NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 28, 2026

by | Jan 28, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 28, 2026

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin nets his first career hat trick, Patrick Kane ties a league record, the Devils and Islanders make a trade, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF TUESDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin scored his first career NHL hat trick in a 7-4 drubbing of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dahlin finished the game with five points, and Mattias Samuelsson collected three assists for the 30-17-5 Sabres, who’ve won four straight games. Auston Matthews and Max Domi each had a goal and two assists for the sagging Maple Leafs (24-20-9), who are winless in their last five games (0-4-1).

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dahlin’s hat trick is the fifth by a defenseman this season. It’s also the 28th hat trick in the NHL this month, tying February 1981 for the second-most in a calendar month. The record is 29, set in December 1985.

Dahlin’s performance comes during a season when he and his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, have endured a difficult year following her near-death experience last summer when she underwent emergency heart-transplant surgery. On Monday, Matovac revealed on Instagram that Jan. 26 would’ve been the due date for the couple’s first child. It was her concern about the unborn baby last summer that played a vital role in the discovery of her heart failure.

Speaking of the Sabres, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen left this game in the first period with a lower-body injury.

Detroit Red Wings winger Patrick Kane collected an assist to tie Mike Modano for the most points by a U.S.-born player (1,374) in a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Anton Forsberg stopped 27 shots while Samuel Helenius, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Corey Perry scored for the Kings (22-16-13), who have won three straight games. Alex DeBrincat replied for the 32-17-5 Red Wings.

The San Jose Sharks got a four-point effort from Macklin Celebrini (one goal, three assists) to beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-2. Will Smith had a goal and two assists for the Sharks (27-21-3). Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk each had two assists as the Canucks dropped to 17-31-5.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks received more bad news as they announced that starting goaltender Thatcher Demko will soon undergo season-ending hip surgery.

Winnipeg Jets forwards Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi each had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Kyle Connor collected two assists for the 21-24-7 Jets. Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes each had two points for the Devils (27-24-2).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils held winger Ondrej Palat from this game. They subsequently traded him and two draft picks (2026 third-round pick, 2027 sixth-rounder) to the New York Islanders for winger Maxim Tsyplakov.

Palat’s performance has declined in recent years, and he no longer fits into the Devils’ plans. They reportedly attempted to move him earlier this season to clear his $6 million average annual value through 2026-27 from their books. Bundling those two picks into the deal was what it took to convince the Islanders to take his full cap hit.

Tsyplakov needs a fresh start after the Islanders signed him from the KHL last season. He had a promising NHL debut with 35 points in 77 games, but the 27-year-old winger is struggling this season with two points in 27 games.

Seattle Kraken winger Jared McCann scored twice and set up two goals in a 5-1 victory over the Washington Capitals. Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle each had a goal and an assist for the 24-19-9 Kraken. Alex Ovechkin scored for the Capitals (25-22-7), who are 1-5-1 in their last seven games.

The Boston Bruins got an overtime goal by David Pastrnak to nip the Nashville Predators 3-2. Pastrnak finished with two points to extend his points streak to eight games while Morgan Geekie tallied his 30th goal of the season for the Bruins (31-20-3), who are 9-1-1 in their last 11 contests. Roman Josi and Nick Blankenburg scored for the 24-23-5 Predators, who overcame a 2-0 deficit to force the extra frame.

Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans’ overtime goal lifted his club to a 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Cole Caufield scored his 30th of the season to extend his goal streak to six games for the Canadiens (29-17-7). Pavel Dorofeyev tallied both goals for the 25-14-3 Golden Knights, who are 1-3-1 in their last five games.

Utah Mammoth goaltender Vitek Vanecek made 25 saves to collect his first win since Oct. 26 as his club upset the Florida Panthers 4-3. Sean Durzi had a goal and an assist for the Mammoth (28-21-4), who are 9-1-1 in their last 11 games. Sandis Vilmanis, Cole Schwindt, and Carter Verhaeghe replied for the 28-21-3 Panthers, as their three-game win streak ended.

Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley scored with 1:07 remaining in the third period to give his team a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues. Matt Duchene scored two goals for the 30-14-9 Stars. Brayden Schenn tallied twice for the Blues, who are 0-4-1 in their last five games and dropped to 19-25-9.

The Minnesota Wild overcame a 3-0 deficit to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 on a shootout goal by Kirill Kaprizov. Joel Eriksson Ek had a goal and an assist, and Jesper Wallstedt made 29 saves in regulation and overtime for the Wild (30-14-10). Teuvo Teravainen, Ryan Donato, and Ilya Mikheyev scored for the 21-23-9 Blackhawks, who are winless in their last three games (0-1-2).

IN OTHER NEWS…

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins winger Bryan Rust received a three-game suspension from the NHL’s department of player safety for a hit to the head of Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser.

NHL.COM: Penguins defenseman Jack St. Ivany underwent successful surgery on his left hand. His expected recovery time is eight weeks.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche signed defenseman Sam Malinski to a four-year contract extension worth an AAV of $4.75 million.

NHL.COM: Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Johansson and Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm have been added to Sweden’s Men’s Olympic hockey team. They will replace sidelined Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson and Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 3, 2025

by | Oct 3, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 3, 2025

Devils defenseman Luke Hughes joins his teammates after signing his new contract, the Ducks re-sign Jackson LaCombe, the Panthers re-up Niko Mikkola, the Flames re-sign coach Ryan Huska, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Luke Hughes joined his Devils teammates in practice after signing a seven-year deal. The 22-year-old defenseman missed most of training camp and preseason as a result of those contract talks.

Hughes said he appreciated the advice of his older brother Quinn Hughes (captain of the Vancouver Canucks) during his negotiations with the Devils.

“He said just stay patient, even keel, and get what you want,” Luke said. “As a family, we decided the deal, and we’re really happy with the outcome and really excited to be here for the next seven years.”

Like his brother and teammate Jack, Luke said that he’d like to play with Quinn one day, but added that his older brother loves living and playing in Vancouver. He also stated that his offseason shoulder surgery was successful and that he’s prepared for the upcoming season. “My body feels great, my shoulders are strong, and I’m ready to go.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes’ new contract ties him with veteran defenseman Dougie Hamilton with the highest average annual value ($9 million) among his teammates. He will be under pressure to meet the expectations that come with his expensive new contract. Hughes could feel the effects of missing training camp and preseason play heading into the regular season. How long it takes him to adjust could be a factor for the Devils.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks signed defenseman Jackson LaCombe to an eight-year, $72 million contract extension. The AAV is $9 million commencing in 2026-27, and is the most lucrative contract in franchise history.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (NHL Images)

LaCombe, 24, is in the second season of a two-year contract with an AAV of $925K. He had a breakout performance with the Ducks last season, tallying 11 goals and 43 points in 75 games.

The AAV is the same as what Jack Hughes recently received from the Devils. However, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said it was coincidental, claiming Hughes’ contract had no bearing on LaCombe’s contract talks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The significant pay raise received by LaCombe shows how much confidence the Ducks’ front office has in his development and the role he’ll play on their blueline as they emerge from their rebuilding process.

Unlike Mason McTavish, LaCombe got this contract without a long negotiation period. That’s because he had arbitration rights next summer.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers and defenseman Niko Mikkola agreed to an eight-year, $40 million contract extension. Mikkola, 29, was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The AAV on his new deal is $5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers have locked up another core player to a long-term contract that might not age well in its final seasons. However, they’re willing to deal with that down the road if Mikkola can help them win more Stanley Cups.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames signed head coach Ryan Huska to a two-year contract extension. He has proven to be popular with his players, implementing a relentless forechecking style that maximizes the potential of a roster currently short on offensive talent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames have performed well under Huska’s coaching, narrowly missing the playoffs last season.

The Flames also placed goaltender Ivan Prosvetov on waivers, meaning Devin Cooley will be the backup for starting netminder Dustin Wolf.

TSN: The Tampa Bay Lightning claimed goalie Pheonix Copley off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is an insurance move by the Lightning. Starter Andrei Vasilevskiy missed most of training camp with an undisclosed injury, and it’s uncertain if he’ll play in their final preseason game on Saturday.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins winger Bryan Rust will be sidelined for the next two weeks with a lower-body injury. Defenseman Jack St. Ivany (lower body) will be out for six weeks.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers winger Artemi Panarin participated in the club’s morning skate on Thursday but was not in the lineup for their 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. He remains day-to-day for precautionary reasons with a lower-body injury.

Meanwhile, Islanders prospect Cal Ritchie suffered a lower-body injury in his club’s 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The 20-year-old center is day-to-day.

RG.ORG: Edmonton Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin was surprised by the value of his new three-year, $2.9 million contract extension. “I thought the number would be lower,” Podkolzin said, praising his agents for securing the deal.

DAILY FACEOFF: 22 players were placed on waivers Thursday. They included Utah Mammoth defenseman Scott Perunovich, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Danton Heinen, and Vancouver Canucks forward Vitali Kravtsov.

THE PROVINCE: A woman has filed a lawsuit against former NHL defenseman Willie Mitchell, claiming he sexually assaulted her at his Tofino, BC, home in 2022.