Connor McDavid, Carson Soucy Fight on Video Has NHL Fans Calling for Suspensions
May 13, 2024
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - MAY 12: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers gets crosschecked in the neck and back by Carson Soucy #7 and Nikita Zadorov #91 of the Vancouver Canucks during the third period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 12, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Paul Swanson/NHLI via Getty Images)
The NHL faced calls to suspend Vancouver Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy for his cross-check to the face of Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid.
Moments after the final horn sounded in the Canucks' 4-3 win, McDavid and Soucy got into it behind the net. McDavid slashed Soucy on the right leg, which prompted Vancouver defenseman Nikita Zadorov to cross-check him in the back. As he was falling, the Oilers forward caught Soucy's stick to the face.
The referees penalized Soucy for cross-checking — he was the only player to receive a penalty from the incident — but that was not the only discipline he received. He was ultimately suspended by the league for Game 4.
That ruling comes after plenty of fans on social media lobbied for him to miss Game 4 on Tuesday at a minimum.
Watching this a ton, none of it looks good. Starts with the 2-hand slash from McDavid & then cross checks from Soucy/Z. I’m sure this will get looked at by the league. My opinion? Soucy intends to cross check him in the chest, but the Zadorov cross-check knocks 97 down & Soucy… https://t.co/RlRDf0wSd5
Soucy may argue he didn't intend to cross-check McDavid in the face. He was moving his stick almost instantaneously as Zadorov shoved the three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner. McDavid's slash on Soucy's leg shouldn't go unmentioned, either, in terms of initially escalating things.
Zadorov was fined $5,000, which is the maximum amount allowed under the CBA.
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl's Dominance Stuns NHL Fans as Oilers Top Canucks in OT
May 11, 2024
VANCOUVER, CANADA - MAY 10: Evan Bouchard #2 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates his game winning goal during overtime in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on May 10, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
The trio of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard came up huge for the Edmonton Oilers in their 4-3 overtime victory over the Vancouver Canucks in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals to even the series at one game apiece.
Bouchard scored the game-winning goal on an assist from McDavid and Draisaitl less than six minutes into the overtime period.
McDavid and Draisaitl have been unstoppable so far in these playoffs. They scored or assisted on all four goals for the Oilers on Friday night. McDavid's breakaway goal in the third period tied the game at three.
It's getting hard to find enough superlatives to describe what McDavid and Draisaitl have done throughout their playoff careers, but fans and analysts did their best after a heroic effort in Game 2.
McDavid and Draisaitl reach 90 playoff points in 56 games. Only Lemieux (45 GP) and Gretzky (43) did it faster.
Tonight, McDavid, Draisaitl, Ekholm, and Bouchard played 19 minutes together at EV. Shot attempts were 35-6 and scoring chances were 19-2 in favour of Edmonton, as they scored 3 goals and owned a 86 percent xG% in those minutes.
Draisaitl's performance is even more impressive considering he wasn't certain to play in this game. The five-time All-Star was a game-time decision due to an undisclosed injury after he appeared to be in pain on the ice late in Game 1.
This is a continuation of what McDavid and Draisaitl did in the first round. They accounted for 22 points in five games against the Los Angeles Kings. If you add Bouchard's production, that raised the total to 31 points.
In the first two games against the Canucks, McDavid has six points and Draisaitl has five. The Oilers needed a big rebound performance after blowing a 4-1 lead in Game 1. They turned to their stars to get it, and the result was a victory that sends the series back to Edmonton tied 1-1.
The Oilers will look to take control of the series in Game 3 against the Canucks at Rogers Place on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
NHL Draft 2024 to Be Held at Las Vegas Sphere on June 28-29; Sharks Land No. 1 Pick
May 7, 2024
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 19: Coyotes Chairman and Governor Alex Meruelo speaks during a press conference at Hyatt Regency Phoenix on April 19, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The NHL unanimously approved a $1.2 billion sale from Alex Meruelo to Utah Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith, allowing the franchise's move to Salt Lake City to begin play as a new franchise next season. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The 2024 NHL draft is heading to the Sphere in Las Vegas on June 28 and 29.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the site of the draft during Tuesday's lottery.
After the announcement of where the draft would take place, the San Jose Sharks were revealed as the winner of the lottery to earn the No. 1 overall pick.
Since opening in 2023, the Sphere has primarily been a concert venue. U2 played 40 shows from September through March as part of its Vegas residency. Phish played four shows at the arena from April 18 to 21.
Dead & Company is playing 24 shows at the Sphere between May 16 to July 13.
UFC president Dana White announced in November that the company had booked Mexican Independence Day in 2024 for an event. The show is scheduled to take place on Sept. 14.
Barring a last-minute addition to the Sphere's schedule, the NHL draft will be the first sporting event at the arena.
"The NHL is proud to bring the first sports event and the first live television broadcast to Sphere," said Steve Mayer, NHL Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, in the league's official release. "Together with the amazing team at Sphere, we plan to deliver an NHL Draft like no other, introducing the bright future of hockey in an innovative and exhilarating setting."
Fans will be able to purchase tickets to attend the draft at the Sphere starting on Thursday at 1 p.m. ET.
The Sphere can hold up to 20,000 fans including standing-room for events. This will mark the first time the NHL draft has been held in Las Vegas.
San Jose's victory in the lottery will allow the franchise to select prized prospect Macklin Celebrini. The Boston University standout is widely regarded as the No. 1 player in this class after becoming the youngest player to win the Hobey Baker Award at 17 years old.
This marks the first time the Sharks have won the top pick in the draft since the lottery system was implemented in 1995. They had the best odds for the No. 1 pick after finishing with an NHL-low 47 points this season.
The Sharks have missed the playoffs in each of the past five seasons after reaching the Western Conference Finals in the 2018-19 season.
Golden Knights Disappoint Vegas Fans in NHL Playoffs Game 7 Loss to Faksa, Stars
May 6, 2024
DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 05: Jason Robertson #21 of the Dallas Stars battles for the puck against Brayden McNabb #3 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 05, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The defending Stanley Cup Champions have been eliminated from the playoffs.
The Vegas Golden Knights dropped Game 7 of their first round series to the Dallas Stars 2-1 Sunday night, ending their season.
The Stars took a 1-0 lead early in the first period on a Wyatt Johnston goal, but the Golden Knights managed to answer in the second period after Brett Howden put one in the net on a tip-in.
Radek Faksa gave Dallas a 2-1 edge in the first minute of the final period, and Vegas never responded. The Golden Knights had a prime opportunity to even things up in a power play halfway through the third period, but couldn't capitalize.
After the loss, fans lamented the disappointing first-round exit a year removed from taking home the Stanley Cup.
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas... except for me.
Not exactly the opening frame the Golden Knights were looking for. Felt like they were playing uphill aside from the PK and when the chances came they didn't finish them. Meanwhile, a single soft exit ended up behind Hill.
Radek Faksa's Goal early in the 3rd is the difference as the Dallas Stars eliminate the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal. Stars advance to the Western Conference Semifinal. #StanleyCup
Vegas had plenty of opportunities in the deciding game but never found the net outside of the second period, and now its season is over in the first round.
The Golden Knights have a long offseason ahead of them to figure out what needs to happen to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals, but the Stars are moving on to the second round to face the Colorado Avalanche.
The first-round series gave fans plenty of excitement, and if the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is anything like the past few weeks, it should be eventful.
Kings Eliminated by Oilers as NHL Fans Hail Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl Dominance
May 2, 2024
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers takes a shot on goal as Cam Talbot #39 of the Los Angeles Kings blocks the shot during the first period of Game Three of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 26, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
For the third straight season, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl ensured the Los Angeles Kings didn't make it past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Kings were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers Thursday night after McDavid and Draisaitl dominated in a 4-3 Game 5 victory.
After Alex Laferriere took advantage of a fortunate carom off the boards to tie the score late in the first period, Blake Lizotte put the Kings ahead in the second.
Los Angeles got to enjoy that lead for fewer than five minutes before Draisaitl took over.
Draisaitl scored twice off assists from McDavid just minutes apart, once on a power-play and another in the seconds after a man advantage expired, in order to give the Oilers back the lead.
McDavid meanwhile made history with his pair of assists, which increased his first-round point total to 12 points (one goal, 11 assists.)
Connor McDavid assisted on both of Leon Draisaitl's goals to boost his totals in the First Round to 1-11—12 (5 GP) and joined an elite list in the process. #StanleyCup
McDavid’s ability to raise his level (somehow) in the playoffs is incredible. Same for Draisaitl. Their career points per game in the playoffs rank 3rd & 4th all-time behind Gretzky & Lemieux. Outrageous that they don’t have a Cup Final appearance. Almost impossible to fathom… https://t.co/0wYhMwhsUq
McDavid's power play orchestration is truly a treat to watch. It's so unique and puts the other team at such a disadvantage because it's a look no other team can create
The Kings will now suffer their third straight first-round exit at the hands of the Oilers, continuing what is now almost a decade of early playoff exits.
Los Angeles has not advanced past the first round since the team won the Stanley Cup in 2014.
It's so funny that for three years in a row the Kings have had to scrap to make the playoffs and their reward is they get to lose to Connor McDavid in round one
The Oilers will meanwhile advance to face the winner of the first-round series between the Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators.
Edmonton is hoping to make a deeper run than last year, when they were ousted by the eventual champion Vegas Golden Knights in the second round.
The Canucks hold a 3-2 series advantage, and could win a ticket to face McDavid and Draisaitl if they are able to secure a Game 6 victory Friday night in Nashville.
Dave Hakstol Fired by Kraken After Missing 2023-24 NHL Playoffs; Franchise's 1st HC
Apr 29, 2024
WINNIPEG, CANADA - MARCH 05: Head coach Dave Hakstol of the Seattle Kraken looks on from the bench during second period action against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on March 05, 2024 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
After falling short of the playoffs this year, the Seattle Kraken have decided to make a change.
The team announced on Monday that head coach Dave Hakstol has been fired after three seasons. Hakstol was the team's first head coach when the franchise was founded in 2021.
Hakstol coached the Kraken to a 107-112-27 record over three seasons, including a 34-35-13 finish to the 2023-24 campaign. He led the team to a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2022-23, where it fell in the Western Conference semifinals round to the Dallas Stars in seven games. He was one of three finalists for the Jack Adams Award that year.
"I thank Dave for his hard work and dedication to the Kraken franchise," Kraken general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. "Following our end-of-the-season review, we have decided to make a change at our head coach position. These decisions are never easy, but we feel this is a necessary step to help ensure our team continues to improve and evolve. Dave is a good coach and a terrific person. We wish him and his family all the best. We will begin our search for the Kraken's next head coach immediately."
Francis also announced that assistant coach Paul McFarland won't be returning to the Kraken next season. The GM indicated last week that changes were coming to Seattle.
Hakstol is now the second NHL head coach to be fired after the regular season. He joins David Quinn, who was fired by the San Jose Sharks last week.
NHL Draft Lottery 2024 Announced for May 7; Sharks Have Top Odds for No. 1 Pick
Apr 26, 2024
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 28: Mike Grier of the San Jose Sharks is shown during the first round of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, held on June 28, 2023, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The 2024 NFL Draft Lottery will take place on Tuesday, May 7.
The time of the event will be announced next week, the NHL announced Friday.
The lottery will take place at the NHL Network studio in Secaucus, New Jersey. It will be broadcast on ESPN, Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
The San Jose Sharks have an 18.5 percent chance of receiving the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft.
The Chicago Blackhawks (13.5 percent) and Anaheim Ducks (11.5 percent) also have high odds heading into the lottery.
The 2024 NHL Draft will begin June 28 in Las Vegas.
Teams will first be able to evaluate prospects at the 2024 NHL Scouting Combine, which begins June 2 in Buffalo.
The lottery will determine the order of the top 16 picks, comprised of the teams who did not qualify for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Only the teams that finished in the bottom 11 of the 2023-24 NHL standings are eligible to receive the first overall pick, as clubs can move up a maximum of 10 places in the lottery.
The official order of the odds to be selected first in the lottery are as follows, according to the NHL:
San Jose Sharks: 18.5%
Chicago Blackhawks: 13.5%
Anaheim Ducks: 11.5%
Columbus Blue Jackets: 9.5%
Montreal Canadiens: 8.5%
Utah: 7.5%
Ottawa Senators: 6.5%
Seattle Kraken: 6.0%
Calgary Flames: 5.0%
New Jersey Devils: 3.5%
Buffalo Sabres: 3.5%
Philadelphia Flyers: 2.5%
Minnesota Wild: 2.0%
Pittsburgh Penguins: 1.5%
Detroit Red Wings: 0.5%
St. Louis Blues: 0.5%
As noted above, the Flyers, Wild, Penguins, Red Wings and Blues will not be eligible to receive the No. 1 pick, even if selected first.
The Penguins are currently set to transfer their first-round pick to the San Jose Sharks as part of their 2023 trade for defenseman Erik Karlsson. If they receive a top-ten pick in the lottery, however, Pittsburgh could choose to keep the 2024 selection and offer San Jose a 2025 first-rounder instead.
The pick previously held by the Arizona Coyotes will now transfer to the NHL's newest franchise in Salt Lake City, where the Coyotes will relocate for the 2024-25 season.
The Sharks, Blackhawks, Ducks, Blue Jackets, Canadiens, Senators, Kraken, Flames, Devils, Sabres and as-yet unnamed Utah team will be in the running to receive the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft and select star Boston University center Macklin Celebrini.
The Blackhawks have the chance to earn the top pick two seasons in a row after selecting Connor Bedard at the top of last year's draft, but they would receive a future draft penalty for doing so.
The lottery rules established by the NHL in 2021 state that no team can win the lottery more than twice in a five-year period, so drafting Celebrini would leave Chicago without a shot at another No. 1 pick until 2028.
David Quinn Fired As Sharks HC After Having NHL's Worst Record in 2023-24 Standings
Apr 24, 2024
MONTREAL, CANADA - JANUARY 11: Head coach David Quinn of the San Jose Sharks handles bench duties during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on January 11, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
The San Jose Sharks have fired head coach David Quinn after two seasons with the team.
NEWS: The #SJSharks have relieved David Quinn of his head coaching duties.
Quinn will finish his Sharks tenure with a 41-98-25 overall record.
He was relieved of his duties six days after San Jose finished the 2023-24 season with 19 wins, the fewest in the NHL.
Quinn coached Boston University for five seasons and the New York Rangers for three prior to joining the Sharks in 2022.
The Sharks also announced that head athletic trainer Ray Tufts will not return to the team. Tufts spent more than two decades and worked more than 2,000 games with the club.
The changes were shared Wednesday by Sharks general manager Mike Grier, who joined the team just before Quinn's tenure began in 2022.
"After going through our end of the season process of internal meetings and evaluating where our team is at and where we want our group to go, we have made the difficult decision to make a change at the head coach position," Grier said.
"David is a good coach and an even better person. I would like to personally thank him for his hard work over these past two seasons. He and his staff did an admirable job under some difficult circumstances, and I sincerely appreciate how they handled the situation."
This is the second time in his NHL head coaching career Quinn has been fired. He was dismissed by the Rangers after the team missed the playoffs in 2021.
The Sharks started out the 2023-24 campaign by matching the longest season-opening losing streak in NHL history with an 0-10-1 record to start the season.
San Jose was not expected to be a playoff contender this season, but the team's situation was worsened by injuries to captain Logan Couture, who was only able to play six games due to a hip and groin injury, and winger Tomas Hertl, who was leading the Sharks in points when he was forced to undergo knee surgery in February.
The Sharks ended up trading Hertl at the March trade deadline, parting ways with one of the final members of the San Jose team which made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016.
Of the roster left by the end of the season, only winger Fabian Zetterlund had more than 20 goals on the season, and no players had exceeded 50 points.
The Sharks will now look to start fresh with a new coach and hopefully the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, which would allow the team to add star BU center Macklin Celebrini.
That means the upcoming draft lottery is likely to determine just how difficult it will be for Quinn's successor, who has not yet been named, to launch the Sharks' rebuild in 2024-25.
NHL Rumors: Tomáš Hertl Traded to Golden Knights from Sharks at 2024 Deadline
Mar 8, 2024
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 23: Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates an overtime goal scored against the New York Rangers at SAP Center on January 23, 2024 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Andreea Cardani/NHLI via Getty Images)
After 11 seasons with the Sharks, Tomáš Hertl is reportedly leaving San Jose.
The Vegas Golden Knights are acquiring Hertl in a last-minute trade deadline deal, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie (h/t Pierre LeBrun).
The move is "still pending trade call," LeBrun reported.
Hertl will cost the Golden Knights $6.75 million after the Sharks retain 17 percent of his salary, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.
The Sharks will receive 2023 first-round pick David Edstrom as well as a 2025 first-round pick, while Vegas will acquire third-round picks in 2025 and 2027, according to Dreger:
Hertl has 15 goals and 19 assists in 48 games this season. He last played on Jan. 27 and underwent knee surgery in early February.
Although the Sharks had not yet given a timeline for Hertl's return, LeBrun reported the forward is expected to return before the playoffs.
The Golden Knights also lost an additional 2026 first-round pick as part of the trade due to conditions in a previous deal, per CapFriendly.
Draft condition update:
Since Vegas moved the 2025 1st round pick as a part of the Hertl trade, Calgary #Flames will now receive Vegas' 2026 1st round pick from the Noah Hanifin trade. pic.twitter.com/1E8Zf1mNvx
Hertl isn't the only notable addition joining the team in Vegas this week.
The Golden Knights on Tuesday acquired Washington Capitals winger Anthony Mantha.
The following day, Vegas added Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin on Wednesday in a three-team trade involving the Philadelphia Flyers.
Even for a team known for trade-deadline blockbusters, like the 2019 deal for former Ottawa Senator and current team captain Mark Stone, it's been a busy trade deadline week for the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Golden Knights Trade Deadlines:
2018 - Reaves, Tatar 2019 - Stone 2020 - Martinez, Lehner 2021 - Janmark 2022 - (Traded for Eichel earlier in the year) 2023 - Barbashev, Quick 2024 - Hanifin, Hertl, Mantha#VegasBorn
Hertl was being deployed as a top-line center in San Jose. The Golden Knights could potentially bolster their center depth behind Jack Eichel and William Karlsson by playing him on the third line.
He also has experience as a winger, and the Knights could alternatively bolster their top-six scoring by adding both Hertl and Mantha on the wings of the top two lines.
Meanwhile the Sharks, tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for a league-bottom 37 points on the season, will begin their rebuild with adding Edstrom and an upcoming first-rounder to their prospect pool. Edstrom is currently in his second season in the Swedish League, where he has 17 points in 42 games.
With Hertl's exit, the Sharks have said goodbye to almost every member of the team's former core. After sending off Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, Erik Karlsson and Timo Meier, only Logan Couture and Marc-Edouard Vlasic are left from the team that made it to the franchise's first Stanley Cup Final in 2016.
Oilers Must Target Jordan Eberle for Stanley Cup Push Amid NHL Trade Deadline Rumors
Erik Beaston
Mar 8, 2024
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 29: Jordan Eberle #7 of the Seattle Kraken skates during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Climate Pledge Arena on February 29, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers already bolstered their roster before the trade deadline, adding coveted forward Adam Henrique and teammate Sam Carrick, both from Anaheim. The Western Conference fifth seed may not be finished, either.
Nor should they be.
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported that the Oilers are in the mix to acquire Seattle Kraken right winger Jordan Eberle if the 33-year-old does not sign an extension with the team.
Believe #Oilers are one of the teams keeping an eye on #SeaKraken and Jordan Eberle situation.
Seattle and Eberle are working on an extension, but it sounds like term is the hang-up. If Seattle doesn't have Eberle signed, he will be moved prior to Friday's deadline.
Eberle has 37 points this season (14 goals, 23 assists) and it is not out of the realm of possibility that he can hit the 50-point threshold. He is seeing the ice for 17:05 per game and since the All-Star break, has pummeled the net to the tune of 34 shots.
If he cannot get a deal done with the Kraken, and the decision is made to make him available for a trade, the Oilers should jump at the opportunity to add him to the mix and solidify the team's top six.
Edmonton has watched their divisional foes and defending Stanley Cup champions the Vegas Golden Knights get better ahead of the deadline by adding top defender Noah Hanifin and a right wing of their own in Anthony Matha.
Adding Eberle provides depth and gives the team an additional threat to score; one that has been ferocious at the net. That Eberle is on an expiring contract and carries a cap hit of $5.5 million makes him more affordable than he would have been with multiple years left on the deal.
Eberle is an excellent stick handler and skater who could immediately upgrade a right side that already includes Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, and Corey Perry, with Derek Ryan expected back shortly.
It is another move, like the additions of Henrique and Carrick, that proves the team is willing to put the pieces around their all-world center, Connor McDavid, and make a run at the postseason and, more importantly, the team's first Stanley Cup since 1990.
Affordable, skilled, and heating up at the right time, Eberle would appear to be a low-risk, high-reward addition to Edmonton that would allow them the opportunity to at least say they made an effort to surround McDavid with talent to maximize his own.
