The Toronto Maple Leafs hit the ice for practice a day before the puck drops for Game 1 of their second-round series against the Florida Panthers on Sunday. As for the matchup, the Leafs can redeem themselves from 2023, in which they lost to the Panthers in just five games. 

With a new opportunity on the horizon, the Leafs are putting forth an aspect they lacked in that 2023 series – composure. 

It’s that same composure that helped Toronto close out the Ottawa Senators in six games during the Battle of Ontario last week during their first-round meeting. After taking a commanding 3-0 series lead, the Leafs saw Ottawa claw back with two straight wins, forcing a Game 6 on the road. For a team that had long been criticized for its inability to close out series, just 1-13 in elimination games since 2018, ahead of the game, it was a familiar, uncomfortable position.

‘Sometimes It’s Difficult’: Maple Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube Emphasizes Composure, Helping Assistant Marc Savard Stay Grounded During PostseasonToronto Maple Leafs assistant coach Marc Savard has learned from bench boss Craig Berube to keep his composure amid his postseason passion.

But this time, the result was different.

“I think dealing with the ups and downs during the game and things not going well during the game, there's not a lot of emotion involved in it. It's just like, okay, we're good, we're going to keep working. I think our leaders have done a great job of handling that. I hear them on the bench talking, not just (Auston) Matthews and (Mitch) Marner. It's a lot of guys. (Chris) Tanev, (Jake) McCabe, these guys,” said head coach Craig Berube on Sunday.

“Just stick with it. Just stick with it. Being patient and not letting your emotions get too involved in everything. Yes, you need emotion to play this game, but it has to be directed in the right way,” he added.

‘That’s How You Win A Series’: Craig Berube Praises Scott Laughton’s Shot-Blocking Heroics, Maple Leafs' Bottom-Six Delivers Against SenatorsWith 25 seconds left on the clock in a one-goal game, it wasn’t a member of the ‘Core Four’ who made the defining play of the Toronto Maple Leafs' series-clinching win – it was Scott Laughton, throwing himself in front of a Jake Sanderson slap shot to preserve the lead.

Berube, a Stanley Cup-winning coach with the St. Louis Blues, has emphasized a business-like approach since taking over behind the Leafs’ bench and throughout the postseason. It prioritizes emotional control not just in-game, but in the noise that surrounds the team, both on and off the ice. 

That mindset was tested throughout the first round.

In Game 6, after holding a 2-0 lead early in the second period, the Leafs watched it evaporate. Ottawa tied the game with goals in the second and third, a situation that has unraveled for Toronto in years past. But instead of folding, the Leafs responded – just 101 seconds after David Perron’s equalizer, Max Pacioretty reclaimed the lead, before sealing the 4-2 win with an empty-net goal from William Nylander.

MAX PACIORETTY FOR THE LEAD!!! WHAT A GAME pic.twitter.com/ajpDySIJWY

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 2, 2025

After Ottawa tied the game, Berube mentioned that the attitude was positive and he didn’t have to step in – instead, the group was composed without his direct help in the situation.

“Yeah, it was really good on the bench, I thought. That happened, and I could just hear the guys talk and the things they said, which was very good. I didn't have to say anything,” Berube explained. “I thought that we went right back to playing our game, and we ended up scoring the goal that counted and mattered.”

The same pattern held in earlier games throughout the series. In Game 2, Toronto let a 2-0 lead slip away late in regulation but recovered to win in overtime on home ice. In Game 3, they trailed early, then led, then gave up another late equalizer – and still managed to earn another overtime victory.

In previous years, those games have not gone their way.

Maple Leafs’ ‘Business-Like’ Mindset Overcomes Potential Playoff Disaster to Advance to Second RoundKANATA, Ont. — When the final horn sounded at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday, the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrated their 4-2 win against the Ottawa Senators, pushing them through to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

But during these playoffs, it’s been different. There was plenty of noise on the outside after the club failed to close out the series two games in a row, including being shut out on home ice in Game 4. Yet, in round one, when Toronto got down, they were not out of it as they had been in years past. That’s a positive sign and something that a Stanley Cup-winning head coach has instilled in a group that has struggled to get over the hump in the postseason.

“Well, we talked about composure before the series, and composure is not just the in-game composure. That's very important. But it's the outside composure, too, that you need when there are losses and there is noise, there's outside noise, and there's going to be. That's part of it all. You've got to let it slide off your back and get ready, just focus on the next game, next shift,” Berube explained. 

Ahead of a matchup with the defending Stanley Cup champions, who had their number in the regular season, going 3-1 against Toronto, poise, patience, and composure will be the key to any version of success. There isn’t expected to be much margin for error, and if the Leafs get away from what’s made them successful in the opening round, a repeat of the 2023 series will likely occur.

Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs Seek Redemption In 2023 Rematch Vs PanthersTwo years ago, the Toronto Maple Leafs walked into a second-round series against the Florida Panthers riding high from their first playoff series win since 2004. It was a long-awaited breakthrough for the franchise and the ‘Core Four,’ finally getting over the hump after years of early playoff exits. But the success was short-lived.

“That'll be important in this series because, like I said, there's not going to be a lot of room out there. There's going to be a lot of times where there's just not a lot going on the way you want,” said Berube. “You've got to keep battling and stay patient with it.”

Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

On the opening night of the 2024-25 season, Mikko Rantanen had a secure spot on the top line next to teammate Nathan MacKinnon with the Colorado Avalanche.

A full 82-game season and one playoff round later, Rantanen's third-period hat trick with the Dallas Stars puts an end to Colorado's season and aspirations for another Stanley Cup.

You can't make this up.

To many eyes around the league, the question begs: "How can you not be romantic about hockey?"

Fans of the Avalanche surely don't think so. Poetic? Sure. But games like this, where the season for one of the deepest rosters this team has had in a long time is ended by the player they traded away, might seem more like an ending meant for nightmares, not storybooks.

This moment. Our house. Our Moose. 🫎🧢🧢🧢 pic.twitter.com/flRy3pNSrH

— X - Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 4, 2025

A three-goal, four-point performance from Mikko Rantanen in Game 7. A four-goal third period from the Stars. Nothing to say but the Colorado Avalanche fell apart after, arguably, playing the better game for 40 minutes.

The Timeline of the Game

Despite remaining scoreless, the first period tilted slightly in Dallas' favor. A double-minor high-sticking call on Dallas was a squandered opportunity for Colorado to find the lead. 

In the second period, things begin to pick up. In what should be an opportunity on the man-advantage for Dallas thanks to a Sam Malinski interference call, Colorado gets the first goal of the game shorthanded. Logan O'Connor creates a turnover just below the blue line, carries the puck into the O-zone, and locates Josh Manson cruising down the slot, who then scores. Manson's shot hits the post, banks off of Oettinger, and finds the back of the net.

A SHORTY FOR MANSON FROM O'CONNOR!!#GoAvsGo | #BuiltDifferentpic.twitter.com/12fs4kUo62

— x - Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 4, 2025

Going scoreless the rest of the period, the Avalanche head into the third period up 1-0.

Colorado starts the third period drawing a tripping penalty from Dallas. As Mackenzie Blackwood heads to the bench, MacKinnon, like a rocket, skates on as the sixth player while they have possession. Lindgren finds him with a quick pass as he cruises down the left side, and MacKinnon finds a window through Oettinger's loose coverage of the post to put the Avalanche up 2-0.

Do you believe in (MacKinnon) magic 🪄#GoAvsGo | #BuiltDifferentpic.twitter.com/nE5nfK6z0v

— x - Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 4, 2025

After that, the floodgates opened for Dallas.

An offensive turnover by the Avalanche creates a rush from Dallas going the other way, Rantanen finds the puck, and loose coverage down the middle. The space gives him an open shooting lane, and he scores, cutting Colorado's lead in half.

Almost six minutes later, Rantanen also finds the game-tying goal on the power play.  Colorado's defense lets Rantanen skate through to create the opportunity, it falls off of his stick, and just as Sam Girard gets to the post to cover the open net, the puck goes off of his skate and gets past Blackwood to make the game 2-2.

Wyatt Johnston finds the game-winner for Dallas just over two minutes later, another power-play goal. Jack Drury gets a defensive-zone call for holding right after a faceoff, giving Dallas a man-advantage late in regulation. With scrunched coverage from Colorado's penalty-killers, Johnston finds himself all alone on Blackwood's blocker-side, and the Avalanche goaltender can't get over in time to cover the wide-open net, nor the cross-crease pass that turns into a goal.

MR. GAME 7 WYATT JOHNSTON! HE'S ONLY 21! pic.twitter.com/gSy8oqS6RG

— X - Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 4, 2025

With Blackwood pulled, Colorado couldn't seem to find consistent possession in the O-zone as the time ticked closer to zero. Dallas was all over them with pressure, which created a turnover near the blue line. Tyler Seguin finds an already-moving Rantanen heading toward Colorado's empty net, and with a quick neutral-zone pass, the former Colorado forward completes the third-period hat trick and puts a cap on the game for Dallas with three seconds remaining on the clock.

Takeaways from Game 7 and the Series

Put simply, Colorado's inability to convert on the power play cost them this series, only highlighted by tonight's 0-3 performance. With a four-minute man advantage early in the game, Colorado seemingly couldn't put a good enough sequence together to challenge the Stars' penalty-killers, or Oettinger, enough to find the net.

The power play was only successful 3/22 times this series. Head Coach Jared Bednar said postgame that he liked the first chance in last night's game, and the power play seemed dangerous to start the series, which he would've liked to see them continue.

Tough capitalizing on our chances, for sure. I think our first power play tonight was probably my favorite. The refs continued to call the game, we got a couple opportunities later in the game to get a lead, stretch out a lead, and we didn't capitalize. One of them we weren't that dangerous, they came down and put it in the back of the net, so it's obviously a big, big swing and turning point in the series. Obviously, you'd like it to be more dangerous than what it was at times in the series.

- Coach Bednar on the power play failures in this series.

The X-factor for Bednar was Rantanen, who was quiet for Dallas in the first four games, but woke up in the last three. Last night's performance capped off an 11-point (6 goals/5 assists) run in three games. Rantanen now leads among postseason skaters in points with 12.

That's the thing with Mikko, it's not about always just creating multiple chances like every time he touches the puck, but big moments. Look at that first goal, pretty nice individual effort, rips it off the bar down and finds a way to get the other one on the wrap around. Hits our skate, but it's still a high-quality play, and he capitalizes on it. He can capitalize, that's what he is. He's a pure goal scorer. He did that in the third.

- Coach Bednar on Mikko Rantanen

So... What's Next?

Though the season may be over, there's still lots to do for this Avalanche team over the next few days.

Avalanche Media Relations has not yet released any information regarding exit interviews, but that will be the next step. Most, if not all, of the roster and Coach Bednar should be available to talk about a season that will live on in NHL history books due to the chain of events leading up to and following the trade deadline.

The 2025 NHL draft is set to take place on June 27th and 28th. As of today, May 4th, Colorado has two draft picks in the 4th and 7th rounds.

July 1st marks the beginning of the 2025 Free Agency period.

After that, the next big thing to look forward to will be Colorado Avalanche Development Camp, which, if past years are anything to go by, should take place sometime early in July.

Connor McDavid hasn’t forgotten that the Vegas Golden Knights ended the Edmonton Oilers’ Stanley Cup hopes in 2023.

“We owe Vegas a good series,” he told Sportsnet’s Gene Principe just minutes after the Oilers eliminated the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, setting up the second-round rematch.

Two years ago, with the series tied 1-1, the Golden Knights turned to Adin Hill when Laurent Brossoit was injured in the first period of Game 3. They won that game 5-1 on the road, finished out the series in six and went on to capture the Stanley Cup.

Hill was solid in his 16 appearances that year, finishing at a .932 save percentage, 2.17 goals-against and 7.7 goals saved above expected. 

In Round 1 this year, the 28-year-old gave up 17 goals in six games to the Wild. He’ll start the series against Edmonton with an .880 save percentage and minus-2.0 goals saved above expected, per moneypuck.com.

The Oilers’ path to the second round cleared after a goaltending switch of their own. After helping to save Edmonton’s season with a two-game cameo against the Vancouver Canucks while Stuart Skinner was struggling last year, Calvin Pickard took the net with his team in an early 0-2 hole and ran with it. 

His .893 save percentage and minus-0.9 goals saved above expected may not be dazzling. But he made the saves that Edmonton needed, his numbers are better than Hill’s this spring, and it’s hard to argue with a 4-0 record.

Skinner may return at some point, but McDavid has been effusive in his support for Pickard.

“He’s a guy who’s just been a battler his whole career,” he told Principe. “Couldn’t be a better guy. We love playing for him. We love battling for him. Does a great job, giving us a chance.”

McDavid and Pickard first joined forces nearly a decade ago, winning gold with Team Canada at the 2016 World Championship in Russia. Pickard served as Cam Talbot’s backup, getting into two games, then earned silver when he returned as the starter in 2017.

After playing 50 games with the Colorado Avalanche in 2016-17, Pickard got just 30 NHL games over the next five seasons, with four different teams. But after joining the Oilers organization, he saw 23 games of action in 2023-24 and 36 this season, for a regular-season record of 51-34-17 and a .903 save percentage as an Oiler.

'He's Overcome So Much': Journeyman Calvin Pickard Answers The Call As Oilers Eliminate Kings AgainIn 2017, Calvin Pickard was known as the prototypical journeyman goaltender who was traded by the Vegas Golden Knights without ever playing a game for them as their first expansion draft pick.

Going into Round 2, Pickard has a legitimate chance to outduel Hill. He’ll have to do it behind a defense that isn’t as pedigreed as the Golden Knights’ but is showing some promising signs.

Vegas is healthy on the back end and has made only one change from its Cup-winning blueline from 2023: Noah Hanifin replaced Alec Martinez. 

With Mattias Ekholm still sidelined and potentially unavailable for all of Round 2, the Oilers leaned hard on Evan Bouchard, Darnell Nurse and Brett Kulak in Round 1. 

But give credit to Jake Walman and John Klingberg. After Klingberg entered the series in Game 2, the pair controlled over 71 percent of expected goals during their shifts and did not get scored on at 5-on-5 against L.A. 

In the regular season, the Golden Knights averaged 3.34 goals per game, although that slipped to 3.00 against the Wild. They can get scoring from throughout their lineup, so Edmonton will need Walman and Klingberg to continue to deliver those strong shut-down minutes.

After finishing with 4.5 goals a game against Los Angeles, the Oilers must prioritize even-strength scoring again in Round 2. 

To their credit, they got five power-play goals on just 13 chances over six games against a Kings penalty kill that was eighth-best in the league in the regular season. Vegas ranked 26th. But the Golden Knights were the NHL’s least-penalized team during the regular season and also gave Minnesota just 13 power plays over six games in Round 1. 

Vegas enjoyed 18 power plays against the Wild but scored five goals and gave up one shorty. So their net power-play impact was lower than Edmonton’s, despite more opportunities.

The season series between the Oilers and the Golden Knights was dead even this year. All four games ended in regulation, with each side winning once at home and once on the road. All time, Edmonton is 15-9-2 against Vegas in the regular season. 

The Oilers and Golden Knights series will kick off on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Arena.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Mason McTavish enters the 2025 offseason as one of two (Lukas Dostal) high-profile restricted free agents (RFAs) on the Anaheim Ducks’ roster.

Report: The Ducks Ongoing Search for Next Head Coach

McTavish (22) has now played out the entirety of his ELC and finished the 2024-25 season, his third full season in the NHL, with 52 points (22-30=52) in 76 games, good enough for second on the Ducks in scoring behind Troy Terry (55 points). He has eclipsed the 40-point mark in each of his three seasons and has increased his point-per-game average year over year (.54, .66, .68).

The Calgary Flames announced on Saturday that they’ve inked forward Matt Coronato (22) to a seven-year contract extension that carries an AAV of $6.5 million.

Coronato was drafted ten picks (13th overall in 2021) behind McTavish (3rd in ’21) and just wrapped up his first full season in the NHL with 47 points (24-23=47) in 77 games after splitting the previous year between the AHL and NHL.

When entering contract negotiations, players and agents will often scour the league for recent signings of players with a similar pedigree with whom to compare themselves. McTavish’s resume eclipses Coronato’s in every way.

The NHL announced their projections for where the salary cap ceiling will likely be heading over the next three seasons. It’s set to increase from $88 million in 2024-25 to $113.5 million by the 2027-28 season.

Prior to that announcement, several players comparable to McTavish after or nearing expiry of their ELCs (Alexis Lafreniere, Dylan Guenther, Matty Beniers, etc.) signed contract extensions with their respective teams. However, it would be a fool's errand to project McTavish’s next contract based on the raw salary of those players, as the landscape of the salary cap has shifted significantly.

Another detracting factor when considering McTavish’s next deal is Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek’s philosophy regarding bridge vs long-term contract extensions for young players. He engaged in notably tough negotiations with Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale in the summer of 2023 that lasted well into training camp.

“Part of my philosophy is, I like to do bridge deals with players,” Verbeek said when asked at the ‘Ducks Migration’ post-trade deadline event for season ticket holders. “It allows the players two things: it allows them to have no pressure to grow and get better before they have the long-term contract. It also allows the team to assess them over the three years of how good they are really going to be.

“From a team approach, I prefer to do bridge deals, 2-3 years, and then, if it warrants, a 7-8 deal after that.”

For relatively proven players like McTavish, bridge contracts can be a risky play from a team perspective, given the projected landscape of the salary cap. He could easily outperform a two or three-year contract at a diminished AAV and require a sizable raise upon expiry. Locking a young player up to a long-term deal before they’ve realized their potential (like Lafreniere, Guenther, Beniers) can benefit the team in the long run, as they could be playing at a bargain rate for the majority of the contract.

“They’re priorities, obviously,” Verbeek said at his post-season media availability on April 19 when asked about Dostal and McTavish. “They're very important players to our organization, and the hardest thing is going to be to figure out what the contract looks like

“We're going to go through our due diligence. Obviously, we've got lots of time to work through this. The offseason's just starting, and I’ve actually had conversations with both agents before the season had ended.

“We're just going to pick up where we had left off before. I spoke to the two young players as well, and they're excited. They're excited to get going. Hopefully, we can work through this expeditiously.”

THN Anaheim Ducks Show (05-01-25)

2025 Anaheim Ducks Draft Lottery Preview

Being a rookie in the NHL is never easy.

Not only are you having to prove yourself at the highest level of hockey, but you're also having to learn how to fit in, carry yourself, be a professional and if you're coming over from Europe, then there's also the added burden of language, culture and so much more.

It can be a lot for a young guy, but everyone who's played has been there before so many are willing to lend a hand or take a guy under their wing.

I went around the locker room and asked each Carolina Hurricane who was the player(s) that helped them the most and some of the lessons they've carried with them. Here are their answers:

---

Sebastian Aho

First NHL Season: 2016-17 (CAR)

“I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of good people around me. Coming into the NHL, honestly, probably Turbo [Teuvo Teravainen] was the guy. I wouldn’t say a mentor, but it was more so a guy I could lean on for a lot of stuff, not just hockey. It was a new culture for me. Everything was new really, so having somebody who had been in the league a few years already who knew how things rolled was obviously huge for me."

"There were also so many other guys. I want to say Jordo [Jordan Staal], I want to say Willy [Justin Williams], obviously Roddy [Rod Brind'Amour]. Roddy was huge too especially early on in my center career. Just a lot, a lot of video, a lot, a lot of details. Sometimes it felt like he was always on me, but at the same time, you know the guy wants to help you and he wants to make our team better. It was good stuff. Honestly guys that had been here, like Slavo [Jaccob Slavin], Pesc [Brett Pesce]. All these guys since day one have been great to me. It’s been a real pleasure to be a part of this group.”

---

Frederik Andersen

First NHL Season: 2013-14 (ANA)

“The first guy on the team that kind of took me under their wing was Andrew Cogliano out in Anaheim. He was pretty young at the time too relatively, but he was still a veteran and had a lot of seasons under his belt. He was able to take me in as a rookie and make sure I felt like a part of the group and kept an eye on me a little bit. Bringing me out to dinners and all that type of stuff."

"His wife, Allie, is awesome. Just a great person. His family is great too. Saw them in Toronto a little bit and got to experience their Italian Sunday dinners. He just made me feel welcome and in the group right away. For me, I’m pretty shy as it is and was even more so as a young 23 year old. Not really knowing how much you belong yet or if you can hold your own and all that stuff. So just having chances to get to know some of the veterans and that type of stuff is big for young people just to feel welcome and feel like you can open up a little bit and be yourself."

"He was such a good pro and when he played, he was so dialed in and a true lead by example kind of guy. That rubs off on you and so you see how guys like that do it and you pick up certain things.”

Hurricanes Sign Frederik Andersen To Contract ExtensionThe Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have signed goaltender Frederik Andersen to a one-year, $2.75 million contract extension. The Canes also shared that Andersen can earn bonuses of $250,000 for 35 games played, $250,000 for 40 games played, and $250,000 if the Hurricanes make the 2026 Eastern Conference Final and Andersen makes appearances in at least half of their post-season games. 

---

Jackson Blake

First NHL Season: 2024-25 (CAR)

“Jacko [Jack Drury] was great, but I feel like everyone has helped me out. I know I can go to anyone and ask questions or stuff like that. You kind of have to do a little bit on your own because guys have their own things going on and stuff like that, but I feel you can always watch guys and stuff like that. I feel like everyone has been a big help."

"I sit next to KK [Jesperi Kotkaniemi] in the locker room so I talk to him probably the most out of anyone on the team and if I ever have questions, I’ll probably ask him since he’s right next to me and he’s easy to talk to.”

---

Rod Brind’Amour

First NHL Season: 1989-90 (STL)

“For me, it wasn’t necessarily one guy. When I got to St. Louis, I was this young kid and back then, the league was older. They had the veteran guys and there weren't a lot of young, young guys. So I had a lot of guys and guys that I still see today."

"I remember Greg Millen was the goalie in St. Louis and I see him all the time because he’s still in the business. But he was always good. Paul MacLean was one of my first roommates. They stick the young guy with the old guy and he obviously had been around forever. So those guys help you and just take care of you. Dave Lowry, who, it’s funny now, because his kid is playing [Adam Lowry] and I remember him coming out onto the ice."

“Hully [Brett Hull] just yelled at you and made you feel bad. But then would take you out and laugh and be like, ‘What are you talking about?’ He was a great personality and you learned a lot from him too just by the way he played. But he was an interesting guy.”

"Those guys really took care of you and made sure you were in the right places and made sure they took you out to eat. Just little things that as a young kid, you don’t know what’s going on. When I was in St. Louis, those were the guys and then eventually, I became an older guy. When I got to Philly, it was a little different, but still Rick Tocchet was one of the veteran players and he was like, ‘Okay, you come hang out with me.’ That’s just the progression of it. I was fortunate that way.”

Did the veterans ever take you out on the town back then?

“It was interesting. I don’t know what it was, but they were always like, ‘You don’t need to come with us.’ They’d leave me out of it, or if I came, they’d make sure you got home. It was kind of weird, and I don’t know what it was about me, but they just said, ‘You’re not one of us in this regard and you don’t want to be.’ I guess they looked after me that way too. And like I said, by the time I got older, those days were done. Everything had changed. It was charter flights, so you’re not staying overnight in cities, which is where the trouble was. Now, they just eliminated all of that and the athletes coming up just had a way different mindset. It’s changed for the better in every which way.”

Did you have guys that you mentored?

“There’s certain guys that you take under your wing more. A guy that always comes to mind for me is [Chad LaRose] but that was just because he was so out there and he needed a lot of help. To me, it was always about guys' habits. Making sure they’re doing it right. I felt like by the time I became an old guy, these young guys were much better prepared. It was different. They’d been training all their life. It turned, so they didn’t need as much advice like, ‘Hey, you should be in the gym.’ They knew they had to be in the gym more, do a little extra, whatever. It was kind of already starting to turn by the time I got older.”

Hurricanes' Rod Brind'Amour Makes NHL HistoryWith their 5-4 double overtime win over the New Jersey Devils on April 29, the Carolina Hurricanes have officially moved on to the second round. The Hurricanes are now set to face off against the Washington Capitals in the next round, which should be a great series between the two Metropolitan Division rivals.

---

Brent Burns

First NHL Season: 2003-04 (MIN)

“I had a lot of different guys. I learned a lot from Wes Walz, Andrew Brunette, Willie Mitchell, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Marian Gaborik. I mean all these guys. Tried to learn from all kinds of different people. Some of them were younger and some of them were older.”

What's the biggest thing you learned from them that you still think about today?

“That’s a secret.”

---

William Carrier

First NHL Season: 2016-17 (BUF)

“Matt Ellis. When I was in Rochester in the American League, he played a lot of games — I think he’s coaching in Buffalo now — but he just took me under the wing. I was more of a point-per-game guy coming out of junior and my role kind of had to change to make it in the NHL and he was a big part of showing me how to play safe defensively in your own zone and try to create loose pucks and create offense, but without turnovers and sacrificing defense and stuff like that. He was a big part of it.”

What was the biggest lesson you learned as a young guy breaking into the league?

“Just that you have to leave it in the locker room. I got a family back home and kids. You have some bad days and some days where you got scored on, you made a mistake and it cost the team, but you have to make sure you leave it there. You don’t bring it home and dwell on it. When 12 o’clock comes, you turn the page. You’re only as good as your last game and you just have to focus on the next one and keep it rolling. I think a lot of young guys get caught up in 10, 15 game goal droughts and then they start getting in their own heads. So just leave it at the rink. When you show back up, give it your best.”

---

Jalen Chatfield

First NHL Season: 2020-21 (VAN)

“I got nobody. It was the COVID year and to be honest, I just had to figure it out on my own. Personally, I watched a lot of players and kind of picked up things they’ve done, but I never had anybody really mentor me. Maybe because I came into the league a little bit older. In the AHL, it was the same thing. Nobody really."

"Here, the whole D, I think we’re a pretty tight group. There’s a lot of good players back here. I wouldn’t say I have a mentor, but I’ve talked to Burnsie [Brent Burns] and the way he’s trained throughout his career and the stuff he used to do and Slavo [Jaccob Slavin] too. My biggest thing that I learned though was probably taking more rest because it’s a long season. That’s the biggest thing. But other than that, I didn’t really have a mentor or anything like that.”

---

Shayne Gostisbehere

First NHL Season: 2015-16 (PHI)

“I had some great older guys in Philly. Whether it was Wayne Simmonds or Claude Giroux or Jake Voracek, I really leaned on those guys as a young guy, especially with just being on the power play at such a young age. It was such a big role to have and they really helped me evolve and find that confidence to play in the NHL and show me what it takes to play every day in the NHL.”

What was the biggest thing you learned?

“The day-to-day, nobody really prepares you for it until you’re really in it. It’s a different thing with pressure too. When you lack confidence, you have to find a way out there to find your game. Sometimes you just have to simplify things and dumb it down and do a lot of easier things out there and not try to do too much. It’s just finding that. It’s something that I’ve probably done my whole career, just finding that consistency of being the same player night in and night out.”

---

Taylor Hall

First NHL Season: 2010-11 (EDM)

“If I had to pick one guy from my first couple of years, it would be Shawn Horcoff. He was our captain in Edmonton and he was a guy that was a really good pro, but he also liked to have fun and there were lots of laughs and lots of good times like that. So I think that’s what I took from him."

"As a younger player, there’s a lot of different ways that you can go and what kind of professional you’re gonna be and I think I looked up to him as well as a couple of other guys like Sam Gagner, Ryan Whitney, Ales Hemsky, Jason Strudwick. All the older guys that were good to me, but also pushed me and held me accountable when I needed it.”

'I Feel Very Fortunate To Be A Hurricane': Taylor Hall, Eric Tulsky On New Extension, Playoff SuccessThe Carolina Hurricanes signed Taylor Hall to a three-year contract extension earlier today, less than 24 hours after they eliminated the New Jersey Devils to advance to the second round.

---

Mark Jankowski

First NHL Season: 2017-18 (CGY)

“My first captain in pro hockey would be Mike Angelidis. We had a good, veteran group down in Stockton. But my first NHL captain was Mark Giordano. He was great and somebody that you could really model yourself after. He was just a great pro and his career trajectory, from being undrafted to a Norris winner is just incredible and I was able to see him that season. So to just watch those guys when you’re such a young guy, it’s just someone to model yourself after."

---

Seth Jarvis

First NHL Season: 2021-22 (CAR)

“Stepper. Derek Stepan. Him and Marty [Jordan Martinook] probably were the first two guys when I was on that kind of bubble of making the team that were talking to me on the ice. I wasn’t saying anything, I was just minding my own business and trying not to get in the way of anything. But Stepper was unbelievable for me and made me feel comfortable. He was the first guy to start joking around with me and chirping me and I think when he started chirping me, other guys started chirping me and that made me feel more comfortable and like a part of the team. So he did an unbelievable job. He was also part of my first goal, had an assist on my first hat trick. He was a sprinkle in my career and is someone that means a lot to me. It’s been great to be friends with him.”

---

Tyson Jost

First NHL Season: 2017-18 (COL)

“I came in with Colorado so it was a really good group that I had. Nathan MacKinnon was one guy who really helped me out a lot and just seeing his dedication, the way he worked at his craft every day and me and him would go out on the ice early and whatnot. I also had Gabriel Landeskog, Erik Johnson and Tyson Barrie. Those three guys too were just outstanding. They were such great guys and I was just a 19 year old and didn’t even really know what to expect with the NHL."

"So all four of those guys were outstanding and they were really the core of Colorado, especially Landeskog and EJ, they were just such standup guys and I’ll have friendships with those guys for the rest of my life. We still talk every once in a while and shoot texts back and forth to each other. That core group of four really helped me get into the league. It’s not easy when you’re 19. There’s a lot of moving parts and you really don’t know what to expect, but they were awesome to me, for sure.”

---

Pyotr Kochetkov

First NHL Season: 2022-23 (CAR)

“It’s a different time. We have a 10-hour change from Russia. Then there’s also food. When I came, I had to adapt to a smaller rink too because the KHL has different sizes everywhere.”

“There's a lot of different roles, mentalities and it's different when you're just adapting to work and life here. Three years I play here and every year, every month, I learn something new. It's an interesting process.”

---

Jesperi Kotkaniemi

First NHL Season: 2018-19 (MTL)

“Probably just all the Finnish guys, mostly. I didn’t know the language that well when I got in the league so Joel Armia, Artturi Lehkonen and Antti Niemi, they taught me pretty well. Told me how all the things worked like the hotels and the restaurants and stuff. That was nice of them. The game here is a lot different than back home. We discussed a lot about hockey when I was there. Took a little bit to get going, but they were good teachers.”

What was the biggest challenge or culture shock for you coming over to North America?

“The biggest challenge really was learning the language. I understood stuff pretty well, but speaking-wise, it was a little tougher. You just kind of pick up daily habits, how they say 'good morning' and 'how are you?' That’s how you get started pretty much. They helped me a lot and I really appreciate it.”

"Going to restaurants too. We didn’t really do that too much back home. Mostly just cooked at home and ate homemade food. So going out pretty much ever night was a big change, but you get used to it. Now I pretty much do it all the time.”

Jesperi Kotkaniemi Dodges Catastrophe; Will Be Ready To Go For Round 2Obviously the play of the game, and the series, Tuesday night at Lenovo Center was Sebastian Aho's double-overtime winner.

The Finnish center one-timed the puck past Jacob Markstrom on the power play for a 5-4 win and to eliminate the New Jersey Devils in five games.

But to even get that power play opportunity in the first place, Jesperi Kotkaniemi had to take one for the team.

---

Jordan Martinook

First NHL Season: 2015-16 (ARI)

“Shane Doan. He was obviously the captain when I came in and just the way he treated people. He had been around for 15, 16 years when I got in the league and he treated everybody like he was a first or second year. I just admired that about him. It didn’t matter if you were the traffic guy that would help you park your car or a security guy or a rookie or a 12-year vet. It didn’t really matter to him which I respected a ton."

"I think another guy I just respected and is a good friend of mine is Brad Richardson. He came to work and did what he had to do. In the NHL, you have to take over a role and when you’re given the role, you have to want to do it to the best of your ability. Watching him do the role that he did, I just admired that and tried to bring that into the way I play every night.”

---

Dmitry Orlov

First NHL Season: 2011-12 (WSH)

“Obviously I didn’t speak English my first year, but I had both Alex Semin and Alex Ovechkin. I just tried to learn from them and try to understand American life. Tried to learn some English and try to figure on my own some things. It wasn’t easy, but every year you play, you learn more. I learned a lot too when I missed a full year with my injury recovery. How you have to respect the game and how you have to love it and miss it and be around your teammates. It’s important. I’m not the loudest person, but I still like the time when everybody is talking, chatting, joking around. When you’re done, you’re going to miss that. So you have to take the time and enjoy it all the time.”

---

Eric Robinson

First NHL Season: 2018-19 (CBJ)

“When I first got to Columbus, I had a really good group of guys there that kind of showed me the way. It was older guys like Cam Atkinson, Nick Foligno and David Savard. Really good pros that had been doing it for a while. And then guys who were closer to my age, but had been around a bit, like Boone Jenner, Seth Jones and Josh Anderson. Those are names that come to mind for when I first got to Columbus. They had a good culture there and a good team when I got there. So those were kind of the guys that I leaned on to learn a lot of stuff from.”

What were the biggest things you took from those first few weeks and months?

“There’s lots of stuff. On ice, you obviously learn pretty quickly how to play the right way. In the NHL, if you make a mistake or turn the puck over, it can end up in your net pretty quick. So stuff like that on the ice, but off ice, just how to handle yourself, how to be a professional. How to compose yourself in the proper way to be a true pro.”

---

Jack Roslovic

First NHL Season: 2017-18 (WPG)

“There were a couple guys. Matt Hendricks was really good. I think there were also just a lot of guys that led by example on my team in Winnipeg. As a young guy, it’s nice to come into an older group that has that wisdom and to be able to pass around and just be able to watch those guys every day. Those were probably my core mentors. In a couple years, maybe I can start to mentor a couple of guys, but I’m still trying to learn stuff.”

---

Jaccob Slavin

First NHL Season: 2015-16 (CAR)

“From an overall, welcome to the league, this is kind of what you need to do perspective, Jordo [Jordan Staal] was that guy for me, even though he wasn’t a defenseman. Same position, my rookie year, it was John-Michael Liles. He helped me out a lot and made me feel welcome.”

---

Jordan Staal

First NHL Season: 2006-07 (PIT)

“Mark Recchi would be my number one, for sure. When I first got to Pittsburgh, he actually took me in and I was able to hang out with his family for a couple of years. No better guy to be around hockey-wise. I learned a lot from him. Just talking hockey and understanding the game and trying to get better and really what it took to be a pro."

"He had an amazing career and I just kept an eye on whatever he was doing and how hard he worked and realized that it’s never easy, no matter how old you get and how long you go. There’s really no time off. You’re just always puck committed and I learned that right from the start. That if you want to have a long, successful career, you’re going to have to work and it’s going to be everyday and in every moment. He was definitely a big one for me.”

---

Logan Stankoven

First NHL Season: 2023-24 (DAL)

“Joe Pavelski. When I first came into the league, in my first month or so, I got to live at his place. He opened up a spare room for me and Wyatt Johnston. That was really nice of him to do that and I enjoyed his company."

---

Andrei Svechnikov

First NHL Season: 2018-19 (CAR)

“To be honest, it was a lot of guys. All of the guys who have played throughout the years."

"One moment though that I’ll never forget, it was my first year and I made a mistake in overtime [that cost us the game]. Faulker [Justin Faulk], he was on the team that year, he told me, ‘Hey, don’t worry. You’re going to make lots of mistakes, but just be positive. Don’t go in your head. Don’t think about it.’ Because that was my biggest thing that year. He just told me to be positive and not dwell on it.”

'Playoff Time Is My Time': Andrei Svechnikov Bouncing Back, Making Huge Postseason Impact For CarolinaIt's no secret that this past regular season wasn't a good one for Andrei Svechnikov.

---

Sean Walker

First NHL Season: 2018-19 (LAK)

“I was lucky enough to be in LA where there were obviously so many great guys. Some of the standouts are guys like Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar, Alec Martinez, Jake Muzzin. Great guys that have done it for a long time and done it at such a high level too. It was great to see just the way they worked every day. Even guys who had won multiple Stanley Cups were on the ice after practice working on stuff and getting better. It was great to see and it was a great first experience for me.”

What was the biggest thing you took away from them?

“I think it’s just about cherishing every day. Especially when you’re young and you’re just making it into the league, you don’t really know how long or if you’ll make it or stick, so I really tried to enjoy every day and I still enjoy every day. I think that’s something that’s really important for a lot of the guys.”

---

Be sure to check out the Carolina Hurricanes 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Hub for all postseason stories!  

---

Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.