Evan’s NHL Daily: No Surprise Selke, Another Game Seven

I’m not quite sure what the NHL is thinking when it comes to the awards. I voted on them last month, but they seem to be announcing a few of them here and there without any real rhyme or reason. On Saturday, they announced the winner of the Selke Trophy, which goes to the best defensive forward in the NHL. It’s hardly a surprise who got the award, but announcing it on a Saturday in the middle of the playoffs is a little strange.

On the ice, the Dallas Stars still don’t know who they’ll be facing in the Conference Finals, as the Edmonton Oilers managed to force a Game Seven against the Vancouver Canucks. I’m not sure either of these teams want to really win this series, as Vancouver only mustered up a whopping 15 shots with a chance to advance.

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

Colorado Hockey Now

A look back at the final locker room report of the season for the Avalanche, with an emotional Zach Parise talking about what is likely his last NHL game.

Alexandar Georgiev certainly isn’t to blame for the loss in Game Six, as the offense for Colorado dried up at home.

On Sunday, look for a piece on how difficult this offseason could be given the uncertainty around Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin.

Selke Trophy

The only surprise on Saturday in regards to the Selke Trophy winner is the fact that I didn’t even know the NHL was announcing it.

Sasha Barkov of the Florida Panthers was named the winner of the award, and the voting was not particularly close.

Full Selke Trophy voting results. pic.twitter.com/QlTG8TgkKG

— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) May 18, 2024

Barkov won the award back in 2021, and with Patrice Bergeron enjoying retirement, might be winning a heck of a lot more of them in the near future. Barkov was my vote for the award. In fact, here’s my ballot.

1. Aleksander Barkov
2. Anze Kopitar
3. Auston Matthews
4. Adam Lowry
5. Roope Hintz

Someone out there gave Nathan MacKinnon a fifth place vote for the Selke, which is an interesting decision.

Another Game Seven

The Stars will have to wait a few days to find out who they’ll be facing in the Conference Finals. To be honest, I’m not sure it’ll matter, because they should beat either of these teams.

Vancouver mustered up a whopping 15 shots on goal in Game Six, falling to the Edmonton Oilers 5-1. Game Seven will take place on Monday night, and I’m sure all the NHL world will be tuning in.

National Hockey Now

An NHL agent claims that players should be drawn to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

There’s a good chance Jake Debrusk hits free agency, and if he did, he left it all on the ice.

Lots of people will be interested in Martin Necas if he really is available.

From a Sabres perspective, why they’re winning the Mittelstadt/Bowen Byram trade.