The Daily: Maple Leafs & Kyle Dubas Split; Thunderbirds Win Title

The Kyle Dubas Era in Toronto is over and it’s left quite the mark across the league and Toronto. Team President Brendan Shanahan said an extension was in the works until it wasn’t. Dubas initially said he wouldn’t be in the league unless it was with Toronto. Who knows what will change from now.

Meanwhile, so many teams are taking notice as a new set of eyes with no attachment to the roster could mean players are on the move. Especially one or many of the core-four. It means the Blackhawks might be in this, too. Rebuild be damned, maybe this is a chance to accelerate it some more–even though it appears as general manager Kyle Davidson will do what he feels is more prudent. Regardless, the offseason just got a whole lot more interesting.

Blackhawks Trio Wins WHL Title

Nolan Allan had an assist as the Seattle Thunderbirds won 3-1 to capture the WHL Championship. They will now head on to play in the Memorial Cup, representing the Western Hockey League. Seattle fell in Game 1 only to rip off four straight and skate away with the title. Now the three Blackhawks prospects will get additional high stakes playoff experience taking the best of the rest in the CHL.

2023 WHL CHAMPS! pic.twitter.com/csFtItYvKo

— y – Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) May 20, 2023

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• Blackhawks Two Truths and a Lie: Dodging Draft Myths
• With Kyle Dubas Out in Toronto, could the Blackhawks be interested in their players?
• Blackhawks Bottom Line looks at all the always dependable Connor Murphy

Hockey Now Network

Buffalo: The Sabres sign Nikita Novikov to an entry-level deal. Buffalo Sabres

Coloardo: Pavel Francouz had a lost second half of the season in the latest season in review piece. Colorado Avalanche

Detroit: Alex Chiasson played well in his time up in Detroit. Might the veteran get another season out of it? Detroit Red Wings

Florida: Brandon Montour is an absolute “freak” after the insane minutes he played in the marathon Game 1. Florida Panthers

Montreal: In the latest mailbag, what could a Caufield Offer Sheet look like? Montreal Canadiens

Pittsburgh: Eric Tulsky is a very interesting option at GM for the Penguins. Pittsburgh Penguins

San Jose: Is the trend of signing or drafting towering goaltenders back? SJ Now’s Sheng Peng takes a look: San Jose Sharks

Vegas: The Golden Knights get good grades after a 4-3 overtime win in Game 1: Vegas Golden Knights