1. Leafs Core Imploding Again: The Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t just get ran out of the building in Wednesday’s 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers, it was an implosion from the drop of the puck. A so-called legacy game for their core, the likes of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner just completely mailed it in. This series has played out exactly why the Leafs were doing everything in their power to land Mikko Rantanen on the morning of deadline day and didn’t think twice about trying to do it and moving on from Mitch Marner. One player is built for playoff hockey, the other isn’t. Mitch Marner is still going to get $12-$13 Million a year offers from somebody but this is a guy who’s a clear third wheel, second at best.
  2. Matthews Future to become a conversation? If the Leafs go out with a whimper, you even have to start having a conversation about Auston Matthews if you’re Toronto. Something has to give here……….

3. Oilers Soar to Conference Finals with 1-0 win: Out West, Edmonton is heading to the Western Conference Finals once again. Kasperi Kapanen who had a great series and was a forechecking machine, sent the Golden Knights packing with the OT winner……..

4. Kings give Ken Holland a short-term runway: The Los Angeles Kings will introduce Ken Holland as GM on Thursday. The roster is there for the short and long-term but the goal is to take some swings. Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers are going nowhere for years to come and Los Angeles has a more playing style problem than talent.

5. Rick Tocchet becomes 3rd highest paid coach in NHL @ $5.25MM Per: Tocchet did a masterpiece of negotiating, getting the Vancouver Canucks to bend and bend on salary in getting close to $5 million a year (actual offer was $4.75 million per season).  Tocchet then sets his price at 5×5 to interested teams with him knowing the job in Philly is his if he wants it. Tocc then brings Seattle to the table and gets even north of $5 million per season. Now the question will be how long does the honeymoon period last in Philadelphia? It’s always short……