Hockey talk, thoughts, and opinions.

 This is the biggest news given it's almost April and the Golden Knights have fired their coach who led them to their first ever Stanley Cup just as the season came to an end. And not just that, they pick Tortorella who is one of the most controversial coaches present day. But I love this move for Vegas, but I don't think this is on Bruce Cassidy. I think this is on the management as they seem to always find something cool and shiny, and ditch whatever they can do in order to get that nice shiny thing.  It doesn't always work. Now, it's not Marner's fault as some will be pointing the finger at him. But they need to appreciate their roster for what it is. I think this hiring of Tortorella will go in all sorts of ways, such as views of the players, management, media, and fans, which Tortorella can make happen in a lot of ways. I think he's going to have the team go in the direction he wants them to head. I think there will be a major shake-up for the Golden Knight...

I find quite interesting is how the best female hockey players come from places where it's not common for most NHLers -- or any at all -- to originate from. And she comes from Salem, New Hampshire, which has you question what got her into hockey? But she either grew up a Manchester Monarchs or a Boston Bruins fan -- or both.  Laila Edwards is from Cleveland and you'd think she grew up cheering for the Lake Erie/Cleveland Monsters along with the Columbus Blue Jackets. And these two ladies along with Lacey Eden and Kirsten Simms are ripping it up with the Badgers. And I think all of them will be taken high at the PWHL Draft. Edwards did make the USA Women's Olympic Team, but Eden didn't but what is fascinating is how Edwards finished third in scoring. Caroline Harvey tied the Women's Olympic scoring with teammate Megan Keller at nine points but led the entire tournament with seven assists and is favoured to go first overall. She is my personal favourite to be the firs...

I really do hope he stays in Edmonton, but I think not only he's the most deserving in the NHL to win a cup and I know he would like to stay with the Oilers, but I think this team would be the best fit for him long-term. Now, I'm not writing this because he praised Jon Cooper. I am writing this because I don't think the Oilers are winning the cup anytime soon due to how they're so poorly ran. I actually had this very thought as to where McDavid ends up if the Oilers continue to fail, because he's totally not to blame. I mean, he won the Conn Smythe in 2024 for crying out loud he and Leon brought them to game seven.  So, the other two teams I see McDavid going to if not Edmonton are either the New York Rangers or Toronto Maple Leafs. Now, I think if he gets traded to Tampa Bay he is likely to win the cup and I think it makes the most sense out of all the teams in the NHL. I see him being an excellent fit there but the other thing too is what would it take to get him ...

 The QMJHL has a big footprint in Canada when it comes to junior hockey. So much that there are many options that could be explored as some have come and gone; back and forth -- Most notably Sherbrooke. But I won't go as far as Boston because I believe it's too far and more teams should be added before they're in consideration.  HM: Bathurst, New Brunswick - Years after winning the Memorial Cup led by Noah Dobson, the franchise has recently relocated to the Atlantic to become the Newfoundland Regiment after their ECHL team the Newfoundland Growlers (my favourite ECHL team) had folded. But I think there's no rush for a team to be in Bathurst just yet.  5. Concord, New Hampshire - Considering Manchester has an ECHL team I think Concord would be a lot more ideal because the population could totally maintain a QMJHL team. Also, it is the capital of New Hampshire 4. Lewiston, Maine - Lewiston once had a QMJHL team and had suddenly folded, but they managed to support the team...

Previously if you played one season in the NCAA, you could play in the AHL. Now, if you played in the CHL previously you weren't allowed to play for an AHL club unless you played a full NHL season, similar to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the 2012-13 lockout. But this raised a big question for players too good to play in the CHL but not good enough to play in the NHL. This was a similar case to Leon Draisaitl in 2014-15, who wasn't ready but could've easily played in the AHL.  Now, one big example was in the 2015-16 season Auston Matthews played for the ZSC Lions when it was expected he play in the NCAA. Had he been eligible because it was a late birthday, just like Taylor Hall, Leon Draisaitl, Victor Hedman, John Tavares, to name a few, all could've played in Europe and made money. Some hung in the CHL, but a guy like Victor Hedman is in the SHL when he wasn't even drafted yet.  All that to say, I'm not saying all of these nineteen year olds should play in the AHL, bu...

 We have many losers, and winners. Some thought players like Elias Pettersson, Jordan Binnington, Robert Thomas, Vincent Trochek and Colton Parayko would be traded.  Now, Parayko was reportedly almost a Buffalo Sabre but as per Pat Maroon he claims Parayko loves the Blues too much and wanted to stay there. I felt that this trade deadline was one of the more boring ones in recent memory.  My top five winners and losers. 1. Calgary Flames - In a rebuild mode sure, but after trading Mackenzie Weegar for Olli Maatta, Jonathan Castanga, two seconds, and trading Ryan Strome for a 7th round pick and acquiring another prospect in Brennan Othmann  2. St. Louis Blues - Missing the playoffs, but trading away Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk to teams looking at contending and stocking up draft picks in what looks to be a rebuild. Also getting solid pieces with the draft picks, I think the Blues have got some good things coming towards them. I mean, I think Robert Thomas and Colto...