NHL Rumor Mill – July 30, 2025

by | Jul 30, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 30, 2025

Who could be traded this season by the Oilers? What could it cost the Sabres to pursue Penguins winger Rickard Rakell? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell looked at some Edmonton Oilers players who could become trade candidates this season.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (NHL Images).

Mitchell suggested Stuart Skinner as one option. The 26-year-old netminder carries an affordable $2.6 million cap hit and will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Skinner has big-game experience (50 playoff games, two Stanley Cup Finals). His performance during this season could silence any questions about his reliability as a starting goaltender. However, he could also be a key piece in any deal for a goaltending upgrade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mitchell cited Oilers general manager Stan Bowman mentioning that his club’s goaltending would be an area of evaluation. A strong, consistent effort by Skinner would silence his critics, but could also improve his trade value.

Promising forward Matt Savoie will get an opportunity to earn a regular spot on the Oilers’ top-two forward lines. If he struggles, Mitchell thinks he could become a trade chip for a more established veteran, preferably one with an affordable contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Savoie will be an interesting player to monitor this season. The 21-year-old forward had 54 points in 66 games with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate in Bakersfield last season. If he doesn’t fit with Edmonton, he’s still young enough to entice rival clubs with his potential in the trade market.

Mitchell also suggested Vasily Podkolzin as a trade option. The 24-year-old winger has been inconsistent and could be shopped if he struggles this season.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael Augello observes that the Buffalo Sabres still haven’t replaced the offense they lost when they traded winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth last month. He believes GM Kevyn Adams might have to address that in the trade market by using young players, prospects, and draft picks as trade bait.

Augello suggested Rickard Rakell of the Pittsburgh Penguins as a trade target. The 32-year-old winger has been mentioned in the rumor mill as the Penguins are rebuilding their roster. He’s coming off a career-high performance of 35 goals and 70 points.

Rakell has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $5 million. He also has an eight-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Sabres were interested in Rakell, they have the suitable trade assets to tempt the Penguins. However, Augello acknowledged the Sabres could be on the winger’s no-trade list. Rakell could prefer joining a contender rather than bouncing from one rebuilding team to another.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 28, 2025

by | Jul 28, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 28, 2025

The latest on Nicklas Backstrom, Oilers GM Stan Bowman defends his lengthy contract for Trent Frederic, the Sabres avoid arbitration with Conor Timmins, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom is expected to resume his playing career where it began in Sweden.

Swedish Hockey League (SHL) club Brynas IF is expected to hold a press conference on July 28 to announce the signing of the 37-year-old Backstrom to a one-year contract.

Former Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (NHL Images).

Backstrom stepped away from the NHL eight games into the 2023-24 season amid complications arising from hip resurfacing surgery he underwent in 2022.

A first-round pick (fourth overall) by Washington in the 2006 NHL Draft, Backstrom played three seasons with Brynas IF from 2004-05 to 2006-07. He headed to the NHL in 2007-08, amassing 271 goals and 762 assists for 1,033 points over 17 seasons with the Capitals, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2018.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s unlikely that this will lead to a return to the NHL for Backstrom. It’s more of an opportunity to finish his career with his hometown team.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers general manager Stan Bowman defended his signing of forward Trent Frederic to an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value (AAV) of $3.85 million.

Bowman acquired the 6’3”, 220-pound Frederic before the March 2025 trade deadline. He praised the 27-year-old’s character, physical play, and scoring touch, citing in part his 18-goal, 40-point performance with the Boston Bruins in 2023-24.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The AAV in Frederic’s contract is affordable, especially with the salary cap rising significantly. However, the length of the deal still raised eyebrows.

As long as Frederic remains a decent checking-line forward, it shouldn’t be much of an issue. However, it could still become a burden for their salary cap payroll as his performance declines during the latter half of the deal.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres avoided salary arbitration with Conor Timmins, signing the 26-year-old defenseman to a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.2 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Timmins’ arbitration hearing was scheduled for Aug. 2. Three players – Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg, Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nicholas Robertson, and Montreal Canadiens blueliner Jayden Struble – are slated for hearings.

Samberg’s is July 30, Robertson’s is August 2, and Struble’s is August 3. Like the other players who filed for arbitration, those three will likely sign new contracts with their respective clubs before those dates.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Former NHL defenseman Chris Chelios was named to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. He spent nearly 10 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, helping win the Stanley Cup in 2002 and 2008.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A 26-season NHL veteran and a three-time winner of the Norris Trophy, Chelios was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former NHL forward Peter Mueller announced his retirement at age 37.

Chosen sixth overall in the 2006 NHL Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes, Mueller had a promising rookie season in 2007-08 with 22 goals and 54 points in 82 games.

However, injuries would hamper his performance during his five-season NHL career with the Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, and Florida Panthers until 2012-13. He finished with 63 goals and 160 points in 297 games.

Apart from one season in the AHL, Mueller spent the remainder of his professional playing career in Europe. He won a championship with Brno Kometa in Czechia last season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 25, 2025

by | Jul 25, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 25, 2025

Five members of Canada’s WJC team found not guilty in sexual assault trial, the Florida Panthers could be on the verge of a dynasty, and more in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team were found not guilty of sexual assault in a London, Ontario courtroom on Thursday.

Former NHL players Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton were each acquitted of a sexual assault charge. McLeod was also found not guilty of a second charge of being a party to an offense.

In her ruling, Justice Maria Carroccia said she didn’t find the evidence of the complainant to be credible or reliable. She also stated that the Crown didn’t meet its burden to prove the five men’s guilt on any of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

SPORTSNET: The NHL released a statement indicating the five players remained ineligible to play in the league while it reviews the judge’s findings. The league stated that the allegations in the case were “very disturbing”, even if not deemed criminal. The league also described the players’ actions as “unacceptable.”

The NHL Players Association responded that the five players should “have the opportunity to return to work,” claiming the NHL’s decision doesn’t align with the terms of their collective bargaining agreement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A court of law found the players not guilty, but the court of public opinion could impede their return to the NHL. The league is handling this issue very carefully. Even if the players are allowed to return, teams could be reluctant to sign them.

Critics of the NHLPA’s position must realize that they’re doing their job by looking out for their members’ employment rights as per the CBA.

Since the allegations of sexual assault were revealed in 2022, Hockey Canada came under intense criticism for its handling of the situation, including a civil settlement paid in part from players’ registration fees. It led to changes within the organization’s leadership, a series of reforms regarding player conduct, and a loss of sponsors, though some of the latter have since returned.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Jackson Blake (NHL Images).

Some observers are concerned that the trial’s outcome could stall those changes to address sexual abuse, as well as hazing, racism, discrimination, and homophobia. It will be up to the current leadership of Hockey Canada to determine how far they will continue on their path of reforms.

SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes signed forward Jackson Blake to an eight-year, $45 million contract extension.

The listed average annual value is $5.65 million, but Elliotte Friedman reports the actual AAV is $5.1 million due to deferred money.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The son of former NHL forward Jason Blake, Jackson had a promising debut last season, finishing with 17 goals and 34 points in 80 games, and six points in 15 playoff contests. The 21-year-old is a speedy, hardworking, energetic forward whose play made an obvious positive impression on Hurricanes management.

Blake is the third member of the Hurricanes to have deferred salary in their contracts, joining Jaccob Slavin and Seth Jarvis. This tactic remains allowable under the current CBA but will be banned when the new agreement takes effect next September. It’ll be interesting to see if other players end up with similar contracts before then.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Alan Greenberg believes the Panthers could be on the verge of creating something once considered impossible: creating a Stanley Cup dynasty in the salary-cap era.

The last true Cup dynasty was the New York Islanders of the early 1980s. They were the last team to win three straight championships, going on to capture four straight Cups from 1980 to 1983.

Greenberg thinks the Panthers could pull it off, citing their ability to keep most of their roster core intact. The significant increases in the salary cap for 2025-26 and the following two seasons improve their chances of maintaining a championship roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Betting against the Panthers winning three in a row could be hazardous to your pocketbook. However, two factors could derail their dynasty dreams.

The first is the amount of hockey they’ve played. They’ve been to three straight Stanley Cup Finals since 2023, meaning they’ve had less recovery time than other teams. Many of their core players will also be participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics next February.

It’s impressive that they’ve been able to maintain their current pace, but it could catch up with them next spring.

Age is another factor. The Panthers enter 2025-26 with the fourth-oldest roster (29.49) in the league. Granted, that’s skewed with greybeards like the 37-year-old Brad Marchand and 36-year-old Sergei Bobrovsky in the lineup, but it’s still a reason for concern.

DAILY FACEOFF: Scott Maxwell recently examined the 10 worst moves the Buffalo Sabres have made during their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.

Trading away Ryan O’Reilly to St. Louis in 2018, Sam Reinhart to Florida, and Jack Eichel to Vegas were among those moves. They went on to bigger and better things (including Stanley Cup championships) with their new clubs.

Their first-round draft record was another significant factor. Apart from Eichel, Reinhart, and Rasmus Dahlin, they’ve done poorly between 2011 and 2022, with most of their choices being middle-of-the-road players or fringe NHLers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s the draft record that’s the most surprising. While the Sabres have had some good picks in the later rounds (Linus Ullmark, Brandon Hagel, JJ Peterka), they eventually traded them away.

TORONTO SUN: The Rosedale, Ontario home of former Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan is up for sale. If you have around $14 million, the property can be yours.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Damn, it’s just out of my price range.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 21, 2025

by | Jul 21, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 21, 2025

The latest on Alex Ovechkin and Bowen Byram, Blues GM Doug Armstrong on why his club failed to repeat as Stanley Cup champions in 2020, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Alex Ovechkin told Russian media outlet RIA Novosti that he hasn’t had contract extension talks yet with the Washington Capitals.

Ovechkin, who turns 40 in September, is in the final season of his contract with the Capitals. He recently dismissed speculation that he’ll retire from the NHL following this season.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

The Capitals captain isn’t concerned about the lack of extension talks. “A year will pass, we’ll think, we’ll wait, we’ll see,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin is coming off a 44-goal performance despite missing 16 games with a fractured leg, setting the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring record. Another productive season could lead to a short-term extension with the Capitals.

NHL.COM: Bowen Byram is happy with his new contract with the Buffalo Sabres and is focused on his preparations for the regular season.

“Personally, I’ve been pretty happy with my time in Buffalo,” said the 24-year-old defenseman. “I think I’ve mentioned it before that I’ve got an opportunity to play a bigger role and play more minutes, whether it’s the offensive side, power play, penalty kill. So I’m happy with that.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byram’s new contract silenced months of trade speculation. However, it could rekindle if the Sabres are once again out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues general manager Doug Armstrong wonders if his team might’ve had a better chance at repeating as Stanley Cup champions if the COVID-19 pandemic hadn’t occurred in 2020.

The Blues were defending champions in 2019-20 and were second overall in the NHL standings when the pandemic forced the premature end of the regular season in March 2020. After months of uncertainty, an expanded version of the playoffs was held during the summer in quarantine conditions without fans in Edmonton and Toronto.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s understandable why Armstrong wonders what might have been. The pandemic forced a long layoff for all the teams eventually selected to participate in the 2020 postseason under unusual conditions. Some clubs adjusted better than others.

We’ll never know if the Blues might’ve repeated had it been a normal season. I think the Tampa Bay Lightning still would’ve won the Cup. The Bolts were determined to atone for getting swept from the opening round the year before after winning the Presidents’ Trophy. They were second overall in the Eastern Conference when the 2019-20 regular season ended.

RG.ORG: Jeff Gorton, the Montreal Canadiens executive VP of hockey operations, expressed confidence in the quality of his club’s goaltending.

Gorton praised the performance of Sam Montembault, citing his solid play and consistency, especially down the stretch last season when every game was like a playoff game for the Canadiens. He also acknowledged the club’s plan is for backup Jakub Dobes or perhaps Kaapo Kahkonen to get more starts to give Montembeault more time to rest.

The Canadiens are also confident that prospect Jacob Fowler will earn more starts with their AHL affiliate in Laval this season. They were impressed with Fowler’s player after joining Laval late in the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montembeault is a solid NHL starter, but was wearing down under a heavy workload by midseason until Dobes was called up. Having reliable goaltending depth will be crucial for the Canadiens if they intend to build on their promising effort from last season.

BOSTON HERALD: Defenseman Jordan Harris is hoping to catch on with the Bruins this season. The 25-year-old Massachusetts native became an unrestricted free agent after the Columbus Blue Jackets opted not to qualify his rights. He inked a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Bruins on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A once-promising blueliner with the Canadiens, Harris was shipped to the Blues Jackets last August in the trade that sent winger Patrik Laine to Montreal. He saw action in 33 games with the Jackets last season.

The ECHL’s Rapid City Rush agreed to terms on a multi-year extension of their affiliation deal with the Calgary Flames and the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 19, 2025

by | Jul 19, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 19, 2025

Updates on Bowen Byram and Yegor Chinakhov plus the latest on the Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Following the Sabres’ signing Bowen Byram to a two-year bridge contract earlier this week, Mike Harrington looked at whether the 24-year-old defenseman remains a trade candidate.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

Byram will become eligible for unrestricted free-agent status when the deal expires in 2027.

Harrington suggested Byram could still have plenty of value at the March 2026 trade deadline because he’ll have another year remaining on his contract. That would provide the Sabres with the opportunity to move him in a “hockey trade” for another player, rather than for draft picks and prospects.

However, Harrington cited three NHL sources who confirmed that Byram never requested a trade before signing his contract and the Sabres aren’t shopping him. General manager Kevyn Adams could listen to calls about the defenseman now that he’s signed through 2027, but he’s not initiating those discussions.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byram’s new contract immediately ended all the trade speculation that swirled around him for months. Nevertheless, his name will likely resurface in the rumor mill if the Sabres get off to a poor start this season, or if they’re out of playoff contention as the trade deadline approaches.

THE PROVINCE: Steve Ewen wondered if the Vancouver Canucks will use the salary-cap space created by trading Dakota Joshua to Toronto to pursue UFA forward Jack Roslovic.

The Canucks now have $3.27 million in cap room and must boost their depth among their top-six forwards. They’ve been linked to the 28-year-old Roslovic in the rumor mill.

Roslovic earned $2.8 million on a one-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. The Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs are also rumored to have an interest in him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Canucks can’t land Roslovic, they could turn to the trade market. They were recently suggested as a potential suitor for Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann if he becomes available.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Yegor Chinakhov’s agent, Shumi Babaev, doubts there’s any way his client can stay with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Earlier this week, Chinakhov requested a trade. Babaev said the 24-year-old winger is comfortable with the team and the city but not with head coach Dean Evason. Babaev isn’t confident that the relationship between the two can be repaired.

Portzline indicated that Evason had conversations last season with Chinakhov, and there were conversations between the player and the assistant coaches. Through a spokesman, Evanson stated that the lines of communication were open and would remain so.

Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell is open to trading Chinakhov, but only if he gets the right offer. The expectation is that the winger will report to training camp in September, which Babaev confirmed his client will do.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see if Chinakhov gets traded before training camp. Several teams still have forward depth issues to address.

NESN’s Jay Pritchard believes Chinakhov could be a “smart gamble” for the Boston Bruins. Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski suggested the winger’s youth and potential could be a good fit with the rebuilding Penguins.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 15, 2025

by | Jul 15, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 15, 2025

The 2025-26 season-opener is released, the Sabres avoid arbitration with Bowen Byram, an ownership group led by Mario Lemieux is interested in buying the Penguins, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The 2025-26 regular season will kick off with a triple-header starting Tuesday, Oct. 7.

The first game of the season features the Florida Panthers raising their 2024-25 Stanley Cup banner at home as they host the Chicago Blackhawks.

The second game sees the New York Rangers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the evening concludes with the Colorado Avalanche visiting the Los Angeles Kings.

The full regular-season schedule will be released on Wednesday, July 16.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres avoided arbitration with defenseman Bowen Byram as the two sides agreed to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $6.25 million.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byram, 24, will be eligible for unrestricted free-agent status at the end of this contract. He was the subject of frequent trade speculation since last season. The Sabres could still move him, but for now, he’s part of their plans for this season.

The signing leaves the Sabres with over $7.3 million in cap space. Restricted free agents Devon Levi and Conor Timmins remain unsigned, with the latter awaiting the date for his arbitration hearing.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports that a group led by former NHL owner and superstar Mario Lemieux remains very interested in purchasing the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Lemieux spent his entire 17-season NHL career with the Penguins. He co-owned the club from 1999 to 2021.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) released a statement earlier this year indicating they have no interest in selling the Penguins. Nevertheless, the Lemieux group is considering its financial options and avenues to regain control of the club at some point.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yohe’s source also stated that the Lemieux group expects the NHL will add two expansion teams over the next several years, resulting in a significant windfall for the existing 32 clubs.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: As the 2024-25 Panthers have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup (many for the second straight year), columnist Alan Greenberg reflected on his 17 seasons covering the team, and how far they’ve come from the first 12 years that he followed them.

During that period, they were among the league’s bottom feeders. Ownership didn’t provide the funds to add top free-agent talent, and the franchise was generally not a desirable place to play. The arena was less than half full for most games, media coverage was scarce, and there were rumors of relocating the franchise to Quebec City.

Things began to turn around when the Viola family took over in 2013. Former general manager Dale Tallon drafted core players like Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad, and signed goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Bill Zito, Tallon’s successor, built up the franchise by acquiring notable players like Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe and Gustav Forsling, and hiring head coach Paul Maurice.

Today, the Panthers sell out their home arena, receive more local and national coverage, and merchandise sales are booming. The players form a close-knit group, fostering a positive atmosphere within the team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: From 1993-94 to 2019-20, the Panthers reached the playoffs six times over those 26 years. Since 2020-21, they’ve been a perennial playoff team, reaching the Stanley Cup Final three straight times and winning back-to-back championships since 2023-24.

The rise of the Panthers is primarily attributed to Zito’s appointment as general manager. In five years, he built upon the foundation left by Tallon, turning a laughingstock into a dominant franchise poised to become the first true Stanley Cup dynasty (three consecutive championships) since the 1980-82 New York Islanders.

THE ATHLETIC’s Kevin Kurz reports Philadelphia Flyers winger Tyson Foerster continues to rehab an injured tendon near his elbow. He will undergo an MRI next week to check on the infection that developed following the injury.

The Flyers hope Foerster will be ready to start the season, but plenty of uncertainty remains.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets avoided arbitration with RFA forward Morgan Barron, signing him to a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.85 million.

Negotiations continue between Jets management and winger Gabriel Vilardi and defenseman Dylan Samberg. Like Barron, they filed for salary arbitration on July 5.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders signed forward Victor Eklund to a three-year entry-level contract. Eklund was chosen 16th overall in last month’s NHL Draft and was one of three first-rounders by the Isles.

SPORTSNET: The Edmonton Oilers have shifted Paul Coffey from an assistant coach to an advisory role in the front office. They added Paul McFarland as power-play coach, Peter Aubry as their goaltending coach, and Connor Allen as a skills development coach.