Stars’ Jamie Benn Fined For Cross-Checking
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has announced that Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn has been fined $2,604.17, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for cross-checking Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman.
The incident occurred during the third period of Tuesday’s Game 5, with the Stars trailing 3-1. Just seconds after taking a high hit from Hartman, Benn retaliated by delivering a cross-check to Hartman’s ribs before a second, more dangerous blow connected with the back of Hartman’s head. While the Wild forward was visibly dazed, officials assessed minor penalties to both players, with an unsportsmanlike conduct for Hartman and cross-checking for Benn.
This fine brings another entry in the Department of Player Safety’s file on the Stars’ captain. Benn is no stranger to postseason discipline; most notably, he received a two-game suspension during the 2023 Western Conference Final for a similar cross-check to the neck of Vegas’ Mark Stone. Just last season, Benn was also fined the maximum for roughing Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele during the second round.
The decision to opt for a fine rather than a suspension follows a consistent, albeit controversial pattern for the league this season. The Department of Player Safety has been hesitant to hand out postseason bans, previously issuing maximum fines to players like Ryan Strome and Seth Jarvis for similar high-sticking or cross-checking infractions in high-stakes games.
While Benn avoids a seat in the press box for Game 6, his “repeat offender” status and history of targeted hits in the playoffs continue to be a talking point. With the Stars now facing elimination and trailing 3-2 in the series, they will need Benn to keep his emotions in check as they head back to Minnesota.
Kings Notes: Doughty, Kempe, Clarke, Kuemper, Edmundson
The Los Angeles Kings’ season came to an abrupt and disappointing end this week following a four-game sweep at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche. As players gathered for exit interviews, the focus shifted from a frustrating postseason to an offseason filled with contract questions and health updates.
Veteran defenseman Drew Doughty is entering the final year of his contract. While he remains the face of the Kings’ blueline, he admitted that discussions regarding an extension have not yet begun. Despite recording 23 points in 72 games, Doughty was candid about his own performance, stating it “wasn’t as good as it needed to be.” However, his desire to remain a “King for Life” hasn’t wavered. “I want to stay here,” Doughty said. “If they approach me to get something done, I’m going to get it done.”
Additional Notes:
- Forward Adrian Kempe shed light on the lower-body injury that hampered him in late March, revealing it was a foot injury that impacted his play for about five or six games. While it bothered him during the regular-season stretch, Kempe insisted it “didn’t really affect” him by the time the playoffs began.
- Defenseman Brandt Clarke is a pending restricted free agent. Clarke, who emerged as a reliable top-four option with 31 points in 82 games this season, confirmed that while talks occurred during the year, both sides tabled them to focus on the playoff push. “I love Los Angeles. I love my teammates,” Clarke noted. “I want to lock myself in and be part of this core.”
- Goaltender Darcy Kuemper is coming off a heavy workload, appearing in 50 games this season with a 2.78 GAA and .891 SV%. When asked about representing Team Canada at the upcoming World Championships, Kuemper remained non-committal, stating he is currently uncertain about attending.
- Despite the sweep, veteran defenseman Joel Edmundson—who is in the middle of a four-year deal—emphasized that the locker room remains tight-knit. “I love this team,” Edmundson said. “We all love each other and care for each other… that’s going to pay off in the long run. It gets us excited for the next couple years.” With several key pieces nearing free agency and a core that struggled to find its footing against Colorado, the Kings’ front office now faces a pivotal summer to ensure that the “next couple years” Edmundson referenced lead to a deeper playoff run.
Atlantic Notes: Tkachuk, Dobson, Der-Arguchintsev
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk took center stage Wednesday during his end-of-season press conference, using the time to forcefully shut down growing speculation regarding his future with the club. While the rest of the team’s end-of-season press conference was held on Monday after the Carolina Hurricanes swept the Senators, Tkachuk was delayed to celebrate the birth of his daughter, Lyla. During the discussions, Tkachuk wasted little time addressing trade rumors that he labeled a “distraction.”
“I feel like I’ve never shown, never said, none of those things have ever come out of my mouth, and quite honestly, it’s just getting frustrating,” Tkachuk said. “I have been fully committed to this team, to this city.”
General Manager Steve Staios echoed that sentiment earlier in the week, calling the rumors “nonsense.” Tkachuk, 26, is under contract for two more seasons and finished the year with 59 points in 60 games. Despite his regular-season production, he was held scoreless in the opening-round sweep, a result he admitted was a “big shot in the confidence.” He plans to meet with Staios following the U18 World Championships to discuss how to improve the roster for next season.
Additional notes around the Atlantic:
- The Montreal Canadiens received a significant boost during Wednesday’s optional skate as defenseman Noah Dobson returned to the ice. Dobson has been sidelined since April 11 after blocking a shot with his left hand, an injury that forced him to miss the start of the Canadiens’ first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. While he skated individually and has yet to be cleared for full contact, his presence is a major step forward for a Habs blueline that has relied heavily on Mike Matheson and Lane Hutson in his absence.
- Former Maple Leafs prospect Semyon Der-Arguchintsev is reportedly interested in a return to the NHL after a productive stint in the KHL. His agent, Shumi Babaev, confirmed that they have already reached out to the organization to express a desire to rejoin the system. “Semyon is considering the option of returning to Toronto,” Babaev told R.org’s Daria Tuboltseva. “We contacted former general manager Brad Treliving and expressed our desire to return to the club’s system. Now we are waiting for the appointment of a new general manager and to understand his position.” Der-Arguchintsev, 25, recorded 37 points in 59 KHL games this season.
Ilya Sorokin, Jeremy Swayman, Andrei Vasilevskiy Named Vezina Trophy Finalists
The NHL has officially announced the field for the 2025-26 Vezina Trophy, naming Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders), Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins), and Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning) as the three finalists. Voted on by the league’s general managers, the award recognizes the goaltender deemed most valuable to his team at the position.
This year’s group features a mix of powerhouse names and rising stars who have carried their respective clubs through an 82-game season.
Sorokin returns to the finalist circle for the second time in his career after a season where he was arguably the league’s busiest and most reliable netminder. Despite the Islanders’ inconsistent defensive metrics, Sorokin was a human highlight reel, leading the NHL with seven shutouts across 55 games played. He posted a 29-24-2 record with a 2.68 GAA and .906 SV%, but his case for the award is notably from his league-leading 452 high-danger saves.
Swayman has taken the reins in Boston and proved he is a bona fide elite starting goaltender. The 27-year-old recorded a career-high 31 wins and led all goaltenders with 38 starts with a SV% of .900 or better. Finishing the year with a 31-18-4 record, a 2.71 GAA, and a .907 SV%, Swayman’s ability to handle a heavy workload while maintaining elite performances night after night helped a transitional Bruins roster secure the top Wild Card spot in the East.
Vasilevskiy reminded the world why he remains the gold standard for modern goaltending, leading the NHL in wins for the sixth time in his career. Across 58 appearances, he posted a 39-15-4 record, with an historic 17-0-1 record during the middle of the season. He finished the campaign ranked second in the league in GAA at 2.31 and tied for fourth in save percentage at .912, making his sixth time as a Vezina finalist as he seeks to capture the trophy for the first time since 2019.
While Vasilevskiy holds the advantage in traditional win-loss metrics and goals against average, Sorokin’s case is built on the immense degree of difficulty he faced in New York. Swayman, on the other hand, represents a newer guard, showing that he can maintain elite efficiency over a full season’s workload. The winner will be revealed during the NHL Awards ceremony later this summer.
Snapshots: Ehlers, Nikishin, Hintz, O’Rourke
The Carolina Hurricanes are trending toward a much-needed health surge. Following their first-round sweep, signs are pointing toward a return of both Nikolaj Ehlers and defenseman Alexander Nikishin. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour is hopeful that both will be available for the beginning of Round Two.
Nikishin is currently in the concussion protocol following a heavy hit in the series clincher. The week-long layoff between rounds is expected to provide ample time for him to clear the NHL’s mandatory steps.
Ehlers was sidelined recently with a lower-body ailment and is reportedly making significant progress to rejoin the top-six for Game 1 against either the Philadelphia Flyers or Pittsburgh Penguins. Ehlers registered one assist in three games in the opening round series against the Ottawa Senators.
Additional snapshots:
- The Dallas Stars’ postseason hopes have hit a significant snag. Forward Roope Hintz is reportedly unlikely to suit up for the remainder of the first-round series against the Minnesota Wild. Hintz has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since early March, and despite hopes for a playoff return, head coach Glen Gulutzan confirmed the top-line center has resumed skating. His absence leaves a massive void for the Stars’ offensive transition and penalty kill as the series intensifies.
- Prospect defenseman Kade O’Rourke has officially been denied exceptional status by Hockey Canada (via Jeff Marek of Daily Faceoff). Despite a dominant 42-point campaign with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, the 15-year-old defenseman will not be eligible for this summer’s OHL Priority Selection. He is now projected to be the consensus first overall pick for the 2027 OHL Draft. He would have been the first player granted exceptional status since Landon DuPont in 2024.
Oilers’ Connor McDavid Made Game-Time Decision For Game 5
According to TSN’s Chris Johnston, Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid has been made a game-time decision for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Additional reports indicate McDavid has been dealing with an undisclosed injury, but has not missed a game in the postseason up to this point. McDavid currently sits tied for third on the Oilers in points this postseason with one goal and four points through four games, with a minus-six rating.
After taking Game 1 in the series, Edmonton has lost three straight, being outscored 17-11, including a Game 4 overtime loss to Anaheim by a final score of 4-3. McDavid has received his fair share of scrutiny for his lack of game-changing offense in the series, going scoreless in the first two contests. The Ducks have done well at limiting the Oilers’ superstar thus far.
McDavid, the Oilers’ 2015 first overall pick, racked up 48 goals and 138 points in 82 games during the 2025-26 regular season and would be a massive hole in the lineup for the Oilers to fill. To date, he has produced 45 goals and 154 points in 100 career playoff games. The Oilers will look to continue their playoff series against the Ducks tonight, currently down three games to one in a best-of-seven series.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman also stated that forward Jason Dickinson is a game-time decision for Game 5 of the series. Dickinson has missed the last two games due to a lower-body injury. The trade deadline acquisition registered two goals in Game 1.