Evan’s NHL Daily: Strange Future GM Announcement; Top Trade Targets; Generic Utah

The idea of announcing your future GM in the NHL is so bizarre to me. A lot of teams have succession plans for their front office, but they don’t go and announce them two years ahead of time. Everyone in Colorado had a feeling Chris MacFarland would eventually take over for Joe Sakic, but what’s the point in announcing it well ahead of time if things can change? On Thursday, St. Louis announced that they’ll be changing GM’s…in two years.

With the Edmonton Oilers on the brink of getting swept, the NHL offseason might start quicker than expected. You know what that means? Trades! I’m not sure how busy the Avalanche will be in the trade market, but there are some interesting names out there. One of those teams that could get involved is Utah, who released their colors and jerseys for their inaugural season. They look like something you make when you don’t have a lot of time in NHL 24.

Colorado Hockey Now

It’s not a big move, but it’s something. On Thursday, the Avalanche announced that they’re bringing Jere Innala over to North America next season.

So is this an AHL signing or an NHL one? Maybe both? I asked a scout over in Sweden for their thoughts on Innala. One thing I know is that he’s at least happy he’s not in Sweden next year (+)

News And Updates

ESPN: Alex Steen was a Team Consultant and Development Coach last year for the St. Louis Blues. I guess he must have been really good at it, because have a few title changes over the next few years. On Thursday, the Blues announced that Steen will become their GM in 2026, which would make him the first Swedish GM in the NHL. My question…what if they find out he’s not actually any good at it in the next two years? Do they reverse course?

Daily Faceoff: We know about Martin Necas and Mitch Marner. Those are guys the Avalanche won’t be after. What about a guy like Morgan Frost, though? An updated list of the top trade targets.

Utah: Hopefully their full-time jerseys after next season are better than what we’re going to get in 2024-25. Utah is officially in the NHL, and here are the jerseys they’ll wear for one season. They’re…bland.

Our 2024-25 season jerseys 🏒

Inspired by our love for Utah and our passion for hockey.#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/S7j4mfmejL

— UtahHockeyClub (@utahhockeyclub) June 13, 2024

Forever Blueshirts: Take one name of the list of players that might make sense for the Avalanche, at least for now. Another year in New York for Kaapo Kakko.

Florida Hockey Now: I didn’t expect a sweep, but I did expect Florida to win the Stanley Cup. Barring a miracle for the Edmonton Oilers, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. A few days after taking a dirty hit, Sasha Barkov was the hero.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: I imagine a lot of NHL teams are asking themselves the same thing right now…should we trade for Patrik Laine?

San Jose Hockey Now: If the last name of the new Sharks head coach sounds familiar, that’s because it is. David Warsofsky played briefly for the Avalanche years ago, and his brother Ryan Warsofsky will now be behind an NHL bench.

NYI Hockey Now: I would be very interested to see how Patrik Laine would survive playing for Patrick Roy.