Hey everyone, hope you are doing well. Tonight, we are back again for another great Episode 37 of Season 7 of Two Guys & Hockey Talk. Another week, with the Stanley Cup Finals underway and some news from around the league. Here are some of the and in the world of hockey are:
- Stanley Cup Final Opens with a Thriller – The biggest story in hockey is Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes. Vegas erased an early 2-0 deficit and defeated Carolina 5-4 in Raleigh. Tomas Hertl scored the game-winning goal late in the third period, while Shea Theodore recorded three points. The win gives Vegas a 1-0 series lead and steals home-ice advantage from the Hurricanes.
- Vancouver Names New Head Coach – The Vancouver Canucks have hired Manny Malhotra as their new head coach. Malhotra earned the promotion after coaching Vancouver’s AHL affiliate the Abbotsford Canucks and helping guide the team to a Calder Cup championship in 2025. He is viewed as a strong developmental coach who can help guide the Canucks through their rebuilding process. A former Canucks player and assistant coach, Malhotra is highly regarded for his ability to develop young talent and build a strong team culture. With Vancouver coming off a last-place finish, the organization is hoping his leadership and familiarity with the franchise can help establish a foundation for future success. He will be the 23rd head coach in Vancouver Canucks franchise history. The Canucks officially announced his hiring on June 2, 2026, following the dismissal of Adam Foote after the 2025–26 season.
- Marat Safonov is a Canuck – Speaking of the Vancouver Canucks, they continue to do work as they added to their roster by signing KHL forward Marat Safonov to a one-year, two-way contract. The 24-year-old center arrives after spending the past six seasons with Ak Bars Kazan, where he established himself as a reliable two-way player and contributed 22 points in 51 games during the 2025-26 KHL season. Safonov also brings international experience, having represented Russia at multiple international tournaments. The move gives Vancouver additional depth down the middle and an opportunity to evaluate whether Safonov’s strong defensive game can successfully translate to the NHL level.
- Matvei Shuravi is a Panther – The Florida Panthers signed highly regarded Russian defenseman Matvei Shuravin to a three-year entry-level contract, adding another promising prospect to the organization’s pipeline. Selected by Florida in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, the 19-year-old spent the 2025-26 season in the KHL with CSKA Moscow, where he continued to develop his reputation as a mobile, puck-moving defenseman with strong offensive instincts. Standing 6-foot-2, Shuravin recorded seven points in 40 KHL games and is viewed as a long-term project with top-four NHL potential. The signing allows the Panthers to bring one of their top defensive prospects into North America as he begins the next stage of his development.
- Bettman Addresses Retirement Talk – NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed growing speculation about his future this week. Bettman stated that reports of his retirement have been “greatly exaggerated” while acknowledging that succession planning discussions are taking place behind the scenes. At 74 years old and after more than three decades leading the NHL, Bettman said there are no immediate plans for him to step down.
- NHL Presser – During the address Gary Bettman also announced a revamped All-Star Weekend format that will debut in 2027, replacing the traditional All-Star Game with a more competitive international-style tournament featuring NHL players representing their countries. The new event is designed to build on the success and excitement generated by recent international competitions and will feature teams from hockey powerhouses such as Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland competing in a short tournament during the All-Star break. League officials hope the new format will increase fan engagement, create more meaningful competition, and showcase the NHL’s top talent in a best-on-best international setting while maintaining the entertainment elements that have traditionally been part of All-Star Weekend.
- Zach Werenski is a Norris Trophy Winner – Defenseman Zach Werenski captured the 2026 Norris Trophy after putting together the best season of his career for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Werenski led all NHL defensemen with 23 goals and finished second among blueliners with 82 points in 81 games, while averaging more than 26 minutes of ice time per night. His offensive production, strong two-way play, and leadership helped Columbus remain competitive throughout the season and earned him the first Norris Trophy of his career. The award was presented during Stanley Cup Final festivities, recognizing Werenski as the NHL’s top defenseman for the 2025-26 season.
- Kitchener Rangers Win Big – The Kitchener Rangers are coming off one of the most successful seasons in franchise history. The Rangers captured the 2026 Memorial Cup, defeating the Everett Silvertips 6-2 in the championship game on May 31. The victory gave Kitchener its third Memorial Cup title and capped an outstanding season that saw the club finish first in the OHL Western Conference, win the OHL Championship, and post a remarkable 16-2 playoff record. Captain Cameron Reid, Sam O’Reilly, and Jack Pridham were among the team’s offensive leaders, while goaltender Christian Kirsch delivered strong performances throughout the tournament and this has been a great Memorial Cup run.
- PWHL Movement – The PWHL expansion process took a major step forward this week as star forward Alex Carpenter signed a 3-year contract with Seattle Torrent, while Vancouver Goldeneyes secured one of the league’s biggest names by signing Sarah Nurse to a 2-year deal. Under the expansion rules, both players are now protected from selection during the upcoming expansion process, giving the league’s two newest franchises cornerstone players to build around. Carpenter was one of the PWHL’s top offensive performers last season, recording 11 goals and 24 points in 30 games, while Nurse brings elite scoring ability, international experience, and star power to Vancouver after spending the league’s first two seasons in Toronto. The signings represent significant additions for both expansion clubs as they prepare for their inaugural seasons.
- Nashville has a Top Boss – The Nashville Predators officially introduced Chris MacFarland as the franchise’s new President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, marking the beginning of a new era for the organization. MacFarland joins Nashville after helping build the Colorado Avalanche into a Stanley Cup contender and brings extensive experience in roster construction and player development. He takes over a Predators team looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025-26 season and is expected to lead the club through a critical period as it balances veteran talent with the development of its younger players. Nashville hopes MacFarland’s track record of success can help return the franchise to playoff contention in the coming years.
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’
