Deen’s Daily: Avs Solve 2C Issue; Ted Lindsay Award Winner; Stanley Cup Final Begins Tonight

The Avalanche locked in their second-line center. Their two core pieces both lost out on an NHL Award. Also, the Stanley Cup Final begins tonight.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — June 4.

Colorado Hockey Now

The Avs completed a very big part of their offseason before the Stanley Cup Final began. They signed their second-line center, Brock Nelson, to a three-year contract extension.

Nelson was acquired from the New York Islanders for Calum Ritchie and a 2026 first-round draft pick in March. He was a rental pickup at the trade deadline and one that came with a huge cost. Getting him locked in makes it easier to stomach what the Avs gave up.

More importantly, he could finally be the piece that gives the team stability at a position that has seen a revolving door of unsuccessful candidates since Nazem Kadri left in August 2022.

Click below to read my thoughts on where the team goes from here. Nelson’s deal is a huge piece of business. But it’s only the beginning.

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Read More: Deen’s View: Nelson Deal Sets the Table — Now the Real Work Begins for the Avalanche (+)

Tonight’s Schedule

• Game 1: Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers (6 pm MT on TNT & tru TV)

Around The NHL

Ted Lindsay Award: The winner of the Ted Lindsay Award was announced earlier on Wednesday. The award is given to the most outstanding player in the league, as voted on by the members of the NHL Players’ Association.

Nathan MacKinnon won it in 2024 and was looking to repeat. He was one of the three finalists, along with teammate Cale Makar and Nikita Kucherov. Unfortunately for the Avs’ duo, neither of them won. Kucherov is going home with his second career Ted Lindsay Award.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins finally hired a head coach, and it was a name that wasn’t being talked about much.

Philly Hockey Now: Rasmus Ristolainen once again finds himself on NHL trade boards.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils should make a run for Jason Robertson.

NYI Hockey Now: Nelson re-signing in Colorado could help the Islanders in more ways than one.

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers are making a change for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.