The 60-year-old New Jersey Devils hockey legend and four-time Stanley Cup winner was found by one of his sons in the back of the warehouse of his family’s furniture store in Lake Park, Fla., at 3:32 a.m Thursday after he never returned home, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office statement.
His daughter, Claudia, told The Post her heartbroken family had gathered in Palm Beach and was “meeting with a detective” Friday morning.
It wasn’t immediately clear which of Lemieux’s three sons, Brendan, Michael or Christopher, discovered his body at the shop, Andros Home, which sells “refined furnishings and architectural elements” in the seaside city, according to its website.
New Jersey Devils ice hockey legend Claude Lemieux died by suicide from hanging. AP Photo/Bill KostrounLemieux’s body was discovered by one of his sons at their family business in Florida. Instagram / @brendan_lemieuxThe 60-year-old four-time Stanley Cup winner was found in the warehouse of his family’s furniture store in Lake Park, Florida. Facebook/AndrosHomeDesign
The retired NHL champ won a 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy with the Devils, ranked ninth all-time with 80 postseason goals and was known for being an “enforcer” on the ice.
His suicide came just days after he carried the torch in Montreal’s Bell Centre to kick off Game 3 of the NHL’s Eastern Conference finals Monday.
Known as a ruthless “agitator,” Lemieux won the first of his four Cups with the Montreal Canadiens in 1986, then earned two more with the Devils in 1995 and 2000 and one with the Avalanche in 1996.
“A clutch player on the ice and greatly appreciated by Devils’ fans off it, Claude’s impact in bringing the first-ever Stanley Cup to New Jersey will forever be remembered as one of the paramount performances in team history,” the Devils said in a statement Thursday.
“Widely respected throughout the NHL, both as a trusted agent and a valued colleague, Claude leaves behind a lasting legacy within our game that he gave so much to.”
Off the ice, records show Lemieux was cited for driving with a suspended license in Palm Beach Gardens in April 2025 and for speeding in January 2024 and paid fines.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will be a fascinating team to watch this off-season. After taking a major step in the right direction this season and making the playoffs, they will be looking to build on their momentum with a strong summer.
One area that the Penguins could look to upgrade is their blueline. When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei stands out as an interesting potential trade target for the Penguins to consider.
The fit has simply not been there between the Bruins and Lohrei. Because of this, the 6-foot-5 defenseman's name has come up in the rumor mill. With Lohrei being a big offensive defenseman who is only 25 years old, he would be an intriguing player for the Penguins to take a chance on.
If the Penguins struck a deal for Lohrei, he could work on either their second pairing or third pairing due to his ability to play both sides. Furthermore, he would give the Penguins another option for their power play because of his offensive upside.
In 73 games this season with the Bruins, Lohrei recorded seven goals, 19 assists, 26 points, 92 blocks, and a plus-17 rating. This is after he had five goals and 33 points in 77 games for the Bruins during the 2024-25 season. With numbers like these, he has shown promise, and it is possible that he could take another step forward playing on a team like the Penguins.
The Islanders hired longtime OHL coach and former NHL defenseman Jay McKee to lead their new AHL club in Hamilton, Ont.
After spending over a decade coaching in the Canadian junior league, McKee returns to the AHL to spearhead the newly-named Hamilton Hammers in their first season of existence in 2026-27.
The 48-year-old spent the past five years as head coach of the Bulldogs, a team that relocated from Hamilton to Brantford in 2023.
Head coach Jay McKee of the Brantford Bulldogs observing the game from the bench. Getty Images
In 2021-22, his first season with the club, McKee coached the Bulldogs to a 51-12-5 record, the best mark in franchise history, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champion and reaching the championship of the Memorial Cup.
Last season, the Bulldogs had the best record in the OHL (48-10-8-2) under McKee.
This will be McKee’s first head coaching job in the AHL, after the former NHL defenseman served as an assistant for the Rochester Americans in 2011-12.
He joined the OHL’s Erie Otters as an assistant in 2014-15 before the Kitchener Rangers hired him as an associate coach the following season.
Kitchener then promoted McKee to head coach.
As the Rangers’ head coach, McKee compiled a record of 120-88-17.
McKee, who began his coaching career as an assistant at Niagara University in 2010-11, played 14 years in the NHL.
The No. 14 overall pick by the Sabres in 1995, McKee spent the first 10 seasons of his career in Western New York and played a key part in Buffalo’s run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999.
Known for his prowess as a shot-blocker and ruggedness as a defensive defenseman, McKee also made stops in St. Louis and Pittsburgh, finishing his NHL career with 21 goals and 104 assists in 802 career games.
A familiar face could be joining the Vancouver Canucks organization. According to HockeyNews.se, Alex Edler is set to return to the organization for which he played 925 games. The article doesn't specify a role, but it does provide an update on when Edler would start.
As per Mattias Oak, "According to information provided to Hockeynews, the plan is for their former Canucks teammate Alexander Edler to help out at this summer's development camp so he will also get a part in the organization." Edler retired from the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings in 2023. On October 11, 2024, Edler signed a one-day contract with Vancouver so he could retire with the Canucks.
Oct 11, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Daniel and Henrik Sedin celebrate the retirement of former Vancouver Canuck Alexander Edler from NHL hockey with Edler’s family prior to a game against against the Philadelphia Flyers at Rogers Arena. Edler signed a one day contract with the club in order to retire as a Vancouver Canuck. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Edler played 15 seasons in Vancouver. The 40-year-old defenceman recorded 409 points with the Canucks, which ranks second among defenders in franchise history. Edler recorded an assist on Henrik and Daniel Sedin's final NHL points, and played 12 seasons with Vancouver's new Co-Presidents of Hockey Operations.
The Canucks usually hold their Development Camp a few days after the draft concludes. Over the past couple of years, the camp has taken place at UBC. Vancouver's Development Camp roster usually includes draft picks as well as NCAA free agents.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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Over the last couple of weeks, there has been speculation about the future of forward Ilya Mikheyev. His contract with the Chicago Blackhawks is set to expire on July 1st.
Mikheyev is a candidate to be re-signed because he was a solid middle-six forward for Chicago during some tough days. However, his earned rate and term may be something that the Blackhawks don't want to hand a player in his 30s at this stage of the rebuild.
"I guess it was let known across the league that Chicago probably isn't going to be able to sign Ilya Mikheyev," Friedman said. "His rights are available if any team wants to talk to him in advance of free agency."
Friedman said that allowing an upcoming UFA to speak with other teams without first trading their rights is against the rules. He also reported that a memo was sent out reminding all 32 teams that doing so can result in a penalty of up to $5 million, suspension, and the loss of draft picks.
“The league's like, no, that's not allowed," Friedman said on letting Mikheyev speak to other teams before trading his rights. "If you want to straight-up trade his rights to another team for a pick, you do that. You can't just give him permission to talk to everybody.”
There used to be a "tampering period" before free agency, during which players were allowed to speak with other organizations, but that is gone. Friedman did say that the league wants it back, but the player's organization isn't a fan.
“Now, I haven't seen this memo, but I'll tell you one other thing that was interesting about it: that it was hinted in that memo that the league would like to bring back that interview period, but the Players Association is against it.”
The Blackhawks certainly don't want any fines, suspensions, or loss of draft picks, so one should expect them to comply with this memo sent out by the league. They either need to blindly trade Mikheyev to a team willing to take the chance or re-sign him themselves.
Mikheyev fit in perfectly with the Blackhawks as a penalty killing winger who is solid defensively at even strength, and is good for 15-20 goals per season with absolutely no power play time. Someone like him is perfect for what they are trying to do.
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One shot slipping under a glove shouldn't define an entire season, but for the Buffalo Sabres, that image may end up shaping their entire summer.
When Alex Newhook's overtime winner found daylight beneath Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in Game 7, Buffalo's season came to a sudden end. The Canadiens advanced. The Sabres went home. And while plenty of factors contributed to the second-round loss, the uncomfortable reality is that Buffalo never had the best goaltender in the series.
That matters.
The Sabres spent most of the regular season receiving competent work from Luukkonen and Alex Lyon. Their tandem helped Buffalo capture the Atlantic Division and provided enough stability behind a structured defensive system. For long stretches, the arrangement worked exactly as intended.
The playoffs told a different story.
When postseason hockey becomes tighter, faster, and more reliant on game-changing saves, merely being solid is rarely enough. The Canadiens received that extra level from Jakub Dobeš. Buffalo never consistently found it.
Neither Luukkonen nor Lyon completely unraveled, but neither seized the crease and carried the team forward, either. By the time the series reached its decisive moments, the Sabres were rotating between options rather than leaning on a clear answer.
That distinction can be the difference between advancing and cleaning out lockers.
Buffalo's front office can talk itself into continuity. Luukkonen is still in his prime years. Lyon remains a dependable veteran. Colten Ellis showed flashes in limited action. Devon Levi remains an intriguing wild card.
The problem is that none of those options clearly solve the question that now hangs over the organization.
Can Buffalo trust its current goaltending group to win four playoff rounds?
The honest answer is no.
Running the same group back may produce another strong regular season. It may even produce another division title. But after what unfolded against Montreal, it's difficult to argue the Sabres have enough certainty in net to realistically view themselves as a Stanley Cup contender.
That's why this offseason shouldn't be about maintaining the status quo.
It should be about finding an upgrade.
Why Jesper Wallstedt Makes Too Much Sense
If Buffalo is serious about taking the next step, Jesper Wallstedt stands out as the most logical target available.
The 23-year-old has spent years being viewed as one of hockey's premier goaltending prospects, and his first extended NHL opportunity only strengthened that reputation. Wallstedt displayed the poise, athleticism, and consistency expected from a future franchise netminder while proving capable of handling meaningful games.
Most importantly, his timeline aligns perfectly with Buffalo's core.
The Sabres have invested heavily in building around a young nucleus. Acquiring a veteran stopgap may offer a short-term boost, but Wallstedt presents something far more valuable: a chance to solve the position for years rather than months.
His contract only adds to the appeal. Wallstedt carries a manageable cap hit, giving Buffalo flexibility while Jeff Skinner's buyout remains a burden on the books. Unlike many established star goaltenders, adding him wouldn't require reshaping the rest of the roster financially.
The challenge, of course, would be convincing Minnesota to move him.
The Wild won't give away a goaltender with legitimate franchise potential. Buffalo would likely have to part with a significant young asset, potentially from its surplus of highly regarded forward prospects.
That's a difficult conversation.
It may also be a necessary one.
Elite centers are hard to find. Franchise goaltenders are just as rare. If the Sabres genuinely believe Wallstedt can become that caliber of player, this is exactly the type of aggressive move contenders make.
Standing Pat Is The Bigger Risk
For years, Buffalo's organizational focus has been on assembling enough talent to become a playoff team again.
Mission accomplished.
The standard is different now.
The Sabres are no longer trying to end a drought. They're trying to win a championship.
That requires evaluating the roster through a much harsher lens.
Would Buffalo have beaten Montreal with better goaltending?
It's impossible to say with certainty.
Would better goaltending have improved their chances?
Absolutely.
The Sabres don't need a complete overhaul in net. They need a higher ceiling than what they currently possess, and Wallstedt may represent the best combination of age, upside, cost certainty, and long-term value available anywhere on the market.
If Buffalo wants to turn playoff appearances into playoff runs, standing pat feels far riskier than making a bold move.
One final name worth monitoring is Connor Hellebuyck. If the Winnipeg Jets ever become willing to entertain moving a former Vezina Trophy winner, Buffalo would have to make the call. The price tag, age, and salary cap implications make that path far more complicated, however. Wallstedt remains the cleaner fit and, arguably, the smarter long-term bet.
The Sabres spent years searching for relevance.
Now they should be searching for the goalie who can get them past the second round.
There are two great truths in NHL head coaching. The obvious one is that you're hired to be fired. The other is how environmentally friendly the league is with its coaches, committed to reducing, reusing and recycling.
Even the Senators opted to go Green in 2024, hiring Travis Green away from the New Jersey Devils, who were in the process of recycling and reusing Toronto's old coach, Sheldon Keefe.
But very few Senators' head coaches have ever been recycled after being kicked to the curb.
Remarkably, it's been over 20 years since a Sens head coach left the organization and later found an NHL head coaching job elsewhere. The last one to do so on a non-interim basis was Jacques Martin. He was fired in 2004 and found plenty of other opportunities, including a final one here in Ottawa a couple of years ago.
Fans talk a lot about Ottawa being a goalie graveyard, but it's also been kind of a coaches' cemetery.
Since Martin parted company with the Sens the first time, the Sens' list of head coaches who've come and gone includes Bryan Murray, John Paddock, Craig Hartsburg, Cory Clouston, Paul MacLean, Dave Cameron, Guy Boucher, Marc Crawford, and D.J. Smith.
Murray stayed with the Senators, moving away from coaching to take the club's GM job. However, everyone else on the list left the organization, continued to pursue their coaching careers, and never again became a full-time NHL head coach.
After leaving Ottawa:
Paddock coached nine more years in junior, the AHL, and as an NHL assistant. His final year was with Regina, coaching Connor Bedard.
Hartsburg coached for seven more seasons in junior as a head coach and an NHL assistant. His swan song was 2015-16 with Columbus, where he was let go when John Tortorella took over, as he inevitably does everywhere.
Clouston coached three more years in junior, the last in 2015 with Prince Albert. After he was fired, little did the Senators know he'd coach Mark Stone, a prized future asset, the following season in Brandon.
MacLean got work as an NHL assistant for a bit and now makes the odd appearance as a TSN Sens analyst.
Dave Cameron has coached for the last seven seasons, been an NHL assistant, a head coach in Austria, and, for the last five years, the head coach of the Ottawa 67s. He just signed a two-year extension.
Since his firing, Guy Boucher has only coached for one year at a top level as an assistant with Toronto, then one year as a KHL head coach.
Crawford coached for four more seasons as an assistant in Chicago then worked for a while as a head coach in Switzerland.
Smith almost immediately got a job as an assistant in Los Angeles under Jim Hiller and when Hiller was fired this season, Smith guided them into the playoffs but only on an an interim basis. The Kings have not yet removed that label and Smith was asked about his status at seasons's end.
"That's a question for Ken," Smith said shortly after losing in round one. "All I know is, as a coach and as a coaching staff, is your team prepared? Are they detailed? And do they show up every night in the answer to that question? Yes, they did, under me.
"Ken's been around a long time. He's won Stanley Cups; he's one of the best in the business. He's a Hall of Fame general manager. He's gonna make that decision. So that's not up to me to decide. I know I did my absolute best."
Speaking well of the boss is always a strong play.
So Smith has a chance to end the drought, and good on him. He's a likable guy, he certainly wasn't set up for success in Ottawa, and the best is probably yet to come.
The hockey world awoke to heartbreaking news Thursday as one of the NHL's most memorable playoff performers, Claude Lemieux, was mourned by former teammates, rivals, and fans across North America.
Among those paying tribute was Colorado Avalanche icon Joe Sakic, who shared a heartfelt statement following reports that Lemieux died at the age of 60.
Sakic and Lemieux were central figures on the Avalanche teams that helped define one of hockey's most intense eras during the 1990s. The pair spent parts of five seasons together in Colorado after Lemieux joined the franchise ahead of the 1995-96 campaign. Their partnership reached its pinnacle that spring when the Avalanche captured the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Sakic Pays Tribute To Former Teammate
In a statement released by the Avalanche organization, Sakic reflected on both the player and person he came to know during their years together.
“We are devastated to learn of Claude’s passing,” Sakic said in a statement released through the Avalanche. “‘Pepe’ was a terrific hockey player, a fierce competitor and a champion in every way. He was also a loyal friend who would do anything for his teammates and someone you could always count on. Most importantly he was a wonderful family man and there is nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with his grandchildren.
“Today is a very sad day for the Avalanche family and Claude will be greatly missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing him. On behalf of the entire Avalanche organization, we send our love and prayers to Deborah and the Lemieux family. Gone but never forgotten. Rest in peace my friend.”
The nickname "Pepe" was widely used by teammates throughout Lemieux's career, and Sakic's remarks underscored the lasting bond that remained long after their playing days ended.
A Career Defined By Championships
Lemieux's NHL journey spanned more than two decades and included stops with the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, and San Jose Sharks.
His championship pedigree became one of the defining features of his career. Lemieux earned his first Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1986 before helping the Devils secure the organization's first championship in 1995. After being dealt to Colorado, he immediately added another title in 1996, becoming just the 10th player in league history to win Stanley Cups in consecutive seasons with different teams.
His fourth championship came during a return stint with New Jersey in 2000.
Widely known for his relentless style and ability to elevate his game when the stakes were highest, Lemieux finished his NHL career with 379 goals and 407 assists across 1,215 regular-season contests. He was equally impactful in the postseason, producing 158 points in 234 playoff appearances.
According to multiple reports, Lemieux died by suicide on Thursday. Authorities reportedly responded to an incident at a furniture showroom in Lake Park, Florida, a business owned by Lemieux and his wife.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office confirmed deputies responded to what was described as a suicide attempt at the location, and the property was secured while investigators conducted their work.
The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office has not publicly released records related to the case due to Florida laws governing suicide-related reports.
As tributes continue to pour in from around the hockey community, Lemieux's legacy remains tied to the championships, fierce competitiveness, and unforgettable playoff moments that made him one of the NHL's most recognizable figures.
In our first ever four-person episode, Mike’s brother David and friend Frank join us to discuss a quartet of short-time Islanders goalies spanning several eras.
Goaltending is the lifeblood of any hockey team. When it’s good, a mediocre roster can do great things. When it’s bad, even a talented team can be stopped dead in its tracks. Some goalie are Corvettes, some are Camrys. The four goalies we discuss run the gamut from youthful exuberance to veteran stability to blink-and-you’ll-miss-him tenures to guys who hung around the ice seemingly forever.
Eric Fichaud is still a name that puts smiles on Islanders fans’ faces thanks to a great look, a cool name and memories of hope for better days. Wade Flaherty was the consummate backup and deputy sheriff, never spectacular but solid when the team needed it. Of all of the goalies in Islanders history, Marcel Cousineau was… certainly one of them. But you’d have to be a real sicko to even remember him. Years after these guys came and went, Yann Danis carried on the tradition of showing up out of nowhere, playing (and winning!) a bunch of games and getting people excited before roaming the larger hockey world like a samurai ronin.
Along the way, we find out how David inadvertently drove Mike to the Islanders, and how Fichaud played a huge role in their youth. Frank tells us what it’s like to be an unofficial Leboff, growing up with the Islanders through his friendship with them. Thanks again to both guys for coming on, sharing their stories and bringing these goalies back to life, however briefly they may have stayed on Long Island.
He came to the Islanders at a time of great goalie upheaval: Roberto Luongo was traded to Florida and Rick DiPietro was selected first overall. He was the starter when Rick was first called up from the AHL.
Flaherty had four (4) shutouts for the Islanders including this one over the Panthers and Roberto Luongo.
For better or worse, his greatest claim to fame was giving up the 894th and final goal of Wayne Gretzky’s career. He’s still got a great sense of humor about it.
In a weird bit of synergy, Eric Fichaud and Marcel Cousineau opposed each other in an Islanders-Leafs game on Dec. 30, 1996. The final was 2-0 Toronto, Cousineau’s only NHL shutout.
After signing with the Islanders, Cousineau won zero times in six tries. One of those losses was the day they acquired Felix Potvin from Cousineau’s old team, the Leafs. Tommy Salo stayed home, Cousineau got the start, and the Islanders lost 3-2 to the Habs.
This video is trash but it is the only video evidence that Cousineau played for the Islanders. The lone commenter (from 13 years ago) says: “Marcel Cousineau rocks.” Okay, then.
Before coming to the Islanders, Yann Danis had decorated stints at Brown University (including being a Hobey Baker finalist) and Hamilton of the AHL as part of the Canadiens organization.
He didn’t play much at first, but once Joey McDonald (who himself replaced Rick DiPietro) went down with a groin injury, Danis stepped in and had a surprising run for a very bad Islanders team.
As bad as that Islanders team was, Danis had two shutouts in 2008-09. One was at home against New Jersey, the first time the Islanders had blanked the Devils in 17 years:
We’re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:
Played one (1) season or less for the Islanders or very short stints over multiple seasons.
Be a veteran NHLer who is not generally associated with his time on Islanders.
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Lemieux, a longtime agitator and big-game performer, was a player agent who represented several of today’s biggest stars, including Devils forward Timo Meier and Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen.
Retired Colorado Avalanche player Claude Lemieux waves to fans as he is honored for his years on the ice before the Avalanche host the New Jersey Devils. AP Photo/David Zalubowski
“Rest in peace Pepi,” Meier wrote on his Instagram story, referencing the nickname Lemieux received as a rookie with the Montreal Canadiens in 1983, short for “Pepe Le Pew,” the amorous cartoon skunk.
“Gone too soon.”
The news of Lemieux’s death — he was reportedly found in a warehouse of his family’s furniture store in Florida by one of his sons — came just three days after he was honored by the Canadiens as a torchbearer ahead of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Hurricanes.
Timo Meier #28 of the New Jersey Devils stretches in warm ups before a game. NHLI via Getty Images
With Andersen set to tend goal for the Hurricanes that night, Lemieux reached out to the goalie to let him know he was tapped to help fire up the opposing team’s home crowd at the Bell Center.
“He’s like family,” Andersen told the North State Journal, noting it was a big deal for the entire Lemieux family for its patriarch to be honored.
Andersen’s pursuit of the Stanley Cup continues with a heavy heart, as does Meier’s run at the IIHF World Championships with Switzerland.
Timo Meier posted about his agent Claude Lemieux’s death on Thursday night.
Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup winner, also counted Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and Bruins blueliner Hampus Lindholm among his clients as the President Hockey North America for 4Sports Hockey, with 17 active contracts totaling nearly $355 million in value, per PuckPedia.
“Claude was so much more to us than just a member of the 4sports family,” the agency wrote in an Instagram post. “He was a truly special person, a trusted friend, an inspiring leader, an exceptional and very successful agent, and someone who touched all of our lives with his kindness, loyalty, strength, and generosity. His presence shaped not only our company, but also the people around him in so many meaningful ways.
“We all deeply respected, appreciated, and loved him. The memories, the laughter, the friendship, and the inspiration he gave us will remain with us forever.”
As the Maple Leafs continue their search for a new head coach following the dismissal of Craig Berube, conflicting reports have surfaced regarding former Edmonton Oilers bench boss Jay Woodcroft.
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Leafs were set to interview the 49-year-old Toronto native this week. Woodcroft, who spent the past season as an assistant with the Anaheim Ducks after being let go by the Oilers early in 2023-24, has drawn attention following a strong track record in Edmonton, including a trip to the 2022 Western Conference Final and elite power-play performance. Seravalli’s sources positioned him as one of the front-runners for the job, especially given his local roots and recent interview with the Los Angeles Kings.
But on the latest episode of 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman pushed back firmly on that narrative.
“I understand there were some reports this week that he’s going to interview in Toronto. I don’t believe that’s the case,” Friedman said. “I do not believe Toronto has asked permission to talk to him.”
Friedman added that it remains possible the Maple Leafs never engage with Woodcroft at all.
This discrepancy highlights the fluid nature of the Leafs’ coaching search under new general manager John Chayka. With reports indicating Toronto has spoken to or plans to speak with around 20 candidates, the process appears thorough but opaque, leading to the kind of crossed wires that often occur in high-stakes NHL hiring cycles.
#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…
For now, it seems safe to scratch Woodcroft’s name from the top of the list. That elevates the spotlight even further on University of Denver head coach David Carle, who remains a strong favourite according to multiple reports. The two sides have had dialogue, though Friedman wondered if any in-person meetings have taken place yet.
Carle’s success at the NCAA level, developing talent and implementing structured, possession-oriented systems, aligns with what many believe the Leafs need to complement their star-studded core of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Matthew Knies. His potential hiring would represent a fresh voice untainted by past NHL baggage — a common theme in Toronto’s recent coaching hires.
Really it seems like the ball is in Carle’s court if he wants to leave the NCAA ranks, having previously turned down the Chicago Blackhawks for an NHL head coaching spot.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Jordan Staal looks at the Carolina Hurricanes’ on-their-game play as being part of a machine.
One that keeps rolling through its process, over and over, in smothering scoring chances and keeping the pressure on an opponent.
It has them within a win of reaching their first Stanley Cup Final in two decades entering Game 5 at home against the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Final.
“Right now, when you get into these grooves, it’s just kind of the machine,” the captain told reporters in Montreal. “You just kind of want to keep it running, keep doing what you’re doing.
“I don’t think the guys will waver too far from the next shift, the next play, the hyper-focus that we’re on.”
The Eastern Conference’s top seed started this series with a jarringly horrid start after going 11 days between playoff rounds — the longest postseason layoff in more than a century — and promptly allowing four goals in the first 11-plus minutes of a 6-2 loss.
Ever since, though, the Hurricanes have gotten more and more to their preferred style that helped them sweep through Ottawa and Philadelphia in the first two playoff rounds. And that has helped them grab control of the series from the on-the-rise Canadiens who arrived at this round earlier than some expected.
Carolina won a pair of 3-2 overtime games, first at home and then on the road, then dominated from the puck drop of 4-0 road romp that pushed the Hurricanes to a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The Hurricanes are getting the puck into the offensive zone, using the aggressive forecheck to keep it there and pressure the Canadiens while giving talented goaltender Jakub Dobes a lot of work. The Game 4 win offered a withering case study, with Carolina scoring three goals in a nearly three-minute span of the first period then shutting off everything as the Canadiens tried to regroup.
It wasn’t perfect. Notably there was a nearly two-minute 5-on-3 opportunity in which the Hurricanes didn’t put a shot on Dobes with a chance to knock out the Canadiens midway through the second period.
Not that their coach was dwelling on it.
“I’m not pointing at any negative on this game, no chance,” Rod Brind’Amour said.
Now the pressure is fully on the Canadiens, who battled through two long series that included Game 7 road wins at Tampa Bay and Buffalo while the Hurricanes started 8-0 in the postseason.
Montreal hadn’t lost consecutive games since mid-March and hadn’t lost three straight games since a five-game skid in November.
“Obviously everybody knows where we’re at, we do,” forward Cole Caufield said after the team arrived in North Carolina.
The Canadiens pounced on the slow-starting Hurricanes in Game 1 by repeatedly getting clean breakouts and breakaways with skaters hitting full speed as they blew unchecked through the neutral zone.
But as this series has worn on, the Canadiens have looked a half-step — sometimes more — behind.
Montreal defenseman Alexandre Carrier said the focus is down to small details such as winning more 1-on-1 battles, and then building from there to hopefully stop the Hurricanes’ push.
“It’s a big opportunity,” Carrier said. “We’re not dead yet. So it’s important to really be excited for tomorrow and confident. And I’m excited to see what we can do.”
The Hurricanes have more than double the shots on goal (108-43) in the past three games. And while some of that is due to a style that naturally leans into shot volume, the Hurricanes have steadily tightened their defensive grip on a skilled Canadiens team.
The Hurricanes took a 19-3 edge in shots on goal in the third period, keeping the Canadiens pinned in their defensive zone while finishing with a total of 18 shots. That marked the second time in three games that Carolina had more shots on goal in a period than Montreal had for the game, the other in the first period of Game 3 (16-13).
Carolina had a 42-15 edge in high-danger chances for Games 2, 3 and 4, according to Natural Stat Trick.
“We talk about all the time defending as a five-man unit,” Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin said. “And our forwards are doing a great job of helping out with that, and allowing us to be tight-gapped, allowing us to be aggressive, allowing us to play the way we have to play.”
LAS VEGAS — Former Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy called it “upsetting” that he can’t interview with other clubs after Vegas management declined reported requests by Edmonton and Los Angeles.
“There were two teams that asked,” Cassidy said on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast. “It’s public knowledge now, and I would like to talk to them. I want to go to work. I’m a hockey coach.”
The Golden Knights fired Cassidy with eight games left in the regular season and Vegas struggling to hold on to a playoff spot. John Tortorella replaced Cassidy, won the Pacific Division and then defeated Utah, Anaheim and Colorado in the NHL playoffs to reach the Stanley Cup Final.
Vegas opens at Carolina or Montreal on Tuesday or June 4.
Cassidy, who led the Golden Knights to the 2023 Stanley Cup and is the organization’s longest-tenured coach, said contracts come with a standard clause that prohibits clubs from allowing even fired coaches to interview elsewhere without permission. He said his deal goes through next season.
“Probably because they don’t want a coach in the middle of the year to re-sign on Feb. 1 and go work up the street on Feb. 3 because they like a better situation,” Cassidy said of the clause.
The NHL Coaches Association issued a statement May 19 criticizing the Golden Knights for prohibiting Cassidy’s ability to interview elsewhere.
“It would be unprecedented at the head coaching level should multiple teams be denied permission to speak with Coach Cassidy,” the statement read. “The situation is still unfolding, but our priority is to protect the interests of our members in this type of circumstance.”
Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon defended the team’s stance in a news conference before the Western Conference Final against the Avalanche.
“We’ve been consistent that our focus currently is on the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the teams have respected that,” McCrimmon said at the time. “I’ve spoken with Bruce. He understands this as well.”
OTTAWA, CANADA - APRIL 25: K'andre Miller #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes sits in the locker room ahead of Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on April 25, 2026 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Carolina Hurricanes return home on Friday night with a chance to wrap up the Eastern Conference Finals against the Montreal Canadiens. They currently sit with a 3-1 advantage after their dominating, 4-0 victory over the Habs on Wednesday night.
The Canes have accumulated an amazing 11-1 record this postseason, which puts them in rare company. Only a handful of teams have accomplished this in NHL history. While earning this record, they have kept their opponents “shots on goal” stat to startling lows.
After allowing a league low 23.9 shots per game during the regular season, they have bested that and are now allowing just 22.2 shots per game, lowest in the playoffs.
The Canadiens are especially finding it difficult to find shots, as evidenced by their fans shouting “shoot the puck” in the third period of their latest loss. They had yet to register a shot on goal in that period until there were just three minutes left.
After the Hurricanes dropped game one of the series, which can reasonably be blamed on rust following a long 11 day lay off, they have played their game and have pretty much dominated the ice since. The team has out-scored the Habs 10-4, outshot them 108-43 and outhit them 113-77. All of these factors have taken a toll on their opponents.
Jordan Staal called his team “a machine” and indeed they are. Perhaps I should change the name of the blog to “Carolina Machine Never Breaks” although that might make some people upset.
This has been a total team effort, although there are a couple of players really performing well. Of course Frederik Andersen would have to be at or near the top of the list. He has the best stats of any goalie in the postseason with an 11-1 record, a GAA of 1.44, and save percentage of .928. He also has three shutouts for his trouble.
Next up would be defenseman K’Andre Miller who is probably playing better than the front office could even dream of when they acquired him.
He leads the defense with 8 points, (tied for 4rth on the team) and leads the entire team with a +12 rating. He also leads the defense with 26 hits, good for 7th on the team and has 9 takeaways which is a team high. Oh yes, he also leads the team in TOI averaging just over 24 minutes a game.
After the win on Wednesday night on the TNT telecast, Wayne Gretzky said that Miller was playing as well as any defenseman he had seen in the playoffs. High praise indeed.
By the way, the photo above is classic Miller. Before every game he puts on his hoodie and is in deep thought. One can assume he is visualizing the game ahead of time.
Here is another shot:
If the Hurricanes win tonight, the Stanley Cup Finals will start on Tuesday, June 2nd. If not, then they will start on June 4rth.
Will Carolina be able to close this one out and improve their postseason record to 12-1? It won’t be easy, this Montreal club has been dangerous with their backs against the wall.
Game time 8 P.M. Eastern
TV: TNT and TruTV will have the action in the US with Kenny Albert handling play-by-play, Eddie Olczyk doing color from up top, Brian Boucher between the benches, and Jackie Redmond handling off-ice interviews. Also note that the NHL on TNT Face-Off pre-show will not only be an hour long, beginning at 7 PM Eastern, but that they will be on-site in Raleigh in the Buffalo Brothers Section behind section 113. Liam McHugh hosts while Wayne Gretzky, Henrik Lundqvist, Anson Carter, and Paul Bissonnette will be at the desk.
Radio: You can still listen to the familiar voices of Mike Maniscalco and Tripp Tracy. The pregame Storm Watch with Adam Gold on 99.9 The Fan starts at 7PM and runs for 60 minutes. At 8PM the Hurricanes Radio Network (consisting of 99.9, 730 The Game in Charlotte, ESPN New Bern 107.5/1490, and ESPN Greenville 107.5/1570). You will also be able stream this call through 99.9 on your smart device, app, or the Carolina Hurricanes app—and it’s not geolocked.
Odds (per Fanduel) – Canes – 245 Habs +198
We are not expecting any changes to the line up but if there are any, or if there is anything to report from the morning skate, updates will be posted in the comments.
One of the NHL’s best bargain contracts this past season belonged to the Detroit Red Wings and veteran forward Patrick Kane.
After signing a one-year contract worth $3 million to remain in Detroit, the future Hall of Famer once again proved he can still produce at a high level despite nearing the end of his career. Although injuries limited Kane to 67 games, the 37-year-old still recorded 57 points, production that would typically cost teams significantly more on the open market.
Now, with Kane once again set to become an unrestricted free agent, the Red Wings face an important offseason decision regarding one of their most recognizable veterans.
Detroit appears poised to undergo a roster transition this summer as the organization looks to create opportunities for younger players to secure full-time NHL roles. Several pending unrestricted free agents are not expected to return next season, including David Perron, James van Riemsdyk, Travis Hamonic, and Cam Talbot with Kane expected to be the lone exception.
The veteran winger made it clear in his end-of-season media availability, that he would like to get Detroit over the hump and into the playoffs while expressing interest in returning to the Red Wings and continuing to build on the organization’s system. Still, there are legitimate questions surrounding what his role should look like moving forward.
Some Red Wings fans and analysts believe Detroit needs to find better, more dynamic solutions for its top-six forward group. Former Red Wings forward Darren McCarty recently discussed Kane’s future during a podcast appearance, suggesting the veteran could be more effective in a middle-six role while continuing to serve as a power-play specialist.
That raises another important question for Detroit’s front office of how much should the team commit financially to an aging player whose role may gradually decrease?
Even if Kane slides lower in the lineup next season, his offensive instincts and experience still provide significant value. Injuries are inevitable over the course of an NHL season, and having a player capable of moving up the lineup and contributing offensively remains an important luxury for playoff hopeful teams.
But at the same time, durability has become a growing concern with Kane having missed 96 games over the past six seasons and will turn 38 years old next November. While his production remains impressive, the physical demands of the NHL continue to become more challenging with age.
For that reason, the most logical path forward may involve a contract structure similar to the one recently signed by longtime former Chicago Blackhawks teammate Jonathan Toews with the Winnipeg Jets.
That deal carries a $2 million cap hit while incorporating performance bonuses tied to games played and offensive production. A similar arrangement could provide Detroit with valuable cap flexibility while also rewarding Kane if he continues producing at a high level.
The Red Wings would retain an experienced veteran capable of helping mentor younger players while still contributing offensively, and Kane would remain with an organization he appears comfortable with as he chases another playoff appearance late in his career.
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