NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 14, 2025

by | May 14, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 14, 2025

The Stars push the Jets to the brink of elimination, the league suspends Panthers minority owner Doug Cifu, and the latest on the Oilers, Leafs, Capitals and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: A hat trick by Mikael Granlund gave the Dallas Stars a 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 4 of their best-of-seven second-round series, pushing the Jets to the brink of elimination.

San Jose Sharks forward Mikael Granlund (NHL Images).

Jake Oettinger made 31 saves for the Stars, who hold a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Nikolaj Ehlers scored for the Jets, who got 21 saves from Connor Hellebuyck.

The Stars can wrap up this series in Game 5 in Winnipeg on Thursday, May 15, at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That hat trick was Granlund’s first in the postseason. His last regular-season hat trick was in 2017. Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen returned to action after being sidelined by a knee injury since late January. He assisted on Granlund’s second goal, which proved to be the game-winner.

The Jets played their best road game of the postseason, generating 70 shot attempts, but they could only put one goal past Oettinger, who made a big save on Kyle Connor before Granlund’s winning goal. Their special teams were a problem, giving up two power-play goals while failing to generate offense with the man advantage. The Jets have yet to win a road game in this postseason.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The league has suspended Panthers minority owner Doug Cifu indefinitely for “unacceptable and inappropriate” posts on the social media platform “X”, formerly Twitter.

Cifu made the posts in response to a comment from a Leafs fan. He has since deleted his “X” account and apologized. Cifu and will soon have an in-person meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

NHL.COM: Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz was on the ice taking shots during an optional skate on Tuesday. He’s been sidelined by a suspected concussion since Game 1 of their second-round series with the Panthers. Stolarz is improving, but he won’t be in the lineup for Game 5 on Wednesday.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers winger Evander Kane has been a solid physical presence for his club in this postseason, netting seven points in nine games thus far. The 33-year-old winger missed the 2024-25 regular season recovering from abdominal, hip, and knee surgeries.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane was a shadow of himself during last year’s postseason as he tried to play through his injuries. Now healthy, he’s been a factor for the Oilers, who are poised to reach the Western Conference Final for the third time in four years.

TSN: Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm could be ready to return to action if his club advances to the next series. The 34-year-old has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury since Apr. 11.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Getting Ekholm back for the Western Conference Final would provide a significant boost to the Oilers’ defense corps, but first, they must eliminate the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 on Wednesday in Las Vegas.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery is expected to shake up his roster before Game 5 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. The Capitals face elimination, down three games to one to the Hurricanes in their second-round series.

TSN: The Los Angeles Kings will formally announce Ken Holland as their new general manager on Thursday. Holland is the former GM of the Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers.

RG.ORG: The San Jose Sharks are close to an agreement on a new contract with Shakir Mukhamadullin. The 23-year-old defenseman is coming off his entry-level contract and appeared in 30 games with the Sharks this season, finishing with nine points.

SPORTSNET: The new compensation rates for NHL offer sheets have been revealed.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Click the link above to see the breakdown of those rates.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 11, 2025

by | May 11, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 11, 2025

The Hurricanes regain the series lead over the Capitals, the Golden Knights get their first win in their second-round series with the Oilers, six more skaters are named to the Quarter-Century Team, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF SATURDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen had a 21-save shutout to blank the Washington Capitals 4-0 in Game 3 of their best-of-seven second-round series.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (NHL Images).

Andrei Svechnikov’s first goal of this series was the game-winner, while Jack Roslovic had a goal and an assist. Capitals goalie Logan Thompson stopped 24 shots.

The Hurricanes lead this series two games to one. Game 4 is in Raleigh on Monday, May 12, at 7 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals had a solid first period, but the Hurricanes seized control of this game in the second period. Their special teams made the difference, scoring on both power-play opportunities and killing off two penalties.

A last-second goal by Reilly Smith lifted the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their second-round series.

Smith finished with two goals for Vegas, who overcame an early 2-0 deficit as Oilers winger Corey Perry tallied twice to open the scoring. William Karlsson gave the Golden Knights the lead in the second period, but Oilers captain Connor McDavid tied it late in the third. This game seemed headed to overtime until Smith put it away with 0.4 seconds left.

The Oilers hold a 2-1 lead in this series. Game 4 is in Edmonton on Monday at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vegas winger Pavel Dorofeyev made his series debut after being sidelined since Game 6 of their first-round series with Minnesota. However, Golden Knights captain Mark Stone left this game with an upper-body injury following a collision with Perry in the first period.

A lower-body injury to Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard (day-to-day) led to Stuart Skinner’s first start since Game 2 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings. Skinner finished with 20 saves.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Six skaters who made their NHL debuts after 2010 were named to the league’s Quarter-Century team.

Edmonton Oilers forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are among the six, along with Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar, and former Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau.

Six goaltenders will be revealed on Sunday, May 11.

TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said goaltender Anthony Stolarz is “progressing in the right direction” in his recovery from an upper-body injury. However, he has not yet resumed skating.

Stolarz was injured in Game 1 after taking a shot off his mask and a forearm to the head by Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett. He was replaced by Joseph Woll as the Leafs hold a 2-1 series lead, with Game 4 on Sunday.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks parted ways with assistant coaches Brent Thompson and Rich Clune. New head coach Joel Quenneville is expected to name his own coaching staff.

THE ATHLETIC: Columbus Blue Jackets prospect center Cayden Lindstrom returned to action after missing 13 months with a back injury, collecting an assist for the Medicine Hat Tigers in a 4-1 win over the Spokane Chiefs in Game 1 of their WHL Championship series.

Lindstrom, 19, was chosen fourth overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2024 NHL Draft. He underwent surgery on Nov. 20.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 9, 2025

by | May 9, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 9, 2025

The Oilers take a two-game lead over the Golden Knights, the Capitals tie their series with the Hurricanes, the first six players of the Quarter-Century Team are announced, the Ducks name Joel Quenneville as their new coach, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF THURSDAY’S PLAYOFF GAMES

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Leon Draisaitl lifted the Edmonton Oilers to a 5-4 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of their best-of-seven second-round series.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

The Oilers held a 4-2 lead early in the third period, but the Golden Knights got goals from Victor Olofsson and Alex Pietrangelo to force the extra frame. Connor McDavid collected the assist on Draisaitl’s winning goal while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Viktor Arvidsson and Vasily Podkolzin each collected two points. Olofsson finished with two goals and an assist and Jack Eichel had three helpers for the Golden Knights.

This series moves to Edmonton for the next two games, with the Oilers holding a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 is on Saturday, May 10, at 9 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Edmonton’s depth made the difference in this game, getting goals from Podkolzin, Jake Walman, Darnell Nurse and Evander Kane.

The Oilers have won six straight playoff games, all of them comeback victories. Those wins came with goaltender Calvin Pickard between the pipes. He’s 6-0 in this postseason.

Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy was upset that Arvidsson wasn’t penalized for shoving Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb into the boards moments before Draisaitl’s goal, leaving McNabb with an injured left arm.

Earlier in the period, Golden Knights forward Nicolas Roy received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for cross-checking Oilers forward Trent Frederic in the face. The Oilers failed to score on the ensuing power play.

Vegas winger Pavel Dorofeyev missed his second straight game in this series with an undisclosed injury. He also missed his club’s series-clinching victory against the Minnesota Wild.

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson stopped 27 shots (including 16 in the third period) in a 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, tying their second-round series at a game apiece.

Connor McMichael, John Carlson and Tom Wilson scored for the Capitals, with Wilson collecting an assist on Carlson’s goal. Shayne Gostisbehere replied for the Hurricanes.

The series shifts to Carolina for the next two games, with Game 3 on Saturday at 6 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A better team effort by the Capitals in this game, though at times they were hanging on for dear life in the third period. Thompson was solid again for the Capitals and has been their most valuable player thus far in this postseason.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: The first six skaters named to the league’s Quarter-Century Team were unveiled on Thursday. The group was made up of players who debuted before 2000.

They are defenseman Zdeno Chara, winger Jarome Iginla, defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, center Joe Sakic, winger Teemu Selanne, and center Joe Thornton.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Four of them (Iginla, Lidstrom, Sakic and Selanne) are in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Chara and Thornton will be joining them soon.

The next seven skaters will be revealed on Friday, May 9, and will be comprised of players who debuted between 2000 and 2010. It’s safe to assume Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will be on that list.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Ducks named Joel Quenneville their new head coach.

Quenneville is second in career wins by an NHL coach (969) and won three Stanley Cups as head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks. However, he stepped down as head coach of the Florida Panthers in 2021 for his role in failing to adequately address sexual allegations by Chicago player Kyle Beach against the Blackhawks’ video coach in 2010. The league banned Quenneville from coaching for three years.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek told reporters that the club had conducted its due diligence into the efforts Quenneville made during his banishment to atone for his actions, which included working with groups that deal with sexual assault and helping survivors. Quenneville expressed remorse for his actions and took full responsibility.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers believe Quenneville should never coach in the NHL again. Others think he’s paid the price for his actions and should be given a second chance.

It was inevitable that Quenneville would land another NHL coaching job after former Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman (who also received a three-year ban from the league for his role in the coverup) was named GM of the Oilers last summer.

I’m curious about Beach’s reaction to this news. When the Oilers hired Bowman, he said he contacted Beach beforehand, claiming he had an “encouraging conversation” with the former player.

Time will tell if Quenneville can coach the rebuilding Ducks into becoming a playoff contender. Despite his impressive coaching resume, it’s been four years since he was last behind an NHL bench.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz did not travel with his teammates to Florida for Games 3 and 4 of their second-round series with the Panthers. Stolarz suffered a head injury following a Game 1 collision with Panthers center Sam Bennett. The Leafs hold a 2-0 series lead.

TSN: On Thursday, Winnipeg Jets defensemen Josh Morrissey and Logan Stanley participated in the club’s optional skate. They are game-time decisions for Game 2 on Friday against the Dallas Stars, who hold a 1-0 lead in their second-round series.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington and center Brayden Schenn have joined Canada’s roster for the upcoming IIHF World Championship in Sweden and Denmark.

DAILY FACEOFF: New Jersey Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic underwent knee surgery on Thursday and won’t be ready for training camp in September.

Former Vancouver Canucks goaltender Frank Caprice died on Thursday at age 63. He spent six seasons with the Canucks from 1982-83 to 1987-88, with a record of 31 wins, 46 losses and 11 ties in 102 games with a 4.20 goals-against average, a save percentage of .859, and one shutout.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Caprice’s family, friends, former teammates and the Canucks organization.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 7, 2025

by | May 7, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 7, 2025

The Oilers and Hurricanes win the opening games of their second-round series, plus the latest on Sam Bennett, Mark Scheifele, Torey Krug and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF TUESDAY’S STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS ACTION

NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers overcame a 2-0 deficit to double up the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in Game 1 of their best-of-seven second-round series.

Corey Perry, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman and Connor Brown scored while Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard collected two assists apiece. Mark Stone scored both goals for the Golden Knights.

Game 2 is Thursday, May 8, in Las Vegas at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers are the first team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history with five straight comeback wins in a single postseason. Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo missed this game with an illness and winger Pavel Dorofeyev was sidelined by an undisclosed injury.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (NHL Images).

An overtime goal by Jaccob Slavin lifted the Carolina Hurricanes to a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals in the opening game of their second-round series.

The Capitals opened the scoring in the second period as Aliaksei Protas netted his first goal of this postseason. Hurricanes forward Logan Stankoven tied it in the third period.

Game 2 is Thursday in Washington at 7 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite the close score, the Hurricanes controlled most of the play, outshooting Washington 33-14, out-hitting them 44-31 and winning 55.6 percent of the faceoffs. Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson kept his club in this one.

HEADLINES

TORONTO SUN: Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett avoided supplemental discipline for elbowing Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz in the head during Game 1 of their second-round series. Stolarz left the game and was hospitalized overnight for observation. He was released yesterday and the Leafs aren’t ruling him out for Game 2.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Bennett said he wasn’t attempting to injure Stolarz, claiming he was taking the puck to the net and inadvertently bumped the Leafs netminder. He cited his friendship with Stolarz, who played for the Panthers’ Stanley Cup-winning team last season, adding he reached out to the goalie after learning he’d been hospitalized.

THE ATHLETIC: The Leafs and Panthers are trying to dial down the heat from this incident. Panthers coach Paul Maurice attempted to downplay it while blaming the Toronto media for fanning the flames. Meanwhile, Leafs coach Craig Berube said he wants his players to focus on the game rather than retribution.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bennett plays a hard, physical two-way style, but he has a history of questionable hits, with the most infamous among Leafs followers being his takedown of Matthew Knies during the second-round series between the two clubs in 2023.

Bennett isn’t the only Panther to draw the ire of opponents. Matthew Tkachuk has a well-deserved reputation as an agitator. Aaron Ekblad concussed Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel during their first-round series with a forearm to the head.

Every team has players who use such tactics to distract their opponents, but the Panthers have taken it to a higher level. It makes them the team you love to hate, but there’s no denying that it’s been successful for them.

Florida has taken a page from the Philadelphia Flyers of the mid-1970s, who combined talent with brawling to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. The mayhem of the “Broad Street Bullies” era has been long eradicated, but it’s been replaced with sneaky hits and chippy play that often goes uncalled in the postseason.

The Panthers are an undeniably talented team. However, their “in-your-face” style has garnered them a reputation around the league as cheap-shot artists, tarnishing their success since 2022-23.

TSN: Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey and Logan Stanley are all considered day-to-day after skating in non-contract jerseys during the Winnipeg Jets’ optional skate on Monday. They’re considered day-to-day and will be game-time decisions for Game 1 of their second-round series with the Dallas Stars.

The puck drops for that contest at 9:30 pm ET on Wednesday, May 7, in Winnipeg.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said sidelined defenseman Torey Krug’s playing career could be over. The 34-year-old Krug missed all of this season recovering from surgery to address pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle last September.

Krug is in the fifth season of a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Krug has not officially spoken about his condition or his future. He’s unlikely to retire if his playing career is over. Instead, he’ll go on long-term injury reserve for the remaining two years of his contract.

Armstrong also revealed that forward Dylan Holloway and defenseman Tyler Tucker suffered undisclosed season-ending injuries. Holloway was sidelined on Apr. 3 and underwent surgery, while Tucker appeared to injure a knee in Game 4 of the Blues’ first-round series with the Jets.

THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche management indicated head coach Jared Bednar would return behind the bench next season. However, assistant coach Ray Bennett was relieved of his duties. Bennett ran their power play for eight seasons.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Kings president Luc Robitaille expects head coach Jim Hiller to return next season. The Kings tied franchise records for wins (48) and points (105) this season but suffered their fourth-straight first-round exit at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators parted ways with associate GM Ryan Bowness. It’s expected that director of player personnel Rob DiMaio will move into that role.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 6, 2025

by | May 6, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 6, 2025

The Maple Leafs hold off the Panthers in Game 1 of their second-round series, the Islanders win the draft lottery, the Calder Trophy finalists are announced, Rob Blake steps down as the Kings GM, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: William Nylander scored twice and collected an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs held off the Florida Panthers 5-4. Matthew Knies and Chris Tanev each had a goal and an assist while Max Pacioretty and Jake McCabe picked up two assists. Brad Marchand and Carter Verhaeghe each collected two assists for the Panthers.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs got off to a hot start on Nylander’s two goals. Morgan Rielly put them up 3-1 before the end of the period. Tanev made it 4-1 in the second but the Panthers cut the lead in the third to 4-3 before Knies tallied what proved to be the game-winner.

Panthers forward Sam Bennett could face supplemental discipline for elbowing Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz in the head midway through the second period. There was no penalty called on the play. Stolarz left the game after vomiting at the Leafs bench during a TV timeout, departing Scotiabank Arena on a stretcher to a local hospital for evaluation. Joseph Woll replaced Stolarz, finishing with 17 saves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stolarz’s injury overshadowed an entertaining opening game between these two clubs. There was no postgame update on his condition. More information could be released on Tuesday.

For the first time since 2009, the New York Islanders have the first-overall draft pick. They won the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery, moving up from having the 10th-best chance of winning the lottery.

The San Jose Sharks had the best odds, finishing last in this season’s overall standings. However, the Isles’ win drops the Sharks into second overall and the Chicago Blackhawks (who finished second-last in the standings) into third overall.

The Utah Hockey Club moved up 10 spots into fourth overall after winning the second draw.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link above for the full listing of the top 16 in this year’s draft. The remaining 16 spots will be determined by the end of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The last four selections will belong to the final-four playoff teams regardless of their placement in the regular-season standings. The 32nd pick will go to the Stanley Cup champion with the 31st pick going to the other Cup Finalist.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers have until June 25 to decide if they’ll keep their first-round pick (12th overall) or send it to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

That pick is top-13 protected. It was sent to the Vancouver Canucks as part of the return in the J.T. Miller trade in January. The Canucks flipped that pick to the Penguins as part of the return in the Marcus Pettersson trade.

If the Rangers retain that pick, their unprotected 2026 first-rounder will belong to the Penguins.

NHL.COM: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, and Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf are the finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hutson is considered the favorite here. He led this season’s rookies with 60 assists, 66 points (a record for an NHL rookie defenseman). He also led them in ice time (22:44) among rookies with at least 25 games played.

Flyers fans were disappointed that winger Matvei Michkov wasn’t among the finalists. He led all rookies with 26 goals and finished second in points with 63. He’d be a candidate (perhaps even the favorite) in any other season, but was up against three stronger candidates in 2024-25.

Hutson is an obvious finalist as his performance played a key role in the rebuilding Canadiens reaching the playoffs. Celebrini had the same point total as Michkov but did so in 10 fewer games after missing several weeks with an early-season injury. He also played a larger role with the Sharks than Michkov did with the Flyers.

Wolf’s performance kept the Flames in playoff contention until the final days of the regular season. That gave him the edge over Michkov, whose club finished last in the Eastern Conference.

THE ATHLETIC: The Los Angeles Kings announced Rob Blake will not return as general manager. They didn’t announce an immediate replacement for Blake. Team president Luc Robitaille will hold a press conference on Tuesday. The future of head coach Jim Hiller remains undetermined.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This news comes after the Kings suffered their fourth-straight first-round elimination at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.

The Athletic’s Eric Stephens pointed out that Blake has a mixed legacy with the Kings, building up the roster through the draft, free agency and trades, but also making some questionable moves in the trade market. Stephens singled out the acquisition of Pierre-Luc Dubois, shipping out Sean Durzi to the Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Hockey Club), and including then-prospect Brock Faber to the Minnesota Wild for winger Kevin Fiala.

John Hoven of the Kings’ site Mayor’s Manor listed several potential candidates to replace Blake. They include Kings director of scouting Mark Yannetti, former Kings assistant GM Mike Futa, and Marc Bergevin, the senior advisor to the GM.

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz confirmed Andrew Brunette will return as head coach next season.

TSN: Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will play for Canada at the upcoming IIHF World Championship, joining his friend and former teammate Sidney Crosby. It’s the first time Fleury will play in the Worlds.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils defenseman Luke Hughes underwent successful shoulder surgery. Winger Jesper Bratt will also undergo shoulder surgery. Both players are expected to be ready for training camp in September.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators hope to sign Claude Giroux to a contract extension. The versatile 37-year-old forward is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

The Senators are also expected to retain their 2025 first-round pick, which is 21st overall. The league penalized the Senators a first-round pick in either 2024, 2025 or 2026 because of a botched trade with the Vegas Golden Knights involving Evgenii Dadonov in March 2022.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks forward William Eklund underwent successful wrist surgery on Monday. His recovery will take three months, and he’s expected to be ready for training camp in September.

Eklund was playing for Sweden against Czechia in a tune-up game for the upcoming Worlds when his wrist was cut by a skate. He avoided significant tendon and nerve damage.

RG.ORG: Spencer Knight embraces his new role as the Chicago Blackhawks’ starting goaltender. He’s hoping to play 65 games next season.

TSN: The NHL is reportedly planning an international event at UBS Arena next February instead of the previously announced NHL All-Star weekend.

DAILY FACEOFF: David Carle won’t be joining the ranks of NHL coaches, signing a multi-year extension with the University of Denver.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 14, 2024

by | Dec 14, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 14, 2024

The Senators upset the Hurricanes, injury updates, the Islanders put two players on waivers, an update on Robin Lehner, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark had a 32-save shutout to upset the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0. Shane Pinto scored twice and Nick Jensen also tallied for the Senators (30 points) as they move to within two points of a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 19 shots for the Hurricanes, who’ve lost five of their last seven contests.

Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Score’s Josh Wegman observed the Hurricanes haven’t had an even-strength goal in three straight games. Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho has been struggling to score this season with just seven goals in 29 games.

On Friday, Senators center Josh Norris was fined $2,000.00 by the league’s department of player safety for embellishment during a Dec. 5 game against the Detroit Red Wings.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Minnesota Wild placed defenseman Jake Middleton on long-term injury reserve with an upper-body injury. He underwent surgery on Friday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild claimed defenseman Travis Dermott off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers as a short-term replacement for Middleton.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Speaking of the Oilers, defenseman Evan Bouchard is considered “50-50” to play in Saturday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Bouchard was injured late in Thursday’s game against the Wild when he was knocked into the net by forward Ryan Hartman late in the game.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller (upper body) was placed on injured reserve. He’s expected to be sidelined for at least a week and won’t join the team for its upcoming three-game road trip.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings goaltender Cam Talbot left practice on Friday with a lower-body injury. The Wings recalled netminder Jack Campbell on an emergency basis to back up Ville Husso.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The Leafs recalled Dennis Hildeby on an emergency basis.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The Islanders placed forwards Pierre Engvall and Oliver Wahlstrom on waivers. The moves come with sidelined forwards Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair and defenseman Adam Pelech poised to return to the lineup.

SPORTSNET: Golden Knights goalie Robin Lehner publicly opened up about his bankruptcy case. He disputed reports claiming he and his wife were no longer responding to lawyers involved in the case and dropped out of sight after vacating their Las Vegas home.

Lehner called those reports “fake”, claiming communication with his lawyer stopped after he could no longer continue paying him and accusing the lawyer of lying to the court. The netminder said he wasn’t looking for sympathy but had gone through some personal problems he wasn’t ready to divulge. He also blamed the media for sensationalizing his situation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lehner wouldn’t comment about the future of his playing career. He last played in 2022. His contract, which expires at the end of this season, no longer counts against the Golden Knights’ salary cap.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Speaking of the Golden Knights, they signed forward Keegan Kolesar to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $2.5 million.

THE GUARDIAN: Former NHL coach Gerard Gallant was named head coach for Team Canada at the upcoming Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland. His assistant coaches will be Dave Hakstol, Mike Kelly and Johan Lundskog.

DAILY FACEOFF: The driver accused of hitting and killing Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew while intoxicated on Aug. 30 was indicted by a grand jury. He faces charges of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide, first-degree aggravated manslaughter, fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence, and second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident.