Evan’s NHL Daily: McDavid Breaks Gretzky Record, Goalie Trade Talks Stall

I love hockey, and I realize that once this series ends, we enter a massive drought without NHL hockey for at least three months. That being said, I had kind of mentally prepared myself for the NHL season to end on Saturday night, allowing all of the offseason shenanigans to begin. That was not the case, though. Florida laid a stinker, the refs showed just minutes into the game how little consistency there is on a night-t0-night basis, and Connor McDavid broke a record many thought would never be broken. The season continues.

It seems like all I’m talking about these days is goaltending, and none of it has to do with the Avalanche. Jacob Markstrom to the Devils seems inevitable, one of New Jersey or Calgary has to budge first. That hasn’t happened yet.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s out there!

Colorado Hockey Now

We’re a little under two weeks away from the NHL Draft. I’m finalizing my draft list of who I think would be solid picks for the Avalanche at 24, but everyone has different opinions. Here’s a roundup of a few mock drafts with who the Avalanche might select.

Going back a few days, some didn’t like how much I think Logan O’Connor might get on his next deal. That’s fine, and I’m not really sure I’d feel comfortable giving him that much. In a perfect world, I think you want to keep it around $3 million. We’ll see if that’s possible.

McDavid Breaks Record

The NHL season is not over quite yet. The Panthers laid a stinker, and now the series will head back to Florida for at least one more game. That won’t happen until Tuesday because of travel. A big reason why the season isn’t over is the play of Connor McDavid, who broke a record Wayne Gretzky held for over 35 years.

With his 32nd assist, Connor McDavid now has set the record for most assists in one playoff run. Not bad. Even though the Oilers will likely still lose, there’s a chance McDavid gets the Conn Smythe. Bobrovsky getting lit up helped the chances of that happening greatly.

Connor McDavid just tied Wayne Gretzky for most assists in a single postseason in NHL history 🔥🍎 pic.twitter.com/E5AEVhFu00

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 16, 2024

Inconsistent Reffing

Can we also talk about the inconsistent reffing in the NHL right now? Just a few days ago, Warren Foegele got five minutes for kneeing. On Saturday night, Darnell Nurse gets a five that somehow gets lowered to a minor penalty. The two hits looked nearly identical, so how do they justify one being a major and not the other? That’s what frustrates everyone. On a night-to-night basis, the standard changes.

Darnell Nurse knee/hit on Sam Bennett. Given as a 2-minute minor …#TimeToHunt | #LetsGoOilers
pic.twitter.com/TxmwYszrrV

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) June 16, 2024

News And Rumors

New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils have made their offer. Calgary apparently doesn’t find it to be enough. What’s going to happen to Jacob Markstrom?

The Athletic: I’m a huge Yegor Surin fan, and you’ll all find that out when you see my rankings in a few days for the 24th pick. Here’s Corey Pronman’s favorite prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Sportsnet: So Kaapo Kakko got a one year deal, but he might still be on the move. A $2.4 million contract might make it a lot easier for the Rangers to trade him.

Philly Hockey Now: It seems like he’s always hurt, and guess what? Another surgery for Sean Couturier.