Deen’s Daily: Avs Stars Receive NHL Honors; Edmonton Makes Epic Comeback; Is Jonathan Toews Coming to Colorado?

The Avalanche’s top two stars received a notable NHL honor on Thursday. The 2025 Stanley Cup Final continues to deliver as one of the best ever. Also, is a veteran center looking at Colorado as his next destination?

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — June 13.

Colorado Hockey Now

The last of the NHL Awards were announced on Thursday ahead of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. We learned after seeing the final voter tallies that Nathan MacKinnon wasn’t a finalist for the Hart Trophy because he missed out by a single point to Nikita Kucherov for third place. Leon Draisaitl was second and Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck won both the Vezina Trophy and the Hart. Hellebuyck became the first goalie in 10 years to win the MVP — the first since Carey Price did it in 2015.

I figured MacKinnon would be pretty close to the top 3 in the Hart Trophy race. I didn't think he would literally be a point back.

Also, great to see Makar present in so many ballots. Makar had 7 second-place votes pic.twitter.com/DMHvuGuzQO

— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) June 12, 2025

The Avs’ top two stars did earn a different honor. For the first time, both Cale Makar and MacKinnon were named to the NHL’s First All-Star Team in the same season. Makar was also on 31 ballots for the Hart Trophy, receiving seven second-place votes.

Yesterday I wrote my first edition of Offseason Musings, which covers literally anything and everything that comes to mind whether Avalanche-related or around the league. Among the points I made was a brief blip from Pierre LeBrun on his Rumblings piece about the Avs having interest in Jonathan Toews.

On Friday morning, Elliotte Friedman said on 32 Thoughts that Colorado is in fact in on him. Friedman also mentioned the Winnipeg Jets as another team that Toews is speaking with, before also wondering if the Tampa Bay Lightning could be an option.

I’m of the belief that the Avs should role with MacKinnon, Brock Nelson, Charlie Coyle, and Jack Drury down the middle. I don’t think they should trade Coyle. If they want to clear space for other improvements, they have Ross Colton, Miles Wood, and Samuel Girard that are more suitable trade candidates. With that being said, I’m all for bringing Toews to Colorado. As a winger.

Given that the team is already going to be without Logan O’Connor for the first month or two of the regular-season, having Toews as an extra depth piece in the bottom six could be huge. We ultimately don’t know how much he’s got left in the tank. At most, he could impress and give you around 40-50 points and play a larger role. He might even unseat Coyle or Nelson if any of them are hurt or struggle. But at worst, Toews is a veteran presence who plays a solid two-way game and could be an excellent bottom-six checking forward.

Having him and Parker Kelly as those extra wingers that could shift to center is what this team needs. I don’t remember the last time they’ve been this deep at center already. Adding Toews could only elevate that.

We’ll see where this goes and if Toews becomes the latest veteran (similar to Zach Parise) to call Denver home late in his career.

If you missed it yesterday, you can read about that and my other thoughts in the article linked below.

Read More: Offseason Musings: Rumors Galore — An Avalanche of Opportunities to Explore

Stanley Cup Final Recap

Game 3: Before Thursday night, teams who had led 3-0 after the first period in the Stanley Cup Final were 37-0. They’re now 37-1.

Edmonton gave up three goals in the first but surged to score three in the second period to even the score. After gaining the lead in the final frame, they gave up the game-tying goal with 19 seconds remaining before Draisaitl scored his fourth OT game winner of the year to even the series at 2-2 with Calvin Pickard saving the day in relief.

What an absolutely incredible Stanley Cup Final it’s been. Truly, this has been the best series I’ve watched in a long, long time. The fact that the two latest game-tying goals in Stanley Cup Final history both have happened in this series is truly special.

I’m excited for a pivotal Game 5 on Saturday and I do believe Connor McDavid will make his mark in that game.

Stanley Cup Final Series

Game 1: EDM 4-3 OT (Series: 1-0 EDM)
Game 2: FLA 5-4 OT (Series: 1-1 tied)
Game 3: FLA 6-1 (Series: 2-1 FLA)
Game 4: EDM 5-4 OT (Series: 2-2 tied)
Game 5: FLA at EDM (Saturday, June 14)
Game 6: EDM at FLA (Tuesday, June 17)
Game 7: FLA at EDM (Friday, June 20)

Around The NHL

Montreal Hockey Now: Could Toews be a fit in Montreal?

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Is Fenway Sports Group actually trying to sell the Penguins just four years after acquiring the franchise? The rumors and reports are swirling, but FSG is trying to downplay it.

Florida Hockey Now: Game 4 had a little bit of everything.

Detroit Hockey Now: Is Nic Hague also on Detroit’s radar? It would appear so.