NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 15, 2025

by | May 15, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 15, 2025

The Oilers advance to the Western Conference Final, the Panthers push the Maple Leafs to the brink of elimination, the Flyers hire Rick Tocchet as their new coach, the Canucks promote Adam Foote as their new bench boss, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF WEDNESDAY’S NHL ACTION

NHL.COM: The Edmonton Oilers are heading to the Western Conference Final for the third time in four years after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 1-0 in Game 5 of their second-round series.

Edmonton Oilers winger Kasperi Kapanen (NHL Images).

Kasperi Kapanen scored in overtime, and Stuart Skinner turned in 24 saves for his second straight shutout as the Oilers took the series four games to one. Adin Hill made 31 saves for the Golden Knights, who played without sidelined captain Mark Stone for the first time in a postseason game since he joined the team in 2019.

The Oilers await the winner of the Winnipeg Jets-Dallas Stars series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was Kapanen’s second game in this postseason, but he scored the biggest goal of his career, becoming the seventh player in Oilers history to score a series-clinching overtime goal.

Kapanen is another example of the Oilers’ depth making the difference in this postseason. The bulk of their offense still comes from Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard, but they’re also getting production from Connor Brown, Vasily Podkolzin, and veterans like Adam Henrique, Viktor Arvidsson, Corey Perry and a healthy Evander Kane.

Meanwhile, their defensive game continues to improve as the playoffs continue. They’ll get a boost with sidelined defenseman Mattias Ekholm and backup goalie Calvin Pickard expected to be ready for the Conference Final.

Skinner’s critics are quieter after his back-to-back shutout performance, joining Cam Talbot and Curtis Joseph among Oilers goalies to accomplish that feat in the postseason. He’s also the fifth in franchise history to post a series-clinching shutout, joining Joseph, Bill Ranford, Dwayne Roloson, and Mike Smith.

The Florida Panthers are on the verge of advancing to the Eastern Conference Final for the third straight year after crushing the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 in Game 5 of their second-round series.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves, Dmitry Kulikov tallied the game-winning goal, and Aaron Ekblad and Jesper Boqvist each had a goal and an assist for the Panthers, who’ve taken a 3-2 series lead. Nick Robertson scored for the Leafs, who pulled starting goalie Joseph Woll after he gave up five goals on 25 shots.

Florida can wrap this series up on home ice in Game 6 on Friday, May 16, at 8 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers deserve full marks for their superb performance in this game, but the Maple Leafs made it easy for them with a lifeless effort that had the Toronto crowd booing them off the ice following the second period. Some of their fans tossed their Leafs jerseys on the ice in disgust during the final period.

Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues missed this game with an undisclosed injury. Boqvist took his place.

This was the Leafs’ third straight loss after taking a 2-0 lead over the Panthers in this series. Another pathetic effort like that in Game 6 on Friday, and the Leafs will be booking tee-times on Saturday.

HEADLINES

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers will make Rick Tocchet their 25th coach in franchise history. He will reportedly receive a five-year, $25 million contract. Tocchet won the Jack Adams Trophy last season with the Vancouver Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise here, Tocchet was considered the favorite for this job. He should work well with the younger players on the rebuilding Flyers.

Speaking of the young Flyers, Matvei Michkov was involved in a single-car accident while vacationing in Dubai. He rented the car but was not the driver. There were no injuries, and there was no alcohol or drugs involved.

Michkov and his friend had their passports illegally taken away by the car rental company and were reportedly extorted for $100K to avoid having details of the accident leaked to the media.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks promoted assistant coach Adam Foote as their new head coach, taking over from the departed Rick Tocchet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Manny Malhotra appeared to be the favorite because of his success with their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford this season. However, Foote was praised by team captain Quinn Hughes earlier this season, which may have factored into his promotion.

The Canucks also signed prospect defenseman Tom Willander to an entry-level contract. Willander, 20, completed his sophomore season with Boston University. He was selected 11th overall by the Canucks in the 2023 NHL Draft.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars is poised to take the crown of the USA’s top goaltender away from the Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck. While the former is poised to win his third Vezina Trophy, the latter has a better playoff record and is on the verge of eliminating Hellebuyck and his teammates from the postseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck is one of the best regular-season goalies in the league, but he struggles mightily during the playoffs. He’ll need to have the best game of his career if the Jets hope to avoid elimination tonight by the Stars.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Hurricanes’ superior depth has made the difference in their second-round series against the Washington Capitals.

Meanwhile, the Capitals had Connor McMichael replacing Lars Eller centering their third line during practice on Wednesday. Eller is expected to be a healthy scratch from Game 5 on Thursday.

PUCKPEDIA: It doesn’t appear that the Ottawa Senators have forfeited their 2025 first-round pick. They had 24 hours following the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery to forfeit the pick as part of the punishment handed down by the league for their role in a trade being invalidated in 2022.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators were given the choice of forfeiting their 2024, 2025 or 2026 pick.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 14, 2025

by | May 14, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 14, 2025

The Stars push the Jets to the brink of elimination, the league suspends Panthers minority owner Doug Cifu, and the latest on the Oilers, Leafs, Capitals and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: A hat trick by Mikael Granlund gave the Dallas Stars a 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 4 of their best-of-seven second-round series, pushing the Jets to the brink of elimination.

San Jose Sharks forward Mikael Granlund (NHL Images).

Jake Oettinger made 31 saves for the Stars, who hold a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Nikolaj Ehlers scored for the Jets, who got 21 saves from Connor Hellebuyck.

The Stars can wrap up this series in Game 5 in Winnipeg on Thursday, May 15, at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That hat trick was Granlund’s first in the postseason. His last regular-season hat trick was in 2017. Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen returned to action after being sidelined by a knee injury since late January. He assisted on Granlund’s second goal, which proved to be the game-winner.

The Jets played their best road game of the postseason, generating 70 shot attempts, but they could only put one goal past Oettinger, who made a big save on Kyle Connor before Granlund’s winning goal. Their special teams were a problem, giving up two power-play goals while failing to generate offense with the man advantage. The Jets have yet to win a road game in this postseason.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The league has suspended Panthers minority owner Doug Cifu indefinitely for “unacceptable and inappropriate” posts on the social media platform “X”, formerly Twitter.

Cifu made the posts in response to a comment from a Leafs fan. He has since deleted his “X” account and apologized. Cifu and will soon have an in-person meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

NHL.COM: Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz was on the ice taking shots during an optional skate on Tuesday. He’s been sidelined by a suspected concussion since Game 1 of their second-round series with the Panthers. Stolarz is improving, but he won’t be in the lineup for Game 5 on Wednesday.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers winger Evander Kane has been a solid physical presence for his club in this postseason, netting seven points in nine games thus far. The 33-year-old winger missed the 2024-25 regular season recovering from abdominal, hip, and knee surgeries.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane was a shadow of himself during last year’s postseason as he tried to play through his injuries. Now healthy, he’s been a factor for the Oilers, who are poised to reach the Western Conference Final for the third time in four years.

TSN: Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm could be ready to return to action if his club advances to the next series. The 34-year-old has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury since Apr. 11.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Getting Ekholm back for the Western Conference Final would provide a significant boost to the Oilers’ defense corps, but first, they must eliminate the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 on Wednesday in Las Vegas.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery is expected to shake up his roster before Game 5 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. The Capitals face elimination, down three games to one to the Hurricanes in their second-round series.

TSN: The Los Angeles Kings will formally announce Ken Holland as their new general manager on Thursday. Holland is the former GM of the Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers.

RG.ORG: The San Jose Sharks are close to an agreement on a new contract with Shakir Mukhamadullin. The 23-year-old defenseman is coming off his entry-level contract and appeared in 30 games with the Sharks this season, finishing with nine points.

SPORTSNET: The new compensation rates for NHL offer sheets have been revealed.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Click the link above to see the breakdown of those rates.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 13, 2025

by | May 13, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 13, 2025

The Oilers and Hurricanes take commanding 3-1 leads in their second-round series, Ken Holland is expected to be named the next GM of the Kings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING MONDAY’S PLAYOFF GAMES

NHL.COM: Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner made 23 saves to shut out the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 4 of their best-of-seven second-round series.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (NHL Images).

Adam Henrique scored two goals and Evander Kane had a goal and an assist for the Oilers, who hold a 3-1 lead in the series. Adin Hill stopped 29 shots for the Golden Knights.

The Oilers can wrap things up on Wednesday, May 14, in Las Vegas at 9:30 PM ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a dominating performance by the Oilers, especially in the fast-paced first period, where Henrique scored his goals as the action was end-to-end for most of that frame. They were physical from the start, generating plenty of traffic around the Vegas net, and played with consistent, determined energy that the Golden Knights couldn’t match.

Another effort like that by the Oilers in Game 5, and they’ll be heading to the Western Conference Final for the third time in four years.

Carolina Hurricanes forwards Sean Walker and Taylor Hall each had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals in Game 4 of their second-round series.

Frederik Andersen turned aside 19 shots for the Hurricanes, who’ve taken a 3-1 stranglehold on this series. Jakob Chychrun and Alex Ovechkin scored for the Capitals and Logan Thompson kicked out 32 shots.

The Hurricanes can win this series and advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years on Thursday, May 15, in Washington at 7 pm ET

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Washington had a strong start for the second straight game but failed to capitalize. The Hurricanes soon took over, dominating the Capitals over the remainder of the game. Ovechkin scored his first goal of this series on a 5-on-3 power-play, but the Hurricanes’ checkers have otherwise neutralized him.

HEADLINES

MAYOR’S MANOR: The Los Angeles Kings are expected to name Ken Holland as their new general manager this week. The announcement could come as early as Tuesday, May 13.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Holland spent this season as an NHL operations department consultant. He has an impressive resume from his 27 years with the Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers, including three Stanley Cups with the Wings and building the Oilers into a Cup Finalist last season.

The Kings have been a playoff club for the past four seasons, but were eliminated by the Oilers in the opening round four times. They’ll look to Holland to help them take the next step toward Cup contention.

NHL.COM: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi was fined $5,000 for boarding Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov during Game 4 of their second-round series on Sunday.

ROTOWIRE: Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues is questionable for Game 5 against the Leafs on Wednesday, May 14. He suffered an undisclosed injury in Game 4.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets hope to improve their struggling power play for Game 4 of their second-round series with the Dallas Stars. They are 1-for-13 with the man advantage through the first three games. The Stars lead the series two games to one.

DAILY FACEOFF: Top 2026 NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna’s historic WHL points streak ended at 54 games. The Medicine Hat Tigers’ forward was held scoreless in a 6-2 loss to the Spokane Chiefs in Game 2 of the WHL Championship Series.

McKenna, 17, finished second among this season’s WHL scorers with 129 points in 56 games. He has 37 points in 16 playoff games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McKenna has been compared to Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid and Chicago Blackhawks’ star Connor Bedard. He is already expected to be the first-overall pick in the 2026 draft.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former NHL center Stefan Matteau has announced his retirement. The son of former NHL winger Stephane Matteau, Stefan was selected in the first round (29th overall) by the New Jersey Devils in the 2012 draft. He spent eight seasons with the Devils, Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche. Matteau had six goals and five assists for 11 points in 92 games.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 12, 2025

by | May 12, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 12, 2025

Check out the most recent Canadiens and Oilers speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Pat Hickey looked at ways the Canadiens can address their need for a second-line center during the offseason.

He suggested finding a 30-something center who can hold the fort for a few years until promising players like Owen, Beck, Michael Hage or Jared Davidson are ready for prime time. That list included pending unrestricted free agents like Brock Nelson of the Colorado Avalanche, Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars, or John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All three would be ideal, and all three aren’t likely to suit up for the Canadiens next summer. They’ll be expensive and likely prefer signing with Cup contenders at this stage of their long careers.

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (NHL Images).

Hickey suggested Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers as an ideal option if Canadiens management isn’t sold on those young centers as long-term solutions.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers will probably re-sign Bennett, who’ll be more affordable to retain than Sam Reinhart was last summer. He would be the perfect choice to center the Canadiens’ second line, but they’ll face stiff competition from other clubs for his services.

If the Canadiens wish to go the offer-sheet route, Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks would be a suitable target. The 22-year-old center has good size, wins faceoffs, and might relish an opportunity to escape a losing team in Anaheim.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hickey’s not the only pundit or blogger to muse about McTavish’s availability. I recall one speculating that he could become expendable if the Ducks decide to move Cutter Gauthier to center their second line. That’s probably wishful thinking, but he would be worth pursuing if available.

Like Bennett, McTavish would draw interest from a lot of teams. The Ducks also have the cap space to match any offer, so a trade might be the only way to get him.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins generally agrees with the criticism of the defensive play of Oilers blueliner Evan Bouchard. The 25-year-old reargaurd will become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.

However, Leavins also pointed out that Bouchard has proven he’s a big enough player with a long enough reach to defend capably in the playoffs. He’s also an elite point getter and they don’t grow on trees.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some folks scoff when I’ve suggested Bouchard could get over $10 million annually on a long-term deal from the Oilers. His timely offense, especially in the playoffs, ensures he’ll get a substantial raise on his next contract.

Bouchard’s an invaluable part of the Oilers’ core. They’ll be fortunate if his camp accepts less than $10 million annually.

Leavins also weighed in on Oilers fans who howled for the club to acquire a true starting goaltender at the trade deadline. He believes the offseason was always going to be the better time to find one of those.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The pickings were slim for goalies before the trade deadline and they’re not much better this summer. Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils is the best of the bunch in the UFA market, followed by Anton Forsberg of the Ottawa Senators, Dan Vladar of the Calgary Flames and David Rittich of the Los Angeles Kings. They’re solid backups, but none of them are reliable starters.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 11, 2025

by | May 11, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 11, 2025

The Hurricanes regain the series lead over the Capitals, the Golden Knights get their first win in their second-round series with the Oilers, six more skaters are named to the Quarter-Century Team, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF SATURDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen had a 21-save shutout to blank the Washington Capitals 4-0 in Game 3 of their best-of-seven second-round series.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (NHL Images).

Andrei Svechnikov’s first goal of this series was the game-winner, while Jack Roslovic had a goal and an assist. Capitals goalie Logan Thompson stopped 24 shots.

The Hurricanes lead this series two games to one. Game 4 is in Raleigh on Monday, May 12, at 7 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals had a solid first period, but the Hurricanes seized control of this game in the second period. Their special teams made the difference, scoring on both power-play opportunities and killing off two penalties.

A last-second goal by Reilly Smith lifted the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their second-round series.

Smith finished with two goals for Vegas, who overcame an early 2-0 deficit as Oilers winger Corey Perry tallied twice to open the scoring. William Karlsson gave the Golden Knights the lead in the second period, but Oilers captain Connor McDavid tied it late in the third. This game seemed headed to overtime until Smith put it away with 0.4 seconds left.

The Oilers hold a 2-1 lead in this series. Game 4 is in Edmonton on Monday at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vegas winger Pavel Dorofeyev made his series debut after being sidelined since Game 6 of their first-round series with Minnesota. However, Golden Knights captain Mark Stone left this game with an upper-body injury following a collision with Perry in the first period.

A lower-body injury to Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard (day-to-day) led to Stuart Skinner’s first start since Game 2 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings. Skinner finished with 20 saves.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Six skaters who made their NHL debuts after 2010 were named to the league’s Quarter-Century team.

Edmonton Oilers forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are among the six, along with Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar, and former Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau.

Six goaltenders will be revealed on Sunday, May 11.

TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said goaltender Anthony Stolarz is “progressing in the right direction” in his recovery from an upper-body injury. However, he has not yet resumed skating.

Stolarz was injured in Game 1 after taking a shot off his mask and a forearm to the head by Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett. He was replaced by Joseph Woll as the Leafs hold a 2-1 series lead, with Game 4 on Sunday.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks parted ways with assistant coaches Brent Thompson and Rich Clune. New head coach Joel Quenneville is expected to name his own coaching staff.

THE ATHLETIC: Columbus Blue Jackets prospect center Cayden Lindstrom returned to action after missing 13 months with a back injury, collecting an assist for the Medicine Hat Tigers in a 4-1 win over the Spokane Chiefs in Game 1 of their WHL Championship series.

Lindstrom, 19, was chosen fourth overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2024 NHL Draft. He underwent surgery on Nov. 20.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 9, 2025

by | May 9, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 9, 2025

The Oilers take a two-game lead over the Golden Knights, the Capitals tie their series with the Hurricanes, the first six players of the Quarter-Century Team are announced, the Ducks name Joel Quenneville as their new coach, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF THURSDAY’S PLAYOFF GAMES

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Leon Draisaitl lifted the Edmonton Oilers to a 5-4 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of their best-of-seven second-round series.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

The Oilers held a 4-2 lead early in the third period, but the Golden Knights got goals from Victor Olofsson and Alex Pietrangelo to force the extra frame. Connor McDavid collected the assist on Draisaitl’s winning goal while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Viktor Arvidsson and Vasily Podkolzin each collected two points. Olofsson finished with two goals and an assist and Jack Eichel had three helpers for the Golden Knights.

This series moves to Edmonton for the next two games, with the Oilers holding a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 is on Saturday, May 10, at 9 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Edmonton’s depth made the difference in this game, getting goals from Podkolzin, Jake Walman, Darnell Nurse and Evander Kane.

The Oilers have won six straight playoff games, all of them comeback victories. Those wins came with goaltender Calvin Pickard between the pipes. He’s 6-0 in this postseason.

Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy was upset that Arvidsson wasn’t penalized for shoving Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb into the boards moments before Draisaitl’s goal, leaving McNabb with an injured left arm.

Earlier in the period, Golden Knights forward Nicolas Roy received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for cross-checking Oilers forward Trent Frederic in the face. The Oilers failed to score on the ensuing power play.

Vegas winger Pavel Dorofeyev missed his second straight game in this series with an undisclosed injury. He also missed his club’s series-clinching victory against the Minnesota Wild.

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson stopped 27 shots (including 16 in the third period) in a 3-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, tying their second-round series at a game apiece.

Connor McMichael, John Carlson and Tom Wilson scored for the Capitals, with Wilson collecting an assist on Carlson’s goal. Shayne Gostisbehere replied for the Hurricanes.

The series shifts to Carolina for the next two games, with Game 3 on Saturday at 6 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A better team effort by the Capitals in this game, though at times they were hanging on for dear life in the third period. Thompson was solid again for the Capitals and has been their most valuable player thus far in this postseason.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: The first six skaters named to the league’s Quarter-Century Team were unveiled on Thursday. The group was made up of players who debuted before 2000.

They are defenseman Zdeno Chara, winger Jarome Iginla, defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, center Joe Sakic, winger Teemu Selanne, and center Joe Thornton.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Four of them (Iginla, Lidstrom, Sakic and Selanne) are in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Chara and Thornton will be joining them soon.

The next seven skaters will be revealed on Friday, May 9, and will be comprised of players who debuted between 2000 and 2010. It’s safe to assume Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will be on that list.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Ducks named Joel Quenneville their new head coach.

Quenneville is second in career wins by an NHL coach (969) and won three Stanley Cups as head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks. However, he stepped down as head coach of the Florida Panthers in 2021 for his role in failing to adequately address sexual allegations by Chicago player Kyle Beach against the Blackhawks’ video coach in 2010. The league banned Quenneville from coaching for three years.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek told reporters that the club had conducted its due diligence into the efforts Quenneville made during his banishment to atone for his actions, which included working with groups that deal with sexual assault and helping survivors. Quenneville expressed remorse for his actions and took full responsibility.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers believe Quenneville should never coach in the NHL again. Others think he’s paid the price for his actions and should be given a second chance.

It was inevitable that Quenneville would land another NHL coaching job after former Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman (who also received a three-year ban from the league for his role in the coverup) was named GM of the Oilers last summer.

I’m curious about Beach’s reaction to this news. When the Oilers hired Bowman, he said he contacted Beach beforehand, claiming he had an “encouraging conversation” with the former player.

Time will tell if Quenneville can coach the rebuilding Ducks into becoming a playoff contender. Despite his impressive coaching resume, it’s been four years since he was last behind an NHL bench.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz did not travel with his teammates to Florida for Games 3 and 4 of their second-round series with the Panthers. Stolarz suffered a head injury following a Game 1 collision with Panthers center Sam Bennett. The Leafs hold a 2-0 series lead.

TSN: On Thursday, Winnipeg Jets defensemen Josh Morrissey and Logan Stanley participated in the club’s optional skate. They are game-time decisions for Game 2 on Friday against the Dallas Stars, who hold a 1-0 lead in their second-round series.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington and center Brayden Schenn have joined Canada’s roster for the upcoming IIHF World Championship in Sweden and Denmark.

DAILY FACEOFF: New Jersey Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic underwent knee surgery on Thursday and won’t be ready for training camp in September.

Former Vancouver Canucks goaltender Frank Caprice died on Thursday at age 63. He spent six seasons with the Canucks from 1982-83 to 1987-88, with a record of 31 wins, 46 losses and 11 ties in 102 games with a 4.20 goals-against average, a save percentage of .859, and one shutout.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Caprice’s family, friends, former teammates and the Canucks organization.