Hockey talk, thoughts, and opinions.

This is going to be based on a mix of who I want to see win and who I believe will win each series. And finally, who I believe is winning the Stanley Cup.  Eastern Conference: Buffalo Sabres-Boston Bruins: Preference: Buffalo Sabres - Just the story of them going far is a great story.  Winner: Boston Bruins in Six - They have more experience and I think the Sabres choke with their lack of experience.  Tampa Bay Lightning-Montreal Canadiens: Preference: Montreal Canadiens Winner: Montreal Canadiens in Seven - They'll have an edge to be hungrier and will be more aggressive. Also, their offense and defense is a lot better than Tampa's overall. But if Tampa does beat them, Vasilevskiy will be the story as to them winning.  Carolina Hurricanes-Ottawa Senators: Preference: Carolina Hurricanes - I find this team has way more heart and aggressiveness to be more competitive.  Winner: Ottawa Senators in Six - Carolina has been hit with injuries and also Ottawa has the edg...

First, congrats to Nathan MacKinnon on his first ever Rocket Richard. Connor McDavid winning his sixth Art Ross. And finally Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood on winning the Jennings Trophy.  Now, for the ones that haven't been awarded yet these are the players I would give them to. Hart Memorial Trophy - Macklin Celebrini - I know the Sharks didn't have the best season, but if Celebrini wasn't on the Sharks they would easily be in the basement below Vancouver. But if it's not going to Celebrini it'll either go to McDavid or Kucherov which in my opinion you can't go wrong with either of those two. Because they may not give it to Celebrini for the sake of the Sharks not making the playoffs. But if not Celebrini, I give it to McDavid because he helped with Matt Savoie's production.  Vezina Trophy - Andrei Vasilevskiy - He had an underrated season even for leading the league in wins. Some may argue about how good the defense is for the Lightning, but he h...

I think this team is headed in the right direction with Michkov, Zegras, Konecny, and now Porter Martone. What I see in this team is a contender for many years to come and potentially the best team in the East. I think what's so special about this team is they're loaded on all the positions with greatness coming up the pipeline.  What I think they need to do is add an experienced starting goaltender, and I think who they should consider going after is Jordan Binnington given he's the best goalie available right now, and I think he will be the guy to change Philadelphia long-term. He plays their style of game and is a goalie you can rely on, and that's what Philadelphia could really use.  The player who will change the franchise forever will be Porter Martone as he was born to be a Philadelphia Flyer. 

I want to start this article out with what Utah did, and hats off to Ryan Smith for doing everything he can for the fans. But this idea adds a lot to the fan experience, and brought a relic from Utah sports history back to life while increasing the fan experience by making it so fans can ride it during the games. Not one, but far more than that.  I think this could start a trend for fan experience for various teams. Some might not because it may not work. Teams I'll leave out are the ones that wouldn't work as well such as the Toronto Maple Leafs or Ottawa Senators. Anaheim Ducks could have it shaped like a Duck or something Mighty Ducks themed. Boston could totally use a Bear. Buffalo could totally use a Buffalo. Calgary could make something out of flames and I think one thing that would be a unique touch would be making it the fastest Zamboni in the league. Carolina has to make a race car-themed Zamboni that could like Calgary be one of the fastest in the league; maybe one fa...

After Tortorella took over the Golden Knights, the Islanders decided to fire Patrick Roy and replace him with Peter DeBoer who has been all over the league starting with Florida, then New Jersey, San Jose, Vegas, Dallas, and now the Islanders. He fits their style, but I'm personally not a fan of Peter DeBoer given how he throws goalies under the bus although he does have a terrific offensive system.  But not just Brad Treliving, also Tom Fitzgerald got fired today as well. This is getting a little out of hand and I find it's a new strategy for teams to throw other teams off guard for the playoffs, but what I don't like about it is it can throw a team off.  Why I think a deadline would be in order is because this shouldn't be happening like this! I would propose a week before the trade deadline because it gives a potential coach/manager get the players they want to shake up the team. It also gives a unique twist for the media and would be interesting to see how many team...

I think rumours aside I do speculate on this because the Toronto Maple Leafs are in a downward spiral. But from where the Leafs are now they pretty much should hold onto Tavares, Nylander and Rielly for guidance in the future of that team. I see them being cornerstones of that franchise if Matthews were to leave. If Matthews is gone, Tavares could be captain again and I think he was more passionate about wearing it for them. As for the rest of the Toronto Maple Leaf players, I think they should trade just about all of the players possible.  As for Auston Matthews, I think his time in Toronto is coming to an end on his behalf and I feel a change of scenery as well as being on a new team would work well for him. Rumours have swirled around him waiving to Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose or Utah. I know he'd for sure go to Arizona if they had a team, but I think if he's going anywhere it's the Vegas Golden Knights.  I'm sure whoever is reading this is thinking, 'How? The...