Hey everyone, hope you are doing well. Tonight, we are back again for another great Episode 38 of Season 7 of Two Guys & Hockey Talk. Another week, with the Stanley Cup Finals in the heat of it and some news from around the league. Here are some of the and in the world of hockey are:
- Stanley Cup Final Even at 2-2 – The biggest story in hockey remains the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes. Carolina bounced back in Game 4 with a 5-3 victory to even the series at two games apiece. Veteran captain Jordan Staal scored twice, including the game-winning goal, while Nikolaj Ehlers added three points. Perhaps the biggest surprise was Carolina turning to rookie goaltender Brandon Bussi for his first career playoff start, and he responded with a solid performance. With the series now a best-of-three, Game 5 in Raleigh could be the turning point in determining who lifts the Stanley Cup.
- NHLPA Raises Concerns Over Potential Babcock Return – One of the more controversial stories around the league involves reports linking Mike Babcock to the Edmonton Oilers’ coaching vacancy. The NHL Players’ Association has reportedly requested that the NHL investigate Babcock before any hiring takes place, citing concerns stemming from his brief and controversial tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization in 2023. The situation has generated significant discussion across the hockey world and will be closely monitored in the coming days.
- 2026 NHL Draft Buzz Continues to Grow – With the NHL Draft approaching, speculation continues to intensify regarding where the top prospects will land. Generational talent Gavin McKenna remains the projected first overall pick, while Vancouver is frequently being linked to Caleb Malhotra, the son of newly hired Canucks coach Manny Malhotra. As scouting meetings conclude and teams finalize their draft boards, expect rumors and projections to dominate headlines over the next few weeks.
- Dylan Larkin Trade Rumours Shake Detroit – One of the biggest offseason stories in the past week involves Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin. Reports surfaced last week that Larkin has requested a trade after Detroit missed the playoffs for a tenth consecutive season. The 29-year-old Michigan native has spent his entire NHL career with the Red Wings and has long been viewed as the face of the franchise. According to multiple reports, Larkin has submitted a three-team list of preferred destinations that includes the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights. The situation has sent shockwaves through the hockey world, as it is rare to see a franchise captain request a move. Larkin is coming off another strong season with 34 goals and 67 points and still has five years remaining on his contract. Whether Steve Yzerman ultimately grants the request or works to repair the relationship, we will see.
- Sceptres Turn to Pascal Rhéaume Behind the Bench – The Toronto Sceptres have named Pascal Rhéaume as the second head coach in franchise history, bringing in a coach with extensive playing and coaching experience at both the professional and international levels. Rhéaume most recently served as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders and previously worked in Hockey Canada’s development program. The hiring marks a new chapter for the Sceptres after another strong regular season that ended in playoff disappointment. Toronto’s management believes Rhéaume’s leadership, player-development background, and experience working with elite athletes can help the club take the next step in its pursuit of a Walter Cup championship. Rhéaume is also well known in hockey circles as the brother of trailblazing goaltender Manon Rhéaume and as a former NHL forward who played parts of nine seasons in the league. The move is one of the biggest coaching stories in the PWHL this offseason as Toronto looks to build on its status as one of the league’s premier franchises.
- Kale Clague Heads Overseas – Former Winnipeg Jets defenseman Kale Clague is taking the next step in his professional career after signing a two-year contract with KHL club Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. The Regina, Saskatchewan native spent the entire 2025-26 season with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, recording nine goals and 27 points in 67 games. A second-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2016, Clague has appeared in 94 NHL games with the Kings, Canadiens, and Sabres, but has found more consistent success at the American Hockey League level, where he has accumulated 165 points in 321 career games. At 28 years old, the move to Russia provides Clague with an opportunity for a larger role and a fresh start while continuing his professional career. While his departure removes a depth option from Winnipeg’s organization, a strong showing in the KHL could potentially put him back on the radar of NHL clubs in the future.
- Wild Lock Up Michael McCarron Long-Term – The Minnesota Wild have signed forward Michael McCarron to a six-year, $20 million contract extension with an AAV of $3.33 million). Acquired from the Nashville Predators at the 2026 trade deadline, McCarron quickly became a valuable part of Minnesota’s lineup thanks to his size, physical play, and ability to provide depth down the middle. The 6-foot-6 forward recorded 17 points, 205 hits, and 93 penalty minutes in 79 games this season while establishing himself as one of the league’s most effective bottom-six power forwards. By committing to McCarron long-term, the Wild are signaling that toughness, physicality, and veteran leadership will remain important pieces of their identity moving forward.
- Marlies Headed to the Calder Cup Final – The Toronto Marlies are heading to the Calder Cup Final for the first time since 2018 after defeating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in six games in the Eastern Conference Final. Toronto clinched the series with a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 6, with Alex Nylander scoring the series-winning goal and goaltender Artur Akhtyamov stopping 39 of 40 shots. The Marlies, led by top prospects Easton Cowan and Ben Danford along with a strong veteran core, will now face the Chicago Wolves for the American Hockey League championship. Chicago earned its spot in the Final after defeating the Colorado Eagles in the Western Conference Final. The series begins June 12 in Chicago, with the Marlies looking to capture their second Calder Cup in franchise history and continue what has been one of the organization’s most impressive playoff runs in recent years.
- Kings Turn to Veteran Coach Peter Laviolette – The Los Angeles Kings have hired Peter Laviolette as their new head coach, bringing one of the NHL’s most accomplished bench bosses to Hollywood. Laviolette agreed to a three-year contract after drawing interest from several teams, including Toronto and Edmonton. The 61-year-old brings more than two decades of NHL coaching experience, highlighted by a Stanley Cup championship with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and additional Stanley Cup Final appearances with the Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators. The Kings are hoping Laviolette’s experience and track record of quick turnarounds can help a team that has struggled to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs in recent years. With 846 career wins, Laviolette is the winningest American-born coach in NHL history and will now be tasked with helping Los Angeles take the next step as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
- Mavericks Seize Control of Kelly Cup Final – The Kansas City Mavericks have put themselves firmly in the driver’s seat in the 2026 Kelly Cup Final after defeating the Florida Everblades 5-2 in Game 2 to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. Kansas City has outscored Florida 11-2 through the first two games of the championship series, including a dominant 6-0 shutout victory in Game 1. The Mavericks have been powered by balanced scoring, strong special teams, and outstanding goaltending from Jack LaFontaine, who has been one of the ECHL’s top playoff performers. Meanwhile, the Everblades are attempting to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive Kelly Cup championship and now face a must-win situation as the series shifts to Florida. With Kansas City sitting just two wins away from the first Kelly Cup title in franchise history, the pressure is squarely on the defending champions heading into Game 3.
- Albert Smits Wins Prestigious E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence – Top 2026 NHL Draft prospect Alberts Smits has been named the recipient of the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence, an honour given annually to the draft-eligible player who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness, and athletic ability. The Latvian defenseman, who most recently played in Germany’s DEL with EHC Red Bull München after a strong season in Finland’s Liiga, continues to rise as one of the most highly regarded prospects in the 2026 draft class. Smits has impressed scouts throughout the year with his poise in high-pressure situations, including international play at the Olympics and World Championships, where he handled heavy minutes against elite competition. The award presentation took place during the Stanley Cup Final in Las Vegas, adding another spotlight moment ahead of what is expected to be a top-10 selection in the upcoming NHL Draft. With his profile continuing to grow, Smits is now viewed as one of the most complete defensive prospects available this year.
Thoughts? Questions? Suggestions? Then remember to tune in each week to get all the latest news in the world of hockey as we start up Season 7 of the Podcast each Wednesday night at 7pm MST, where we dive into some of these great topics, interview many in the game and so much more. For more hockey news, different takes or if you want to chat about anything hockey give me a follow @hockey_two & @revinev on X and give us a follow on YouTube, and check out our website for articles that we share regularly at https://twoguysandhockeytalk.com/. If you wish to reach out to us, feel free to email us at twoguyshockeytalk@gmail.com
Pawel ‘The Cat’
