All this Stanley Cup final talk is just the warmup to the Islanders at the draft, right?
Game 2 of what is hopefully an excellent Stanley Cup final series is Friday night. Game 1 did not disappoint, other than the OT winner being scored on a power play from the puck-over-the-glass rule. It’s an understandable rule, just a bummer when it plays a role in pivotal moments like that one.
Meanwhile:
- Isles prospect Quinn Finley had a nice sophomore season at NCAA Wisconsin. [Isles]
- Well, even though it involves two tiny markets, all involved hope the Cup final series is riveting. Agreed. [NHL]
- Former player out, former player in: Interim Joe Sacco has been rejected for the full-time head coach role in Boston, which they gave to former Bruin and Shark Marco Sturm. Sturm und drang is a great German phrase, if you must know. [NHL]
- Holy cow: Brock Nelson gets a three-year deal from Colorado at $7.5M AAV. I’m probably naive and I know there’s a rising cap, but I did not expect that AAV. [Denver Sports | Newsday]
- Awkward: Former Rangers head coach David Quinn is back as an assistant on Mike Sullivan’s staff. Apparently Sacco will also join them, I’m sure it will work out great. [NHL]
- Since former Islanders 91 The Lesser really wants to stay in Toronto, maybe they pitch him on an Islanders-style, long-term, low AAV deal. [Sportsnet]
- In lieu of an awards show, the NHL is seeking “viral moments” with its post-season awards announcements. This one feels a little over the top but if Johnny Gaudreau’s widow and Masterton winner Sean Monahan’s wife are up for it, then I suppose it’s justified:
Johnny 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. pic.twitter.com/njj3I7YptA
— NHL (@NHL) June 5, 2025