NHL Rumor Mill – January 22, 2025

by | Jan 22, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 22, 2025

​In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, the latest on J.T. Miller, Ivan Provorov and Rasmus Ristolainen plus updates on the Penguins, Blackhawks and Oilers.

LATEST ON J.T. MILLER

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports there’s a sense that J.T. Miller’s situation with the Vancouver Canucks will end with a trade, though no one can predict right now when it will occur. He said the 31-year-old center hasn’t given the Canucks a list of trade destinations but there are general parameters of the kind of team that would make sense.

The New York Rangers have spoken with the Canucks about Miller. So have the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils. Some observers believe the Dallas Stars could be a suitor as they intend to place sidelined center Tyler Seguin on long-term injury reserve.

LeBrun indicates the Canucks originally weren’t interested in a return of futures for Miller but they’ve relented a bit on that. They’re willing to accept futures from contenders like Carolina or New Jersey because those clubs won’t part with any of their core players. Still, the Canucks aren’t going to give Miller away.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The rumored trade with the Rangers (Filip Chytil, Ryan Lindgren, a first-round pick and maybe a couple of minor-leaguers) suggested they were about to give him away. That deal reportedly fell through over a disagreement regarding the protection level of the first-rounder.

THE ATHLETIC: Cory Lavalette indicated Hurricanes forwards Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jack Roslovic interested the Canucks in the past. Moving both would clear cap space and declutter the center position filled with third-liners but no one to slot in behind first-line center Sebastian Aho. He believes the Canucks would need to add a sweetener in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A package offer of Kotkaniemi and Roslovic would be a little better than that rumored deal from the Rangers. However, the 24-year-old Kotkaniemi still hasn’t played to expectations while Roslovic is a streaky scorer on his fourth team since 2020-21.

UPDATE ON THE PENGUINS

TSN: Chris Johnston reports there aren’t many untouchables on the Pittsburgh Penguins other than legacy players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. They’d like to trade some of their older players for younger ones rather than for draft picks and prospects.

Johnston also indicated they’re not interested in retaining salary on players like Erik Karlsson to facilitate a trade. They have one salary retention spot left and intend to be careful how they use it.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports defenseman Marcus Pettersson remains the name most frequently heard in trade rumors involving the Penguins.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (NHL Images).

Yohe also wondered if Kris Letang might get moved for the right offer. He said he’s never sensed it’s a given that the 37-year-old blueliner would retire as a Penguin. He hasn’t asked for a trade and Yohe isn’t saying he would, but believes teams would be interested in Letang’s services.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Letang turns 38 in April and has a full no-movement clause until 2026-27 when he’ll have a 10-team trade list. The long-time Penguins blueliner has three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.1 million.

If the Penguins aren’t willing to retain part of his salary I don’t see any club wanting to acquire an expensive aging asset whose best seasons are behind him. 

Yohe believes Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas would listen to offers for Karlsson but he doubts another club will take on his considerable contract. He also doesn’t see Dubas parting with winger Bryan Rust. The Penguins could move winger Rickard Rakell if they get an offer that floors them but they prefer to retain him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Penguins won’t retain part of Karlsson’s salary it’s unlikely any team will pursue a trade for him. The Penguins carry $10 million of his $11.5 million AAV through 2026-27.

JACKETS COULD RE-SIGN PROVOROV

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports there’s mutual interest in a contract extension between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ivan Provorov. The 28-year-old defenseman is eligible for UFA status on July 1 and is earning an AAV of $6.75 million.

Provorov could seek the maximum eight-year contract but the Blue Jackets might not be comfortable with that given the blueline prospects within their system. If a deal isn’t in place by the March 7 trade deadline, LeBrun believes they could peddle him for a first-round pick.

FLYERS NOT SHOPPING RISTOLAINEN BUT ARE LISTENING TO OFFERS

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Jordan Hall reports Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said he’s not shopping Rasmus Ristolainen. The 30-year-old defenseman has two years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $5.1 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Briere said teams have called about Ristolainen but he’s not in a rush to move him, citing his improved performance and his value to the Flyers blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hall believes interested clubs should be prepared to make a significant offer if they hope to pry Ristolainen away from the Flyers, especially with them battling for a wild-card berth.

LATEST ON THE BLACKHAWKS AND OILERS

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus suggests Ryan Donato could become an interesting trade chip for the Chicago Blackhawks. The 28-year-old forward is UFA-eligible this summer with an affordable $2 million cap hit. Donato’s relentless attacking style has him among the Blackhawks leading scorers with 14 goals and 27 points in 45 games, putting him on pace for a career-best performance.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes the Edmonton Oilers aren’t done adding defensemen following their recent signing of John Klingberg. They could seek a shutdown blueliner before the March 7 trade deadline.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 4, 2024

by | Jul 4, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 4, 2024

An update on Leon Draisaitl’s contract status, Vladimir Tarasenko signs with the Red Wings, the Kraken makes a historic coach hire, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

UPDATE ON LEON DRAISAITL’S CONTRACT SITUATION

EISHOCKEY NEWS: Michael Bauer recently interviewed Leon Draisaitl’s agent, Jiri Poner, about his client’s contract situation. The 28-year-old Edmonton Oilers center can become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Poner said the ball is in the Oilers’ court. “There’s no rush yet, but either it happens quickly, i.e. by the end of August, or it doesn’t work out at all. It will also become clear whether Edmonton really wants him or not. Leon holds all the trump cards.”

Draisaitl signed his current contract in Aug. 2017 under then-Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli. “I can still remember the shitstorm (Chiarelli) had to endure when he gave Leon the contract for $8.5 million a year,” recalled Poner. “Today, he would be celebrated for that deal.” He believes his client has been playing “at least 30 percent below his value for three years”, but insisted that wasn’t a complaint.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

Poner also addressed the recent rumors in the North American media suggesting Draisaitl could be traded if he and the Oilers fail to agree to a contract extension.

“There are two important points. Firstly: What would a club be willing to give up for a short-term deal? Leon would then be a free agent again and the club would lose far too much. And secondly: What would Connor McDavid do a year later when his contract expires and Edmonton has already given up his best friend?”

Poner remains “very confident” that there will be an agreement with the Oilers that will please both sides.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl is still recuperating from a long, draining playoff run. Meanwhile, Oilers management has had its hands full with the recent draft and free agency. The contract extension talks will likely start later this summer.

Draisaitl’s contract status will become a focus of media attention once the dust settles in the free-agent market. The longer it drags on, the more nervous Oilers followers will become, giving rise to increasing media speculation over his future in Edmonton.

LATEST NOTABLE FREE AGENT SIGNINGS

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings signed winger Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko, 32, is past his 30-plus goal prime but he tallied 23 goals last season split between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers. He’ll likely skate on their second line with Patrick Kane and J.T. Compher.

The Wings weren’t the only team interested in Tarasenko. TSN cited The Athletic’s Josh Yohe reporting the Pittsburgh Penguins made an offer but it was lower than other suitors.

The Red Wings freed up cap space for Tarasenko by trading winger Robby Fabbri to the Anaheim Ducks for goaltender Gage Alexander. Fabbri, 28, has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $4 million. The oft-injured forward had 18 goals and 32 points in 68 games last season.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers and center Anton Lundell agreed to a six-year, $30 million contract. Lundell, 22, was a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. The average annual value is $5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lundell earned his new deal as he’s increasingly become a valuable part of the Panthers’ core. Nicknamed “Baby Barkov”, he plays a two-way style similar to the Panthers captain. He did a fine job filling in for the sidelined Sam Bennett as their second-line center and could take over full-time this season with Bennett a year away from UFA eligibility.

SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to terms with Jack Roslovic. Details have yet to be released.

DAILY FACEOFF: The list of notable UFAs keeps shrinking. Winger James van Riemsdyk, defensemen Ryan Suter and Tyson Barrie, and wingers Tyler Johnson and Max Pacioretty are still available.

NHL COACHING AND MANAGEMENT NEWS

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken hired Jessica Campbell as a full-time assistant coach. She’s the first woman to fill that role in NHL history. Campbell has a long background as a player and a coach. Her previous job was as an assistant coach with the Kraken’s AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Campbell is the first but won’t be the last. The day that a woman becomes an NHL head coach isn’t that far away.

DAILY FACEOFF: The San Jose Sharks named Ryane Clowe as an assistant general manager. He spent the past three seasons with the New York Rangers as a senior advisor and hockey operations advisor.

NHL.COM: The Montreal Canadiens hired Lauri Korpikoski as a player development coach and named former assistant coach Alex Burrows as a player development consultant.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 1, 2024

by | Jun 1, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 1, 2024

The potential cost of Travis Konecny’s next contract, the recent trade rumors about Tanner Jeannot, and the Avalanche’s need to go bargain-hunting in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST THE FLYERS TO SIGN TRAVIS KONECNY?

THE ATHLETIC’s Kevin Kurz took to social media on May 26 to speculate over Travis Konecny’s next contract. The 27-year-old Philadelphia Flyers winger has a year left on his current deal with a cap hit of $5.5 million.

Kurz believes the “obvious comparable” is the eight-year, $70.4 million contract Timo Meier signed last year with the New Jersey Devils. “Similar ages, almost identical PPG”, wrote Kurz, adding we can’t ignore how much the Flyers view Konecny as part of their leadership group.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey cited Kurz’s comparable but expressed concerns about Konecny’s age, pointing out he’ll be 29 when the first season of that extension is complete. He noted that the Flyers would carry that $8.8 million AAV on their books until the winger is through his age 36 season.

Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny (NHL Images)

“Combine that with the rumored $10 million AAV asking price, and the Flyers could find themselves in serious trouble down the line,” wrote Bailey. He also cited the 5’10’, 175-pound Bailey’s size and physical style of play as areas of concern that could adversely affect his performance over time.

Bailey suggests the Flyers signed Konecny to a five or six-year contract. That would enable him to seek one more big payday if he remains healthy and productive.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see how Flyers management handles Konecny’s contract situation.

If they were a perennial playoff team or a Cup contender, they’d likely sign him to an eight-year extension without any qualms. However, they’re in the middle of a roster retooling as they transition toward younger players.

As Bailey suggests, Konecny might not fit into their long-range plans. If they ink him to a contract comparable to Meier’s, it could become an expensive millstone in the latter half of the deal even with the salary cap projected to be much higher by that point.

WILL THE LIGHTNING MOVE TANNER JEANNOT IN A COST-CUTTING DEAL?

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Eduardo A. Encina recently took note of the trade rumors swirling around Lightning winger Tanner Jeannot. Some observers suggest the 27-year-old winger could be moved to free up salary cap space to re-sign captain Steven Stamkos.

According to Encina,  no concrete reports indicate the Lightning will trade Jeannot. However, he acknowledged that the winger still needs to provide the complementary scoring management was hoping for when they gave up five draft picks and defenseman Cal Foote to the Nashville Predators last season to get him.

Injuries hampered Jeannot’s performance this season. However, his $2.665 million cap hit for next season could make him a player they move to clear cap space for Stamkos.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Depending on how much it costs the Lightning to re-sign Stamkos, Jeannot could be the most likely cost-cutting trade candidate. Anthony Cirelli, Mikhail Sergachev, and Erik Cernak were also mentioned but they’re too invaluable to move. 

AVALANCHE COULD GO BARGAIN-HUNTING AGAIN

THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak pointed out the Colorado Avalanche could be forced to go bargain-hunting again. They lack salary-cap space and face uncertainty over the futures of Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin.

The Avalance successfully signed Zach Parise and Jonathan Drouin to cost-effective one-year contracts. Both players performed well and gave glowing reviews of their tenure this season in Colorado.

Masisak wondered if New York Rangers forwards Jack Roslovic and Alex Wennberg would be good fits with the Avalanche. San Jose Sharks winger Alexander Barabanov could be another.










Notable NHL Trades – March 8, 2024

by | Mar 8, 2024

Notable NHL Trades – March 8, 2024

The San Jose Sharks traded center Tomas Hertl and two third-round picks (2025 and 2027) to the Vegas Golden Knights for Vegas’ 2025 first-rounder and prospect center David Edstrom.

New Jersey Devils trade winger Tyler Toffoli to the Winnipeg Jets (NHL Images).

TSN’s Darren Dreger reports the Winnipeg Jets have acquired winger Tyler Toffoli from the New Jersey Devils. TSN reports the return is a 2024 third-round pick and a 2025 second-rounder. 

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the Washington Capitals traded center Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes for a 2025 third-round pick. The Capitals also retain 50 percent of Kuznetsov’s $7.8 million annual cap hit through 2024-25. 

Montreal Canadiens traded goaltender Jake Allen to the New Jersey Devils in return for a conditional third-rounder in 2024. The Canadiens also retain half of Allen’s contract.

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports the New Jersey Devils traded goaltender Vitek Vanecek to the San Jose Sharks for goalie Kaapo Kahkonen. 

Buffalo Sabres traded winger Kyle Okposo to the Florida Panthers in exchange for minor-league defenseman Calle Sjalin and a conditional 2024 seventh-round pick. 

Minnesota Wild traded forward Pat Maroon to the Boston Bruins for a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick and minor league winger Luke Toporowski.

New York Rangers acquire Jack Roslovic from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a conditional fourth-round pick. 

Arizona Coyotes traded defenseman Matt Dumba and a 2025 seven-rounder to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2027 fifth-round pick. 

Arizona Coyotes trade winger Jason Zucker to the Nashville Predators for a 2024 sixth-round pick.

Buffalo Sabres traded defenseman Erik Johnson to the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2024 fourth-rounder.

Boston Bruins trade defenseman Jakub Zboril to the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Andrew Peeke. 










NHL Rumor Mill – March 8, 2024

by | Mar 8, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 8, 2024

The trade deadline is at 3 pm ET today. Check out the latest on Tyler Toffoli, Elias Lindholm, Jacob Markstrom, Frank Vatrano, Jason Zucker, Jakob Chychrun, Bryan Rust, Ryan Johansen and more in the NHL Rumor Mill.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils scratched winger Tyler Toffoli from last night’s game against the St. Louis Blues for trade-related reasons. No indication as to which teams are calling about him or potential destinations.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun said it’s not 100 percent that Toffoli gets traded as they still believe they can get back into the playoff race. However, the teams that were in on Jake Guentzel before he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes also kept tabs on the Devils winger.

New Jersey Devils winger Tyler Toffoli (NHL Images).

Chris Johnston reports Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm isn’t going anywhere. It was rumored he would be on his way to the Boston Bruins had the Canucks acquire Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins. That’s not happening now.

Johnston thinks the Canucks could try to add one more piece before the deadline. They were believed to have an interest in Arizona Coyotes winger Jason Zucker. Speaking of Zucker, Johnston tweeted the Coyotes held the veteran winger and defenseman Matt Dumba out of last night’s game against the Minnesota Wild for trade-related reasons.

Darren Dreger reports Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom remains in the rumor mill. He believes the New Jersey Devils want to make one more attempt to acquire the 32-year-old Markstrom, who has a full no-movement clause. A rumored trade that would’ve sent him to the Devils last month reportedly fell through over salary retention amid speculation that Flames ownership nixed the deal.

Johnston believes the Winnipeg Jets could try to add a depth forward or defenseman…The Ottawa Senators have received some interest in Jakob Chychrun as well as Erik Brannstrom…The Montreal Canadiens remain open for business. The players they want to move (Jake Allen and David Savard) have a year remaining on their contracts.

THE ATHLETIC: The Philadelphia Flyers hope to find a trade partner for Ryan Johansen. They acquired the 31-year-old center on Wednesday from the Colorado Avalanche as part of the Sean Walker trade.

Johansen cleared waivers on Thursday and was reassigned to the Flyers AHL affiliate. However, general manager Daniel Briere said he informed the center to stand pat for a day or two as they attempt to see if another team could use him.

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reports the Rangers are eyeing a reunion with Anaheim Ducks winger Frank Vatrano, who is signed through next season with $3.65 million cap hit. They’ve also been linked to St. Louis Blues winger Pavel Buchnevich but the Blues would have to retain part of his $5.8 million cap hit.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen reports rumors of the Red Wings acquiring Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust are running hot. However, he believes it’s unlikely to happen as the Penguins haven’t asked Rust to waive his no-movement clause.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Geoff Baker reports the Kraken’s improving odds of qualifying for the playoffs could complicate a possible trade of winger Jordan Eberle. Contract discussions were underway but reportedly stalled on Wednesday. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli believes Eberle will be traded by today’s deadline.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Brian Hedger considers Jack Roslovic to be the Blue Jackets’ most likely trade candidate. The 27-year-old forward is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont reports The Toronto Maple Leafs were among the clubs that inquired about Canadiens defenseman David Savard. However, those teams have balked at the Canadiens’ high asking price.

BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: Jason Moser lists Erik Johnson, Kyle Okposo, Zemgus Girgensons and Victor Olofsson among the Sabres’ most likely trade candidates as today’s deadline approaches.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 14, 2023

by | Nov 14, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 14, 2023

The Oilers get their first win under new head coach Kris Knoblauch, Henrik Lundqvist, Tom Barrasso, Mike Vernon and Pierre Turgeon are inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Third-period goals by Zach Hyman, Connor McDavid and Evander Kane lifted the Edmonton Oilers over the New York Islanders 4-1, giving new head coach Kris Knoblauch his first NHL victory. Leon Draisaitl scored the tying goal for the 4-9-1 Oilers and finished the night with a goal and three assists while McDavid had two points. Mathew Barzal tallied for the Islanders (5-6-3) as they’ve lost four straight games.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of McDavid, he denied having anything to do with the club’s decision to replace Jay Woodcroft as bench boss with Knoblauch, who coached the Oilers captain during his Junior A days with the OHL’s Erie Otters.

McDavid said he’s aware of a perception that he’s had a hand in the decision to make the coaching change but insisted nothing could be further from the truth. “I woke up to a text, like probably a lot of you guys as well,” he said.

The Colorado Avalanche scored five unanswered goals as they rolled to a 5-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken. Nathan MacKinnon collected three assists while Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar, Devon Toews and Tomas Tatar each had two points as the Avalanche improved to 9-5-0. Brandon Tanev netted his first of the season for the 5-8-3 Kraken.

HEADLINES

HHOF.COM: Former NHL stars Henrik Lundqvist, Tom Barrasso, Mike Vernon and Pierre Turgeon were officially inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday.

Joining them were former Colorado Avalanche general manager Pierre Lacroix, former NHL coach Ken Hitchcock and Canadian women’s star Caroline Ouellette.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the Class of 2024 for their well-deserved induction into the Hall of Fame.

NHL.COM: Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart, Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor and Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander are the league’s three stars for the week ending Nov. 12.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights visited the White House on Monday where they were honored by President Joe Biden on their Stanley Cup win.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy practiced with his teammates yesterday for the first time since undergoing back surgery in late September. He indicated that he’s at least two weeks away from coming off the injured reserve list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a big step forward for Vasilevskiy and a promising sign that he could be back in action by the end of the month at the earliest.

THE ATHLETIC: Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov’s absence from practice on Monday sparked speculation he’s been nursing an injury. The 26-year-old winger has 15 points in as many games but hasn’t looked like himself for much of this season. Head coach Dean Evason said Kaprizov was a “little banged up” but was vague as to whether it’s been something that’s been bothering him for a while.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Having their best player hampered by an injury could in part explain why the Wild are off to a 5-8-2 start to this season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Wild, they placed forward Frederick Gaudreau on long-term injury reserve retroactive to Oct. 24. The move makes him eligible to play for the Wild against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Sweden this weekend. It also allows them to add Jesper Wallstedt to the roster as their third goaltender.

WGR 550: Buffalo Sabres captain Kyle Okposo will play in his 1,000th career NHL regular-season game on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Anaheim Ducks placed center Trevor Zegras (lower body) on injured reserve. He has just two points in 12 games and was sidelined for their last two contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zegras missed training camp and preseason play due to a contract dispute that wasn’t resolved until Oct. 3. That could account for his slow start and his lower-body injury.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets center Jack Roslovic is out for four to six weeks with a fractured ankle suffered during Sunday’s game against the New York Rangers. The club has recalled defenseman David Jiricek from their AHL affiliate in Cleveland.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A big blow for Roslovic and the Jackets. He had eight points in 14 games before his injury.

THE SCORE: Speaking of the Blue Jackets, rookie Adam Fantilli isn’t happy with his club’s losing skid. The 19-year-old rookie acknowledged they have a young team “but that does not matter,” he said. Fantilli added that he hates to lose and doesn’t want to get used to it. “I’m not happy about the series of losses we’ve had,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It hasn’t taken long for Fantilli to become a key player for the Blue Jackets. He’s tied for the club lead in scoring with nine points and sits fourth among this season’s rookie scorers.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins winger Milan Lucic suffered a setback rehabbing his injured ankle which has delayed his return to the lineup by a week. He’s been sidelined since Oct. 21 and was placed on long-term injury reserve on Oct. 27.

CBS SPORTS: Chicago Blackhawks forward Andreas Athanasiou is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: NHL Players Association Executive Director Marty Walsh expressed his frustration and concern on Monday over the Arizona Coyotes’ search for a new arena.

Walsh cited rumors of the NHL adding two more expansion clubs but felt the Coyotes are like an expansion club because of their arena woes.

“They’re playing right now in a college arena, 5,100 fans that go to those games, and they don’t sell out. I think that’s the first thing we have to do – figure out what is the long-term play on Arizona.”

Walsh said the NHLPA would support a plan for a new arena but noted there is currently no plan or conversation on the matter. “So that, to me, is showing that there’s no urgency on their side.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman recently reassured fans that he and the league are committed to keeping the Coyotes in Arizona. He expressed the hope that the club could announce its new arena plans later this season.

In mid-October, Coyotes president Xavier Gutierrez said the team is hoping to announce a new arena plan within the next 60 days. That suggests they should have something in place by mid-December.