The Stanley Cup is Won and What’s Next for the NHL

Well the NHL’s season has completely come to a close as the Pittsburgh Penguins have won the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row. The Penguins are the first team to repeat as champions in nearly 20 years. They received great performances from their young guns and their veterans on their way to the Cup. Matt Murray was essential to the game 6 win as he made a slew of tough saves against the Predators. The Cup winning goal came from Patric Hornqvist who ended up on the Penguins after being dealt there for James Neal. Sidney Crosby was awarded the Conn Smythe as the MVP of the playoffs for the second straight year as well, Crosby picked up 27 points in the 24 games he played. That wraps up this season of the NHL and although they lost the Predators had an amazing run and should be an exciting team to watch next season.
So What’s Next?
Well although the season is done the NHL Awards are coming up soon (June 21st) and not only is that the night we find out award winners but we also get to see the roster for the Vegas Golden Knights. Teams have until the 17th to submit their protected lists to the NHL and then on the 18th, 19th and 20th the Golden Knights are allowed to interview potential players they would want to take. I wish the expansion draft itself would be broadcast like any other draft but instead they will just be announcing the full roster. It should be interesting to see what players will be taken and how the final roster looks when Vegas begins their season next year. After the NHL awards we look forward to the NHL Draft which begins on Friday, June 23rd. The New Jersey Devils will be on the clock with the first overall pick. After the draft NHL free agency opens on July 1st and we find out where superstars like T.J. Oshie and Kevin Shattenkirk will play next year, who knows maybe Vegas?