Tuesday’s Dump & Chase: Expansive Victories

First-year Firebirds win Western Conference crown

The American Hockey League>> Patrick Williams archive

The Milwaukee Admirals were eliminated last night in Game 6, while the Coachella Valley Firebirds are headed to the Calder Cup Final.

‘It hurts to win’: Jack Eichel responds strong after massive Matthew Tkachuk hit

Jack Eichel responded to the monster collision by impacting the scoreboard. Matthew Tkachuk responded by taking two 10-minute misconducts, and the gulf between the sides’ best players is widening by the minute.

Sportsnet| June 6, 2023, 2:29 AM

The Vegas Golden Knights, meanwhile, have gone up 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final.

Panthers affirm ‘utmost confidence’ in Bobrovsky

Though Florida coach Paul Maurice didn’t confirm Sergei Bobrovsky would be back in goal for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers — following their 7-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights Monday — vowed to be better in front of their goaltender.

ESPNRyan S. Clark

Human weakness from Sergei Bobrovsky is the exact opposite of what the Panthers need right now.

Panthers’ toughness becomes weakness as Golden Knights capitalize on undisciplined play

For all the overt and cosmetic displays of “toughness” by the Panthers, who revel in their reputation as shift-disturbers, it’s the steady, unbending Knights who appear through two lopsided wins to have the nerve and fortitude that reflect genuine toughness.

Sportsnet| June 6, 2023, 2:41 AM

Well, human weakness from Bobrovsky and Matthew Tkachuk…Tkachuking.

Confident Tkachuk stands by Panthers’ physicality

Despite the Panthers trailing 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final, Matthew Tkachuk hasn’t lost his confidence and hopes the Golden Knights are thinking about being “halfway there” as they travel to Florida for Games 3 and 4.

ESPNEmily Kaplan

Seriously, I don’t want the Golden Knights to win, which I guess means I’m cheering for the Panthers, but this interview is…really making me reconsider whether it would really be that bad for a team to win the Stanley Cup in its sixth year in the league. Might be fine, actually!

Cronin hired as coach of Ducks, replaces Eakins

Greg Cronin was hired as coach of the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.

NHL.com

Meanwhile, changes are occurring around the league.

Caufield agrees to 8-year, $62.8 million contract with Canadiens

Cole Caufield agreed to an eight-year, $62.8 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. It has an average annual value of $7.85 million.

NHL.com

The extension must be a relief to Caufield, who hasn’t played since a season-ending injury.

Bedard: Try to look at outside noise ‘as a positive’

“If they decide to take me, that would be unbelievable,” 17-year-old hockey phenom Connor Bedard said of the possibility of going No. 1 overall to the Blackhawks. “But we’ll see what happens.”

ESPNEmily Kaplan

Honestly, I’m still hoping that whoever the Blackhawks pick pulls a Lindros, and that Bedard’s enthusiasm is just for the concept of being taken first overall.

Dean Smith wins Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award in Canada

Dean Smith of Halifax, Nova Scotia, is the recipient of the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award presented by Hyundai, given to an individual who – through the sport of hockey – has positively impacted their community, culture or society in Canada.

NHL.com

I feel like announcing the Canadian award now and waiting until the draft to announce the American award is a little odd.