NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 21, 2025

by | Jun 21, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 21, 2025

An update on the Oilers’ offseason plans, Jonathan Toews signs with the Jets, the latest on Joe Pavelski, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

TSN: Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said Friday that signing team captain Connor McDavid to a contract extension is the team’s top offseason priority.

Bowman said McDavid has earned the right to determine the timeline for negotiations, but said the Oilers will be ready once he’s ready to begin. The Oilers superstar is eligible for unrestricted free-agent (UFA) status next July, but he can sign an extension as early as this July 1.

The Oilers GM indicated that the Oilers’ defense corps will remain largely intact. That includes Evan Bouchard, who is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.

Bowman will focus on making modifications to the forward lines and the goaltending. He said he’s not singling out the goalie tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, but the club will explore changes to that position.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Based on Bowman’s comments, Robert Tychkowski believes the Oilers GM plans a mid-level change or two to his roster.

Tychkowski expressed concern over the Oilers’ aging roster and its thin prospect cupboard. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that their priority is winning the Stanley Cup next season.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (NHL Images).

Meanwhile, Jim Matheson wondered if Skinner returns next season as the Oilers’ starting goalie, or will he be sharing the crease in a “1 and 1A scenario” without Pickard.

Matheson wondered if the Oilers might target Joel Hofer of the St. Louis Blues with an offer sheet. If they sign him to no more than an average annual value (AAV) of $4,680,076, it’ll only cost them a second-round pick in 2026 as compensation, which is a pick they have.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Assuming Hofer is open to signing an offer sheet, the Blues are in a good position to match it. They have roughly $5 million in cap space for 2025-26 with 22 active roster players under contract. They could get $6.5 million in additional cap flexibility if Torey Krug (ankle) remains on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) next season.

Bigger names that have surfaced in the rumor mill include Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins, Jordan Binnington of the Blues, and Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Swayman will play a key role in the Bruins’ plans for a bounce-back performance next season. Trading him would leave them with Joonas Korpisalo as their full-time starter, and history has shown he’s best suited as a backup.

Binnington’s fortunes have rebounded following a strong performance in the 4 Nations Face Off tournament and the Blues’ memorable first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets this spring. He’s not going anywhere.

Saros struggled along with his Predators teammates last season. They could trade him before his new contract (with its full no-movement clause) begins on July 1, but it’s doubtful the Oilers would be comfortable with his $7.7 million AAV through 2032-33.

Besides, Predators GM Barry Trotz signed Saros to that hefty contract. It’s unlikely he’ll put the netminder on the trade block this summer.

Smaller names that could be available via trade or free agency include John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks, Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils, and Tristan Jarry of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not much to choose from there, but Gibson might be worth the risk. He’s signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $6.5 million, but the Ducks might be willing to retain some salary to facilitate a trade for the right return. Allen is a reliable backup while Jarry’s inconsistency is a significant concern.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews has agreed to a one-year contract with the Jets. The 37-year-old center is staging a comeback after being sidelined for the last two seasons by long COVID symptoms and chronic immune response issues.

Toews will earn a base salary of $2 million. With bonuses for games played, that number will more than double if he suits up for at least 50 games in 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a low-cost gamble by the Jets. If it pays off, Toews could fill their second center position. If it doesn’t, they’ll have sufficient cap space to address that position later in the season.

RG.ORG: Former San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski admitted he had a moment where he felt the itch to return to the NHL during this season. However, it passed quickly as he confirmed that he is retired for good.

Pavelski played 18 seasons in the NHL, establishing himself among the greatest American-born players in league history.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes signed forward Eric Robinson to a four-year contract extension with an AAV of $1.7 million. Robinson, 30, was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

TSN: The Dallas Stars signed restricted free agents Mavrik Bourque and Nils Lundkvist to one-year contracts. Bourque will earn $950,000 while Lundkvist will earn $1.25 million.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames signed depth forward Dryden Hunt to a two-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $825,000 at the NHL level.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken inked defenseman Cale Fleury to a two-year contract with an AAV of $890,000.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils are reportedly not qualifying the rights of restricted free agent Cody Glass, making him a UFA on July 1.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 4, 2024

by | Aug 4, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 4, 2024

Matthew Tkachuk talks about celebrating his Stanley Cup win with his father, former Sharks GM regrets letting Joe Pavelski depart from San Jose, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE SCORE: Matthew Tkachuk said he never saw his father, former NHL star Keith Tkachuk, cry before until the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup.

Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (NHL Images).

“He was bawling his eyes out like a big baby in the stands as those few minutes went by after we won,” Tkachuk said during a recent appearance on “The Jim Rome Show”. “The emotion from my family…it was something that I’ll never forget.”

Keith played 18 seasons as a power forward in the NHL but never got to win the Cup. Matthew said he was honored to celebrate the victory with his father.

“It was a dream,” he said. “Me handing the Cup to my dad when all the family came on the ice was one of the highlights of my entire life.”

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Former Sharks general manager Doug Wilson recently paid tribute to Joe Pavelski and his long NHL career. The 40-year-old forward announced his retirement last month.

Wilson admitted he regrets letting Pavelski depart as a free agent in 2019. “We should have found a way to get it done,” he said. “It was a mistake.”

Chosen in the seventh round of the 2003 NHL Draft by the Sharks, Pavelski leads his draft class with 476 goals and 1,068 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Patrice Bergeron and Marc-Andre Fleury are the top two players to emerge from the 2003 Draft but Pavelski will forever be its leading scorer. The only player who could’ve caught him was Eric Staal (455 goals, 1,063 points) and he announced his retirement last week.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Randy Gregg and Craig MacTavish are the 2024 inductees into the Edmonton Oilers Hall of Fame. They will be honored at Rogers Place on Oct. 25 before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Gregg spent nine seasons as a defenseman with the Oilers from 1981-82 to 1989-90, winning five Stanley Cups. MacTavish spent nine of his 17 NHL seasons as a checking-line forward with the Oilers from 1985-86 to 1993-94, winning three Cups in Edmonton. He went on to coach the club from 2000 to 2009.

THE SCORE: James Hagens is setting his sights on becoming the top prospect in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The 17-year-old playmaking center netted 102 points in 58 games last season with the US National Team Development Program Under-18 team. He also made history at the 2024 U-18 Championship with a record-setting 22 points in seven games.

Hagens also hopes to make the cut for Team USA at the 2025 World Juniors after being one of the final cuts from the 2024 squad. “I want to be on that team really bad,” he said, admitting it hurt getting cut but is using it as motivation this year.

The 5’10”, 172-pound Hagens turns 18 in November and will play for Boston College this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hagens is the consensus early favorite to be chosen first in next year’s draft. It’ll be worthwhile to keep an eye on this kid throughout this season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 17, 2024

by | Jul 17, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 17, 2024

Stars winger Joe Pavelski retires, Blues defenseman Torey Krug faces a potentially season-ending injury, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Joe Pavelski officially announced his retirement after 18 NHL seasons with the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars.

Dallas Stars winger Joe Pavelski (NHL Images).

The 40-year-old winger netted 476 goals and 592 assists for 1,068 points in 1,332 regular-season games, sitting sixth all-time among American-born players. He also tallied 74 goals and 69 assists for 143 points in 201 playoff contests.

Pavelski appeared in seven Conference Finals and two Stanley Cup Finals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of Pavelski’s stats were accumulated during his 13 seasons with the Sharks. He’s second among their all-time leaders with 355 goals, third in points with 761, and fourth in games played with 963. Pavelski played a significant role in the Sharks’ rise as a Western Conference powerhouse from 2007-08 to 2010-11 and their run to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.

The Sharks reportedly looked into bringing Pavelski back next season but he’d made up his mind that it was time to retire. He was a model of consistency throughout his career, exceeding the 60-point plateau 11 times, including a 67-point performance last season.

Pavelski will be remembered among the best American-born players in NHL history. One day soon, he will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues defenseman Torey Krug was diagnosed with pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle and will be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks. The injury is a cumulative result of a bone fracture earlier in Krug’s playing career.

If Krug requires surgery, he will be sidelined for the 2024-25 season. That would enable left-shot defenseman Scott Perunovich to receive more playing time.

Krug carries an average annual value of $6.5 million. He would be eligible to be placed on long-term injury reserve if he’s sidelined for the season. However, the Blues currently have more than $7 million in salary-cap space, meaning they would only place him on LTIR to free up more cap room.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford indicated Krug was being mentioned in trade rumors after the Blues signed Ryan Suter last week to a one-year contract. That created a logjam of nine defensemen on one-way contracts. Rutherford points out there won’t be a trade market for Krug even if he agrees to waive his no-trade clause.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars will induct Brenden Morrow and Jim Lites into their Hall of Fame in October.

Morrow spent 13 of his 15 NHL seasons with the Stars, seven as team captain. Lites was president and CEO of the Sharks from 2011 until 2020 when he was named team chairman.

The Stars also signed 2024 first-round pick Emil Hemming to a three-year entry-level contract. Hemming was selected 29th overall by the Stars.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders signed forward Simon Holmstrom to a one-year, $850K contract.

THE GAZETTE: The Montreal Canadiens hired former Columbus Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent as the new bench boss of their AHL affiliate in Laval.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks signed goaltender Arturs Silovs to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $850K. Silovs, 23, stepped in during the first round of the Canucks series against the Nashville Predators after Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith were sidelined, backstopping them to a six-game series victory.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers goaltending prospect Alexei Kolosov didn’t appear in the club’s recent prospect development camp and is reportedly attempting to get out of his NHL contract.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 5, 2024

by | Jun 5, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 5, 2024

Stars forward Joe Pavelski intends to retire, several Rangers played with injuries during the postseason, the latest on the Stanley Cup Finalists, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars forward Joe Pavelski hasn’t officially announced his retirement, but he told reporters he doesn’t intend to return next season.

“This was it for me. It was known for a while, probably. The plan is not to play next year,” said Pavelski on Tuesday during his club’s end-of-season media interviews. “I don’t want to say this is official, but the plan is not to be coming back.”

Dallas Stars winger Joe Pavelski (NHL Images).

Pavelski signed a one-year contract extension last summer with the Stars. He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A seventh-round pick (205th overall) by the San Jose Sharks in 2003, Pavelski is one of the greatest American-born players in NHL history. He’s played 1,332 regular-season games with 475 goals and 1,068 points. He’s a four-time NHL All-Star, sits sixth among American-born players in total points, and is their leader with 74 playoff goals.

Pavelski spent 13 of his 18 NHL seasons with the Sharks. He’s fourth among their franchise leaders in games played (963), second in goals with 355, fourth with 406 assists, and third in points with 761. He spent the past five seasons with the Stars, totaling 121 goals and 186 assists for 307 points in 369 regular-season games in Dallas, including 27 goals and 67 points in 82 games this season.

Pavelski’s teammate Chris Tanev revealed he dealt with multiple injuries from dental work to an ankle injury during the Stars’ postseason run. The latter injury occurred during Game 4 of the Western Conference Final when he blocked a shot by Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane. Tanev injured some tendons behind the ankle but indicated he won’t require surgery and should recover in two weeks.

SPORTSNET: New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba revealed he suffered an ankle injury that hobbled him during the playoffs. He told reporters on Tuesday that “a big chunk of his ankle came off” earlier in the season. It wasn’t a load-bearing bone so he could walk but skating was difficult.

The injury sidelined Trouba for the final 13 games of the regular season. He played in all 16 of the Rangers’ postseason games but managed only seven points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trouba’s subpar performance prompted some observers to suggest the Rangers consider trading him this summer when his no-movement clause becomes a modified no-trade on July 1. They might want to reconsider that hot take after learning about his injury.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers blueliner Adam Fox confirmed he was playing with a knee injury suffered during a collision with Washington Capitals rearguard Nick Jensen during their first-round series. He injured the same knee in November following a similar collision with Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho. Fox said he has to go through his exit physical to determine whether his knee will require further treatment during the offseason.

Ryan Lindgren, Fox’s defense partner, suffered a cracked rip in Game 6 of the Rangers’ second-round series against the Hurricanes. Winger Jimmy Vesey suffered a separated shoulder in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final but won’t require surgery.

Rangers winger Blake Wheeler is mulling retirement. The 37-year-old right wing signed a one-year contract last summer with the Blueshirts after the Winnipeg Jets bought out the final season of his contract. He spent the past three months rehabbing a right leg injury suffered on Feb. 15. Wheeler will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk doesn’t need memories of “The Battle of Alberta” during his years with the Calgary Flames for motivation when he faces the Edmonton Oilers in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. “Anytime you’re playing any opponent in the Stanley Cup Final, you do not need a team rivalry,” said Tkachuk. “Right when the puck drops, it will be very intense.”

TSN: Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch expects Evander Kane will be ready for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday. Kane has been battling a sports hernia and played just over four minutes during Game 6 of the Western Conference Final.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators added Mike Yeo and Nolan Baumgartner to their coaching staff. Former Sens captain Daniel Alfredsson will also return as an assistant coach.

SPORTSNET: The NHL’s Utah franchise reportedly had more than 34,000 people place deposits on season tickets for their inaugural campaign in 2024-25. Almost 92 percent of those deposits came from non-Utah Jazz season ticket holders.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 3, 2024

by | Jun 3, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 3, 2024

What could the offseason hold for the Stars? What’s the latest Rangers speculation? Could the Panthers move a key defenseman to free up cap room this summer? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE STARS?

ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark looked at what the offseason might hold for the Dallas Stars following their elimination from the Western Conference Final.

Matt Duchene and Joe Pavelski are unrestricted free agents on July 1. They were part of the Stars forward depth that enabled the club to challenge other top contenders. Clark believes they should be back if there’s cap space to make it work.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have a projected $15.9 million of cap space for 2024-25 with 13 active roster players under contract. While their core players are all under contract, squeezing Duchene and Pavelski within that limited space won’t be easy unless they accept pay cuts or management makes a cost-cutting trade.

Pavelski’s struggles during this postseason prompted retirement speculation. If he hangs up his skates, it could make it easier to retain Duchene.

THE LATEST ON THE RANGERS

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh wondered if New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury might consider any moves that shake up the core and free up some salary-cap space.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

Baugh noted that Rangers captain Jacob Trouba’s performance this season did not play up to his $8 million cap hit. The 30-year-old defenseman’s no-movement clause becomes a 15-team no-trade list on July 1 for the final two years of his contract. There’s speculation that Trouba could draw some interest in the trade market, especially if the Rangers retain part of his cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Baugh believes that’s something Drury should consider but it’s probably not an option the Rangers GM will take seriously. They’re all-in for the Stanley Cup and Trouba is a key part. A more likely cost-cutting trade candidate is forward Barclay Goodrow. He’s under contract through 2026-27 with a $3.64 million annual average value and a 15-team no-trade clause.

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears believes the Rangers have big decisions to make regarding restricted free agents Ryan Lindgren, Braden Schneider, and Kaapo Kakko.

Lindgren is a linchpin player in line for a significant raise over his current $3 million AAV. Drury might have to shed some salary to free up room to keep him.

Schneider is coming off his entry-level contract with little leverage. He could get a three-year bridge deal for around $3 million annually.

Meanwhile, questions remain about Kakko’s future with the Rangers after struggling through this season and the playoffs. The 23-year-old still has the potential to become a top-six winger but whether he’ll do so on Broadway is another matter. Sears expects the Rangers will likely reshape their roster this summer while trying to save money. Shopping Kakko’s rights is an obvious move.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Peter Baugh believes there will be interest in Kakko if the Rangers decide to trade him this summer. He suggests it might be the best move for the player and the team, speculating he could fetch a second or third-round pick.

Mollie Walker believes Igor Shesterkin could aim for a historic contract after his dominant postseason performance. The 28-year-old goaltender will become a UFA next summer but the Rangers can sign him to an extension on July 1. Walker speculates his camp could aim for a long-term deal for as high as $12 million annually, which would be a salary-cap record for an NHL goalie.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shesterkin is also a former Vezina Trophy winner (2022). The Rangers have no choice but to lock him up to a long-term deal that could reach $12 million per season.

COULD THE PANTHERS TRADE AARON EKBLAD THIS SUMMER?

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons noted that the Florida Panthers want to re-sign winger Sam Reinhart and defenseman Brandon Montour.

“The thinking is, the Panthers will look to trade Aaron Ekblad at the end of the season and use his money to keep Montour,” writes Simmons. He also believes Reinhart will sign a “tax-friendly deal brought to you by the state of Florida,” meaning he could accept less than market value because Florida doesn’t have a state tax.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers carry a projected $20.8 million of cap space next season with 13 active roster players under contract. New deals for Reinhart and Montour will take up most of it so a cost-cutting trade is necessary.

Moving Ekblad and his $7.75 million AAV for next season would be bold given his role as one of their top two defensemen and team leaders. He’s also a year away from UFA eligibility. However, that seems like a “last resort” option for Panthers GM Bill Zito.

Ekblad has a 12-team no-trade list which would complicate things. His cap hit won’t be easy for teams to absorb even with the salary cap rising by $4 million next season.

More likely cost-cutting candidates include Evan Rodrigues ($3 million annually through 2026-27), Niko Mikkola ($2.5 million through 2025-26), or even Sam Bennett ($4.425 million). All of them lack no-trade protection. Like Ekblad, Bennett is a year away from UFA eligibility.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 3, 2024

by | Jun 3, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 3, 2024

The Oilers eliminate the Stars and advance to the Stanley Cup Final. Check out the recap and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAP

NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers are going to the Stanley Cup Final after holding off the Dallas Stars 2-1 in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final, taking the series four games to two.

Edmonton captain Connor McDavid opened the scoring on the power play in the first period with a brilliant display of stickhandling. Zach Hyman made it 2-0 for the Oilers on another power-play goal. Mason Marchment got Dallas on the board in the third period but the Oilers withstood a furious push by the Stars for the win. McDavid finished with two points and Evan Bouchard collected two assists. 

2023-24 Western Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers (NHL.com).

The Oilers will face the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final on Saturday, June 8 at 7:30 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars dominated the play in this game except on the score sheet. They outshot the Oilers 35-10, outhit them 31-18, and had three power-play opportunities to the Oilers’ two.

The difference was Edmonton cashed in on the man advantage and stymied the Stars at 5-on-5. Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner played his best game of the postseason, kicking out 34 shots. They got the win with winger Evander Kane sidelined for the third period after he was injured in the opening frame throwing a hit on Dallas’ Alex Petrovic. Head coach Kris Knoblauch is optimistic that the six-day break before the Cup Final will do Kane some good.

Oilers winger Corey Perry became the first player in NHL history to play for five teams in the Stanley Cup Final. He won the Cup in 2007 with the Anaheim Ducks and would play for the Stars (2020), Montreal Canadiens (2021) and Tampa Bay Lightning (2022) before joining the Oilers as a free agent in January.

The Stars were understandably overcome with emotion following the loss, but the thought of teammate Joe Pavelski’s possible retirement had several of them on the verge of tears. He turns 40 next month and his contract expires on July 1. Pavelski had 27 goals and 67 points in the regular season but his performance noticeably declined during this postseason with four points in 19 games.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NEW YORK POST: Rangers long-time goaltending guru, Benoit Allaire, will scale back his workload. He will continue serving as their director of goaltending but will no longer serve as their goalie coach on a day-to-day basis. Allaire completed his 20th season with the Rangers, playing a key role in the careers of netminders Henrik Lundqvist and Igor Shesterkin.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Saginaw Spirit got a late goal from Vancouver Canucks prospect Josh Bloom to defeat the London Knights 4-3, winning the Memorial Cup for the first time in franchise history.

Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck won the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP. He scored twice in the championship game and registered four goals and an assist in the tournament.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the Spirit on winning their first-ever Memorial Cup championship.

Seattle Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus won the David Branch Player of the Year as the top player in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The Moose Jaw Warriors winger is the first player in his club’s history to win this award, leading the CHL with 61 goals and 65 assists for 126 points in 63 regular-season games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Firkus was mentioned as a potential trade candidate for the Kraken to add more immediate help to their roster. Given his performance this season, they might want to rethink that option.