Deen’s Daily: What To Do With Drouin; Dallas on Verge of Third Straight WCF; Ken Holland to LA?

What should the Avalanche do with pending unrestricted free agent Jonathan Drouin? Mikael Granlund had a hat trick to put Winnipeg on the brink of elimination. Also, the Kings have found their new general manager.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — May 14.

Colorado Hockey Now

Drouin is entering his third consecutive season as a pending unrestricted free agent. The Avs gave him a one-year extension last year after taking a chance on him in 2023. With Gabe Landeskog back in the fold seemingly full-time, should the Avs still bring back Drouin? My thoughts are in the story below.

Read More: Leave or Stay: Jonathan Drouin Enters Third Straight Year as UFA

Stanley Cup Playoff Recap

Game 4 — Winnipeg Jets at Dallas Stars: The Jets still can’t win on the road, and it’s hurting them in the second round more than it did in Round 1. Following Granlund’s hat trick, the Stars are up 3-1 and on the verge of reaching the Western Conference Final for the third consecutive season.

Tonight’s Schedule

• Game 5: Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs (5 pm MT on ESPN)
• Gabe 5: Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights (7:30 pm MT on ESPN)

Around The NHL

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: What a perfect offseason would look like for the Penguins.

New Jersey Hockey Now: How the Devils can create cap space to be aggressive with offer sheets.

Philly Hockey Now: Rick Tocchet is again linked to the Flyers in their coaching search.

Detroit Hockey Now: Former longtime Red Wings GM Ken Holland is expected to be announced as the next GM of the LA Kings on Wednesday.

Also, this is a fun story from the World Championships. Simon Edvinsson, who is playing for Sweden, has apparently become good friends with Peter Forsberg.

Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins are among the teams Tocchet is considering, even if they’re not the current frontrunner.

Florida Hockey Now: Doug Cifu, one of the minority owners of the Panthers, was suspended for a disgusting, immature set of posts towards a Maple Leafs fan on X/Twitter. I have zero time for people like this in positions of power. I hope he’s forced to sell his stake.