Logan O'Connor to Miss 5-6 Months Following Hip Procedure
Source: ESPN
Colorado Avalanche forward Logan O'Connor is expected to be out for 5-6 months after undergoing hip surgery on Friday. The 28-year-old missed only two games in 2024-25, but Colorado will have to cope without him for quite some time next season, with O'Connor potentially out until December. O'Connor, who also had hip surgery last year, impressed during the playoffs with six points (two goals, four assists) in seven games. During the regular season, he had his fourth consecutive 20-point campaign. In 80 appearances, O'Connor tallied 10 goals and 11 assists. Next season will mark the start of a six-year, $15 million contract for O'Connor, who has tallied 103 points (45 goals, 58 assists) in 343 career games with the Avalanche.Tyler Seguin Nursing a Shoulder Injury
Source: Lia Assimakopoulos
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin played through a shoulder injury during the postseason, general manager Jim Nill revealed on Friday. Seguin's regular-season campaign was also disrupted by injury, as he made only 20 appearances due to hip surgery. He notched nine goals and 21 points, showing that he can still be productive as a 33-year-old. However, Seguin's form declined during the postseason, with just eight points (four goals and four assists) in 18 games. The veteran forward does not require surgery to address his shoulder issue and is expected to be fully healthy for the start of the 2025-26 season.Pete DeBoer Fired by Stars
Source: NHL.com
The Dallas Stars fired head coach Pete DeBoer on Friday. His departure follows Dallas' 4-1 loss in the Western Conference Finals against the Edmonton Oilers. DeBoer joined the Stars in 2022, guiding the team to the Western Finals in each season. He posted a 149-68-29 regular-season record with the team and had the highest points percentage in the NHL (.665). So far, nine teams have changed coaches after the regular season ended. DeBoer, who had one year left on his contract, should have no trouble securing another head coaching gig soon if he wants. With a career record of 662-447-152, DeBoer ranks fourth in wins among active coaches and has led his teams to at least the Conference Finals eight times over the last 14 seasons.Stuart Skinner Seeks Sixth Consecutive Win Friday
Source: Tony Brar
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner will hope to extend a five-game winning streak in Friday's Finals matchup against the Florida Panthers. He started the Finals with a 29-save effort in Game 1, helping the team to a 4-3 overtime victory. This was only the third time in his past eight appearances that Skinner allowed more than two goals. After a horrible start to the postseason, he has completely turned things around, going 7-4 in 11 starts. Skinner owns a 2.50 goals-against average with a .904 save percentage and has posted three shutouts. Another victory on Friday night would tie Skinner for the fifth-longest postseason winning streak in Oilers history.Sergei Bobrovsky Looks to Return to Winning Ways Friday
Source: Jameson Olive
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky will make his 19th start of the postseason in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night. The former Vezina Trophy winner kicked off the Final with a solid performance, stopping 42 shots, though he suffered a 4-3 overtime defeat in Game 1. Bobrovsky has lost two of his last three starts, which has dropped his playoff record to 12-6. He has posted a 2.17 goals-against average with a .912 save percentage. The Panthers have only lost back-to-back games once this postseason, so Bobrovsky appears well-positioned to return to winning ways on Friday.A.J. Greer Remains Out Friday
Source: Sportsnet
Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (lower body) has been ruled out for Friday's Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers. The fourth-line grinder was injured late in the Eastern Conference Finals and must wait for his chance to play against the Oilers due to a lower-body injury. Jesper Boqvist is expected to continue filling in for Greer. The Swedish forward experienced some success in a top-line role earlier in the postseason but was quiet on the fourth line in Game 1 against Edmonton. He logged 7:58 of ice time, finishing with one hit.Nate Schmidt Logs Pair of Helpers Wednesday
Source: ESPN
Florida Panthers defenseman Nate Schmidt helped out on the offensive end with two assists in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The 33-year-old ended a seven-game point drought by assisting Brad Marchand on a power-play goal and Sam Bennett during an even-strength situation. Schmidt's recent efforts on the attacking end have not been good, but he is on the verge of becoming the 11th Panther this postseason with double-digit points. Through 18 appearances, Schmidt has registered nine points (three goals, six assists), along with 19 shots, 15 blocks, and 28 hits.Carter Verhaeghe Registers Two Assists In Game 1 Loss Against Oilers
Source: ESPN
Florida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe recorded two assists in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Florida's second line spearheaded the team's offense on the night, with Verhaeghe picking up both of his assists on goals by Sam Bennett. The 29-year-old logged his fifth multi-point game of the postseason. Although Verhaeghe has been inconsistent in his offensive production, his haul of 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 18 games makes him Florida's fourth-highest scorer. In last year's Finals against the Oilers, Verhaeghe tallied only four points and must be eager to improve his output this time around.Sam Bennett Establishes New Franchise Record with 12 Postseason Goals
Source: ESPN
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett lit the lamp twice on five shots in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Finals opener. His two strikes put the Panthers up 3-1 before the Oilers made a comeback and seized the victory, marking a disappointing end to a special night for Bennett. The 28-year-old set a new franchise record with 12 goals in a single postseason. Remarkably, Bennett has tallied 11 of his goals in road games, which is a league record that he now shares with Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets. He has a chance to make it his own in Friday's Game 2. Bennett has also added six assists to his goals in the playoffs, putting him on a point-per-game pace through 18 appearances.Kasperi Kapanen Stays Productive in Finals Opener
Source: ESPN
Edmonton Oilers right wing Kasperi Kapanen contributed two assists in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers. He picked up the helpers on goals from Leon Draisaitl and Mattias Ekholm, giving Kapanen a three-game point streak. The 28-year-old started the postseason as a healthy scratch but has emerged as an important player for the Oilers, boasting five points (three goals, two assists) in eight playoff appearances. The Finnish winger has settled into a second-line role next to Draisaitl, placing him in an excellent position to make an offensive impact.Connor McDavid Records Two Assists in Wednesday's Win
Source: ESPN
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid registered two assists as the team opened the Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers with a 4-3 overtime win. The Oilers captain made big plays in key moments. First, he helped Mattias Ekholm tie the game in the third period, and McDavid then picked up another assist on Leon Draisaitl's game-winning power-play goal in overtime. It was McDavid's 32nd career multi-assist game in the playoffs, tying him for the third most all-time. With both McDavid and Draisaitl in hot form, the Oilers will fancy their chances in the series. McDavid has logged multiple points in four consecutive games and has been held off the score sheet only once in his last 15 appearances. He leads the league this postseason with 28 points (six goals, 22 assists) in 17 appearances.Leon Draisaitl Scores Twice in Game 1 Win Against Panthers
Source: ESPN
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl kicked off the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals with a two-goal performance in a 4-3 overtime win against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night. The German superstar started and finished the scoring in the contest, netting the game-winning goal on the power play with 19:29 played in overtime. Draisaitl's third overtime goal this postseason ties him for the all-time record in a single playoff campaign. The Oilers had a difficult time in front of their fans, going 3-1 behind, but their high-octane offense, led by Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, once again saved the day for the team. Draisaitl is now riding a seven-game point streak, which includes three consecutive multi-point efforts. In total, he has tallied 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) in 17 playoff appearances this year.Nikita Kucherov Takes Home Second Ted Lindsay Award
Source: ESPN
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov has won the Ted Lindsay Award for the second time in his career. It's an award handed out annually to the NHL's most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by the members of the NHL Players' Association. Kucherov was the league's top scorer for a second consecutive year in 2024-25, recording 121 points (37 goals, 84 assists) in 78 appearances. This marks Kucherov's third consecutive season with at least 100 points, as the 31-year-old continues to make scoring seem effortless. Next season, Kucherov will strive to join a select group of 15 players in NHL history who have recorded at least four consecutive seasons with 100 or more points.Derek Forbort Sticking with Canucks for One More Year
Source: TSN
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Derek Forbort (orbital) has signed a one-year, $2 million extension with the team. The 33-year-old, who missed the last couple of games of the season due to an orbital bone fracture, has received a slight raise from a one-year, $1.5 million contract he signed with the Canucks as a free agent last offseason. Forbort was limited to 54 appearances during his first year in Vancouver, recording 11 points (two goals, nine assists), 39 shots, 77 blocks, 65 hits, and a minus-seven rating. Throughout his 10-year NHL career, Forbort hasn't exceeded 18 points in a season and should remain a free agent in fantasy leagues.Noah Cates Lands Four-Year, $16 Million Extension
Source: ESPN
Philadelphia Flyers forward Noah Cates has inked a four-year, $16 million extension with the team. The Flyers locked up the 26-year-old four weeks before Cates was eligible to become a restricted free agent. As a two-way talent, Cates received votes for the Selke Trophy a couple of years back, and he had a solid bounce-back campaign in 2024-25. After finishing the previous season with only 18 points (six goals, 12 assists), Cates amassed 37 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 78 appearances. In total, the former fifth-round pick has posted 40 goals and 102 points in 235 games with the team. Fantasy managers have not seen a lot of production from Cates, but the Flyers clearly view him as an important part of their future.