Five Minute Major

*Photo from The Hockey News*    Want a big move? You've got one. The Utah Hockey Club has acquired D Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for C Conor Geekie, D JJ Moser, a 2024 7th round draft pick, and a 2025 second round draft pick, according to both teams.    No salary retention is involved in the deal, which is the first major move for Utah in franchise history. Sergachev is entering year two of an 8 year, $68 million contract, with $6 million due as a signing bonus this year as part of an $8.5 million AAV. He has a full no trade clause taking effect Monday.    Utah GM Bill Armstrong said of Sergachev that "He is a number one and that's the reason for the deal is we wanted to cement that top end defenseman that can play a ton of minutes. Good thick body on him, plays hard, blocks shots, can play in the offense and defense and he's won. He's got a lot to bring into our culture. The other thing too is we've got some Russian...

*Photo from Sportsnet*     Moving and shuffling continues to take place. The Washington Capitals have acquired LW Andrew Mangiapane from the Calgary Flames in exchange for a 2025 second round draft pick, according to both teams.    The draft pick in the trade originally belonged to the Colorado Avalanche. Mangiapane is entering the final year of his contract and is due $5.8 million before being able to test the free agent market for the first time. His deal also contains a modified no trade clause for the coming season in the form of an 8 team no trade list.    Mangiapane is coming off his 7th season with the Flames as a 6th round pick of the team in 2015. He picked up 14 goals and 26 assists for 40 points to his name, averaging exactly 16 minutes of ice time while posting a +7 rating in 75 games.    The best year of Mangiapane's career came in 2021-2022 with the Flames. He set career highs in goals with 35 and points with 55, playing in all 82 ga...

*Photo from Nashville Hockey Now*     Nope, this superstar's not getting traded. The Nashville Predators and G Juuse Saros have agreed to an 8 year, $61.92 million contract extension, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. The Predators haven't confirmed the news.    The deal cannot be made official until July 1, when Saros officially enters the last year of his current contract and becomes eligible to sign an extension. The deal pays the Finnish goalie $7.74 million annually and is expected to start when the 2025-2026 season begins, right after his current contract is set to expire.    For next season, Saros is due $5 million in the last year of his current deal. Saros finished in 5th place in Vezina Trophy voting this past season. In the past two years, he has played the most games among NHL goalies along with facing the most shots and making the most saves.    Saros is fresh off his 9th season in the NHL, all of which have been with the Pr...

*Photo from Illegal Curve Hockey*     One of their most important rearguards is back. The Winnipeg Jets and D Dylan DeMelo have agreed to a 4 year, $19.6 million contract, according to an announcement by the Jets.    Less than a week away from being able to hit the open market as a free agent, DeMelo instead agrees to a new contract to stay in Winnipeg. The deal pays the right shot defenseman $4.9 million annually and doesn't have any trade protection or signing bonuses. He'll be a free agent after 2027-2028.    DeMelo said of re-signing in Winnipeg that "It’s huge to get it done. Definitely feels good. Just so happy to stay with Winnipeg, the fit has been fantastic. It feels like my best years have been in Winnipeg and it really feels like my best years are still ahead of me. To be able to get it done with this organization and to be back with this group of guys, I’m so thrilled and I can’t get wait to get started."    Last season marked DeM...

*Photo from Sporting News*     Want trades? There are trades. The Ottawa Senators have acquired goalie Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins in exchange for a 2024 first round draft pick, forward Mark Kastelic, and goalie Joonas Korpisalo, according to Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald. Both teams have confirmed the trade.    Ullmark is entering the last year of a 4 year deal that pays him $5 million annually with a 14 team no trade list, and he will be a UFA at the end of next season. Kastelic is on the last year of a two year deal, and he will be a RFA with arbitration rights at the end of next season. Korpisalo has 4 years remaining on a 5 year deal with the Senators retaining 25 percent of the $4 million annual salary.    Entering last season, Ullmark was looking to keep his success rolling. He did just that, posting a 22-10-7 record with a 2.57 GAA and .915 save percentage, recording two shutouts in 39 starts and 40 games. He went 0-1 in the playoffs in...

*Photo from the Miami Herald* Florida wins series 4-3     Collapse, and crisis, averted. Carter Verhaeghe had a goal and an assist, Sam Reinhart scored the game winning goal, and the Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers with a 2-1 victory Monday night in Sunrise.    1996 saw them swept by the Colorado Avalanche. Last season saw them run out of gas as the underdogs and cut down by the Vegas Golden Knights. In their 30th year and 3rd trip to the Stanley Cup Final, they are champions now, for the first time in franchise history.    Florida forward Matthew Tkachuk said of winning the cup "It’s not a dream anymore. It’s not a dream. It’s reality. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe how good these two years have been. So thankful for this group of guys. It’s the best place, best guys. It’s something really special here with what we have."    This win didn't come without some major concern in the series. They had ju...

*Photo from the New York Times*     Veteran left wing/center Andrew Cogliano has announced his retirement from the NHL on Friday after nearly two decades.    At the same time, Cogliano announced he will be joining the Avalanche front office. He will assist the team in a variety of roles, including professional and amateur scouting, working with their AHL affiliate the Colorado Eagles, and player development.    Cogliano said of his retirement that "The game of hockey has given me and my family so much and I am grateful for every moment. I am blessed to have played for so long with some great organizations and amazing teammates. I will miss being with the guys in the dressing room and battling for each other on the ice every night but it's time to move on. Thank you to everyone I ever played with, played for and all the great fans for all of their support. I am excited to start my new chapter in the front office."    This past season, Cogliano...

*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*     Here's a trade flying in from the middle of nowhere. The Los Angeles Kings have acquired goalie Darcy Kuemper from the Washington Capitals in exchange for center Pierre-Luc Dubois, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. Both teams have confirmed the trade.    No salary was retained on either side, making this a heavy salary exchange in a one for one trade. Dubois was traded after the first year of a 8 year, $68 million contract, paying him $8.5 million annually with a no trade clause kicking in July 1. Kuemper was traded after the second year of a 5 year, $26.25 million contract, paying him $5.25 million annually with a modified no trade clause.    Dubois stumbled in his first season with the Kings after being traded to them by the Winnipeg Jets. He ended the year with 16 goals and 24 assists for 40 points, posting a -9 rating while averaging 15:42 of ice time per game in 82 games. He had one goal in 5 playoff ga...

*Photo from France24* Series tied 3-3     They're back from the dead. Adam Henrique scored the game winning goal, Warren Foegele had a goal and an assist, and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Florida Panthers with a 5-1 victory Friday night in Edmonton.    Once trailing 3-0 in the series, the Oilers have found new life and roared back for 3 straight wins, tying the series up and forcing a deciding 7th game. It'll be the first in 79 years to have a team that has rallied from a 3-0 deficit, but the Oilers look to be the first to complete the comeback and hoist the Stanley Cup.    All 4 forward lines had at least one player score a goal for the Oilers, with all 3 defensive pairings factoring into the scoring equation as well. Foegele was the only multi point player for the Oilers. A team maligned for lack of depth has seen it show up in spades this postseason.    Edmonton forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said "Of course, when you are down 3-0 you are goin...

*Photo from Sportsnet*     We have the first big trade of the offseason. The New Jersey Devils have acquired G Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a conditional 2025 first round draft pick and defenseman Kevin Bahl, according to TSN's Travis Yost. Both teams have confirmed.    The first round pick in the trade is top 10 protected. The Flames are retaining just over 30 percent of Markstrom's $6 million cap hit for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, leaving the Devils on the hook for $4.125 million for the next two seasons. Markstrom completed the trade by waiving his no movement clause.    Calgary GM Craig Conroy said of the trade that "Today’s trade demonstrates our focus on the infusion of young talented players into our roster as well as acquiring important draft capital, while maintaining our commitment as a playoff competitive team. We thank Jacob for his professionalism and understanding of our decision to make this trade now and at t...

*Photo from TSN*     Here's a big signing. Defenseman Filip Hronek and the Vancouver Canucks have agreed to a 8 year, $58 million contract extension, according to an announcement by the team.    Coming off a strong season in Vancouver, Hronek was a pending RFA in July. He has proven himself to be an effective two way defenseman, playing on the team's second power play unit and second penalty killing unit. His 104 hits this past season falls one short of his career high in a season.    Vancouver GM Patrik Allvin said of the extension that "This was something that we have talked with Filip and his agent Allan Walsh [about] for quite a time here, and I think although we had his rights for another year, I think this was important for our team knowing his contract number leading forward and also a younger defenseman on the right side that we feel that we can continue to work with. I think there is more to come there, so it definitely was important for us to...

*Photo from Sporting News* Florida leads series 3-2     Now this is getting interesting. Evan Bouchard had 3 assists, Connor McDavid had two goals and two assists, and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Florida Panthers with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night in Sunrise.    Once down 3-0 in the series, the Oilers have won the last two games with their backs against the wall, forcing the series back to Edmonton for game 6 and continuing to keep their season alive. No team has come back from a 3-0 deficit to win the Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers are two wins away from becoming the first.    The high end talent arrived once again for the Oilers. McDavid is continuing his big postseason and is now the betting favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy after a 4 point game. Bouchard added 3 assists and two of Edmonton's 5 goals came on the power play, with one coming shorthanded as well.    Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said after the game that "We've been count...

*Photo from Spectrum News*     We have another coaching change. According to an announcement Monday by the team, the Columbus Blue Jackets have fired head coach Pascal Vincent after one season.    Vincent was named the head coach just in time for training camp last season after Mike Babcock resigned months after his hiring due to controversy stemming from private meetings with players. Vincent led the Blue Jackets to a 27-43-12 record in his lone season as head coach after being an assistant coach with the team for two seasons before.    Before joining the Blue Jackets bench, Vincent was the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets AHL affiliate Manitoba Moose from 2016 to 2021. He has also served as an assistant coach of the Jets and Montreal Canadiens.    Columbus president of hockey operations and GM Don Waddell said of the decision that "As I spent time with Pascal over the past few weeks, I found him to be an outstanding person and smart hockey coach ...

*Photo from last word on sports*     A breakout player is sticking around. Defenseman Jalen Chatfield and the Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to a 3 year, $9 million contract extension, according to an announcement by the team.    Carolina interim GM Eric Tulsky said of the re-signing that "Jalen has been an integral part of our blue line over the last two seasons and firmly established himself as an NHL defenseman. His elite speed and tireless work ethic make him an incredibly dynamic player at both ends of the ice."    Chatfield was due to become a UFA on July 1 and now gets a hefty pay bump from the $762,500 he made over the last two seasons. He now gets $3 million annually through the 2026-2027 season and his contract does not have any trade protection attached to it. He'll be a UFA at the expiration of the contract.    Last season, Chatfield set career bests in point output for the Hurricanes. He scored 8 goals and chipped in 14 assists ...

*Photo from City News Edmonton* Florida leads series 3-1     How's that for a statement? Dylan Holloway had two goals and an assist, Connor McDavid had a goal and 3 assists, and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Florida Panthers with a 8-1 victory Saturday night in Edmonton.    It was a showcase day for the Oilers offense as they avoided being swept by the Panthers and forced a game 5 back in Florida to keep the series going for at least another game. As part of his 4 point night, McDavid broke Wayne Gretzky's record for assists in a single postseason by getting his 32nd of the playoffs.    McDavid said of the win that "It's just one win, that's all it is. It doesn't matter if you score eight or you score one, it's just one win. We've got to go to Florida, do a job and drag them back to Alberta."    How much did the Oilers light up the scoreboard? 5 Edmonton skaters had multi point games and 15 skaters registered at least one point. They score...

*Photo from San Jose Hockey Now*     There's a new boss behind the bench. The San Jose Sharks announced they've made assistant coach Ryan Warsofsky as their next head coach Thursday.    With the Sharks having fired David Quinn after the season, they decided to promote an assistant coach on his staff for the last two seasons. Warsofsky oversaw the defense and penalty kill as an assistant with the Sharks and will be a first time head coach in the NHL.    Sharks GM Mike Grier said of the news that "We're very excited to announce Ryan as the 11th head coach of the San Jose Sharks. His track record of success at nearly every level of hockey as a head and assistant coach speaks for itself. Ryan knows our existing group well, has the respect of the players who he will be working with, and will be a great teacher for the young players who will be joining our organization."    Warsofsky, at age 36, is the youngest current head coach in the NHL and the...

*Photo from the Jefferson City News Tribune* Florida leads series 3-0     This one's almost over. Aleksander Barkov had a goal and an assist, Sam Reinhart had an identical line, and the Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers with a 4-3 victory Thursday night in Edmonton.    The Panthers rode a 3 goal surge in the second period to a win, taking a 3-0 series lead to push the Oilers to the brink of elimination, putting the Panthers one win away from their first Stanley Cup in the process. It's the Panthers' 6th straight win, dating back to the conference finals.    Barkov said of being one win away from a title that "Well, it's there for us but you don't think about it. You can't think about it. All you have to do is take one moment at a time. Right now, we have to enjoy this win. We battled really hard today and we had a good win and we'll just enjoy this. Tomorrow, we need to recover and get ready for the game. That’s about it. We never think too...

*Photo from the Dallas Morning News*     Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill has been named the 2024 Jim Gregory GM of the year, according to an announcement by the league on Monday.    Nill has won the award for the second year in a row after also winning it last season. The award, first presented in 2010, has two back to back winners, with Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders winning the award in 2020 and 2021.    Asked about winning the award, Nill said "It means so much to our organization. This isn’t really a one-person award. It just shows I’ve got great people I’m working with and under, and to have success it’s not a one-man job. And this is really a reflection of our organization. I’m just so thankful to everybody within the Dallas Stars organization."    Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin and Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito were the finalists along with Nill. NHL GM's, a panel of league executives, and members of the media vote on the award ...

*Photo from Yahoo Sports* Florida leads series 2-0     Two down, two to go. Anton Lundell had two assists, Evan Rodrigues had a pair of goals, and the Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers with a 4-1 victory Monday night in Sunrise.    The Panthers now stand two wins away from capturing their first Stanley Cup championship after entering this series 1-8 all time in Stanley Cup Final games. For this win, the Panthers rattled off 4 unanswered goals, with Rodrigues responsible for two of them.    Starting the scoring in this one was the Oilers. Mattias Ekholm gave the Oilers a 1-0 lead after one period, scoring 11:17 into the game with Evan Bouchard and Connor McDavid getting assists. Niko Mikkola provided the only goal of the second period, tying the game 1-1 with assists from Lundell and Vladimir Tarasenko.    Rodrigues broke the tie 3:11 into the 3rd period, putting the Panthers ahead 2-1 as he scored an unassisted goal. On the power play ...

*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*     According to a Saturday announcement by the NHL and the NHLPA, the league's salary cap will raise to $88 million for the 2024-2025 season.    This past season, the salary cap was set at $83.5 million, a $1 million increase from 2022-2023. The $4.5 million jump is biggest jump in the salary cap in one offseason since the cap went up $4.5 million from 2017-2018 to 2018-2019. The cap had stayed flat at $81.5 million in 2020 and 2021 before going up $1 million each year the last two years.    Commissioner Gary Bettman said of the cap increase that "It's great to see. I know the general managers and the teams are excited to have more flexibility and it means that the revenues are as robust as we’ve been telling you all along."    When the NHL had a board of governors meeting in Seattle in December, Bettman previously projected the cap would be at $87.7 million for the coming season. With the cap raising to $8...