This season’s ballot for the Selke Trophy has a bit of Florida Panthers flavor.

On Friday, the NHL announced the three finalists for the 2025 Frank J. Selke Trophy.

Last year’s winner, Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov, was expected to be among them, and he is.

While Barkov may be the favorite to repeat in many people’s eyes, his greatest challenge may come from somebody he’s quite familiar with.

Panthers forward Sam Reinhart, who spent the majority of this season on Barkov’s right win, is also one of the three finalists.

It’s pretty remarkable that Florida has two of the absolute defensive forwards in the NHL on the same line, on the same power play and on the same penalty kill.

They are elite, and the only reason Reinhart isn’t discussed more as a top defensive player is because he plays directly next to Barkov.

Interestingly, the third finalist is also from the state of Florida. It’s Tampa Bay forward Anthony Cirelli.

Barkov is looking to become only the seventh player in NHL history to win the Selke in back-to-back years, potentially joining Bob Gainey, Guy Carbonneau, Jere Lehtinen, Rod Brind’Amour, Pavel Datsyuk and Patrice Bergeron.

In addition to winning the Selke Trophy last season, Barkov also took home the award in 2020-21.

For both Reinhart and Cirelli, this is their first time as an NHL Awards finalist.

The winners will be announced at the NHL Awards ceremony, which this season takes place in Los Angeles on June 27.

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In the ever-evolving quest to find their next head coach, the Philadelphia Flyers appear to be keeping one hand on the big-name option—and one eye on a potential dark horse.

On the latest episode of his 32 Thoughts podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman provided new insight into Philadelphia’s still-active coaching search. While much of the conversation still centers on Rick Tocchet, Friedman introduced an intriguing new name into the mix: Jay McKee.

And suddenly, the Flyers’ coaching carousel just got a lot more interesting.

Tocchet: The Obvious Fit… if He Wants It

Let’s start with the name that refuses to go away—Rick Tocchet. It’s not hard to understand why he remains at the top of Philadelphia’s list. A former Flyer, beloved in the city, tough as nails, respected league-wide, and a Jack Adams Award-winning head coach with Vancouver Canucks. In theory, he checks nearly every box.

“Philadelphia—we talked on the last pod about Rick Tocchet, the feeling that he’s their number one guy, and I still believe that,” Friedman said. “But I will say this—there seems to be a growing belief that he will consider television next season… if the overall landscape isn’t as he wants it. But Philly’s definitely interested. I think he’s the first guy on their list.”

👀 https://t.co/yaYrBz9CZ1

— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) April 29, 2025

The Flyers’ interest makes sense. Tocchet brings instant credibility and knows the team's identity inside and out.

But there’s a catch: he may not be interested in another coaching position next season.

After a grinding season behind the bench in Vancouver, there's legitimate speculation that Tocchet may opt for the TV studio—at least temporarily—if he doesn’t feel the next situation is right.

That opens the door to more possibilities. And that’s where things get a little more curious.

Jay McKee: The Underrated Option with Ties to Brière

Enter Jay McKee, the former defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins turned OHL coaching mainstay.

If Tocchet is the headline act, McKee is the unexpected name tucked halfway down the marquee—but don’t let that fool you.

“I think another coach who could be on Philly’s radar, somebody mentioned him to me the other day,” Friedman said. “He’s got a history with Daniel Brière. They were teammates in the NHL. And that is Jay McKee, the former Buffalo Sabre, who has spent the last seven years coaching in the Ontario Hockey League.”

McKee’s coaching résumé isn’t NHL-level yet (although Brière has stated that experience level is not a dealbreaker in this search), but it’s far from thin.

He got his start as an assistant with the AHL’s Rochester Americans in 2011 before moving through the OHL ranks with Erie in 2014 and the Kitchener Rangers in 2015. By 2016, he was named head coach of the Rangers, leading them to the Western Conference Final in 2018.

Since 2021, he’s been behind the bench for the Brantford (formerly Hamilton) Bulldogs, where he’s already made a major impact—capturing both the Hamilton Spectator Trophy (the OHL's equivalent of the President's Trophy) and an OHL championship in 2022.

He’s known for a calm demeanor, a teaching mindset, and the kind of structured systems play that helps young players flourish.

Why It Might Make Sense

McKee isn’t the splashiest name. But there’s something about his candidacy that might appeal to where the Flyers are in their rebuild. He’s done the slow work of development. He knows how to cultivate culture. And most importantly, he understands the learning curve required for young talent to find their footing.

With what Brière called the "internal competition" rising as more Flyers prospect are turning pro, and the team's current young players poised to play key roles over the next few years, that kind of coaching profile could prove invaluable.

He’s also not far removed from the modern game. As someone who played in the NHL as recently as 2010 and has spent the last decade behind benches in two of hockey’s most competitive development leagues, McKee brings an understanding that could click in today’s NHL.

The Flyers’ Crossroads

So where does this leave the Flyers? In a holding pattern, for now.

They continue to look at all options, casting a wide net that includes established NHL coaches, up-and-comers from the NCAA, and now, thanks to Friedman, a promising figure from the junior ranks. 

If Tocchet is interested, the job sounds like it will be his to lose. But if he opts for a return to broadcasting, the Flyers may need to get creative.

And if creativity is the play, don’t be surprised if Jay McKee gets a long, serious look.

Mike Sullivan will officially become the New York Rangers’ 38th head coach. 

The Rangers announced on Friday morning that Sullivan will be the team’s head coach just a few days after he parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

“Mike Sullivan has established himself as one of the premier head coaches in the NHL,” Drury said. “Given his numerous accomplishments throughout his coaching career - including two Stanley Cups and leading Team USA at the international level – Mike brings a championship-level presence behind the bench. 

Mike Sullivan Is Reportedly In Advanced Talks To Become Rangers’ Head Coach With John Tortorella Expected To Join Staff Mike Sullivan is expected to be the New York Rangers’ 38th head coach.

“I’ve gotten to know Mike very well over the years, including as teammates in the 1997 World Championships, when he coached me as a player in New York and through our shared time working together with USA Hockey. As we began this process and Mike became an available option for us to speak with, it was immediately clear that he was the best coach to lead our team.”

This comes after a few days of rampant rumors linking Sullivan to the Rangers as it finally all came to fruition. 

Sullivan served as an assistant coach for the Rangers from 2009-2013 under John Tortorella. 

“I would like to welcome Mike back to the Rangers organization,” Rangers owner James Dolan said. “Mike’s track record and success in the NHL and internationally speaks for itself, and I look forward to seeing him behind the Rangers bench.”

The 57-year-old coached the Penguins for ten seasons and won two Stanley Cups during his long tenure in Pittsburgh. 

The exact term and finances of Sullivan’s contract remain undisclosed for now, although ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported that it will likely be one of the richest coaching contracts in NHL history.

A new era in The Big Apple starts now with Sullivan.

According to The Hockey News’s very own Diandra Loux from the Tampa Bay Lightning team page, Oliver Bjorkstrand suffered a very serious injury while playing for the Lightning.

The former Columbus Blue Jacket was traded from the Seattle Kraken to the Lightning at the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline along with Yanni Gourde. Unfortunately, he was injured and missed the entirety of the playoffs.

He was originally hurt on April 11 against the Detroit Red Wings, and it appears the injury was far worse than initially feared. Bjorkstrand suffered Compartment Syndrome.

This happens when there is too much pressure around your muscles. In Bjorkstrand's case, it required him to be rushed to the hospital at 2 a.m. for emergency surgery to fix the issue.

As Diandra reported via X, there were signs of swelling and internal bleeding, which led to him going to the hospital.

GM Julien BriseBois said Victor Hedman played with a broken foot.

Oliver Bjorkstrand was injured on April 11th. Woke up with swelling and signs of bleeding. He was rushed to the ER at 2am. Had surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. #GoBolts

— Diandra Loux (@Diandra_loux) May 2, 2025

This injury is similar to the one Ryan Johansen suffered as a member of the Nashville Predators back in 2017.

The injury is very serious because the fluid and blood get trapped inside the muscle, causing it to swell. If not treated immediately, it can cause major complications, including the potential loss of the affected limb.

Thankfully, in Bjorkstrand’s case, it was caught early and treated. Lightning GM Julien BriseBois said he is expected to make a full recovery and will be ready for the start of the 2025-26 NHL season.

2025 Columbus Blue Jackets Free Agent Targets: Matt DucheneYesterday, we covered the possibility of the Columbus Blue Jackets targeting Mitch Marner or Brock Boeser. With approximately $40 million in cap space, Don Waddell will want to do something.

Sean Monahan Voted As Masterton Trophy FinalistThe National Hockey League has announced that Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan has been named a finalist for the Masterton Trophy. 

Blue Jackets Have A General Idea Of Their First Round Draft Position With Minnesota Being EliminatedWith the Vegas Golden Knights eliminating the Minnesota Wild last night, Don Waddell will have two top-20 draft picks in the upcoming NHL Draft.

David Savard’s Career Ends With First-Round ExitAs per our report before the 2025 NHL playoffs kicked off, David Savard has officially called it a career.

It’s dressing room clear-out day for the Montreal Canadiens today, and as usual, we are finding out plenty of information about what happened in both the regular season and the playoffs.

Canadiens: The End For Patrik Laine?
Former Canadiens Captain Comes to The Maple Leafs’ Rescue
Canadiens: Curtain Call For Savard

Unsurprisingly, one of the first questions asked of Samuel Montembeault was about the injury he sustained in the first-round series against the Washington Capitals. The netminder explained that he had torn two of the three muscles in his groin and that while he would have liked to continue, he just couldn’t.

The injury would have ruled him out for two weeks, meaning that he could have returned in the second round had the Canadiens made it, but it wasn’t to be. He will not need surgery to repair the damage, but it will prevent him from attending the World Championships.

The Becancour native never had such a busy season as he had this year. The masked man played in 62 games, which is almost twice his usual workload, and he can be proud of his accomplishments. He won 30 games for the first time in his career, with a 31-24-7 record, a 2.80 goals-against average, and a .902 save percentage. Before this season, he had only recorded a single shutout in the NHL, but he got four more this year.

I think Sam Montembeault's most impressive attribute is his puck tracking. He's one of the best in the NHL at it.

This huge save is a great example. I can't believe he tracked this through the traffic and was able to react to get his toe on the redirect. Awesome stuff. pic.twitter.com/6DRjvzSG6w

— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) April 24, 2025

While he conceded that he lacked consistency at one point, he made the required adjustments and was an integral part of the Canadiens’ push for the playoffs. In an ideal world, Montembeault wouldn’t have been as busy, but Cayden Primeau’s struggles in the NHL left the organization with very few options.

Jakub Dobes’ arrival did help, but next season, if he is once again Montembeault’s backup, he will need to see more action to ensure that the number one isn’t overworked. We’ll never know, but perhaps if he didn’t have that big of a workload, he wouldn’t have sustained an injury in game three.

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The Chicago Blackhawks are in the market for a head coach. One option that was presented to the league last week, Mike Sullivan, is already off the board. Not even a week after being fired by the Pittsburgh Penguins, he has been hired by the New York Rangers. 

Sullivan will be the 38th head coach in New York Rangers history and will be the highest paid bench boss in NHL history. The fact that it happened this quickly makes you wonder if he was ever even available to anybody else. The Blackhawks likely never even had a chance. 

New York Rangers (@NYRangers) on XThe 38th Head Coach in #NYR history. Welcome (back) to Broadway, Sully!

With David Carle pulling his name out of the consideration hat, that is two top coaching candidates off the board. That does not mean that that the Blackhawks can’t make a good hire. It does mean that the hunt for the next great coach in franchise history continues. 

What is it that Sullivan would have brought to the table? Well, the thing that makes him the most unique out of every option is his championship pedigree. Coaches with multiple Stanley Cups don’t come around too often. 

With that said, the Blackhawks just need someone right now that will get the most out of young players. The search continues as Kyle Davidson is out there putting his best foot forward to make the right hire. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

The Bill Masterton Trophy is awarded “to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” 

The finalists for this year are Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog and Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan. All three of these players had a storied journey before and during this season. 

Fleury wrapped up a memorable NHL career on Thursday as Minnesota was eliminated from the playoffs by the Vegas Golden Knights. Toward the end of last season, he made it clear that the 2024-25 campaign would be his last.

The 40-year-old featured in 26 games for the Wild this season, earning a 14-9-1 record. He posted a 2.93 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. The three-time Stanley Cup champion also appeared in one last playoff game to sub in for an ill Filip Gustavsson.

It was an emotional farewell tour for ‘Flower’ throughout the season, but Thursday’s game hit the hardest as he left the ice in tears, saluting the crowd as they gave him a standing ovation.

 “The always-jovial Fleury is one proud athlete, yet at age 40, he signed for one final year and accepted his role as (Filip) Gustavsson’s backup to prioritize team success over personal accolades despite being on the cusp of retirement,” Michael Russo wrote in the Athletic.

Landeskog, meanwhile, had been on a mission to return to the NHL and was finally able to play in Colorado’s first-round series against the Dallas Stars. 

After three years of training, rehab, and recovery, the Avalanche’s captain was back on the ice, making his season debut in Game 3 of the series. He dealt with a knee injury that he suffered in 2020, when he was accidentally sliced by a skate blade above his knee. While his availability was inconsistent, he was able to feature over the next two seasons and hoisted the Cup with Colorado in June 2022. However, he didn’t play again after the 2022 Cup final until this year.

Landeskog scored his first goal since the injury in Game 4, and the 32-year-old preached about his perspective after the game. 

“I didn't know if I was ever going to get to score again,” he told reporters.

His perseverance and dedication to hockey pushed him through the injury and got him back to where he wanted to be. 

Monahan’s first season with the Blue Jackets didn’t go how he or anyone expected it to go. On Aug. 29, not long before training camp, Blue Jackets left winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were killed.

Monahan was close friends with Johnny Gaudreau, and playing with him again was one of the big reasons he wanted to join Columbus in 2024 free agency. The NHL community and the Blue Jackets leaned on each other to mourn the loss of the Gaudreau brothers.

Gaudreau was honored with pre-game ceremonies multiple times in the regular season. The most memorable ones were during their home-opener on Oct. 15 and when the Calgary Flames (Johnny Gaudreau and Monahan’s former team) hosted Columbus on Dec. 3.

Monahan scored in Columbus’ home-opener against the Florida Panthers and pointed up to the sky in honor of his old teammate and friend.

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