NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 3, 2024

by | Sep 3, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 3, 2024

Brad Marchand’s future with the Bruins, early contenders for the Calder Trophy, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ken Campbell points out Brad Marchand’s future with the Boston Bruins has been overshadowed by the recent speculation about teammate Jeremy Swayman’s contract negotiations.

Marchand is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He’ll be 37 by then but could still have value if he scores 30 goals and maintains his effective, pesky style of play.

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand (NHL Images).

Once the Swayman saga is resolved, Campbell expects Bruins management to shift their focus to Marchand.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand earns an average annual value of $6.125 million on a contract he signed in Sept. 2016 following his then-career-best performance of 37 goals and 61 points.

The Bruins got great value from this deal as Marchand exceeded 30 goals four times and 80-plus points five times, including a career-high 100 points in 2018-19. He became an invaluable core player and became the team captain last fall following Patrice Bergeron’s retirement.

Marchand’s production declined over the past two seasons with back-to-back 67-point performances, though he narrowly missed the 30-goal plateau last season, finishing with 29. Still, he should remain a high-value target in next summer’s free-agent market if he and the Bruins fail to agree to an extension.

There will undoubtedly be mutual interest between the two sides in getting a contract extension done before next July. It’s unlikely Marchand will hit the open market but we can’t dismiss the possibility.

DAILY FACEOFF: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini tops Steven Ellis’ list of this season’s top five early Calder Memorial Trophy candidates.

Celebrini’s teammate Will Smith is also on Ellis’ list, followed by Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier, Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov, and Dallas Stars winger Logan Stankoven.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This season’s race for Rookie of the Year honors could be intriguing.

A gifted young forward, Celebrini is the early favorite because he was chosen first overall in this year’s draft. Smith isn’t as well known as the others on this list but Ellis points out that he’s a proven winner, especially at the international level.

Gauthier garnered headlines last season when his refusal to play for the Philadelphia Flyers led to his midseason trade to the Ducks. Michkov is a much-hyped Russian prospect. Stankoven has a leg up on the others given his 24 regular-season games and 19 postseason contests in 2023-24.

SPORTSNET: Meredith Gaudreau, the wife of Johnny Gaudreau, thanked the city of Calgary and the Flames for the memorial outside the Saddledome honoring her late husband.

“Thank you, Calgary,” Gaudreau wrote on his Instagram page. “This is amazing. But I’m not surprised. The best people ever.”

Johnny Gaudreau played most of his career with the Flames before signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022. He and his brother Matthew were killed by a drunk driver last Thursday.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jaromir Jagr left a heartfelt message for Gaudreau on his Instagram account. The two were teammates in Calgary for 22 games in 2017-18, with Gaudreau assisting on what proved to be Jagr’s only goal with the Flames and his final NHL goal.

DETROIT HOCKEY NEWS: Former Red Wings winger Filip Zadina signed a two-year contract with HC Davos in Switzerland. The 24-year-old was chosen sixth overall by the Red Wings in the 2018 draft but struggled to establish himself as a scoring forward with the Wings and San Jose Sharks.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: A recent report out of Russia claimed a KHL team looked into signing former Flyers goaltender Carter Hart before deciding to stick with their current goalies.

Hart is among five players awaiting trial on sexual assault charges stemming from his alleged involvement in the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault case. He has not played since January and became an unrestricted free agent after the Flyers declined to qualify his rights.

Hart’s co-defendants Michael McLeod and Dillon Dube signed one-year contracts with KHL teams this summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Former Minnesota Wild forward Stephane Veilleux, 42, is on the road to recovery following a life-threatening car crash on June 19.

Veilleux’s vehicle was struck by a teenager driving a Toyota Highland that ran a stop sign and T-boned his Nissan Rogue. He’s been in a halo vest to immobilize his neck to allow his C1 vertebrae to heal.

The former Wild forward is grateful to the team, his former teammates, his best friend, his community, and his ex-wife for their assistance during his recovery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Veilleux for a complete recovery.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 2, 2024

by | Sep 2, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 2, 2024

The latest on the remaining notable unrestricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently listed several noteworthy players still available in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.

Fox noted Tyler Johnson signed a professional tryout offer (PTO) with the Boston Bruins. He believes the versatile 32-year-old forward has a legitimate shot of adding to the Bruins’ depth at center this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Much depends on the outcome of Boston’s contract negotiations with restricted free-agent goaltender Jeremy Swayman. The Bruins have just over $8.6 million in cap space but most of that will go to Swayman.

Former Nashville Predators defenseman Tyson Barrie (NHL Images)

Three teams are believed to be interested in former San Jose Sharks winger Filip Zadina. The Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs are said to be among them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zadina could make his decision by this week. It’s believed his agent is trying to get him a PTO.

A lack of available young defensemen could make Calen Addison, 24, enticing to teams seeking a right-shot blueliner. Fox noted the Edmonton Oilers could have an opening.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent speculation suggests the Oilers are considering more experienced options. Read on…

Fox speculates John Klingberg could land a PTO or short-term offer once he’s fully healthy. The 32-year-old underwent season-ending hip surgery last December.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s been nothing new in the rumor mill about Klingberg. That doesn’t mean he isn’t talking to teams. We’ll find out soon enough if a team will take a chance on him.

Recent speculation suggests the Oilers could consider bringing back Tyson Barrie.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They’ve also been linked to puck-moving blueliner Tony DeAngelo and former Oiler Justin Schultz.

Veteran left winger Max Pacioretty has been tied to the Maple Leafs, Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers in the rumor mill.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Detroit Red Wings have also been mentioned as a possible destination for Pacioretty.

Wingers James van Riemsdyk and Kevin Labanc also remain available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No word yet on whether either forward is close to signing a PTO or a contract with an NHL club.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 30, 2024

by | Aug 30, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 30, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: The latest speculation about Linus Ullmark’s next contract, rumored PTO destinations for free-agent winger Filip Zadina, and several Flyers face uncertain futures.

MORE SPECULATION OVER ULLMARK’S NEXT CONTRACT

NHL insider and podcaster Shawn Simpson noted the Nashville Predators signed Juuse Saros earlier this summer to an eight-year extension with an average annual value of $7.74 million.

Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (NHL Images).

Simpson believes an extension for Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark will have a similar AAV but will be six years long.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There has been plenty of buzz recently about Ullmark’s plans with the Senators following a report that he bought a house in the Ottawa area. The 30-year-old goalie was traded to the Senators by the Boston Bruins in June.

So far, there are no recent reports from the Senators or the local media regarding a contract extension for Ullmark. We’ll likely hear more about it once training camp starts in mid-September.

WHERE WILL ZADINA LAND?

TVA SPORTS: Czech journalist Pavel Barta recently reported the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Colorado Avalanche were interested in signing free-agent winger Filip Zadina to a professional tryout offer (PTO).

Earlier in the week, Barta reported the 24-year-old Zadina had signed a PTO with the Buffalo Sabres. However, the winger’s agent denied this, adding that they were working on signing with another club.

It would be intriguing if the Canadiens bring in Zadina, as the club’s management at the time skipped over him to select Jesperi Kotkaniemi with the third overall pick in the 2018 draft.

Chosen sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings, Zadina vowed to make the Canadiens pay by “filling their net”. However, he struggled to establish himself as a scoring winger with the Red Wings and San Jose Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zadina’s status as a top-10 draft pick who has yet to pan out as hoped makes his potential PTO situation a subject of interest in the rumor mill. The trade market has also quieted following last week’s frenzy of moves including the Canadiens acquiring Patrik Laine.

SEVERAL FLYERS FACING THEIR LAST CHANCE?

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey listed a handful of Flyers coming off bad seasons who could be on their last legs with the organization.

Rasmus Ristolainen has become a reliable if overpaid defense-first, bottom-three defenseman for the Flyers. He was getting mentioned as a trade candidate before suffering a triceps injury that prematurely ended his 2023-24 season. With top prospect Oliver Bonk developing rapidly, Ristolainen’s days as a Flyer seem numbered. He has three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.1 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ristolainen lacks no-trade protection but the Flyers might have to include a sweetener if they want to move the entirety of his cap hit.

Noah Cates also suffered an unproductive, injury-shortened campaign. The 25-year-old forward managed 18 points in 59 games last season. He’s entering the final season of a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.65 million and will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July.

Time is running out for Morgan Frost to show he’s a reliable middle-six center. He struggled last season but had a solid second half to finish with 41 points. The 25-year-old carries an AAV of $2.1 million and is also slated to become an RFA with arbitration rights in July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cates and Frost could have value as reclamation projects by other clubs. The Flyers won’t get much of a return for either player if they struggle again this season. If they improve, however, management could decide to keep them around.










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 and Rumors – August 5, 2024

by | Aug 5, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors – August 5, 2024

It’s a holiday Monday in Canada so there’s little hockey news to report. Here’s a brief look at the notable remaining unrestricted free agents plus a look at whether Patrik Laine would be a fit with the Bruins.

DAILY FACEOFF: recently listed the top remaining players in this summer’s unrestricted free agent market.

Right wing James van Riemsdyk tops the list, followed by defensemen Tyson Barrie and Tony DeAngelo.

Former Nashville Predators defenseman Tyson Barrie (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barrie was in his hometown of Victoria, BC, on Saturday hosting a charity concert featuring Grammy Award winner Sarah McLaughlan. There’s no word if he’s in discussions with any NHL teams for next season.

As for DeAngelo, SI.com cited Hockey News Hub claiming the blueliner was reportedly signing with SKA St. Petersburg. No official word yet from him or the club.

Right wings Tyler Johnson, Kevin Labanc and Mike Hoffman, defenseman Oliver Kylington, left wings Max Pacioretty and Jakub Vrana, and blueliner Justin Schultz rounded out the top 10.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: These players have occasionally surfaced in free agent rumors over the past month as options for NHL clubs seeking affordable depth. However, no reports suggest any of them are close to signing.

Other notables include defenseman John Klingberg, goaltender Kevin Lankinen, left wing Nick Cousins, goalie Antti Raanta, and wingers Cal Clutterbuck and Filip Zadina.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s been no updates on Klingberg since he underwent season-ending hip surgery in December. The latest on Cousins is he’ll be having his day with the Stanley Cup on Aug. 20 but nothing on talks with NHL teams.

THE BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont pondered the possibility of the Bruins looking into acquiring Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine. With the offseason departure of Jake DeBrusk, he believes the 26-year-old Laine could be a good fit among the Bruins’ top-six forwards.

Laine’s contract, however, is a significant obstacle. He has two years remaining on his deal with an average annual value of $8.7 million. The Bruins currently have $8.6 million in cap space but most of that will be taken up signing goaltender Jeremy Swayman.

To bring Laine to Boston, the Blues Jackets would have to retain some of Laine’s cap hit. Doing so, however, means the Bruins would be forced to ship out equal bucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dupont believes Laine will most likely suit up with a club that has the cap room to acquire him. He suggested the San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings as the best bet given their depth of exciting young prospects.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 30, 2023

by | Aug 30, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 30, 2023

Check out the latest on the Flames’ Andrew Mangiapane, the Avalanche’s Jonathan Drouin, the Sharks’ Filip Zadina and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

CALGARY SUN: Andrew Mangiapane said he’s “healthy and ready to go” following recovery from shoulder surgery in April. The injury limited the 27-year-old Flames winger to 17 goals after a career-high 35 goals the previous season.

Calgary Flames winger Andrew Mangiapane (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mangiapane injured his shoulder during the opening month of last season but still played the full 82-game schedule. He and the club didn’t reveal his condition until after his surgery. A return to form could help the Flames bounce back from missing the playoffs in 2022-23.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Drouin is looking forward to playing for a winning team with the Avalanche under less of a spotlight compared to what he faced during his tenure with the rebuilding Montreal Canadiens.

“There’s a little less media, a little less stuff going on,” said Drouin. The 28-year-old forward believes it will do him good to play for “a really good team” that “has a chance to make the playoffs, maybe more.” He’s also looking forward to reuniting with Nathan MacKinnon, his teammate from their days with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Drouin faced a harsh spotlight in Montreal. Injuries hampered his performance while the anxiety of the pressure of playing for the Habs affected his mental health, forcing him to take a leave of absence during the 2020-21 season. Playing with the Avs could help him get his career back on its once-promising track.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Former Red Wings forward Filip Zadina believes the club brought him into their lineup before he was ready. “It’s tough for a young rookie to come to a team under rebuilding like Detroit was then,” he told a Czechia reporter. Zadina, 23, joined the San Jose Sharks after his contract was terminated by the Red Wings earlier this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zadina is going from a team further along in its rebuild than the Sharks, though the latter still has a decent veteran core of forwards in Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl and Anthony Duclair. Perhaps he’ll have better luck in San Jose reaching his potential.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Vancouver Canucks winger Ilya Mikheyev’s agent is making terrific strides in recovering from season-ending knee surgery. However, Dan Milstein wants his client and the Canucks to ensure they don’t rush his return to action.

“This is something we’re going to talk about once we get the doctor’s blessing,” said Milstein. He said he keeps reminding Mikheyev that “this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon,” adding that it’s not about the preseason but the full 82-game regular season and perhaps the playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, don’t rush things in training camp and preseason play and risk a setback that could affect your regular-season performance.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins signed defenseman Mark Pysyk and Libor Hajek to professional tryout offers (PTOs).

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of PTOs, defenseman Jordie Benn signed one with the Dallas Stars, rejoining his brother Jamie. Jordie played for the Stars from 2011-12 to 2016-17.

CAROLINA HOCKEY NOW: Forwards Cory Conacher and Brendan Perlini are joining the Hurricanes on PTO contracts.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former Penguins president Brian Burke has taken on a new role with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). He’s the new executive director of its players’ association. The PWHL plans to start its season in January 2024 with teams in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, New York, Boston and Minneapolis-St. Paul.