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The Carolina Hurricanes return home on Friday night with a chance to wrap up the Eastern Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens. They currently sit with a 3-1 advantage after their dominating, 4-0 victory over the Habs on Wednesday night.

The Canes have accumulated an amazing 11-1 record this postseason, which puts them in rare company. Only a handful of teams have accomplished this in NHL history. While earning this record, they have kept their opponents “shots on goal” stat to startling lows.

After allowing a league low 23.9 shots per game during the regular season, they have bested that and are now allowing just 22.2 shots per game, lowest in the playoffs.

The Canadiens are especially finding it difficult to find shots, as evidenced by their fans shouting “shoot the puck” in the third period of their latest loss. They had yet to register a shot on goal in that period until there were just three minutes left.

After the Hurricanes dropped game one of the series, which can reasonably be blamed on rust following a long 11 day lay off, they have played their game and have pretty much dominated the ice since. The team has out-scored the Habs 10-4, outshot them 108-43 and outhit them 113-77. All of these factors have taken a toll on their opponents.

Jordan Staal called his team “a machine” and indeed they are. Perhaps I should change the name of the blog to “Carolina Machine Never Breaks” although that might make some people upset.

This has been a total team effort, although there are a couple of players really performing well. Of course Frederik Andersen would have to be at or near the top of the list. He has the best stats of any goalie in the postseason with an 11-1 record, a GAA of 1.44, and save percentage of .928. He also has three shutouts for his trouble.

Next up would be defenseman K’Andre Miller who is probably playing better than the front office could even dream of when they acquired him.

He leads the defense with 8 points, (tied for 4rth on the team) and leads the entire team with a +12 rating. He also leads the defense with 26 hits, good for 7th on the team and has 9 takeaways which is a team high. Oh yes, he also leads the team in TOI averaging just over 24 minutes a game.

After the win on Wednesday night on the TNT telecast, Wayne Gretzky said that Miller was playing as well as any defenseman he had seen in the playoffs. High praise indeed.

By the way, the photo above is classic Miller. Before every game he puts on his hoodie and is in deep thought. One can assume he is visualizing the game ahead of time.

Here is another shot:

If the Hurricanes win tonight, the Stanley Cup Finals will start on Tuesday, June 2nd. If not, then they will start on June 4rth.

Will Carolina be able to close this one out and improve their postseason record to 12-1? It won’t be easy, this Montreal club has been dangerous with their backs against the wall.

Game time 8 P.M. Eastern

TV: TNT and TruTV will have the action in the US with Kenny Albert handling play-by-play, Eddie Olczyk doing color from up top, Brian Boucher between the benches, and Jackie Redmond handling off-ice interviews. Also note that the NHL on TNT Face-Off pre-show will not only be an hour long, beginning at 7 PM Eastern, but that they will be on-site in Raleigh in the Buffalo Brothers Section behind section 113. Liam McHugh hosts while Wayne Gretzky, Henrik Lundqvist, Anson Carter, and Paul Bissonnette will be at the desk.

Radio: You can still listen to the familiar voices of Mike Maniscalco and Tripp Tracy. The pregame Storm Watch with Adam Gold on 99.9 The Fan starts at 7PM and runs for 60 minutes. At 8PM the Hurricanes Radio Network (consisting of 99.9, 730 The Game in Charlotte, ESPN New Bern 107.5/1490, and ESPN Greenville 107.5/1570). You will also be able stream this call through 99.9 on your smart device, app, or the Carolina Hurricanes app—and it’s not geolocked.

Odds (per Fanduel) – Canes – 245 Habs +198

We are not expecting any changes to the line up but if there are any, or if there is anything to report from the morning skate, updates will be posted in the comments.

One of the NHL’s best bargain contracts this past season belonged to the Detroit Red Wings and veteran forward Patrick Kane.

After signing a one-year contract worth $3 million to remain in Detroit, the future Hall of Famer once again proved he can still produce at a high level despite nearing the end of his career. Although injuries limited Kane to 67 games, the 37-year-old still recorded 57 points, production that would typically cost teams significantly more on the open market.

Now, with Kane once again set to become an unrestricted free agent, the Red Wings face an important offseason decision regarding one of their most recognizable veterans.

Detroit appears poised to undergo a roster transition this summer as the organization looks to create opportunities for younger players to secure full-time NHL roles. Several pending unrestricted free agents are not expected to return next season, including David Perron, James van Riemsdyk, Travis Hamonic, and Cam Talbot with Kane expected to be the lone exception.

The veteran winger made it clear in his end-of-season media availability, that he would like to get Detroit over the hump and into the playoffs while expressing interest in returning to the Red Wings and continuing to build on the organization’s system. Still, there are legitimate questions surrounding what his role should look like moving forward.

Some Red Wings fans and analysts believe Detroit needs to find better, more dynamic solutions for its top-six forward group. Former Red Wings forward Darren McCarty recently discussed Kane’s future during a podcast appearance, suggesting the veteran could be more effective in a middle-six role while continuing to serve as a power-play specialist.

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That raises another important question for Detroit’s front office of how much should the team commit financially to an aging player whose role may gradually decrease?

Even if Kane slides lower in the lineup next season, his offensive instincts and experience still provide significant value. Injuries are inevitable over the course of an NHL season, and having a player capable of moving up the lineup and contributing offensively remains an important luxury for playoff hopeful teams.

But at the same time, durability has become a growing concern with Kane having missed 96 games over the past six seasons and will turn 38 years old next November. While his production remains impressive, the physical demands of the NHL continue to become more challenging with age.

For that reason, the most logical path forward may involve a contract structure similar to the one recently signed by longtime former Chicago Blackhawks teammate Jonathan Toews with the Winnipeg Jets.

That deal carries a $2 million cap hit while incorporating performance bonuses tied to games played and offensive production. A similar arrangement could provide Detroit with valuable cap flexibility while also rewarding Kane if he continues producing at a high level.

The Red Wings would retain an experienced veteran capable of helping mentor younger players while still contributing offensively, and Kane would remain with an organization he appears comfortable with as he chases another playoff appearance late in his career.

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The New York Islanders announced on X that they have hired Jay McKee as head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Hammers ahead of their inaugural season.

#Isles announced today that Jay McKee has been named Head Coach of the Hamilton Hammers, the Islanders new American Hockey League affiliate.

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) May 29, 2026

McKee, 48, was a former 14th overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in 1995. The left-shot defenseman went on to record 125 points (21 goals, 104 assists) in 802 career regular season games over the course of a 14-year NHL career. 

The first 10 seasons of his career were played in Buffalo before a three-year stint with the St. Louis Blues (2006-09), concluding his NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009-10. 

After just a year remove from the NHL, McKee began his coaching career, first serving as a volunteer assistant coach at Niagra University in 2010-11. 

Despie being on the younger side for head caoches, McKee's got the experience, which includes two seasons as the head coach of the Hamilton Bullodogs (2021-2023), when they were still an OHL team:

The Hockey News learned that McKee was also a finalist for the Bellville Senators, the Ottawa Senators' AHL affiliate's head coaching gig.

The Islanders, who leave Bridgeport after 25 years, elevated Rocky Thompson to Pete DeBoer's staff, which created the Hamilton head coaching vacancy. 

The expectaion, at this time, is that Thompson's two assistants, David Cunniff and Chad Kolarik, will serve on McKee's staff.

With the NHL's summer free agent pool shaping up to be one of the thinnest in recent memory, contending teams searching for meaningful offensive upgrades are pivoting their attention toward the trade and restricted free agent markets and one name is beginning to generate serious buzz league-wide.

Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev is emerging as one of the most coveted restricted free agents available this offseason, and the Winnipeg Jets are among the clubs paying closest attention.

Dorofeyev's ascent has been nothing short of remarkable as the 25-year-old compiled a career-high 35 goals in his first full NHL season in 2024–25, establishing himself as one of the league's most dangerous finishers. 

Over the past two seasons, he has 72 goals and placing him tied for the 15th-most goals in the NHL alongside some of the league’s top offensive talents, including Boston Bruins forwards David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie. Dorofeyev has been a particular menace on the power play, earning 20 of his 37 goals and 10 of his 27 assists with the man advantage this year. 

His postseason performance has only accelerated the intrigue with ten goals and four assists for 14 points through 16 playoff games. Dorofeyev's current contract carries a cap hit of just $1,835,000 and will expired at the end of the season, leaving him as a restricted free agent. His breakout production will command a significant raise and could create an opening for Winnipeg.

The Jets spent last offseason overhauling their forward group following the departure of Nikolaj Ehlers and remained competitive, but offensive consistency proved elusive at times. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and his staff have identified adding a proven scoring winger as a top priority for a team still anchored by veterans Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, and Josh Morrissey. 

Dorofeyev can work as a legitimate 35-goal threat capable of contributing at even strength and on the power play and would give Winnipeg exactly that kind of impact player.

The financial mechanics of a potential offer sheet are straightforward, if not without cost. A contract in the $4,680,077 to $7,020,113 range would require a first and third-round pick as compensation. A more aggressive offer, in the $7,020,114 to $9,360,153 bracket, would demand a first, second, and third-round selection.

Winnipeg currently holds its own first and third-round picks in each of the next two drafts, giving it the assets needed for a lower-tier offer. The second-round pick situation, however, is worth monitoring as they sent the pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of last year's Luke Schenn deal. That said, NHL teams have reacquired draft picks specifically to position themselves for offer sheet opportunities before, and the Jets could explore a similar avenue if they view Dorofeyev as a legitimate option.

If Cheveldayoff believes Dorofeyev is the offensive catalyst to push the Jets back into legitimate Stanley Cup contention, the price of admission in both dollars and draft capital may well be worth it.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Four-time NHL Stanley Cup champion Claude Lemieux's death on Thursday, May 28 was reported as an apparent suicide in Florida, according to multiple reports.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said a family member found the body shortly before 3:30 a.m. in the rear warehouse of the Andros Home furniture showroom, reports the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The sheriff's office said the man presumed to be Lemieux was found after he failed to return to his home. Sheriff's investigators secured the store as detectives from PBSO's Violent Crimes Division gathered evidence.

Palm Beach County court records show that Lemieux lived in an apartment in Palm Beach Gardens as recently as April 2025. State business records list Lemieux as the registered agent for Andros Home, which incorporated in 2022.

Gabriel Chiarot is headed to the 2026 Memorial Cup Final. The 2025 fifth-rounder is currently playing for the Kitchener Rangers, who booked a spot in the championship game after going 3-0 in the tournament's round-robin. Chiarot has already found the back of the net in Kelowna, as through his first three games, he has recorded a goal, an assist and six shots on goal. 

Kitchener entered the tournament as favourites to lift the historic trophy. The Rangers won the OHL championship this year and have only lost two games since the start of the playoffs. In speaking with The Hockey News, Chiarot explained Kitchener's mentality heading into Sunday's Memorial Cup Final. 

"We came in with the mindset that we're the best team here, and we're gonna win it all," said Chiarot. "I think we've done exactly that to this point. Obviously these teams are pretty good, but we know we're the best, and we just have to play like it."

Since the Rangers finished first in the round-robin, they gained an automatic berth into the Memorial Cup Final. This means the team will get four days off before facing off in the championship game. Overall, Chiarot and his teammates are not concerned about the extended break, as they faced similar situations throughout the 2026 post-season. 

"We kind of dealt with this a little bit during the OHL playoffs. Sweeping a team in four games, and then having to wait a week to play the next round. So we're kind of used to stuff like this. But I think just not trying to think too much about the game, and what the stakes are. I know it's tough, especially for older guys. It could be their last game ever in junior hockey. So just try not to think too much of it, and just think of it as another game."

Being on a championship team can help with a prospect's development. Being exposed to high-stress situations early in their careers can help prepare a player for a future long post-season run at the pro level. When asked about some of the lessons he has learned over the past few months, Chiarot spoke about the benefit of being on a championship-winning team. 

"Just learning how to play in these high-stakes games. Obviously, this is the biggest stage in junior hockey across Canada. Just learning how to be resilient through these tough games, and play with the lead, without the lead, things like that."

As for the Canucks, there have been some significant changes since Chiarot was drafted and signed his entry-level contract with the organization. This includes Henrik and Daniel Sedin taking over as Co-Presidents of Hockey Operations. Chiarot already has some experience working with the Sedins as they were on the ice with him at both Development and Training Camp last season. 

"Going on the ice with them for Development Camp there, they're really skilled players, and it showed. They know a lot about the game. They've played for a long time in the NHL, and they've accomplished a lot of great things. They know what they're doing, and I think the belief in them is really high from Canucks fans and the organization."

Another person whom Chiarot had the chance to work with is current Abbotsford Canucks Head Coach Manny Malhotra. Last year, Malhotra not only helped out at Development Camp but was also behind the bench for Vancouver in their two-game 2025 Prospects Showcase against the Seattle Kraken. Chiarot has fond memories of working with Malhotra, who is the rumoured favourite to take over the Canucks' open Head Coach position. 

"He's a tough coach. He praises his players a lot, and I think he does a good job of keeping everyone in check. We skated with him as well. He was my coach for the Prospects Tournament in Everett. Nothing but good things to say about him. He was great to me."

As for Chiarot as a prospect, it is clear that he impressed Vancouver last year. It is not often that late-round picks sign ELC's right out of Training Camp, but that is exactly what happened with Chiarot. When asked about his development plan with the organization, Chiarot detailed what the Canucks wanted him to work on this past season. 

"I think the main goal was to continue playing my game and not try to change my game into something I'm not. So I think I've done a good job of that this year. There's a little bit of talk about getting my agility better, and things like that, but the main focus was to just continue to play the way I play."

The big question for Chiarot is what happens next season. He is AHL-eligible, but could also head back to the OHL for one final season. At the moment, though, Chiarot remains focused on the task at hand, which is lifting the Memorial Cup on Sunday night. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

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For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Here are your links for today:

Devils Links

Claude Lemieux has passed away at the age of 60:

“Lemieux, nicknamed ‘Pepe,’ played 21 years in the NHL, winning the 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy and the four Cup titles — two with the New Jersey Devils and one each with the Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens. His 80 playoff goals rank ninth in NHL history and his 158 points are tied for 27th. Lemieux played 1,215 regular-season games, scoring 379 goals and 786 points and amassing 1,777 penalty minutes.” [The Athletic ($)]

Defensemen updates:

“The Devils have a lot of pieces in place, but also some major holes to reconcile. Here’s where the Devils stand going into the 2026-27 season.” [The Athletic ($)]

“A new deal won’t be cheap, even if Hischier takes a team-friendly discount. What could his next contract with the Devils look like?” [Devils on the Rush ($)]

Hockey Links

Stanley Cup Final schedule:

“Former Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy called it ‘upsetting’ in a podcast Thursday that he can’t interview with other clubs after Vegas management declined reported requests by Edmonton and Los Angeles. ‘There were two teams that asked,’ Cassidy said on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast. ‘It’s public knowledge now, and I would like to talk to them. I want to go to work. I’m a hockey coach.’” [Associated Press]

“For one reason or another, there are many young players who would benefit from a trade to a team that is interested in letting young players flourish. Here are a dozen such candidates:” [ESPN]

Vegas taking the Western Conference Final was a shocking result. Where does that series win rank among recent surprise playoff sweeps? [Daily Faceoff]

An interesting idea: “The NBA’s board of governors voted overwhelmingly Thursday to change the league’s draft lottery format beginning with the 2027 NBA draft, the league announced. The new format expands the lottery from 14 to 16 teams, including the 8-seed in each conference’s playoff picture, and adds anti-tanking measures where the bottom three teams are dealt lesser chances for the No. 1 pick while flattening odds for teams that do not qualify for the playoffs or the play-in tournament.” [ESPN]

Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.

The Hockey News released its list of the Top 100 NHL players this season in April, and four Montreal Canadiens have made the list. Yesterday, we covered Juraj Slafkovsky, who’s 94th on the list. Today, we look at the second Hab on the list, which is at number 48: Captain Nick Suzuki.

THN justifies his presence at number 48 because he’s the number one center the Canadiens have been looking for for years, adding that his chemistry with Cole Caufield and Slafkovsky is sublime. The magazine also praises the playmaker because he has racked up five 20-goal seasons in a row.

The Canadiens Are Not There Yet
Canadiens' Dobes Deserved Better
Former Canadiens Forward Claude Lemieux Passes Away At 60

I find this ranking highly debatable. This season, Suzuki put up 101 points, a career mark, which was good for sixth overall in league scoring. That’s 20 more points than Tage Thompson, who lands in 32nd place after putting up 81 points in 81 games. Granted, offensive production shouldn’t be the only criterion to make the Top-100 ranking, and that’s exactly why Suzuki should be higher on the list.

All season long, he has had the toughest matchup, being pitted against the opponent’s top line more often than not and yet, on top of producing a career year offensively, he has earned a Selke Trophy nomination as the top defensive forward. Rumblings around the league are that he will likely win the trophy as well.

Since he was given the C in Montreal, becoming the youngest captain in Canadiens history, Suzuki has led by example on and off the ice. He’s put the team on his back in 2025-26, almost taking it single-handedly to the playoffs. For an encore, he was selected to represent Canada at the Olympics and was highly praised by coach Jon Cooper on the international stage before returning to lead the Habs to the playoffs.

While he might not have been all that productive at even strength in the playoffs, he’s still third in scoring with 16 points in 18 games. Granted, the list was published before he led Montreal through two playoff rounds and eliminated both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Buffalo Sabres, but that just goes to show how good a player he has become.

The fact that he’s the third-best Canadiens player on the list is surprising. One could argue that Suzuki is the glue that holds this Habs’ team together, and while journalists from other markets are starting to take notice of what he accomplishes since the Olympics, he’s still grossly underestimated. He can attack, he can defend, he can do anything the coach wants him to do, and having such a Swiss army knife kind of player on your roster is any coach’s dream.

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

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As we wait for news of who Vegas will meet in the Stanley Cup final (surely Carolina, no?), June is just around the corner, which means the draft, RFA decisions and prep for the UFA period with a thin class will be underway.

What the Islanders do, with two top-grade assets but a lot of holes, is of course continually on our minds and discussed a bit in one of the quotes and links below.

Islanders News

Maybe DeBoer could unlock Barzal more consistently, or help Horvat maintain his level of play from this past season. But even if they each bump up a slot, it still leaves the team without a franchise forward.

• The Islanders have an incredible Calder winning defenseman and a Vezina finalist in net. Here are the other major pieces they need to contend, preferably sooner than later. [Athletic]
• With the cap rising and the UFA market very thin, there will be “massive attempts” at big trades. Also: “My understanding is that New York Islanders GM Mathieu Darche has indicated to Lee’s agent, Neil Sheehy, that the team does have interest in re-signing Lee but that it needs to make a few other moves before it can go down that road.” [Athletic]
• Bo Horvat reflects on a long year. [Isles]
• Mark Recchi discusses his four favorite leaders, including two Islanders legends in Bryan Trottier and Zdeno Chara. [Athletic]
• On the ties between Bobby Valentine and Lou Lamoriello. [Newsday]
• Danny Nelson and the U.S. were eliminated by Canada at the Worlds. [THN]

Elsewhere

• How Mitch Marner went from Toronto playoff goat to Vegas Conn Smythe contender. [Sportsnet]
• Former NHLer and Conn Smythe winner Claude Lemieux has died at 60, reportedly by suicide. (Trivia note: he was technically Islanders property at one point, as he was part of the three-way Steve Thomas-Wendel Clark trade, which is officially listed as the Islanders sending Thomas to the Devils for Lemieux before flipping the notoriously dirty pest to Colorado for Clark.) [Post] Patrick Roy is among those mourning his death. [Post] He had just rallied fans in the pre-game hype in Montreal for Game 3. [Athletic]
• Bruce Cassidy is pretty unhappy that the Knights are blocking him from talking to other teams about coaching openings, and Vegas is unapologetic. [Athletic | Sportsnet | TSN]