NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 23, 2026

by | Apr 23, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 23, 2026

The Flyers take a commanding series lead over the Penguins, the Stars win in double overtime over the Wild, the Ducks tie their series with the Oilers, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

RECAPS OF WEDNESDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: The Philadelphia Flyers are on the verge of sweeping the Pittsburgh Penguins following their 5-2 victory in Game 3 of their best-of-seven first-round series. Trevor Zegras and Noah Cates each had a goal and an assist while Dan Vladar stopped 28 shots for the Flyers, who can wrap up this series in Game 4 on Saturday, starting at 8 pm ET. Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson scored for the Penguins.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers drew on the energy from their fans, who were enjoying the first playoff game in Philadelphia since 2018. The Flyers were in the 2020 playoffs, which were held in a COVID bubble in Toronto.

A second-period scrum involving all five skaters from both clubs resulted in Zegras scoring his first NHL playoff goal on the ensuing power play, tying the game 1-1. The Flyers took over the game after that, putting them in a position to eliminate their archrival on Saturday.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby collected an assist on Malkin’s game-opening goal to become the fifth-highest-scoring player in NHL playoff history with 202 points.

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston scored in double overtime to give his club a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild, and a 2-1 lead in their opening-round series. Stars forwards Jason Robertson and Matt Duchene each had a goal and two assists, and Jake Oettinger made 28 saves. Marcus Johansson, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Michael McCarron replied for the Wild. Game 4 will be in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Saturday at 5:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild forward Marcus Foligno claimed the Stars couldn’t hang with his club at 5-on-5. He has a point, as the Stars tallied three of their four goals (including Johnston’s game-winner) on the power play, but that’s also an indictment of the Wild’s penalty killing. Of the Stars’ nine goals in this series, six have come with the man advantage.

Wild forwards Mats Zuccarello and Yakov Trenin missed this game due to injuries. Zuccarello’s been sidelined by an upper-body injury after playing in Game 1, while Trenin left Game 2 with an upper-body injury.

The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-4 to knot their first-round series at one game apiece. Cutter Gauthier snapped a 4-4 tie and finished the game with two goals and an assist, Alex Killorn had a goal and two assists, and Ryan Poehling tallied twice for the Ducks. Leon Draisaitl had a goal and an assist for the Oilers, but teammate Connor McDavid was held off the scoreboard for the second straight game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid briefly left this game with an ankle injury. He downplayed it after the game, claiming it was fine. What isn’t fine is Edmonton’s power play, which has been held scoreless in six opportunities thus far. Oilers forward Jason Dickinson missed this game with an undisclosed injury.

Anaheim goaltender Lukas Dostal stopped 33 goals for his first NHL postseason victory. Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas missed this contest with an undisclosed injury.

This series moves to Anaheim for the next two games, with Game 3 on Friday at 10 pm ET.

HEADLINES

MLIVE.COM: Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman and head coach Todd McLellan will address the media today.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This will dispel speculation about whether both men might lose their jobs after the Red Wings extended their playoff drought to 10 years.

TSN: Hall of Famer Chris Pronger said he has not spoken with the Toronto Maple Leafs about the role of general manager.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kraken general manager Jason Botterill and team CEO Tod Leiweke said they’ll leave “no stone unturned” in their efforts to improve the franchise. Botterill said that head coach Lane Lambert will be retained.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That dispels conjecture about the futures of Botterill and Lambert after the Kraken missed the playoffs for the third straight season.

TSN: Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin underwent surgery on an ACL tear in his right knee on Tuesday. He will be sidelined between six to nine months.

ROTOWIRE: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D’Astous travelled with the team to Montreal. D’Astous was sidelined with an undisclosed injury after he was hit by Canadiens winger Josh Anderson in Game 1.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven could return to the lineup for Game 3 of their first-round series with the Carolina Hurricanes. He’s been sidelined with a broken jaw since Apr. 2.

TSN: Former NHL forward Trevor Lewis announced his retirement.

Lewis spent 17 seasons in the NHL, 14 of those with the Los Angeles Kings, with whom he won two Stanley Cup championships. He also spent two seasons with the Calgary Flames and one season with the Winnipeg Jets. From 2006-07 to 2024-25, he had 104 goals and 133 assists for 237 points in 1,034 games, and 28 points in 106 playoff contests.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 11, 2026

by | Apr 11, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 11, 2026

Five teams can clinch playoff berths on Saturday, the Ducks sign GM Pat Verbeek to an extension, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy nominees are announced, the latest on Alex Ovechkin, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: After taking a break on Friday, the schedule resumes with 15 games on Saturday, with five teams facing playoff-clinching scenarios.

The Boston Bruins face several clinching scenarios in the Eastern Conference, with the most direct being to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning in any fashion.

The Ottawa Senators can punch their ticket to the postseason if they defeat the New York Islanders in any fashion and if the New Jersey Devils defeat the Detroit Red Wings in any fashion.

In the Western Conference, the Edmonton Oilers need one point against the Los Angeles Kings, or with any result in the Winnipeg Jets-Philadelphia Flyers game other than a Jets regulation win.

Like the Bruins, the Vegas Golden Knights face several clinching scenarios. The most direct is defeating the Colorado Avalanche in any fashion.

The Anaheim Ducks aren’t playing today, but they can clinch if all of the following occur: the Vancouver Canucks defeat the San Jose Sharks in any fashion, the Flyers defeat the Jets in regulation, and the Minnesota Wild beat the Nashville Predators in regulation.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks signed general manager Pat Verbeek to a multiyear contract extension.

The Ducks hired Verbeek in Feb. 2022. He’s conducted most of the franchise’s roster rebuild, putting them on the verge of reaching the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

Under Verbeek’s management, the Ducks drafted center Leo Carlsson and rookie winger Beckett Sennecke, acquired winger Cutter Gauthier from the Philadelphia Flyers, defenseman Jacob Trouba and winger Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers, and blueliner John Carlson from the Washington Capitals. He also hired Joel Quenneville as head coach last year.

SPECTOR’ S NOTE: The Ducks still have room for improvement, but there’s no denying the steady progress they’ve made thus far under Verbeek.

NHL.COM: Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki, New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes, and Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin are among the 32 nominees for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. It is presented annually to the NHL player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

Other notable nominees include Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly, New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox, Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares, and Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is looking forward to facing long-time rival Sidney Crosby for what might be the final time this weekend when his club meets the Pittsburgh Penguins in a home-and-home series. The two games will be in Pittsburgh on Saturday and in Washington on Sunday.

Speculation is growing that this could be the 40-year-old Ovechkin’s final NHL season. Earlier this week, he said he’d decide on his future during the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin once said that he and Crosby saved the NHL when it emerged from a season-killing lockout in 2005. His remarks sparked some criticism, but his assessment was correct. The rivalry between those two (especially during the early years of their NHL careers) renewed the interest of fans disillusioned over years of labor strife while also attracting a new generation of fans.

Today, the rivalry between Ovechkin and Crosby isn’t as heated as it once was, having mellowed into a mutual respect. Nevertheless, we could be watching history if this weekend’s games are indeed the final time they’ll face each other. Sean Gentille of The Athletic reports uncertainty over Ovechkin’s future has sent ticket prices surging for the Capitals’ final home game.

TORONTO SUN: Hall of Famer Chris Pronger has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the job of Maple Leafs general manager. However, he’s taking a cautious approach as he wants to know what the job parameters will be.

Pronger said he hasn’t been contacted by the Maple Leafs yet, but he’s interested in talking to them.

Other potential candidates include Florida Panthers assistant general managers Sunny Mehta and Brett Peterson. The Panthers have reportedly permitted the Maple Leafs and the New Jersey Devils to speak with Mehta.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pronger is likely low on their list of candidates. Based on recent reports, it appears the Maple Leafs are focused on current and former management types who will fill their main requirement of a “data-driven” general manager.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Devils, they’ve shut down goaltender Jacob Markstrom for the remainder of the season due to an array of nagging injuries.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars are expected to be without sidelined defenseman Miro Heiskanen and center Roope Hintz for what’s left of the regular season.

Heiskanen underwent an MRI on Friday for a lower-body injury suffered on Thursday. Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan is hoping the blueliner will return during their first-round series against the Minnesota Wild.

Hintz has been sidelined since late February with a lower-body injury and remains week-to-week.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Having those two core players sidelined for their first-round series will test the Stars’ roster depth against the Wild. The sooner they can return, the better the Stars’ odds of winning that round.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal is the winner of the Steve Chiasson Award. Named in honor of the late defenseman, the award is given out annually to the Hurricanes player “that best exemplifies determination and dedication while proving to be an inspiration to his teammates through his performance and approach to the game.”

NHL.COM: Speaking of the Hurricanes, they assigned goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov to their AHL affiliate in Chicago for conditioning. He’s been sidelined since Dec. 20 with a lower-body injury.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings prospect Max Plante is the 2026 winner of the Hobey Baker Award, honoring the most outstanding player in NCAA men’s hockey. Plante, 20, is a left winger with the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. He’s the first Red Wings prospect to win this award.

DAILY FACEOFF: Another Red Wings prospect, Trey Augustine, won the Mike Richter Award as this season’s top goaltender in NCAA men’s hockey.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings are potentially facing another disappointing season if they fail to make the playoffs. However, they have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which should continue to provide a measure of hope for Wings fans.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames signed prospect Abram Wiebe to a three-year entry-level contract. The 22-year-old defenseman was acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights as part of the return in the Rasmus Andersson trade.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 2, 2026

by | Apr 2, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – April 2, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, William Nylander talks about his future, plus some potential candidates for the Maple Leafs’ vacant GM position.

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel and Chris Johnston report William Nylander wants to stay with the Toronto Maple Leafs through a roster retool, but not if they’re going to stage a complete rebuild.

“Unless it was a full rebuild and we were going to get rid of everybody, then it’s a different story,” Nylander said. “But just to do a retool or whatever, I don’t even know, but I mean, I still want to be here, yeah.”

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images)

Nylander said he spoke with former Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving before the trade deadline about the club’s direction. He indicated that Treliving wanted to retool. “That sounded fine to me,” Nylander said.

The Maple Leafs fired Treliving on Monday, but Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment president Keith Pelley said the team was inclined to retool in part because of foundational players like Nylander.

Questions have been raised about team captain Auston Matthews’ future with the Maple Leafs. Nylander said he’s not ready yet to say whether Matthews’ decision would affect his own.

Nylander is signed through 2031-32 with an average annual value of $11.5 million and a full no-movement clause. He believes the Maple Leafs can bounce back, as the Boston Bruins did this season, after finishing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Matthews forces a trade this summer or next summer, or departs as a free agent in 2028, Nylander could be eyeing the exit. Retooling the Maple Leafs isn’t possible without their franchise player. But if the Leafs don’t bounce back next season, Matthews could decide his future no longer rests in Toronto. If he goes, Nylander could follow.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau listed five potential candidates to fill the vacant Maple Leafs’ general manager role.

If the Maple Leafs decide to retool the roster, Proteau suggested Chris Pronger and Brandon Pridham, the Leafs’ assistant GM. If they opt to rebuild, he proposed Mark Hunter of the OHL’s London Knights, Steve Yzerman if the Detroit Red Wings fire him as their GM, and Leafs assistant GM Hayley Wickenheiser.

RG.ORG: Sergey Demidov reports former Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka could be a candidate. Demidov revealed that Chayka interviewed with the Maple Leafs in February.

Chayka was the Coyotes GM from 2016 until 2020, when he abruptly resigned. The league suspended him through 2021 for “conduct detrimental to the league.” He was found to have pursued other opportunities while still under contract and to have been involved in an illegal pre-draft scouting combine.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other candidates proposed by pundits include St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong, former Edmonton Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli, and former Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis.

Chayka and Gillis have been mentioned because Pelley indicated that he seeks a “data-driven” person for the job. Both were forward-thinking during their time as general managers with their use of analytics.

Speculation about who the Maple Leafs would hire as their next general manager was going to dominate headlines because of who they are and the market they’re in. Pelley’s deadline of the end of May to have a new GM in place will ensure this story continues to percolate in the rumor mill.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 18, 2022

by | Jan 18, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 18, 2022

​A record night for Timo Meier, the Blues retire Chris Pronger’s number, an update on Carey Price, the stars of the week are revealed, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: San Jose Sharks winger Timo Meier set a personal and franchise record with a five-goal performance in a 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Tomas Hertl collected four assists and Erik Karlsson had three as the Sharks (44 points) opened a four-point lead over the Calgary Flames for the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference.

San Jose Sharks winger Timo Meier (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Meier is the fifth player in the past 25 years to score five goals in a game, joining Mika Zibanejad (2020), Patrik Laine (2018), Johan Franzen (2011) and Marian Gaborik (2007). The last player to tally six goals was Hall-of-Famer Darryl Sittler in 1976.

The Colorado Avalanche extended their home winning streak to 14 games by downing the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on a shootout goal by Mikko Rantanen. Pavel Francouz made 25 saves for the Avalanche after Darcy Kuemper left the game midway through the second period with a head injury following a collision with Wild winger Jordan Greenway. Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon each had a goal and an assist in regulation. Kirill Kaprizov tallied twice for the Wild.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche moved into first overall in the Western Conference with 53 points. With 47 points, the Wild holds the first wild-card spot.

Jason Zucker scored twice and Jake Guentzel tallied as the game-winner as the Pittsburgh Penguins overcame a 3-0 deficit to down the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3, handing the latter their fifth loss in their last six games. Jeff Carter and Kasperi Kapanen each collected two assists as the Penguins have won 13 of their last 15 contests to move into third place in the Metropolitan Division with 51 points. The Golden Knights (48 points) sit in first place in the Pacific Division with a three-point lead over the Kings.

The St. Louis Blues beat the Nashville Predators 5-3 on the night they retired former captain Chris Pronger’s No. 44. Brayden Schenn and Ivan Barbashev each scored two goals and collected two assists while Ryan O’Reilly had a three-point performance. Both clubs have 51 points but the Blues moved ahead of the Predators into second place in the Western Conference standings with a game in hand.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pronger spent nine of his 18 NHL seasons with the Blues, winning the Hart Memorial Trophy and James Norris Memorial Trophy in 1999-2000. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 and was named as one of the 100 greatest players in NHL history in 2017.

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin made 26 saves in a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, handing the latter their eighth straight defeat. Brock Nelson had a goal and an assist for the Isles, who’ve won five of their last seven contests.

Dylan Larkin scored twice, including the winner in overtime, to lead the Detroit Red Wings over the Buffalo Sabres 3-2. Jeff Skinner had a goal and an assist for the Sabres.

The Seattle Kraken snapped a nine-game losing skid by dropping the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on shootout goals by Ryan Donato and Joonas Donskoi. Blackhawks goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made 35 saves.

A three-point performance by Nick Schmaltz gave the Arizona Coyotes a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens, giving the latter their sixth straight loss. The sad-sack Canadiens are dead last in the overall standings with seven wins and 19 points in 37 games.

HEADLINES

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Speaking of the Canadiens, they announced goaltender Carey Price will have to restart rehabilitation on his surgically repaired knee. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in the offseason but the week-long break due to COVID-19 earlier this month that closed the club’s practice facility put him back at square one in his rehab. There is no timetable for his return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ll be very surprised if Price returns to action before the end of this season. His rehab was also delayed by a month earlier in this campaign after spending four weeks in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.

This should also put the kibosh on that silly speculation suggesting teams in need of a proven starting goalie (hi, there, Edmonton Oilers!) would try to acquire Price before the trade deadline. His hefty contract and full no-movement clause made moving him almost impossible. The uncertain deadline for his return should kill off that slim chance.

NHL.COM: Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand, Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending Jan. 16, 2022.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yes, that will mollify critics who believe Marchand got screwed by being passed over for the 2022 All-Star Game (end sarcasm mode).

TSN: Ottawa Senators forward Connor Brown will be sidelined at least three weeks with a broken jaw.

SPORTSNET: Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas, Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and Detroit Red Wings goaltender Thomas Greiss are among the latest players to enter the NHL’s COVID protocol.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Seattle Kraken claimed Karson Kuhlman off waivers from the Bruins.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 21, 2021

by | Aug 21, 2021

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 21, 2021

Henrik Lundqvist announces his retirement, the Blues to retire Chris Pronger’s number, legendary Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret to call it a career following this season, the viability of moving the Coyotes to Houston, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NEW YORK POST: Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist officially announced his retirement yesterday after 15 seasons with the New York Rangers and four with Frolunda in Sweden before that. A heart condition has ended his playing career at age 39.

Former New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has retired (NHL Images).

Lundqvist is the sixth winningest goaltender in NHL history with a record of 459-310-96, a 2.43 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage and 64 shutouts, along with 61 wins and 10 shutouts in the playoffs. The Rangers immediately retired Lundqvist’s No. 30 and will stage a retirement ceremony later this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lundqvist was one of the great goaltenders of his generation and the best in Rangers history. “King Henrik” is their all-time leader in wins, save percentage, shutouts, and game-played by a goalie (887). He’s a shoo-in for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

A First Team All-Star in 2011-12 and a Second Team All-Star the following season, Lundqvist won the Vezina Trophy in 2012 and was also a four-time Vezina finalist. He backstopped the Rangers to the 2014 Stanley Cup Final and won Olympic gold for his home country of Sweden in 2006.

Best wishes to Lundqvist and his family in their future endeavors.

STLTODAY.COM: The St. Louis Blues announced they will retire Chris Pronger’s No. 44 on Jan. 17 before a game against the Nashville Predators. The former Blues captain is among their franchise leaders in games played (598), assists (272) and points (356).

A four-time All-Star, Pronger’s best season was 1999-2000, becoming just the second defenseman in NHL history to win the Hart Memorial Trophy and the James Norris Memorial Trophy. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.

WGR 550: Long-time Buffalo Sabres play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret will retire at the end of the 2021-22 season. This will be his 51st season behind the mike for the Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jeanneret is one of the best in the business. His iconic call of Brad May’s series-winning overtime goal against the Boston Bruins in the 1993 playoffs is among my favorites.

THE ATHLETIC: News of the Arizona Coyotes’ lease agreement with Gila River Arena ending next year prompted some observers to suggest relocating the franchise to Houston. However, Dallas Stars CEO Brad Alberts told Saad Yousef he doesn’t think that’s a possibility, saying there’s been no discussion at the league level about putting a team in that city.

Alberts said he’s heard rumors that Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta wants an NHL franchise in his city but doesn’t know for certain if he does. He acknowledged things can change but doesn’t believe the league intends to abandon Phoenix.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I said yesterday, the league will do everything it can to keep the Coyotes in Arizona. If that’s not possible, moving to a new city requires a wealthy owner with a viable NHL arena. Fertitta was keen to do so two years ago but that was before the pandemic disrupted normal life. He might not be so enthusiastic now.

TSN: The Calgary Flames avoided salary arbitration with Nikita Zadorov by signing the 26-year-old defenseman to a one-year, $3.75 million contract. They also signed blueliner Juuso Valimaki to a two-year, $3.1 million deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That leaves Philadelphia Flyers rearguard Travis Sanheim as the only player still scheduled for arbitration. His hearing is slated for Aug. 26 but he’ll probably be signed before then.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 9, 2020

by | Jul 9, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 9, 2020

​The tentative schedule for the rest of this season, more tidbits from the CBA extension, Devils to hire Lindy Ruff as head coach, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

LATEST RETURN-TO-PLAY AND CBA EXTENSION NEWS

TSN: Frank Seravalli provided updates to the tentative key dates for the NHL’s return-to-play plan.

More details revealed of the NHL-NHLPA return-to-play plan & CBA extension (Image via NHL.com).

July 13 remains the start date for training camps under Phase 3. On July 24, teams will travel to their respective hub city for the playoff tournament under Phase 4.

July 25: Exhibition games begin

July 30: Qualifying round begins

Aug. 9: Opening round of the playoffs begins

Aug. 23: Second round begins

Sept. 6: Conference Finals begin

Sept. 20: Stanley Cup Final begins

Oct. 2: Last possible game of the Cup Final

Oct. 6: 2020 NHL Draft. The draft must be held following the end of the playoffs and before free agency begins

Oct. 9: Free Agency begins (or seven days following the end of the Stanley Cup Final, whichever is later)

Nov. 17: Training camps open for the 2020-21 season

Dec. 1: 2020-21 regular season begins

All dates are subject to change.

The NHL and NHLPA also have an agreement to abandon the return-to-play plan if the number of players opting-out on a team- or league-wide basis adversely affects the integrity of the post-season.

COLORADO SPORTS NOW: Adrian Dater reports the opt-out deadline has been extended to Monday night (July 13).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most observers doubt a large number of players will opt-out. We’ll know for certain by Monday night.

Bob McKenzie reports the summary of the memorandum of understanding lists Edmonton and Toronto as the host cities for Phase 4. The Eastern Conference teams will play in Toronto and the Western Conference clubs in Edmonton. The Conference Finals and the Stanley Cup Final will be held in one host city but that has yet to be determined.

The final paycheck for 2019-20 that the players deferred will now be used to pay down escrow.

The late start of the 2020-21 season means the players will receive one paycheck in the fall.

ESPN: Greg Wyshynski reports the NHL is working on its US broadcast plans for the 24-team playoff tournament. The qualification and round-robin games will be shown locally on regional sports networks. Discussions are ongoing over how many of the games will be shown nationally on NBC Sports Network.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unsubstantiated rumors suggested the games would be televised on pay-per-view. That’s not happening because of existing television contracts in the United States and Canada.

THE HOCKEY NEWS’ Jason Kay cited reports of an Edmonton hospital effectively shutting its doors because of a full-facility COVID-19 outbreak. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said “at this point” he doesn’t expect it’ll affect the league’s hub city announcement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t think it’ll affect things as long as there’s no indication it could spread into the proposed secure area of The Ice District in Edmonton.

Some interesting CBA extension tidbits were revealed:

Frank Seravalli reports the one-week interview period for unrestricted free agents before the start of the free-agent market has been eliminated.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, it’s back to general managers working the phones with player agents trying to hammer out new contracts. I’m pleased with this development, as it will bring back the intrigue and excitement that was disappearing from the start of the free-agent period Because of the interview period, we knew where most of the top UFAs were going a day or two before the market opened. Now, it’s back to the good old guessing game as it should be. 

The maximum entry-level base salary will rise to $950K for 2022-23 and 2023-24, then to $975K for 2024-25 and 2025-26, and $1 million for 2026-27. Entry-level bonuses will also increase.

TVA SPORTS’ Renaud Lavoie reports trade conditions that make it harder for a player to re-sign with the team that acquired him won’t be allowed. For example, if a player is traded for a third-round pick but it becomes a first if the player signs with his new club.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports clubs that have a performance overage for this season will have the option to evenly distribute it between 2020-21 and 2021-22 (50 percent each season).

IN OTHER NEWS…

NORTHJERSEY.COM: cites NHL Network’s Kevin Weekes reporting the New Jersey Devils are expected to name Lindy Ruff as their new head coach. Ruff is an assistant coach with the New York Rangers and is the former head coach of the Buffalo Sabres and Dallas Stars. The Devils are also expected to make interim general manager Tom Fitzgerald their full-time GM.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ruff’s hiring is garnering mixed reactions from Devils fans. Supporters cite his experience and success in Buffalo, while detractors consider him the wrong coach for a rebuilding club. 

Fitzgerald earned his opportunity as the full-time GM, going a good job in difficult circumstances on short notice following the midseason firing of Ray Shero.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards reports Chris Pronger has stepped down as the Florida Panthers senior VP of hockey operations to focus on his family’s high-end travel agency business.

THE ATHLETIC (subscription required): Michael Russo cites a source reporting Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin is willing to sign prospect Kirill Kaprizov for 2019-20 and burn the first year of his three-year entry-level deal if Kaprizov is willing to do so. Under the terms of the CBA extension, he wouldn’t be allowed to participate in the upcoming playoff tournament.