The calm before the storm. Two days before a pivotal Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals, ten days until the NHL draft, and two weeks until free agency begins. Links!
We’ve updated this post from two big news items from Friday…
The Phoenix Coyotes’ ownership woes could be near a resolution, one way or the other. Glendale officials will meet today to discuss a proposal by Renaissance Sports & Entertainment to use Jobing.com Arena. The investors are asking for $15 million in funding; Nick Kypreos doesn’t think it’s going to happen. Five for Howling will keep tabs on the situation.
Lindy Ruff has been hired as the next coach of the Dallas Stars. Reaction from Dallas fans: mixed.
- Before the draft or free agency happens, there is likely to be one more huge story revolving around the Los Angeles Kings. That will be the fate of backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier. Bernier’s recent quotes came as no surprise to most Kings fans, who have been expecting a trade. As such, they’re still worth a read, via Pierre LeBrun at ESPN. He has five “finalists” in the Bernier sweepstakes: the Philadelphia Flyers, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Islanders, the Minnesota Wild, and the Florida Panthers. More coverage to come regarding those rumors.
- The Kings have handed minor league forward Brandon Kozun a one-year contract extension. The 23-year-old finished second in scoring for the Manchester Monarchs, but due to his lack of size, he’ll need to have a tremendous training camp to have a shot at making the Kings this year.
- Jon Rosen has continued a fledgling tradition on the LA Kings Insider blog, posting the best Darryl Sutter quotes of the year. Great work; I think number 19 and number 10 should’ve been higher, personally.
- Fun tidbits from the awards voting…
- Anze Kopitar came closest to being nominated for one of the traditional NHL awards, finishing (a distant) fourth in the Selke Trophy voting. Mike Richards and Jarret Stoll each received a single top-5 vote.
- Jake Muzzin finished eighth in the running for the Calder Trophy.
- Jeff Carter received a single fifth-place Hart Trophy vote.
- Drew Doughty finished ninth in the Norris Trophy race.
- Kopitar got a single first-place vote and finished 14th for the Lady Byng. Shane Doan also got a first-place vote. WHAT
- Darryl Sutter and Dean Lombardi each received a single third-place vote for Coach and GM of the Year, respectively.
No respect, I tell you.
- It’s been a great Stanley Cup Finals… especially for the NHL and NBC. Steve Lepore explains why.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>The average for the first four games of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final makes them the most-watched on record in the United States.</p>— Steve Lepore (@stevelepore) <a href=”https://twitter.com/stevelepore/statuses/347840061875838976″>June 20, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p>6.45M viewers for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. The most-watched Game 4 EVER in the US.</p>— Steve Lepore (@stevelepore) <a href=”https://twitter.com/stevelepore/statuses/347840185616195584″>June 20, 2013</a></blockquote>
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- Lighthouse Hockey has some (hilarious) breaking news on the Flyers’ trade plans.
- Die by the Blade examines Robyn Regehr‘s performance with Buffalo, including a note about his possible impact on young defenseman Andrej Sekera.
- Finally: the Kings have some thank yous for their fans. Worth a watch just for the unveiling of Jeff Carter’s new look.
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