NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 28, 2023
The Stars beat the Golden Knights again to stay alive in the Western Conference Final plus the latest on Matthew Tkachuk, the Leafs GM search and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines
NHL.COM: The Dallas Stars avoided elimination again by doubling up the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final. Ty Dellandrea scored the game-winner and the insurance goal in just over a minute and a half midway through the third period while Jake Oettinger got the win with a 27-save performance.
The Stars had to overcome 1-0 and 2-1 deficits as the Golden Knights got goals from Ivan Barbashev and Chandler Stephenson. Vegas winger Jonathan Marchessault extended his points streak to four games with two assists in this contest.
Game 6 is Monday night in Dallas with the Golden Knights holding a 3-2 series lead.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights still hold the advantage in this series but the momentum has shifted in the Stars’ favor. Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy attempted to downplay the pressure now placed on his team after failing to eliminate the Stars in the last two games. Nevertheless, he has to ensure that doubts aren’t starting to creep in among his players after blowing two opportunities to end this series and advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
Meanwhile, the Stars’ confidence has returned. They now believe they can win, which is a much better place to be mentally and emotionally after playing desperation hockey following their disastrous Game 3 performance.
The Stars will also benefit from team captain Jamie Benn returning to the lineup for Game 6 following his two-game suspension, provided he doesn’t let his emotions get the better of him again. They still face elimination but they have to like their chances now as they return to home ice.
With the Stars forcing Game 6 on Monday, the 2023 Stanley Cup Final will officially begin on Saturday, June 3 in either Dallas or Las Vegas.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk joined Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Anderson on the NBA on TNT pregame show on Saturday night ahead of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference Final between the host Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tkachuk bantered for several minutes with the hosts over his performance in the Eastern Conference Final and the postseason thus far. He and his teammates are awaiting the winner of the Western Conference Final.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs have held preliminary discussions with Doug Wilson regarding their vacant general manager position.
Wilson was GM of the San Jose Sharks from 2003 until stepping down in 2022 for medical reasons. With his health improving, he is reportedly interested in returning to the NHL in some capacity.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wilson is just one of several former NHL general managers being interviewed by the Maple Leafs. Others reportedly include Brad Treliving, Marc Bergevin, Peter Chiarelli and Jason Botterill.
TORONTO SUN: The Leafs ongoing search for a new general manager has left their unrestricted free agents such as Luke Schenn in limbo. They’re forced to wait until the dust settles before they can find out if the Leafs intend to bring them back on new contracts.
OTTAWA SUN: The four potential buyers of the Senators met last week with Anna and Olivia Melnyk, daughters of the club’s late owner Eugene Melnyk. They’re among several groups that must sign off on the sale of the franchise. Anna and Olivia wish to maintain a 10 percent stake in the Senators.
A preferred bidder could be selected by the end of this week.
THE SCORE: Germany pulled off a major upset in the IIHF World Championship by defeating Team USA 4-3 in overtime of their semifinal game. They advance to face Canada in the gold-medal game on Sunday.
Doug Wilson???
https://thehockeywriters.com/sharks-doug-wilson-at-crossroads/
May, 2021 article must still have some relevance I guess. How do you find them and pick which you post here?
Thankful but kinda odd.
A subject matter like Doug Wilson – who left San Jose in such a cap mess before stepping down – is bound to have articles assessing his impact on the Sharks – overall.
And there were many more in addition to this one which I felt summed it up quite well.
Chiarelli is another who some feel left a bit of a cap conundrum behind in Edmonton – although nothing like that of Wilson. And he made some good – and some say bad – choices in Boston.
Yeah no one’s perfect. You’re hoping, like a team, more wins than losses. I think a few retreaded GMs fit that bill. Again to be a fly on the wall to see how they decided and got to that point is something we, including the media, can only speculate.
One thing to keep in mind – both Wilson and Chiarelli have been available as GMs for 1 and 4 years and haven’t received a serious nibble.
In Chiarelli’s case he’s been available since Jan 2019 and in that span Verbeek, Armstrong, Adams, Conrol, Davidson, MacFarland, Zito, Hughes, Fitzgerald, Drury, Briere and Allvin have all been appointed as GM in various locations, while his “experience” has not been enough to land him a job.
Florida is in an odd position. While the time off allows minor dings to get better, the time off also interrupts their momentum. Even so, I hope Dallas advances. A Dallas – Florida match up would be the more interesting, and fun, series.
Always a possible outcome Paul. In Ottawas only cup finals in 2007, they breezed through each of Pittsburgh, NJ and Buffalo winning 4-1 in each round … and then had to wait a bit before starting the finals against Anaheim – to whom they lost 4-1.
George, I remember that Pens/Sens series in 2007. Sid’s first taste of NHL playoffs. That young Penuins team just got overwhelmed by a much more experienced Senators team. Pens paid them back the following season but 07 was a good learning experience for them
Doug Wilson , even the thought is horrific , not a chance , but Shanahan does scare me , he is somewhat of a “flake”
A Doug Armstrong with total control would be ideal , and Shanahan out , but he is locked in for 3 years in St.Louis
Treliving , seems the only likely choice , although I do not like his signing of Huberdeau , 8 years – 84 million , that contract will haunt that team ..
Plus Treliving track record – I think 9 years in Calgary , not the worse choice , he is certainly motivated to make an impact deal
I can’t see Toronto hiring from within
Too many needs in Toronto
An elite goaltender – Carter Hart
An elite defenseman
A couple of robust forwards
I just don’t think they have the ammunition to return what they are seeking , although a core player is going to be moved
Hey Ken,
Carter Hart is NOT an Elite Goaltender….😳❗️
Over the last 3 years he has had Poor Numbers
GA-3.30 and SV% of 0.890…🙈
The leafs young goaltender Samsonov numbers with the leafs this year were Way Better…
GA 2.33 SV% 0.919
Thats a difrence of 1 goal a game better and almost 0.30 better in save %….👌
The Leafs need a Good top 4 pairing RD man
They should bring Luke Schenn back as the 6-RD Man
and bring Ryan O’Reilly back
Trade John Tavares to the Hawks they have $40.M in Cap Space…..❓🤔
Tavares will never consent to be dealt to a re-building club at this stage of his career. And why should he?
I agree George. What do you think of the possibility that JT might accept a trade to Carolina or Colorado ? Those are the only contenders I could see considering him.
Willie, puff, puff, pass!
Colorado, I think, would interest him IF a deal could be worked out – not sure about Carolina. Another is Vegas.
if they cant move Tavares out they are Stuck with him for Two more year’s @ $11.M ❗️
No contender is taking him at $11.M PA…
and more 1st round Exit’s….Unless they go into a majior Re-tool over the next 3+ years…?
But buy then Mathews and Nylander are gone…..
bye July 2024🤔
@willie
1. Top 4 D , I strongly agree
2. YES , Bring Schenn back
Tavares we unfortunately stuck with for the next 2 years
Facsimile – Huberdeau nightmare in Calgary
Doug Wilson was famous for these type of signings
An appointed GM would be NICE
I do not have a clue who that will be ???
Florida will be the new benchmark to build on
Yes Ken it will be intresting in Leaf land.
A New Good GM with Experience is what they need
and to fix the D.
However it needs to happen sooner than later due to the 10/11 Roster players they have as UFA July 1st…,
Now they only have 5 draft pick in the top 4 rounds over the next 3 years left to trade😳
A new GM with experience….is a GM that was fired or run out of town in another city, just saying.
Change of scenery, budget, cap situation, are all factors that we as fans know nothing about.
Makes you wonder why a GM just fired has interested teams already.
They make poor armchair QBs eh.
Sniiiiiffff.