The Stanley Cup Final has been an excellent show so far, with the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers being pretty evenly matched in three of the first four games. In all but one game, overtime was needed to crown a winner, and Thursday night’s game was no exception. The Cats tied up the game at 4-4 with less than 20 seconds remaining in regulation after having been up 3-0 early in the game. Connor McDavid and company had to dig to overcome the disappointment of the dying seconds and then score the game-winning goal through Leon Draisaitl.

The German’s game winner was his fourth overtime goal of these playoffs, which constitutes a new record. The previous record of three was co-held by four players, including two former Montreal Canadiens: Maurice “Rocket” Richard (1950-51) and Corey Perry (2016-17 with the Anaheim Ducks). Boston Bruins’ Mel Hill (1938-39) and Panthers’ forward Matthew Tkachuk (2022-23). With at least two games remaining in the final, the 29-year-old Hart Trophy runner-up still has time to improve the mark.

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In his famous career, Richard scored six playoff overtime goals, three more than any other player in franchise history. Kirk Muller, Russ Courtnall, and Jacques Lemaire each had three. The Rocket played 133 postseason games with the Canadiens and scored 82 goals, which is 0.62 goals per game. In the regular season, the first man to score 50 goals in 50 games scored 544 lamplighters in 978 career games for a 0.56 goal-per-game, meaning that the Rocket was an even better scorer when it mattered the most.

Meanwhile, Draisaitl has 52 goals in 94 playoff games for 0.55 goals-per-game in the postseason and 399 regular-season lamplighters in 790 games for 0.51 goals-per-game. It’s not by much, but his average is also better in the Spring tournament. In 11 seasons with the Alberta outfit, the center has had four seasons with 50+ goals.

Fittingly, he won his first Rocket Richard Trophy as the league’s top sniper this season with 52 goals. He was the only player to reach the 50-goal mark this season, with the Toronto Maple Leafs’ William Nylander coming in second place with 45 goals and the Washington Capitals’ legend Alex Ovechkin coming in third with 44 goals.

Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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After months of speculation, the New York Rangers traded Chris Kreider, shipping him to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday for a prospect and a draft pick. 

The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau believes the move indicates the two clubs are open for business. For the Rangers, it clears Kreider's $6.5-million cap hit from their books for the next two years, increasing their salary-cap space for next season to $14.9 million with 18 active roster players under contract.

THN.com’s Remy Mastey observed that the cost-cutting move provides Rangers GM Chris Drury with the cap flexibility to be a major player in this summer's free-agent market.

Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli believes the Rangers could pursue Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov via free agency. Meanwhile, RG.Org's Daria Tuboltseva cited a source claiming they're interested in Ivan Provorov if the 28-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets rearguard hits the open market. 

The trade also raises questions over whether Drury is done peddling current Rangers. 

Trade rumors have dogged defenseman K'Andre Miller and left winger Alexis Lafreniere for several weeks. Miller is an RFA with arbitration rights coming off a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. Lafreniere has yet to achieve his much-anticipated breakout performance despite signing a lucrative seven-year extension last October.

Before the Kreider trade was finalized, Larry Brooks of the New York Post wondered if the deal might make Mika Zibanejad more amenable toward waiving his no-movement clause. He noted that Zibanejad and Kreider became inseparable in recent years. 

If Zibanejad waived his clause, finding a trade partner to take on all five years remaining in his contract could be a tough sell. The 32-year-old center is signed through 2029-30 with an average annual value of $8.5 million. His declining production since his career-best 91-point performance in 2022-23 won't help his value in the trade market.

Meanwhile, there's growing conjecture over the health of Alex Pietrangelo. 

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun recently cited sources around the league suggesting the 35-year-old Vegas Golden Knights defenseman could end up on long-term injured reserve for the remaining two years of his contract. The Hockey News’ Julian Gaudio cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman saying Pietrangelo's health was in question for 2025-26, but he had no confirmation as to the seriousness of his injury status. 

Pietrangelo skipped playing for Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February to prepare for the playoffs. Friedman indicated this could be a situation where the Golden Knights are trying to determine the veteran defenseman's health before the start of next season.

If Pietrangelo is questionable for the start of next season, the Golden Knights could put him on LTIR and use the cap savings on a major signing in this summer's free-agent market. However, that only works if he's out for the entire regular season. If he returns at any point during the season, the Golden Knights must shed salary to accommodate his return.

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The Carolina Hurricanes' 2024-25 season came to a close a few weeks prior, falling in five games to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.

While the team's main roster is still primarily set, there's a few pieces that will be without contracts.

Whether they get offered extensions or wind up moving on somewhere else is to be seen, but here's the players whose deals are set to expire on July 1.

Check out the Canes' 2025 RFAs here.

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Brent Burns

40, RHD
6g, 29pts, 82gp, 20:57 ATOI
Last Contract: 8 years, $8 million AAV

Burns' offensive game has certainly taken a hit as he ages, but the veteran defenseman has managed to find himself in a useful niche for the Hurricanes as he's adapted his game to more of a shutdown role.

The 40-year-old ironman is still a good player (especially on the penalty kill) due to his high hockey IQ and active stick and I could see him returning on a short and cheap, veteran deal.

Lots of interest on both sides to make something happen.

'We Love It Here And Would Love For It To Work Out': Brent Burns 2024-25 Exit InterviewThe Carolina Hurricanes' 2024-25 season came to a close earlier this week as the team lost in five games to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.

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Dmitry Orlov

33, LHD
6g, 28pts, 76gp, 20:00 ATOI
Last Contract: 2 years, $7.75 million AAV

Despite how his season may have ended, Orlov was an effective defenseman for the Hurricanes the last two years paired alongside Jalen Chatfield.

The Russian was part of one of the top puck possession pairs in the league and he played a lot of big minutes for Carolina.

But there's no denying how tough of a look the Eastern Conference Final was for him, especially in Game 3.

Orlov should still have interest around the league, but the Canes have younger options coming up (Alexander Nikishin), so they can't afford to create a logjam there.

'Of Course You Want To Stay': Dmitry Orlov 2024-25 Exit InterviewThe Carolina Hurricanes' 2024-25 season came to a close earlier this week as the team lost in five games to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.

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Eric Robinson

29, LW/RW
14g, 32pts, 82gp, 12:16 ATOI
Last Contract: 1 year, $950,000  

Robinson looked to be potentially on the outside coming into training camp, but a strong preseason got him a shot on the roster and he never looked back.

The veteran forward was a perfect fit for the Canes with his fast skating and physical forechecking and he was also able to slot up and down the lineup.

A career year has set him up for a significant pay raise, but there's still interest on both sides to make something work.

'I'm Definitely Interested In Re-Signing': Eric Robinson 2024-25 Exit InterviewThe Carolina Hurricanes' 2024-25 season came to a close earlier this week as the team lost in five games to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.

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Jack Roslovic

28, C/RW
22g, 39pts, 81gp, 13:49 ATOI
Last Contract: 1 year, $2.8 million 

It's not often that you see a 20+ goal scorer as a healthy scratch in the postseason, but that was sort of the story for Jack Roslovic this season.

There's no denying that there's talent there, especially with how effective of a scorer he was to start the season and his strong faceoff numbers, but the stylistic fit just didn't seem to be there and in the playoffs, the Canes opted to go with different options.

Healthy Scratch To Impact Player: Jack Roslovic Stepping Up For Carolina HurricanesJack Roslovic wasn't on the ice when the Carolina Hurricanes clinched their first-round series. He wasn't even on the bench.

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Tyson Jost

27, C
4g, 9pts, 14gp (AHL) / 4g, 9pts, 39gp, 10:22 ATOI (NHL)
Last Contract: 1 year, $775,000

Jost entered the Hurricanes' training camp as the odd-man out and started the year in the AHL. 

However, he worked his way back up to the NHL before an injury sidelined him too.

A useful utility forward, Jost was well liked in the room and was the type of player that would do anything asked of him.

'I Know I'm A Good Player': Tyson Jost Hoping To Make Most Of Opportunity With CarolinaThe 26-year-old veteran of nearly 500 NHL games is hoping prove he belongs in the league again after finding himself as a NHL/AHL tweener.

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Juha Jaaska

27, LW/C/RW
12g, 33pts, 53gp (AHL) / 0g, 4pts, 18gp (NHL)
Last Contract: 1 year, $850,000

After nine seasons in Liiga, Finland's top league, the Hurricanes took notice of Jaaska and offered him his first North American deal.

The versatile forward clicked immediately in Chicago, and eventually, his hard work was rewarded with an extensive look in the NHL.

I feel like an extension makes sense for both sides here.

Carolina Hurricanes Rookie Picks Up First Career Point Against Toronto Maple LeafsJuha Jaaska assisted on the game winner for his first NHL point.

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Riley Stillman

27, LHD
3g, 9pts, 35gp (AHL) / 0pts, 5gp (NHL)
Last Contract: 1 year, $775,000

Stillman spent the majority of the regular season as the seventh defenseman for Carolina, but was eventually leapfrogged by a couple of rookie standouts (Scott Morrow and Alexander Nikishin) later in the season and in the playoffs.

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Spencer Martin

30, G
0.909 Sv%, 31gp (AHL) / 0.846 Sv%, 9gp (NHL)
Last Contract: 1 year, $775,000

The journeyman goaltender didn't have as strong of an NHL stint as he did for Carolina last year, with only one NHL game with a save percentage over 0.900 this season.

However, he had strong AHL numbers on a team that had a lot of growing pains.

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Dustin Tokarski

35, G
0.897 Sv%, 21gp (AHL) / 0.902 Sv%, 6gp (NHL)
Last Contract: 1 year, $775,000

When Frederik Andersen wound up on the shelf following knee surgery in November, the Hurricanes realized that they had to shore up their goaltending position for a bit and so they signed the veteran to a deal off of his AHL PTO.

From sitting at home without a gig to eventually getting back into some NHL action is not a bad swing at all.

Dustin Tokarski Leads Carolina To Victory Nearly Two Years Since Last StartThe 35-year-old veteran stopped 27 shots in Carolina's 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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Joakim Ryan

31, LHD
2g, 8pts, 59gp
Last Contract: 1 year, $775,000

The Swedish defenseman returned to North America after three years in the SHL and was a veteran presence on a very young Chicago Wolves squad.

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Recent Stories

• The Carolina Hurricanes' 2025 RFAs
• Jaccob Slavin Finishes Top-10 In Norris Voting For League's Top Defenseman
• Pair Of Hurricanes Prospects Earn Unprecedented Honor

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This Stanley Cup final rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers has been so tight after four games that three of the four games required overtime.

Games 1, 2 and 4 have required at least one extra frame. The Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl scored the overtime-winner in Game 1, while Brad Marchand was the hero for the Panthers in Game 2. 

It didn’t seem like Game 4 would need an extra frame after Florida took an early 3-0 lead and then blew it to trail 4-3 to the Oilers late in regulation.

Another clutch moment transpired as Panthers right winger Sam Reinhart equalized with 19.5 seconds remaining in the third period to force overtime yet again.

But for Florida, Reinhart’s goal was put to waste when Draisaitl won Game 4 for Edmonton to tie the series 2-2. This was his second overtime-winner in this series and fourth in the playoffs, an NHL single-playoff record.

The 100th Stanley Cup final game to go to overtime in NHL history also puts this series in a likelier scenario to tie a 74-year-old record of most overtime games in Cup final history. 

The Oilers and Panthers have already matched six other Stanley Cup finals in second place with three games that required overtime.

The last time a final had three games go to overtime was in 2014 between the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers. The Kings won that series in five games, thanks to a famous Alec Martinez series-clincher in overtime of Game 5.

Only one final had more overtime matchups.

In 1951, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens in a five-game series. All those games went to overtime, and four of them ended 3-2. (Check out the article from the April 28, 1951, issue of The Hockey News for more.)

With at least two more games to play in this final between the Panthers and the Oilers, there is a possibility that there could be another game that requires the extra frame.

That would give this series sole possession of the final with the second-most games that went to overtime and a chance to tie the 1951 Leafs and Canadiens record. And with that, we will quote Fifty Mission Cap by The Tragically Hip for some more information about that ’51 final and the player who scored the Cup-clincher.

“Bill Barilko disappeared that summer. He was on a fishing trip. The last goal he ever scored won the Leafs the Cup. They didn’t win another until 1962, the year he was discovered.”

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The Chicago Blackhawks want to add more talent to their forward group this summer. They will draft a forward with the third overall pick, but that player won’t make an impact for a few years. 

Chicago also doesn’t want guys who will be given albatross contracts in free agency. Kyle Davidson is better off making trades for younger, better available players. 

There are a lot of rumors out there this time of year. Right now, Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars and Alexis Lafreniere of the New York Rangers are a part of those whispers. 

Robertson is a more accomplished player, but they have both had a ton of production at the NHL level. Robertson brings skill to the table where Lafreniere is more of a power forward. 

In 2024-25, Robertson had 80 points in 82 games for the second year in a row. In 2022-23, his best year in the NHL, he had 46 goals and 63 assists for 109 points. Going into his age-26 season, if he has the right team around him and even more minutes, he can get back to that level. 

The Stars are a great team, but no one player is the main star on the team. If he came to Chicago, he’d be the top offensive guy on the roster until Connor Bedard takes that big step. A player like Robertson may even be just what Bedard needs to have that first point per game season in the NHL. 

As for Lafreniere, a former number one overall pick, he had a big-time drop-off in 2024-25. After having 28 goals and 57 points a year ago, he had 17 goals and 28 assists on a disappointing Rangers team. 

To get Lafreniere, it would cost less in a trade than Robertson, but it would still not be cheap. The Rangers may still believe that they can get good value for their former top overall selection. 

Although he may not be what the Rangers had hoped, he’d be a middle-six gem with top-line potential on the Chicago Blackhawks. Lafreniere can get to the front of the net and make plays while being a sound winger in the 200-foot game. 

If either of these guys is actually on the block, as the rumors suggest, Kyle Davidson needs to be working the phones. They are not the only young players available right now via a trade, but they are each incredibly intriguing. 

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