Vancouver Canucks Fire Adam Foote
The changes coming to the Vancouver Canucks won’t end at the front office. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Canucks are parting ways with head coach Adam Foote and are expected to make additional changes to the coaching staff.
Shortly after Dreger’s report, the Canucks confirmed Foote’s dismissal in a team announcement. Additionally, the team has let go of assistant coaches Scott Young, Kevin Dean, and Brett McLean, starting fresh for the 2026-27 campaign.
It’s not a huge surprise to see Foote let go, even after one season. Foote was hired by Vancouver as an assistant coach partway through the 2022-23 season as a part of Rick Tocchet‘s staff. He remained in that role for three seasons and was promoted to the head coaching role when Tocchet departed for the Philadelphia Flyers last summer.
Factoring in the subpar roster and the fact that the Canucks made major changes to the front office, Foote wasn’t given a chance to succeed in Vancouver. As anticipated, the team had a disappointing season in 2025-26, finishing with a record of 25-49-8, which was the worst in the regular season.
Furthermore, there was no area in which the Canucks played particularly well. Vancouver finished 31st in goals for, 32nd in goals against, 32nd in penalty kill percentage, 29th in shooting percentage, 32nd in save percentage, 29th in CorsiFor, 30th in High-Danger Scoring Chances, and 31st in High-Danger Scoring Changes Against. The only category where the team excelled was power play percentage, finishing in 14th place.
Unlike most head coaches, it’s unlikely that Foote will find another head coaching position this summer. While he may ultimately secure a coaching position, his track record does not compare to that of Craig Berube, Bruce Cassidy, or Kris Knoblauch, who are all coaches seeking new opportunities.
On the flip side, all three of those coaches will immediately become candidates for the Canucks. Cassidy is unlikely to take the job, simply because the Vegas Golden Knights have already blocked other intradivisional rivals, namely the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings, from interviewing their former coach. However, the Golden Knights may believe that the Canucks are so far out of contention that Cassidy’s landing in Vancouver wouldn’t come back to bite them anytime soon.
Still, it’s difficult to say what direction the Canucks will go. There are expected to be significant changes to the roster this offseason, so the team may opt for a younger coach to grow alongside the team.
In that same vein, Vancouver could look to an internal candidate. Former bottom-six center Manny Malhotra has been the head coach of the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks for the last two years, and presumably worked closely with General Manager Ryan Johnson when he was serving as the General Manager in Abbotsford.
Golden Knights Forfeit Draft Pick, John Tortorella Fined
May 19th: The Vegas Golden Knights met with NHL league officials at 10:00 AM today to appeal the severe discipline handed down following their Game 6 media blackout against the Anaheim Ducks. Ultimately, the face-to-face meeting did not result in a reprieve for the club, as the original penalties will remain strictly as assessed.
Consequently, head coach John Tortorella is still on the hook for a $100K fine, and the Golden Knights will officially forfeit their second-round draft pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL Entry Draft. The league’s firm stance stems from what it characterized as “flagrant violations” of playoff media regulations, compounded by multiple previous warnings issued to the organization regarding compliance.
While the door appears completely closed on the draft penalty being revoked or reinstated, there is a small glimmer of hope for the franchise down the line. Reports indicate that if Vegas remains fully compliant with all league rules and media policies moving forward, there could be an opportunity for the NHL to address or revisit aspects of the situation in the future. For now, however, the reigning Western Conference finalists must absorb the heavy loss of draft capital and a hefty financial hit as they prepare for their third-round series against the Colorado Avalanche.
May 15th: The National Hockey League didn’t let the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate their Western Conference Final berth for too long. According to an announcement from the league office, the Vegas Golden Knights will forfeit their 2026 second-round pick, and head coach John Tortorella will be fined $100K for “flagrant violations” of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Media Regulations.
Although the punishment was unknown, this was an expected outcome for many. In the announcement, the league shared, “The imposition of these penalties comes after previous warnings were issued to the Club regarding their compliance with the Media Regulations and other associated policies.” After last night’s series-clinching win, Vegas closed the locker room doors to the media, and Tortorella refused to meet with them.
According to the league, the Golden Knights will have the ability to appeal the punishment, though they likely won’t have much leverage, given that they’ve been warned multiple times. Still, instead of arguing for a complete erasure of the punishment, Vegas may argue themselves into a slap on the wrist with an understanding that a harsher punishment will be had if something like this happens again.
Regardless, the loss of a second-round pick puts Vegas in a deep hole. Although they normally trade away their draft capital or trade away the prospects, they now lose one for nothing. After today’s news, the Golden Knights don’t have another second-round pick at their disposal until the 2030 NHL Draft.
The Golden Knights offered a press release of their own, saying, “The Golden Knights are aware of today’s announcement from the NHL regarding the postgame media availability following Game 6 in Anaheim. The organization will have no further comment.“
Quinn Hughes “Open To” Extension In Minnesota
In his end of season media availability today, superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes said he is “definitely open to re-signing” with the Minnesota Wild. (quote via Joe Smith of The Athletic) He also indicated that he would prefer to get a contract signed over the summer, but it isn’t a requirement. Hughes expressed confidence in GM Bill Guerin’s ability to construct a championship-caliber team, and said he likes playing in Minnesota, his teammates, and his interactions with management.
Hughes’ status is the single most important storyline surrounding the Wild, and it will be until he either signs an extension or departs the team in any manner.
Hughes is one of the game’s very best defensemen, and the Wild surrendered a major package of assets including young players, prospects, and draft picks, in order to acquire him, even with less than two years of team control remaining at the time.
With franchise forward Kirill Kaprizov committed on an expensive new contract, the Wild are locked into trying to compete for a Stanley Cup in the immediate future. Re-signing Hughes is essential to maximizing those efforts.
Smith and colleague Michael Russo wrote this morning that “it wouldn’t be a surprise for Hughes to sign a three-year extension this summer,” as such a term would align Hughes’ deal with the expiry of his brother Jack Hughes‘ contract with the New Jersey Devils. Doing so would allow for a timeline where the two older Hughes brothers could decide where to play together – forming a kind of superstar package deal unlike any other in NHL history.
As for what Hughes might be able to earn on his next contract, there really isn’t an upper ceiling on the amount of money he could command. Kaprizov’s AAV of $17MM on his next deal is unlikely to be surpassed, of course, but Hughes has just as strong of a case to earn a market-shattering AAV on his next deal as Kaprizov had. The 2024 Norris Trophy winner earned $7.85MM on his last contract, one he signed in October 2021. With the way the cap is set to rise, Hughes could conceivably push to double his AAV figure on his next deal.
The Wild’s interest in the Hughes family does not appear to stop at the eldest brother. Russo and Smith reported this morning, citing league sources, that Guerin “made a pitch to former Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald” to acquire Luke Hughes this past season.
The youngest Hughes brother, who scored 35 points in 68 games in 2025-26, is under contract at a $9MM AAV through 2031-32. It seems far-fetched that the Wild will be able to unite all three, especially since Jack and Luke already play together. But at the very least they appear positioned to retain Quinn beyond next season, and given the amount Guerin had to surrender to acquire him, that’s a significant win on its own.
Many things can change between now and whenever Hughes might put his signature on an extension with the Wild. That he expressed interest in re-signing today is no guarantee that he actually does so. But after such a disappointing end to their season at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche, Hughes’ comments today should come as a much-needed positive development for fans in Minnesota and the Wild organization overall.
Photos courtesy of Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
Blackhawks Sign Roman Kantserov
After months of speculation, it’s now confirmed that the Chicago Blackhawks are adding another high-level forward prospect to their roster. According to an announcement from the KHL’s Metallurg Magnitogorsk, prospect Roman Kantserov has terminated his contract with the team and will be signing an entry-level deal with the Blackhawks. Chicago made the deal official on May 14. Kantserov will carry a $1.075MM cap hit at the NHL level.
Kantserov, 21, was drafted 44th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Blackhawks. He was coming off an impressive year with the MHL’s Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk, registering 27 goals and 54 points in 45 games with a +23 rating.
Since then, it’s been all KHL for the Magnitogorsk, Russia native. He got off to a slow start during the 2023-24 campaign, but he has become one of the league’s top scorers since. Beginning in the 2024-25 campaign, Kantserov has scored 49 goals and 102 points in 110 games with a +21 rating. Over that same timeframe, he has registered four goals and 10 points in 21 postseason contests.
The most prominent development in Kantserov’s game has been his goal-scoring capacity. At the time of his draft selection, Kantserov was known as a pass-first forward with tremendous hand-eye coordination reminiscent of Pavel Datsyuk‘s stickhandling ability. However, not only did Kantserov have more goals than assists this season, he led the entire KHL in goal scoring by a margin of four.
Assuming this trend continues, Chicago will be even more ecstatic about their selection. Regardless, even if Kantserov reverts to being a quick, playmaking forward, the Blackhawks won’t be disappointed in that either.
Furthermore, Kantserov continues the trend of Chicago signing some of their recent draft picks and adding some overwhelming talent up front. Already with young, top-six forwards like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, the Blackhawks also added Anton Frondell and Sacha Boisvert toward the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
Despite finishing as one of the worst teams this season, Chicago’s influx of young forward talent, especially over the course of an entire season, could propel the team forward, reminiscent of the San Jose Sharks’ significant step forward this year. The Blackhawks still have plenty of development and kinks to work out on defense, but the forward corps has the talent to overcome those deficiencies.
Canucks To Promote Ryan Johnson
5/14/26: The Canucks’ promotion of Johnson to the GM position will be announced today, Frank Seravalli of Victory+ reports. CHEK TV’s Rick Dhaliwal added that in today’s announcement, the Sedin twins will be elevated to new roles as co-presidents, presumably of hockey operations.
5/12/26: The Vancouver Canucks are expected to promote Abbotsford Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson sometime in the near future. The anticipation is that the position will be that of either Director of Hockey Operations or General Manager, as reported by Rick Dhaliwal of Cheknews. Dhaliwal also stated that both Daniel and Henrik Sedin will have a big say in the final decision that will be a pivotal one for the Canucks’ front office.
The search itself has been an extensive one, with Canucks ownership and front office interviewing more than 15 candidates before narrowing the field. In recent weeks, the race had reportedly come down to Johnson and Boston Bruins assistant GM Evan Gold, before momentum shifted decisively in Johnson’s favor, and Dhaliwal reported he does not believe Gold remains in the mix.
The search to fill key front office vacancies has been ongoing for the last month following the dismissal of former GM Patrik Allvin. Adding to the shake-up, the team announced last week that President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford will also be stepping down from his role, though he will remain with the organization in an advisory capacity and as an alternate governor.
The changes in Vancouver do not come as a shock following an extremely disappointing 2025-26 season. The Canucks finished the season a staggering 25-49-8 with 58 points, which was last in the NHL by 14 points. Moreover, the Canucks were forced to part with franchise defenseman Quinn Hughes back in December, after he indicated he had no intention of re-signing with the team.
Johnson is no stranger to the NHL or to the Canucks organization. After wrapping up a 701-game playing career in 2011, he found his way back into the game in 2013-14, rejoining his former team of two seasons as a development coach. He climbed the ranks quickly: promoted to Assistant Director of Player Development within two years before being handed the reins of Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, as General Manager in 2017. When the affiliate relocated in 2021, Johnson became the first GM in Abbotsford Canucks history. Two years later, Patrik Allvin promoted him to Assistant General Manager in Vancouver while keeping him on in his role with Abbotsford. Across five seasons as Abbotsford GM, Johnson has compiled a 191-134-31 record and captured a Calder Cup in 2024-25.
With the 2026 NHL Draft Combine just weeks away and Vancouver holding the third overall pick, whoever ends up running hockey operations won’t have much time to settle in. Johnson, if officially named, will inherit a roster in transition, a fan base running thin on patience, and the heavy task of building the Canucks’ first Stanley Cup contender in over a decade.
Edmonton Oilers Fire Kris Knoblauch
The Edmonton Oilers have fired head coach Kris Knoblauch, per an official announcement. The news was first reported by TSN’s Ryan Rishaug. Assistant coach Mark Stuart has also been relieved of his duties.
Oilers GM Stan Bowman issued the following statement regarding the decision:
Following a thorough review of this past season, we believe these changes are needed. We are grateful for the contributions both Kris and Mark have made to our organization and we wish them the best moving forward.
A three-year contract extension signed by Knoblauch has yet to begin, meaning the coach is set to be paid by the Oilers through the 2028-29 season.
This past campaign was Knoblauch’s third behind the bench in Edmonton. He was hired away from the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack early in the 2023-24 season, after Edmonton fired former coach Jay Woodcroft amid a disastrous start to the season. 
Knoblauch, who was Connor McDavid‘s head coach in the OHL and a WHL and OHL championship-winning bench boss, immediately turned the Oilers around. Knoblauch led Edmonton to a 46-18-5 record in the 69 games he coached, and the Oilers went to the Stanley Cup Final.
In the 2024 Final, Knoblauch’s Oilers stormed back from a 3-0 series deficit to the Florida Panthers, nearly accomplishing one of the most stunning championship victories in the history of the sport – but they ended up falling in a nail-biter seventh game.
The following season, Knoblauch’s Oilers, who went 48-29-5, made it to another Stanley Cup Final, but once again lost to the Panthers, this time in six games.
This past season, Knoblauch and the Oilers took a decided step back. Bogged down by roster issues, most pressingly in goal, the Oilers struggled to find their identity all season. They went 41-30-11 and lost in the first round to a young, upstart Anaheim Ducks team. After the loss, McDavid was critical of the Oilers, saying they were “an average team all year.”
The signs that Edmonton would eventually make this decision emerged a few days ago, when reports indicated that the Oilers had requested permission to speak with former Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy. Cassidy remains under contract with the Golden Knights despite being fired during the season. While requests for permission to speak with fired coaches are usually a formality, the Golden Knights, according to reports, have withheld permission to speak with Cassidy. It is unclear if that has changed or will change.
But the reasons for the Oilers’ interest in Cassidy are clear: he is generally considered the most accomplished coach without a job at the moment, and this is a hire the Oilers can’t afford to get wrong. McDavid signed a two-year contract extension this season, one that would allow him to hit unrestricted free agency after the 2027-28 season. The 29-year-old’s extension officially put the Oilers on the clock – they have to prove to McDavid that he can still win a Stanley Cup in Edmonton. In other words, they have to earn his continued loyalty.
Cassidy, a Stanley Cup champion with Vegas in 2023, would give the Oilers a demanding coach who is still widely considered to be among the league’s best. But even if Edmonton doesn’t end up hiring the former Golden Knights, Boston Bruins, and Washington Capitals head coach, they still have now guaranteed they’ll be making a change behind the bench.
The list of other available veteran coaches doesn’t inspire as much confidence – especially after the New York Islanders took Peter DeBoer off the board late in the regular season – but it would still be a major surprise to see Edmonton turn to another first-time NHL head coach after parting ways with Knoblauch.
As for Knoblauch himself, one would have to imagine he will draw some league-wide interest in his services. The 47-year-old doesn’t have a Stanley Cup ring, but has been able to bring his teams as close as a team can possibly get without winning it all. His contract extension means Knoblauch doesn’t have to rush into his next gig, but it’ll be interesting to see if he’s considered for the vacancy of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, or potentially even in Vegas if current coach John Tortorella decides not to return for a full campaign.
Photos courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer Wins 2026 Calder Trophy
The National Hockey League officially announced today that New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer has been awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy for the 2025-26 season. The honor, voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, recognizes the league’s most proficient player in their debut campaign.
Schaefer’s victory is one for the history books. At just 18 years and 223 days old on the final day of the regular season, he became the youngest Calder Trophy winner in NHL history. He is the sixth Islander to take home the hardware, joining a list of franchise legends including Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, and Mat Barzal. Notably, he is only the fourth defenseman, and the 13th first-overall pick, to win the award, following in the footsteps of Aaron Ekblad and fellow Islanders blueliners Potvin and Bryan Berard. He becomes the first rookie to unanimously win the Calder Trophy since Teemu Selanne in the 1992-93 season with the Winnipeg Jets.
The Hamilton, Ontario native’s rookie season was nothing short of historic. Schaefer suited up for all 82 games, racking up 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists). His 23 goals tied Brian Leetch’s long-standing record for the most goals by a rookie defenseman in a single season. Beyond the scoring totals, Schaefer displayed veteran-level stamina, averaging 24:41 of ice time—the highest ever recorded by an 18-year-old skater. He even logged a staggering 31:59 during a single contest on March 24, setting a new benchmark for teenage durability in the modern era.
Schaefer excelled when it mattered most. As the top NHL rookie in power-play goals (8) and shots on goal (222), he kept his draft class in check with four game-winning goals. He also became the youngest defenseman ever to reach the 20-goal and 50-point mark. Back with the Islanders, the 18-year-old superstar led the team in ice time and plus/minus (+13), and finished second in total points.
By securing the Calder, Schaefer cements his status as the cornerstone of the Islanders’ future and the premier young talent in the game today.
Toronto Maple Leafs Part Ways With Head Coach Craig Berube
In a significant move to kick off a hopeful, transformative offseason, Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager John Chayka announced today that the club has parted ways with head coach Craig Berube. The decision comes as Chayka and the Toronto front office look to pivot following a 2025-26 campaign that fell short of the organization’s high expectations.
“Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person,” Chayka said in the team’s official release. “This decision is more reflective of an organizational shift and an opportunity for a fresh start than it is an evaluation of Craig. We are grateful for his leadership, professionalism, and commitment to the Maple Leafs organization.”
Despite Chayka’s framing of the move as an “organizational shift,” the results on the ice were difficult to ignore. After a strong first year, the Maple Leafs struggled with consistency during the 2025-26 season, ultimately missing the postseason for the first time in a decade. Berube, who was hired in 2024 to bring a rugged, playoff-ready identity to the roster, leaves Toronto with an 84-62-18 record.
With the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft already secured, Chayka now has the opportunity to pair a generational prospect with a head coach of his own choosing. The coaching market remains robust, with several veteran options and high-upside AHL candidates available to steer a roster still led by Auston Matthews and William Nylander.
By acting early in the offseason, the Maple Leafs ensure they can secure their top target before the draft and free agency. For a club entering a pivotal summer, this “fresh start” behind the bench marks the official beginning of the Chayka era in Toronto.
Berube, who led the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup in 2019, departs Toronto with two years remaining on his contract. He instantly becomes one of the most experienced options on the coaching market for other clubs seeking veteran leadership.
Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy Suspended Six Games To Start 2026-27 Season
After a year bumps, bruises, and injury – top Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will have to wait longer than most to play again. McAvoy has been suspended six games to start the 2026-27 season for his slash on Buffalo Sabres winger Zach Benson in Boston’s decisive loss on April 28, per Chris Johnston of The Athletic. McAvoy will forfeit just a bit more than $300K in salary due to the suspension, Johnston adds.
The incident leading to McAvoy’s slash occurred in the final 90 seconds of Boston’s season. On a race for a puck headed towards an empty net, Benson’s skate swept McAvoy’s legs from under him – causing the defender to crash into the end-boards. In response, McAvoy two-hand slashed Benson across his upper-body. He was assessed a game misconduct and major penalty on the play. Benson was also handed a minor penalty for tripping. The NHL explained that McAvoy used his stick as a weapon – even loading up for the strike – which led to the significant suspension.
This is McAvoy’s fourth run-in with the NHL Department of Player Safety. He was suspended one game in 2019 for a check to the head of Columbus Blue Jackets winger Josh Anderson. In 2022, McAvoy was fined $5K for tripping Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei. The first significant suspension of his career came at the start of the 2023-24 season, when McAvoy was forced to miss four games after a check to the head of Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Now, McAvoy’s record of suspensions will find a new low. His absence will leave a big hole in Boston’s lineup to start the season. He averaged 24:23 in ice time this season – three minutes more than anyone else on the roster. He finished the year with 11 goals and 61 points in 69 games, to go with 62 penalty minutes, 79 hits, and 129 shot blocks. Once again, his physical and relentless style of hockey made a difference for the Bruins – though it also led McAvoy to miss 13 games from a string of difficult injuries, including losing multiple teeth. A bit more discipline next season could go far in helping McAvoy avoid both injury and the Department of Safety.
The Bruins bumped Andrew Peeke up the lineup in McAvoy’s absence this season. They may not be able to do the same next season, with Peeke set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He finished the 2025-26 season with 14 points, 105 hits, and a team-leading 135 shot blocks. Those impacts helped Peeke climb to an average 19:23 in ice time, nearly a minute more than he managed in his first season with Boston last year. After another season offering impactful depth, Peeke should be a strong candidate to re-sign with the Bruins who will have more than $16MM in cap space per PuckPedia. If Peeke moves on, the top right-defense role will be open to a summer signing for the first games of the season.
NHL Announces General Manager Of The Year Finalists
The Wild’s Bill Guerin, the Avalanche’s Chris MacFarland, and the Ducks’ Pat Verbeek are the three finalists for this year’s Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award, the league announced today.
The award is presented annually “to the general manager who best excelled at his role during the regular season.” It is voted on by the League’s general managers and, per the league, “a panel of NHL executives and print and broadcast media” after the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs concludes.
This is the first time all three names have surfaced as finalists for the award. Of the three, Guerin is the longest-tenured lead executive. He was hired in 2019 to lead the Wild, and has guided the team to the playoffs in five of his seven campaigns in charge of the team. His Wild went 46-24-12 this season, good for third place in the Western Conference.
Guerin pulled off what most would likely consider this past season’s boldest transaction, putting together a package of players, prospects, and draft picks strong enough to land Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks. The move gave the Wild one of the game’s best players and arguably the game’s top defenseman.
He also secured the signature of franchise face Kirill Kaprizov on a massive contract extension, ensuring his team’s centerpiece player would not be departing in free agency. Kaprizov’s signing and the trade for Hughes represent two of the most consequential transactions in franchise history.
While Minnesota were pushed to the brink of elimination by the Avalanche last night, their loss should not diminish what Guerin accomplished this season – and that’s not even including his work constructing America’s roster for the Winter Olympics in Italy, work that resulted in a gold medal. He’s built the Wild into one of the NHL’s strongest teams, and his status as a finalist is a reflection of the strength of his body of work in 2025-26.
Verbeek, who like Guerin is a former longtime NHLer, has been running the Ducks’ hockey operations since February 2022. As GM in Anaheim, Verbeek has engineered a youth movement that is the envy of the NHL, securing high-end young pieces such as Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Beckett Sennecke.
But Verbeek hasn’t just stockpiled young talent. It’s his work to supplement his burgeoning young core with strong veteran contributors that has likely landed him as a finalist – and what has helped propel Anaheim to the second round of the playoffs.
Many rebuilding teams end up playing as many young players as possible, and the quality of the team overall suffers. The Ducks have taken a different approach, fusing a high number of young players with significant investments in veteran leaders. The result has been strong player development outcomes across the board, and the elevation of the Ducks into a winning, playoff-caliber team.
Verbeek signed Mikael Granlund and Alex Killorn as free agents, and landed Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba, and most recently John Carlson via trade. Those additions, combined with the offseason hire of three-time Stanley Cup champion head coach Joel Quenneville, have supercharged the Ducks’ rebuild and pushed them back to contention at a quick pace.
Of the three finalists, MacFarland has been GM for the shortest period of time, though his tenure in Colorado overall actually stretches back more than a decade. Joe Sakic’s longtime assistant GM took the reins in 2022, and has since helped turn the Avalanche into a Presidents’ Trophy winner.
MacFarland’s bold decision to move on from star forward Mikko Rantanen, who was inching closer to unrestricted free agency, appears to have paid off. His direct replacement Martin Necas had an 100-point season and is now signed through 2033-34. MacFarland was also able to retain veteran pivot Brock Nelson, who ended up a Selke Trophy finalist in his first full campaign in Denver.
MacFarland has been able to find diamonds in the rough, such as Sam Malinski and Parker Kelly to support a contending team with fewer available draft picks thanks to trades designed to secure veteran talent.
The work of MacFarland and his staff has Colorado in a position to potentially win its second Stanley Cup of the 2020s, and that’s why he’s a finalist for GM of the year.
Photos courtesy of Nick Wosika-Imagn Images