Evan’s NHL Daily: Babcock to Columbus, Nichushkin Eligible To Play

Did anyone around the NHL really miss Mike Babcock? I’m not so sure, but it sounds like he’s about to become employed by an NHL team again.

With the Colorado Avalanche, the league announced that Valeri Nichushkin is eligible to play next season. And apparently they know exactly what happened?

All that and more in this Sunday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

Not only has the league cleared Valeri Nichushkin to play next season, but they apparently know exactly what happened and say it was handled properly.

Our draft profiles kept rolling, as we took a look at talented right shot defenseman Lukas Dragicevic.

On Sunday, the final part of the Nikolai Kovalenko film room will be released. He like up the KHL, but can that offense translate to North America?

Around the NHL

Mike Babcock has not been employed by an NHL squad since November of 2019. Sounds like that’s about to change.

Speculation around the Memorial Cup is Mike Babcock will return to the NHL as @BlueJacketsNHL new coach and the delay in announcing coincides with his existing contract with the Maple Leafs expiring the end of this month. https://t.co/OUlxBRS8bq

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 3, 2023

After Babcock was fired, a lot came out. He apparently asked Mitch Marner to rank his teammates from hardest-working to least-hardest-working. Johan Franzen called him the worst person he’s ever met. And yet, here he is, about to get hired by another team. A confusing hire, to say the least. Columbus is not a very good team, and has a lot of young talent that needs help developing. Is Babcock the best fit for that job?

Stanley Cup Final

The Golden Knights struck the first blow, taking Game One at home by a score of 5-2.

Adin Hill made an absurd stick save in the second period.

Postgame from the Panthers perspective can be caught here.

National Hockey Now

Boston: Doesn’t sound like Dmitri Orlov plans to sign before July 1.

Philadelphia: It’s official – the Flyers and the Devils will face-off outdoors next season.

Detroit: Winnipeg is floating the idea of the Red Wings acquiring Connor Hellebuyck.

Los Angeles: Ranking the Kings best and worst contracts.