Rosner’s Wrap: Avalanche Win the Stanley Cup, Dufour Nets Four & More

The Colorado Avalanche have won the 2022 Stanley Cup as they defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 to take Game 6 and the series. It’s the first time Colorado has won since 2001. New York Islanders prospect William Dufour continues to dominate while ESPN releases a must-watch documentary on the rivalry between the Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings.

These stories and more in today’s daily links!

NYI Hockey Now: New York Islanders prospect William Dufour and the St. John Sea Dogs are headed to the Memorial Cup Finals after the 20-year-old notched four goals, including a second-period natural hat trick, to help erase a three-goal deficit against the Shawinigan Cataractes.

NYI Hockey Now: One of the biggest questions of the offseason was where Barry Trotz would go after being relieved of his coaching duties by New York Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello. On Friday, we got our answer–nowhere.

NYI Hockey Now: Former New York Islanders forward and current Buffalo Sabres leader Kyle Okposo was one of the players up for the Masterton Trophy come season’s end. His story, this season and since leaving the Islanders is one of perseverance, dedication, and leadership. As we wait to see who Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato chooses as captain of his young, determined group, it seems that Okposo is the front runner.

Colorado Hockey Now: Sunday night was a night Colorado Avalanche fans will remember for the rest of their life, as for the first time since 2001, they are Stanley Cup Champions. Here are Adrian Dater’s final thoughts on the Avalanche and what they accomplished this season.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now:  Despite entering his age 34 season, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is still irreplaceable. Is he the only Penguins player that is? Dan Kingerski has more on the matter.

Boston Hockey Now: Multiple NHL sources have confirmed to Boston Hockey Now that former Northeastern head coach and current bench boss for the Colorado Eagles (AHL), Greg Cronin, interviewed to become the next head coach of the Boston Bruins.

Florida Hockey Now: On Thursday morning, the Florida Panthers introduced Paul Maurice as the 18th head coach in franchise history.  The next day, he spoke with Florida Hockey Now on a variety of topics including putting a new coaching staff together — and his hope that Andrew Brunette sticks around after being the team’s interim head coach last season.

Montreal Hockey Now:  With assistant coach Luke Richardson now the bench boss for the Chicago Blackhawks, the Montreal Canadiens are on the search for an assistant coach. Here is an out-of-the-box hire option for Martin St. Louis and his staff.

Philly Hockey Now: Joel Farabee, one of the Philadelphia Flyers’ best forwards, may miss the start of the 2022-23 season, general manager Chuck Fletcher announced Friday. A winger who was also used at center last season, Farabee underwent successful disc-replacement surgery in his cervical region Friday morning. The surgery was performed by Dr. Jon Yoon, a neurosurgeon at Penn Medicine.

Detroit Hockey Now: If you haven’t already, catch ESPN’s E60 documentary “Unrivaled”, which tells the story of the heated rivalry between the Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings. Seth Brown shares what he remembers of growing up with the rivalry as heated as it was.

Washington Hockey Now: The Washington Capitals saw the first member of their 2017-18 Stanley Cup-winning team hoist the Stanley Cup for a second time, as Andre Burakovsky raised Lord Stanley for the second time in his career — and for the second time in four years — with the Colorado Avalanche.

Vegas Hockey Now: After an injury-riddled 2021-22 campaign, Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer was ‘rattled’ when he found out he was fired by the Vegas Golden Knights. He landed on his feet pretty quickly, writes Colby Guy as he fills in for Owen Krepps, who is in the middle of his move to Vegas. 

San Jose Hockey Now: Congratulations to Stanley Cup champion Andrew Cogliano! Cogliano has appeared in 1,140 regular-season NHL games and another 116 games in the playoffs. And after a long and respected NHL career, he has his first Stanley Cup victory after 15 years in the league. He started the season off as a San Jose Shark but was dealt to the Avalanche at the 2022 Trade Deadline.

Vancouver Hockey Now: Whether they deserve it or not, Vancouver Canucks legends Daniel and Henrik Sedin have a decent chance of being selected as inductees for the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday on their first ballot due to connections and politics, writes Rob Simpson.