The Daily: Vegas Wins; Bedard to Blackhawks Countdown Begins

The Daily today starts with the Golden Knights winning silver and the countdown officially starting for Connor Bedard to the Chicago Blackhawks.

In the end, the Vegas Golden Knights didn’t show any mercy. The final score was 9-3 and reading the Florida Panthers injury list is grotesque and a miracle half of them could even skate in the Final. But the Golden Knights fulfilled their owner’s prediction that they would be hoisting the Stanley Cup in six years from their inaugural season.

He called it. Jack Eichel wins a Cup before Connor McDavid. Las Vegas is officially a champion. And the band of misfits that teams didn’t want skated around the ice having the last laugh.

Bedard to Blackhawks Countdown Begins

Meanwhile, Chicago Blackhawks fans who have already been counting down since the Lottery really have nothing to shield their view any longer. It’s 14 days exactly until the Blackhawks will go on the stage and announce the foregone conclusion that Connor Bedard will be pulling the iconic Original Six sweater over his head and shaking lots of hands with a smile.

But Blackhawks fans will likely have their own, dreaming of Bedard one day taking a lap around the ice with the Cup over his head.

It will be a busy few weeks and then the real construction begins after Bedard’s name is called. Until then, enjoy the anticipation.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• The offseason has begun and it’s expected that a lot is going to go down. Here’s a primer of what these busy next two weeks will look like
• The Blackhawks are taking Connor Bedard and they won’t be trading the pick.
• Patrick Sharp leaves the Blackhawks broadcast booth for a front office gig with the Philadelphia Flyers
• Adin Hill had a hell of a playoff run. Can he cash in like Antti Niemi did back in the 2010 offseason?
• Nikita Zaitsev could be a buyout candidate. He could also stick around and be a top six defenseman. Regardless, the deal to get him paid off handsomely
• The Rebuild Report Looks at the 2020 Draft, one that scored them Lukas Reichel

Stanley Cup Final Coverage

• Bill Foley on his Vegas Golden Knights: “I’ll think about my next asinine statement.”
• It’s the end of a magical run for the Florida Panthers
• The long list of injuries for the Florida Panthers, including a broken sternum for Matthew Tkachuk

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Former Boston Bruins bench boss Bruce Cassidy plans on the bringing the Cup to the Cape.

Buffalo: Former Buffalo Sabres netminder Dominik Hasek visits Ukraine

Calgary: Several Calgary Flames players have decisions to make as the offseason dawns

Colorado: The Colorado Avalanche are early 2024 favorites for the Stanley Cup

Los Angeles: Why Pierre-Luc Dubois doesn’t make sense for the Los Angeles Kings

Montreal: The Montreal Canadiens clean out their medical personnel after an injury plagued season

New Jersey:  Who has the fourth best odds to win the Stanley Cup in 2024? That would be the New Jersey Devils

Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Flyers side of the Patrick Sharp addition to the front office

Pittsburgh: A look at the Pittsburgh Penguins trade history

San Jose: Which defensemen might the San Jose Sharks select in the draft?

Washington: Should he stay or should he go? On why Tom Wilson may or may not be with the Washington Capitals next season