Is it any surprise that the Florida Panthers are headed back to the Stanley Cup Final? No, not at all. They’ve been a wagon all year long and were probably the most impressive team the Colorado Avalanche faced this year in the NHL. On Saturday, they booked their ticket to another Final, and if not for Igor Shesterkin, the series probably would have been over a lot sooner.
Over the last few days, we’ve taken a look at some free agents that might make sense for the Avalanche. They’ll need to find free agents because they haven’t been hitting on their draft picks. On Saturday, they let two more walk, although neither are really game breakers.
All that and more int his Sunday edition of Evan’s Daily.
Colorado Hockey Now
On Friday, we took a look at eight UFA forwards that could make sense for the Avalanche. On Saturday, it was time to take a peak at the defensemen. No big names, but players that can add depth to the organization.
Even though he was acquired just a few months back, he won’t be a member of the Avalanche organization, as Graham Sward was not signed prior to the deadline on Saturday for Colorado to retain his rights.
Panthers Book Their Ticket
The Rangers might have had the best record in the NHL during the regular season, but the Panthers were always the best team in the NHL. They proved that in the Conference Finals. The only reason the series went six games was because of New York’s elite goaltender, but he didn’t get a whole lot of help.
Florida just has a little bit of everything. They can score, they can defend, they’re deep, and they’re nasty. Really nasty. If they want to win it all, it might have to happen this year, because half their team seems like they’re headed towards free agency. I think they’ll pull it off, too.
Also, since they won the game, Evan Rodrigues has to buy this linesman a beer. Oof.
Rodrigues drilled a linesman in the beans with the puck š¬ pic.twitter.com/jtTwxAXy4V
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) June 2, 2024
Speaking of Rodrigues, is he kind of the one that got away? More on that in the coming days.
National Hockey Now
The KHL is easier than the NHL? You sure about that?
A nice tribute to Pierre Houde, who recently was named the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winner.