the 33-year-old Hellebuyck at risk of missing the entire season, which might not be a good idea at this stage of his career.

ESPN.COM: The Los Angeles Kings named defenseman Drew Doughty as their new captain. He replaced Anze Kopitar, who retired at the end of last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Color me unsurprised. The 36-year-old Doughty was expected to inherit the “C” from Kopitar. He’s starting his 19th season, all of them with the Kings.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers head coach Paul Maurice will not have Matthew and Brady Tkachuk on the same line as the brothers start their first NHL training camp together. Maurice is thinking about putting Brady alongside center Aleksander Barkov and winger Sam Reinhart.

“I don’t want to give everybody what they want with the two Tkachuk brothers together with Sam Bennett up the middle,” Maurice said with a grin. “They’ll be in jail before the puck drops.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Don’t be surprised if the Tkachuks and Bennett wind up on the same line at some point this season.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Carolina Hurricanes released a statement that restricted free agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin will not attend training camp. GM Eric Tulsky said that the 24-year-old Nikishin is not under contract and there would be no further comment at this time.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nikishin requested a trade earlier this summer and hasn’t changed his mind. Tulsky could be working on a sign-and-trade scenario for the sophomore blueliner, who’s been linked to the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers GM Stan Bowman addressed the pushback from some of the team’s fans for signing Alex Formenton. The 27-year-old winger was among the five former Canadian junior players acquitted last year of sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in 2018 in London, Ontario.

Bowman said he understood that signing Formenton might not be universally accepted by the Oilers fans. He claimed the club conducted due diligence to ensure that signing the winger would be the right decision.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers hiring personnel with controversial histories (including Bowman and new head coach Mike Babcock) has raised concerns from some fans and pundits about the team’s direction and the values of those doing the hiring. Their defenders argue that they deserve a second chance, but they could change their tune if the Oilers perform poorly.

INJURY ROUNDUP

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings center Dylan Larkin will miss the start of training camp with an upper-body injury that he suffered during off-ice training.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Is the upper-body injury a jaw wired shut? Okay, I borrowed that one-liner from my Bleacher Report colleague Sara Civian, but it would explain why we haven’t heard Larkin publicly address his messy trade request yet.

Speaking of the Red Wings, interim GM Shawn Horcoff said the club has no desire to rebuild its roster. “We have too many good players in that lineup,” he said, pointing to how close they’ve come to making the playoffs during the last three seasons. Horcoff said his goal, and that of his players, is to keep looking forward.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar will miss the start of training camp with a lower-body injury. It’s uncertain when the superstar blueliner will be ready, but head coach Jared Bednar doesn’t believe it’s a cause for concern. He also indicated that Makar’s injury isn’t related to the one he suffered in the postseason.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal will be sidelined for the next two weeks due to inflammation from a previous injury. He could be sidelined for the start of the regular season.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle will miss the next four to five weeks due to minor surgery this summer to repair an adductor muscle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guhle’s injury opens a spot for one of the Canadiens’ promising young defensemen like David Reinbacher or Adam Engstrom to prove they’re ready to make the jump to the NHL.

TORONTO STAR: Maple Leafs forward Max Domi failed his training camp physical and will be sidelined indefinitely. He suffered complications from offseason back surgery.

Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly has a virus and could miss at least their first preseason game. He is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

TSN: Buffalo Sabres forward Jason Zucker is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing sports hernia surgery.

OTTAWA SUN: Sidelined Senators defenseman Artem Zub and winger Warren Foegele won’t be full participants in training camp. That could lead to a free agent like Ben Hutton being signed to a professional tryout offer.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tampa Bay Lightning center Yanni Gourde (offseason hip surgery) and Dominic James (broken right hand) could miss the start of the regular season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning signed center Luke Glendening to a PTO contract.

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Long-time Blue Jackets president Mike Priest will retire on Sept. 30 after 30 years with the team.

SPORTSNET: The Seattle Kraken hired Chuck Fletcher as a senior advisor to the general manager. Fletcher served as a general manager with the Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, and Philadelphia Flyers.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils named Bryan McCabe as vice president of prospect personnel and assistant GM of their AHL affiliate in Utica. Jessica Campbell was named manager of player development.

TSN: The Boston Bruins signed center Matt Poitras to a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level.

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Winger Ryan Reaves announced his retirement.https://apnews.com/article/ryan-reaves-retires-78450b7c42360ea0bcf2f7da0bf927c6

The 39-year-old enforcer spent 16 seasons in the NHL (2010-11 to 2025-26) with the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, and San Jose Sharks. In 962 regular-season games, Reaves had 140 points and 1,137 PIMs. He also had nine points and 116 PIMs in 113 playoff games.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 14, 2026

by | Sep 14, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 14, 2026

The Canadiens re-sign Zachary Bolduc, Matty Beniers talks about stars not wanting to come to Seattle, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens re-signed winger Zachary Bolduc to a four-year contract worth an average annual value of $4.2 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bolduc signing came one day after the Canadiens inked unrestricted free agent winger Chris Kreider to a one-year, bonus-laden deal.

Montreal Canadiens winger Zachary Bolduc (NHL Images)

Bolduc, 23, was coming off his entry-level contract. He made his NHL debut with the St. Louis Blues in 2024-25, and the Canadiens acquired him on July 1, 2025. Bolduc struggled to adjust to the Canadiens’ system, sparking offseason speculation that he could become a trade candidate. However, management obviously believes he has potential as a middle-six winger.

The signing leaves the Canadiens with over $4.2 million in salary cap space. Defenseman Arber Xhekaj (who has also been the subject of trade rumors this summer) is their only unsigned player.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Speaking of the Canadiens, Karine Hains indicated that there is an unconfirmed report that defenseman Kaiden Guhle underwent offseason surgery and is still rehabbing. More information about Guhle’s status is expected to be revealed during the Canadiens’ annual golf tournament on Monday.

Hains also noted that blueliner Arber Xhekaj remains unsigned, raising questions about whether he’ll still be with the Canadiens when training camp opens. That could open the door for promising blueliner David Reinbacher to earn a full-time roster spot this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Plenty of blueline intrigue as the Canadiens approach training camp this week. We won’t have to wait long to find out what’s going on with Guhle, Xhekaj, and Reinbacher.

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus recently reported that Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers and his teammates take it personally when stars reject joining the club.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Beniers said. “There’s a tough rep about Seattle because it’s rainy, and maybe the city. But guys love it in Seattle – the guys that are there. When the sun’s out, it’s beautiful. There’s so much nature; there are a lot of things to do. So yeah, it obviously doesn’t feel good when you’re on a team and you try to get someone and they don’t want to come. But at the same time, if you don’t want to be here, we don’t want you, anyway.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lazerus observed that players around the league love Seattle as a road city, and it has a state-of-the-art arena. However, he noted that the Kraken’s postseason drought has made it difficult to attract talented players.

The Kraken attempted to acquire Artemi Panarin before he was traded from the New York Rangers to the Los Angeles Kings in February. They also tried to trade for Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson. Both players blocked the trades, with Robertson re-signing a one-year deal with the Stars.

SPORTSNET: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed defenseman Carson Soucy to a professional tryout offer.

THE MERCURY NEWS: San Jose Sharks prospect forward Cam Lund’s participation in training camp is in question after suffering an upper-body injury during a rookie tournament game with the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Former Oilers owner Cal Nichols died Saturday. He was 84.

Nichols spearheaded a group of 38 investors who bought the Oilers in 1998. He served as team chairman and governor until the team was sold to current owner Darryl Katz in 2008.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers fans owe Nichols a debt of gratitude. His efforts kept the franchise in Edmonton when it was on the verge of being sold and moved to Houston in 1998.

My condolences to Nichols’ family, friends, and the Oilers’ organization.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 10, 2026

by | Sep 10, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 10, 2026

The Wild’s Quinn Hughes talks about his contract negotiations, the Ducks and Chris Kreider agree to terminate his contract, plus the latest on Leo Carlsson, Zach Werenski, Cole Caufield, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Quinn Hughes said he’s not in a rush to sign a contract extension with the Minnesota Wild. The 26-year-old defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Hughes stated that it would be done whenever he feels it needs to be done. “I don’t feel backed against a wall. I’m very thoughtful. I want to make sure I’m taking my time on everything and make sure I’m making a decision that is going to be good for everyone. That’s kind of where my head has been at,” Hughes said.

The superstar blueliner still believes in the Wild, claiming he has a strong relationship with the coaching staff and general manager Bill Guerin and that Minnesota has been a great fit for him. However, he won’t feel pressure if his negotiations carry over into the regular season. Hughes declined to publicly discuss details of his extension talks, saying it was between him and Guerin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes seems to be taking a cautious approach in his negotiations with the Wild. Understandably, he wants what’s best for his future. He could wait to see how this season unfolds before committing to the Wild beyond 2026-27. Nevertheless, the longer he goes without a contract, the more speculation about his future in Minnesota.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks placed winger Chris Kreider on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.

Kreider, 35, is in the final season of a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million, but his actual salary for this season is $4 million. The Ducks acquired him from the New York Rangers in June 2025. Kreider was fourth among Ducks scorers last season with 22 goals and sixth with 50 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kreider wants to be closer to his family, who live in the New York area. By terminating his contract, he can sign with any Eastern Conference team as an unrestricted free agent. It’s rumored he could refuse to report if claimed by a team that he doesn’t wish to join, but that scenario is unlikely because he’s expected to clear waivers later today.

This move could be a precursor to the Ducks signing restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier. They currently have $9.07 million in cap space, but the 21-year winger reportedly rejected a four-year deal worth $13 million last month. Clearing Kreider’s $6.5 million for this season should free up sufficient space for Gauthier’s new contract, which could come in at around $15 million annually.

SPORTSNET: Speaking of the Ducks, center Leo Carlsson said players are thanking him for signing a five-year offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers on July 3 worth $18 million AAV. The Ducks matched the offer six days’ later.

Carlsson acknowledged that his contract was “a huge deal for the league,” which is sure to have ripple effects for young, promising stars hoping to cash in as the salary cap rises.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those ripples have already been felt around the league.

Within three weeks of Carlsson’s new contract, San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year extension worth $18.8 million AAV. Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard inked a five-year deal worth $15 million. Carlsson’s deal also affected the Ducks’ efforts to re-sign Cutter Gauthier.

It’s not just rising young stars who benefited from Carlsson’s contract. Colorado Avalanche superstar defenseman Cale Makar recently signed an eight-year contract with a league-record $20.4 million AAV.

TSN: Florida Panthers winger Brady Tkachuk said it wasn’t an easy decision for him to request a trade from the Ottawa Senators.

“It was a really, really hard decision, and something that was emotional. It took a lot of time to get to that,” Tkachuk said, who was shipped to the Panthers in June.

Tkachuk’s first game back in Ottawa will be on Oct. 21. He’s not sure what kind of reception he’ll get from Senators fans. Whatever the reaction, he believes it’ll demonstrate how great the fan base is in Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As a team, the Senators are tired of talking about Tkachuk’s departure and want to move on. To his credit, Tkachuk has spoken respectfully about his time in Ottawa, but it’ll be interesting to see the fans’ reaction when he returns in October.

NHL.COM: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski insists that he wants to stay in Columbus following an offseason of trade rumors.

Werenski believes the Blue Jackets will be in a good place this season, where people won’t question his future in Columbus. However, he admits that speculation will likely persist until next summer, when he can sign a contract extension.

Offseason reports indicated Werenski asked for a trade and that the Blue Jackets were close to moving him to the Dallas Stars. Werenski vetoed the trade, and he and general manager Don Waddell issued statements about his desire to stay in Columbus.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Werenski maintains it was all a misunderstanding, insisting that he wants to stay and help Columbus become a winner. Nevertheless, he’s right about the conjecture regarding his future will continue throughout this season.

SPORTSNET: Despite the recent trend of American stars like Brady Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, and Connor Hellebuyck requesting trades out of Canadian markets, Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield doesn’t see himself following that path.

“Only speaking for myself, I think being in Montreal, if you love hockey and have a passion for it, there’s no better place or city to teach you lessons through the good and the bad. You learn to embrace it throughout those bad times that there’s brighter days ahead,” Caufield said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It can be difficult to play in high-pressure Canadian markets, and not everyone can handle that harsh spotlight. However, it’s easier to handle when the teams play as well as the rising Canadiens did last season.

We should note that Hughes and Hellebucyk made their trade requests after their clubs declined. Tkachuk’s request followed after back-to-back first-round playoff exits by the Senators. Those may be merely coincidences, but one wonders if those players would’ve made those requests if their Canadian clubs played as well as the Habs last season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi is expected to miss training camp and the start of the regular season because of complications from offseason surgery.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers signed former Ottawa Senators winger Alex Formenton to a one-year, $850,000 contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the second controversial decision by Oilers management, having hired Mike Babcock as head coach earlier this summer. Formenton is one of five players from the 2018 Canadian world junior team found not guilty of sexual assault in London, Ontario last summer.

TORONTO SUN: NHL insider Elliotte Friedman and game analyst Kevin Bieksa have agreed to new contracts with Sportsnet.

DAILY FACEOFF: NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said expansion to Houston or Austin is not a done deal. The league is currently in the middle of a six-month review period with the Friedkin Group regarding a potential expansion franchise in Texas. It would require a $3.5 billion bid, part of which would go toward building a state-of-the-art arena.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not a done deal yet, but there’s a strong sense that it’s going to happen.

ESPN: Former NHL player, coach, and hockey analyst Barry Melrose died Wednesday at age 70.

Melrose played 480 professional games with the NHL and WHA from 1976-77 to 1985-86. He turned to coaching soon afterward, winning championships with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers (1987-88) and the AHL’s Adirondack Red Wings (1991-92). He spent three seasons as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings (1992-93 to 1994-95), guiding them to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. He also did a brief stint as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008-09.

For over 25 years, Melrose was a well-known NHL analyst with ESPN. He stepped down from his duties in 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Former Canadiens forward Andre Pronovost passed away at the age of 90.

Pronovost played nine seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Detroit Red Wings from 1956-67 to 1964-65. He spent the rest of his career in the minors except for a brief stint with the Minnesota North Stars in 1967-68.

In 556 regular-season games, Pronovost had 94 goals and 104 assists for 198 points. He also scored 22 points in 70 playoff games and won four Stanley Cups with the Canadiens. He was also the grandfather of current NHL winger Anthony Mantha.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of Melrose and Pronovost.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 1, 2026

by | Sep 1, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 1, 2026

Check out the latest on Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko and Senators winger Drake Batherson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

Join me and Jim Biringer of Full Press Hockey as we discuss Cale Makar’s record contract with the Avalanche, Quinn Hughes’ contract talks with the Wild, and the latest notable rumors.

THE LATEST KIRILL MARCHENKO RUMORS

THE SICK PODCAST: James Murphy reported one of his sources believes that the Columbus Blue Jackets don’t intend to trade Kirill Marchenko. However, another source isn’t ruling out the possibility

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko (NHL Images).

The 25-year-old right wing entered the rumor mill in June after an ESPN report claimed he was reluctant to sign a contract extension.

Speculation grew in July following a report from Russia claiming the Blue Jackets were discussing a trade involving Kirill Marchenko, sparking rumors linking him to the Montreal Canadiens. However, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell dismissed those reports.

Murphy’s second source claimed that if the Blue Jackets were willing to “really consider” trading Marchenko, the Canadiens would be at the front of the line of trade suitors. He suggested that he might sacrifice Marchenko to free up salary cap room to re-sign restricted free-agent center Adam Fantilli.

Asked what it would cost the Canadiens to acquire Marchenko, Murphy’s source said they won’t part with prospect center Michael Hage.

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell recently suggested Marchenko as a trade target for the Edmonton Oilers.

Mitchell argued that the Oilers need to pursue an impact player, someone who can deliver guaranteed production for at least the next five seasons. He believes Marchenko could address that need, and suggested that they could sign him to a long-term deal if he flourishes in Edmonton.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have over $12.6 million in cap space for this season. They’d have no reason to move Marchenko and his $3.85 million cap hit in a cost-cutting move unless Fantilli is seeking well over $13 million annually.

However, the Blue Jackets might not have to take that step right away. They could place goaltender Elvis Merzlikins on long-term injury reserve to start the season if his recent shoulder surgery sidelines him for a long period of time. Of course, they’ll have to become cap-compliant once Merzlikins is ready to return later in the season.

The Canadiens could be among the suitors for Marchenko if he becomes available. It’s no secret they’re in the market for a top-six forward (preferably a center) to play alongside budding superstar Ivan Demidov on their second line. They also have the depth in draft picks, prospects, promising young players, and long-term salary-cap space to make a tempting offer.

However, that’s not the same case for the Oilers. They would likely lose a bidding war for Marchenko.

UPDATE ON DRAKE BATHERSON’S CONTRACT TALKS

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch believes the Senators must move quickly to sign Drake Batherson to a new contract before uncertainty over his future sets in.

Batherson, 28, is UFA-eligible next July. He’s in the final season of a six-year contract worth $4.95 million annually.

Senators GM Steve Staios has indicated he wants to re-sign Batherson, who wants to remain with the Senators. Garrioch cited sources claiming the winger seeks an eight-year contract but it would have to be signed before Sept. 15, after which the league maximum contract term drops to seven years for re-signings and from seven to six years for unrestricted free agents.

It’s believed Batherson could command between $10 million and $11 million annually on the open market next summer. Garrioch cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting there is a pathway to a deal, but it involves compromise on both sides. That means closing the AAV gap on an eight-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Garrioch points out, if they don’t get a deal signed by Sept. 15, the Senators might not be willing to go with a higher AAV on a seven-year contract. The longer the term, the lower the AAV could be.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 30, 2026

by | Aug 30, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 30, 2026

Could Dylan Larkin accept a trade to the Mammoth or Canadiens? Could the latter attempt to trade Samuel Montembeault to the Oilers? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LARKIN TO THE MAMMOTH OR CANADIENS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan O’Hara believes the Utah Mammoth makes the most sense for Dylan Larkin if the Detroit Red Wings center is serious about chasing the Stanley Cup.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).

The Mammoth are an up-and-coming team who recently added veteran forwards Anders Lee and Vincent Trocheck. They have the draft capital to make an enticing offer and have a bit of a trade history with the Red Wings after acquiring goalie Sebastian Cossa earlier this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin’s trade list includes the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers, though it’s rumored the Dallas Stars are also on his list. So far, the 30-year-old center hasn’t indicated that he’s willing to widen that list, though he might have to if he seriously wants to be moved before the start of the regular season in four weeks.

The Mammoth tick the right boxes, but whether they seriously want him or if he’s willing to include them on his list of preferred destinations remains to be seen.

NHL NETWORK: Mike Johnson suggested the Montreal Canadiens as a landing spot for Larkin. The Canadiens are stacked with young talent that Johnson believes makes them a legitimate Stanley Cup contender over the next four or five years.

Johnson noted that the Canadiens can draw on their “boatload” of young prospects to build a trade package for the Red Wings, including University of Michigan winger Michael Hage. He acknowledged the Canadiens weren’t on Larkin’s four-team trade list. However, if it’s about winning for Larkin, the Habs are on the precipice of winning for the next half-decade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin would be a terrific addition to the Canadiens, but he doesn’t seem interested in joining a Canadian club.

MONTEMBEAULT TO THE OILERS?

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan believes the goalie market should start heating up with Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets requesting a trade and Frederik Andersen of the Edmonton Oilers to miss training camp after suffering an injury during offseason training.

That could make it possible for the Canadiens to trade Samuel Montembeault. Cowan doesn’t expect they’ll start the season carrying Montembeault, Jakub Dobes, and Jacob Fowler. He believes Montembeault can regain his form after struggling through injury and inconsistency last season, but he will have a short leash.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Karine Haines wondered if Andersen’s injury might create an opportunity for the Canadiens to ship Montembeault to the Oilers. She noted Montembeault has a cap hit of $3.15 million and the Oilers have $2 million in cap space, which would mean the Canadiens would have to take back some salary in such a deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said last week that he wasn’t too concerned over the rash of early injuries plaguing his club. He’ll likely look at internal options first (such as offseason acquisition Devon Levi) or a dip into free agency where a few affordable veterans are available, including former Oiler Cam Talbot.

Montembeault could be a trade target for the Oilers, but he’ll probably be further down Bowman’s list.