The NHL announced the finalists for the Jack Adams Award, which goes to the coach who contributed the most to their team's success.

The Winnipeg Jets' Scott Arniel, Washington Capitals' Spencer Carbery and Montreal Canadiens' Martin St-Louis are all finalists after their teams took a step forward this season.

Arniel took over as Jets coach following Rick Bowness' retirement. The Jets finished fourth in the NHL last season, and in his first season, Arniel took the club to new heights.

Winnipeg won the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in franchise history, recording a team-high 56 wins and 116 points. The team allowed the fewest goals against in the NHL while scoring the fourth-most. Their 28.9 percent power-play success rate topped the league and is the ninth-best rate since the NHL started tracking it in 1977-78.

While Bowness finished third in Jack Adams voting last season, the Jets' new bench boss is in the running to win the award for the first time in franchise history.

Carbery, meanwhile, could be the fourth coach in Capitals history to win the award. The Capitals barely made the playoffs last year and were swept by the New York Rangers in the first round. This year, they finished second in the NHL standings, improving by 20 points. It was the largest points gain by a team that made the playoffs.

Washington improved to second in the league in goals-for from 29th place last season. They were also tied for eighth for fewest goals against, fifth in the best penalty-kill rate and first in comeback wins.

No bench boss has won coach of the year honors in the ECHL, AHL and NHL. Carbery could be the first.

Great Work, Canadiens. Now, The Real Work BeginsEven though the Montreal Canadiens went down in five games to the best team in the Eastern Conference in the first round of the playoffs, there is every reason to frame the 2024-25 season as a tremendous success.

St-Louis had his first playoff experience coaching the Canadiens this season, and it came after a big late-season push. The Canadiens were tied for second-last in the Eastern Conference at the 4 Nations Face-Off break and were six points out of a playoff spot. The rebuilding squad then went 15-5-6 the rest of the season to grab the second wild-card spot in the East by just a two-point cushion.

Montreal improved by 15 points this season from last year, and its penalty-kill rate shot up to ninth-best from 24th in 2023-24.

St-Louis is the Canadiens' first Jack Adams Award finalist since Guy Carbonneau finished second in 2007-08. Only Scotty Bowman and Pat Burns won the Jack Adams Award while coaching the Habs.

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EDMONTON – One moment can change everything. 

That certainly rings true for Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.

They booted the Los Angeles Kings out of the first round of the playoffs for the fourth straight year. This time around, they eliminated them in six games.

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Adam Henrique, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Trent Frederic, Darnell Nurse, and Connor Brown scored goals for the Oilers in Game 6 to send the Kings packing.

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It was the cherry on top of a rewarding stretch of games for the Oilers. After dropping the first two contests, they came roaring back with four straight victories.

And it all started with one moment.

It was Game 3, and the Oilers were down 4-3 to begin the third period. With around seven minutes left in the period, the Oilers were cooking in the Kings' end with some good zone time. There was chaos around the net. McDavid came around the net and threw the puck toward the crease, and Evander Kane magically deposited it into the net.

The Moment That Changed Everything For The Oilers

After looking at the play, Kings’ head coach Jim Hiller decides to challenge the goal for goaltender interference. The referees review the sequence and then determine that there was no goalie interference. The Oilers go on the powerplay with the game tied 4-4.

Evan Bouchard tips a Leon Draisaitl shot for a goal, 10 seconds into the man advantage. The Oilers are now up 5-4. They would add two empty-net goals to secure a 7-4 victory.

For the rest of the series, after that moment, the Oilers dominated play for long stretches.

After a review for a kicking motion AND a challenge for goaltender interference, Evander Kane gets his first of the playoffs.

The official call is that Kane kicked the puck to his stick and was able to shoot it before it went in. pic.twitter.com/Aw0y3ZgMVJ

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 26, 2025

Many people online wondered if that coach’s challenge would change the series. It looks like every single one of those people was right.

The Kings didn’t look the same after that play. After the first three games, Adrian Kempe, their top point producer, only recorded one assist in Games 4, 5, and 6.

The “Oilers Killer” had nine points in the first three games, four of which were goals.

Whether the Oilers played exceptional defense and neutralized the Kings, or the Kings lost steam and motivation against a team that has had their number for a long time (or a combination of the two), the two teams never looked the same.

And now, the Oilers face a new challenge: the Vegas Golden Knights.

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The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-2 in the opening round of the playoffs, setting themselves up for a rematch with the Edmonton Oilers.

The Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings in six games despite losing the first two games of the series. Their opening-round matchup was filled with goals, shaky defence and at times, awful goaltending. The series was ultimately decided by the best player in the NHL, Connor McDavid, willing the Oilers to win.

The Golden Knights' opening round series was a bit different. It wasn't as tight checking as some may have thought it would have been, but the goal totals were far lower than what occurred in the Oilers series.

The Golden Knights' star forwards, Mark Stone and Jack Eichel, started the series very poorly. They were neutralized by Joel Eriksson-Ek, Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin, but as the series went along, they found their game.

In the final two games of the series, Eichel recorded a goal and three assists, and Stone added his own two goals and three points. 

The Golden Knights and Oilers have met in the playoffs before, with the Golden Knights defeating the Oilers in six games in the second round of the 2022-23 playoffs, going on to win the Stanley Cup. The teams traded wins in the first four games before the Golden Knights took over in Games 5 and 6, closing out the series. 

The series was headlined by the phenomenal play of Eichel. Although it's seemingly impossible to stop McDavid, Eichel did his best to make him work for every goal while matching his output. If the Golden Knights have any hope of doing so again, they'll need Eichel to play at the level he displayed in Games 5 and 6.

The Golden Knights and Oilers met four times this season, splitting the season series. The Golden Knights were victorious in the first two meetings, but the Oilers defeated the Golden Knights in the following two. 

The series will be fierce, as the two teams have built a bit of a rivalry with one another. The Oilers have suffered this season from their lack of depth, something the Golden Knights have an abundance of and will need to exploit to prevail.  

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Golden Knights' Forward Announced Day-To-Day With Undisclosed InjuryVegas Golden Knights forward Pavel Dorofeyev exited Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild with an undisclosed injury and is listed as day-to-day.

On Thursday, the Minnesota Wild suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss in Game 6 to the Vegas Golden Knights, eliminating them in the first round for the eighth time in their last 10 postseason appearances. 

Even though the loss was a killer, there was some silver lining offered during and after the handshake line.

NHL Community Reacts To Marc-Andre Fleury's Final Moments Of His CareerMarc-Andre Fleury’s NHL playing career is over.

Former Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury - backup goaltender to Filip Gustavsson for the Wild - took to the ice one final time in his NHL career following the loss. The 40-year-old goaltender has plans to retire following the 2024-25 season, and since Minnesota was eliminated, he was dressed on NHL ice for the last time on Thursday.

Even though Fleury didn't start the game - he did make an appearance in Game 5 after Gustavsson left due to illness - he was recognized by just about every single person who took the ice that evening - teammates and opponents alike.

The Golden Knights wait to give Marc-Andre Fleury a final salute before he leaves the ice for the final time. pic.twitter.com/klwN6qYYD1

— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) May 2, 2025

Fleury was the first overall draft pick by Pittsburgh in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the Penguins, winning three Stanley Cups and earning 375 wins, which is the most by a goaltender in franchise history.

He was exposed to Vegas in the 2017 expansion draft and played four seasons there, winning the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goaltender in 2020-21 before moving on to the Chicago Blackhawks. He was with Chicago until the 2022 trade deadline, when he was dealt to Minnesota. 

The four-time All-Star netminder finishes his NHL career second all-time in wins with 575, which should all but guarantee first-ballot entry to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

A career people will talk about forever 🌸 pic.twitter.com/xVh2tK98Wg

— x - Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 2, 2025

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This season’s ballot for the Selke Trophy has a bit of Florida Panthers flavor.

On Friday, the NHL announced the three finalists for the 2025 Frank J. Selke Trophy.

Last year’s winner, Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov, was expected to be among them, and he is.

While Barkov may be the favorite to repeat in many people’s eyes, his greatest challenge may come from somebody he’s quite familiar with.

Panthers forward Sam Reinhart, who spent the majority of this season on Barkov’s right win, is also one of the three finalists.

It’s pretty remarkable that Florida has two of the absolute defensive forwards in the NHL on the same line, on the same power play and on the same penalty kill.

They are elite, and the only reason Reinhart isn’t discussed more as a top defensive player is because he plays directly next to Barkov.

Interestingly, the third finalist is also from the state of Florida. It’s Tampa Bay forward Anthony Cirelli.

Barkov is looking to become only the seventh player in NHL history to win the Selke in back-to-back years, potentially joining Bob Gainey, Guy Carbonneau, Jere Lehtinen, Rod Brind’Amour, Pavel Datsyuk and Patrice Bergeron.

In addition to winning the Selke Trophy last season, Barkov also took home the award in 2020-21.

For both Reinhart and Cirelli, this is their first time as an NHL Awards finalist.

The winners will be announced at the NHL Awards ceremony, which this season takes place in Los Angeles on June 27.

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In the ever-evolving quest to find their next head coach, the Philadelphia Flyers appear to be keeping one hand on the big-name option—and one eye on a potential dark horse.

On the latest episode of his 32 Thoughts podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman provided new insight into Philadelphia’s still-active coaching search. While much of the conversation still centers on Rick Tocchet, Friedman introduced an intriguing new name into the mix: Jay McKee.

And suddenly, the Flyers’ coaching carousel just got a lot more interesting.

Tocchet: The Obvious Fit… if He Wants It

Let’s start with the name that refuses to go away—Rick Tocchet. It’s not hard to understand why he remains at the top of Philadelphia’s list. A former Flyer, beloved in the city, tough as nails, respected league-wide, and a Jack Adams Award-winning head coach with Vancouver Canucks. In theory, he checks nearly every box.

“Philadelphia—we talked on the last pod about Rick Tocchet, the feeling that he’s their number one guy, and I still believe that,” Friedman said. “But I will say this—there seems to be a growing belief that he will consider television next season… if the overall landscape isn’t as he wants it. But Philly’s definitely interested. I think he’s the first guy on their list.”

👀 https://t.co/yaYrBz9CZ1

— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) April 29, 2025

The Flyers’ interest makes sense. Tocchet brings instant credibility and knows the team's identity inside and out.

But there’s a catch: he may not be interested in another coaching position next season.

After a grinding season behind the bench in Vancouver, there's legitimate speculation that Tocchet may opt for the TV studio—at least temporarily—if he doesn’t feel the next situation is right.

That opens the door to more possibilities. And that’s where things get a little more curious.

Jay McKee: The Underrated Option with Ties to Brière

Enter Jay McKee, the former defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins turned OHL coaching mainstay.

If Tocchet is the headline act, McKee is the unexpected name tucked halfway down the marquee—but don’t let that fool you.

“I think another coach who could be on Philly’s radar, somebody mentioned him to me the other day,” Friedman said. “He’s got a history with Daniel Brière. They were teammates in the NHL. And that is Jay McKee, the former Buffalo Sabre, who has spent the last seven years coaching in the Ontario Hockey League.”

McKee’s coaching résumé isn’t NHL-level yet (although Brière has stated that experience level is not a dealbreaker in this search), but it’s far from thin.

He got his start as an assistant with the AHL’s Rochester Americans in 2011 before moving through the OHL ranks with Erie in 2014 and the Kitchener Rangers in 2015. By 2016, he was named head coach of the Rangers, leading them to the Western Conference Final in 2018.

Since 2021, he’s been behind the bench for the Brantford (formerly Hamilton) Bulldogs, where he’s already made a major impact—capturing both the Hamilton Spectator Trophy (the OHL's equivalent of the President's Trophy) and an OHL championship in 2022.

He’s known for a calm demeanor, a teaching mindset, and the kind of structured systems play that helps young players flourish.

Why It Might Make Sense

McKee isn’t the splashiest name. But there’s something about his candidacy that might appeal to where the Flyers are in their rebuild. He’s done the slow work of development. He knows how to cultivate culture. And most importantly, he understands the learning curve required for young talent to find their footing.

With what Brière called the "internal competition" rising as more Flyers prospect are turning pro, and the team's current young players poised to play key roles over the next few years, that kind of coaching profile could prove invaluable.

He’s also not far removed from the modern game. As someone who played in the NHL as recently as 2010 and has spent the last decade behind benches in two of hockey’s most competitive development leagues, McKee brings an understanding that could click in today’s NHL.

The Flyers’ Crossroads

So where does this leave the Flyers? In a holding pattern, for now.

They continue to look at all options, casting a wide net that includes established NHL coaches, up-and-comers from the NCAA, and now, thanks to Friedman, a promising figure from the junior ranks. 

If Tocchet is interested, the job sounds like it will be his to lose. But if he opts for a return to broadcasting, the Flyers may need to get creative.

And if creativity is the play, don’t be surprised if Jay McKee gets a long, serious look.

Mike Sullivan will officially become the New York Rangers’ 38th head coach. 

The Rangers announced on Friday morning that Sullivan will be the team’s head coach just a few days after he parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

“Mike Sullivan has established himself as one of the premier head coaches in the NHL,” Drury said. “Given his numerous accomplishments throughout his coaching career - including two Stanley Cups and leading Team USA at the international level – Mike brings a championship-level presence behind the bench. 

Mike Sullivan Is Reportedly In Advanced Talks To Become Rangers’ Head Coach With John Tortorella Expected To Join Staff Mike Sullivan is expected to be the New York Rangers’ 38th head coach.

“I’ve gotten to know Mike very well over the years, including as teammates in the 1997 World Championships, when he coached me as a player in New York and through our shared time working together with USA Hockey. As we began this process and Mike became an available option for us to speak with, it was immediately clear that he was the best coach to lead our team.”

This comes after a few days of rampant rumors linking Sullivan to the Rangers as it finally all came to fruition. 

Sullivan served as an assistant coach for the Rangers from 2009-2013 under John Tortorella. 

“I would like to welcome Mike back to the Rangers organization,” Rangers owner James Dolan said. “Mike’s track record and success in the NHL and internationally speaks for itself, and I look forward to seeing him behind the Rangers bench.”

The 57-year-old coached the Penguins for ten seasons and won two Stanley Cups during his long tenure in Pittsburgh. 

The exact term and finances of Sullivan’s contract remain undisclosed for now, although ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported that it will likely be one of the richest coaching contracts in NHL history.

A new era in The Big Apple starts now with Sullivan.

According to The Hockey News’s very own Diandra Loux from the Tampa Bay Lightning team page, Oliver Bjorkstrand suffered a very serious injury while playing for the Lightning.

The former Columbus Blue Jacket was traded from the Seattle Kraken to the Lightning at the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline along with Yanni Gourde. Unfortunately, he was injured and missed the entirety of the playoffs.

He was originally hurt on April 11 against the Detroit Red Wings, and it appears the injury was far worse than initially feared. Bjorkstrand suffered Compartment Syndrome.

This happens when there is too much pressure around your muscles. In Bjorkstrand's case, it required him to be rushed to the hospital at 2 a.m. for emergency surgery to fix the issue.

As Diandra reported via X, there were signs of swelling and internal bleeding, which led to him going to the hospital.

GM Julien BriseBois said Victor Hedman played with a broken foot.

Oliver Bjorkstrand was injured on April 11th. Woke up with swelling and signs of bleeding. He was rushed to the ER at 2am. Had surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. #GoBolts

— Diandra Loux (@Diandra_loux) May 2, 2025

This injury is similar to the one Ryan Johansen suffered as a member of the Nashville Predators back in 2017.

The injury is very serious because the fluid and blood get trapped inside the muscle, causing it to swell. If not treated immediately, it can cause major complications, including the potential loss of the affected limb.

Thankfully, in Bjorkstrand’s case, it was caught early and treated. Lightning GM Julien BriseBois said he is expected to make a full recovery and will be ready for the start of the 2025-26 NHL season.

2025 Columbus Blue Jackets Free Agent Targets: Matt DucheneYesterday, we covered the possibility of the Columbus Blue Jackets targeting Mitch Marner or Brock Boeser. With approximately $40 million in cap space, Don Waddell will want to do something. Sean Monahan Voted As Masterton Trophy FinalistThe National Hockey League has announced that Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan has been named a finalist for the Masterton Trophy.  Blue Jackets Have A General Idea Of Their First Round Draft Position With Minnesota Being EliminatedWith the Vegas Golden Knights eliminating the Minnesota Wild last night, Don Waddell will have two top-20 draft picks in the upcoming NHL Draft. David Savard’s Career Ends With First-Round ExitAs per our report before the 2025 NHL playoffs kicked off, David Savard has officially called it a career.

It’s dressing room clear-out day for the Montreal Canadiens today, and as usual, we are finding out plenty of information about what happened in both the regular season and the playoffs.

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Unsurprisingly, one of the first questions asked of Samuel Montembeault was about the injury he sustained in the first-round series against the Washington Capitals. The netminder explained that he had torn two of the three muscles in his groin and that while he would have liked to continue, he just couldn’t.

The injury would have ruled him out for two weeks, meaning that he could have returned in the second round had the Canadiens made it, but it wasn’t to be. He will not need surgery to repair the damage, but it will prevent him from attending the World Championships.

The Becancour native never had such a busy season as he had this year. The masked man played in 62 games, which is almost twice his usual workload, and he can be proud of his accomplishments. He won 30 games for the first time in his career, with a 31-24-7 record, a 2.80 goals-against average, and a .902 save percentage. Before this season, he had only recorded a single shutout in the NHL, but he got four more this year.

I think Sam Montembeault's most impressive attribute is his puck tracking. He's one of the best in the NHL at it.

This huge save is a great example. I can't believe he tracked this through the traffic and was able to react to get his toe on the redirect. Awesome stuff. pic.twitter.com/6DRjvzSG6w

— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) April 24, 2025

While he conceded that he lacked consistency at one point, he made the required adjustments and was an integral part of the Canadiens’ push for the playoffs. In an ideal world, Montembeault wouldn’t have been as busy, but Cayden Primeau’s struggles in the NHL left the organization with very few options.

Jakub Dobes’ arrival did help, but next season, if he is once again Montembeault’s backup, he will need to see more action to ensure that the number one isn’t overworked. We’ll never know, but perhaps if he didn’t have that big of a workload, he wouldn’t have sustained an injury in game three.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are in the market for a head coach. One option that was presented to the league last week, Mike Sullivan, is already off the board. Not even a week after being fired by the Pittsburgh Penguins, he has been hired by the New York Rangers. 

Sullivan will be the 38th head coach in New York Rangers history and will be the highest paid bench boss in NHL history. The fact that it happened this quickly makes you wonder if he was ever even available to anybody else. The Blackhawks likely never even had a chance. 

New York Rangers (@NYRangers) on XThe 38th Head Coach in #NYR history. Welcome (back) to Broadway, Sully!

With David Carle pulling his name out of the consideration hat, that is two top coaching candidates off the board. That does not mean that that the Blackhawks can’t make a good hire. It does mean that the hunt for the next great coach in franchise history continues. 

What is it that Sullivan would have brought to the table? Well, the thing that makes him the most unique out of every option is his championship pedigree. Coaches with multiple Stanley Cups don’t come around too often. 

With that said, the Blackhawks just need someone right now that will get the most out of young players. The search continues as Kyle Davidson is out there putting his best foot forward to make the right hire. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

The Bill Masterton Trophy is awarded “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” 

The finalists for this year are Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog and Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan. All three of these players had a storied journey before and during this season. 

Fleury wrapped up a memorable NHL career on Thursday as Minnesota was eliminated from the playoffs by the Vegas Golden Knights. Toward the end of last season, he made it clear that the 2024-25 campaign would be his last.

The 40-year-old featured in 26 games for the Wild this season, earning a 14-9-1 record. He posted a 2.93 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. The three-time Stanley Cup champion also appeared in one last playoff game to sub in for an ill Filip Gustavsson.

It was an emotional farewell tour for ‘Flower’ throughout the season, but Thursday’s game hit the hardest as he left the ice in tears, saluting the crowd as they gave him a standing ovation.

 “The always-jovial Fleury is one proud athlete, yet at age 40, he signed for one final year and accepted his role as (Filip) Gustavsson’s backup to prioritize team success over personal accolades despite being on the cusp of retirement,” Michael Russo wrote in the Athletic.

Landeskog, meanwhile, had been on a mission to return to the NHL and was finally able to play in Colorado’s first-round series against the Dallas Stars. 

After three years of training, rehab, and recovery, the Avalanche’s captain was back on the ice, making his season debut in Game 3 of the series. He dealt with a knee injury that he suffered in 2020, when he was accidentally sliced by a skate blade above his knee. While his availability was inconsistent, he was able to feature over the next two seasons and hoisted the Cup with Colorado in June 2022. However, he didn’t play again after the 2022 Cup final until this year.

Landeskog scored his first goal since the injury in Game 4, and the 32-year-old preached about his perspective after the game. 

“I didn't know if I was ever going to get to score again,” he told reporters.

His perseverance and dedication to hockey pushed him through the injury and got him back to where he wanted to be. 

Monahan’s first season with the Blue Jackets didn’t go how he or anyone expected it to go. On Aug. 29, not long before training camp, Blue Jackets left winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were killed.

Monahan was close friends with Johnny Gaudreau, and playing with him again was one of the big reasons he wanted to join Columbus in 2024 free agency. The NHL community and the Blue Jackets leaned on each other to mourn the loss of the Gaudreau brothers.

Gaudreau was honored with pre-game ceremonies multiple times in the regular season. The most memorable ones were during their home-opener on Oct. 15 and when the Calgary Flames (Johnny Gaudreau and Monahan’s former team) hosted Columbus on Dec. 3.

Monahan scored in Columbus’ home-opener against the Florida Panthers and pointed up to the sky in honor of his old teammate and friend.

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Former Vancouver Canucks assistant coach Mike Sullivan has a new home. After a decade with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sullivan has agreed to become the next head coach of the New York Rangers. While details of the contract have not been released, it is rumoured to be a five-year deal that will make Sullivan the highest-paid coach in the NHL. 

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Due to his ties with the Canucks, Sullivan's name did come up when discussing who should replace Rick Tocchet. As mentioned, Sullivan did spend time as an assistant coach with the organization during the 2013-14 season and was named interim head coach during John Tortorella's six-game suspension. Sullivan also has ties to Jim Rutherford, as the two won multiple Stanley Cups with the Penguins.

Since his days in Vancouver, Sullivan has become one of the most successful coaches in the NHL. His regular-season record is 479-311-15-112, which ranks 32nd all-time. Sullivan was also named Head Coach of Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off and is projected to be behind the bench for the Americans at the 2026 Winter Olympics. 

With Sullivan off the board, the Canucks must turn their focus to other available coaches. While it was unlikely that Sullivan would have come to Vancouver, potentially adding him to the organization would have been a significant moment. Overall, it is a smart hire by the Rangers, who like the Canucks, are looking to get back into the playoffs in 2026. 

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, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Marc-Andre Fleury’s NHL playing career is over.

The Vegas Golden Knights beat the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in Game 6 to eliminate them in a back-and-forth series. While it was tough for all of Minnesota to get eliminated from the playoffs, it may have stung a little harder for Fleury.

When Fleury signed a one-year contract extension with the Wild in April 2024, he announced the 2024-25 season would be his last. Now that his team is out of the playoffs, his memorable career has ended.

During the traditional handshake line after the series, opposing players spent a little more time with Fleury. After that, the four officials congratulated him on his long career, before he saluted the fans giving him a standing ovation.

One last time. 🌸

After 21 seasons, Marc-André Fleury has officially retired from the NHL. 🥲❤️ pic.twitter.com/KR85TDsxyb

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 2, 2025

After the game, left winger Kirill Kaprizov touched on the honor of being Fleury’s teammate for a short time.

“It was nice to play with him… a couple of seasons together. You can learn so much stuff from him,” Kaprizov told reporters. “I don’t know what to say, unbelievable career… one of the best goalies in the world, all-time.”

Fleury played 1,051 games over 21 years in the NHL. He spent most of his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning three Stanley Cups over 13 years. The Penguins made sure to congratulate him and to thank him for his time with them.

“Congratulations to Marc-Andre Fleury on a phenomenal NHL career. We've been privileged to be a part of it,” the team said on social media.

The NHL also released a video on its socials, with several old teammates and star players praising him and his prolonged career. The video consisted of messages from former teammate Sidney Crosby, along with Jack Eichel, Connor McDavid, Jeremy Swayman and Macklin Celebrini.

"Fleury's been doing it for so long," Eichel said. "The model of consistency, and I don't think I've ever spoken to a player or staff member, really anybody who's had a bad thing to say about the guy."

Wild defenseman Brock Faber was also in the video message and couldn’t say enough about Fleury. 

“As a young player in this league, there isn’t a single guy, probably ever, that could be a better role model,” he said. “The way he treats his teammates, his family, how hard he works, it’s a complete honor to be able to share the same sweater as him.”

'Flower' ends his career with the second-most wins and second-most games played by a goaltender in NHL history, behind Martin Brodeur in both categories. 

The 40-year-old from Sorel, Que., signs off with a 575-339-2-95 record, with a 2.60 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage and 76 shutouts. He also won the Stanley Cup in 2009, 2016 and 2017, the Vezina Trophy and the William M. Jennings Trophy in 2020-21.

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Well, it's official.

After just four days on the open market as a head coaching option, ex-Pittsburgh Penguins bench boss Mike Sullivan has offically been named the 38th head coach in New York Rangers history.

The announcement came Friday morning via Rangers general manager Chris Drury.

New York Rangers Hire Coach Mike Sullivan: 'Mike Brings A Championship-Level Presence'The New York Rangers named Mike Sullivan their new coach on Friday.

“Mike Sullivan has established himself as one of the premier head coaches in the NHL,” Drury said in a statement. “Given his numerous accomplishments throughout his coaching career - including two Stanley Cups and leading Team USA at the international level – Mike brings a championship-level presence behind the bench.

"I’ve gotten to know Mike very well over the years, including as teammates in the 1997 World Championships, when he coached me as a player in New York and through our shared time working together with USA Hockey. As we began this process and Mike became an available option for us to speak with, it was immediately clear that he was the best coach to lead our team.”

After a decade at the helm, the Penguins and POHO/GM Kyle Dubas parted ways with Sullivan on Monday. In those 10 seasons with Pittsburgh, the team won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017 and went 409-255-89 during the regular season. He is the winningest coach in Penguins' franchise history and is 15th all-time in coaching wins with a single franchise.

Sullivan was also head coach of the Boston Bruins from 2003-06, and he held subsequent assistant coaching gigs with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks. Prior to joining the Penguins organization in 2015, he was also a player development coach for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Sullivan's international experience aided in his hire, too, as he led Team USA during the 4 Nations Face-off tournament in February and will be the head coach of the men's hockey team at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy. 

“I would like to welcome Mike back to the Rangers organization,” said James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO of MSG. “Mike’s track record and success in the NHL and internationally speaks for itself, and I look forward to seeing him behind the Rangers bench.”

According to a report by ESPN's Emily Kaplan, the contract is a five-year deal with the highest average annual value awarded to a head coach in NHL history.

'I Started To Think That It May Just Be Time': Takeaways From Kyle Dubas's Press Conference Regarding Departure Of Mike SullivanOn Monday, Pittsburgh Penguins’ president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas shook the hockey world when he announced that head coach Mike Sullivan would not be returning to coach the Penguins in 2025-26.

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The Anaheim Ducks parted ways with head coach Greg Cronin on April 19, following his second season behind the Ducks’ bench.

“It’s much like the way I took the approach last time,” Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said when asked about the upcoming hiring process during his media availability following Cronin’s firing. “The net’s going to be cast wide. I’m not going to really eliminate any options as far as my approach to the next coach.”

Eight teams are in need of a new head coach behind their respective benches heading into the 2025-26 season, and a laundry list of available candidates with a wide range of experience are on the market.

“Am I looking for some sort of specific coach? No,” Verbeek said. “I’m going to go through the interview process and I will probe and poke and ask questions (about) certain things that I think our group needs and see how it all shakes down.

“I’m open to any type of coach at this point. I’m not shutting anything down. Now, timeline. We’re going to start the search and start to make a list immediately. I really don’t have a timeline on it. I’m going to look to hire the best candidate for this team and what it needs moving forward.”

Ducks Move On From Greg Cronin

Speculation: When to Expect an Anaheim Ducks Coaching Hire

How the Ducks Head Coaching Job Compares to Other Vacancies around the NHL

4-26-25

Just one week later, on April 26, the first sizable news around general manager Pat Verbeek’s coaching search surfaced.

ESPN’s John Buccigross sent a cryptic post on social media of side-by-side images of controversial (to say the least) three-time Stanley Cup-winning head coach Joel Quenneville and a family of Ducks.

Nearly four hours after Buccigross’ post, James Murphy of RG Media reported that a “well-connected NHL source” told him the Ducks offered Quenneville their open head coaching job, a very surprising potential development considering Verbeek’s statements alluding to casting a wide net and being open to any coach.

“The job is his if he wants it, and I’d be stunned if he doesn’t take it,” Murphy’s source relayed to him. “I’d say it’s 99.999999 percent he becomes the next head coach in Anaheim.”

The Ducks later confirmed that Murphy’s report was false and that interviews will continue.

Roughly an hour and a half later, PHWA President Frank Seravalli from DailyFaceoff.com slightly contradicted Murphy’s report, confirming the Ducks interviewed Quenneville, but stated the team is early in their process.

“Joel Quenneville recently interviewed for the (Ducks) head coaching vacancy,” Seravalli reported on social media. “He is a strong candidate but it’s still early in the process, multiple interviews to come in Anaheim.”

4-27-25

The IIHF U18 World Championship is underway in Frisco, Texas, the final big on-ice draft event of the season. Making up most of the attendance numbers are NHL coaches, scouts, media, and family members of players.

Sean Shapiro of DLLS Sports and Elite Prospects offered an update on the Anaheim coaching search via social media.

“Chatter at U18s from some in the NHL coaching circles is that Anaheim has interviewed, but not offered the job to anyone,” Shapiro said.

Elliotte Friedman from SportsNet is one of the NHL's premier insiders. He gave his thoughts on Monday’s rendition of his “32 Thoughts” podcast.

“The way I understand it, he’s definitely a serious candidate there, and we’ll see if he ends up being the guy. But he’s definitely a serious candidate. I don’t think that’s the only team that’s interested in him.

“I think the Ducks are very serious about it from a hockey perspective. You’ve heard Pat Verbeek say that they want to make the playoffs next year, and that’s why I think he’s looking at Quenneville, and Quenneville is a possibility. And I think the two of them met face-to-face last week.

“The bottom line is the Ducks are considering him, and he is a very serious contender for their job.”

4-30-25

TSN’s Darren Dreger reported on the latest installment of “The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast” that the Ducks are expected to interview Quenneville a second time.

“Some wanted to connect Joel Quenneville to (Rangers GM Chris) Drury because of their Colorado days,” Dreger said. “I know that Q is—he’s expected to get a second interview with the Anaheim Ducks, so we’ll see how things play out there.”

5-1-25

Pierre LeBrun from TSN, one of the NHL’s premier insiders, reported on social media that the Ducks have contacted several coaches in regards to filling their head coaching vacancy while confirming they intend to interview Quenneville a second time.

“Hearing Ducks have interviewed Jay Woodcroft,” LeBrun said. “Also hear Ducks GM Pat Verbeek recently met with David Carle. Believe Anaheim has also made contact with Mike Sullivan. As reported by others, Joel Quenneville will soon get a second interview. Other names in mix. Wide search by Ducks.”

Less than one hour later, Vince Mercogliano, who covers the New York Rangers for USA Today, reported on social media the Rangers were heading toward hiring Sullivan as their next head coach. 

"The (Rangers) haven't confirmed or announced anything officially yet, but it sounds like things are getting close and very much trending toward Mike Sullivan becoming the 38th head coach in franchise history." 

5-2-25

To make it official, early on May 2, the Rangers announced they hired Sullivan as their head coach, making him the first coaching hire of the 2025 offseason and eliminating him from contention for the Ducks' job.

Linked Names

Joel Quenneville: Quenneville (66) sits second on the NHL’s all-time wins list for head coaches with 969. He hasn’t coached a game since Oct. 28, 2021. He resigned from his position as head coach of the Florida Panthers following the results of Jenner & Block’s investigation into the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks.

David Carle: Carle (35) recently withdrew himself from the running for head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks. He is possibly the most clamored-for coach on the market. Carle has coached the University of Denver to two NCAA championships and Team USA to back-to-back World Junior Championship gold medals.

Jay Woodcroft: Woodcroft (48) was relieved of his position as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers just 13 games into 2023-24 and after assuming the position in the middle of 2021-22. He has a 79-41-13 record in 133 games behind an NHL bench, and the Oilers, months after parting ways, made it to game seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.

Mike Sullivan (Hired-New York Rangers): The Pittsburgh Penguins let Sullivan (57) go on April 28. He won two Stanley Cups with the Pens in 2016 and 2017 as their head coach, and his appearance on the market immediately made him one of the most desirable targets for one of the eight franchises in need.

This piece will see continued updates as new information surfaces

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