Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 1, 2024

by | Dec 1, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 1, 2024

What’s the latest on Rangers stars Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider? Could the Rangers or Red Wings have former coach Joel Quenneville in their sights? Are changes in store for the Islanders? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE LATEST ON THE RANGERS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports teams are trying to figure out what the New York Rangers are trying to do after they sent around a note last week indicating Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider were available.

Friedman noted that Trouba had been in the rumor mill before but not Kreider. “Are there other players available? And since Trouba and Kreider have partial no-trade clauses, where would they be willing to go?”

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Things may have calmed down a bit on Saturday after the Rangers beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 to snap a five-game losing skid. Friedman thinks they want to tone down the heat and pause before doing anything too intense or something they might regret later.

Friedman indicated the Rangers haven’t permitted rival clubs to speak with Trouba or Kreider. They want to keep control of the process, which is critical as no one wants to run afoul of the NHL’s tampering rules.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The salaries of Trouba and Kreider are also obstacles that could be insurmountable. Trouba is signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $8 million while Kreider’s is $6.5 million through 2026-27. Those sound like deals that get done in the offseason when teams have more cap space and willingness to swing major deals.

Trouba and Kreider each have 15-team no-trade lists. Clubs with depth in tradeable assets are likely rebuilding and would probably be on those no-trade lists.

Drury bungled this situation. His actions could jeopardize the rest of the Rangers’ season, leading to Igor Shesterkin’s departure next summer as a free agent, jeopardizing Drury’s tenure as general manager.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico cites a source suggesting a coaching change could be coming for the Rangers. The source claims their current bench boss, Peter Laviolette, doesn’t have long in New York, adding Joel Quenneville could be the guy if general manager Chris Drury wants to go that route.

D’Amico cites another NHL insider suggesting that Quenneville could also be on the radar of Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman if he changes things behind the bench.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Drury is unlikely to find a suitable trade for Trouba or Kreider. A coaching change might be his only option to get his club back on track. The Red Wings, meanwhile, rarely replace coaches during the season and could stick with current bench boss Derek Lalonde until the end of this campaign.

ARE CHANGES COMING FOR THE ISLANDERS?

RG.ORG: Jim Biringer reports a source claims the New York Islanders were considering a management change before last season began. However, general manager Lou Lamoriello saved his job when the club squeaked into the 2024 playoffs.

Lamoriello has shunned rebuilding because his teams are never out of the playoff mix. However, the Islanders could become sellers this season if they don’t soon turn things around. They’re dealing with injuries to key players like Mathew Barzal, Anthony Duclair, Adam Pelech and Mike Reilly, but they weren’t winning when they were in the lineup.

Brock Nelson is the most likely trade candidate if the Isles become sellers. The 33-year-old center is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Biringer’s source claims Nelson was in play last season and could’ve been moved if the team wasn’t in the wild-card mix. He said the Vancouver Canucks were interested in him and could have their eye on the center again this year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be interesting to see what unfolds if they fail to gain ground in the standings. I’ve mentioned before that the Islanders won’t move Nelson if they’re still in the playoff chase by the March trade deadline but he will draw interest just the same.

The Canucks could be a suitor for Nelson. However, most of the chatter out of Vancouver indicates their focus is on shoring up their defense corps.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 14, 2024

by | Oct 14, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 14, 2024

Check out the latest on Igor Shesterkin, the possibility of the Jets adding to the roster this season, the Oilers linked to some UFA defensemen, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston was asked by a reader if New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin will go to free agency next summer.

Johnston believes the path to a deal remains open between Shesterkin and the Rangers. The latter isn’t in a place yet to make him their highest-paid player but they are willing to make him the league’s highest-paid goalie. He considers it “incredibly likely” that the two sides will find common ground.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Rangers don’t re-sign Shesterkin they should start rebuilding their roster. There’s no one within their system or the trade and free agent markets to replace him. Team owner James Dolan wants to win the Stanley Cup and that’s only possible if Shesterkin is between the pipes.

The Rangers will make Shesterkin the NHL’s highest-paid goalie. It’s just a matter of when and how much.

Another reader asked Johnston if he sees the Winnipeg Jets adding a center or defenseman by the March 7 trade deadline. He replied that he wouldn’t be surprised if they boosted their depth at center.

Johnston also noted the Jets have to decide what to do about Nikolaj Ehlers. The 28-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. So far, the two sides appear comfortable playing this out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets’ plans for the trade deadline and Ehler’s future depends on their place in the standings by March 7 and how well Ehlers is playing by that point. Right now, it’s too early to tell.

Johnston and colleague Pierre LeBrun also reported the Edmonton Oilers have been linked to a pair of UFA defensemen.

They indicated the Oilers are believed to be among the teams to have spoken with Kevin Shattenkirk. They also included the Oilers among “appealing possibilities” for Mark Giordano.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins noted the talk linking the Oilers to Shattenkirk but criticized his skating and decline in his play. Leavins believes former Oiler Justin Schultz might be a better option.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers could consider an affordable veteran addition to their blueline if they continue to stumble as they’ve done through their first three games. However, aging veterans like Giordano, Shattenkirk and Schultz won’t improve their need for a fleet-footed, defensively-responsible rearguard.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks wondered if Steve Yzerman might put in a call for Joel Quenneville to replace head coach Derek Lalonde if the Detroit Red Wings get off to a sputtering start to this season. He also suggested a projected contender might turn to Quenneville.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Quenneville was banned from coaching in the NHL following revelations in 2021 that he played a role in mishandling sexual assault allegations from player Kyle Beach against the Chicago Blackhawks’ video coach during the club’s run to the 2010 Stanley Cup. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman lifted the ban in July.

Hiring Quenneville would be a controversial decision. Nevertheless, the door was opened this summer when the Edmonton Oilers hired Stan Bowman as general manager. Bowman was Blackhawks GM at the time that Beach made his allegations and played a significant role in how the front office mishandled that situation. Bettman also lifted his ban in July.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 8, 2024

by | Jul 8, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 8, 2024

Sidney Crosby and the Penguins could be close to a contract extension, plus the latest on the Leafs, Red Wings, Lightning and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: Rob Rossi cites sources claiming Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are closing in on a contract extension. Both sides are confident a deal will be agreed upon and formalized soon.

Crosby, who turns 37 in August, remains intent on finishing his career with the Penguins, despite missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

The full details of Crosby’s new contract are unknown. Previous reports suggested it could be a three-year deal with an average annual value of $10 million. It will require a “35-plus” designation, which prevents a team from front-loading a contract that is at least two years in length or delaying a signing bonus to or after the second season.

Crosby’s current average annual value is $8.7 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Confirmation of Crosby’s new contract could come this week, maybe as early as today. Some observers raised eyebrows last week when July 1 came and went with no sign of a deal. Sometimes, reaching an agreement on a new contract takes a little longer than expected.

The “35-plus” designation also means the Penguins won’t garner any cap relief if they were to buy out that new contract.

TORONTO STAR: Bruce Arthur and Dave Feschuk examine what’s gone wrong for the Maple Leafs under team president Brendan Shanahan. “The Shanaplan” invested heavily in the “Core Four” of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander.

The Leafs’ regular season record is exemplary, boasting a .636 win percentage since 2016-17 which is the NHL’s third-highest. No team has scored more goals (2,117) and they have the third-best power play percentage (24.1) over that time.

It’s a different in the playoffs. They ranked last in goals (150) among 16 playoff teams that have played over 40 postseason games during that period. They’re 15th among those clubs in power-play percentage (16.9).

No one doubts the individual skills of the “Core Four”, it’s the combination that has been less than the sum of its parts. Their defenders point to the Leafs’ lack of a true starting goaltender or a proven No. 1 defenseman or depth scoring. The counterpoint is those four could’ve taken a little less money, leaving more to address those issues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of all those signings, the Tavares deal is the one that hurt the most. Again, I’m not making Tavares the scapegoat. The Leafs pursued him and offered him $11 million annually for seven years. He didn’t force them to sign him to that contract and I don’t blame him for taking the opportunity to play for his hometown club.

The Leafs were coming off a season (2017-18) with the third-best regular-season offense (3.29 goals per game) in the league when they signed Tavares. There was no reason to pursue a scoring center when their pressing needs at the time were right-side blueline depth and reliable playoff goaltending.

That $11 million could’ve and should’ve been put toward addressing those needs. I said it before and after they signed Tavares. That contract handcuffed their efforts to bolster their depth elsewhere in the lineup.

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons wonders what happened to Steve Yzerman’s golden touch that built the Tampa Bay Lightning into a Stanley Cup champion. Since becoming general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, that club has missed the playoffs five straight years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve been wondering about that as well. Granted, Yzerman took over a mess in Detroit. He faced a similar scenario when he became the Lightning’s GM but he had Hall-of-Famer Martin St. Louis and future Hall-of-Famers Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman to build around.

Nevertheless, Yzerman drafted or acquired most of the players who formed the core of the Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. So far, he hasn’t had the same level of success with the Red Wings.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Eduardo A. Encina believes Lightning GM Julien BriseBois’ recent difficult decisions make the Lightning his team and could define his legacy. They include letting franchise player Steven Stamkos depart as a free agent and trading defenseman Mikhail Sergachev.

BriseBois inherited the roster core that went on to win Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021 from former GM Steve Yzerman, even though he was Yzerman’s right-hand man. Salary-cap constraints forced him to make tough choices that will shape the direction of this team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: BriseBois and the Lightning benefited from the lack of a state tax in retaining many of those core players. Nevertheless, a flattened salary cap over the previous four seasons forced him to trade or cut loose some complementary players important to the Bolts’ success.

Encina points out that BriseBois is banking on Jake Guentzel replacing Stamkos, J.J. Moser filling Sergachev’s skates on the blueline and promising center Conor Geekie meeting expectations. If those gambles pan out, he’ll look like a genius. If not, they could eventually lead to his dismissal.

THE SCORE: Speaking of Mikhail Sergachev, he said he was in shock when he learned the Lightning had traded him to the Utah Hockey Club. However, he’s looking forward to a leadership role with an up-and-coming franchise.

“Talking to my agent, talking to some players, and talking to (Utah forward Clayton) Keller, everybody said great things about Utah and the new franchise,” said Sergachev. “It’s pretty amazing, honestly. “The whole setup, the city. I’m very excited. It’s a big opportunity for me to prove myself, be a leader. I’m looking forward to it.”

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi is focusing more on the mental side of the game as part of his offseason training. He still works out five days a week, but his primary focus is mental exercise and meditation.

“The more you take care of your mental side, the better you are as a person and as a hockey player,” said Josi.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers signed defenseman Egor Zamula to a two-year with an AAV of $1.7 million.

 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 2, 2024

by | Jul 2, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 2, 2024

Contract extensions for Jaccob Slavin, Juuse Saros and Juraj Slafkovsky, analysis of the Jakob Chycrhun and Reilly Smith trades, reaction to some of the notable UFA signings from the opening day of free agency, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

**UPDATE**

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed defenseman Victor Hedman to a four-year contract extension with an average annual value of $8 million. He has a year remaining on his current contract with a cap hit of $7.875 million.

EXTENSIONS FOR SLAVIN, SAROS, AND SLAFKOVSKY

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes signed defenseman Jaccob Slavin to an eight-year, $51.69 million contract extension. The average annual value is $6.46 million and comes with a no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carolina re-signed their top defenseman at a bargain price. He could’ve gotten a much bigger cap hit in next summer’s free-agent market but opted for the security of an eight-year deal with his long-time NHL club.

The Hurricanes also moved quickly to address the departures of Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce via free agency. They signed Shayne Gostisbehere to a three-year deal with an AAV of $3.2 million and Sean Walker to a five-year contract with a $3.6 million AAV. They’re more affordable but won’t fully replace the skills of Skjei and Pesce.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators officially announced Juuse Saros’ contract extension. It’s an eight-year, $61.92 million deal with an AAV of $7.74 million.

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators general manager Barry Trotz indicated last week that Saros was also entitled to some trade protection toward the end of the contract. There’s currently no indication on PuckPedia and CapFriendly what that is but it’s safe to assume Saros will have some sort of no-trade clause in this contract.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens signed winger Juraj Slafkovsky to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $7.6 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens are betting on the promising Slafkovsky blossoming into a scoring star based on his 20-goal, 50-point sophomore season. He will be the third-highest-paid skater on the Canadiens behind captain Nick Suzuki ($7.875 million) and winger Cole Caufield ($7.85 million). Those contracts will look like bargains if this trio reaches their expected potential.

JAKOB CHYCHRUN TRADED TO THE CAPITALS, REILLY SMITH TO THE RANGERS

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators traded Jakob Chychrun yesterday to the Washington Capitals for defenseman Nick Jensen and a 2026 third-round pick. They had to lower their asking price from a first and second-round pick or a high-end prospect before the 2024 NHL Draft.

Jensen, 33, is a right-shot defenseman carrying an AAV of $4.05 million through 2025-26.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber reports Chychrun could earn a contract extension with the Capitals if he plays well for them this season. He’ll bolster their defense corps and provide some additional offense from the blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators had to move Chychrun because he’s slated to become a UFA next summer and they weren’t re-signing him. Still, this is a disappointing return. Jensen is approaching his mid-thirties when a player’s skills begin to deteriorate.

Adding Chychrun and signing former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy to a six-year contract should significantly boost the Capitals’ defense.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers acquired “a proven playoff performer” in Reilly Smith, acquiring the 33-year-old winger yesterday from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a conditional 2025 fifth-rounder pick and a 2027 second-rounder. Smith has a year remaining on his contract with an AAV of $5 million but the Penguins retained $1.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Smith was a reliable scoring winger during his six seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2023. Traded to the Penguins last summer, he struggled in Pittsburgh amid rumors he wasn’t happy with his new club.

Smith gets a chance for a reset with the Rangers as they attempt once again to boost their depth at right wing. The Penguins, meanwhile, cut ties with a player who didn’t fit with their roster.

PREDATORS MAKE THE BIGGEST MOVES TO OPEN THE UFA MARKET

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators were the big spenders from the opening day of free agency, investing more than $111 million on Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei and Scott Wedgewood.

Trotz claimed this was a statement to the rest of the league that these players wanted to come to Nashville. “These players see what we’re doing with the franchise. We have lots to offer, and we’re very determined to win.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: These moves, especially the additions of Stamkos, Marchessault and Skjei, could turn the Predators into a Stanley Cup contender again. However, it’s risky because of the ages of Stamkos (34) and Marchessault (33). If those players decline quicker than expected their contracts will become burdensome for the Predators even if the salary cap continues to rise significantly in the foreseeable future.

STAMKOS DEPARTURE MARKS THE END OF AN ERA IN TAMPA BAY

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning fans and pundits, meanwhile, are mourning the departure of Stamkos as the end of an era. Chosen first overall by the Bolts in 2008, Stamkos became the franchise’s greatest star. He’s their all-time leader in games played (1,082), goals (555) and points (1,137), leading them through the franchise’s greatest era, winning two Stanley Cups and a Presidents’ Trophy.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning GM Julien BriseBois cut ties with Stamkos and opted to sign the younger Jake Guentzel because he felt his captain was past his prime and on the decline. It could prove to be the right decision but BriseBois’ handling of the situation hasn’t sat well with many of the Lightning faithful.

ROUNDUP OF NOTABLE UFA SIGNINGS WE MAY HAVE MISSED

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I compiled a quick list of the noteworthy signings from the opening day of the 2024 free-agent market. NHL.com has a complete breakdown by team. Here are a handful of some other notable signings of Day 1.

The Edmonton Oilers brought back forward Adam Henrique on a two-year contract with an AAV of $3 million.

The Vegas Golden Knights signed goaltender Ilya Samsonov to a one-year, $1.8 million contract.

The Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman T.J. Brodie to a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.75 million.

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed forward Zemgus Girgensons to a three-year deal with an AAV of $850K.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That one’s notable because Girgensons is moving on from the Buffalo Sabres after 10 seasons.

IN OTHER NEWS…

PHILLY.COM: The Flyers officially announced Matvei Michkov signed his entry-level contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Expectations are high for Michkov. The 19-year-old winger is expected to be a key piece of the retooling Flyers. He could make his NHL debut this season.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Alex Burrows has stepped down as an assistant coach with the Canadiens for family reasons. He will remain with the club as a consultant and could assist in their search for a new head coach for their AHL affiliate in Laval.

NHL.COM: The league has reinstated Joel Quenneville, Stan Bowman and Al MacIsaac. They had been suspended since Oct. 2021 due to what the league called an inadequate response upon being informed in 2010 of allegations that Chicago Blackhawks player Kyle Beach had been sexually assaulted by video coach Bradley Aldrich.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Typical of the NHL to try and sneak this in during one of the busiest days on their calendar. There’s greasy and then there’s NHL greasy.

This decision means Quenneville, Bowman and MacIsaac can now seek employment with NHL teams. The old boys’ network remains alive and well.

I’ll leave the final word on this with The Athletic’s Scott Powers:

 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 9, 2023

by | Sep 9, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 9, 2023

Stan Bowman and Joel Quenneville speak at general managers’ meeting, an update on William Nylander’s contract talks, Tim Stutzle talks about Alex DeBrincat’s departure from the Senators, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: Former Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman and former head coach Joel Quenneville spoke Friday at the NHL’s general manager and coaches meeting in Chicago. They were invited by league commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly to address the group but they did not speak to the media.

Bowman and Quenneville have been out of the league since 2021 following an investigation by the Blackhawks over the mishandling of allegations by former player Kyle Beach that he had been sexually abused by former assistant coach Brad Aldrich in 2010. Neither man was suspended by the league but Bettman has stated they need his clearance to return.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Following the meeting, Bettman told reporters that he has no timetable for when Bowman and Quenneville will be allowed to return to the NHL. He also claimed that the duo “voluntarily” attended the GM and coaches meeting. “It wasn’t something that they were told they needed to do,” said Bettman, “ We said if you’d like the opportunity to address the group, you would have it.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It doesn’t appear Bowman and Quenneville will be allowed back to the NHL this season. However, their attendance at this meeting could set the stage for Bettman to give one or both men his blessing to return in the near future.

THE ATHLETIC: After re-signing Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving told Pierre LeBrun that he is focused on getting William Nylander under contract. “Willy is a really important player and a really good player, and we want to get him done too,” said Treliving.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander (NHL Images).

The Leafs GM indicated his intention to hold further talks with the Nylander camp before the upcoming season begins. The winger’s agent, Lewis Gross, told LeBrun that they remain open to getting a deal done.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reports earlier this summer claimed negotiations weren’t going well. It’s a promising sign that both sides are still willing to discuss a contract.

Whether they can hammer out a deal remains to be seen. It’s believed Nylander seeks $10 million annually on his next contract. That could prove difficult for the Leafs over the long term with Mitch Marner due for a new deal in 2025.

THE SCORE: Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle didn’t mince words regarding former teammate Alex DeBrincat during a recent appearance on the Sportsnet podcast “32 Thoughts”.

“If he doesn’t want to be there, I don’t want to have to make him be there,” said Stutzle. He went on to say, “If you don’t want to be there, good luck on your way.”

DeBrincat was shipped in July to the Detroit Red Wings following a trade request by his representatives. Stutzle added that he and his teammates wanted DeBrincat to stay, calling him “a great guy, great player.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators are attempting to build a contender based around their young core of talent such as Stutzle who have committed to the club’s long-term plans. They don’t want any unnecessary distractions, including from those who’d prefer playing elsewhere.

OTTAWA SUN: Speaking of the Senators, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the sale of the club to billionaire Michael Andlauer could be done “as early as next week”.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins could go with a “captain-by-committee” this season with three or four alternates rather than naming a team captain. The position is currently vacant following Patrice Bergeron’s retirement in July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins wouldn’t be the only NHL club to use that format if that’s what they decide to do this season. It can be a good way to determine which player is best suited to fill the role of team captain.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche have invited forward Saku Maenalanen to camp on a professional tryout offer. The 29-year-old winger played 64 games last season with the Winnipeg Jets.

SPORTSNET: On his “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman said he believes the Seattle Kraken have sorted out prospect center Shane Wright’s eligibility to play for their AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley this season. Wright was one game short of the CHL’s cut-off eligibility, meaning he would’ve had to return to the OHL if he didn’t crack the Kraken lineup this season.

TSN: Former NHL players Dustin Brown and Jamie Langenbrunner and former NHL executive Brian Burke are among the 2023 inductees into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. They join women’s star Katie King Crowley and official Brian Murphy.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the Class of 2023 for this well-deserved honor.

 

 

 

 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 9, 2023

by | Jun 9, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 9, 2023

The Panthers get their first Stanley Cup Final victory, the Maple Leafs intend to add Shane Doan to their front office, more talks between the league and NHLPA over next season’s salary cap, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

PANTHERS GET THEIR FIRST STANLEY CUP FINAL WIN

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers overcame a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2, picking up their first-ever Stanley Cup Final win while cutting Vegas’ lead in the series to two games to one.

Florida Panthers winger Carter Verhaeghe (NHL Images)

Matthew Tkachuk scored the tying goal late in the third period, setting the stage for Carter Verhaeghe’s winner in the extra frame. Tkachuk and Verhaeghe each finished the game with a goal and an assist. Brandon Montour opened the scoring for Florida. After shaky performances in the first two games, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky returned to form with a solid 27-save performance.

The Golden Knights remained deadly on the power play as both of their goals came with the man advantage. Mark Stone and Jonathan Marchessault each finished with a goal and an assist.

Game 4 is Saturday in Florida starting at 8 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a must-win game for the Panthers as a loss would’ve put them into an 0-3 deficit that only one team in NHL history has ever recovered from in a Stanley Cup Final. Most of their best players (Tkachuk, Bobrovsky, Verhaeghe and Montour) rose to the occasion. Tkachuk briefly left the game following a big hit from Vegas forward Keegan Kolesar in the first period but he returned in the second.

Vegas missed an opportunity to take an almost insurmountable lead in this series. While the Panthers played better in this contest, the Golden Knights still controlled much of the play. For the third straight game, they tallied twice on the power play while their penalty killers kept the Panthers from scoring with the man advantage.

This win gives the Panthers a heartbeat but they must win Game 4 to be truly alive in this series. They must also improve their special teams or this series – and the Stanley Cup – will slip out of their reach.

HEADLINES

SPORTSNET: The Toronto Maple Leafs are planning to add Shane Doan to their front office. Doan was the long-time captain of the Arizona Coyotes. His role and when he’ll join the Leafs have yet to be determined.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A report on Twitter indicated Doan would be an assistant to general manager Brad Treliving. He was the Coyotes’ development officer from 2021 until parting ways with the club last September.

THE ATHLETIC: The NHL’s salary cap for 2023-24 could still end up being higher than the $1 million recently projected by league commissioner Gary Bettman. Sources claim that the number isn’t final.

Bettman had stated the cap would remain flattened because the players hadn’t fully repaid the escrow owed to the team owners stemming from the COVID-shortened 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.

With sharp increases in the cap projected at $10 million to $12 million over the next three years, that would create an uneven playing field for players slated to become free agents in 2024 and 2025 compared to this year.

NHL Players Association executive director Marty Walsh said he wasn’t going to close the door automatically on a higher cap increase for 2023-24. The league and the PA are in negotiations to address this before the final figure is announced before the NHL Draft on June 28-29.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report also noted that the anticipated $1 million increase in the salary cap is already having an effect on this year’s free-agent market, pointing to the Los Angeles Kings’ re-signing Vladislav Gavrikov to a two-year contract.

The Kings wanted a longer-term but the Gavrikov camp insisted on the two-year deal in order to cash in on the anticipated higher cap ceiling in 2025. I daresay we’ll see more contracts like that if the cap for next season isn’t significantly higher than projected.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports that the delay in the Rangers naming a new head coach is not connected to former NHL coach Joel Quenneville, who would need to be reinstated by Gary Bettman. Quenneville will be meeting with Bettman at some point following the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Quenneville has been under indefinite suspension for his role in covering up the Kyle Beach sexual assault allegations against former video coach Bradley Alrich during his tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010.

Former Nashville Predators coach John Hynes and former Washington Capitals coach Peter Laviolette are considered the front-runners for the vacant Rangers head coach position.

SPORTSNET: Calgary Flames assistant coach Ryan Huska is considered the leading candidate to be named their new head coach. He’s been in the assistant coach role with the Flames for the past five seasons.

TSN: Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill revealed defenseman Jani Hakanpaa was dealing with a back injury during the playoffs. He’ll also undergo offseason knee surgery. Nill also said winger Evgenii Dadonov suffered a Grade 2 MCL strain but probably would’ve returned to action had the Stars reached the Stanley Cup Final.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets fans shouldn’t be concerned about the club’s owners running out of money. Co-owner David Thomson has been listed as the world’s fourth-richest sports team owner by Online Betting Guide, which used Forbes and Bloomberg billionaire rankings to compile its list. Thomson is listed as having a wealth of $52 billion.

OTTAWA SUN: Speaking of team owners, Bruce Garrioch reports the sale of the Senators is entering its fourth week since final bids were submitted on May 15. The process is believed to be bogged down by back-and-forth between the four bidders, the four-person team that is handling the sale for Galatioto Sports Partners, and the estate of the late owner Eugene Melnyk.

The groups that submitted bids are being told to remain patient because the end of the process is near. However, there’s speculation that if it isn’t settled soon the process could lose another bidder.

The Remington Group, which included actor Ryan Reynolds, dropped out last month because they weren’t given exclusive rights to negotiate an arena deal with the National Capital Commission and the city of Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bettman recently assured the media that the selection process was making progress and he anticipated the winning bid would be announced soon.