Southern California football coach Lincoln Riley was credited with $11.5 million in compensation during the calendar year 2023.
Eichel, Vegas Eliminated By Edmonton In Five Games
Two years ago, former Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights eliminated the Edmonton Oilers in the second round on their way to their first Stanley Cup championship, but history did not repeat itself in the second-round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, as the Oilers turned the tables on Vegas and eliminated them in five games with a 1-0 overtime victory in Game 5.
Kasperi Kapanen scored at 7:19 of the extra frame to give Edmonton the win and advance them to their second straight Western Conference Final to face the winner of the Winnipeg-Dallas series, in which the Stars lead 3-1. Eichel led the Golden Knights in scoring with 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists) in 11 games, while ex-Sabre Victor Olofsson finished his first post-season appearance with four points (2 goals, 2 assists), and Brayden McNabb had four assists in 11 games.
Other Sabres Stories
Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday?
Sabres Summer Dilemmas - Bowen Byram
Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change
How other Sabres did in the playoffs on Wednesday:
Evander Kane (EDM) 17:22 TOI, 3 SOG, 7 Hits
Jeff Skinner(EDM) Did Not Play
Florida - 6, Buffalo - 1, Panthers lead 3-2
Sam Reinhart(FLA) 2A,+2, 17:27 TOI, 6 SOG
Evan Rodrigues(FLA) Did Not Play
Dmitri Kulikov(FLA) 1G, +2, 17:57 TOI, 2 SOG, 2 Hits
Jake McCabe(TOR) -1, 19:00 TOI, 1 SOG, 1 Hits
Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
What we know about the NHL conference finals so far
What we know about the NHL conference finals so far originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Two teams are on the doorstep of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.
The Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes have advanced to the conference final round of the NHL playoffs.
The Oilers, last year’s Stanley Cup runners-up, are back in the Western Conference Final as they eye the franchise’s first championship since 1990. Connor McDavid and Co. dropped their first two games of this postseason, but have only suffered one loss since.
Edmonton, the Pacific Division’s No. 3 seed, overcame a 2-0 first-round series deficit against the No. 2 Los Angeles Kings with four straight comeback wins before taking down the No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights in five games. McDavid and co-star Leon Draisaitl have combined for eight goals and 25 assists across 11 playoff contests.
The West final could be a rematch from last year, when the Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars in six games. Dallas currently holds a 3-1 second-round series lead over the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets.
The Hurricanes, meanwhile, are making their second Eastern Conference Final appearance in three years. Carolina, the Metro Division’s No. 2 seed, needed just five games to bounce both the No. 3 New Jersey Devils and the East-leading Washington Capitals. Frederik Andersen has been stellar between the pipes for Carolina, boasting a 1.36 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage in nine playoff starts.
Now, the Hurricanes need to get past either the defending champion Florida Panthers or the Toronto Maple Leafs in order to reach their first Cup Final since the franchise’s lone championship triumph in 2006. Florida has a 3-2 series edge over Toronto after losing the first two games.
So, when will the conference finals start and who has home-ice advantage? Here’s what to know:
When do the NHL Eastern, Western Conference Finals start?
The NHL hasn’t yet announced when the conference finals will get underway. This story will be updated as schedule details emerge.
For what it’s worth, the final second-round game that’s currently scheduled is a possible Game 7 between the Jets and Stars on Monday, May 19.
What are the NHL Eastern, Western Conference Final matchups?
- Eastern Conference Final: Carolina Hurricanes vs. winner of Florida Panthers-Toronto Maple Leafs
- Western Conference Final: Edmonton Oilers vs. winner of Dallas Stars-Winnipeg Jets
Who has home-ice advantage in the Eastern, Western Conference Finals?
The team with the superior regular-season record gets home-ice advantage in the conference final round.
The Oilers won’t have home-ice regardless of opponent, as both the Jets and Stars finished ahead of them in the standings. The Hurricanes will have home-ice advantage if they face the Panthers, but will start the conference final on the road should they see the Leafs.
What to know for the NHL conference finals: Matchups, schedule, where to watch
What to know for the NHL conference finals: Matchups, schedule, where to watch originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Four teams are on the doorstep of the Stanley Cup Final.
The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers will square off in a Western Conference Final rematch in the 2025 NHL playoffs, while the defending champion Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes meet in the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years.
The Panthers, the Atlantic Division’s No. 3 seed, have reached the conference final for the third straight year, with a chance to make a third straight Cup Final. Florida has kept its repeat bid alive by beating the No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning in five games and the No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games. The Panthers, who can join an exclusive group of back-to-back Cup winners, overcame a 2-0 series deficit against the Leafs and won Game 7 on the road in emphatic fashion.
The Hurricanes are looking to avoid a repeat of the 2023 conference final, when they were swept by Florida. Carolina, the Metro Division’s No. 2 seed, needed just five games to bounce both the No. 3 New Jersey Devils and the East-leading Washington Capitals. Frederik Andersen has been stellar between the pipes for Carolina, boasting a 1.36 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage in nine playoff starts.
Now, the Hurricanes need to get past the defending champs in order to reach their first Cup Final since the franchise’s lone championship triumph in 2006.
The Oilers, last year’s Stanley Cup runners-up, are also eyeing a return trip to the Cup Final in search of the franchise’s first championship since 1990. Connor McDavid and Co. dropped their first two games of this postseason, but have only suffered one loss since.
Edmonton, the Pacific Division’s No. 3 seed, overcame a 2-0 first-round series deficit against the No. 2 Los Angeles Kings with four straight comeback wins before taking down the No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights in five games. McDavid and co-star Leon Draisaitl have combined for eight goals and 25 assists across 11 playoff contests.
The Stars are playing in their third straight conference final and fourth since 2020. But Dallas has been eliminated from this round the last two postseasons, most recently falling to Edmonton in six games in 2024.
Dallas, the Central Division’s No. 2 seed, first outlasted the No. 3 Colorado Avalanche in a seven-game thriller and then bounced the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets in six games. Trade deadline acquisition Mikko Rantanen has racked up a playoff-high 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) as he attempts to help deliver the Stars their first title since 1999 and second overall.
So, when will the conference finals start and who has home-ice advantage? Here’s what to know:
What are the NHL Eastern, Western Conference Final matchups?
- Eastern Conference Final: Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes
- Western Conference Final: Edmonton Oilers vs.Dallas Stars
When do the NHL Eastern, Western Conference Finals start?
The conference final round begins with Panthers-Hurricanes on Tuesday, May 20, followed by Game 1 of Oilers-Stars on Wednesday, May 21.
Who has home-ice advantage in the Eastern, Western Conference Finals?
Dallas and Carolina have home-ice advantage due to their superior regular-season records.
What is the Oilers vs. Stars Western Conference Final schedule?
- Game 1: Oilers at Stars — Wednesday, May 21, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 2: Oilers at Stars — Friday, May 23, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 3: Stars at Oilers — Sunday, May 25, 3 p.m. ET, ABC
- Game 4: Stars at Oilers — Tuesday, May 27, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 5 (if necessary): Oilers at Stars — Thursday, May 29, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 6 (if necessary): Stars at Oilers — Saturday, May 31, 8 p.m. ET, ABC
- Game 7 (if necessary): Oilers at Stars — Monday, June 2, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Where to watch, stream the Oilers vs. Stars Western Conference Final
The West Final will air across ESPN and ABC, and can be streamed live on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
What is the Panthers vs. Hurricanes Eastern Conference Final schedule?
- Game 1: Panthers at Hurricanes — Tuesday, May 20, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV
- Game 2: Panthers at Hurricanes — Thursday, May 22, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV
- Game 3: Hurricanes at Panthers — Saturday, May 24, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV
- Game 4: Hurricanes at Panthers — Monday, May 26, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV
- Game 5 (if necessary): Panthers at Hurricanes — Wednesday, May 28, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV
- Game 6 (if necessary): Hurricanes at Panthers — Friday, May 30, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV
- Game 7 (if necessary): Panthers at Hurricanes — Sunday, June 1, 8 p.m. ET, TNT/truTV
Where to watch, stream the Panthers vs. Hurricanes Eastern Conference Final
Panthers-Hurricanes games will be shown on both TNT and truTV. They can also be streamed live on TNTDrama.com, the TNT app and Max.
Editor’s note: The original version of this story was published on May 15.
‘Ensure that our cricketers are not shut-out of history’: Windies plead for Olympic chance
Cricket West Indies have urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to give Caribbean nations a chance to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Games and avoid the region being “shut-out of history”.
MLS rules continue to fail Lionel Messi + Michele Giannone previews the Hudson River Derby
Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros react to the midweek slate of MLS fixtures including another bad defensive performance from Inter Miami! Christian and Alexis then chat with MLS reporter & analyst Michele Giannone ahead of the Hudson River Derby between NYCFC and New York Red Bulls. Later, Christian and Alexis react to Ashlyn Harris’ latest podcast appearance on another edition of Run that Back.
Jimmy Butler's performance in Warriors' Game 5 loss criticized by NBA analysts
Jimmy Butler's performance in Warriors' Game 5 loss criticized by NBA analysts originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Warriors forward Jimmy Butler didn’t live up to his “Playoff Jimmy” moniker in Golden State’s final two losses of its Western Conference semifinals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Butler, under the weather during Games 4 and 5, attempted 20 combined shots and scored 31 total points, well below what was expected from the six-time NBA All-Star.
With Steph Curry moving closer to returning, the Warriors needed to win just one game to extend the series long enough for the 37-year-old to have a chance to play in Game 6.
But Butler wasn’t able to put the Warriors on his back. His performances on Monday and Wednesday were criticized by a pair of ESPN analysts on Thursday morning.
“You weren’t asked to win the war. You were asked to hold the damn line,” Jay Williams said on “Get Up” on Thursday. “Right? For one game. One game. Not two games. Not three games. Just one game. Give the sun in your solar system a chance to rise again for Game 6. That sun is Steph Curry. And what we came off last game, where he took nine shots, the fact that Jimmy Butler only took 11 shots when you needed him … the most in this game, it’s shocking to me. It’s shocking to me.
“It’s the biggest question I have from this series. This is a guy who is going to get paid $120 million over the next two years. $120 million. Took only 11 shots. Now, I know the game got away. But [Udonis Haslem], you’re going to swing. If you’re going to go out, you’re going to go out swinging, not taking two more shots than the nine shots you took in the game you didn’t come out for [two nights] before.”
While Stephen A. Smith believes the Warriors’ trade for Butler lived up to expectations, he echoed Williams’ sentiments, though in a more toned-down manner.
“When Butler first arrived in Golden State, a lot of us didn’t think much of it because we said, ‘How does this really pair with seeing a guy like Steph with a guy like Klay [Thompson]? How does this mesh? How does this work exactly?’ And then they were playing lights out together and so we got our hopes up. But then it came crashing down once Steph hurt his hamstring. And it is what it is.
“Here’s what makes this look bad. Butler obviously forced his way out of Miami. We know you didn’t want to be a No. 1 option. You wanted to play with someone who’s a No. 1. You didn’t mind being that ‘Robin.’ Then you go to Golden State and y’all have major success. Steph gets hurt. You got your money. And Joe Lacob and the Golden State Warriors, all they needed was one game.
“See, it ain’t like Steph went down like [Boston Celtics star Jayson] Tatum did [with a ruptured Achilles] and he’s out for the next year, at least. It’s not like that. Everybody had projected, it’s going to take about a week. Steph Curry should be back for Game 6. All you got to do, being [Game] 3, 4 or 5, give me one game and he couldn’t do it. Eleven shot attempts last night. Twenty shot attempts over the last two games.”
Butler’s arrival jump-started the Warriors’ season and helped them secure the No. 7 seed. But his last impression wasn’t good and he left himself open to sharp criticism.
Hull sack head coach Rubén Sellés despite avoiding drop
- Club escaped Championship relegation on final day
- Spaniard won nine of 27 league games in charge
Hull have sacked their head coach, Rubén Sellés, after less than six months in charge.
The club escaped Championship relegation on the final day of the season on goal difference, having been bottom when Sellés was appointed in December. The 41-year-old Spaniard is the third manager sacked by the Hull owner, Acun Ilicali, in the past 12 months and the club now begin their search for a fifth permanent coach since the Turkish media executive took control in early 2022.
Continue reading...Selles axed by Tigers – give us your thoughts
Tigers fans, what do you make of the news that Ruben Selles has left the MKM Stadium?
Another summer, another change in the dugout. Do you think Selles would have improved City's fortunes next season, or do you think this is the right move after a season of struggle? Who would you like to see replace him?
Let us know your thoughts here.
Check back later and we'll publish a selection of views right here.
NHL Veteran Sam Gagner Launches Next Chapter With Ottawa Senators In Player Development Role
The Ottawa Senators brought on veteran NHL center Sam Gagner for the next phase of his hockey career.
Gagner is now the director of player development for the Senators after a 1,043-game NHL career.
“Sam had an incredible career as a player, and we look forward to launching his next chapter,” Senators GM Steve Staios said in a news release. “A true character individual, Sam has contributed to the success of his organizations, both on and off the ice.”
Gagner recently played for the AHL’s Belleville Senators in the 2024-25 season after signing a professional tryout with the team. He made 19 appearances and recorded 10 assists for Belleville up until the NHL trade deadline.
The 35-year-old has played 1,043 games in the NHL across 17 years. He played for the Edmonton Oilers, Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings and Winnipeg Jets.
He spent most of his career with the Oilers, which selected him sixth overall in the 2007 NHL draft. He played 10 seasons with Edmonton in three different stints. Gagner’s first seven years in the NHL were with Edmonton, followed by another two seasons from 2018 to 2020.
He also played his last NHL season with his draft team in 2023-24, featuring in 28 games, scoring five goals and 10 points.
Gagner’s career high in points came in the 2016-17 season with the Blue Jackets, when he had 18 goals and 32 assists for 50 points in 81 games. He also has seven 40-point campaigns in his career.
While Gagner only appeared in 11 NHL playoff games in his career – six games with Philadelphia in 2015-16 and five with Columbus the following year – he does have some championship hardware.
In 2012, Gagner won the Spengler Cup with Team Canada, recording three assists in four games. He was part of a star-studded Canadian squad that year during the 2012-13 NHL lockout, playing with Matt Duchene, Patrice Bergeron, John Tavares, Jason Spezza, Tyler Seguin and more.
Gagner also won gold with Canada at the 2006-07 world juniors, the same season he made the CHL’s all-rookie team with 118 points in 53 games on the OHL’s London Knights.
The Senators also hired Matt Turek as the new GM for Belleville. He’s been a GM and scout in the OHL for the last decade, and he was an amateur scout for the Montreal Canadiens from 2017 to 2022.
Turek played a key role in the former Hamilton Bulldogs’ OHL championship wins in 2018 and 2022 as the director of player personnel before becoming their GM from 2022 to 2025, including during the squad’s move to Brantford.
Senators owner Michael Andlauer owned the Bulldogs up until midway through this season, when he sold the team to the family of Edmonton Oilers left winger Zach Hyman. The Bulldogs announced Thursday that Spencer Hyman will take over as GM.
“Matt has managed a successful Ontario Hockey League team, and he has gained a critical management skills and experience at that level,” Staios said. “In addition to his experience, Matt will bring passion and leadership to our organization.”
These additions come after the Senators parted ways with associate GM Ryan Bowness earlier in May.
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Shaw reportedly not returning to Flyers' coaching staff
Shaw reportedly not returning to Flyers' coaching staff originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Flyers will pretty much have a whole new coaching staff next season.
Brad Shaw will not be back with the Flyers, according to a report Thursday by Charlie O’Connor of PHLY Sports. Per the report, it was Shaw’s decision.
The 61-year-old was in Philadelphia for three seasons, mostly as the Flyers’ associate coach. He served as the club’s interim head coach for the final nine games of this season after John Tortorella was fired.
Shaw had an uphill battle at landing the Flyers’ full-time job. This was a huge decision for general manager Danny Briere and president of hockey operations Keith Jones. It was their first head coaching hire, one that could define their rebuild, so it felt likely that they would ultimately bring in their handpicked guy.
They did so Wednesday by landing Rick Tocchet.
The Flyers went 5-3-1 with Shaw running the bench and scored an impressive 3.89 goals per game. But they also allowed 3.56 per game.
As Tortorella’s right-hand man, Shaw was in charge of the back end and penalty kill. A number of the Flyers’ defensemen improved under Shaw’s watch, while the team’s penalty kill was a top-five unit in 2023-24 and scored an NHL-leading 16 shorthanded goals.
“He has meant so much to my game personally,” Travis Sanheim said at his end-of-the-season press conference. “I think a lot of guys on the D core could probably say the same thing. We don’t know what’s going to happen, time will tell. In saying that, I’m just super thankful for where he has taken my game and I really enjoyed my time working with him, so it would obviously be a disappointment if I didn’t get to continue that.”
A little over three weeks ago, the Flyers parted ways with three assistants, including power play coach Rocky Thompson. Goaltending coach Kim Dillabaugh, who isn’t on the bench for games, was not among the subtractions.
Warriors will be ‘incredibly aggressive' retooling roster, per Shams Charania
Warriors will be ‘incredibly aggressive' retooling roster, per Shams Charania originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Steph Curry’s Grade 1 hamstring strain proved to be helpful for the Warriors.
Curry’s injury showed coach Steve Kerr and general manager Mike Dunleavy that they need to upgrade the role players on the roster.
Without Curry, the Warriors lost four consecutive games and saw their promising 2024-25 NBA season end at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
So, what is the Warriors’ offseason plan? ESPN’s Shams Charania provided insight into Golden State’s mindset.
“The Golden State Warriors have up to four first-round picks they can trade,” Charania said on “SportsCenter” on Thursday. “They have tradeable contracts, pick swaps as well. Sources told me in the last few hours, the Warriors will be incredibly aggressive in the marketplace to go find help, to continue to retool around their big three of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.
“I’m told their priority is finding a play-making wing defender or a center to add to this group. A lot of it will come down to someone that Steve Kerr and the big feel like will help this team and fits their culture and their identity.”
In addition to the assets Charania mentioned, the Warriors have 22-year-old forward Jonathan Kuminga, a restricted free agent who they potentially could move in a sign-and-trade to acquire pieces that fit around Curry, Green and Butler.
Kuminga was in and out of Kerr’s rotation and has had an uneven four years with the Warriors, but the young forward averaged 24.3 points in the four games Curry missed against the Timberwolves
So, while Kuminga might not fit the Warriors’ roster, another team might value him and provide Golden State with the pieces it desires.
“One key player to keep an eye on on this roster right now is forward Jonathan Kuminga,” Charania said. “I’m told he’s going to have a strong sign-and-trade market coming up. He’s an exciting young wing player. Both sides are expected to have conversations commencing over the next several weeks ahead of free agency to see, is there a potential sign-and-trade landing spot that gives him a lucrative deal while also potentially bringing the Warriors some additional help for their roster so that both sides end up as winners.”
The Warriors’ window to win a title with Curry, Green and Butler is closing and the front office understands the team wasn’t good enough to win games without their two-time NBA MVP.
So, changes around the three superstars are coming this summer.
Buckle up.
What are expectations for Sam Darnold, Tyler Shough and 3 other QBs on new teams?
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)
"Competency" is Step 1 for a group of NFL teams who will have a new quarterback under center in the 2025 season. The thinking for these clubs: get average to above average play and see if any QB can flash something special.
For the rookies and young starters, it’s about showing they're not over their heads and giving their teams a chance to evaluate them long term. For the veterans, expectations are more about providing stability and not losing games, with hope for occasional upside.
In this episode of "Football 301," Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice, Charles McDonald and Matt Harmon lay out the expectations for quarterbacks who are in new cities with expected starting role responsibilities. Here are the key takeaways from the discussion:
Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
The hosts agree that "competency" should be the expectation for Shough this year. With a new coaching staff and a 26-year-old rookie starting, the Saints are hoping Shough can look like a top-20 quarterback and give them a fighting chance in games, even if it’s just a 7-10 season.
Because of his age and experience, Shough should be ready right away, and if he falters, the Saints might already be looking to next year's draft class.
Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans
For Ward, it’s about showing the aggressive playmaking he was known for in college. The Titans have beefed up their offensive line and added some interesting receivers. The consensus is that anything “better than last year” is a win.
The expectation is that Ward keeps firing downfield, makes mistakes, and hopefully learns quickly. The offense should be more competent overall, aided by improvements up front.
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Darnold lands in a Shanahan/Kubiak system in Seattle, a scheme that should mitigate some of his worst tendencies with play action and a strong run game. But there's reason to be cautious since Darnold “is as good as the players around him.”
The expectation is that the Seahawks lean into a run-heavy, play-action-heavy script and try not to let Darnold get stuck in a dropback-heavy passing game. If things go well, Darnold can be a fine starter, but the offense's talent and the fit of its skill players present question marks.
Las Vegas Review-Journal via Getty Images
Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders
With Chip Kelly coming in as offensive coordinator, the Raiders are expected to lean heavily on the run and utilize a creative, multifaceted ground attack. Smith raises the floor for the offense as he’s a steady hand who can make enough throws, especially if the run game is working.
The Raiders' offense is expected to be better than last season, with the main question being whether they have enough explosive playmakers outside.
Justin Fields, New York Jets
The expectation is a “run-heavy, bruising” offense built around Fields’ legs and the Jets' strong running back group. Passing game questions remain — particularly the fit with Garrett Wilson — but there's reason to believe this offense can at least pound the rock and be a team no one wants to play, even if it won’t be explosive through the air. Think of the "bad team beater" Falcons from a couple of years ago.
To hear more NFL discussions, tune into "Football 301" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
Golden Knights Shut Out In Back-To-Back Games As Their Season Ends
The Vegas Golden Knights were shut out by the Edmonton Oilers in Games 4 and 5 as their season ended disappointingly.
Offence was hard to come by against the Oilers despite the high-scoring opening-round series they played against the Los Angeles Kings. In five games, the Golden Knights scored just 10 goals and gave up 16. In back-to-back must-win games, the Golden Knights managed just 47 shots.
“Discipline. We only had one power play, that can usually get you going,” said HC Bruce Cassidy about what made the Oilers so difficult to score on. “Both teams checked well, not easy to get the the front of the net, so second chances were at a premium. We’re not a team that shoots first anyways. I think that cost us a little bit last year as well in lack of production. We’ll have to look at changing our mindset.”
Although the final results were far from what Cassidy and the Golden Knights were expecting, he felt the team played well and liked their game yesterday.
“I liked our game,” said Cassidy. “I thought we competed hard physically, we wanted to win puck battles, we wanted to take care of the puck, and we knew we couldn’t give up any easy goals. That’s going to take away some of your offence in the risk part, but it’s getting inside, getting second chances that was tough for both teams, and they got one in the end."
It's hard to avoid facts, and the most obvious one is that the Golden Knights roster has multiple key players over the age of 30. Outside of Jack Eichel, Pavel Dorofeyev, Noah Hanifin and Shea Theodore, many of their players showed fatigue or signs of aging.
William Karlsson and Mark Stone are both effective players, but have dealt with numerous injury issues that have hampered them at important times of the season. Alex Pietrangelo took another step back, dealing with injuries, but also looked a step too slow, creating several turnovers.
Other contributors over the age of 30 include Tomas Hertl, Brayden McNabb, Brandon Saad, Reilly Smith and soon, Ivan Barbashev. The Golden Knights have maintained their stance that they can continue to add talent to their roster, but the fear was always that they could run into this problem.
Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.
"Show up and put your best foot forward"; Golden Knights Head Into A Must Win Game 5 With A Clear MindsetIt's been a poor display by the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the playoffs, and now they find themselves on the brink of elimination, trailing the Edmonton Oilers 3-1 in the series.
Ottawa Senators Make More Front Office Changes On Thursday
The Ottawa Senators didn’t take long to replace Ryan Bowness as their AHL General Manager in Belleville.
Senators GM and president of hockey operations Steve Staios announced on Thursday that the club has hired former Brantford Bulldogs GM Matt Turek to take over the same role with the AHL's Belleville Senators. He’ll also oversee a player personnel role with the Sens organization.
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Turek is part of that Hamilton/Brantford connection, working for Staios and former Bulldogs owner Michael Andaleur.
Turek joined the Bulldogs during the 2015-16 season as a scout. He moved up in the organization and took on the role of director of player personnel ahead of the 2018-19 season. He took over as the club’s GM in 2022 when Staios left for a hockey ops job with the Edmonton Oilers.
After three seasons at the helm, Turek left the Bulldogs late last month, which started the rumour mill turning that he might reunite with Andlauer and Staios. When Bowness parted company with the club 11 days ago, that added more fuel to the fire.
“Matt has managed a successful Ontario Hockey League team and he has gained a critical management skills and experience at that level,” Staios in a club press release. “In addition to his experience, Matt will bring passion and leadership to our organization.”
As for the Bulldogs, now owned by Oilers forward Zack Hyman and his family, they announced on Thursday they've replaced Turek with Zack’s brother, Spencer Hyman. Former NHL player Gary Roberts also joined the Bulldogs as one of their directors of player development.
Meanwhile, his stop in Belleville has turned out to be the swan song for Sam Gagner.
Gagner has ended his long NHL playing career and was named Ottawa's director of player development. Gagner has a fine connecton to Staios as well. They were teammates in Edmonton for three and a half years. Staios was even teammates with Sam father's, Dave, during their time with the Vancouver Canucks.
Bowness’ Reported Departure Marks Big Shift In Staios’ Vision For Ottawa’s Front OfficeFive days after the Ottawa Senators were eliminated from the postseason, significant changes are already on the horizon for the organization's hockey operations department.
“Sam had an incredible career as a player and we look forward to launching his next chapter,” Staios said in the release. “A true character individual, Sam has contributed to the success of his organizations, both on and off the ice.”
Gagner played 1043 NHL games and is the only man in the past 36 years to score 8 points in a single NHL game.
Steve Warne, Site Editor
The Hockey News Ottawa
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