Daily Nuggets: Should Golden Knights ‘Blow it Up’?; End of an Era

Good morning, folks. It’s the offseason for the Vegas Golden Knights; thus, it’s the offseason for Vegas Hockey Now. That doesn’t mean we’re taking a break– I don’t really know how to do that– but it does mean that the content of this site will change. There won’t be any more Golden Knights hockey until September, so we’ll have to get creative. 

Elsewhere in the Daily Nuggets, could Brendan Shanahan find a home as the New York Islanders general manager? He might be unemployed soon; on Sunday, the Florida Panthers absolutely eviscerated the Maple Leafs and essentially ended the ‘Core Four’ era in Toronto.

During TNT’s postgame show, analyst Anson Carter pointed something out. He noted that what the Golden Knights have done– making it to the Stanley Cup Finals in their first year, winning the Cup in year six, and making the playoffs in seven of their first eight seasons– is quite unusual. 

So, Golden Knights fans, I know the loss last week is still fresh. I know it still stings. And that’s the beauty of sports– you let them consume your every waking thought, you invest emotionally, and in return, most of the time, they tear your heart out and stomp on it. 

But as far as sports traumas go, the Golden Knights have done their best to keep their fans from experiencing it. Look at the last eight years for the Golden Knights compared to the last 57 for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Things aren’t so bad, eh? There might not be much grass in Vegas, but it’s certainly greener than what they’re growing in Toronto.

Okay. Onto the hockey!

Golden Knights News

So, remember two paragraphs ago when I said that the Golden Knights management has succeeded so far? Let’s touch back on that. Look, I know that when seasons end, there are always takes and opinions about where the team should go. But to suggest that the Golden Knights should ‘blow it up’ is an extreme overreaction.

Sooner or later, the hockey world will see some offseason activity. When trading starts up, I’d be surprised if the Golden Knights got in on any bidding wars. I’m sure they’ll try– Kelly McCrimmon is nothing if not aggressive– but they don’t have many attractive assets. Of course, there’s a reason for that: the Golden Knights paid to win.

NHL News, Rumors, & National Hockey Now

The Athletic ($): It seems like I’ve heard this one before– maybe because we’ve said this just about every year since 2018! But, seriously, this time, enough is enough. The Toronto Maple Leafs ‘Core Four’ failed again for the seventh straight season. After the Florida Panthers ran the Leafs out of Scotiabank Arena, there’s no running it back.

Sportsnet: Once more, for good measure, just in case the last article didn’t get the point across, the ‘Core Four’ era in Toronto is over. Unlike in years before, we know who isn’t sticking around this time. The Maple Leafs have two key players, and it’s clear what is about to transpire: John Tavares may still re-sign, but the writing is on the wall for Mitch Marner.

By the way– Marner has 63 points in 70 postseason games. He’s also the franchise’s fifth-leading scorer, with 741 points in 657 games as a Leaf. You wouldn’t know any of that by listening to the national media or watching the Toronto faithful throw jerseys and beer onto the ice on Sunday.

Florida Hockey Now: After how tight Game 6 was, I anticipated that Game 7 would be another 2-0, 2-1 game. Nope. The Panthers dominated the Maple Leafs, once again humiliating them in front of their home crowd. The Cats are off to their third Eastern Conference Final in as many years, and the party is only getting started.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: Soooo, with all of that in mind… Russ Macias explains why the Islanders could be the perfect place for current Maple Leafs President of Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan. 

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Gosh, even this is about the Leafs! Last offseason, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas didn’t make any splashes other than acquiring Rutger McGroarty from Winnipeg. This time around, he must aim higher.

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