In today’s NHL rumor roundup, we look at the Buffalo Sabers and the changes they and Jarmo Kekalainen have made. Next, we take a look at the league and some injury statuses of some injured superstars. We end with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the mess they are in, especially between their coach and captain.
Kekalainen’s long to-do list
Now that he’s been handed the reins, Kekalainen has already started tackling the long to-do list with the Sabres.
The first move Kekalainen made was Firing Jason Karmanoswho held the position of associate general manager. and watched the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. The time will come later in the evening it was announced that Marc Bergevin would join the Sabres.
Bergevin, who earned his way into the league with the Chicago Blackhawks, has served in multiple key roles for the Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings and now the Sabres.
He will take the same position as Karmanos, although his day-to-day influences won’t necessarily be public, but he is another voice in Kekalainen’s ear and will likely take control of the Americans.
Related: NHL Rumors: Devils’ Cap Situation, John Carlson Contract Talk & Wild Not Done
John Flynn, who was with the Columbus Blue Jackets and has a history with Kekalainen, and after a request to speak with him, Kekalainen has also hired him, and he will serve as assistant general manager.
Pierre LeBrun noted that signing Alex Tuch to an extension is one of the top priorities for the new hockey operations department. The rumored number is still just over $10.5 million. An extension is not guaranteed, but they will work hard for it and will be willing to move him if forced to do so.
David Bread has reminded people that Owen Power, Bowen Byram, Jack Quinn, Peyton Krebs and Jordan Greenway were in trade talks at various times last season and could be on their way at some point.
Good news about Werenski injury
Seeing a superstar go down is never good. After blocking a Troy Terry shot, Werenski was in a lot of pain and needed help from his goaltender to get to the bench. The shot hit the ankle/foot and there was a lot of concern overnight about what a possible timeline might be.
Zach Werenski needed a push to the bench from Elvis Merzlikins after blocking a shot late in the game
pic.twitter.com/7ZvBo0krHU— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 21, 2025
Aaron Portzline reports early Sunday morning that there are no broken bones and the star defender is listed as day-to-day.
Friedman’s injury updates for Jarvis, Jarry, Theodore & Eichel & more
On the Saturday headlines segment, Elliotte Friedman made some brief comments about some key players injured in the league.
Seth Jarvis, who tripped and was launched into the post against the Florida Panthers, was left in severe pain. Friedman reports that people seem hopeful about his status. “No firm statements will be made until he sees the doctors,” which should happen soon as the Carolina Hurricanes wrap up their road trip. It appears that this injury will not affect his chances at the Olympic Games.
For Tristan Jarry it’s more of the same. The Edmonton Oilers await their trip home for further evaluation, but no short-term updates are available.
For Shea Theodore and Jack Eichel, two Olympic-caliber stars for the Vegas Golden Knights, they are both out with injuries, but there is no concern that they are at risk of missing any Olympic time, at least in relation to these injuries.
Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven went down with an apparent ankle injury and will not play on Sunday (December 21). However, there is no update yet on the extent of the injury.
Finally, to cap off all these injuries, Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill declared that Frank Nazar would be missing four weeks after picking up a stray puck high.
Matthews & Berube not on the same page
It is important that the head coach, the team’s superstar and the captain are on the same page. Auston Matthews checks two of those boxes, and Craig Berube has the other. After another deflating loss that dropped the Leafs to 15th in the Eastern Conference (P%), both spoke to the media after the game.
There’s a lot to go through, but there are two specific quotes to look at.
Berube was first asked, “To what extent are the mistakes a product of where the team is mentally?”
He responded by saying, “Yes, it is. It’s definitely mental. We’ve got to get through it. We’ve got to get over that. We’ve got to make better decisions throughout the game.”
Isn’t that a fair reaction from the coach? Everyone can agree with that? Well, not Matthews.
During his post-match availability, Matthews said: “I think we’re doing well mentally. I thought tonight, as s***** as it is losing, I thought the process was better. I thought we had good energy all night. And even if you leave the rink angry and don’t get out of the points in tonight’s game, I think just the process we had all night is something we can take and move on.”.
So it’s clear. The captain and coach disagree about where the team is and where they are going. That’s a problem they’ll have to solve.
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