The Los Angeles Kings have been busy at the start of the offseason as they prepare to hire their next franchise head coach. There have been plenty of rumors and options LA has been considering since the offseason, with names like Bruce Cassidy and Peter Laviolette at the top of the list.
But Wednesday afternoon, a new report from NHL insider Frank Seravalli stated that Jay Woodcroft, who reportedly interviewed with Los Angeles last week, is also expected to interview with the Toronto Maple Leafs later this week.
#Leafs coaching search update, per sources: - #FlyTogether Jay Woodcroft scheduled to interview this week. Interviewed with #LAKings last week. Handicapped as “one of the front runners” for the Toronto job. Either spot, solid bet to be an NHL HC again next season. - Wide swath of…
Seravalli also reported that Woodcroft is viewed as a "strong candidate" for Toronto's coaching vacancy and remains a strong candidate to return behind an NHL bench next season.
Woodcroft becomes the second confirmed candidate connected to the Los Angeles Kings coaching search this offseason, after reports earlier this week also linked former New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette to interviewing for the Kings coaching job.
Woodcroft and Laviolette are the only confirmed coaches with whom LA has been granted an interview. Additionally, Bruce Cassidy is a name that the Kings are still keeping a strong eye on, but the Vegas Golden Knights have not yet granted permission for Los Angeles to speak with him.
Here's why Woodcroft makes sense as a potential head coach for the Kings. The former Oilers head coach took over Edmonton as an interim in the 2022 season and led the team to a 26-9-3 finish and a berth in the Western Conference Final.
In the 2022–23 season, his first full season as head coach, he led Edmonton to a 50-23-9 record and set an NHL record for the most efficient power play (32.4%).
Woodcroft has experience leading young, talented players and elevating their play, including Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and has consistently operated one of the league’s most dangerous power plays.
The same style of play can appeal to the Kings' young talent, who struggled to generate offense consistently around Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke, something that can change moving forward with Woodcroft behind the bench.
This past season, he helped lead the Anaheim Ducks to the playoffs as an assistant coach under head coach Joel Quenneville for the first time since the 2017-18 season, and the Ducks defeated his former team in the first round.
Woodcroft's fresh and young, offensive-minded approach brings something new and interesting to the Kings' coaching position compared to some of the veteran candidates linked to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles may view him as a long-term coach who can help elevate their young talent into stars.
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.
LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights weren't the only ones who needed to relearn about themselves when John Tortorella took over as coach on March 29.
Turns out, the grizzled veteran coach who's been known to ruffle some feathers with an abrasive approach became a student, too.
"In the short time I've been with them, I watched them and listened to them," Tortorella said Tuesday night after the Golden Knights clinched a berth into the Stanley Cup Final. "I've learned a ton from them. I've learned ... I think coaches overcoach. I think we overcoach, and I think we get in the way sometimes.
"This group here, especially after me being with younger teams prior to this, I hope to be a better coach and learned more to have some listening skills when you're dealing with veteran players."
The Golden Knights were on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention after losing 19 of 27 when former coach Bruce Cassidy was fired and Tortorella was brought in to spark life into the team.
Vegas closed the regular season on a 7-0-1 run, won the Pacific Division, won 12 of 16 in the playoffs - including their last six - and now return to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in the team's nine-year existence.
Vegas beat the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche in four games, taking Games 1 and 2 in Denver and then sealing things at home in Games 3 and 4, including Tuesday's 2-1 clincher at T-Mobile Arena.
"I think it's just the way that he communicates with us on a day-to-day basis, his message, his demeanor," Vegas star center Jack Eichel said. "I think it's definitely felt like a group effort, and he's constantly coming to us for feedback, and I think his message has been received really well."
Eichel said it's been the cohesiveness between Tortorella and the players that made the transition from Cassidy, who led the team to its first Stanley Cup title in 2023, seamless with eight games left in the campaign.
"I think the guys have a lot of confidence in him, and really believe in what he's saying," Eichel said. "And I think he's done a good job of getting the most out of the group, so it's definitely been a collective group effort."
Tortorella also said coaching an elite group with playoff experience and great chemistry allowed him to differentiate between two coaching philosophies.
"I think in the regular season, I wasn't here much during the regular season, sometimes you coach at them," Tortorella said. "During the playoffs, you coach with them. So it gave me an opportunity to be with them and understand what they see. And with such a veteran group, I learned a ton.
"Hopefully, we play a few more games and continue to learn more and succeed together."
The Knights await the winner of the Eastern Conference Final between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes, who lead the series 2-1.
Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler, and Max Bultman released their latest 2026 NHL mock draft for The Athletic.
For the Montreal Canadiens, Bultman predicted that the Habs would select defenseman William Hakansson with their first-round pick.
Hakansson is certainly an intriguing prospect in this year's draft. The 6-foot-4 blueliner would have the potential to be a nice addition to the Canadiens' prospect pool, as he has the tools to emerge as an impactful shutdown defenseman at the NHL level.
Hakansson appeared in 22 games this season with Lulea HF of the Swedish Hockey League, where he had two assists and a plus-1 rating. He also played for Almtuna IS of HockeyAllsvenskan on a loan, where he had two goals, four assists, and 39 penalty minutes in 16 games.
If the Canadiens selected Hakansson in the first round, they would be bringing in a big defenseman with good upside. While he is not the flashiest of players when it comes to his offense, his steady defensive play could make him a nice pickup for a Canadiens club on the rise.
The Carolina Hurricanes face the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Hurricanes lead the series 2-1 after winning Game 3 in overtime. Carolina is favored with a -146 moneyline compared to the Canadiens' +123.
How to watch Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Chicago Blackhawks are scheduled to make the 4th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. They fell two slots in the lottery as the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks jumped up into first and second. The Vancouver Canucks will pick third.
When the lottery results were first revealed, there was a thought that Swedish sensation Ivar Stenberg could fall to the Blackhawks at four. With Gavin McKenna likely going to Toronto, some assumed that the Sharks may consider a defenseman because of their need for organizational prospects at the position.
That leaves the Vancouver Canucks, who may think about Caleb Malhotra, whose father, Manny, is in the organization as their AHL coach.
It always felt like a possible but unlikely outcome, but things are shifting again because of Stenberg's play at the IIHF World Championships. He is one of Team Sweden's leading drivers of offense through group play.
In seven games so far, Stenberg has four goals and four assists for eight points. If Team Sweden is going to win the tournament, and the tools are there for them to do so, Stenberg must continue on this trajectory.
Stenberg won the Gold Medal with Team Sweden at the World Junior Championships back in January, and now he's looking to add another team victory to his resume going into the draft.
This success, especially given it was a step up in opponent class, is making him appear more enticing at the top of the draft. If the San Jose Sharks really want to take a defenseman, they could move down a few slots and get one while a team comes up to get Stenberg.
The Blackhawks could be the team to move up to do it, but the Sharks may not want to make a trade like that with the Blackhawks because they could be Western Conference foes in the playoffs down the line.
If the Blackhawks somehow did end up with Stenberg, it would be a big boost for both him and Anton Frondell to play together in the NHL. They have played together at the World Juniors and World Championships now, which has allowed them to show off some notable chemistry in the offensive zone.
It is often said because it is true: a lot can happen before the draft begins. However, where things stand today, Kyle Davidson can't be banking on Stenberg being there when he comes up to select at four.
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 on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.
Heading into the 2026 offseason, the Philadelphia Flyers are equipped with a ton of draft capital and assets, with various paths to explore to make good use of them.
And, although they just made the playoffs, it might be wise to continue to invest via the NHL draft.
As things currently stand, the Flyers won't be able to make too much happen with the No. 21 overall pick they own, but they could package that to acquire something greater, whether it be a player or another draft pick higher in the order.
If the Flyers opt to go for the latter, they won't have to look much further than the Chicago Blackhawks, who are picking fourth overall in the 2026 draft.
Despite landing young talents like Anton Frondell, Connor Bedard, Artyom Levshunov, Spencer Knight, and Frank Nazar, the Blackhawks remain in the NHL's doldrums, mired in mediocrity.
According to NHL insider David Pagnotta via the "Morning Cuppa Hockey" show, the Blackhawks would consider parting ways with that No. 4 pick if it brought them a young player who can contribute now and comes with team control.
Now, the Flyers wouldn't offer Matvei Michkov or Porter Martone for an unknown commodity draft pick that, like a car, becomes less valuable as soon as it is used.
They can however, take from their glut of wingers and defensemen to help make a useful trade package by means of diminishing returns, helping the Blackhawks put a more competent supporting cast around Bedard.
That might have to come at the cost of Tyson Foerster and/or Owen Tippett, the Flyers' own first-round pick, and someone like Emil Andrae or Oliver Bonk.
Those are the talents and ages that Chicago will need to make such a trade worthwhile from their perspective.
As for the Flyers, trading for the No. 4 pick would certainly come with its benefits.
Assuming Gavin McKenna, Chase Reid, and Caleb Malhotra are the first three players off the board, the Flyers can ease the losses of Foerster and/or Tippett with the selection of Swedish starlet Ivar Stenberg, who has a real case to go No. 1 ahead of McKenna.
Or, if the Flyers opt to go off the board a bit, they can get their top-six center in Tynan Lawrence or Viggo Bjorck, or get a blue-chip defenseman like Carson Carels, Alberts Smits, or Keaton Verhoeff.
They aren't NHL-proven talents, to be clear, but they are the high-end talents the Flyers are looking for and crave with a reasonable path to getting them.
Stenberg is the obvious cream of the crop among all those alternative names, and the Flyers having a long-term core of Stenberg, Martone, and Michkov on the wings would be absurd, to say the least.
Not only have the Detroit Red Wings featured some of the greatest NHL talents to have ever hit the ice throughout their history, but some of the toughest.
During his heyday, the legendary Gordie Howe was not only one of the most skilled players, but also one of the hardest-nosed and physically imposing presences on the ice, who was never shy about clearing his way through opponents.
Of course, the Red Wings also featured the iconic "Bruise Brothers" duo of Bob Probert and Joey Kocur. Additionally, Stu Grimson spent a portion of his NHL career in Detroit.
Known as one of the fiercest fighters in NHL history, the late Probert skated in over 900 NHL games between the Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, racking up over 3,000 penalty minutes.
Grimson, who fought Probert multiple times, recently recounted a story of their on-ice bouts that always made for must-see action for the fans.
"I fought Probie...we fought 14 times over the course of our careers," Grimson said while on the Ice Guardians Podcast. "Like, there was nobody I fought more than Probie. The same is true of him, God rest his soul. Probie was a handful, he was a good fighter. He didn't hit like some of the other guys did."
Grimson played a total of 68 games with the Red Wings, during which he racked up 165 penalty minutes.
In 729 career games, Grimson accumulated 2,113 penalty minutes, a large portion of which came from fighting majors.
While the role of players who are mostly deployed as "enforcers" has been phased out of the game, fans who watched the respective careers of the late Probert as well as Grimson look back upon those memories fondly.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
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.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to interview Anaheim Ducks assistant coach Jay Woodcroft this week, according to hockey insider Frank Seravalli.
The 49-year-old Toronto native, also interviewed with the Los Angeles Kings last week, according to Seravalli, who says Woodcroft is “one of the front runners” for the Toronto job, positioning him as a strong candidate to return to an NHL head coaching role next season.
Toronto’s head coaching vacancy, opened after the abrupt dismissal of Craig Berube following a disappointing season and has already drawn significant interest across the hockey world. With new general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin at the helm, the organization is conducting a “wide and deep” search, according to Chayka.
This development comes as the Leafs' search process remains in its early-to-mid stages. Seravalli noted a broad field of up to 20 interviewees with varying levels of experience, with most conversations currently taking place via Zoom. The organization plans to regroup around the NHL Draft Combine next week in Buffalo before shifting focus to in-person interviews with a select group of finalists the following week.
For Woodcroft, the opportunity represents a homecoming of sorts. Born and raised in Toronto, the former University of Alabama-Huntsville player has deep roots in the city. His potential return as head coach of the Maple Leafs would carry both sentimental value and professional intrigue, especially given the high-pressure environment that defines one of the NHL's marquee franchises.
A Proven Track Record Built Through the Ranks
Woodcroft’s coaching journey is one of steady progression and notable achievements. He broke into the NHL coaching ranks as a video coach with the Detroit Red Wings in 2005, contributing to their 2008 Stanley Cup victory. He then spent seven seasons (2008-15) as an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks under Todd McLellan, helping guide the team to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances in 2010 and 2011.
#Leafs coaching search update, per sources: - #FlyTogether Jay Woodcroft scheduled to interview this week. Interviewed with #LAKings last week. Handicapped as “one of the front runners” for the Toronto job. Either spot, solid bet to be an NHL HC again next season. - Wide swath of…
After rejoining McLellan with the Edmonton Oilers as an assistant coach from 2015-18, Woodcroft took over as head coach of the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, in 2018. Over four-plus seasons, he compiled a strong 105-71-21 record, securing two Pacific Division titles and developing numerous players who graduated to the NHL.
His big break at the NHL level came in February 2022 when he was promoted to interim head coach of the Oilers midway through the season. Woodcroft quickly stabilized a struggling Edmonton squad, leading them to a 38-26-9 record in 73 games and a playoff run that reached the Western Conference Final. The following full season (2022-23), he guided the Oilers to a franchise-best 50-23-9 record (109 points), setting an NHL record with a 32.4% power-play efficiency. The team was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.
Overall, Woodcroft's NHL head coaching record stands at 79-41-13 (.643 points percentage) across 133 regular-season games, with a 14-14 playoff record. These numbers reflect a coach capable of maximizing star talent like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, while implementing structured defensive play and special teams excellence.
However, his tenure in Edmonton ended on a sour note. After a 3-9-1 start to the 2023-24 season, Woodcroft was fired in November 2023 where under new a new head coach, the Oilers advanced to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals.
What makes Woodcroft an appealing candidate for the Maple Leafs? Several factors stand out. First, his experience turning around a high-skill, underachieving team in Edmonton mirrors the challenges Toronto has faced in recent years. The Leafs boast elite offensive talent in Auston Matthews and William Nylander, but have struggled with consistency, defensive structure, and postseason success beyond the first round.
Woodcroft's emphasis on player development, detailed systems, and special teams could address these gaps. His track record with the Condors demonstrates an ability to nurture young talent, which could prove valuable as Toronto potentially integrates prospects. Being a Toronto native might also help him navigate the intense media scrutiny and fan expectations that come with the job.
Woodcroft's chances appear solid but not guaranteed. As a "front runner", he likely sits among a small group of top contenders. His recent interview with the Kings shows he's in demand, and his availability as an assistant (rather than a sitting head coach) gives Toronto flexibility. However, the final decision will hinge on interviews, cultural fit, and alignment with the new front office's vision for a fresh start.
The pressure in Toronto is immense. The Leafs have not advanced past the second round since 2004 and are coming off a season that saw them finish last in the Atlantic Division under Berube. Chayka’s regime, bolstered by Sundin’s hockey acumen, needs a coach who can command respect in the room, implement a sustainable identity, and deliver results in a win-now environment.
What Lies Ahead
As the process moves toward in-person interviews, all eyes will be on how Woodcroft presents his vision. For Leafs fans, the idea of a hometown coach with proven NHL success offers hope after years of playoff disappointment. Yet hockey history is littered with promising candidates who didn't quite fit the unique puzzle of coaching in Toronto.
Woodcroft has already proven he can win at the NHL level and develop players. Whether he becomes the 33rd head coach in Maple Leafs history remains to be seen. The coming weeks will be telling as Chayka and company aim to find the right voice to lead a franchise hungry for sustained success.
Former Florida Panthers winger Reilly Smith is headed back to the Stanley Cup finals as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Smith played just two seasons with the Panthers, but he put up very respectable numbers. In his first season with the team in 2015-16, Smith notched 25 goals and 50 points in 82 games. He followed that campaign up with 15 goals and 37 points in 80 games.
In the 2017 Vegas expansion draft, the Golden Knights selected Jonathan Marchessault from the Panthers, but they were also forced to give Smith as a concession.
Smith went on to form a dynamite trio with Marchessault and William Karlsson for several years.
Following the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup triumph over the Panthers in 2023, Smith was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins and later the New York Rangers. But at the deadline in 2025, the Golden Knights reacquired the veteran winger.
Smith, now 35 years old, hasn’t produced at the same rate as he once did, and he’s lost his spot in the lineup because of it. During the 2025-26 post-season, Smith has featured in just six games, recording just two assists. All six of Smith’s games came in the first round against the Utah Mammoth.
Despite not playing, Smith is likely still a veteran voice that many of the Golden Knights’ players turn to.
While nothing is guaranteed in the NHL, the Golden Knights just took out the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche and are very healthy heading into the finals. While there is no doubt that the Carolina Hurricanes or Montreal Canadiens could win a finals matchup against the Golden Knights, they are the clear favorites to win it all.
If that happens, Smith would take home his second Stanley Cup.
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.
The Chicago Blackhawks have a big decision to make with their fourth-overall pick at this year's draft. No matter who ends up being selected with the first three picks of the draft, the Blackhawks are going to have some very good prospects to choose from once they are on the clock.
In The Athletic's most recent mock draft, Corey Pronman predicted that the Blackhawks would select defenseman Alberts Smits with the fourth-overall pick.
Smits is one of the most promising defensemen in this year's draft, so he would have the potential to be a nice addition to Chicago's prospect pool. This is especially so when noting that the left side of the Blackhawks' blueline could use improvement. If they landed Smits, he would have the potential to give them a long-term answer for their left side.
Smits spent most of this season in Finland's Liiga with Jukurit, where he had six goals and 13 points in 38 games. He also had an impressive six goals and 10 points in just five games for Jukurit's U20 team this season.
Smits also played five games on a loan with EHC Munchen of Germany's DEL, where he had one assist and two penalty minutes.
Ultimately, if a forward like Ivar Stenberg has already been taken when the Blackhawks are on the clock, Smits could be worth selecting if he is available. The potential for him to be a very good NHL defenseman is there.
The Pittsburgh Penguins were one of the NHL's biggest surprises this season. After entering the season expected by many to be among the worst teams in the league, the Penguins instead made the playoffs. With this, it was a successful year for the Penguins.
However, even after making the playoffs this year, it is clear that the Penguins are a team focused on the future. Because of this, it is certainly important for them to have a good 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Pugachyov would be a fascinating prospect for the Penguins to add to their system. The 6-foot-3 winger has the potential to be an impactful power forward in the NHL, so he could be worth taking a shot on for the Penguins if he is still available when they are on the clock.
Pugachyov spent most of this season Russia's MHL, where he had 10 goals and 24 points in 33 games with Chaika Nizhny Novgorod. However, he also played in both the VHL and KHL this season. In 15 games with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL, he had two goals and an assist. In the VHL this campaign with Torpedo-Gorky NN, he had a goal and five points.
Ultimately, the Penguins could use a promising forward prospect with size like Pugachyov. It will be interesting to see if they end up selecting him from here.
The Athletic's Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler, and Max Bultman released their latest 2026 NHL Mock Draft. The Buffalo Sabres were among the teams featured on it, as they still have their first-round pick for this year's draft.
In the mock draft, Wheeler predicted that the Sabres would select defenseman Xavier Villeneuve in the first round.
If the Sabres selected Villeneuve at this year's draft, they would be bringing in a skilled offensive defenseman who has plenty of potential. The 5-foot-11 defenseman had a strong season in the QMJHL with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, where he posted six goals and 38 points in 37 games. This is after he had 12 goals and 62 points in 61 games for the QMJHL club during the 2024-25 season.
With Villeneuve being a skilled blueliner, it would makes sense if the Sabres took a chance on him in the first round. The potential for him to become an impactful top-four defenseman and power-play specialist in the NHL later down the road is there.
It will now be interesting to see if the Sabres end up selecting Villeneuve with their first round pick this year from here.
The Vegas Golden Knights punched their ticket to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday night.
The Knights swept away the Colorado Avalanche, who have former New York Islanders Brock Nelson and Devon Toews.
The Avalanche's elimination confirmed the Islanders traded the 29th overall pick to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Brayden Schenn, as part of the bigger trade itself.
With Vegas advancing to the final, it's time to look back at how the Islanders fared against the Western Conference Champions.
The Islanders played Vegas twice, per the usual NHL schedule of facing every team from the west twice.
The Islanders went 2-0-0 against the Knights, with one overtime win and one shootout victory.
The first meeting of the season came back on November 13, 2025. That night, the Islanders came into Vegas looking to a win a third-straight game to kick off a season-long seven-game road trip.
The first period went exceedingly well, with Emil Heineman and Matthew Schaefer scoring to give the Islanders a 2-0 lead after one period. Vegas scored the next three goals over the next two periods, putting the Islanders backs to the wall.
Mathew Barzal tied the game with under three minutes to go with Ilya Sorokin pulled, a thundering one-timer.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau then won it in overtime with a shorthanded goal, a massive win for the Islanders at the time:
The second meeting came just under a month later, on December 9 in UBS Arena.
The opposite of the first game occurred, with the Islanders falling behind 2-0 to start the game.
The Islanders fought back and scored three straight goals, with Bo Horvat, Marc Gatcomb, and Simon Holmstrom all tallying.
Vegas fought back, and tied the game at 3 early in the third period.
Then with under 10 minutes to play, Horvat scored his second of the game, giving the Islanders a late lead.
Ultimately, Pavel Dorofeyev tied the game at 4 with 12 seconds left in regulation.
Emil Heineman ultimately won the thrilling game in a shootout.
The 2025-26 season came to an end for the Anaheim Ducks less than two weeks ago, on May 14, and the opponent who ousted them, the Vegas Golden Knights, are off to the Stanley Cup final for the third time in the nine-year history of their franchise.
The Ducks were a surprise team to make the playoffs and an even bigger surprise as they advanced to the second round, defeating the back-to-back Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers in six games.
The Knights and Ducks split the first four games of their second-round series, and one wouldn’t have been blamed for thinking Anaheim was the better team through the early stages of the series.
Vegas went on to win Game 5 in overtime and handily closed out the series in Game 6, at Honda Center on May 14. On Tuesday, they closed out their four-game sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche in dominant fashion, earning themselves the Campbell Trophy.
The Ducks’ first trip to the Stanley Cup playoffs in eight seasons included the first appearances for their entire young core. While their playoff run naturally offered a wide array of lessons and experiences for the Ducks, from the players on the ice to the organization as a whole, there are several aspects of their second-round opponent and now Western Conference champion Golden Knights that they could study, adopt, and implement into their own group as they continue to build toward becoming a perennial contender.
The quick, zoomed-out, potentially snarky responses will be to “get better players” or “defend better,” but there are more granular concepts to pull from.
Roster Construction
A glance at Vegas’ depth chart will reveal two key facets to how general manager Kelly McCrimmon has constructed his roster: star two-way forwards and long, sturdy, mobile defensemen.
Vegas has contributors up and down their entire lineup. However, the core pieces of their forward group that truly dictate how they operate on the ice can be identified as franchise center Jack Eichel, captain Mark Stone, offseason acquisition Mitch Marner, and William Karlsson, one of the best 200-foot centers of his generation.
Those four forwards are not only staples on the penalty kill, but are also academic, influential, and disruptive on the defensive side of the puck, in every situation and in every zone. They’re not only able to manufacture mistakes and turnovers from their opponents, but can turn those sequences into dangerous opportunities the other way.
The Ducks’ present and future core forwards can be identified as Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Beckett Sennecke, with the potential of including one, two, or all three of Troy Terry, Mason McTavish, and Roger McQueen to that mix, depending on circumstance.
Carlsson (21), Gauthier (22), and Sennecke (20) each have the physical tools and tenacity to evolve into quality defensive players as their young careers progress. They each possess the necessary foot speed, length, and motor, having displayed flashes of disruptive, hounding tendencies.
If Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek were to lean into adding more defensively impactful players to surround his young core via trade or free agency this summer, the Ducks could instill that standard within their young core and replicate some of that key element to Vegas’ current success.
Seize Opportunities to Add
Another close examination of the Golden Knights’ depth chart will reveal a unique way to build a consistent Cup contender. They simply target every impact name that hits a given trade market or free agency class.
Aside from Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, and William Karlsson, who were acquired within the context of the 2017 expansion draft, the vast majority of the Knights’ core and/or impact players were cleverly acquired via trade or free agency.
Mark Stone, Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Tomas Hertl, Ivan Barbashev, Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson, and Carter Hart were all added externally, and the majority of the acquisitions could now be seen as “steals,” as the acquisition cost was likely less than full value due to various circumstances (no-trade clauses, depreciated assets, etc.). The lone impact player to have been drafted and developed by Vegas is late-blooming breakout forward Pavel Dorofeyev (79th overall in 2019).
The Ducks are coming off the heels of a long, traditional rebuild, where they acquired and/or developed most of their core and most talented players via the NHL Entry Draft. However, now that the core is in place and Anaheim has established itself as a potential destination for star players on the move, as soon as the salary cap landscape of the roster becomes clearer, it may benefit Verbeek to become more aggressive in his pursuit of complementary star players as they hit the NHL’s various markets.
Though they parted with their 2026 first round pick to acquire John Carlson at this past trade deadline, Anaheim still has a treasure trove of draft picks in the next four drafts, including 12 picks in the first three rounds, and one of the best prospect pipelines in the NHL with varying degrees of NHL readiness.
Headlined by prospects like Roger McQueen, Tristan Luneau, and Damian Clara, along with young, talented players who’ve yet to establish themselves in the NHL like Mason McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger, the Ducks have the pieces to construct some of the most enticing trade packages should a star player become available.
It shouldn’t go without saying that not all Vegas’ “go for it” moves were successful. They parted with now-Montreal Canadien’s captain Nick Suzuki in a package to acquire forward Max Pacioretty (who had a good run with Vegas, but never lifted the cup). Part of the package Vegas sent to Montreal for Pacioretty included forward Tomas Tatar, whom they acquired just six months and 20 games prior in exchange for a first, second, and third-round pick.
Though some of their dealings have been considered “ruthless,” Vegas continues to aggressively make the moves they feel will help them win Stanley Cups immediately. It’s unorthodox and risky, but Verbeek has the stockpile to deploy a similar strategy in Anaheim.
On-Ice Tactics
Though ample credit has been given to Vegas head coach John Tortorella and the on-ice play of goaltender Carter Hart for the Knights’ playoff success to this point, and much of it is deserved, Vegas’ systems and on-ice play style instituted by former bench boss Bruce Cassidy and reinforced by the 18 skaters in front of the crease remains one of the most influential aspects of their run.
Vegas’ contained zone defensive structure has thwarted two young, fast, “run-and-gun” clubs in the Utah Mammoth and Anaheim Ducks, and an aggressive, flowing, talented Colorado Avalanche team. The Knights prioritize protecting the inner slot, allowing perimeter possession until a mistake is forced, on which they can capitalize. They have been the NHL’s best team when it comes to boxing out the net front, clearing rebounds, and eliminating high-danger lanes. Their five-man defensive structure makes Hart’s job significantly easier.
Offensively, they aren’t the fleetest, and they don’t boast the NHL’s best forecheck, but with their IQ and length, they are one of the league’s top cycle teams. They wear opponents down, identify breakdowns, and win wall battles at an impressive clip, leading to accomplishing their offensive goals.
The Ducks were one of the NHL’s top rush teams, relying on their speed and youth to drive their output. However, when they ran up against a polished defensive team like Vegas, who values puck management and plays a contained system, Anaheim’s flaws were exposed.
Anaheim’s rush chances were minimized against the Knights, leaving them to attempt to manufacture offense off the cycle and forecheck. Vegas’ defensemen were able to absorb the Ducks’ forecheck with ease, and Anaheim’s physical and mental youth couldn’t penetrate the Knights’ interior zone, leaving them forced to settle for low-to-high passes and perimeter shots with minimal traffic.
Much of their wrinkles will likely be ironed out with time and experience, but focusing on becoming a reliable team in front of the crease in the defensive zone and rounding out their offensive diversity will be necessary to achieve the Ducks’ ultimate goal.
Vegas will head to the Stanley Cup final as the likely favorite to defeat whoever comes out of the Eastern Conference between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes. The Ducks still have some distance to make up to get to where Vegas is in their organization, but adopting some of the aspects that have made the Knights such a successful young franchise will be needed in the years to come for Anaheim.
LAS VEGAS — The tempting comparison, given the Golden Knights’ unexpected run to the Stanley Cup Final, would be to the team that shocked the NHL in 2018 by playing for the championship as a first-year franchise.
But the more apt comparison might be to three years ago when Vegas — in not nearly as much of a surprise — won the Stanley Cup.
Carolina or Montreal, who are playing in the Eastern Conference Final, will have a lot to say whether the Golden Knights complete the task and win another Cup.
But Vegas is back for the third time in its nine seasons to cement itself as potentially the greatest expansion franchise in North American sports history. The Golden Knights got there by beating Colorado 2-1 for a stunning sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche.
This team, like the one in 2023, has won with depth scoring, bruising defense and a hot goalie.
“I think we’ve always built our teams with good depth at the forward position, defensive position and goaltending position,” captain Mark Stone said. “I guess the similarities are that’s just the way we build our teams.”
On the 2023 team, 18 players scored goals in the playoffs and 12 had at least 10 points over 22 games. So far through 16 games this postseason, 15 players have scored goals and six have produced 10 or more points.
The depth showed itself in the clincher against the Avalanche when both goals came from the third and fourth lines, with Cole Smith scoring the decisive goal with 5:45 left.
“The third and fourth lines, the five- and six-D, that’s how you continue to move in the playoffs,” coach John Tortorella said. “Those are very important pieces as you go through these series. I’m happy for Smitty. I was going to kill him; he’s taking so many penalties.
“But I’m happy for him and (Dylan Coghlan and Kaedan Korczak). I mean, how well did they play. Playing against that team with the amount of speed that they bring, they weren’t intimidated by a thing.”
Coghlan and Korczak form the third pairing on the Golden Knights’ defense, which shut down an Avalanche offense that averaged a league-high 3.63 goals per game during the regular season and in the first two rounds upped that to 4.11. It was 1.75 against Vegas.
Colorado went the final 14:23 of the second period in Game 4 without a shot on goal and more than 25 minutes with just one shot.
The Golden Knights spent the series blocking one Avalanche shot after another, and for the postseason, four of the top nine players in blocked shots play for Vegas, topped by Shea Theodore’s 46. Four of the top five in 2023 were Golden Knights, including leader Alec Martinez with 57.
And then there’s the goalie play.
Adin Hill shined in 2023, coming off the bench in the second round and then going 11-4 with a .932 save percentage and 2.17 goals-against average. Hill remains on the team, but has been watching from the bench as Carter Hart has taken hold of the position. Hart is 12-4 with a .924 percentage and 2.22 GAA during the postseason.
“Hartsy’s been amazing this whole series, whole playoffs really,” Mitch Marner said. “Made some massive saves throughout all these games and again tonight. Made some massive ones for us to keep the game where it was. Hell of a game by Hartsy again.”
Kings Have Their Sights Set On Stanley Cup Winning Head CoachThe Los Angeles Kings have shown interest in multiple suitors for their Head Coach opening and have even had preliminary conversations with a former Stanley Cup winning bench boss.
