NHL

Vancouver Canucks’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) celebrates with teammate Elias Pettersson (40) after scoring a goal during first period NHL hockey action against the New York Islanders, in Elmont, N.Y., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The Vancouver Canucks have bought out Oliver Ekman-Larsson, making the defenceman an unrestricted free agent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Frank Franklin II

Vancouver Canucks buy out defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s contract

Team will pay Swedish defenceman $19.33 million over the next eight years not to play

Vancouver Canucks’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23) celebrates with teammate Elias Pettersson (40) after scoring a goal during first period NHL hockey action against the New York Islanders, in Elmont, N.Y., Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The Vancouver Canucks have bought out Oliver Ekman-Larsson, making the defenceman an unrestricted free agent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Frank Franklin II
Vegas Golden Knights President of Hockey Operations George McPhee hoists the Stanley Cup. (nhl.com photo)

THE MOJ: Knights fans may not have suffered for the cup, Vegas leader is another story

After a 40-year run in pro hockey, George McPhee finally fulfills his Stanley Cup dream

Vegas Golden Knights President of Hockey Operations George McPhee hoists the Stanley Cup. (nhl.com photo)
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Laurent Brossoit adjusts his helmet during the third period of Game 5 of the team’s NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Born to be a goalie: Port Alberni’s Laurent Brossoit cherishing Stanley Cup win

Despite the glitz of Vegas and the championship spotlight, goalie hasn’t forgotten his roots

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Laurent Brossoit adjusts his helmet during the third period of Game 5 of the team’s NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Members of the Vegas Golden Knights pose with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Knights of West Coast: Stanley Cup champion Vegas has a number of B.C. ties

Several Golden Knights both on and off the ice have roots in British Columbia

Members of the Vegas Golden Knights pose with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Nelson’s Bruno Campese lifts the Stanley Cup on June 13. Campese is a scout with the Vegas Golden Knights. Photo courtesy Bruno Campese

Nelson’s Bruno Campese lifts Stanley Cup as scout for Vegas Golden Knights

Campese was on the ice to celebrate the Golden Knights’ 1st championship

Nelson’s Bruno Campese lifts the Stanley Cup on June 13. Campese is a scout with the Vegas Golden Knights. Photo courtesy Bruno Campese
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault skates with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Original Golden Knight Misfits key part of Vegas Stanley Cup run

6 Knights were on the 2017-18 team that made the Stanley Cup final in the team’s first year

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault skates with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone skates with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Viva Las Vegas! Golden Knights hammer Florida 9-3, win 2023 Stanley Cup

Expansion club earns NHL title after just 6 seasons in league

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone skates with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Ottawa Senators left wing Parker Kelly (45) skates as projections of the team’s logo spin on the ice before an NHL game against the Boston Bruins in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. A group led by Toronto-based businessman Michael Andlauer has reached an agreement in principle to purchase the NHL’s Ottawa Senators for close to $1 billion, according to media reports. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Reports: Andlauer group buys Ottawa Senators for close to $1 billion

A group led by Toronto-based businessman Michael Andlauer has reached an agreement…

Ottawa Senators left wing Parker Kelly (45) skates as projections of the team’s logo spin on the ice before an NHL game against the Boston Bruins in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. A group led by Toronto-based businessman Michael Andlauer has reached an agreement in principle to purchase the NHL’s Ottawa Senators for close to $1 billion, according to media reports. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Canada’s Adam Fantilli (91) reacts after scoring a goal during their semifinal match against Latvia at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Tampere, Finland, Saturday, May 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Pavel Golovkin

Meet and greet: NHL teams, prospects have plenty to talk about at scouting combine

Three players expected to go in the top-5 picks at this month’s draft were poked, prodded and tested

Canada’s Adam Fantilli (91) reacts after scoring a goal during their semifinal match against Latvia at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Tampere, Finland, Saturday, May 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Pavel Golovkin
Vegas Golden Knights left wing William Carrier (28) celebrates a after a goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals, Monday, June 5, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Golden Knights take 2-0 lead in Stanley Cup Final with 7-2 win over Panthers

The Knights were dominant early, taking a 2-0 lead in the 1st period

Vegas Golden Knights left wing William Carrier (28) celebrates a after a goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals, Monday, June 5, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Abbotsford’s Jett Woo checks Laval’s Anthony Richard during AHL action on Wednesday (Nov. 16). (Abbotsford Canucks photo)

Vancouver Canucks sign defenceman Jett Woo to 1-year contract

Woo, 22, has spent the last 3 seasons playing for Vancouver’s American Hockey League affiliate

Abbotsford’s Jett Woo checks Laval’s Anthony Richard during AHL action on Wednesday (Nov. 16). (Abbotsford Canucks photo)
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan O’Reilly (90) protects the puck from Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman (77) during second period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto on Thursday, April 27, 2023. O’Reilly is one of the names poised to hit the free agency market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

NHL free-agent frenzy: Some of the players poised to hit the open market July 1

League’s signing period returns to July 1 after three years of pandemic impacts

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan O’Reilly (90) protects the puck from Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman (77) during second period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action in Toronto on Thursday, April 27, 2023. O’Reilly is one of the names poised to hit the free agency market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas speaks to media during an end-of-season availability in Toronto, on Monday, May 15, 2023. The Maple Leafs were eliminated from the NHL playoffs by the Florida Panthers on Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Kyle Dubas out as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs after five seasons

Dubas first domino to fall in what could be a summer of intrigue in hockey’s biggest market

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas speaks to media during an end-of-season availability in Toronto, on Monday, May 15, 2023. The Maple Leafs were eliminated from the NHL playoffs by the Florida Panthers on Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo congratulates Boston Bruins counterpart Tim Thomas following the Bruins 4-0 in game 7 of NHL Stanley Cup Final hockey at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Wednesday, June 15, 2011. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers were eliminated in the second round of this year’s playoffs to stretch Canada’s title drought to a head-scratching 30 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo congratulates Boston Bruins counterpart Tim Thomas following the Bruins 4-0 in game 7 of NHL Stanley Cup Final hockey at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Wednesday, June 15, 2011. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers were eliminated in the second round of this year’s playoffs to stretch Canada’s title drought to a head-scratching 30 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
FILE - In this Friday, Dec. 29, 2017 file photo, Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) and center Tyler Seguin (91) look over the St. Louis Blues defense during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas.Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin were regularly among the NHL’s top scorers when they first started playing together in Dallas a decade ago. Now 30-something forwards, Benn the captain and six-time All-Star Seguin are far removed from skating together on the top line, or even leading their own team in scoring while having the two biggest contracts on the Stars roster.(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)

Benn, Seguin in different roles as 30-somethings for Stars in push to West final

Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin were regularly among the NHL’s top scorers…

FILE - In this Friday, Dec. 29, 2017 file photo, Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) and center Tyler Seguin (91) look over the St. Louis Blues defense during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Dallas.Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin were regularly among the NHL’s top scorers when they first started playing together in Dallas a decade ago. Now 30-something forwards, Benn the captain and six-time All-Star Seguin are far removed from skating together on the top line, or even leading their own team in scoring while having the two biggest contracts on the Stars roster.(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Florida Panthers Aaron Ekblad, left, Aleksander Barkov, and Ryan Lomberg, right, skate during hockey practice Monday, May 15, 2023 at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla. The team travels to take on the Carolina Hurricane in a Stanley Cup semi-final series. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

Ex-division rivals Carolina and Florida clash in East final for a shot at the Stanley Cup

Panthers hope to continue run of upsets in rare late southeast hockey challenge

Florida Panthers Aaron Ekblad, left, Aleksander Barkov, and Ryan Lomberg, right, skate during hockey practice Monday, May 15, 2023 at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla. The team travels to take on the Carolina Hurricane in a Stanley Cup semi-final series. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)
Arizona Coyotes’ Zack Kassian (44) and Edmonton Oilers’ James Hamblin (57) battle for the puck during third period NHL action in Edmonton on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. A vote in Tempe Arizona yesterday has cast the team’s future in doubt. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Arizona Coyotes’ bid for new arena rejected by voters

Vote to reject entertainment district in Tempe casts team’s future in doubt

Arizona Coyotes’ Zack Kassian (44) and Edmonton Oilers’ James Hamblin (57) battle for the puck during third period NHL action in Edmonton on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. A vote in Tempe Arizona yesterday has cast the team’s future in doubt. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Seattle Kraken forward Tye Kartye, front, celebrates his goal against the Colorado Avalanche with defenseman Will Borgen during the second period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Seattle Kraken’s offseason reluctantly begins after turnaround season of emergence

Mix aging veterans, budding rookies helped NHL’s newest team fall one goal short of the final four

Seattle Kraken forward Tye Kartye, front, celebrates his goal against the Colorado Avalanche with defenseman Will Borgen during the second period of Game 5 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Florida Panthers centre Sam Bennett (9) scores on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) during second period, second round, game one, NHL Stanley Cup hockey action in Toronto, Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Florida is looking to continue its run against the Carolina Hurricanes in the upcoming Eastern Conference final. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

THE MOJ: Are you ready for a Dallas/Florida Stanley Cup final?

Looking to get back on track with NHL playoff predictions after nearly going ‘oh-fer’ in round two

Florida Panthers centre Sam Bennett (9) scores on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) during second period, second round, game one, NHL Stanley Cup hockey action in Toronto, Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Florida is looking to continue its run against the Carolina Hurricanes in the upcoming Eastern Conference final. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Arizona Coyotes fans leave the Gila River Arena after an NHL hockey game between the Coyotes and the Nashville Predators Friday, April 29, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz., the team’s final game at the facility. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP /Ross D. Franklin

Fate of Arizona Coyotes arena project in the hands of voters

Citizens of Tempe voting on $2.3 billion Tempe Entertainment District key to team’s future

Arizona Coyotes fans leave the Gila River Arena after an NHL hockey game between the Coyotes and the Nashville Predators Friday, April 29, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz., the team’s final game at the facility. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP /Ross D. Franklin