NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 27, 2024

by | Sep 27, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 27, 2024

Recapping Thursday’s preseason action, Sabres name their new captain, an update on Drew Doughty’s injury, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

2024-25 NHL PRESEASON RECAP – SEPTEMBER 26

NHL.COM: Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov scored his first preseason goal and collected an assist as his club blanked the New York Islanders 2-0. Samuel Ersson turned in a 37-save shutout for the Flyers.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).

The Toronto Maple Leafs nipped the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 with Nick Robertson tallying the winning goal. Leafs forward William Nylander left the game for precautionary reasons after suffering an upper-body injury in the first period.

New York Rangers forwards Chris Kreider and Brennan Othman each had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 victory over the Boston Bruins.

An overtime goal by Noah Ostlund lifted the Buffalo Sabres over the Ottawa Senators 3-2. Goaltender Linus Ullmark made his preseason debut with the Senators, turning aside 28 shots before being replaced in the second period by Dustin Tokarski.

The San Jose Sharks beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 on an overtime goal by Luca Cagnoni. Klim Kostin had a goal and an assist for the Sharks while Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson tallied for the Ducks.

HEADLINES

BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: The Sabres announced defenseman Rasmus Dahlin as their new team captain. Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens, Mattias Samuelsson, and Tage Thompson were named alternate captains.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dahlin, 24, steadily developed into a leader with the Sabres on and off the ice over the past several seasons. He was the obvious choice for team captain.

THE ATHLETIC: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty suffered a serious leg injury during Wednesday’s preseason game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Early reports indicate an X-ray after the game showed an ankle fracture. Further imaging, including a CT scan, will be done to rule out any further damage.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This will be a big blow to the Kings’ defense corps. Doughty’s been a constant, reliable presence on their blueline for years. He will be difficult to replace if he’s out for a significant period.

DAILY FACEOFF: Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson will be sidelined for three to six weeks following an emergency appendectomy on Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lukas Dostal will take over the starter’s job while Gibson is sidelined.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Golden Knights center William Karlsson has been sidelined since Sunday for injury-related maintenance.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The NHL Players’ Association has filed a grievance against the Philadelphia Flyers on behalf of Ryan Johansen. They’re contesting the Flyers terminating Johansen’s contract citing a “material breach” regarding his progress in treating an injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report suggests this could end in a settlement between the team, the player and the NHLPA. Stay tuned.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Speaking of the Flyers, their standoff with goaltender Alexei Kolosov is reportedly over. His agent indicates his client will report to training camp and could get in some preseason games. He could play with their AHL affiliate and a loan back to the KHL is possible.

SPORTSNET: The Winnipeg Jets revealed defenseman Ville Heinola underwent surgery to remove a pin in his ankle, which he had surgically repaired last fall. The timeline for his return is uncertain but could be at least four weeks.

Defenseman Logan Stanley is listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed ailment. Blueliner Dylan Samberg skipped Thursday’s practice for a maintenance day.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks signed goaltender Aaron Dell to a one-year, AHL contract.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 17, 2024

by | Sep 17, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 17, 2024

Updates on Cole Perfetti, Alexei Kolosov and Dawson Mercer plus some recent Sabres speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TIDBITS FROM FRIEDMAN’S LATEST “32 THOUGHTS”.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports one executive told him negotiations between the Winnipeg Jets and restricted free agent Cole Perfetti are “the politest in recent memory.”

Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti (NHL Images).

Perfetti has represented the Jets in some recent NHL/team events, saying he’s not unhappy in Winnipeg and wants to stay. Sources told Friedman that Shane Pinto’s contract with the Ottawa Senators is challenging for the Jets. The two players have similar career numbers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pinto is entering the first season of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.75 million.

The Philadelphia Flyers are trying to determine what to do with Alexei Kolosov. The 22-year-old Belarussian goaltender did not report to training camp and remains in Russia.

Friedman said teams that inquired about Kolosov were told the asking price is a second-round draft pick. They must also figure out if the young netminder will join them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kolosov’s apparent reluctance to leave home is likely the bigger sticking point. Some teams in desperate need of goalie depth would probably part with a second-rounder for him.

Friedman is sticking to his prediction of Dawson Mercer getting a bridge contract from the New Jersey Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mercer is coming off his entry-level contract. He has no leverage other than not reporting to training camp, which won’t do him or the Devils any good.

COULD THE SABRES STILL PURSUE A TOP-SIX FORWARD?

THE ATHLETIC: A reader asked Matthew Fairburn if he felt it was still possible for the Buffalo Sabres to make a big trade for a top-six forward to replace the departed Jeff Skinner. They possess the cap space and prospect depth to swing a deal this season.

Fairburn believes it’s still possible but noted it might not take place until later in the season. He suggested Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers as a trade target, noting he’s in the final season of his contract and the Jets must decide if they’ll keep or trade him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers, 28, was the subject of trade speculation earlier this offseason but that died away as general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and head coach Scott Arniel praised his performance.

Despite that praise, Cheveldayoff hasn’t committed to signing Ehlers to an extension. The winger’s future in Winnipeg could depend on him and his teammates this season. He could become available if the Jets drop out of the playoff race by the March 7 trade deadline. Whether the Sabres will be interested in him will depend on where they are in the standings by that point.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 6, 2024

by | Sep 6, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 6, 2024

An update on the notable remaining restricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox provides an update on the notable remaining restricted free agents.

Fox noted a recent rumor claiming goaltender Jeremy Swayman seeks $10 million annually from the Boston Bruins drew skepticism. Another report claimed the Bruins offered the 25-year-old netminder a lowball $6.2 million average annual value for four seasons.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).

The Bruins training camp opens on Sept. 18. They possess $8.6 million in cap space. Meanwhile, Swayman was participating in captain’s skates with his teammates this week.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The AAV on Swayman’s new contract will likely be between $7 million and $8 million, depending on the length of the deal. It could be anywhere between four and eight years.

Fox cited an Aug. 28 report by Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff claiming the Red Wings are close to a deal with defenseman Moritz Seider. Meanwhile, some observers wonder how Seth Jarvis’ new contract with the Carolina Hurricanes affected Lucas Raymond’s negotiations with the Wings. Both wingers had comparable stats last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seider could get an eight-year deal worth between $8 million and $8.5 million. Jarvis is getting an AAV of $7.9 million (though the deferred salary actually reduces the annual cap hit to $7.42 million. Raymond’s negotiations have likely reached the point where it’s late in the game to introduce the concept of deferred payments into the discussions.

Nothing new to report on Thomas Harley’s negotiations with the Dallas Stars. Fox theorizes that the 23-year-old defenseman’s agent could be waiting to see what Seider gets with the Red Wings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If so, the Stars aren’t going to meet that demand given their $6.2 million in cap space.

Fox cited NHL Network Radio’s Dave McCarthy claiming some teams would be willing to sign Cole Perfetti to a two-year offer sheet with an AAV of $4.5 million. However, the Jets would surely match that offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets have over $5.7 million in cap space with only Perfetti to sign among their active roster players.

According to a recent report by The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta, the New Jersey Devils aren’t close to a new contract with forward Dawson Mercer. However, discussions continue between the two sides.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils have nearly $5 million in cap space. Mercer’s coming off his entry-level contract so he lacks leverage here. He could end up with a bridge deal worth between $3.5 million and $4 million annually.

Nothing new on Peyton Krebs’ contract talks with the Buffalo Sabres. Fox speculates the 23-year-old center will either get a short-term “prove-it” deal but isn’t ruling out a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buffalo Hockey Now’s Jason Moser believes Krebs’ limited options could leave him no choice but to accept his qualifying offer ($874,125). The Sabres could explore trade options but Moser believes the return would be minimal.

Fox believes Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nicholas Robertson has three options: sign his qualifying offer, let his agent Pat Brisson negotiate an offer sheet or an extension, or withhold his services and await a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun last night reported Robertson still wants to be traded. He’s reportedly training at home and waiting for a resolution but the process isn’t moving as fast as his camp was hoping for. LeBrun noted that the youngster lacks leverage in this situation.

That lack of leverage prompted The Athletic’s James Mirtle to join those observers who believe it doesn’t make sense for Robertson’s career to sideline himself at this point. He thinks the youngster should sign his qualifying offer, play for the Leafs this season, and establish himself as a roster regular. That would give him arbitration rights next summer and improve his value in the trade market if he still wants to be moved.

Nothing new to report on Nashville Predators forward Philip Tomasino and Los Angeles Kings forward Arthur Kaliyev. Both are in the same position as Robertson.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 1, 2024

by | Sep 1, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 1, 2024

The Hurricanes signed Seth Jarvis on Saturday but other notable restricted free agents remain unsigned. Check out the latest in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently looked at where things stood with the top restricted free agents still looking for new contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was published a day before the Carolina Hurricanes signed Seth Jarvis to an eight-year contract.

Boston Bruins president Cam Neely expressed confidence that his club will get a deal done with Jeremy Swayman during an Aug. 22 interview. The 25-year-old goalie said the same thing during an interview earlier in the month.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).

Bruins training camp opens on Sep. 18. They have $8.6 million in cap space to put toward signing Swayman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reports last week claimed the two sides were still far apart. One report claimed Swayman sought $10 million annually. However, most pundits believe the Swayman camp seeks an average annual value of around $8.5 million while the Bruins are believed to be offering something “in the $6 millions”.

Fox speculated it could cost the Detroit Red Wings around $8.6 million annually to get defenseman Moritz Seider under contract. That would put the 23-year-old defenseman just under captain Dylan Larkin’s $8.7 million AAV.

As for Seider’s teammate Lucas Raymond, Fox wondered if Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman might opt for a shorter-term contract comparable to the four-year deal averaging $7.875 million annually signed last summer by Raymond’s teammate Alex DeBrincat.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings have over $17.6 million in cap space so there’s plenty of room to re-sign those two. Figuring out how much and for how long remains the key issue.

Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen wondered how much of an effect Seth Jarvis’ new contract with the Carolina Hurricanes will have on Raymond’s negotiations. Both players had similar production last season, with Jarvis netting 33 goals and 67 points with the Hurricanes while Raymond had 31 goals and 71 points.

What could be interesting is whether the Wings attempt to get a lower AAV by getting Raymond and Seider to accept deferred salary as Jarvis did on his new deal. It’s probably too late in those negotiations to shift gears now.

There’s not much to report regarding the Dallas Stars contract talks with Thomas Harley. Fox wondered if Stars GM Jim Nill would attempt to get the 23-year-old defenseman to sign a bridge deal as he did with winger Jason Robertson. On Aug. 9, Nill expressed confidence in getting Harley signed soon.

Turning to center Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said talks were still ongoing as of Aug. 22, expressing optimism that a deal would be done sooner rather than later.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hockey News’ Rob Couch examined whether it would be in the Chicago Blackhawks’ best interest to send the 22-year-old Perfetti an offer sheet.

The St. Louis Blues exploited the Edmonton Oilers’ limited salary cap space, successfully signing away defenseman Philip Broberg and winger Dylan Holloway last month. However, the Jets have over $5.7 million in cap space this season, giving them far more flexibility than the Oilers to match an offer sheet. Perfetti could also be reluctant to sign with another club.

Fox cited The Hockey News’ Kristy Flannery reporting on Aug. 19 that Pat Brisson, the agent for winger Dawson Mercer, indicated negotiations were ongoing with the New Jersey Devils.

A short-term, “prove-it” contract could be the most likely outcome for Peyton Krebs. The 23-year-old Buffalo Sabres center has struggled to establish himself as a potential top-six forward. Fox didn’t rule out a trade.

Speaking of a trade, Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nicholas Robertson still prefers a change of scenery. However, GM Brad Treliving holds the hammer and still believes the 22-year-old Robertson has a great opportunity to become a good player with the Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson could refuse to sign and report to training camp to force the Leafs into honoring his trade request. That’s unlikely to work in his favor as it’s his only leverage. It will hurt his preparation for this season and also hurt him financially.

Nashville Predators forward Philip Tomasino remains unsigned after coming off a difficult performance for him last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predlines’ Chad Minton pondered what could be behind the lack of progress in contract talks between the Predators and Tomasino and fellow RFA Jusso Parssinen. With just over $3 million in cap space, Minton speculated Predators GM Barry Trotz could be forced to choose between one of them.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 28, 2024

by | Aug 28, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 28, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: Nick Robertson still wants the Leafs to trade him, free-agent winger Filip Zadina is close to signing with a new club, and the latest on the Flames. 

ROBERTSON STILL WANTS OUT OF TORONTO

TSN: Chris Johnston reports no resolution in the standoff between the Toronto Maple Leafs and unhappy winger Nick Robertson. The 22-year-old restricted free agent requested a trade earlier this summer. 

Johnston noted Robertson has little leverage here. If he doesn’t want to sign and the Leafs won’t move him, all he can do is sit out and hope to put pressure on the team. However, it’ll be costly to Robertson in terms of contract and preparation for the coming season. 

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson (NHL Images).

Earlier this summer, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said he wasn’t planning to move Robertson despite his trade request. He believes the young winger has a great opportunity this season with the Leafs to become a better player. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson has grown frustrated over his playing time thus far with the Leafs. Holding out for a trade likely won’t help his cause unless the Leafs get an offer too good to pass up. 

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: A reader asked Dan Kingerski what it might take for the Penguins to acquire Robertson. 

Kingerski observed Robertson is “an unproven commodity with loads of talent but a delayed progression.” He estimates his salary range at around $2 million. Kingerski reports Penguins general manager (and former Leafs GM) Kyle Dubas “really likes Robertson.” 

The Penguins could attempt to offer sheet Robertson but Kingerski believes the Leafs would match. It would have to be a trade with the Leafs getting a player with value in return. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t doubt that Dubas likes Robertson and might like to include the winger among his efforts to add more affordable young talent to the Penguins. Whether a trade is possible remains to be seen, especially if Treliving remains unwilling to trade him. 

ZADINA CLOSE TO SIGNING WITH A NEW CLUB

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski reports the agent for Filip Zadina denied a report out of Czechia claiming the 24-year-old winger was close to signing a contract with the Sabres. 

Darren Ferris told Lysowski he’s in the process of securing a professional tryout offer for his client with another team. 

Zadina was chosen sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Draft. He’s struggled to establish himself as a scoring winger, lasting four seasons with the Wings. Zadina spent last season with the San Jose Sharks, scoring 13 goals and 23 points in 72 games. 

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports sources tell him three teams are in discussion with Zadina. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a crucial period in Zadina’s sputtering NHL career. He’ll need a strong training camp and preseason to earn a contract for this season, and must significantly improve his performance to ensure he can stick in the NHL after that. 

LATEST ON THE FLAMES

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson and Daniel Austin were asked by a reader what Flames GM Craig Conroy might have up his sleeve in the lead-up to training camp. 

Gilbertson indicated Conroy has informed cap-strapped clubs that he’s willing to use his cap space to help them, for a price. That would be not just the player received in the deal but also a sweetener like a draft pick or prospect. 

The Flames have nearly $20 million in cap space, making them a perfect partner for a club looking to shed salary. 

Asked about possible PTO targets for the Flames, Gilbertson suggested center Steven Lorentz or winger Kailer Yamamoto. Austin suggested Filip Zadina.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 25, 2024

by | Aug 25, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 25, 2024

Questions persist about the future of Sharks captain Logan Couture, the Hughes brothers are on the cover of EA Sports’ new hockey video game, former Bruins star Zdeno Chara becomes an Ironman, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka reports it’s unclear if San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture will be on the ice when training camp opens in September.

Couture, 35, missed 76 games last season with a sometimes debilitating groin injury known as osteitis pubis, an inflammation in the joint between his left and right pubic bones.

San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture (NHL Images)

The Sharks captain has yet to begin skating but general manager Mike Grier said the team has a plan for him, adding that Couture remains in a good place mentally. He’s enjoying being back in the gym with his teammates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Couture is about to enter his 16th NHL season. Given the recent significant changes for the Sharks in their rebuilding process, they’re looking to their captain to bring stability and leadership to the roster.

Whether Couture is physically capable of resuming his playing career remains to be seen. It was assumed he would be skating by now. It will become concerning if he’s not on the ice when training camp opens in mid-September.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes joined his brothers Jack and Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils on the cover of EA Sports’ NHL 25 videogame. They are the first siblings to grace the cover of an EA Sports title.

SPORTSNET: Former NHL defenseman Zdeno Chara completed his first Ironman triathlon last Saturday. He said the 3.7-kilometre swim, 180-km bike ride, and marathon run pushed him to his limits as hockey did.

Since retiring from the NHL two years ago, the 47-year-old Chara completed eight marathons and a half Ironman before completing the full Ironman marathon.

Chara’s next challenge is the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, in October.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chara is a physical freak and I mean that in a good way. It’s no wonder he had an NHL career that lasted 24 seasons.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Dallas Stars broadcasters Daryl “Razor” Reaugh and Josh Bogorad were signed to contract extensions on Wednesday. They’ve been the broadcast duo for Stars television and radio broadcasts for the last seven seasons.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Former Sabres player Justin Falk has joined the team as a scout. Falk, 35, spent 10 seasons in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Sabres, and Ottawa Senators between 2009-10 and 2018-19.