The best remaining unlimited free agents, plus the newest about Canadiens defender Lane Hutson and wild goalkeeper Filip Gustavsson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
Daily faceoff: Forward Jack Roslovic, defender Matt Grzelcyk and winger Max Pacioretty are among the remarkable players who are still available in the unlimited Free-Agent market this summer.
Goalenders James Reimer, Ilya Samsonov and Alexandar Georgiev and Center Evgeny Kuznetsov are among the other remarkable UFAs.
Note from the Spector: Roslovic was linked to the Vancouver Canucks earlier this summer, but recent reports indicate that he is no longer on their radar. It is also rumored that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in signing it as soon as they free up enough dop space.
The Leafs reportedly left the door open for the return of Pacioretty, but that can depend on whether they land Roslovic.
Rg.org: Marco d’Amico reports that a source claims that Montreal Canadiens defender Lane Hutson is excluded from the Olympic orientation camp of Team USA, partly because he has skipped playing in the 2025 world championship. The 21-year-old winner of Calder Trophy, however, could still make their Olympic schedule if he has a strong start this season.
Montreal Canadiens Defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL images).
Note from the Spector: Rumor has Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki for the same reason for the face-off team of 4 nations of Canada.
The main reason why Hutson did not receive an invitation is probably the depth of the US’s defense. Zach Werenski, Adam Fox, Charlie Mcavoy, Jaccob Slavin, Noah Hanifin and Jake Sanderon were in their 4 Nations team. Quinn Hughes was also part of that selection, but was sidelined by an injury.
All seven have more NHL experience and international experience with pro -talent. That is more. If they are healthy, they will probably be part of their Olympic selection.
Athletics: Minnesota Wild goalkeeper Filip Gustavsson is open to contract extension with management. The two parties still have to start these discussions, but that can change as soon as the calendar brows to September and the training camp is approaching.
Spector Note: Gustavsson enters the last season of his three -year -old deal with an average annual value of $ 3.75 million. Michael Russo of the Athletic noted that the future of promising just like Jesperstedt is cloudy after a disappointing 2024-25 version. He speculated that this Wild Management could lead to make a leap on the re-signing of the 27-year-old Gustavsson.
TSN: Team Canada General Manager Doug Armstrong recently indicated that there will be an open competition to fill in the goal convening positions for their Olympic team.
Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues, Adin Hill van de Vegas Golden Knights, and Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens were the only goalkeepers invited to the Orientation Camp of Canada. The trio served as the two-countryed ones in the 4-country face-off tournament in February.
Other potential goalkeeper options are Logan Thompson of the Washington Capitals, Darcy Kuemper from the Los Angeles Kings and Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers.
Note from Spector: Insinington seems to be a lock for the role of the starter after a backstopping Canada to gold in the 4 Nations Tournament. However, strong performance in the early season through Thompson, Kuemper or Skinner can earn them a place in the Olympic team of Canada struggles if Hill or Montembeault is struggling.
Detroit Hockey Now: With the Red Wings finally retired by Sergei Fedorov’s no. 91, Bob Duff looked at other wings that could receive a similar honor by the club.
Hall-of-Famer Pavel Datsyuk (no. 13) is at the top of the list. He won two Stanley Cups (2002, 2008) with the Red Wings, together with several Selke and Lady Byyng trophies.
Henrik Zetterberg (no. 40) can be another. He had 960 points in 1,082 games with the wings and won the Conn Smythe trophy in 2008, which led them to their last Stanley Cup.
Chris Osgood (no. 30) was a triple cup champion with the wings. The undervalued goalkeeper was twice their starter for two cup runs. He is 13th of all time in the regular seasonal gains with 401, ninth in Playoff victories (74), and tied the fifth shutouts with 15 in the late season.
Note from the Spector: Datsyuk is the favorite among those three, given his hall-of-fame references. He was the best defensive attacker in the competition from 2007-08 to 2009-10 and one of the beautiful puckhandlers in the NHL history.
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