More than a month after the Senators were eliminated from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, owner Michael Andlauer still finds himself thinking about what might have been.

He's still not fully over the first-round loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

"It's never over, because you look at it and they're still playing," Andlauer said Friday at the Senators' alumni golf tournament at the Canadia Golf and Country Club . "You look at it and think 'what if?' (Game 2 of the Cup Final) went into overtime. In our Game 2, how many posts, crossbars or open chances did we have? 'What if,' right?"

But those lingering thoughts haven't changed his big picture outlook. If anything, Andlauer sounds more convinced than ever that the Senators are doing things the right way and headed in the right direction.

"I think as a fan, I'm happy where we're going," he said.

Looking back on this season, Andlauer believes his club was stronger than last year's squad. While the Senators' playoff run was even shorter this year, Andlauer admired how his group rallied to earn a wild-card while pushing through so many battles.

"We went through a lot of adversity this season, including in the playoffs, with how many injuries we had on the D-core, and we persevered."

That resilience is something Andlauer clearly values, along with the positive culture that's been created by GM Steve Staios and head coach Travis Green.

Asked what the team needs to do to take the next step, Andlauer didn't talk about adding a specific kind of player or making a splashy move.

"I think continue to stay focused," he said. "I think Steve and his staff are doing a fantastic job of continuously improving. It's a very competitive league. (We need to) stay on track and continue to believe, make sure that the culture is right, that we care, and that we're willing to work harder than our competition."

Staios and his amateur staff have been in Buffalo at the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine over the past week. The combine allows GMs to get a closer look at most of the best young prospects eligible for the NHL Draft later this month.

Until recently, the 2026 combine was an event that the Sens could easily have skipped because they didn't have a first-round pick. It was the NHL's punishment for their role in the 2021 Evgenii Dadonov trade controversy. But in March, after all this time, the league decided to let Ottawa pick in round one after all, though it will be 32nd overall.

"It's good for us. It's good for our organization. It's good for our fans," Andlauer said. "I think we had to show the league what kind of organization we are, a new owner and everything, just to make sure that (the league knows) we're good corporate citizens.  And I think maybe a little persistence went a long way."

The league's condition was that the pick could not be traded. When asked if they could make the pick and immediately trade the selected player to another team, Andlauer wasn't sure but felt like they probably could. 

Meanwhile, with the salary cap set to spike over each of the next few seasons, Andlauer fielded questions about player payroll, and his answer should be encouraging for Senators fans.

"This is a passion of mine," he said. "Whatever it's going to take to bring a Cup to Ottawa."

That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be throwing money around in free agency. In fact, Andlauer thinks the market may not offer many attractive options that make sense.

"Because there's not enough free agents, I think people are going to want to do trades. And the fact that the cap is going up, I think there's going to be people who are going to look at that as an opportunity."

Andlauer emphasized that there's no urgency to change the game plan that has brought the Senators back to the playoffs the past two years, but he doesn't rule out offseason improvements either.

"I think there are areas that (Staios) wants to improve on," Andlauer said. "And he's focused on those things."

So, to summarize Andlauer's hockey views on Friday: He believes the Senators are stronger than they were a year ago, offseason changes are possible, he's prepared to spend what's required, he's happy to have his first-round pick back, and management has his full support.

One suspects that if the Senators fail to emerge as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender in the next couple of years, it won't be because the owner failed to do his part.

And for Sens fans, that's a nice change of pace.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

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The Stanley Cup Final shifts to Sin City tonight as the Vegas Golden Knights play host to the Carolina Hurricanes at T-Mobile Arena for Game 3.

Carter Hart and the Golden Knights will look to rebound after blowing a late 2-0 lead in Game 2, while the Hurricanes aim to seize their first series lead of the SCF.

Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET as our Covers experts break down their top NHL picks and predictions for tonight's matchup.

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights expert picks tonight

Odds courtesy of BET99.

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Neil Parker's expert pick: Over 26.5 saves

Price: -115 at BET99

Vegas Golden Knights starter Carter Hart has been exceptional at T-Mobile Arena with a .929 save percentage and 6.82 goals saved above expected (GSAx) across eight postseason games.

The Carolina Hurricanes have also dominated 5-on-5 possession with a 63.3 Corsi For percentage through the first two games of the series.

I am anticipating tidier work from Hart in the Vegas crease in Game 3.

He’s dipped to an .855 SV% with -2.49 GSAx to start the Stanley Cup Final, after all, so I’m fully expecting the statistical pendulum to swing back in Hart’s favor Saturday.

This prop has my attention at a -130 price, and I’d also play it at Over 27.5 saves to -120.

Todd Cordell's expert pick: Pavel Dorofeyev Over 0.5 points

Price: -125 at BET99

Pavel Dorofeyev has yet to record a point, but all the numbers under the hood are encouraging.

The Golden Knights have won the chance battle during his minutes, and he’s been plenty involved in the offensive zone.

Dorofeyev ranks second on the team with six chances through two games. Of the seven Golden Knights with at least four opportunities, he is the only guy who hasn’t picked up a point.

He’s skating on the top line and power-play unit, creating plenty of looks, and Frederik Andersen is struggling.

I like him to break through in Game 3. Bet to -135.

Chris Faria's expert pick: Logan Stankoven anytime goal scorer

Price: +240 at BET99

Logan Stankoven has been one of the Hurricanes’ biggest breakout stars this postseason with a team-leading 10 tallies.

Eight of his goals have come at even strength, where he leads all players this postseason in shots (43). His 18 high-danger chances at even strength are tied for sixth among all skaters, and he’s had one in each game of the Final so far.

Stankoven is part of Carolina’s dangerous second line, which has been the best trio in the series. They controlled 74% of expected goals in Game 2 and 63% in Game 1.

Play Stankoven up to +200.

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More Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes Game 3 picks

• Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights prediction
• Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights props
• Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights goal scorer predictions
• Free NHL picks
• Best NHL betting sites

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The 2026 NHL draft scouting combine is underway in Buffalo, where 80 of this year’s top prospects will undergo medical and physical tests and speak with GMs and media members from around the league. 

The Florida Panthers own the ninth overall pick in the draft, and while their NHL roster features few holes, their prospect pool has been thinned by trades for stars like Seth Jones, Brad Marchand, and others.

The Panthers haven’t made a first-round selection since 2021, when they selected Mackie Samoskevich with the 24th overall pick. 

At the combine, these players complete medical tests, participate in competitions, and speak to the media; teams are taking players out to dinner to better get to know the players they could be selecting.

On Saturday, prospects Viggo Bjorck and Daxon Rudolph confirmed that the Florida Panthers had invited and taken them out for dinner.

Bjorck is a highly skilled, undersized center hailing from Sweden. He has dominated junior hockey in Sweden and internationally, while also performing at a high level in the SHL, arguably the second strongest hockey league in the world. 

Bjorck measured at 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds. Bjorck has the skill of a top-five pick, but his frame has scared teams away. 

Florida Panthers 2026 NHL Draft Targets: Alberts SmitsThe Florida Panthers will make the ninth selection in the 2026 NHL draft, and for the next month before the June 26 draft, we are going to look at which players the Panthers could target. Today’s player preview is about defenseman Alberts Smits.

As for Rudolph, he is a 6-foot-3, right-handed defenseman who posted a phenomenal offensive season with the WHL. Rudolph’s stats and defensive game are among the best in the draft, but his skating speed has held him back. His size and skill would instantly make him the top prospect in the Panthers pool. 

The Panthers are likely looking at far more players than just Bjorck and Rudolph, but if either of those players is available at pick No. 9, the Panthers can feel confident that they are selecting the best player available. 

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BUFFALO, NY -- Projected No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna was at the center of the 2026 NHL Combine, and rightfully so. 

How Gavin McKenna Prepared For Tough Questions At The NHL Draft Combine: 'It's How You Manage These Things'Potential No. 1 NHL draft pick Gavin McKenna has spent the past two years working with a former actor who trains prospects across sports on what to say and how to say it. That training has gone into action.

He's in the same situation that Matthew Schaefer found himself in last draft year, before the New York Islanders selected him first overall. 

McKenna knows Schaefer quite well and had glowing things to say about the Islanders' superstar. 

"We've played many tournaments together," McKenna said at the 2026 NHL Draft Combine. "He's a character. He's someone who's fun to be around. He brings a lot of energy, and it's no surprise to see how good he's doing. He's a hard worker and very talented, and very skilled. So, I think for everyone who's played with him, and who's got to know him, we are not surprised to see how well he's doing."

Schaefer was the first unanimous Calder Trophy winner since Teemu Selanee back in 1993. 

"It's pretty ridiculous to see what he's doing at such a young age," McKenna said. "To be a unanimous Calder Trophy winner, that's pretty special. What he's been through as a person and the energy he brings...he's someone who's always making people laugh, and just brings that good energy. So, I've got to give so much credit to him."

"I think he's obviously going to be an amazing player, and he's shown that."

McKenna is expected to be drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the first selection. 

With the Avalanche’s front office reshuffling bringing Joe Sakic back into full control, Colorado suddenly finds itself steady at the top—but staring down a series of decisions that will quietly define whether its championship window stays wide open or starts to narrow.

Chris MacFarland’s departure has shifted day-to-day authority back to Sakic, even if his fingerprints were already all over the organization’s recent direction. The core remains elite, but maintaining that status in a rising Western Conference will require precision work across contracts, roster balance, and internal stability.

Cale Makar

Cale Makar is arguably the Avalanche’s most impactful player, but Colorado isn’t built around any single name—it’s built around a group that all feeds into what they’re trying to accomplish as a team.

Still, it’s impossible to ignore how central he is to everything they do.

Eligible for an extension beginning July 1, Makar is in position to reset the market entirely for defensemen, with projections climbing into the $20 million range annually. He will be 27 at the start of the 2026-27 season, still squarely in his prime years, with the kind of runway that makes long-term investment less a question of “if” than “how much.”

Colorado’s cap outlook suggests they can make it work, with roughly $37.7 million projected for 2027-28 when a new deal would likely kick in. But the challenge isn’t just fitting Makar in—it’s building everything around him while also planning for future extensions for key pieces like Artturi Lehkonen and Nicolas Roy.

This isn’t just a contract negotiation. It’s the framework for the next era of Avalanche hockey.

Fixing The Back End With A Left-Handed Defenseman

If Makar is the centerpiece, then the real question for Colorado is what the blue line looks like around him—and right now, that’s where they still have some work to do.

One of the most obvious needs is a dependable left-handed defenseman. Not a flashy swing-for-the-fences pickup, but someone who can settle things down in the second and third pairings, take some pressure off the top guys, and survive the long grind of an 82-game season before things get even heavier in April.

Around the league, that kind of addition usually isn’t about headlines—it’s about trust. It’s the type of defenseman who can handle tough minutes, move the puck cleanly, and not get exposed when the game tightens up in the playoffs. In a win-now window, those quieter pieces often matter more than people realize.

If I were Colorado, Ryan Shea is exactly the kind of player I’d be looking at.

He’s simple in the best way. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder, stays in the right spots, closes quickly, and uses an active stick to take away plays before they really develop. A lot of what he does doesn’t jump off the screen, but you notice it in the flow of the game—broken-up passes, plays killed early, pressure diffused before it turns into chaos.

He’s also got enough size and strength to hold his own in a bottom-four role over an NHL schedule. Add in penalty-kill ability, and you’re already checking off an important box for a contender. And when he’s moving the puck well, he’s not just throwing it away—he can make a clean first pass and help Colorado get out of their zone with control, which is something they’ve had lapses with at times.

It’s not a glamorous move, but it’s the kind of one that helps good teams stay stable when everything tightens up.

Center Depth Behind Nathan MacKinnon

No matter how strong the top of the lineup looks, depth down the middle remains the Avalanche’s most persistent concern.

Nathan MacKinnon continues to drive everything offensively, but the group behind him has yet to fully settle into reliable, consistent roles. Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri, Nic Roy, and Jack Drury have all flashed usefulness in different situations, but the overall structure still leans heavily on MacKinnon carrying the hardest matchups and most demanding minutes.

That imbalance becomes more pronounced in the playoffs, where depth centers aren’t asked to be stars—but are expected to avoid being liabilities. Even modest improvements in that area would give Jared Bednar more flexibility in managing matchups, distributing minutes, and protecting his top players over long stretches.

For a team built to contend, it’s less about finding another headline scorer and more about closing the gaps that opponents inevitably try to expose.

Stability Behind The Bench And The Bednar Question

Beyond roster decisions, there’s another piece of stability Colorado can’t really afford to overlook—what’s happening behind the bench.

Jared Bednar has been a constant through everything the Avalanche have built, and his system is a big reason they’ve stayed in the contender conversation year after year. That’s why an extension feels less like a formality and more like something that would settle things down. It’s not about rewriting his resume—it’s about removing a question that can quietly linger as a season moves along.

Because even when everything is going well, you don’t want unnecessary uncertainty creeping in. Once a coach is heading into the final stretch of a contract, it can become a talking point whether the team wants it to or not. Locking Bednar in longer would simply take that off the board and let the focus stay on the ice.

It also helps keep things steady at a time when Colorado is already adjusting parts of the roster around a core that knows exactly what winning hockey looks like. The less distraction around the edges, the easier it is to stay locked in on the bigger goal.

With Sakic back in full control, the real question is whether that stability turns into another real push at a championship—or just another strong season that falls a little short when it matters most.

The Pittsburgh Penguins should not be afraid to add to their roster this off-season. This is especially so if an addition would have the potential to benefit them in the long-term.

When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, New York Islanders star Mathew Barzal stands out as an interesting potential option for the Penguins to target.

The Ottawa Citizen's Bruce Garrioch recently reported that the Islanders are exploring Barzal's market. With Barzal being a top-six forward who is right in his prime and locked up until the end of the 2030-31 season, it would make a lot of sense for the Penguins to at least kick tires on him. 

If the Penguins signed Barzal, he could slot nicely as their second-line center behind Sidney Crosby. Barzal centering a line with Egor Chinakhov and Evgeni Malkin would undoubtedly give Pittsburgh's forward group a real boost. 

Furthermore, with Sidney Crosby and Malkin both being in their last 30s, bringing in a star center like Barzal would make a lot of sense for the Penguins. 

In 81 games this season with the Islanders, Barzal posted 19 goals, 53 assists, and 72 points. With numbers like these, he would be a major pickup for the Penguins' top six and power play if brought in. Let's see if they target him from here because of it. 

The 2026 NHL offseason continues as the Stanley Cup Final has a maximum of five games remaining, the NHL Draft approaches, and free agency follows closely. No major transactions have been completed, but the rumor mill continues to churn. 

Discussion surrounding the Anaheim Ducks has quieted a bit now that their season is further in the rearview and most of the major national outlets' offseason trade boards have been released. 

Anaheim Ducks a Tantalizing Potential Destination for Red Wings Center Dylan Larkin

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Trade Partners/Targets, Metropolitan Division

Three items that remain in reports, rumors, and speculations are the future of young Ducks forward Mason McTavish (23), open head coaching vacancies, and the potential for a trade with the St. Louis Blues. 

Mason McTavish

Numerous NHL clubs are interested in adding to their center crop this offseason, but the list of available targets is minuscule. McTavish, as one of the few speculated as available, given his lack of production in 2025-26 and healthy scratches down the stretch, remains in potential trade discussions with reports of interested teams emerging. 

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen and TSN wrote about the potential of the Ottawa Senators acquiring McTavish. The speculation is driven by McTavish’s connection to owner Michael Andlauer and president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staois from their time together with the then Hamilton Bulldogs. The Sens also employ McTavish’s father, Dale, as a pro scout for the organization.

In his column, Garrioch reported teams who are believed to have an interest in adding McTavish. 

“Teams have been calling to see if he’s available,” Garrioch wrote. “It’s believed the Philadelphia Flyers would be among the teams that would show interest in McTavish because they need help in the middle, along with the Montreal Canadiens. But the Senators and any other suitors for McTavish would have to be willing to pay a high price, including a first-round pick and someone who can help the Ducks immediately, although the term and money left on McTavish’s contract may lower the asking price a bit.”

Philadelphia-based writer Anthony Di Marco from Daily Faceoff furthered the connection between the Flyers and McTavish in a piece on the club’s reported interest in Ducks pending UFA defenseman John Carlson. 

“The Flyers’ top priority remains finding a center capable of playing in the top-six,” Di Marco wrote. "The options for high-end centers who are available are few and far between across the league. But two targets that the Flyers like are the Ducks’ Mason McTavish and Seattle Kraken’s Matty Beniers.”

As the draft approaches, through free agency, and likely beyond, McTavish’s name will remain a fixture in potential trade discussion and speculation unless, of course, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek states he’s unavailable or a credible report surfaces claiming the same. 

Jay Woodcroft/Coaching Vacancies

The Vancouver Canucks recently announced the hiring of new head coach Manny Malhotra, leaving just three NHL head coaching jobs vacant for the 2026-27 season: Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vegas Golden Knights. The Los Angeles Kings have DJ Smith listed as their “interim” head coach, but they’re in the midst of a search as well. 

Conflicting reports have emerged out of Toronto on whether Ducks assistant coach Jay Woodcroft interviewed with the Maple Leafs. Insider Frank Seravalli has stated Woodcroft interviewed via Zoom with Toronto, but Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the opposite and claimed Woodcroft is a frontrunner for the Kings’ job.

“I do not believe Toronto has asked permission to talk to him,” Friedman said on his ’32 Thoughts’ podcast. “I think it’s quite possible Toronto doesn’t ask to talk to him. He’s interviewed in LA, and I think he’s got to be a legit contender there.”

Friedman reiterated his thoughts later in the week on a more recent episode of his podcast, saying, “LA, it sounds like Jay Woodcroft and DJ Smith. But if there’s someone else there, I’m not seeing it right now.”

What it appears Friedman and Seravalli can agree on is that Woodcroft’s future as an NHL head coach to start the 2026-27 season is more of a “when,” not an “if.”

“I do believe he’s going to be a head coach in this cycle. The question is, where?” Seravalli stated on Sportsnet’s ‘Big Show with Rusic & Rose.’

The Leafs are reported to be casting a wide net when it comes to their coaching search. Names like Peter Laviolette and Patrick Roy are reported to have been interviewed, as has a blast from the Ducks’ past, Dallas Eakins. 

“He (Eakins) interviewed with the Maple Leafs,” The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta stated on the ‘Daily Faceoff Rundown’ show. “Add him officially to the list of candidates in the mix for the job in Toronto.”

Eakins coached for eight seasons in the Anaheim Ducks organization from 2015 to 2023, including four as head coach of the San Diego Gulls from 2015 to 2019 and four as head coach of the Ducks from 2019 to 2023. For the last four seasons, Eakins has been head coach and sports manager for Alder Mannheim of the DEL, Germany’s top professional men’s ice hockey league.

Ducks X Blues

Lastly, the St. Louis Blues continue to have interesting rumors swirling around them in the infancy stages of the offseason. They were the NHL’s second-worst team (tied) at the 2026 trade deadline, but finished just four points out of a playoff spot. Roster pieces like Robert Thomas (26), Jordan Kyrou (28), and Colton Parayko (33) had surfaced as options to be moved as the team shifts to a younger core.

As of Friday night, Thomas’ name can be erased from that list, as St. Louis-based reporter/host Andy Strickland tweeted, “Robert Thomas trade rumors can be put to rest,” and to expect Thomas in a Blues jersey at training camp. 

However, Kyrou and Parayko remain seemingly available, with Pagnotta continuing to link the Ducks and Blues via thefourthperiod.com.

“The Anaheim Ducks were linked to the St. Louis Blues blueliner Colton Parayko prior to the trade deadline. It wouldn’t come as a shock if these talks are revisited,” Pagnotta wrote.

The NHL Draft Combine is in full swing, an event that has become a marquee date on the NHL schedule, as all 32 teams have front office representation at the week-long event. One has to imagine temperatures will be taken, tires will be kicked, and potential frameworks for deals will be discussed.

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Trade Partners/Targets, Central Division

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Trade Partners/Targets, Atlantic Division

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Shopping List

Ducks’ Granlund, Solberg Win Medals at 2026 Men’s Worlds

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The Stanley Cup Finals head to T-Mobile Arena for a pivotal Game 3 as the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes fight for a 2-1 series lead.

Some of the top scorers in the series are still undervalued, which is why my Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights goal-scorer props highlight Pavel Dorofeyev, Logan Stankoven, and Brett Howden.

Read my full NHL picks for Saturday, June 6, below.

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights goal scorer predictions for Game 3

Goal scorer pick: Pavel Dorofeyev (+205)

Pavel Dorofeyev hasn’t found the back of the net yet in the Stanley Cup Final, but the Vegas Golden Knights winger is on the precipice of breaking out.

Dorofeyev leads all skaters in the Final in individual expected goals (0.94), with nine shot attempts and six scoring chances through the first two games.

He’s been a relatively slow starter in each series this postseason – he didn’t score until Game 4 of the first and second rounds. But when Dorofeyev does score, the goals tend to come in bunches.

I think he’s fairly priced tonight – don’t play this past +200.

Goal scorer pick: Logan Stankoven (+240)

Logan Stankoven has been one of the Carolina Hurricanes’ biggest breakout stars this postseason with a team-leading 10 tallies.

Eight of his goals have come at even strength, where he leads all players this postseason in shots (43). His 18 high-danger chances at even strength are tied for sixth among all skaters, and he’s had one in each game of the Final so far.

Stankoven is part of Carolina’s dangerous second line, which has been the best trio in the series. They controlled 74% of expected goals in Game 2 and 63% in Game 1.

Play Stankoven up to +200.

Goal scorer pick: Brett Howden (+280)

After scoring just 12 goals in the regular season, Brett Howden has been an unlikely source of offense for the Golden Knights these playoffs, leading the league with 13 tallies.

Howden has found the back of the net in each of the first two games of the Final, using his speed to get in behind the Hurricanes' defense.

His four high-danger chances at even strength are tied for the most among all skaters in the series, while his 19 high-danger looks this postseason are tops on Vegas.

I’ll play Howden’s hot hand up to +240 tonight.

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights anytime goal parlay

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Rob Blake is taking on a new front-office role in the NHL, joining Chris MacFarland in Nashville as the Predators continue reshaping their leadership group.

The former Colorado Avalanche defenseman and longtime Los Angeles Kings executive has been named Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Nashville Predators, linking up with MacFarland shortly after his appointment as president and general manager. The move brings two familiar hockey minds together in a new market, rather than reuniting them within Colorado’s organization as some had speculated.

A Familiar Name In A Different Direction

Blake, a key member of Colorado’s 2001 Stanley Cup-winning team after arriving as a trade deadline addition, spent the final years of his playing career with the Avalanche through 2006. While Ray Bourque often drew the spotlight during that championship run, Blake provided steady, experienced defensive play that helped solidify Colorado’s push to another title.

Following his retirement, Blake moved into management and eventually became general manager of the Los Angeles Kings, a role he held from 2017 until 2025. His tenure ended after another first-round playoff exit, closing out an eight-year run at the helm of the franchise.

Rob Blake had talked to Chris MacFarland during the season about maybe joining him in Colorado next season. Instead, he joins him in Nashville. Excellent hire by the Preds who are on a roll. https://t.co/A5NjrYtOPJ

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 5, 2026

According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, Blake had also explored the possibility of joining the Avalanche in a front-office capacity under MacFarland. Instead, the opportunity in Nashville ultimately became the landing spot, pairing him once again with a familiar executive partner in a different setting.

Nashville’s Reset, Colorado’s Next Chapter

Colorado’s front office has also undergone change, with Joe Sakic stepping into general manager duties “for the foreseeable future” following Chris MacFarland’s departure. Despite regular-season success that included a Presidents’ Trophy, the Avalanche are now in a recalibration phase after falling short of expectations in the postseason.

The idea of a reunion between Blake and Sakic briefly surfaced as a natural extension of their shared history in Colorado’s championship era, but those plans never materialized. Instead, Blake’s arrival in Nashville strengthens a Predators leadership group attempting to accelerate a return to contention.

For both organizations, the move represents a quiet but meaningful shift—one team leaning into continuity, the other betting on a newly formed executive partnership to change its trajectory in a competitive Western Conference.

NEW YORK (AP) — Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning has won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender.

The league announced the award Saturday. It is the second Vezina honor of Vasilevskiy’s career after he also won the award in the 2018-19 season.

The 31-year-old Russian was a runaway winner in voting by the league’s general managers. Vasilevskiy received 17 first-place votes among the 31 ballots cast.

Vasilevskiy led all goalies with 39 wins, going 39-15-14 to backstop Tampa Bay to a second-place finish in the Atlantic Division and a ninth consecutive playoff appearance.

With a 2.31 goals-against average and .912 save percentage, he ranked second to Colorado’s Scott Wedgewood in those categories but started 15 more games, 58 to 43.

The New York Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin was second, Boston’s Jeremy Swayman was third, Washington’s Logan Thompson fourth, Wedgewood fifth, Philadelphia's Dan Vladar sixth, the New York Rangers' Igor Shesterkin seventh and Dallas' Jake Oettinger eighth.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Gerry Meehan, one of the rare figures whose influence bridged the birth of a franchise and its rise into a contender, has died at 79, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the Buffalo Sabres from expansion curiosity to hockey institution.

Meehan’s connection to Buffalo began in 1970 when he was selected in the NHL expansion draft, joining a brand-new organization still searching for identity and direction. He immediately became one of the team’s most productive forwards, finishing third in both goals and points during the Sabres’ inaugural season and recording the first assist in franchise history, an early marker of his place in the team’s foundation.

We are sad to announce the passing of former Sabres captain and general manager Gerry Meehan.

The thoughts of the entire Sabres community are with his friends and family. 💙

As we remember Gerry and all he did for our organization, read more on his Sabres legacy →… pic.twitter.com/SmpW3aAMbE

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 6, 2026

Early Leadership And Buffalo’s First Playoff Step

By his second season, Meehan had already become a central voice in the locker room and was named captain, only the second in franchise history. He held that role through October 1974, guiding a young roster through growing pains and into its first postseason appearance in 1972-73. That year, he also delivered a career-best 31 goals, anchoring Buffalo’s early competitive breakthrough.

Over the course of a 10-year NHL career, Meehan played for Toronto, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Vancouver, Atlanta, and Washington. Though his journey took him across the league, his identity remained closely tied to Buffalo, where his playing days first took shape and where his most lasting contributions would eventually emerge.

Following his retirement, Meehan shifted into law, earning his degree from the University at Buffalo before rejoining the Sabres organization in a front office role under Scotty Bowman in 1984. That move marked the beginning of a second career that would prove even more impactful than his time on the ice.

Building A Powerhouse In Buffalo

Meehan rose to become Buffalo’s fourth general manager during the 1986-87 season, taking over a franchise ready to transition from promise to expectation. His tenure became defined by a series of bold, franchise-altering decisions that reshaped the Sabres’ competitive core and elevated them into one of the NHL’s most dangerous teams in the 1990s.

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Gerry Meehan, a man whose impact on hockey extended far beyond the scoresheet.

On the ice, Gerry enjoyed a distinguished professional career in the National Hockey League, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers,… pic.twitter.com/84htBCGkEC

— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) June 6, 2026

He was responsible for acquiring several cornerstone players, including Pat LaFontaine, Dale Hawerchuk, and Dominik Hasek, moves that fundamentally changed Buffalo’s trajectory. His pursuit of Alexander Mogilny also became one of the most significant international acquisitions in NHL history, as Meehan and Sabres staff navigated the complex and risky process of bringing the Soviet star to North America in 1989.

Meehan’s role in that operation extended beyond scouting and negotiation, involving direct coordination during Mogilny’s defection and transition to the NHL. That move helped open the door for other Soviet players to follow in subsequent years and marked a turning point in league history.

He also played a decisive role in one of the most consequential trades in Sabres history, insisting on retaining Mogilny during discussions with the New York Islanders and instead sending Pierre Turgeon the other way. That decision directly set the stage for the formation of one of the league’s most explosive offensive duos, as LaFontaine and Mogilny combined for historic production in the early 1990s, including a 1992-93 season in which LaFontaine posted 148 points and Mogilny scored 76 goals.

Perhaps his most defining move came in the acquisition of Dominik Hasek, then an overlooked backup goaltender in Chicago. Meehan’s conviction in Hasek’s potential proved transformative, as the netminder evolved into one of the most dominant goaltenders in NHL history, capturing six Vezina Trophies and two Hart Trophies during his time in Buffalo.

Meehan remained in the Sabres’ front office through the 1995-96 season before continuing his involvement with the organization through alumni events and community engagement. In recognition of his contributions, he was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Mirella; their children Dan, Adam, and Kate; and their grandchildren Christian, Alexander, Nathan, and Juniper.

Things did not go well for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Friday night, dropping Game 5 of their Eastern Conference Finals series to the Toronto Marlies by a 5-1 margin. It was close game into the third period before the Marlies erupted late in the game to take over.

It sends the series back to Northeast Pennsylvania on Sunday night for Game 6 with the Penguins facing elimination in a 3-2 series hole.

The series is by no means over, but it is going to take back-to-back wins to get through to the Calder Cup Finals.

Whether they pull that off or not there have been some big developments for the Penguins prospect pool during this playoff run.

First, there’s been the play of the young forwards that are in that “NHL Tweener” category in Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty. While they have yet to establish themselves as NHL regulars, they have been excellent AHL producers and have continued that through the playoffs. Both players have matching stat lines of four goals, five assists and nine total points in 14 games, while McGroarty just scored a huge game-winning goal late in Game 4 of the series, forcing a turnover and then finishing the play with a slick goal.

They still need to translate that over to the NHL, but seeing them perform in bigger games and bigger moments is an encouraging development.

Defenseman Harrison Brunicke has also been, by all accounts, an absolute force on the blue line and at 19 years old, with only 32 games of pro hockey experience (AHL and NHL combined) entering this playoff run, has become the team’s unquestioned, without-a-doubt, No. 1 defenseman.

And he is impressive in that role.

Here’s what Wilkes-Barre coach Kirk McDonald told Josh Yohe about Brunicke’s play earlier this week:

“Since I saw him in Buffalo two years ago (at the 2024 prospect tournament) until now …” MacDonald started, shaking his head. “He’s been doing a great job. The physical tools have always been there. But now he’s recognizing when to go (jump into the play), and when not to go. He is realizing he doesn’t have to do everything for everyone on the ice. You can see it.”

And also:

“Everyone talks about his skating ability,” MacDonald said. “And how he can move pucks. But did you see how many shots he blocked (in Game 4)? That, to me, is what separates him. The way he competes in the D-zone. He makes great players offensively for us at this level. But he’s great on the penalty kill. He’s great down low. Great stuff.”

Given the Penguins lack of elite prospect depth on defense, and given the ages of their current right-shot defenseman, the development of Brunicke might be one of the most important elements of their prospect pool at the moment. Especially given his age, talent and upside. Stepping right into an AHL role at 19, with little pro experience, and taking over games as your team’s “go-to” defenseman is a massive development.

Hopefully a big confidence boost as well.

Then there is starting goalie Sergei Murashov.

While he has had a couple of shaky moments over the past few games, he has been a big part of getting the Penguins to this point of the playoffs and is still owning a .930 save percentage through 14 playoff games.

His AHL numbers continue to pop off the page, and he is still making highlight reel saves (and a lot of them) on most nights.

There have also been some new faces making immediate impacts at forward.

Mikhail Ilyin, the Penguins’ fifth-round draft pick in 2023, came over from Russia late in the regular season, and after appearing in just two regular season games the 20-year-old forward has wasted no time making an impact in the AHL. He is up to nine points in 14 games this postseason after scoring his second goal of the playoffs on Friday night.

Mikhail Ilyin gets Game 5 of #WBSvsTOR started👀@WBSPenguins | #CalderCup

📺💻📲: https://t.co/xslzIvekI0pic.twitter.com/swOR6tmxY6

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) June 6, 2026

Heck of a shot, as well.

The player that might be one of the most positive developments, however, is 2025 first-round pick Bill Zonnon.

After showing up at the start of the playoff run, having already studied and learned the Penguins system before he even arrived and sat down with the coaches, Zonnon simply started producing right from the word go and is up to seven points in 10 games. From the moment he was drafted there was a belief that he might have been the most NHL-ready and most sure-thing (as if such a thing exists in the NHL Draft) of the Penguins’ three first-round picks. Maybe not an overly high-ceiling player, but at least somebody that could be a very good middle-six forward in the NHL.

He has done nothing to dispute those claims, and might even be raising expectations a bit.

He is only 18 years old, had no pro hockey experience prior to a month-and-a-half ago, and has not only held his own in the AHL playoffs, he has been one of their most productive players since arriving.

The Penguins farm system is still lacking that one “dude” at the top that has franchise-changing ability. Maybe Murashov can be that due to his position and ability. Maybe. Projecting goalies is like projecting Southwestern Pennsylvania weather. Who really knows? Even so, there is legitimate depth and a nice list of potential NHL players that could be productive players as early as next season. They are taking big steps toward that this postseason in the American Hockey League. It is encouraging to see.

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Noah Hanifin is spending a lot of time on his heels in this series, leading to an abundance of blocked shot opportunities.

He's piled up eight blocks through two games, which is why he headlines my Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights props and NHL picks for Game 3.

Be sure to read our full Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights predictions.

Best Hurricanes vs Golden Knights props for Game 3

Game 3 Prop #1: Noah Hanifin Over 1.5 blocks (-180)

Noah Hanifin has been on the ice for more defensive zone faceoffs than anybody on the Vegas Golden Knights during 5-on-5 play.

He is getting difficult usage and struggling mightily, with shot attempts being 70-25 in favor of the Carolina Hurricanes during his minutes. That is a good thing.

He is spending a lot of his time in the defensive zone and bleeding shots as a result, which creates plenty of block opportunities.

Hanifin has made the most of them, stepping in the way of at least four pucks in both games thus far.

With these outputs, I’d easily play to -200.

Game 3 Prop #2: Jackson Blake Over 0.5 points (-115)

John Tortorella uses Shea Theodore against elite competition at home while the Hanifin pairing primarily sees second lines.

That means Carolina’s second unit is the one I want to target in Game 3.

Enter Jackson Blake. He leads the entire playoffs in scoring chances during 5-on-5 play and has played almost 10 more minutes than any other Hurricanes forward in that game state.

He does a lot of the facilitating for his line and should have plenty of the puck in this matchup, giving him a great chance of finding the scoresheet.

Playable to -135.

Game 3 Prop #3: Pavel Dorofeyev Over 0.5 points (-125)

Pavel Dorofeyev has yet to record a point but all the numbers under the hood are encouraging.

The Golden Knights have won the chance battle during his minutes and he’s been plenty involved in the offensive zone.

Dorofeyev ranks second on the team with six chances through two games. Of the seven Golden Knights with at least four opportunities, he is the only guy who hasn’t picked up a point.

He’s skating on the top line, he’s skating on the top power play, he’s generating looks, and Frederik Andersen is struggling.

I like him to break through in Game 3. Bet to -135.

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In the midst of a lot of off-season drama is the Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights. 

The series enters Saturday's Game 3 with a 1-1 tie. Each team had a multi-goal comeback through the first two games, which is the first time that's happened in the 108-year history of the Stanley Cup Final. 

Through all that madness are a lot of other great storylines that don't get the attention they deserve. One of them, according to ESPN's number one play-by-play announcer Sean McDonough, is former New Jersey Devils superstar and MVP Taylor Hall. 

Hall has made a handful of stops since departing the Devils organization, but he is finally in the perfect spot with the Carolina Hurricanes. He has been one of their best forwards during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and is in the mix for the Conn Smythe Trophy.

A strong finish to the series for Hall and a Hurricanes win would give him a chance to take home that hardware. 

McDonough has the opinion that Hall is the top story that doesn't get enough attention, mostly because of what he's gone through in his up-and-down NHL career. 

"Here's a guy who's 34, No. 1 overall pick, he's been on seven different teams, has kind of had a lot of ups and downs in recent years," McDonough said on Hall when asked about the most underrated storyline. "He was a fourth-line player at the start of this year as a former league MVP, Hart Trophy winner, accepted it gracefully, and worked his way up to now being on the line that's been the best in the playoffs. He's their leading point scorer, and he's third in all the playoffs in points.

So I think his story to me would be the one that hasn't been told. The hard part for us, we talked about this before on the broadcast, there's no time for almost any storytelling. 

There’s no adequate amount of time in hockey to tell those stories. Taylor Hall was a first round pick, league MVP, seventh team, fourth line, blah, blah, blah. The puck's in the net while you're in the middle of that sentence. 

That's one of my frustrations, a little bit with hockey play-by-play. I love the pace of it. That's part of what makes it as fun as it is, but there's very little time, unfortunately, to tell stories like that one."

There are Taylor Hall fans still remaining in New Jersey. He is the only Hart Trophy winner in the history of the franchise after all. A team that had Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, Zach Parise, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Patrik Elias, amongst others, over the years, doesn't have another MVP. 

There is no denying McDonough's claim about Hall being a top underrated story. If he wins the Cup and the Conn Smythe, that would give him a borderline Hall of Fame resume, which shouldn't be ignored. 

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Cliff Fletcher was the first general manager of the Atlanta, now Calgary Flames, assuming the duties ahead of their inaugural season in 1972. In Georgia, the Flames qualified for the playoffs in six out of eight seasons, with the exceptions occurring in 1972-73 and 1974-75. 

He continued to run operations when the franchise relocated to Calgary, Alberta, in 1980. The Flames advanced to the playoffs for 11 consecutive seasons under his watch, with two Stanley Cup Final appearances in 1986 and 1989. 

Thanks to impressive trades and brilliant drafting, Fletcher constructed rosters that won more than 40 games a year from 1984 to 1991. Moreover, when the Flames hoisted the Stanley Cup for the only time in the spring of 1989, they featured a lineup built around several future Hall of Famers. 

Cliff Fletcher, Architect of Flames' 1989 Stanley Cup Win, Passes Away at 90Former Calgary Flames executive Cliff Fletcher passed away today at the age of 90. He was the man responsible for the franchise's Stanley Cup victory in 1989.

According to NHL Trade Tracker, Fletcher made 59 trades with Atlanta and 67 with Calgary, giving him 126 trades over 19 seasons with the organization. After news of his passing on Friday, June 5, 2026, we wanted to revisit his biggest deals as general manager of the Flames. 

5. Trading Brett Hull (Mar. 7, 1988)

Flames acquire Rob Ramage and Rick Wamsley

Blues acquire Brett Hull and Steve Bozek

Brett Hull made his NHL debut during the 1986-87 season, the same year he debuted with the Moncton Golden Flames, netting 50 goals and 92 points in only 67 games. As a regular in Calgary's lineup for the 1986-87 season, Hull would score 26 goals and 50 points in 52 games. 

Fletcher dealt the future Hart Trophy winner and 741-goal scorer on Mar. 7, 1988, along with Steve Bozek, to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Rob Ramage and netminder Rick Wamsley. Within three seasons of the deal, Hull would score 86 goals, the third-highest total ever recorded in a single season, before winning a few Stanley Cups in the back half of his career with Dallas and Detroit.

4. Acquiring Doug Gilmour (Sept. 6, 1988)

Flames acquire Doug Gilmour, Steve Bozek, Michael Dark, and Mark Hunter

Blues acquire Tim Corkery, Mike Bullard, and Craig Coxe

Doug Gilmour was a seventh-round pick (134th overall) of the Blues in 1982 and was a routine 20-goal scorer early in his career, reaching a career-high 42 in 1986-87. Fletcher acquired him for the first time, in a pre-season blockbuster on Sept. 6, 1988, involving seven players. 

During the Flames' run to the Stanley Cup in 1989, Gilmour tallied the third-most playoff points (22) and had the second-most goals (11), earning the only championship of his career. After three and a half seasons, with 69 goals and 252 points in 266 games, Fletcher, then general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, acquired Gilmour in a ten-player deal in 1992. 

3. Acquiring Joe Mullen (Feb. 1, 1986)

Flames acquire Joe Mullen, Terry Johnson, and Rik Wilson

Blues acquire Eddy Beers, Charlie Bourgeois, and Gino Cavallini

Ahead of the 1986 NHL trade deadline, Fletcher acquired future 500-goal scorer and three-time Stanley Cup winner Joe Mullen in another deal with the Blues. At the time of his acquisition, Mullen already scored 30 or more in three consecutive seasons, reaching 40 in his first full season in Calgary.

When the Flames won the Stanley Cup, Mullen not only led the team with 16 goals, but he also led all playoff scorers. Over parts of five seasons with the club, he scored 157 goals and won two Lady Byng Trophies en route to a future Hall of Fame induction.

2. Trading Kent Nilsson (June 15, 1985)

Flames acquire Minnesota's second round pick in 1985 and second round pick in 1987

North Stars acquire Kent Nilsson and a third round pick in 1986

There's an argument that Kent Nilsson was one of, if not the best player, in the Flames' first few seasons in Southern Alberta. In one season with Atlanta in 1979-80, he scored 40 goals and 93 points in 80 games before shattering his own record the following campaign with 49 goals and 131 points. As of 2026, Nilsson's single-season points record remains unchallenged.

After six seasons, where he produced an eye-popping 562 points in only 425 games, Fletcher dealt his star to the Minnesota North Stars with a third-round draft pick. 

Interestingly, the Flames received two second-round picks from the North Stars, which turned into Joe Nieuwendyk (1985) and Stéphane Matteau (1987). Once Nieuwendyk became a regular in the Calgary lineup in 1987-88, he scored 51 goals in consecutive seasons and was a key player in the team's 1989 title run. 

As the Flames captain in 1994-95, Nieuwendyk held out for a better contract offer before a trade to the Dallas Stars. Of course, everyone remembers this deal because it brought Jarome Iginla to Stampede City.

1. Acquiring Lanny McDonald (Nov. 25, 1981)

Flames acquire Lanny McDonald and a fourth round draft pick in 1983

Rockies acquire Don Lever and Bob MacMillan

Despite the long list of superstars to skate at the Saddledome, many with Hall of Fame-worthy resumes, there will only be one Lanny McDonald. Debuting at 20 with the Maple Leafs, he was a multi-time 40-goal scorer before moving to the Colorado Rockies when Fletcher came calling. 

During his first full campaign in Calgary, McDonald would set a franchise record with 66 goals in 80 games, remaining the only skater in team history to surpass 60 goals in a single season. 

By the next season, McDonald earned a promotion to team captain, sharing the honors with teammates over the final six seasons of his career. In his final year, 1988-89, his final goal was his 500th, and when the season came to an end, he held the Stanley Cup over his head, one of hockey's most memorable moments. 

In the almost 40 years since retiring, McDonald has been a lovable ambassador for the game and the Flames, endearing himself to Southern Alberta through charity work.

Honorable Mentions

Fletcher was known for making big trades and was never afraid to trade his captain. When looking back at the history of players who wore the "C" in Calgary during his tenure as general manager, he traded five of them.

• Tom Lysiak - traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on Mar. 13, 1979
• Jean Pronovost - traded to the Washington Capitals on July 1, 1980
• Brad Marsh - traded to the Philadelphia Flyers on Nov. 11, 1981
• Phil Russel - traded to the New Jersey Devils on June 20, 1983
• Brad McCrimmon - traded to the Detroit Red Wings on June 15, 1990

On top of all these blockbuster deals involving some of the biggest names of the 1980s and 1990s, there's one trade that meant almost nothing in 1990 but would go on to alter NHL history.

On June 16, 1990, Fletcher dealt away three draft picks to the New Jersey Devils: a first-round pick (20th overall) and two second-round picks (24th and 29th overall). In the exchange, the Flames acquired the 11th overall pick, which they used to select Trevor Kidd, and the 32nd overall pick in the second round, which they used to select Vesa Vittakoski.

The Devils used their two second-round picks to select David Harlock and Chris Gotziaman, but used that first-round pick to select the NHL's all-time winner, Martin Brodeur.

Could anyone imagine the alternate histories of both the Flames and Devils if Brodeur had ended up in Calgary instead of New Jersey?

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Do you have a favorite Fletcher trade? What about a trade you didn't agree with? Let us know in the comments. 

A Brief Flames Stint Is Keeping Jagr's Wild Stanley Cup Final Teammate Streak AliveFuture Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr has played professional hockey for 36 years, with many of his old teammates skating in the Stanley Cup Final. As the Vegas Golden Knights battle the Carolina Hurricanes, his teammate streak has reached 46 seasons.