Deen’s Daily: Florida Handles Game 1 in Carolina; Mitch Marner’s Future — Should Avs Make a Run For Him?

The Florida Panthers are inching closer to yet another Stanley Cup Final appearance. Meanwhile, the hockey world awaits July 1 to see what happens with Mitch Marner. Should the Avalanche make an offer for the skilled winger?

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — May 21.

Colorado Hockey Now

It always surprises me to see how quickly the offseason arrives. The Avs lost in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, but we’re already 40 days away from July 1. And before we get there, someone is going to be crowned a Stanley Cup champion and the NHL Entry Draft, which is always loaded with big trades, will come and go.

The biggest name heading to the market (most likely) is Marner. Following yet another disappointing Leafs playoff exit, Marner seems primed to test the market and move on from what’s been a bitter relationship following a dream scenario for him and other pieces of Toronto’s core.

Should the Avs make a pitch for him? I think so. I really do. I don’t think the Avs are going to make huge changes this offseason, but targeting Marner could allow them to reset some of their depth pieces. They’d have to, simply to clear up the appropriate cap space to fit him in.

Read my thoughts on why they should make an offer below.

Read More: What If Mitch Marner Found His Home — and Glory — With the Avalanche?

Stanley Cup Playoff Recap

• Game 1 — Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes: The Panthers made a statement with a big 5-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on the road in Game 1. That means the Panthers, dating back to Game 5 against Toronto, have won their last three road games while outscoring the opposition 17-3. It’s safe to say they’re completely fine with playing away from home. They are just three wins away from reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year — just like their cross-state rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning, did from 2020-2022.

Tonight’s Schedule

• Game 1: Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars (6 pm MT on ESPN & ESPN+)

Around The NHL

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Looking back at a decade of traded Penguins draft picks.

Montreal Hockey Now: Add another team to Marner watch. Should the Habs make a run for him?

Philly Hockey Now: Three players the Flyers could trade this summer. One of them is a defenseman I really felt the Avs could’ve taken a run at around the trade deadline.

Florida Hockey Now: Former Av AJ Greer is having a blast in his first year with the Panthers, which is also the first time he’s made a Stanley Cup run. Greer scored in Game 1.

Vegas Hockey Now: Reilly Smith bounced around before being reacquired by Vegas. He wants to stay.