Category: Sports News

Prior to the start of the Stanley Cup Final, longtime Winnipeg Jets head coach and current bench boss of the Florida Panthers, Paul Maurice opened up on his thoughts for his former club.

After making the bold statement to which he indicated his hopes that the Jets would win the 2025 Stanley Cup, Maurice doubled down on his claim, suggesting that the team is close to the top.

"Yeah, getting rid of your last coach was the right thing to do, won the Presidents' Trophy,” Maurice laughed when asked what he thought Winnipeg needed to do to get to the Stanley Cup.

“I cheer for three teams, basically,” he added. “I cheer for the Vancouver Canucks because of Jim Rutherford. I cheer for the Winnipeg Jets, because, well, because of Winnipeg. And I was cheering for the Dallas Stars for Pete DeBoer.”

Earlier, the NHL released footage from an interview between lifelong friends Maurice and DeBoer in advance of the third round, to which the video indicated their love for one another. 

But Maurice also continued in his answer to the question about the Jets, indicating his deeper connection to the people and the city of Winnipeg.

“If you’re good at it, you put everything into this and you’re not cheering for the other team, you’re cheering for your own team. But if you’re going to lose, I’d want to lose to one of those three groups. That’s kind of the idea. Now, my cheering for the team hasn’t really done them much good, it seems. But they’re just the right story in Winnipeg for the National Hockey League and what’s right about the game. 

"We saw it in the connection with what Mark Scheifele did to play in that game, the connection to his brothers, but that's not just a one-off, that starts at the top of that organization. And it fits very well with the fanbase there. They won the presidents’ trophy. I think the Florida Panthers did that a couple years before they got to the Final, so I think they’re right there.”

Maurice's Panthers trail the Edmonton Oilers 1-0 in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final. Game 2 is set to be played on Friday.

The Philadelphia Flyers have officially announced the additions of two new assistant coaches as Rick Tocchet's first iteration of his Orange and Black coaching staff takes shape.

On Thursday, the Flyers officially announced the hiring of former Vancouver Canucks assistant coach and skills coach Yogi Svejkovsky, a former teammate of Tocchet's who once played for former Flyers interim head coach Brad Shaw.

During his playing days, Svejkovsky, 46, was teammates with Tocchet, former Flyers head coach Craig Berube, Flyers president Keith Jones, Nashville head coach Andrew Brunette, and New Jersey head coach Sheldon Keefe.

Svejkovsky, a former first-round pick of Washington in 1996, is expected to work with Tocchet in coaching the Flyers' power play, among other responsibilities.

Joining Tocchet and Svejkovsky in Philadelphia is former Detroit Red Wings assistant coach Jay Varady, who was one of Tocchet's assistant coaches in Arizona in the 2020-21 season.

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Prior to that, Varady, 47, was the head coach of the AHL Tucson Roadrunners, overseeing the development of players like Adin Hill, Calvin Pickard, Michael Bunting, Christian Dvorak, Ilya Lyubushkin, Barrett Hayton, Ivan Prosvetov, and Conor Garland.

According to Bill Meltzer of the Flyers' official website, the Flyers would like to make one more coaching hire this offseason. The exact roles for Svejkovsky and Varady have not been officially assigned by Tocchet at this time.

The National Hockey League has reached the Stanley Cup Final with five former Buffalo Sabres on the rosters of the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers and the two-time Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. The opening game on Wednesday saw four of the five players in action, as the most recent ex-Sabre Jeff Skinner, was a healthy scratch with the return of Connor Brown to the lineup. 

Evander Kane was once again a pivotal performer in the Oilers 4-3 overtime win in Game 1, leading Edmonton with nine hits in the game and going +2 in the contest. The veteran winger also was able to keep his cool in the physical contest, which is a key for the Oilers, since the 33-year-old has a history of being a loose cannon and taking penalties at inopportune times. 

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Former second overall pick Sam Reinhart led all Panthers forwards with over 29 minutes of ice time, but the runner-up for the Selke Trophy was -1 on the night with three shots on goal and two hits. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov led Florida with seven hits on the night.

Power play goal for Florida!

Scored by Brad Marchand with 07:30 remaining in the 1st period.

Assisted by Nate Schmidt and Evan Rodrigues.

Edmonton: 1
Florida: 2#FLAvsEDM#LetsGoOilers#TimeToHuntpic.twitter.com/w4BaAa4ziu

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) June 5, 2025

The only former Sabre to get on the scoreboard on Wednesday was center Evan Rodrigues, who assisted on Brad Marchand’s power-play goal in the first period. The Oilers rallied from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game and force overtime, where Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl scored a power play late in the first OT period due to a Tomas Nosek penalty for delay of game/puck over the glass.

Game 2 will take place at Rogers Arena on Friday. 

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Instead of revealing all the trophy winners in a single gala this season, the NHL has been doing surprise video reveals for specific trophies. On Monday, Aleksander Barkov was surprised with the Selke, and on Wednesday, it was Nikita Kucherov’s turn to be surprised with the Ted Lindsay Trophy. On Thursday, the league announced the winner of the Bill Masterton Trophy in a video that was both touching and memorable.

This year’s winner is Sean Monahan from the Columbus Blue Jackets, and it was Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny Gaudreau’s widow, who was tasked with delivering the trophy to him. One of Gaudreau’s best friends, Monahan, stood by his widow’s side through countless tributes during the season, adding that she brought him with her to cry on national TV.

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Presenting the trophy, she told him it was about recognizing his character and that he meant everything to John and that there was no doubt his friend was proud of him. Monahan is a very deserving winner of this award, not just for the way he helped his Blue Jackets navigate the tragedy that hit the team in August, but also because he has had to overcome numerous injury bouts over the years, and he persevered right through it all.

Traded away by the Calgary Flames to the Montreal Canadiens in August 2022 as a salary dump, Gaudreau performed admirably for the Habs in his first season in town, even though injuries once again plagued him. Still, he signed a one-year contract with the Canadiens, which paid him less than $2 million for the year, to prove to everyone that he could still play and earn himself a new contract at market value. That year, he skated in 83 games, proving his body could sustain the grind of an NHL season and putting up 59 points.

NHL (@NHL) on XJohnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith, surprised Sean Monahan with the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. 💙 Watch the #NHLAwards on June 12 at 6p ET on @NHL_On_TNT and @Sportsnet before Game 4 of the #StanleyCup Final.

After finishing his season with the Winnipeg Jets following a trade deadline deal, he signed a five-year pact with the Jackets, with a $5.5 million cap hit, happy to join his friend Gaudreau in Columbus.

Unfortunately, life has other plans, and Gaudreau tragically died, run over by an allegedly drunk driver with his brother in the off-season. When Monahan showed up for training camp, he didn’t get to play with his friend; instead, he had to sit by his empty stall, surrounded by memories, and deal with a lot of anger and emotions.

Monahan didn’t break through. Once more, he rolled up his sleeves and got to business, almost leading the Blue Jackets to a playoff berth in the toughest of circumstances. While he only played 54 games, he still managed to gather 57 points, the third most on the team, and played a pivotal role in the Ohio outfit’s pursuit of a playoff spot, a bid that fell just short, but was entertaining to watch nonetheless.

While it’s not always obvious who should win that trophy every year, this time around, there was very little doubt. Monahan has been the very picture of perseverance.

Photo credit:  Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Vegas Golden Knights forward Ivan Barbashev, alongside defenseman Nicolas Hague, found his name on Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos' Offseason Trade Board. 

The Golden Knights acquired Barbashev in the 2022-23 season at the trade deadline from the St. Louis Blues. His addition proved to be a vital one, helping the Golden Knights win their first Stanley Cup. His price was high, but his seven goals and 18 points in 22 playoff games were worth every penny.

In the ensuing offseason, the Golden Knights and Barbashev agreed to a five-year, $25M contract extension. Fast forward to 2025, Barbashev is two years into his contract and could be on the move. General manager Kelly McCrimmon won't be eager to move the 29-year-old, but if the Golden Knights are serious about their pursuit of top pending free agent Mitch Marner, the Golden Knights will need to create some cap space. Moving Barbashev would do so, and he'd likely help the Golden Knights get a large return.

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"Losing in Round 2 to Edmonton this season after failing to get out of Round 1 in 2024 has the Golden Knights thinking of ways they can come back better. We know this is a team that can get very active on the trade market. They want to create cap space and perhaps chase some of the bigger free agents this summer, such as Mitch Marner.

So, Ivan Barbashev is considered one of their most movable pieces, a 23-goal, 51-point scorer this season who’s making $5 million against the salary cap for another three years. The 29-year-old would be an interesting target for teams that are looking to bolster their offence, such as Ottawa or Carolina. Barbashev does have an eight-team no-trade list," said Kypreos. 

The Russian winger has become incredibly valuable to the Golden Knights. He is an efficient goal scorer with a 6'0, 203 lbs frame, which allows him to play physically. He's trusted in his own end and can play in every scenario. His versatility is something HC Bruce Cassidy appreciates and exploits, moving him up and down the lineup when needed. 

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.

Golden Knights Reportedly Entertaining Calls On Nicolas HagueThe Vegas Golden Knights are pressed against the salary cap heading into the offseason and will likely need to make moves to remain under and improve their team. According to a report by David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, the Golden Knights could do so by trading Nicolas Hague and are entertaining calls and engaging in trade discussions.  Golden Knights' Nicolas Hague Garnering Interest From FlyersIn order to free up cap space and shake up the roster, the most talked about option has been trading pending restricted free agent Nicolas Hague, and recently, trusted insider Elliotte Friedman shared a team that has shown plenty of interest in trading for Hague.

Top 2025 NHL Draft prospect Misa ‘thrilled' after meeting Sharks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BUFFALO — Michael Misa had steak and a sundae with the Sharks.

The possible No. 2 pick of the 2025 NHL Draft, if defenseman Matthew Schaefer goes to the New York Islanders as expected, had dinner with Sharks management at Buffalo Chophouse, a Draft Combine go-to restaurant for entertaining top prospects.

Misa shared that he also broke bread with the Islanders, Utah Mammoth, and Nashville Predators this week.

On Thursday, the star Saginaw Spirit center told San Jose Hockey Now about dinner with the Sharks, what playing with top San Jose prospect Igor Chernyshov in Saginaw was like, and what’s the most exciting thing about potentially going to the South Bay.

Sheng Peng: So how was dinner with the Sharks?

Misa: It was unbelievable. Very top-class organization. They’re all super-welcoming. Really, really nice people. I was thrilled with that.

It was more just casual. It didn’t feel like an interview at all. I think we talked about everything, movies, sports, school. It was great.

SP: What are some of your favorite movies and shows?

Misa: The other night I was watching “American Sniper”. Good movie. And then me and my roommate, we were watching “Full Swing” the night before, that golf show.

I love “Prison Break.” That’s my favorite show, for sure.

SP: One Sharks prospect that you know very well is Igor Chernyshov. How good is he, it was like instant chemistry between you guys in Saginaw.

Misa: Special player. It was just more of a matter of waiting for when he came to Saginaw, because he was supposed to come at the start of year, but he had shoulder surgery and everything.

When he did come, it was a huge addition to my line. And even though he couldn’t really speak great English, it was just like his hockey IQ was so good. We’d read off each other. It was really easy to find him. He was one of the best players I’ve ever played with.

SP: What can you say about Chernyshov’s personality?

Misa: He was super-funny. He’d always say these one-liners, and it would always make guys laugh. He was always smiling. I don’t think one guy or team disliked him.

When guys were in conversations, he’d pipe up and just say something silly.

SP: Do you know anybody else in the Sharks organization?

Misa: I know Braden Hache very well. He was my captain in Saginaw, the year we won the Memorial Cup. I know Sam Dickinson well, he’s in my agency. We have the same agent.

SP: Do you train with any Sharks or any NHL’ers out of Oakville, Ontario?

Misa: The main big one, Evan Bouchard, I train with him. He’s something else. He’s an animal in the gym. One heck of a player. I’m rooting for him. I hope they find a way to win the Cup.

SP: How well do you know John Tavares? He’s also from Oakville.

Misa: I’ve actually met him a couple times. Really nice guy, really open, giving me advice and stuff on down the road, what to expect. Great guy.

SP: You guys are both centers, is he someone that you try to emulate?

Misa: Definitely. Just try to follow in his footsteps, he was granted [OHL] exceptional status as well. Just trying to learn stuff off him. He’s obviously had a great NHL career.

SP: Who else do you model your game after?

Misa: Kirill Kaprizov and [Nikita] Kucherov. Those two guys are kind of the people I think I play a pretty similar game to. Their offensive ability, I think I can relate to them in ways.

SP: If the Sharks were to draft you, what’s the most exciting thing about joining that organization?

Misa: They have such a good young core. They do, obviously, have a lot of older players that are great as well. But I think their young core coming up is promising and exciting. If they were to draft me, I hope I could just help them, make an impact to their organization.

SP: Is Macklin Celebrini somebody who you actually look up to? He didn’t go the OHL exceptional status route, but like you, he’s someone who has had a lot of eyeballs on him for a long time.

Misa: Even though he is a year older than me, I definitely do look up to his game and everything he does on the ice, it’s pretty special watching him. What he’s accomplished already in one year in the NHL. If they do draft me, it’ll be a great opportunity for me to meet him, take advice from him.

SP: What stands out about Celebrini’s game?

Misa: Just like his all-around game, I think how confident he is, he looks like a 10-year vet in the NHL, and it was his first year. I think that’s something I’m going to have to bring as well, just that confidence in myself to play with all these grown men. He’s a special player

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Yeah, so you're probably feeling lower than a worm's belly if you're Tomas Nosek of the Florida Panthers today.

Can't imagine that Skate of Shame(TM) could have been a whole lot of fun for him after the Edmonton Oilers scored the overtime-winner on his puck-over-glass-delay-of-game penalty in Game 1 of the NHL's Stanley Cup final.

There are a lot of detractors when it comes to this NHL rule. A lot of observers believe puck over the glass should be treated the same as icing.

Is it overly punitive? Maybe. But what makes the penalty so good is that it is really the only one in the rulebook that is not open to interpretation.

You have the puck on your stick in your own zone. You are forced to make a skill play. If you don't, you sit for two minutes and feel shame.

There's something refreshing about knowing that there's at least one penalty in the NHL that's called with the same consistency from pre-season games to the Stanley Cup final.

Watch today's video column for more, and share your thoughts.

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The Hockey News Big Show is here to look around the Stanley Cup final and beyond with former NHL player Drew Shore giving his take.

The Oilers' Stars Shine Early In Cup Final. How Will Florida Stop Them? by The Big Showundefined

Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Drew Shore discussed in this episode:

1:02: How important is it that the Edmonton Oilers’ stars keep up this level of play? 

3:34: What is it like watching Connor McDavid make his passes look so easy? 

4:22: Was the Florida Panthers’ first goal the right call, or should it have been goalie interference? 

6:50: Are the Edmonton Oilers a more physical team than people give them credit for? 

9:50: Do the Oilers need Zach Hyman with the way everyone else is producing?

11:12: If you are Paul Maurice, how do you limit McDavid and Draisaitl in Game 2? 

12:49:  Will we see Vezina-level Sergei Bobrovsky in this series?

14:20:  Does Stuart Skinner deserve more respect for reaching back-to-back finals? 

16:40: Sean Monahan wins the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, and Johnny Gaudreau”s widow, Meredith, presented him the trophy. How deserving is he of this trophy?

18:45: Will the NHL do something about the tax imbalance the league is facing? 

22:40: With Muse being the next coach for Pittsburgh, are the Penguins aiming toward a tank?

25:52: The Boston Bruins hired the first German head coach in the NHL with Marco Sturm. How does this affect the team’s future? 

28:03: The NHL combine is this week. What was Drew Shore’s best and worst event at the combine?

31:51: Will the Calgary Flames get better or worse next season? 

32:38: If Edmonton wins the final, who does McDavid pass the Cup to first?

33:21: Will Jeff Skinner see any ice time in the final? 

34:49: Was the Colorado Avalanche re-signing Brock Nelson a good move or an overpay?

34:48: Is Pink Pony Club a pass or fail win song? What is the best victory song you've heard?

  

Watch the full Episode here 

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.