NHL Talking Points: Capitals’ success, Dubas’ promotion, Chiarelli and more

NHL Talking Points is a weekly column where we highlight 10 stories that have been circulating around the league. This week, we take a look at the Washington Capitals’ success, Kyle Dubas’ promotion, news from Edmonton and more.

The past week has seen wide-ranging stories occupy the talk circuit of the hockey world. The Eastern and Western Conference finals began, administrative promotions ran rampant and the trade rumor mill continues to operate in full swing.

Let’s have a look at 10 stories that have been circulating around the National Hockey League.

1. The Washington Capitals eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins from the Stanley Cup playoffs

It’s old news now, but Capitals fans are rightfully continuing to celebrate the fact that Alexander Ovechkin & Co. finally managed to slay their dragon. A 2-1 overtime victory over the Penguins allowed Washington to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a Game 6 showdown for the ages. It’s just the second time in franchise history that the Capitals have defeated their main rival in the postseason, but the win could not have been ushered forth in a sweeter fashion. They’re now facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference final.

2. The Carolina Hurricanes have gone with Rod Brind’Amour as their new head coach

Last Tuesday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Brind’Amour — the very player who captained the Hurricanes to the organization’s first Stanley Cup victory in 2006 — will serve as the next head coach of the franchise. As the 14th commander-in-chief in the club’s history, Brind’Amour shall look to usher forth a culture of winning ways from the outset of his tenure behind the bench. Speaking at a press conference, Brind’Amour explored the way in which he aims to alter the overarching dynamic of the organization:

"The bar has been set too low. When the bar is set low, it’s human nature that everyone goes to the bar. You have a few overachievers, but if the bar is just making the playoffs, guess what happens? You finish ninth or 10th. Everyone is kind of doing what you ask. I think we have the people in here who will accept that, and will want that."

3. Joe Thornton would like to stay with the San Jose Sharks

Last Tuesday, “Jumbo Joe” met with the media following his team’s Game 6 elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs. Asked about his future with the organization, Thoronton expressed an interest to stay in San Jose. When questioned about the possibility of taking on a pay cut, Thornton had this to offer:

"There’s enough money around for everybody. I want this team ultimately to win the Stanley Cup. The city deserves it and these guys deserve it. Whatever we decide, that’s going to be in the back of my head, just making this team better."

The question, therefore, is whether Thornton’s perception of accepting less money is synonymous with that of the organization’s. There’s little doubt that the veteran center would provide the Sharks with solid depth down the middle, but whether the franchise is ready to move on from a Thornton-led core is unclear. That Thornton is still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee may be a detriment to his case.

4. Alex Lyon, a Philadelphia Flyers prospect, stopped 94 of 95 shots to lead the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to a victory in the AHL’s longest game of all-time

Last Wednesday was a night for the books, as the 25-year-old netminder’s stellar performance was the avenue through which the Phantoms emerged victorious after 86:48 of added time. Lyon, however, fell four saves shy of matching the AHL’s all-time saves record.

5. Peter Chiarelli is rumored to be targeting the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft

The fact that the Edmonton Oilers’ President of Hockey Operations and General Manager is reported to be toying with making moves of this nature will inevitably prompt mixed reactions from hockey lovers. Is Chiarelli straining the edges of potentially disastrous implications? Or is he using the pick as bait for a team to take on one of the Oilers’ poor contracts? It’s pure speculation at this point, but if executed well, the latter could prove to help the organization in the not-so-distant future. Needless to say, the court of public opinion will judge the ramifications of Chiarelli’s decision.

6. Kyle Dubas is the new General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Who does this impact?

In the early hours of Friday, May 11, Brendan Shanahan — President and Alternate Governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs — announced that 31-year-old Dubas had been promoted to serve as the 17th General Manager in the team’s history. The news emerged just one day after reports circulated that the club’s former GM, Lou Lamoriello, was unlikely to work as a senior advisor for the franchise.

Since Dubas’ promotion, the hockey world has extensively ruminated on the future of assistant GM Mark Hunter. Should he and/or Lamoriello end up leaving the organization, the Maple Leafs will have to account for some openings. According to Friedman, a potential candidate to fill executive positions might come in the form of former Hurricanes’ GM Ron Francis. He writes:

"There will be plenty of applicants if the Maple Leafs need to fill an opening. One to keep an eye on: Ron Francis. He and Dubas are tight. It makes sense if Lou Lamoriello makes the expected departure, although the former Hurricanes GM might wish to take time off."

7. Lamoriello’s supposed departure could have implications for the New York Islanders

It’s a narrative that’s gone hand-in-hand with reports surrounding Dubas’ promotion, but it’s now occupying the talk circuit of many a hockey pundit. TSN’s Darren Dregrer, for instance, stated that discussions are underway between “Loophole Lou” and the Islanders regarding an administrative position with the franchise. Expect to hear more about this in the days to come.

8. The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) is in the process of attempting to trademark #HumboldtStrong — without having consulted the Humboldt Broncos

Broncos president Kevin Garinger maintained that the team is ready to fight for control of the slogan: “We have one goal and that is that that trademark, the rightful owners of it, are the Humboldt Broncos and the Humboldt community — and that’s what we will continue to fight for.”

9. Clare Drake, who was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017, died on Saturday at the age of 89

As per the Canadian Press, Drake will be remembered for having “coached the University of Alberta Golden Bears to six Canadian university men’s hockey championships and 17 Canada West conference championships.” Drake’s legacy also expands into the realm of influence, as echoes of his impact can be found in the work of Barry Trotz, Ken Hitchcock and Mike Babcock.

10. Mike Fisher has retired… again

The 37-year-old center announced his decision on Saturday, telling reporters, “This cow has been milked as much as it can…. It’s bone dry.” He had previously retired last offseason, but opted to return again in January so as to make a final push for the Stanley Cup. Despite having played his final NHL game, Fisher remains open to assuming other duties with the Nashville Predators’ organization, stating, “We’ll see. I’m sure we’ll have some conversations in the future…Right now I don’t really know what that’s going to look like. But we’ll see.”

NEXT: All 30 NHL Franchises Ranked By All-Time Greatness

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