The Stanley Cup Final gave us another fantastic game last night, as the series heads to Sin City all knotted up. Meanwhile, this summer’s trade market is going to be crazy as two new big names have been added to it.
Blackhawks Chirps
- Scott Powers reported that the Blackhawks will not be taking any prospects out to dinner during the NHL Draft Combine. He says they don’t see the value in them since they get to know the players so well during the interview sessions.
- Jay Zawaski and I discussed the latest trade news and broke down The Athletic’s Stanley Cup checklist on yesterday’s episode of the CHGO Blackhawks Podcast.
- On this date in 1990, Mike Keenan replaced Bob Pulford as the Blackhawks general manager. He served as both general manager and head coach for two seasons before moving strictly to the front office for the 1992-93 season. However, he resigned shortly after that season due to an ongoing power struggle with Pulford, who was the team’s Senior Vice President.
- Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, June 5: Cully Wilson, Leo Carbol, Andre Lacroix, Bob Probert, Dave Bolland, and Alex Vlasic.
NHL Chirps
- Apparently, having a 2-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final is bad luck. After the Carolina Hurricanes blew a 2-0 lead in Game 1, the Vegas Golden Knights returned the favor in Game 2. Brett Howden scored in the first and second periods, to give him 13 in the postseason, with 11 on the road. Logan Stankhoven started the Hurricanes’ comeback midway through the third period. Just over two minutes later, Mark Jankowski tied the game. John Tortorella made an ill-advised coach’s challenge a couple of minutes later, giving Carolina a power play where Jordan Stall deflected the puck past Carter Hart. However, Mark Stone sent the game to overtime with 1:21 left in regulation. In overtime, Seth Jarvis scored the man advantage to send the series back to Vegas tied 1-1. The Hurricanes were 3-for-37 on the power play before scoring on back-to-back chances.
- The biggest news of the day came from Elliotte Friedman, who reported that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade. This is an indictment of general manager Steve Yzerman, who has yet to get a team into the postseason. The Michigan native has only played in five Stanley Cup Playoff games in his 11-season career, and those game in his rookie season. This news shouldn’t be a big surprise after he criticized the front office for not doing enough at the trade deadline. The 29-year-old is signed for five more seasons with an $8.7 million cap hit. He has a full no-trade clause, so he will dictate where he plays next. That likely won’t be with the Blackhawks, as he won’t want to leave for another rebuilding team. He’ll want to play for a team contending right now.
- Sportsnet’s Mark Spector reported that the Edmonton Oilers and defenseman Darnell Nurse are “headed for a breakup.” He says Nurse and general manager Stan Bowman will meet in the coming days to discuss a plan. Nurse still has a full no-movement clause, so he will ultimately decide where he’ll end up. He has four more years left on his deal with a $9.25 million cap hit. The San Jose Sharks come to mind as a team that would be willing to take on Nurse’s contract.
- The United States Hockey League is expanding west. The league and a group of stakeholders, including the NHL and USA Hockey, plan on establishing three new teams in Arizona, California, and Nevada.
- NHL Birthday Roll Call, June 5: Martin Gelinas, Grag Zanon, Mike Fisher, Cam Atkinson, and Radko Gudas.
