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Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon Wins 2023-24 NHL Hart Trophy; Also Won Ted Lindsay Award

Jun 28, 2024
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 17: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 17, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 17: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 17, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon has been awarded the 2023-24 Hart Memorial Trophy as the player "most valuable to his team."

The honor, as voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, was announced Thursday during the annual NHL awards.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov and Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid finished as runners up.

MacKinnon played all 82 contests for the Avalanche and recorded at least one point in an NHL-best 69 games.

He is the second Colorado player since Joe Sakic (2000-01) to score more than 50 goals in a single season.

MacKinnon finished the season with 54 goals in large part due to his speed. He skated in bursts of more than 20 miles per hour 52 times during the regular season, putting him in the 99th percentile of all skaters, according to NHL Edge.

MacKinnon began the season with a 35-game home point streak, second only to Wayne Gretzky's 1988-89 campaign with the Los Angeles Kings for the longest stretch in NHL history.

During that span, Colorado led the NHL with 28 home wins.

The Avalanche finished the regular season with a league-best 31-9-1 record at Ball Arena on their way to clinching a playoff spot for the seventh consecutive season.

MacKinnon is also the first player in NHL history to record two separate 19-game point streaks in the same regular season.

His 140 total points set a franchise record and paced winger Mikko Rantanen for the team production lead by 36 points.

The first overall pick of the 2023 NHL draft, MacKinnon has played 11 seasons for the Avalanche. His 791 regular-season games rank fifth in franchise history.

This is the first Hart Trophy of MacKinnon's career. He has finished as a finalist three times prior.

He follows Joe Sakic (2000-01) and Peter Forsberg (2002-03) as the franchise's third player to earn the honor.

Jets' Connor Hellebuyck Wins 2023-24 NHL Vezina Trophy; 2nd Time Winning Award

Jun 27, 2024
WINNIPEG, CANADA - APRIL 30: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets guards the net during first period action against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Five of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canada Life Centre on April 30, 2024 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, CANADA - APRIL 30: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets guards the net during first period action against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Five of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canada Life Centre on April 30, 2024 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is the 2024 Vezina Trophy winner.

After becoming the first Winnipeg Jets goaltender to win the Vezina in 2020, Hellebuyck was voted the winner again for the 2023-24 season, as announced June 27 at the NHL's annual awards show in Las Vegas.

The Florida Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky and Vancouver Canucks' Thatcher Demko finished as runners up for the award, which is voted on by general managers.

Hellebuyck had previously claimed the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing an NHL-low 199 goals, including shootout deciders, through 60 starts.

He finished the season with a .921 save percentage and 2.39 goals against average with shutting out opponents five times.

Hellebuyck completed the regular season with five straight wins, including a 30-save shutout of Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche on April 13.

Although the Jets ranked in the middle of the pack with 3.16 goals per game, Hellebuyck's goaltending helped his team finish second in the Central, their highest division ranking since 2019.

A fifth-round draft selection by the Jets in 2012, Hellebuyck has worked as Winnipeg's go-to starter since the 2016-17 season.

He finished as Vezina runner-up in 2018 after leading the league with 44 wins, then won the award in 2020 after recording a dominant .922 save percentage through an NHL-high 58 games played.

After nine seasons with the Jets, Hellebuyck is returning for seven more. Thanks to an extension he signed in October, the reigning Vezina winner is locked in with Winnipeg through the 2030-31 campaign.

Blackhawks' Connor Bedard Wins 2023-24 NHL Calder Memorial Trophy as Best Rookie

Jun 27, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) skates during an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings on April 18, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) skates during an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings on April 18, 2024 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard is the winner of the 2023-24 Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year.

The honor, as voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, was announced Thursday during the annual NHL awards.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber and New Jersey Devils blueliner Luke Hughes finished as runners up.

Bedard is the first Blackhawks rookie to win the honor since Artemi Panarin claimed the trophy in 2016.

Missing 14 games after undergoing surgery on a broken jaw in January didn't stop Bedard from living up to the hype surrounding his selection at the top of the 2023 draft.

It took the Blackhawks phenom just 68 games to lead all NHL rookies with 22 goals, 61 points and 47 takeaways.

He quickly established himself in Chicago as a driver of play both at even strength and on the man advantage, leading the Blackhawks with 17 power-play assists and ranking second on the team with 18 even-strength goals.

Bedard scored the first goal of his NHL career just under three months after his 18th birthday with a wraparound tally against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 11, making him one of the 25 youngest first goal-scorers in NHL history.

Two months later, Bedard became one of the only players in NHL history to score on a lacrosse-style Michigan goal during a game against the St. Louis Blues.

He became the fifth 18-year-old to record five points in a single game with one goal and four assists against the Anaheim Ducks on March 12.

Bedard's production rate would have put him on pace for 73 points during an 82-game season.

Chicago will now hope he is able to stay healthy in 2024-25 as the reigning Calder Trophy winner looks to combine with the Blackhawks' upcoming No. 2 pick to lead the team back into playoff contention.

Wild Deny Rumor North Stars Colors Will Return To Uniforms for 2025-26 NHL Season

Jun 12, 2024
MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 17: View of a Minnesota Wild logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during the Minnesota Wild versus the Montreal Canadiens game on October 17, 2023, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 17: View of a Minnesota Wild logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during the Minnesota Wild versus the Montreal Canadiens game on October 17, 2023, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Minnesota Wild have denied a report that the colors of the Minnesota North Stars would be making a comeback for the 2025-26 NHL season.

Michael Russo of The Athletic spoke to the team, who said a report from hockey branding site Icethetics that the colors would return is "not based in fact."

The North Stars played in Minnesota from 1967 to 1993 before relocating to Dallas and were rebranded as the Stars.

The Wild do have access to the North Stars logo and colors, even though the Dallas Stars were previously the North Stars before relocating to Dallas prior to the 1993-94 season.

Minnesota has used the North Stars jersey in the past. They broke it out for the alumni game prior to their Stadium Series showdown against the Chicago Blackhawks at Huntington Bank Stadium in February 2016.

Russo previously noted the Wild received permission in April 2017 to wear North Stars jerseys for warmups prior to a game against the Carolina Hurricanes to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the North Stars' inaugural season.

The Wild released a retro jersey in 2021 that was North Stars-themed with their colors, but it kept the current logo.

The Wild unveiled "The 78s" jerseys prior to the start of the 2023-24 season that celebrates the design and colors of the North Stars. They wore them for 15 games during the regular season.

"Our primary home and road jerseys are as popular as ever with our fans," John Maher, Minnesota Wild Senior Brand Advisor, said when the jersey was unveiled. "They also let us know last season that they still loved this legacy look so we decided to keep it in our mix as a new alternate jersey, with some updated 'State of Hockey' details."

Even if the Wild aren't going to make the North Stars look their primary colors, it seems like a safe bet they will keep "The 78s" in their rotation based on how much they used them this season.

The Wild wrapped up their 23rd season after debuting in 2000-01. They have made the playoffs 13 times, including an appearance in the 2003 Western Conference Finals.

Blackhawks GM Doesn't Expect to Sign Patrick Kane to Contract in 2024 NHL Free Agency

Jun 7, 2024
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 25: Patrick Kane #88 of the Detroit Red Wings reacts after scoring in overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on February 25, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 25: Patrick Kane #88 of the Detroit Red Wings reacts after scoring in overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on February 25, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)

A reunion doesn't appear to be in store for Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson spoke with reporters at the NHL Combine in Buffalo and shot down the possibility of the team bringing back Patrick Kane when he hits unrestricted free agency on July 1.

"I think we made some really tough decisions on some longstanding players," Davidson said, per Scott Powers of The Athletic. I don't foresee us going back on that."

Whether or not he returns to Chicago, Kane will forever be a legend in the city. The 2007 No. 1 pick recorded 446 goals and 779 assists in 1,161 games in a Blackhawk uniform. He won the Hart and Art Ross trophies in 2015-16, made the All-Star game four times and helped lead Chicago to three Stanley Cups.

The team dealt him away to the New York Rangers at the 2023 trade deadline, and he spent the 2023-24 season with the Detroit Red Wings. The 35-year-old still showcased strong offense output with Detroit, recording 47 points in 50 games, and will be one of the top options available on the market this offseason.

A reunion in Chicago looked intriguing. He could serve in a mentor role for 2023 No. 1 pick Connor Bedard and whoever the team selects with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. It would also give him a chance to oversee the franchise through a rebuild and possibly retire with the team that drafted him.

Davidson's statements instead appear to signal a focus on rebuilding and not bringing in a high-impact veteran, so Kane's presence would bring less value.

Other potential suitors for Kane's services could be his hometown Buffalo Sabres, as well as contenders like the Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars and the Rangers.

Joe Pavelski Plans to Retire from NHL After 18-Year Career With Stars, Sharks

Jun 4, 2024
DALLAS, TX - MAY 15: Joe Pavelski #16 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Colorado Avalanche at the American Airlines Center on May 15, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MAY 15: Joe Pavelski #16 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Colorado Avalanche at the American Airlines Center on May 15, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)

Dallas Stars veteran Joe Pavelski says Sunday's Game 6 Western Conference Finals elimination loss will mark the last game of his 18-year NHL career.

"This is it for me," Pavelski said Tuesday, per NHL.com's Taylor Baird.

Pavelski added that he has known for a long time that his "plan is to not play next season," per Baird.

Pavelski's announcement comes two days after the Stars' season ended with a 2-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

The conference finals trip capped off Pavelski's fifth year in Dallas after thirteen seasons with the San Jose Sharks.

He closes out his 18th NHL season having totaled 476 goals and 1,068 points in 1,332 regular-season games, the fifth-most among all active players.

Pavelski is an unrestricted free agent for the second straight summer after playing each of the past two seasons on one-year deals for the Stars.

Stars teammates shared emotional comments on Pavelski's impact on the team after their season-ending loss to the Oilers:

Pavelski, 39, was the second-oldest player to skate in the league this season as he appeared in every regular-season game for Dallas for the third straight year.

One of the most consistent scorers in the NHL throughout his career, Pavelski put up 27 goals for the Stars in 2023-24 to mark the 14th 20-goal campaign of his career.

He will now finish out his career as one of the most successful late-round NHL draft picks of all time. The Sharks' No. 205 selection of the 2003 draft went on to score 355 goals for the franchise, second only to Patrick Marleau for the most in San Jose history.

He served as captain for his last four seasons in San Jose, including during the Sharks' trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016.

The veteran signed with the Stars in 2019. He once again served as a key producer during a trip to the Cup Final trip in 2020, then played a role in mentoring young Dallas stars like Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson during his next few years in Dallas.

Pavelski finished his career leading all U.S.-born skaters with 74 playoff goals as one of just 25 players to ever play in 200 postseason games. He is the only one of the group to reach the milestone without winning a Stanley Cup.

He also ranks 55th among all players in NHL history with 476 regular-season goals, and is one of just 18 players to accomplish the feat with two or fewer franchises.

Stars captain Jamie Benn said he could see Pavelski taking an NHL front office or coaching role in the future, per ESPN's Ryan S. Clark. Pavelski says he plans to focus on coaching his son in youth hockey for now, according to NHL.com.

Stars Win Game 3 vs. Oilers as Jason Robertson's Hat Trick Overwhelms NHL Fans

May 28, 2024
EDMONTON, CANADA - MAY 27: Jason Robertson #21 of the Dallas Stars celebrates his first goal of the second period against the Edmonton Oilers with his teammates at the bench in Game Three of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 27, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
EDMONTON, CANADA - MAY 27: Jason Robertson #21 of the Dallas Stars celebrates his first goal of the second period against the Edmonton Oilers with his teammates at the bench in Game Three of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 27, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Dallas Stars took Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers 5-3 behind a hat trick from left-wing Jason Robertson.

The Oilers were in full control through the first period, taking an early 2-0 lead behind goals from Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid, but Dallas came storming back in the second period.

Robertson notched back-to-back goals to even things up and Wyatt Johnston gave the Stars a 3-2 lead. Edmonton managed to answer with a goal from Adam Henrique.

After a defensive battle for much of the third period, Robertson notched his third goal of the game in go-ahead fashion, giving the Stars a 4-3 lead. Dallas bolstered its lead in the final two minutes after Miro Heiskanen capitalized on the Oilers' empty net.

After the win, fans praised Robertson for his big performance that helped the Stars gain a 2-1 series lead.

Riding the high of Robertson's hat trick, the Stars will look to secure a 3-1 lead on Wednesday as they travel to Edmonton for Game 4. After losing Game 1 in double overtime, Dallas has responded with a pair of big wins and now has plenty of momentum heading into the second half of the series.

The Stars are now two wins away from their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 1999 when they beat the Buffalo Sabres to win their only Stanley Cup in franchise history. For the Oilers, they will look to bounce back from two straight losses to avoid facing a 3-1 deficit.

Jamie Benn, Stars Praised By NHL Fans for Tying WCF vs. Connor McDavid, Oilers in G2

May 26, 2024
DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 25: Jamie Benn #14 of the Dallas Stars celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal on Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in Game Two of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 25, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 25: Jamie Benn #14 of the Dallas Stars celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal on Stuart Skinner #74 of the Edmonton Oilers during the first period in Game Two of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 25, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Dallas Stars weren't going to let the Edmonton Oilers steal two games at American Airlines Center

A Mason Marchment tally early in the third period helped pave the way to a 3-1 victory for the Stars and evened the Western Conference Finals at 1-1 before the teams head to Edmonton for Games 3 and 4.

Going down 2-0 to Edmonton would have been difficult for a Stars team that has already had to climb back from a two-game deficit earlier this postseason. With that thought looming over the team, it didn't take long for captain Jamie Benn to make his presence felt.

Benn faked a pass to Logan Stankoven and delivered a blistering wrist shot that beat Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner on the first shot of the game for Dallas.

That lead would not last for long, however, as Connor Brown evened the score minutes later after picking up his own rebound.

Neither team would manage to score for the remainder of the first period and the entirety of the second. However, Marchment's tip-in goal in the third is what would be the dagger.

Esa Lindell would score an empty netter towards the end of the period, giving the game it's final score.

Edmonton outshot Dallas 29-25 and even had more power play opportunities. However, Stars goalie Jake Oettinger was consistently up to the task and helped carry his team to the win:

https://twitter.com/urlchismosa/status/1794561702630949257

The Stars will now look to steal one on the road in Edmonton, while the Oilers will hope returning to Rogers Place helps the team take a series lead.

The chance to take the series lead will come Monday at 8:30 P.M. ET.

Matt Duchene's Revenge Game Thrills NHL Fans as Stars Eliminate MacKinnon, Avalanche

May 18, 2024
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 17: Matt Duchene #95 of the Dallas Stars and teammates Esa Lindell #23, and Chris Tanev #3 celebrate Duchene's game-winning goal in double overtime against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 17, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 17: Matt Duchene #95 of the Dallas Stars and teammates Esa Lindell #23, and Chris Tanev #3 celebrate Duchene's game-winning goal in double overtime against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 17, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Dallas Stars are back in the Western Conference Finals thanks to Matt Duchene's double-overtime goal to beat the Colorado Avalanche.

Dallas captain Jamie Benn tied things up at one goal apiece in the third period and the two teams were unable to break the deadlock in the first overtime period. With 8:18 on the clock in the second OT, Duchene was in the right place at the right time to deliver a dagger into the heart of his old team.

As long as you're not an Avs fan, you couldn't have scripted it any better.

Duchene spent eight and a half seasons in Colorado and requested a trade in part because he "wanted to play playoff hockey." There was plenty of schadenfreude when the Avalanche went on to lift the Stanley Cup in 2021-22, but the 33-year-old got a level of revenge Friday night.

https://twitter.com/kflatow/status/1791711698476552590

It was also a fitting end because Mason Marchment had a winning goal waved off in overtime due to a controversial interference call on Duchene.

The Stars await either the Vancouver Canucks or Edmonton Oilers in the conference finals. Vancouver is up 3-2 in the series heading into Saturday's Game 6.

Dallas won the season series against both teams and finished with more points. The team and its fans will like its odds of returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2020.

Avalanche Win Game 5 vs. Stars to Extend Series as Cale Makar Electrifies NHL Fans

May 16, 2024
DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 15: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates a goal against the Dallas Stars with teammates on the bench during the third period in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 15, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 15: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates a goal against the Dallas Stars with teammates on the bench during the third period in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 15, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

The Colorado Avalanche were able to keep their season alive with a 5-3 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals on Wednesday night.

After both teams traded one goal each in the first and second periods, the Avs broke the game open by scoring three times in the third.

Cale Makar, who was held without a point in each of the past three games, got back on track with two goals. This was just the second multi-goal game of his postseason career. The first came in Game 2 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Makar's first goal came on a power play in the second period to tie the score at two.

After Casey Mittelstadt put the Avalanche back on top early in the third period, Makar gave them some insurance with an unassisted goal that snuck right through the legs of Stars goalie Jake Oettinger.

For helping the Avs extend the series for at least one more game, Makar was saluted by NHL fans and analysts:

https://twitter.com/JazzJargon/status/1790930970964799714

It's not a coincidence the Avs are 5-1 in these playoffs when Makar has at least one point and 0-3 when he does not. They had the best offense in the league during the regular season on the strength of Makar, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.

That trio combined for 334 points, with Makar ranking second among all defenseman in that category. His passing is one of the key driving forces behind what makes Colorado so successful.

Wednesday night saw Makar have to take matters into his own hands. It paid off great for the Avs, who also got goals MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen.

The final result is the Avalanche will have at least one more game this season. They will host the Stars in Game 6 on Friday hoping to send the series back to Dallas for a winner-take-all showdown on Sunday.

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