Okay, we’re pulling ourselves out of the usual post-post-season depression and getting on with writing about this wonderful sport that we all, for some reason or another, love. We’ve hit the highlights of the Lightning news over the last few days (although we still have some thoughts on the exit interviews), but there were a couple of things we missed.
Mostly, it was a couple of players being named for individual awards. We’ve mentioned that Nikita Kucherov is up for the Ted Lindsay Award and the Hart Trophy. Andrei Vasilevskiy is probably going to finish second in the Vezina Trophy race.
After years of being proclaimed as one of the best players not to be a finalist for the Selke, Anthony Cirelli is finally one of the top three defensive forwards in the NHL. Will the two Florida Panthers’ forwards (Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart) split the vote allowing Cirelli to add another trophy to his collection?
Brayden Point scored 40 goals this season, played in 77 games, and only took two penalties. Will the second penalty, a 5-minute fighting major against Toronto, cost him the Lady Byng? Anze Kopitar played in 81 games and only took two minors, so he’s likely the front runner.
NHL News
Ducks name Joel Quenneville head coach [ESPN]
After it was rumored last week that he was on their shortlist, the Anaheim Ducks made it official by naming Joel Quenneville as their head coach. Out of hockey since 2021 due to the findings from an investigation into how the Blackhawks handled the Brad Aldrich sexual assault situation, Quenneville will try and rebuild his coaching career with the up-and-coming Anaheim squad.
Sabres hire Eric Staal as special assistant to the general manager [NHL.com]
Buffalo and Eric Staal go together like Bills fans and broken tables. The franchise icon returns to help the Sabres and their seemingly endless quest to make it back to the playoffs.
2025 NHL Mock Draft 1.0: Predicting the first round [The Athletic]
As of right now Lightning fans don’t have to pay much attention the first round, but you never know. We didn’t expect to have to worry about the second round last year and Julien BriseBois changed that at the last minute. Anyway, for the teams that do have a pick (or two), here is a mock draft with Matthew Schaefer going first.
Utah Hockey Club announces Utah Mammoth as new name [KSL Sports]
The club didn’t wait for the draft to announce their new team name and mascot. It’s the Mammoth. Good for them. We liked the Outlaws, but Mammoth is cool.
Last Night’s Games
The series is even as it heads to Carolina.
Oilers 5, Golden Knights 4 (OT)
Edmonton takes both games in Vegas in what is turning into a goaltending-optional series.
Tonight’s Games
Toronto Maples Leafs at Florida Panthers (Toronto leads 2-0)
It’s a pivotal Game 3 for the Panthers as they head home trying to stay in the series. Toronto pulled out the win with their back-up goaltender, can they keep it going?
Dallas Stars at Winnipeg Jets (Dallas leads 1-0)
Can Mikko Rantanen make it three games in a row with a hat trick? A hat trick of hat tricks if you will. For us, this is the most compelling of the second round series. Winnipeg is trying to exorcise their playoff demons while Dallas is trying to live up to their potential as one of the top teams in the West.
