Well, we’re finally here: the last series of the 2024-25 NHL season. Ok, we’re not actually here, since for some reason it won’t start until Wednesday, even though both of the conference finals wrapped up last week. WHATEVER. What we have is a rematch of last year’s final, but this time the Edmonton Oilers will have home ice advantage over the defending champion Florida Panthers. Will that be enough to push Connor McDavid and Co. over the top?
Game 1: Panthers at Oilers, Wednesday, June 4, 8 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max
Game 2: Panthers at Oilers, Friday, June 6, 8 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max
Game 3: Oilers at Panthers, Monday, June 9, 8 p.m. ET; TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 4: Oilers at Panthers, Thursday, June 12, 8 p.m. ET; TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 5: Panthers at Oilers, Saturday, June 14, 8 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max *
Game 6: Oilers at Panthers, Tuesday, June 17, 8 p.m. ET; TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS *
Game 7: Panthers at Oilers, Friday, June 20, 8 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max *
* If necessary
There are no former Jackets on the Oilers, whereas the Panthers have goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and trade deadline pickup Seth Jones. Plus, of course, general manager Bill Zito, who has done tremendous work overhauling the roster since taking the job in 2020, with three straight conference championships to show for it.
In our bracket challenge, this thing is all but wrapped up. Haemmer and Insomnyuk are tied for the lead, but Haemmer has the Panthers as his championship pick. Of the 28 entries, only they and Bowtie_Stats picked Florida. No one picked Edmonton, surprisingly. So, congrats to Haemmer for winning this regardless, it’s just a question of sharing it with Insomnyuk or not. As for my own pick of Carolina over Colorado:
Moving on to other topics:
Play Freebird
Last weekend, Team USA won gold at the IIHF World Championships. Somehow, this was the first win for the Americans in this event since 1933. Columbus was well-represented on the blue line with former Jacket Andrew Peeke and former Buckeye Mason Lohrei each recording three points. Zach Werenski had one goal and five assists, and made sure another CBJ and USA legend was remembered in the celebration:
Dean Evason, Steve McCarthy, Adam Fantilli, and Kent Johnson didn’t fare as well, with Canada getting upset in the quarterfinals by co-host Denmark. Fantilli was kept off the score-sheet by Johnson had two goals and an assist.
Gaudreau Family 5K
Speaking of Johnny Gaudreau, Saturday saw the running of the inaugural Gaudreau Family 5K in Sewell, New Jersey. CBJ players Erik Gudbranson and Zach Aston-Reese participated, as did fellow NHLers including Brady Tkachuk. I highly recommend reading this Athletic article about the event.
As BurkusCircus is eager to point out, ZAR is a former graphic design major, and the article says he designed the logo for the event:
The Florida Panthers took a break from preparing for the Final to do their own version of the 5K, led by Johnny’s former Calgary teammates Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett.
Did anyone here participate from here in Columbus or elsewhere?
Lindstrom hits the ice
2024 first round pick Cayden Lindstrom was finally able to return to live hockey action during the WHL finals, rejoining the Medicine Hat Tigers and recording 2/2/4 in four games. The Tigers lost the Memorial Cup Final to the London Knights, and Lindstrom was scoreless in three games in that event. He was, unfortunately, also sidelined again in the playoffs with a leg injury. Nevertheless, it is good he was able to pay in some games this season after all, even as he spent much of that time recovering and rehabbing in Columbus. He is reported to be playing at Michigan State next season, though that has yet to be officially announced.
New home for Jarmo
The Buffalo Sabres added Jarmo Kekalainen as a “senior advisor.”
Let me be the first to congratulate Jarmo for taking over as GM when Kevyn Adams gets fired.
It’s been quiet…too quiet
Meanwhile, there has been little activity heard from the offices at Nationwide Arena. We expected this to be an active off-season for Don Waddell and his staff, but no moves have been made yet. I wonder if everyone is waiting until after the Final to start making moves and announcements. Will a player like Dante Fabbro or Ivan Provorov get signed before July 1? What about RFAs like Dmitri Voronkov?
Meanwhile:
We may have more on this as we get closer to free agency, but I’m in favor of this. Marner’s playoff failures are well-documented but he’s elite on both ends of the ice and at the very least can help this team get TO the playoffs.