NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 2, 2025
The latest on the Panthers and Oilers ahead of the Stanley Cup Final, an update on Alex Ovechkin, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
TSN: The Florida Panthers will tie an NHL record in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. They will be playing their 309th game (regular-season and playoffs) over the past three seasons, tying the record for the most games played over that period. They’ll break the record in Game 2.
The Dallas Stars (1997-98 to 1999-2000) and Detroit Red Wings (2006-07 to 2008-09) hold the current record.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Led by Matthew Tkachuk, the entire Panthers team (including the front office, coaching staff, medical trainers, and equipment managers) took part in the first Gaudreau Family 5K Walk/Run and Family Fun Day virtually from Ft Lauderdale on Saturday.
Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (NHL Images).
Several players and staff also brought their families to the event. This was done without fanfare. The media was not informed that the team would be participating in the event after their practice on Saturday.
Tkachuk was a former teammate and close friend of Johnny Gaudreau, who was killed along with his brother Matthew by an alleged drunk driver last August.
TSN: Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid left the ice early during practice on Sunday. Head coach Kris Knoblauch said there was no major issue, and the superstar will be ready for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers forward Connor Brown rejoined his teammates for practice on Sunday. He’d been sidelined since Game 3 of the Western Conference Final following a hard hit by Dallas Stars defenseman Alexander Petrovic. Knoblauch is confident Brown will be ready for Game 1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The opening game of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is Wednesday, June 4, in Edmonton at 8 pm ET.
RG.ORG: Sergey Demidov reports a source close to Alex Ovechkin said the Washington Capitals captain has not decided to retire from the NHL following the completion of his contract at the end of the 2025-26 season.
On Friday, a Russian media outlet quoted Ovechkin’s wife, Nastasyia, suggesting her husband would return to Russia in 2026. However, the source claims the Capitals superstar intends to complete the final season of his NHL contract, after which he’ll decide whether to remain in Washington. His final decision will be based on his health and performance.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin set the all-time goal record this season (897) and will surpass the 900-goal plateau next season. He also exceeded the 40-goal plateau (44) for the league-leading 14th time in his 20-season NHL career. The Capitals captain turns 40 in September.
EISHOCKEY NEWS: Contrary to reports last week, the Boston Bruins’ head-coach position remains vacant, though a decision on who fills that role is likely imminent.
Marco Sturm of the AHL’s Ontario Reign was in Boston last week for interviews, but the Bruins have also invited other candidates.
THE PROVINCE: Former Vancouver Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin is in the Stanley Cup Final with the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Kuzma believes drafting Podkolzin 10th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft was a “big miss” by the Canucks.
Kuzma points out they could’ve had Matt Boldy, who was chosen two picks later by the Minnesota Wild. Boldy has gone on to become a first-line forward with the Wild, netting a career-best 73 points this season.
Podkolzin struggled in his three season with the Canucks, who traded him to the Oilers last summer. The 23-year-old winger had 24 points in 82 games as a depth forward this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reviewing NHL Central Scouting’s final 2019 rankings, Boldy was ninth among North American skaters while Podkolzin was second among International skaters. The Athletic’s Corey Pronman had Boldy eighth overall among his top prospects and Podkolzin 12th. The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy had Podkolzin eighth and Boldy 11th, and McKeen’s Hockey and Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino had Podkolzin 11th and Boldy 12th.
Hindsight is 20-20. The NHL Draft is often a crapshoot, with some players meeting or exceeding expectations while most fail to do so.
TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan won the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as MVP of the 2025 Memorial Cup after his London Knights defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-1.
Cowan scored a goal in the final games, finishing with a tournament-leading seven points in five games.
Alex Ovechkin at 897 career goals, perhaps he wants at least 1,000 career goals?
If I remember correctly, Podkolzin was projected as a sure 3rd liner with very little upside, like maybe maybe 2nd line player. It was viewed as a safe pick but didnt turn out that way
NHL.com’s draft analysts praised his intensity, skill set and speed, saying with proper development he’d be a solid NHL forward who could help a team’s scoring.
https://www.nhl.com/news/2019-nhl-mock-draft-hughes-kakko-turcotte-cozens-307674218
The Athletic’s Cory Pronman had Podkolzin among his High-end NHL Prospects.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/970746/2019/05/21/pronmans-2019-nhl-draft-board-top-107-prospects/
The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy called him smart, powerful and feisty, believing he’d become a fan favorite in the NHL.
https://thehockeynews.com/news/news/2019-nhl-draft-ranking-the-top-120-prospects
ESPN’s Chris Peters believed when Podkolzin was at his best, there were few in that draft class who were better, predicting he’d be a “high-end forward” for the Canucks.
https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/27016392/2019-nhl-draft-pick-pick-analysis
Thank you Lyle. I find second guessing of draft picks is an annoying pastime of many fans and journalists. A year prior to that draft Podkolzin was seen as a top 3 prospect. Taking him at 10 was a perfectly decent pick. He just didn’t completely pan out. It happens. Think about Yakupov or Patrick Stefan. Their lack of success doesn’t mean the scouts were to blame.
There is no guarantee that boldy develops into what he is if drafted by van. Also no guarantee podkolzon doesn’t develop into a good top 6 if minny had drafted him. People like to point out these “misses” but how teams develop these players matters too.
Agreed, Chrisms. Development plays a key role in a player’s progression. There are many examples in NHL history where a highly-touted player struggles with one team, only to blossom elsewhere.
Great showing by the Tigers this year.
I had them picked to win it all next season, but nice job overachieving this season.
London was just too deep.
Enjoy the welcome upon your return, boys. You’re all heros here in the Hat.
IMHO , the NHL could have cranked up the SC for tonight start as opposed to Wednesday?
We want to ratchet up the rematch don’t we for the good of all hockey fans? I am going to go for Oilers in 6 or 7 . I don’t want to bet against the Panthers, probably not wise but feel mcdavid and Co are on a mission. I wanted Florida last year but came to really respect the oil after that. Not that I didn’t realize how good they are but felt Florida dominated only to see the oil battle back. I like the way both teams play. So, should be really good. The only thing that concerns me about Edmonton is not having Hyman but they seem to move forward. Brown is back!
That’s great that Panthers attended virtual 5K for Johnny Gaudreau . Class act.
Ovechkin stats are truly amazing
Let’s get this series started before it’s 10000° outside and no one is interested in watching hockey for crying out loud. The games should be on ABC, too? Not everyone is able to get TNT? And they are horrible to listen to . We have to be tortured by Liam and biz, lol!!!!!!
Just some hockey thoughts!