NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 18, 2025
The Florida Panthers repeat as Stanley Cup champions as Sam Reinhart ties an NHL playoff scoring record, Sam Bennett wins the Conn Smythe Trophy, Predators captain Roman Josi reveals a medical condition related to a concussion, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
PANTHERS WIN STANLEY CUP, BENNETT NAMED PLAYOFF MVP
NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers won their second straight Stanley Cup, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 to win the best-of-seven Final in six games.
Sam Reinhart tied a Stanley Cup playoff record by scoring four goals in the Cup-clinching game, becoming the first player to do so since Babe Dye with the Toronto St. Pats in 1922.
2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers (NHL.com).
Matthew Tkachuk also scored, Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves, Carter Verhaeghe had three assists and Aleksander Barkov had two helpers for the Panthers. Vasily Podkolzin scored for the Oilers and Stuart Skinner stopped 20 of 23 shots.
Panthers forward Sam Bennett won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, leading all scorers in this postseason with 15 goals.
DAILY FACEOFF: Following the game, Tkachuk shed light on the lower-body injury that sidelined him from the end of the 4 Nations Face Off tournament in February to the end of the regular season. He said he tore an adductor muscle “off the bone”, adding that he’s also dealing with a sports hernia.
Barkov sliced his hand in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final and ripped the sutures out twice before the wound was glued. Reinhart was dealing with a Grade 2 MCL tear that he suffered during the Eastern Conference Final.
This was the first Stanley Cup championship for Panthers defenseman Seth Jones. Acquired in early March, this was the first time in his 12 NHL seasons that he played for a team that advanced beyond the second round.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the Florida Panthers. This series had the air of inevitability since their lopsided victory in Game 3.
The Oilers tried their best, but the Panthers did an outstanding job of smothering their offense. They also picked apart Edmonton’s defense and received superb goaltending from Bobrovsky.
Bennett’s clutch scoring and agitating style earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy, but the case could’ve also been made for trade-deadline acquisition Brad Marchand. Bennett praised Marchand’s performance, leadership, and work ethic throughout the postseason.
After the game, Oilers captain Connor McDavid gave credit to the Panthers, praising their forecheck and shutting down his club’s momentum. “We kept f**king trying to do the same thing over and over again, just banging our heads against the wall.” He also cited the Panthers’ roster depth as a difference-maker in the series.
McDavid also praised his teammates for overcoming adversity and injuries to return to the Final. “I don’t think people thought we were gonna make it this far,” said McDavid. “We obviously believed. We just came up a bit short again.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ll have more about the Oilers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
Corey Perry’s stretch of Stanley Cup futility continued. He appeared in five Stanley Cup Finals since 2020 with the Oilers (2024, 2025), Dallas Stars (2020), Montreal Canadiens (2021) and Tampa Bay Lightning (2022).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s quite a stretch of Cup Final disappointment, but he can draw consolation from the Stanley Cup he won with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
PREDATORS CAPTAIN JOSI REVEALS MEDICAL CONDITION
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi told a Swiss publication that he’s dealing with Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). It’s a condition that typically causes someone’s heart rate to increase quickly when standing up from sitting or lying down.
The 35-year-old defenseman hasn’t played since suffering a concussion on Feb. 25. He indicated he was scared that he may have suffered brain damage. Josi underwent tests and an MRI that revealed nothing wrong with his brain, but he was subsequently diagnosed with POTS.
Doctors acknowledged that his condition could be related to his past concussion injuries. The condition could also explain the fainting spells he suffered as a child.
Josi is preparing to return to action next season, having undergone intensive therapy over the last eight weeks, which also includes taking beta blockers. He said he’s been feeling much better and believes he’ll be 100 percent fit to rejoin the Predators and to play for Switzerland in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A healthy Josi is crucial to the Predators’ hopes of bouncing back quickly from their disappointing 2024-25 performance.
IN OTHER NEWS…
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports Ken Holland expects trade activity will increase around the league leading up to the NHL Draft on June 27-28 in Los Angeles. He was hired as the general manager of the Los Angeles Kings on May 14.
Holland said the success of the Florida Panthers will affect other teams’ offseason decisions. He hasn’t ruled out making trades if they make sense for the Kings. Holland also indicated he’ll begin talking soon with Anze Kopitar’s agent regarding a contract extension. The 37-year-old Kings captain has a year remaining on his current deal.
TRIBLIVE.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed forward Joona Koppanen to a one-year, $775K contract.
THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken announced the hiring of assistant coaches Chris Taylor and Aaron Schneekloth and goaltending coach Colin Zulianello.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets have revealed their 25th anniversary patch.
Congratulations to Florida Panthers!
Stanley Cup Finals stat: Florida Panthers led 255 minutes vs Oilers lead 49 minutes.
With the 11th overall pick in the 2025 draft, the Penguins are proud to select Pittsburgh born, William Francis Zito Jr.
Wow, what a GM
Congrats Panthers. What a team, what an effort.
They have 6 top 6 pics (note Zito brought in Bennet, Reinhardt, Jones, Tkachuck )
Zito also brought in Maurice and current coaching staff, Verhague, Marchand, Rodrigues, Schmidt, Forsling etc etc etc
The only players on the team now that he started with upon his hiring are Barkov, Ekblad, Bobrovski, Lundell, Luostarinen
Zito has only had this job for 4 1/2 years. 3 cup appearances, 2 cups. Genius.
They finished 11th in the regular season. Truly a team built for the post season. Kudos Panthers. Kudos Zito.
For those thinking Oilers were just a goalie away from a cup; here I disagree.
There have been tweets and posts suggesting landing Hart on July 25th. Let’s set aside even though many believe the 5 will get acquitted (THEY STILL NEED TO BE AQUITTED!)
Setting that aside. Oilers then have less goals against. They still need to score more against Panthers. The grit, determination, and collective full tilt forechecking, snot and vigor by Panthers needs to be overpowered.
Oilers have the best player on the planet and another top 4 player in the world; and a top 4 defensemen in the league; and they didn’t get past Bobrovski last night or in the blowout game.
Can Oilers win next year? Sure. But, changes must happen, and not just in goal.
Next season Oilers cap hits:
Leon Draisaitl 14 million
Connor McDavid 12.5 million
Darnell Nurse 9.25 million
Evan Bouchard imagine at least 9 million
Sounds like Maple Leafs with being top heavy rooster. Since salary cap when has NHL team with four players making around half of the team’s cap space won Stanley Cup?
The only one I want out of your list is Leon.
Let the rebuild begin. The other 3, players, prospects and draft picks.
Totally agree, Speed Kills.
While a few teams have won the cup in recent years with 35% to 42% of their cap tied up in two players, NO team has ever won with 4 receiving in excess of 50% of the cap.
Once again, mathematics doesn’t lie.
Agree to a point 8787.
Like you, i agree it is a bit of a stretch to say a different starter last year or this and the Oilers not panthers are champs.
But at the same time let’s not under appreciate the confidence a team has in a goalie like Bobrovsky to make the next save. The Oilers don’t have that and that can and likely impacts psyche and aggression when you feel you need to be darn near perfect.
Fair Point 1Oilerfan
But Panthers will still have Bobrovski next year
Oilers must collectively “strangle/smother” (read full tick forecheck) the Panthers (or an equal Eastern successor ) next year in the hopes of a cup
Carter (or whomever) in net will definitely strengthen them and more importantly instill more confidence; but I truly believe that the Panther’s bettered Oilers now twice in consecutive cups due to their wholistic pressure concept as a team rather than their superiority in net,
Again, I’m not saying Oilers can’t win cup next year. Just pointing out that a flip in net will not alone make the necessary difference.
I do think IF (big undecided right now) Hart et al get acquitted; that an Oiler’s Hart recruitment would be logical; just not the only move they need to make.
Sans Hyman was definitely a hard kick; just don’t see them with quite enough WITH Hyman to break through the overall fortitude that Zito’s cadre did.
Changes WILL happen (both teams. We’ll have to wait and see the moves over the next couple of months.
Panther’s prospect and draft equity cupboard is nigh bare; but Zito has proven himself already. Miracle worker? Genius? Both have been said about him. I can’t argue against that assessment.
Who’s to say he doesn’t have another trick up his sleeve in order to get to the cup final for a fourth straight year?
On top of being in a great city; and having a highly successful team (and therefore a great draw for players to come); he also has a huge tax advantage over Oilers (and most teams).
I suspect Bennet to re-up and for less than other teams would offer. Perhaps also Ekblad. Each could take at least $1M/year less gross; and still be financially better than in any other franchise (save for Lightning, Preds, Kraken, Stars, Knights where they would have equal tax advantage); AND stay on cup winning team; and stay with friends; and not have to sell current home buy new and upheave family). Why would they look to move elsewhere for 7 (instead of 8 years) unless the offer is substantially more than Zito can hand out?
8787
Absolutely and I agree with that and I think the Oilers Brass knows that. The idea was that a healthy Kane and Frederic would help but Kane took too many penalties and who knows how healed Trents ankle was. They also tried to add more skill to the top 6 last off season but both Skinner and Arvidsson had poor showings all in all.
I suspect many notable changes.
Congrats to the Panthers. This may go down as the best roster in the cap era.
My poor Oilers always the bridesmaid never the Bride. 4 consecutive years eliminated by the eventual cup winners.
Not much to say. It’s not about what the Oilers were not trying to do but more about the Panthers ability to negate it. Last night they played nearly perfect, meanwhile any mistake the Oilers made ended up in the back of the net.
Hopefully the LTIR loop hole gets straightened out. Would the Oilers or FLA been in the finals without circumventing. Would Dallas gotten by Colorado or Winnipeg.
Imo off season needs. Right handed center that is adapt at face offs.
Upgrade in net.
The next is a bit of a pipe dream due to movement clauses and contracts but moving on from Kane and Nurse would be nice.
I don’t understand what Jeff Skinner’s problems were drawing into the lineup all year but in the 3 or 4 playoff games he was always noticeable. Was it fit…was it systems, chemistry?
All in all proud of my team…with the state of their health late in the season I never thought they would make it back to the finals this season.
Can someone in the Kraken organization phone the Oilers organization and let them know goalie coachs can be fired and then replaced.
Tell Holland McDavid is available for the right price.
1Oilerfan you got a good team though, they leave it out there. I was surprised by lack of response in game 5? Maybe because I was rooting for Edmonton? Probably doesn’t matter because when Florida goes to lock it down, you don’t have a chance. Bobrosky much better in goal than oilers got obviously but I thought the biggest thing was Hyman. Ekholm and bouchard had a rough go of it. They all looked a little bit spent in the last 2 games which surprised me. But oilers played well. Mcdavid and dreisetle are unbelievable. Even corry perry who I can’t stand was awesome . The young guy you can hang your hat on was really good: podzolkin? I messed his name but he is gonna be real good. Already is I guess!!!
Agree. I think we need to give panthers their due. I don’t know that it was so much a lack of response as opposed to panthers doing their thing. Getting behind them early gets you cooked. It seemed every mistake was in the back of their net where on the other side there was always one more layer.
Also coming back to win after 3 goals down in game 4 was huge…then to find yourself down early again the next game…it’s back breaking.
Podkolzin looked good. Which he had better hands but maybe that comes working more and more with Leon.
Oilers werent even close, could have been done in 4 games
Sometime ya gotta invest in one guy…the right one…Florida invest3d in their goalie….not some flashy winger who only plays offense and camps oit at the blue line. Richard trophies are cool but Selke winners get the cup. Fat checks and fast cars are great…but smart teammates and true team players get the cup. Tell your friends and agents to STFU there is no real difference to you leaving money on the table to get better teammates…except hoisting the cup. Greed kills yoir dreams
What if your dream is to make as much money for yourself and your family? You know… like normal people?
Is $10 mil a year normal? You are missing the point. Ten million is more than I made in my lifetime as a teacher, and most other “normal” people are the same. Now that “normal” people can no longer afford to go to games, at least they’d like to see their team be able to afford a good, competitive team rather than a couple of superstars that can’t get them over the top.
These are the top of the top in their line of work. Much like there are professors at the top collages making millions they are doing the same. As a teacher you may have left money on the table to go into a profession that helps people. That’s noble but not necessarily normal. The dude said greed kills your dreams. I’m pretty sure the players are gonna sleep just fine. And the fans will keep ponying up money.
Chrisms
Re “ Much like there are professors at the top collages making millions they are doing the same”
I need to re-negotiate!
I’ve been a professor for over 2 decades. We don’t get what NHL players get. We get fractions of what they get.
There are very very rare circumstances of Profs earning over $1M.
The average (average not top) Harvard educator makes less than $250 K/yr
We in the non ivy; much less than that
The MINIMUM salary in the NHL is $775 K/ year
I get that the majority of their life earnings are typically earned prior to 35; and professional athletes earn substantially more for a reason.
That said; using professors and income included in an argument relating to NHLers and their salaries is tough to hear based on my salary, LOL
You’d be surprised what the average non premier (Ivy et al) professor makes.
Do 18k people come to see you 41 times a year? How many students wear a jersey with your name on it? 1-10 million?
What’s your TV deal like? Who’s advert is on your professor helmet?
Most “normal people” would 💩 on their bosses desk for an extra $1 an hour and dance out the door.
I always find it amusing when people talk about leaving MILLIONS of dollars per year on the table. Slides right off the tongue when it’s not your money. Yet not “normal” way of thinking.
Yep. If you Google the question this is what pops up
“Professors at top colleges can earn significantly different salaries based on various factors, but full professors at Ivy League institutions can expect to earn between $175,000 and $250,000 in base salary, with some earning much more through bonuses and other compensation. Highly sought-after professors, particularly in fields like computer science or with strong research records, can reach or exceed $1 million annually”
The base salary in the NHL is around $750,000.
Maybe those who complain about how much of an excessive salary players get and figure they shouldn’t be paid as much need to tell me if they or any other profession where you need to dedicate your life from an early childhood age until adulthood, where even if you are a first round pick, you still have only 30% chance of winning this salary they get.
I am talking about a complete lifestyle change and dedication. Professions that require such dedication usually comes with a cost to what we would call an ordinary life.
Being the very best and performing at a level most people cannot, deserves all the money they can get because these players, as much as they are getting paid, make sooooo much more money for the league and its owners.
People need to celebrate when a talented person gets rewarded. That’s the way it’s supposed to work. It’s silly to compare average joes with exceptional (at one thing) type people. One and usually it’s family has dedicated their lives for this one long shot whereas an average Joe does not or can’t. I think players should get more than they do, after all isn’t most of their playing careers less than 10 years? That goes by fast and they need to make hay while they can.
Ron
Wasn’t challenging what NHL players make; just pointing out that Chrisms was giving an overall much more generous financial picture of salary for my profession by quoting the salary of rare exceptions.
Only a very small group of professors make more annually than the NHL’s league MINIMUM.
Believe me, I am not in any way one of those.
Perhaps it was a bad example. But this is the top percent of the top percent of people in this profession. Others below my post made my point more succinctly
8787
You’re an American professor working in an American university and you constantly use Canadian spellings for words like “favourite’ “ centre” “colour” etc?
Hmmmm something doesn’t seem right here.
Someone on the broadcast last evening quoted Bob Gainey “if you can’t check you can’t win the cup.”
Florida can check.
That team just grinds you into the ground. I can not think of a better assembled roster in my lifetime?
Well, certainly in the cap era … agree totally.
Boy, did the author of this article peg the blandness of Hockey Night In Canada!
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/nhl/when-did-sportsnet-s-hockey-night-in-canada-lose-its-way/ar-AA1GY18p?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=b952fae05e234753dac0c04a05f89c23&ei=12
That article got one thing completely right, it’s been on a decline for over 10 years now. I think the problem is, and this is more a money making issue than anything else, but it seems the only goal is to appease all types of viewers instead of just good commentary and banter.
For that to happen, you need guests or hosts to be more than an echo camber where they discuss what other reporters are reporting than actually getting quotes or doing some interviews with players or coaches. It would help if they are personable, you know, someone people like to talk to and hear out.
That back and forth (excluding the final couple of seasons where the train often left the tracks) that both Ron and Don had in coaches corner was watchable because it had its formula that clicked with many and that is lacking now. Now there is no connection to the fans because they have watered down the product to make it more tolerable to many…Many equals more ad money!