Welcome to a week we've never seen before in NHL history. The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are still stuck on last season and could be about to finish it in historic fashion, while the other 30 teams have long been focused on the next season. Let's run through the starting lineup of all we have coming in the next few days: Monday: Game 7, Oilers at Panthers.
The climactic game of what could be the first comeback from a 3-0 deficit in the Stanley Cup final since the Maple Leafs stunned the Red Wings in 1942. How could the Panthers ever live this down? Tuesday: The Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is announced, otherwise known as the annual snub of Alexander Mogilny. Ryan Miller is also a first-time eligible, although it seems possible he's going to have to wait his turn.
Wednesday: While one city is probably having its Stanley Cup parade, we can finally start to look at the 2024-25 season. The top draft prospects will kick off events in Las Vegas by holding a youth clinic and then meeting the media, and the league's buyout window opens 48 hours after the completion of the Cup final. Thursday: The NHL Awards show will be held at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, where we will learn the winners of the Hart, Calder, Norris and Vezina trophies as well as the Ted Lindsay Award (Most Outstanding Player, as voted by members of the NHLPA).
There will be lots of draft and trade chatter and many GMs, including Kevyn Adams of the Sabres, will hold briefings with their local media cor.
