Aarif Deen
What went wrong for the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final? Are the Colorado Eagles also in trouble in their WCF? Also, the Carolina Hurricanes have a goaltending decision to make ahead of Game 4 on Tuesday.
All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — June 9.
Colorado Hockey Now
I’ve got two more Mailbags to share from Monday that had some pretty solid questions. The first one pertains to Cale Makar’s relationship with Jared Bednar and Dave Hakstol’s role with the club.
The second one covers Chris MacFarland’s job as a whole and what Joe Sakic needs to change (if anything) to right the ship in 2026-27.
What a bummer of an ending to the Colorado Eagles’ season. The Eagles led the Western Conference Final against the Chicago Wolves 3-2 with both Games 6-7 scheduled to be played in Loveland. On Sunday, they led 2-0 in Game 6 and blew it, falling 3-2 in regulation to force Game 7, where they again lost by one goal to miss out on an opportunity to play for the Calder Cup.
Stanley Cup Final Recap
- Game 1: Vegas Golden Knights 5 at Carolina Hurricanes 4 (VGK leads 1-0)
- Game 2: Vegas Golden Knights 3 at Carolina Hurricanes 4 OT (Series tied 1-1)
- Game 3: Carolina Hurricanes 4 at Vegas Golden Knights 5 OT (VGK leads 2-1)
- Game 4: Carolina Hurricanes at Vegas Golden Knights (June 9 at 6 pm MT)
- Game 5: Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes (June 11 at 6 pm MT)
- Game 6: Carolina Hurricanes at Vegas Golden Knights (June 14 at 6 pm MT if necessary)
- Game 7: Vegas Golden Knights at Carolina Hurricanes (June 17 at 6 pm MT if necessary)
READ MORE: Craziest Game in Stanley Cup History: Hurricanes Lose in Double OT, but Not From Lack of Effort
Around The NHL
Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers’ interest in Mike Babcock is very much a thing. Here’s an update from very late Monday night from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on the matter. It sure sounds like the Oilers want to make this happen, with league approval.
Montreal Hockey Now: Assessing the pros and cons of a potential Dylan Larkin trade to the Montreal Canadiens.
New Jersey Hockey Now: This unconventional decision could speed up the Devils’ return to contention.
Detroit Hockey Now: Detroit’s new PWHL team made two big signings on Monday. They added Jesse Compher, the sister of J.T. Compher, who we all know is a member of the Detroit Red Wings now. They followed that up with a whopper of a move to bring in Hilary Knight.
Boston Hockey Now: The Boston Bruins’ options for a new No. 1 center is starting to shrink. Is there any world where a Dylan Larkin trade makes sense? Larkin reportedly submitted a list of three teams to the Red Wings for his preferred destinations. It’s Vegas, Minnesota, and Florida — all of which have multiple Team USA Olympic gold medalists on their roster.
Florida Hockey Now: Do the Panthers have the pieces to get Larkin and pay extra to pry him from a division rival?
Forever Blueshirts: Just like he did in New York, Peter Laviolette will coach Artemi Panarin once again in Los Angeles.