Deen’s Daily: Oilers Win Entertaining Game 1 in OT; Bruins Hire Head Coach; What’s the Plan For Necas in Colorado?

The Edmonton Oilers won an extremely entertaining Game 1 in OT on Wednesday. The Bruins and Penguins were the final two teams to hire a new head coach. Also, what’s the plan for Martin Necas with the Avalanche?

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — June 5.

Colorado Hockey Now

I’m still pretty surprised and pleased to see the Avalanche take care of a big piece of business on Wednesday. They re-signed second-line center Brock Nelson to a three-year contract with a $7.5 million AAV. Nelson, Coyle, and Drury were all acquired midseason and are all going to start 2025-26 with the Avs. That in itself is a HUGE upgrade on a year ago.

I know the playoff loss was a disappointment, but it’s nice to see the Avs actually have a playoff caliber lineup already, rather than a bunch of scrap pieces filling out depth roles until the trade deadline. That was what we’ve been used to over the last two seasons.

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Read More: Deen’s View: Nelson Deal Sets the Table — Now the Real Work Begins for the Avalanche (+)

Perhaps one of the bigger questions now is the curious case of Martin Necas. I’ve written many times since the Game 7 loss that the Avs can’t possibly risk letting Necas walk as a UFA next July. When the Carolina Hurricanes tried to lock him up to a long-term deal last summer, Necas was adamant that the most he’d do was two years to walk him straight to UFA status. That’s fine. It’s his right. But if you’re the Avs, you cannot let that happen.

Necas has enough value to attract a considerable return on the trade market. But he doesn’t have the playoff pedigree (yet) to use him as an “own rental” and risk him walking in 13 months for nothing. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos had Necas on his Trade Board and said the winger “wasn’t overly thrilled” in Colorado. I’m not sure where that’s coming from, but it’s something to keep an eye on as we inch closer to the NHL Draft and July 1.

Elliotte Friedman spoke about this in his latest 32 Thoughts Podcast and confirmed that Necas wasn’t willing to sign a long-term deal last summer in Carolina. Friedman said he doesn’t know yet if that feeling has changed.

Stanley Cup Final

Game 1: EDM 4-3 OT (Oilers lead series 1-0) —  What an unbelievable start to the Final this year. The Oilers got out to an early 1-0 lead but watched as the game quickly shifted in Florida’s direction. The Panthers led 3-1 at the first intermission, 3-2 at the second intermission, but the game was tied at 3-3 as regulation concluded.

In the final minute of overtime, Leon Draisaitl capitalized on the PP off a setup from Connor McDavid to give Edmonton the crucial Game 1 victory. It was one of the better Stanley Cup Final openers I’ve seen in years. It’s nice too see Draisaitl get on the board twice after failing to score in last year’s seven-game series. He was one of many Oilers who played injured last year. That’s not the case anymore, and Edmonton looks like it’s on a mission to become the first Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup in 32 years.

Game 2: Florida Panthers at Edmonton Oilers (6 pm MT on Friday — TNT & tru TV)

Around The NHL

Bill Masterton Trophy: Sean Monahan won the Bill Masterton Trophy, the league announced on Thursday. Gabe Landeskog was one of the three finalists for the award but was beat out by the Blue Jackets center. I’d imagine we’re going to see Landeskog up for this again next year, if I had to guess.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Two former Pens assistant coaches are following Mike Sullivan to New York. One of them, David Quinn, was a catalyst for Pittsburgh’s strong power play and someone I was curious about for the Avs. Quinn used to be an assistant coach for Colorado many years ago. He also, coincidentally, held the Rangers’ head coaching position recently.

Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins became the last team to hire a head coach. They went with a former player who has climbed the coaching ranks in recent years.