Notable NHL Signings and Trades – July 1, 2025

by | Jul 1, 2025

Notable NHL Signings and Trades – July 1, 2025

 Anaheim Ducks sign unrestricted free-agent forward Mikael Granlund to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million.

The New York Rangers signed winger Will Cuylle to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.9 million. Cuylle was a restricted free agent completing his entry-level contract.

Buffalo Sabres re-sign center Ryan McLeod to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $5 million. McLeod was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

The San Jose Sharks signed John Klingberg to a one-year, $4 million contract. He was an unrestricted free agent.

 

Defenseman Ryan Lindgren signed a four-year contract with the Seattle Kraken with an average annual value of $4.5 million.

The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman Nate Schmidt inked a three-year contract ($3.5 million AAV) and forward Brandon Tanev to a three-year contract ($2.5 million AAV).

The Los Angeles Kings signed defenseman Cody Ceci to a four-year contract with an AAV of $4.5 million, blueliner Brian Dumoulin to a three-year deal with a $4 million AAV, and winger Corey Perry to a one-year, $2 million contract.

Winger Jonathan Drouin agreed to a two-year contract ($4 million AAV) with the New York Islanders.

Forward Radek Faksa inked a three-year contract ($2 million AAV) with the Dallas Stars.

 

The Vancouver Canucks brought back Brock Boeser, signing him to a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7.25 million.

The New York Rangers sign defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year deal with an AAV of $7 million.

The Los Angeles Kings sign forward Joel Armia to a two-year contract with a $2.5 million AAV.

The Boston Bruins signed forward Tanner Jeannot to a four-year deal with an AAV of $3.5 million.

The New Jersey Devils sign forward Connor Brown to a four-year contract with an AAV of $3 million.

The Philadelphia Flyers sign goaltender Dan Vladar to a two-year contract with a $3.35 million AAV.

The San Jose Sharks sign winger William Eklund to a three-year deal with an AAV of $5.6 million. Eklund, 22, was a restricted free agent.

The Philadelphia Flyers signed center Christian Dvorak to a one-year, $5.4 million contract.

The Montreal Canadiens trade defenseman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for forward Zachary Bolduc.

Logan Stankoven signs an eight-year contract extension ($6 million AAV) with the Carolina Hurricanes. The 22-year-old forward was slated to become an RFA next July.

Jake Allen re-signed with the New Jersey Devils. The 34-year-old goaltender agreed to a five-year contract with an AAV of $1.8 million.

The Edmonton Oilers trade winger Viktor Arvidsson to the Boston Bruins for a fifth-round draft pick in 2027. This move frees up $4 million of salary-cap space for the Oilers.

Thatcher Demko signs a a three-year contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks worth an average annual value of $8.5 million. The 29-year-old goaltender was eligible for UFA status next July.

The Canucks also confirmed that Conor Garland signed a six-year contract extension with an AAV of $6 million. Like Demko, he was slated to become a UFA next July.

Martin Fehervary signed a seven-year contract extension with the Washington Capitals worth an AAV of $6 million. The 25-year-old defenseman was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 21, 2025

by | Jun 21, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – June 21, 2025

Check out the latest on Connor McDavid, Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett, Rasmus Andersson, JJ Peterka, Bowen Byram, Noah Dobson and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT COULD CONNOR MCDAVID’S NEXT CONTRACT LOOK LIKE

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman speculated on what Connor McDavid’s next contract will look like. The 28-year-old Edmonton Oilers superstar is a year away from unrestricted free-agent (UFA) eligibility, with an average annual value (AAV) of $12.5 million.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

Friedman doesn’t believe McDavid intends to leave Edmonton, but he thinks the Oilers captain might pursue a two-year contract instead of the maximum eight years. That would ensure the Oilers remain sharpest in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup. He also thinks the AAV could be between $15 million and $17 million, but not as high as it could be.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman stressed that this is only his opinion as to what McDavid might do. I agree with him that McDavid is unlikely to leave the Oilers, but could opt for a short-term deal to give himself some wiggle room in case the club falls out of contention over the next several years.

COULD RASMUS ANDERSON LEAVE THE FLAMES?

Friedman reports that the feeling around the league is that Rasmus Andersson is ready for something new. The 28-year-old Calgary Flames defenseman is a year away from UFA status. The Flames are willing to move him, but only at the right price.

CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin reports Flames general manager Craig Conroy said he’s had talks with Andersson’s agent. He indicated they have some clarity on where things are headed, but didn’t elaborate about the direction.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames could still re-sign Andersson. If not, they could hang onto him for the coming season and perhaps shop him at the trade deadline if they’re out of playoff contention by then. They could trade him this summer and avoid the unnecessary distraction of speculation about his future hanging over him and the club next season.

NO SHORT-TERM DEAL FOR MITCH MARNER?

Friedman said he received pushback on his suggestion that Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner could opt for a four-year contract via free agency. However, he said a few teams had heard about it.

The Marner camp is expected to meet with teams (probably virtually unless they come to Toronto) on July 1, and then he could meet with a team or two before reaching a decision. However, that plan could backfire if he takes too long, as interested clubs could become impatient and make other plans.

Friedman thinks the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights will be among Marner’s suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes are better-positioned cap-wise than the Golden Knights to make a lucrative offer. Vegas will have to shed considerable salary to make it happen, and that could hurt their overall depth.

Friedman again mentioned the possibility of Alex Pietrangelo starting the season on long-term injury reserve (LTIR), which would free up the cap room to pursue Marner. However, the Golden Knights already have an elite playmaker (Jack Eichel). What they need is a sniper, something Marner isn’t.

THE LATEST ON THE PANTHERS

Friedman reports the brakes are being pumped on the Sam Bennett extension talk. The 29-year-old Conn Smythe Trophy winner raised eyebrows by telling partygoers on Thursday that he wasn’t leaving the Florida Panthers. Friedman thinks Bennett wouldn’t have made that public declaration without knowing where the talks are going, but there hasn’t been an agreement yet.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards cited Panthers GM Bill Zito saying he’d like to bring everybody back, referring to his UFAs like Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Nate Schmidt.

Bennett is the priority, with Richards speculating his next contract could be in the range of $7.5 million and $8 million annually. He might get more on the open market, but he wants to remain with the Panthers.

The Panthers have $19 million in cap space for 2025-26. Richards considers it unlikely that Zito can pull it off without making some cost-cutting moves.

SPORTSNET: Brad Marchand is open to re-signing with the Panthers. “Give me a contract,” he said with a laugh when talking to reporters.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bennett will be re-signed. Ekblad could be if he agrees to a pay cut. Schmidt should also be an affordable re-signing.

Marchand reportedly wants a raise on a short-term deal, which is understandable because he was underpaid throughout his current contract. Unless he has a change of mind or Zito makes a cost-cutting trade, he’ll hit the open market on July 1

UPDATE ON THE SABRES

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn reported that trade rumors are getting louder regarding JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this week that the 23-year-old winger isn’t happy in Buffalo and the Sabres are fielding calls from other clubs.

Peterka is a restricted free agent without arbitration rights. Fairburn said the Sabres aren’t keen on trading him. However, given the interest and demand, they need to hear what’s out there. Any return for Peterka must include pieces that can help the Sabres end their playoff drought next season.

Fairburn and colleague Shayna Goldman pondered the possibility of the Sabres trading Bowen Byram. They acquired the 24-year-old defenseman before the 2024 trade deadline. He’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights seeking a raise over his current AAV of $3.85 million.

THE SCORE: Sean O’Leary cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli claiming the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks were interested in Peterka.

CANUCKS ARMY: Tyler Kuehl cited Seravalli also saying the Canucks had some interest in Byram.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s also speculation Peterka and/or Byram could become offer-sheet targets if the Sabres fail to sign one or both before July 1. However, the Sabres have over $23 million in cap space, giving them plenty of room to match any offers.

The Sabres could trade one of them, but it won’t be for picks and prospects. As with the deal that brought Byram to Buffalo last year, it could be a player-for-player swap.

ISLANDERS LISTENING TO OFFERS FOR NOAH DOBSON

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias cited Elliotte Friedman, saying that the Islanders are quietly testing the trade market for Noah Dobson during his Friday podcast. The 25-year-old defenseman is an RFA with arbitration rights.

This comes in the wake of Frank Seravalli claiming the Dobson camp sought a long-term deal with an $11 million AAV. Friedman indicated nothing’s set in stone, suggesting three options. They could sign him long term and perhaps trade him later if it doesn’t work out, risk a potentially contentious arbitration process, or trade him now.

Macias believes the Islanders will want a significant return. He noted Seravalli linked them to Buffalo’s JJ Peterka.

Friedman also mentioned the trade rumors about Isles blueliner Alexander Romanov, but he thinks they’ve set a high asking price for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Dobson camp is seeking far more than what their client is worth. He deserves a raise over the $4 million AAV he earned this season, and has a promising 70-point season in 2023-24 on his resume. However, the decline in his production this season to 39 points makes it difficult to justify $11 million annually. A raise to between $8 million and $9 million would be reasonable.

This situation is an interesting early test for new GM Mathieu Darche. How he handles it will be a significant indicator of which direction he intends to take the Islanders in the coming years.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 1, 2024

by | Jul 1, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 1, 2024

The free-agent market opens at noon ET. Before the signing frenzy begins, check out the latest recent notable signings, contract buyouts and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

REINHART, GUENTZEL, KANE AMONG EARLY CONTRACT SIGNINGS

SPORTSNET: Sam Reinhart and the Florida Panthers have agreed to an eight-year contract before the midnight ET deadline for eight-year extensions. Financial terms weren’t disclosed but will be officially announced on July 1.

Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently speculated the average annual value would be $9 million. We’ll find out later today if that’s the case but it wouldn’t be surprising. It would give Reinhart the third-highest AAV among Panthers skaters, behind Aleksander Barkov ($10 million) and Matthew Tkachuk ($9.5 million).

Jake Guentzel and the Tampa Bay Lightning agreed to a new contract on Sunday just hours after his rights were traded to the Lightning by the Carolina Hurricanes. Terms were unknown but will be officially announced later on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Guentzel signing likely means the end of Steven Stamkos’ 16-season career with the Lightning. Stamkos’ agent indicated that his client is heading to free agency.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings and Patrick Kane agreed to a one-year contract. It comes with a $4 million base salary and $2.5 million in bonuses.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 35-year-old Kane enjoyed a bounce-back season with the Red Wings after undergoing a hip resurfacing procedure last June. It’s rumored the New York Rangers were interested in bringing Kane back for another season but wouldn’t go as high as the Wings with the base salary.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs reached an agreement with Max Domi on a four-year contract with an AAV of $3.75 million. It contains a $3.5 million signing bonus in the first year and a 13-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An affordable signing for Toronto. After a slow start, Domi fit in well with the Leafs last season, netting 47 points in 80 games.

The Leafs also re-signed Timothy Liljegren to a two-year contract with an AAV of $3 million. The 25-year-old defenseman was slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Leafs are reportedly close to signing Chris Tanev to a multi-year contract worth an annual salary-cap hit of $5 million. They acquired the signing rights to the 34-year-old defenseman from the Dallas Stars on Saturday.

SPORTSNET: The Utah Hockey Club and Sean Durzi agreed to a four-year contract extension with an annual salary cap hit of $6 million. The 25-year-old defenseman averaged over 23 minutes of ice time while leading his club’s blueliners with 41 points.

NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: The Predators are close to signing defenseman Alexandre Carrier to a new contract. Terms were not disclosed.

MARCHESSAULT, BERTUZZI, KYLINGTON HEADED TO MARKET

LAS VEGAS SUN: Jonathan Marchessault is heading to free agency. The 33-year-old winger was unable to reach a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchessault was among the few original members of the Golden Knights (aka “The Golden Misfits”) on their roster last season. The 33-year-old winger is their franchise scoring leader and won the Conn Smythe Trophy leading them to the Stanley Cup last year. He’ll draw plenty of attention in the free-agent market with Reinhart, Guentzel and Kane off the board.

TORONTO SUN: Tyler Bertuzzi is moving on and won’t be signing with the Maple Leafs. The 29-year-old forward completed a one-year, $5.5 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like Domi, Bertuzzi had a slow start with the Leafs last season but finished strong with 21 goals and 43 points. He shouldn’t have any difficulty finding a new club willing to pay him a multi-year deal for around $5.5 million.

TSN’s Salim Nadim Valji reports defenseman Oliver Kylington, 27, is heading to free agency.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kylington was a Masterton Trophy nominee last season after returning to action following two seasons dealing with mental health issues.

NOTABLE CONTRACT BUYOUTS

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers placed Jack Campbell on unconditional waivers Sunday before buying out the remaining three years of his contract. The 32-year-old goaltender carried an AAV of $5 million. The buyout will count as $1.1 million against the Oilers’ cap payroll this season, $2.3 million in 2025-26, $2.6 million in 2026-27, dropping to $1.5 million for each of the remaining three years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Campbell was signed two years ago to fill the Oilers’ starting goaltender role. Inconsistent play in 2022-23 cost him that job to Stuart Skinner. He spent most of last season with the Oilers AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. It remains to be seen if the 32-year-old netminder lands with another NHL club this summer.

WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets placed defenseman Nate Schmidt on unconditional waivers on Sunday before buying out the remaining year of his contract. The 32-year-old had a cap hit of $5.95 million for 2024-25. This buyout will count as $2.716 million against the Jets’ cap payroll this season and $1.616 million in 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some folks expressed surprise on social media that the Jets didn’t trade Schmidt, retaining salary in the deal. There may have been no market for him.

IN OTHER NEWS…

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens traded defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic to the New Jersey Devils for a 2026 fourth-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens appear to be making room for one of their promising young blueliners for this season. This move also clears over $766K from their cap payroll.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson has informed management he has no intention of signing with the club and has requested a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson is completing his entry-level contract. The 22-year-old winger is the younger brother of Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson. He’s struggled to crack the Leafs lineup full-time partly because of injuries.

Robertson lacks arbitration rights so his only leverage is to refuse to sign until traded. We’ll see if the Leafs find a new home for him this summer or engage in a contract standoff.

THE SCORE: Four of the five players involved in the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault scandal were not tendered qualifying offers yesterday. Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Michael McLeod will become unrestricted free agents today.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A trial date for their case has not yet been set. Don’t expect those players to receive any contract offers.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 17, 2024

by | Jun 17, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 17, 2024

More suggested contract buyout candidates plus the latest on Pavel Buchnevich in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MORE POTENTIAL BUYOUT CANDIDATES

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance and Harman Dayal listed 12 players to monitor when the NHL’s contract buyout window opens following the Stanley Cup Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most players on this list also appeared on Daily Faceoff’s recent buyout candidate list. You can read my take on those here.

The list includes Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Sheary, Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer, New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba, Detroit Red Wings blueliner Justin Holl, and Winnipeg Jets rearguard Nate Schmidt.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning are squeezed for cap space for 2024-25, hampering efforts to re-sign captain Steven Stamkos. Buyout out Sheary will only free up $1.4 million in cap space for next season, but every bit helps now.

Buying out Grubauer would save the Kraken over $4.9 million for 2024-25. However, they might not be ready to hand the starter’s job to Joey D’Accord just yet. If D’Accord can carry that burden next season, they can explore trading or buying out Grubauer next year.

The Rangers won’t buy out Trouba. Granted, he’s overpaid at $8 million per season through 2025-26. However, his postseason struggles were likely tied to playing on an injured ankle since March. For a team with Stanley Cup aspirations that needs more toughness, getting rid of their most physical player doesn’t make sense. If they wish to part ways with Trouba, they’d be better off shedding his salary through the trade market.

Buying out Holl now makes sense if the Red Wings can’t find any takers for Holl in the trade market. The authors observed he was a health scratch for 38 games this season. They also pointed out that the Wings have a glut of bottom-three defensemen with Ben Chiarot, Olli Maatta and Jeff Petry signed for next season. The Wings have nearly $30 million in cap space for next season but buying out Holl adds another $2.2 million annually to the kitty for the next two seasons.

The same goes for Schmidt. He has a year left on his deal with an AAV of $5.95 million, which is a lot for a third-pairing defenseman. The Jets have $13 million in cap space. Buying out Schmidt frees up $3.2 million for 2024-25.

LATEST ON PAVEL BUCHNEVICH

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli included Pavel Buchnevich in his recent Trade Targets list. He wondered if the St. Louis Blues are prepared to pay the 29-year-old winger a big raise on a long-term contract.

Buchnevich has produced 206 points in 216 games with the Blues. The winger has a year left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.8 million. Seravalli expects that he’ll be in line for a raise in the $8 million-plus range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seravalli noted that Buchnevich was a hot commodity before the March trade deadline but the Blues’ asking price was three first-round equivalents. That price could drop as the winger would now be a one-year rental unless inquiring teams intend to re-sign him.

There was talk earlier this year that the Blues were interested in re-signing Buchnevich and he wanted to stay. We’ll find out soon enough whether those discussions get serious.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 20, 2023

by | Oct 20, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – October 20, 2023

The latest on the Canadiens, Blackhawks and Jets plus an update on the Predators’ rumored interest in Conor Garland in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE CANADIENS, BLACKHAWKS AND JETS

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy believes the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks and Winnipeg Jets could make some noticeable moves leading up to the American Thanksgiving on Nov. 23.

A source told Murphy there’s a market for Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau. The Canadiens are said to be listening to offers. The San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings and Philadelphia Flyers have expressed more than a passing interest.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens are carrying Primeau as their third goalie. They don’t want to risk losing him to waivers if they attempt to send him back to their AHL affiliate in Laval. I don’t think they want to move Primeau as they will need him if Sam Montembeault or Jake Allen become injured at some point.

The rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks are still in sell-and-stock mode. A pro scout told Murphy he keeps hearing that Tyler Johnson, Nikita Zaitsev and Jarred Tinordi are out there in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t doubt that all three could be shopped at some point this season. However, those moves seem more likely to happen near the March 8 trade deadline.

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt (NHL Images).

The Jets, meanwhile, could try to clear some cap space in the trade market. Murphy wondered if defenseman Nate Schmidt might help a depleted Florida Panthers blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schmidt carries a cap hit of $5.95 million. The Panthers are pressed for cap space. I don’t think there’s a fit there even if the Jets retained some salary.

UPDATE ON GARLAND

THE FOURTH PERIOD: Dave Pagnotta recently noted that the Nashville Predators were among the teams interested in Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland. He also claimed the Predators would be willing to part with defenseman Dante Fabbro as part of a move.

SPORTSNET: In his latest “32 Thoughts” column, Elliotte Friedman believes Luke Schenn’s injury decreased the possibility of the Predators acquiring Garland. “If Dante Fabbro was the desired return, the Predators need him now,” wrote Friedman, who’s not as certain that they were as interested in Garland as originally believed.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn is for four to six weeks with a lower-body injury. Maybe the Predators will be more willing to move Fabbro after his return. By that point, however, the Canucks may have shipped Garland to another club. Then again, perhaps the Preds weren’t as keen to move Fabbro as some suggest.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors – July 30, 2023

by | Jul 30, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors – July 30, 2023

Highlights from a recent interview with NHLPA director Marty Walsh plus the latest on Erik Karlsson, Vladimir Tarasenko and the Jets in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors.

MORNING COFFEE HEADLINES

ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski interviewed the NHL Player Association’s new executive director Marty Walsh regarding a variety of topics facing PA and the league. Among the highlights:

Walsh is concerned over whether the NHL’s revenue growth is commensurate with the revenues the league is generating. He also wonders if that growth will put the league’s top stars closer to the salaries of comparable stars in other sports leagues or if it will “unsqueeze” the salaries of veterans whose earnings suffer as a result of salary-cap constraints.

“I’m not being critical, but team franchise wealth is certainly growing at a disproportionate rate compared to what the players are making,” Walsh told Wyshynski. He pointed out there will be more teams that will be worth $1 billion USD within a couple of years, and soon there will be teams worth $2 billion USD.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Walsh acknowledged the flattened salary cap since 2020-21 brought about by COVID-19 has affected player contracts. That’s because of the memorandum of understanding extending the CBA to 2026 where the players agreed to a fixed escrow rate. However, that created an imbalance in the 50-50 revenue split leaving an escrow debt to the owners that the players had to repay.

That debt will be fully repaid at the end of 2023-24 when the salary cap is projected to significantly rise by at least $4 million over the current rate of $83.5 million. It could exceed $92 million by 2025-26.

Walsh is also focusing on creating opportunities for players within the current salary-cap system. He would like them to do more “domestically and internationally” to create more relationships and partnerships to grow the game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, do more to generate more revenue and that will translate into a higher salary cap and thus more money for the players.

There are concerns on the players’ side that the owners will attempt to put the current 50-50 split in league revenue on the table in the next round of collective bargaining when the current agreement expires in 2026. Walsh, however, doesn’t see the benefit for the owners to attempt to change it, believing it’s better for the league to maintain stability.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some team owners could entertain the notion of tipping more of the revenue share in their favor. However, it will be NHL commissioner Gary Bettman who’ll decide if that’s something the owners’ side will fight for in negotiations. He could agree with Walsh that the current split is working fine for both sides.

Walsh also said he’s working with Bettman and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) regarding NHL participation in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy. He also indicated that the players are keen to participate in the next World Cup of Hockey, which he said is a priority for the PA and the NHL. They would also like to find a way to have the league’s Russian players participate in the World Cup “in some credible way.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The COVID-19 pandemic prevent NHL players from participating in the 2022 Winter Olympics and pushed the World Cup ahead to a potential tournament in February 2025. Nevertheless, it’s been seven years since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, which was the last international tournament with NHL participation.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

Walsh said he hasn’t had conversations yet with the NHL regarding a possible expansion of the regular-season schedule and the playoffs. He also believes there soon needs to be clarity regarding the Arizona Coyotes’ arena situation. Despite the recent ban on specialty warm-up jerseys, Walsh believes there’s an opportunity to revisit this issue down the road.

SUNDAY NHL RUMOR ROUNDUP

THE ATHLETIC: Rob Rossi recently noted that the Pittsburgh Penguins is the only club among those reportedly interested in San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson that hasn’t made a major roster move over the past two weeks.

The Carolina Hurricanes added defenseman Tony DeAngelo and re-signed Sebastian Aho to the largest contract in franchise history. The Toronto Maple Leafs placed oft-injured goaltender Matt Murray on long-term injury reserve, perhaps for the entirety of the 2023-24 season. The Seattle Kraken signed blueliner Vince Dunn to a four-year deal.

Rossi acknowledged those moves might not eliminate those clubs from the Karlsson sweepstakes. However, he also thinks the Penguins’ recent lack of activity hints they could know something about the three-time Norris Trophy winner’s situation that nobody else does.

Noting the upcoming arbitration hearing for Penguins forward Drew O’Connor, Rossi indicated that the club will have a 48-hour window to buy out a contract beginning 72 hours after a ruling or a settlement with O’Connor.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My theory is Penguins hockey ops president (and acting general manager) Kyle Dubas will buy out a contract, perhaps that of winger Mikael Granlund. Cap Friendly indicates it will provide the Penguins with over $4.1 million in cap space for the coming season, which could prove invaluable in pulling off what is expected to be a complicated trade to acquire Karlsson.

BALLY SPORTS MIDWEST’s Andy Strickland reported Vladimir Tarasenko had a four-year offer from the Ottawa Senators worth $5.5 million annually earlier in free agency. The 31-year-old winger also received one-year offers worth $5.25 million from the Hurricanes and Sharks.

THE ATHLETIC’s Jeremy Rutherford tweeted that the Florida Panthers also made an offer for Tarasenko.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Senators last Thursday.

WINNIPEG SUN: Scott Billeck recently weighed in on the Jets’ logjam on defense. He doesn’t expect the club to move out a veteran such as Nate Schmidt or Neal Pionk to make room for younger defensemen such as Logan Stanley, Ville Heinola, Kyle Capobianco and Declan Chisholm. That won’t help the club develop those blueliners but it won’t help the Jets in their current “win-now” mode to trade a veteran rearguard.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could change if the Jets are out of playoff contention by midseason.