Deen's Daily
Deen’s Daily: Oilers Win Entertaining Game 1 in OT; Bruins Hire Head Coach; What’s the Plan For Necas in Colorado?
The Edmonton Oilers won an extremely entertaining Game 1 in OT on Wednesday. The Bruins and Penguins were the final two teams to hire a new head coach. Also, what’s the plan for Martin Necas with the Avalanche?
All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — June 5.
Colorado Hockey Now
I’m still pretty surprised and pleased to see the Avalanche take care of a big piece of business on Wednesday. They re-signed second-line center Brock Nelson to a three-year contract with a $7.5 million AAV. Nelson, Coyle, and Drury were all acquired midseason and are all going to start 2025-26 with the Avs. That in itself is a HUGE upgrade on a year ago.
I know the playoff loss was a disappointment, but it’s nice to see the Avs actually have a playoff caliber lineup already, rather than a bunch of scrap pieces filling out depth roles until the trade deadline. That was what we’ve been used to over the last two seasons.
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Read More: Deen’s View: Nelson Deal Sets the Table — Now the Real Work Begins for the Avalanche (+)
Perhaps one of the bigger questions now is the curious case of Martin Necas. I’ve written many times since the Game 7 loss that the Avs can’t possibly risk letting Necas walk as a UFA next July. When the Carolina Hurricanes tried to lock him up to a long-term deal last summer, Necas was adamant that the most he’d do was two years to walk him straight to UFA status. That’s fine. It’s his right. But if you’re the Avs, you cannot let that happen.
Necas has enough value to attract a considerable return on the trade market. But he doesn’t have the playoff pedigree (yet) to use him as an “own rental” and risk him walking in 13 months for nothing. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos had Necas on his Trade Board and said the winger “wasn’t overly thrilled” in Colorado. I’m not sure where that’s coming from, but it’s something to keep an eye on as we inch closer to the NHL Draft and July 1.
Elliotte Friedman spoke about this in his latest 32 Thoughts Podcast and confirmed that Necas wasn’t willing to sign a long-term deal last summer in Carolina. Friedman said he doesn’t know yet if that feeling has changed.
Stanley Cup Final
Game 1: EDM 4-3 OT (Oilers lead series 1-0) — What an unbelievable start to the Final this year. The Oilers got out to an early 1-0 lead but watched as the game quickly shifted in Florida’s direction. The Panthers led 3-1 at the first intermission, 3-2 at the second intermission, but the game was tied at 3-3 as regulation concluded.
In the final minute of overtime, Leon Draisaitl capitalized on the PP off a setup from Connor McDavid to give Edmonton the crucial Game 1 victory. It was one of the better Stanley Cup Final openers I’ve seen in years. It’s nice too see Draisaitl get on the board twice after failing to score in last year’s seven-game series. He was one of many Oilers who played injured last year. That’s not the case anymore, and Edmonton looks like it’s on a mission to become the first Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup in 32 years.
Game 2: Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers (6 pm MT on Friday — TNT & tru TV)
Around The NHL
Bill Masterton Trophy: Sean Monahan won the Bill Masterton Trophy, the league announced on Thursday. Gabe Landeskog was one of the three finalists for the award but was beat out by the Blue Jackets center. I’d imagine we’re going to see Landeskog up for this again next year, if I had to guess.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Two former Pens assistant coaches are following Mike Sullivan to New York. One of them, David Quinn, was a catalyst for Pittsburgh’s strong power play and someone I was curious about for the Avs. Quinn used to be an assistant coach for Colorado many years ago. He also, coincidentally, held the Rangers’ head coaching position recently.
Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins became the last team to hire a head coach. They went with a former player who has climbed the coaching ranks in recent years.
Deen’s Daily: Avs Stars Receive NHL Honors; Edmonton Makes Epic Comeback; Is Jonathan Toews Coming to Colorado?
MacKinnon, Makar Earn NHL First All-Star Team Honors
Deen’s Daily: Makar Wins Norris; Can Avs and Devils Strike a Deal?
Offseason Musings: Rumors Galore — An Avalanche of Opportunities to Explore
My Norris Trophy Vote: Cale Makar Made It an Easy Call
Is Martin Necas Unhappy in Colorado? One NHL Insider Reportedly Believes So
Why Keeping Brock Nelson is Important for Avs
Deen’s Daily: O’Connor Has Hip Surgery; Finding a Fit For Necas; DeBoer Fired!
Deen’s Daily: Oilers Win Entertaining Game 1 in OT; Bruins Hire Head Coach; What’s the Plan For Necas in Colorado?
Dan Hinote Leaves Organization For Job in Tampa Bay
Who wants to see McDavid win a cup? NOT ME. The player that MacKinnon always has to take a backseat to in every ranking/category. Let MacKinnon have a cup advantage over him atleast.
Go Panthers!
If MacKinnon wants to surpass McDavid in Stanley Cups, what’s stopping him from winning more? The battle for greatness is on! Let’s see who rises to the challenge!
You have a man crush on MacKinnon almost as much as Jeremy has for Mikko. I didn’t think that was possible. Go Edmonton!!!
Go Panthers!!
Screw McDavid, Draisaitl, & the rest of that team.
Draisaitl is the best $14M player I’ve ever seen. Absolutely dominant!
Does anyone still doubt McDavid, Draisaitl and the Oilers? Let’s go Edmonton! Time to make history!
The latest rumor:
Frank Seravalli: There are questions about the fit of Charlie Coyle in Colorado – Daily Faceoff Live
Elliotte Friedman: “Stars have a decision to make” with Pete DeBoer; less certain he’s back next year, we could know “by the weekend” – NHL Network
Deboer seems to be a good coach. But part of being a good coach (which for his faults Bednar excels at) is managing personalities & people.
Which by all accounts Deboer sucks at. Probably why the guy has coached a third of the league over the last 15 years. He has success everywhere he coaches & lasts about 3 years…maybe at each stop.
MacKinnon got into it with Coyle during one game. I have no idea what that was about. Perhaps Evan can do some investigative reporting? I like Coyle’s game so I hope he stays. He adds physicality to a team that desperately needs it.
Can deboer run the PP. If so I think avs should hire him if dallas fires him.
Also avs should sign ehlers. And trade necas to Tampa Bay.
Still no word on the Avs assistant coach vacancy.
Avs should try and fill the assistant position with DeBoer. 🤣
Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today Pete DeBoer has been relieved of his head coaching duties.
…and Dan Hinote heads to Tampa to be an asst coach.
Just saw that on my news feed. Very sorry to see him go. Was hoping he would get a shot to fill the Avs vacant position.
Wow – a full day until limited Stanley Cup coverage. What an incredible Game 1. These two teams are head and shoulders above every other team in the NHL. The physical style of play is very, very noticeable. It reminds me of the WWF with all the body slams. Something that Sakic and MacFarland still don’t understand or appreciate enough. OK – – it takes time to build a team like Florida & Edmonton with the size and grit they have. But it doesn’t seem to be a priority for the Avalanche when they make personnel decisions. Ole Baldy DeBoer… Read more »
Hear me out… Necas for Byram+
Why not make it a bigger trade and include Girard, Peterka, and whatever else is needed to make it work for both sides 🤔
Now we’re talking.. Byram+Peterka for Girard+Necas.. problem is BUF would want Necas extended (any team trading for Necas that’s not a contender would want that assurance)