Congratulations to the Carolina Hurricanes, the 2026 Stanley Cup Champions. These aren’t your dad’s Canes or even yours. They played an exciting brand of hockey and didn’t fold in the Conference Finals. No more regular season Rod jokes for their chiseled head coach Rod Brind ‘Amour.
Canes Captain Jordan Staal earned the Conn Smythe for his leadership, defense and clutch goals. Staal fought Brady Tkachuk at the start of the playoffs, owned the faceoff circle and scored six goals in the Final. When your name is on television graphics with immortals Gretzky, Lemieux, Bossy and Richard you’re doing something beyond.
I thought Brandon Bussi was going to start the playoffs. He didn’t. Frederick Andersen did and played great until he turned into the Freddie we know. Bussi was exceptional in Games 5 and 6 of the Final although he only had to be better than mediocre to beat Carter Hart.
Right now, it appears Carolina won the forward merry go round with Logan Stankoven. Younger and cheaper than Mikko Rantanen and Martin Necas.
Taylor Hall’s rebirth is another feel good story coming out of Carolina. Former number one overall pick and league MVP was a healthy scratch in Chicago last season.
After a shaky Game 1 Jacob Slavin showed he’s the best defensive defenseman in the NHL. Jalen Chatfield has become a top pair defenseman. K’Andre Miller has become the player the Ranger thought he could be.
Nicholaj Ehlers was the perfect Carolina free agent signing. Not a superstar but a guy that buys into the system.
John Tortorella’s goal challenge in Game 2 was a fatal mistake. I think if he coaches all year he doesn’t make that mistake. Tortorella’s lineup moves could also be second guessed.
If Mitch Marner was Connor McDavid he would have won the Conn Smythe.
Vegas was not the same team after Wild Bill Karlsson left the series with an injury.
Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon was very shrewd in hiring Tortorella for the end of the season only. The players revolted against Bruce Cassidy and their season looked doomed. It would not be a good situation to bring in your AHL coach Ryan Craig into. Now Craig gets to start next season fresh.
Vegas not letting Bruce Cassidy interview for other coaching jobs is bush league.
The Dallas Stars missed Roope Hintz versus the Minnesota Wild.
I’d like to say the Colorado Avalanche missed the Val Nichuskin against Vegas but the Avalanche missed everyone. No one showed up.
Nathan MacKinnon is not having a good summer.
The winner of the Central Division was worn out. The Wild punished Colorado even though they lost.
The game within the game of Cale Makar vs Quinn Hughes was incredible theater.
Buffalo in the playoffs makes the playoffs better.
Pasta is amazing but he needs help in Boston.
Charlie McAvoy channeled Dale Hunter and Big Papi.
Josh Anderson is Tom Wilson with a safety valve.
The best player to no-show the playoffs was Tampa’s Braydon Point.
Now it seems like Chicago didn’t get enough for Brandon Hagel.
Anaheim’s Jackson LaCombe still can’t believe he passed the puck to Troy Terry instead of shooting it into an empty net. Leo Carlson’s pass was so sublime LaCombe couldn’t believe the puck was on his stick.
I wish Macklin Celebrini was in the playoffs.
Connor Bedard didn’t go to the World Championships. Again.
Jim Hiller did a terrible job with the Kings. How did he get hired by the Maple Leafs?
The Pittsburgh Penguins had a remarkable season. In September they were a lottery team. By April they were a playoff team. Only to have the season end on a better note losing to their blood rival the Philadelphia Flyers.
Good news for Pittsburgh Evgeni Malkin is returning next season. The bad news is so is Kris Letang.
Photo Credit: Bill.Kober@prohockeynews.com
