Russell’s Roundup: Rumors Galore; Lambert Potential New Job

The Stanley Cup Final doesn’t start until Saturday, so I’m not quite sure what to watch right now. I do wonder who feels more pressure. There’s a plethora of storylines wrapped into this final. But with it now being Tuesday, just about every significant rumor broker in the NHL Media sphere dropped some morsels for us all to snack on yesterday, including New York Islanders ex-head coach Lane Lambert appearing to be in line for a new job, along with more Mitch Marner updates, and a Jake Guentzel update.

But seriously, these Stanley Cup Final storylines. Edmonton has underachieved for years, and they may not get another chance that is quite as good as this one. Leon Draisaitl’s contract is up after next year, as is Evan Bouchard’s. There’s no shortage of uncertainty, especially when the Oilers only have seven forwards under contract for next season.

Florida also only has seven forwards on the books for next year, and Sam Reinhart isn’t one of them. The Panthers were here last year and were beaten soundly by the Vegas Golden Knights. 

I’m 22 years old, and I can count on one hand how many times a team has made the Stanley Cup Final twice in a row, and every single one of them won at least one Stanley Cup during those runs. Will Florida go the route of the Buffalo Bills in the 1990s or the Pittsburgh Penguins redemption arc of 2009? 

I’ve got the Oilers in six. I don’t think Connor McDavid will lose, even though the better team this playoffs has undoubtedly been Florida. 

New York Islanders

NYI Hockey Now: Free Agency is less than four weeks away. What is the Islanders current salary cap situation? Who on the Islanders is currently unsigned, who may stay, and who may go? 

TSN (Audio): Darren Dreger, on TSN’s First Up, mentioned that ex-Islanders head coach Lane Lambert could be set to join Craig Berube on the Toronto Maple Leafs new coaching staff. 

NHL Trade Talk, News, and National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman released a new 32 Thoughts Podcast, chock full of news tidbits. It includes a potential general manager trade of sorts between Carolina and Columbus and the latest on the neverending Mitch Marner saga.

The Athletic ($): At this time of year, it’s hard to keep track of who is or isn’t available. Luckily, Pierre LeBrun wrote a new batch of LeBrun’s Rumblings, with more info on Marner, a trio of Detroit Red Wings, and a pretty major Jake Guentzel update. 

The Athletic ($): The Islanders currently own the 20th overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft. Who knows if the team keeps the pick and makes their first selection in round one since Simon Holmstrom, but Prospect Guru Scott Wheeler released his final top-100 rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft.

NJ Hockey Now: Fresh off of a disappointing year without playoffs, the Devils needed to make changes. They hired a new coach, and now James Nichols describes how the Lambert to Toronto rumors could trickle down on the New Jersey Devils, Sheldon Keefe-led coaching staff.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: When great empires fall, sometimes it’s gradual, but other times it crashes all at once. The Penguin empire has been slowly withering away, but there’s still life in there yet. Dan Kingerski discusses some pros and cons of a hypothetical removal of Mike Sullivan.

Philadelphia Hockey Now: The Islanders have four significant players eligible for extensions on July 1st, which will generate a lot of buzz. In Philadelphia, top-line winger Travis Konecny is due for a raise, and that possible extension is expected to be worked out this summer.