After the Avalanche finished with the worst full-season record since the adoption of the shootout in his first year behind the bench, Bednar helped Colorado improve by 47 points in the standings and jump into a wild-card playoff spot.
In Cassidy's first full campaign as Boston's head coach and with a roster relying heavily on first-year players, the Bruins finished with 112 points - good for fourth overall in the league.
Gallant guided the expansion Golden Knights to a 51-24-7 record and first-place finish in the Pacific Division (fourth overall) as Vegas defied all expectations in its inaugural season.
This award is presented annually to the NHL coach deemed to have contributed the most to his team's success, as determined by members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association.
The NHL Awards will be handed out June 20 in Las Vegas.
"I want to thank (current owner) Tom Dundon, (former owner) Peter Karmanos, and (former general manager) Ron Francis for the trust they put in me to lead the team," said Peters. "I feel the incoming general manager should have the ability to hire his own head coach."
Peters added, "I feel like this is a good time to move on, and I am looking forward to my next challenge."
He had until Friday to exercise an exit clause in his contract, team president and interim general manager Don Waddell confirmed Monday.
"I have a lot of respect for Bill as a person and coach," Dundon said. "We thank him for his time with the Hurricanes and wish him success in whatever comes next."
Peters held the position for four seasons, leading the Hurricanes to a regular-season record of 137-138-53 and zero playoff appearances. He's set to serve as Canada's bench boss at the World Championship in May.
The Hurricanes will immediately begin searching for a new head coach. The team is also looking for a GM after removing Francis from that position in early March.
Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (Frolunda) is the top-rated prospect on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of international skaters for the 2018 NHL Draft, while center Andrei Svechnikov of the OHL's Barrie Colts is tops among North American skaters.
It's Dahlin that's expected to go first overall in the NHL draft, which will be held at American Airlines Center in Dallas from June 22-23.
"Dahlin is an exceptionally talented prospect who will be able to contribute, influence and impact a team's fortunes much in the way that defensemen Erik Karlsson (Ottawa Senators) and Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning) have in the NHL," said Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting. "If you wanted to pick one player from the 2018 draft who could potentially be viewed as a generational talent, Rasmus would be the only candidate. There is that much respect for him and his abilities."
Rounding out the top five European skaters are defenseman Adam Boqvist of Brynas' team in Sweden's junior league, winger Vitali Kravtsov of Chelyabinsk in Russia, winger Martin Kaut of Pardubice in the Czech Republic, and defenseman Adam Ginning of Linkoping in Sweden.
On the North American side, winger Brady Tkachuk of Boston University in Hockey East comes in second, winger Filip Zadina of Halifax in the QMJHL is third, defenseman Evan Bouchard of London (OHL) ranks fourth, and defenseman Noah Dobson of Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) rounds out the top five.
The final lists of the top international skaters and goalies and top North American skaters and goaltenders was released Monday and can be seen here:
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock is shaking things up down the middle for a pivotal Game 3 against the Boston Bruins.
Winless in the series and without Nazem Kadri (suspension) and Leo Komarov (injury), Babcock's decided to insert Dominic Moore as the fourth-line center and bump Tomas Plekanec to the second line.
Komarov suffered a lower-body injury in Game 2, and Babcock offered an update on his status Monday:
Mike Babcock's update on Leo Komarov: "He’s going to skate tomorrow. He was going to skate today , but we have two days [off before Game 4], so we kept him off. He’s not playing today, he’ll skate tomorrow and then skate the following day and he’ll be a game-time decision."
Here's how the forward units looked at the morning skate, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton:
Zach Hyman - Auston Matthews - William Nylander
Patrick Marleau - Plekanec - Mitch Marner
James van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Connor Brown
Andreas Johnsson - Moore - Kasperi Kapanen
Plekanec is very familiar with Patrice Bergeron after many battles during his time in Montreal, and perhaps Babcock is counting on the former Canadien to help shut down Boston's formidable top line.
Tomas Plekanec faced Patrice Bergeron for 19:28 at 5v5 in the regular season. The Bruins scored one goal in that time. The Canadiens didn't score any, but, you know. (via @NatStatTrick) https://t.co/Hm0rHD4vz9
Gaudreau went home immediately upon season's end to be with his father following the latter's recent health scare, but an NHL source confirmed to Custance that he'll indeed be participating in the annual tournament.
The offensively gifted winger has played for Team USA at the World Championship twice before, recording eight goals and 13 assists in 16 games.
A Game 1 overtime loss at the hands of the Columbus Jackets has put them in an early hole, raising age-old questions as to whether this team will ever be able to get it done in the postseason.
In reality, Washington played well on Thursday, largely controlling play and benefiting from an early five-minute power play that carried the Capitals to the second period with a two-goal lead.
Columbus, however, kept chipping away, and stole the game on a beautiful overtime winner by Artemi Panarin.
As far as head coach Barry Trotz is concerned, a lack of discipline hurt his team's chances to secure the win.
"I thought it was almost three different games," Trotz said after the game. "The first period, we were very disciplined and we carried the play, obviously got our power-play goals. Second period, you know they're going to have a push. I thought the first part of that period they were a little bit better, a little bit stronger on the puck. I thought we got it back later in the period.
"We took three penalties in the third period and that ended up putting us in a position where we're going to overtime."
A big adjustment that could be made for Game 2 would be in net. Trotz said Philip Grubauer was fine and he'll take some time to evaluate whether to go back to him or turn to Braden Holtby.
As far as captain Alex Ovechkin is concerned, there's no reason to panic.
Alex Ovechkin on the loss: "A couple of mistakes we need to correct and we'll be fine."
theScore's Ian McLaren caught up with Maple Leafs forward William Nylander to talk about playing for coach Mike Babcock, life in Toronto, and the pressure that comes with representing the blue and white.
theScore: It’s been an interesting season for you, bouncing between center and the wing, mainly out of necessity (due to Auston Matthews being injured at various points). Do you have a preference between playing on Matthews’ wing or centering your own line?
Nylander: Wherever (Babcock) needs me to play. I think the chemistry is there between me and (Matthews) and we’re able to find each other really well. I love playing with him but if (Babcock) needs me at center, I can.
theScore: Speaking of Babcock, he’s known as a tough coach, but obviously the results are there. What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned playing for him?
Nylander: You learn to play both ways, that’s one of the bigger things … There’s small things that you don’t really think about system-wise.
theScore: Playing in Toronto, there's a lot of expectations. Is the weight of the past something that you and the other younger guys feel?
Nylander: Me and the younger guys, we came here and that's the way we knew it to be. We haven’t been anywhere else where the pressure might have been a little less. That’s the way we know it to be, it’s just part of it. It’s the way it is.
theScore: Your dad played in Calgary for a while and in some other bigger markets (New York, Washington). Did he give you any advice about playing in Canada or markets where the focus is more on hockey than other sports?
Nylander: You have to be prepared. Play your best. Battle every night. That’s all you can do.
theScore: Favorite spot to eat in Toronto?
Nylander: I like this Thai place called PAI.
theScore: What about to just hang out?
Nylander: Me and (Kasperi Kapanen) went to Real Sports the other day to play golf in the simulator, so that’s fun. There’s a lot of fun things to do.
theScore: Finally, a lot of people are talking about the playoff format, and how Toronto will play either Boston or Tampa Bay* - the two top teams in the East - in the first round. Any thoughts on the format and is there anything you’d change about it, or are you looking forward to that challenge right off the bat?
Nylander: To go where we want to go, we have to beat every team, so it doesn’t matter. That’s the way it is right now and you can’t really control that.
theScore: Is there a preference between Boston or Tampa Bay?
Nylander: Like I said, we just have to beat whatever team we play. If you don’t play one team right away, if you go next time, you’ll play those guys.
*The Maple Leafs are in Boston on Thursday for Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series.
The 2018 NHL Awards will be held Wednesday, June 20 at The Joint in Las Vegas' Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, the league announced Wednesday.
It marks the second year in a row and ninth overall that the ceremony will take place in Las Vegas. Last year's awards were handed out at T-Mobile Arena, home of the Golden Knights.
"Our players, coaches and fans look forward to coming to Las Vegas each June to honor the Award nominees and winners," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. "This year, for the first time, those honored could include members of the home team, the Vegas Golden Knights."
Finalists for each award will be announced daily, beginning April 17.
April 17 - Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
April 18 - Selke Trophy (forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game)
April 19 - Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
April 20 - Lady Byng Trophy (player best combining sportsmanship and ability)
April 21 - Masterton Trophy (perseverance and dedication to hockey)
April 22 - Calder Trophy (top rookie)
April 23 - King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Humanitarian Award)
April 24 - Mark Messier Leadership Award
April 25 - Jack Adams Award (top head coach)
April 26 - Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player as voted by the players)
April 27 - Hart Trophy (most valuable player to his team)
A few winners we already know: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid captured his second career and second consecutive Art Ross Trophy as the league's scoring champion; Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkinsecured his seventh career Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy as the NHL's goal-scoring leader; and Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings won his second career William M. Jennings Trophy as the goaltender who plays at least 25 games for the club that allows the fewest goals.
In order for the Colorado Avalanche to have any sort of chance against the Nashville Predators in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Nathan MacKinnon will have to be even better than he was in the regular season.
That's no small task considering MacKinnon finished fifth in NHL scoring with 39 goals and 58 assists in 74 games, and his 1.31 point per game average trailed Connor McDavid's mark of 1.32 by the smallest of margins.
Only a fraction of that production came against the Predators, however, as Colorado dropped all four meetings against Nashville while MacKinnon was held largely in check:
Oct. 17 - Avs lost 4-1: 1 goal, 1 shot
Nov. 18 - Avs lost 5-2: 0 points, 1 shot
March 4 - Avs lost 4-3 (OT): 1 assist, 8 shots
March 16 - Avs lost 4-2: 1 goal, 6 shots
As Colorado's top offensive player, MacKinnon - along with linemates Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog - will continue to see a lot of Nashville's formidable top-four defensemen in Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, Mattias Ekholm, and Ryan Ellis, all of whom were on the ice for more shot attempts for than against this season.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
What's important to note is Ellis was present in the lineup for only two of Nashville's games against Colorado. He returned from offseason knee surgery in early January, and from that point on, the Predators went 30-8-6 - the league's top record over that span.
MacKinnon was able to fire 14 shots in the two aforementioned meetings, but a fully healthy Ellis should make things more difficult for the Avalanche star, as Predators head coach Peter Laviollette notes.
"(Ellis) brings an awful lot of stability to the back end," Laviolette said on the Predators' website. "You talk about a defenseman that can contribute in all different areas, his specialty teams both ways, he takes down 23, 24, 25 minutes, can go against another team's best players, defensively strong, offensively strong and he's an excellent leader in the room.
"I think when you add a piece like that, which brings so many dimensions to the team, your team is going to get stronger from that."
This is not what a team that clinched the West's final playoff spot wants to hear, especially from a team that won the conference last season.
But it's not as if MacKinnon didn't produce against other top teams this year:
vs. Jets: 2 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
vs. Lightning: 2 games, 2 goals, 2 assists
vs. Bruins: 2 games, three assists
vs. Wild: 4 games, 4 goals, 5 assists
That's pretty decent production against teams with serious Cup aspirations, but the Predators enter the postseason as the favorites for a reason, and it begins with the depth on defense.
MacKinnon will have to make use of his blazing speed, fire away on the power play, and take advantage of any rare miscues, but, evidently, it will be an uphill climb over the next four-to-seven games.
Over the past 12 years, only three Eastern Conference teams have won the Stanley Cup: the Carolina Hurricanes (2006), Boston Bruins (2011), and Pittsburgh Penguins (2009, 2016, 2017).
This year's crop of eight teams have varying degrees of potential, as do the matchups. Here, we rank the East's four first-round series based on entertainment value and competitiveness.
1. Penguins vs. Flyers
It would be hard to find a hockey fan who wasn't hoping for another installment of the Battle of Pennsylvania, quite possibly the NHL's hottest and most entertaining rivalry.
It's no secret that the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are far from friendly, and they finished only two points apart in the Metropolitan Division, setting up their first head-to-head playoff matchup since a wild encounter in 2012.
Thanks to the current playoff system, the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs enter this series as the fourth- and seventh-ranked teams in the NHL, respectively. But they'll meet in the first round, stirring up memories of the Bruins' epic Game 7 comeback in 2013.
This isn't the same Toronto team that allowed Boston to walk out of TD Garden that night with a miraculous win; in fact, only five of those Maple Leafs remain on the roster, namely Jake Gardiner, Nazem Kadri, Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk, and Leo Komarov. They're now surrounded by an incredibly talented young core and other veterans eager to exorcise any lingering demons from five years ago.
At the other end of the ice, the Bruins have their own unique and successful mix of veterans and youngsters, and they look as dangerous as the team that advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup Final after being taken to the brink in the first round that year.
Bruins-Leafs isn't quite at the level of Penguins-Flyers on the rivalry spectrum, but it could get pretty close by the end of this series, and it could be as fun to watch as any matchup on the board.
3. Capitals vs. Blue Jackets
The Capitals and Blue Jackets have both long sought credibility as contenders. Both teams were set aside by the Penguins last year - Columbus in the first round and Washington in the second - but have managed to avoid Pittsburgh in this spring's opening series (and perhaps, if the Flyers have anything to say about it, will dodge them completely).
At any rate, neither club wants to exit the playoffs this early. For the Capitals, anything less than a trip to the Conference Finals will be another bitter disappointment, and the Blue Jackets won't easily accept losing yet another series - they've only won three playoff games in the franchise's existence despite some recent regular-season success.
This series has "slobberknocker" written all over it.
4. Lightning vs. Devils
The disparity between Eastern Conference playoff teams is most pronounced here, as the Tampa Bay Lightning finished 16 points ahead of the New Jersey Devils.
Sure, neither team made the playoffs a year ago, but the Lightning have had serious Cup aspirations for several seasons now, while the Devils' rebuild is perhaps a bit ahead of schedule.
These aren't the old-regime Devils that earned a reputation for lacking entertainment value while collecting championships. Hart Trophy candidate Taylor Hall won't go down without a fight in his playoff debut, but the Lightning will try to strike early and often, considering the Devils but a stepping stone.
