NHL Central

It appears the Nashville Predators will soon have a new owner.

The team's ownership group, which is led by Herbert Fritch, is inching closer to a deal to sell the franchise to former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam, according to Sportico's Scott Soshnick, Kurt Badenhausen and Eben Novy-Williams.

Haslam, the brother of Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, is worth $2.3 billion, according to Forbes, which values the Predators at $600 million.

The Predators entered the NHL in 1998 as an expansion team, though Fritch didn't join the ownership group until 2007, when the franchise's original owner, Craig Leipold, was considering selling the team to an investor that wanted to relocate the franchise to Canada.

Fritch assumed control of the team in January 2019 when he was named chairman. His reasons for wanting to sell the franchise are unclear.

Despite being one of the more lower-valued teams in the NHL, the Predators have a strong following in the Music City. Nashville had the league's second-highest attendance percentage (100.6) during the 2021-22 season, according to ESPN, trailing just the Vegas Golden Knights (104.2).

The Predators have grown particularly popular in Nashville since the team reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2017. Despite falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins that year, the team has reached the postseason every year since and in 15 of the last 18 seasons.

That said, the Predators had a disappointing 2021-22 campaign, finishing fifth in the Central Division with a 45-30-7 record and being swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the Colorado Avalanche.

Nashville has struggled to contend for a title since that 2017 Stanley Cup run, and the team's new owner will be tasked with helping get the team back on track.

If the sale goes through, the Predators will become the second NHL team over the last year to be sold. The Pittsburgh Penguins were sold to the Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox, in November 2021.

The Eastern Conference Final was billed as a battle of the two best goaltenders in the world, while the Western Conference Final featured two of the best forwards in the world.

On Monday night, Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche bested Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, just as many predicted.

It's not that MacKinnon is better than McDavid—though he might have a claim to being the second-best player in the world—but the Avalanche are built to win and built to win now. The Oilers overcame poor roster construction and a midseason coaching change to get to this point, but their season is over after Colorado completed the swept with a 6-5 overtime victory.

An Avs win always felt inevitable. They proved they belong in the Stanley Cup Final by stepping on the throats of their opponents and not letting up, from their opening series against the Nashville Predators to their second-round win versus the St. Louis Blues. After years of playoff disappointment, the narrative around the team has shifted as the Avalanche have exorcised playoff demons and shown they know how to win when it counts, and done so convincingly.

Artturi Lehkonen scored the overtime winner—which was fitting since he scored the overtime winner that sent the Montreal Canadiens to the Cup Final last year—but Cale Makar set it up with a rocket of a shot from the point, which was maybe even more fitting given how Makar has driven this team through the postseason.

The defenseman had a five-point night to bring his total to 22. His 17.43 expected goals in the postseason trail only McDavid's 20.68. He was named a Norris Trophy finalist for his incredible production in the regular season, and he's looked every bit as good in the postseason. He might be the best two-way defenseman in the league, and he proved that by being matched up with McDavid shift by shift.

Colorado has a deep defense corps outside of Makar and his partner, Devon Toews. The Avalanche lost Samuel Girard in the second round when he broke his sternum against the Blues, but Bowen Byram, who missed so much of the last few seasons with concussion issues, has been having a breakout postseason.

Per Corey Sznajder, the Avs blueliners have proved to be adept at evading pressure and avoiding turnovers.

And the defensemen had to be good, especially against McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. But the Oilers provided help in that regard, particularly in net.

Despite a characteristically dominant performance by McDavid and an unreal performance by a clearly hobbled Draisaitl, Edmonton was undone by inconsistent goaltending from Mike Smith and by a much deeper Colorado roster.

It's unfortunate that fans will have to wait yet another year to see if McDavid and Draisaitl can make it to a Stanley Cup Final, and it's maddening for fans in Alberta to see a team with world-class players continually come up short. There were times during this run that it felt like McDavid was singlehandedly winning games, dragging the Oilers from series to series.

Edmonton now has a lot of time off to figure out where to go next. General manager Ken Holland has to make a decision about interim coach Jay Woodcroft, and it's unlikely the club will be able to afford Evander Kane. The Oilers lack depth and a No. 1 goaltender and are in deep trouble with the salary cap.

That's a story for another day. For now, the focus is on Colorado.

While the Avs have been impressive, they're also banged up, and their depth will be tested in the Cup Final. Nazem Kadri was injured in Game 3, and it's unlikely he will play another game this season. He was making a case to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

But the biggest question for the Avalanche in the next round is arguably goaltending. It's been an eventful postseason for netminders all over the league, and Colorado hasn't been immune to the drama. Darcy Kuemper was injured during Game 1 and missed Games 2-4.

Pavel Francouz recorded a shutout in Game 3 but allowed five goals in Game 4. Kuemper was able to back him up, which was a promising sign, and the time off will be beneficial.

A year ago, MacKinnon lamented Colorado's lack of postseason success in a sullen news conference. The desire to rewrite the narrative has helped power the Avs to the top, which is where a team with two top-five players belongs.

All they have to do now is finish the job to secure the legacy.

Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor has won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the player "adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability," the NHL announced Monday.

Connor beat out Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin and Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon for the honor. He is the first player in Jets/Atlanta Thrashers history to win the award.

Winning the Lady Byng is an impressive feat for Connor, especially considering Slavin won the award last season and Spurgeon finished runner-up.

Connor set career highs during the 2021-22 campaign with 47 goals and 46 assists for 93 points in 79 games. In addition, he was given just two minor penalties, the fewest among the NHL's top 100 scorers.

The 25-year-old also led Winnipeg forwards with 21:47 of ice time per game and finished 12th in the league with 66 takeaways.

The Jets selected Connor 17th overall in the 2015 draft, and he has been a staple in the team's lineup since the 2017-18 season. In 384 games, the Michigan native has tallied 178 goals and 166 assists for 344 points.

Connor is under contract with the Jets through the 2025-26 season after signing a seven-year, $50 million deal in September 2019.

The Colorado Avalanche are just one win from the Stanley Cup Final, but they may have to finish chasing a championship without one of their primary contributors.

Darren Dreger of TSN reported Monday that center Nazem Kadri underwent surgery on his thumb after suffering an injury on a hit by Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane during Saturday's Game 3 of the Western Conference Final.

While Kadri was not ruled out for the rest of the playoffs, Dreger noted it was "unlikely" he will return to the ice until the 2022-23 campaign.

Colorado head coach Jared Bednar had told reporters that Kadri would miss the rest of the series.

"He's out. He'll be out for the series at least, if not longer," Bednar said. "The hit, it's the most dangerous play in hockey. He puts him in headfirst from behind eight feet off the boards. I'll leave it at that."

Kane hit Kadri in the first period, and the Avalanche forward never returned. Gene Principe of Sportsnet reported Sunday that Kadri had a soft cast on his right wrist.

The Oilers forward was issued a five-minute major penalty for boarding, and the NHL Department of Player Safety announced he was suspended for one game.

While Colorado may not need Kadri to close out Edmonton after winning the first three games, his absence would be felt in the Stanley Cup Final against the New York Rangers or Tampa Bay Lightning.

The 31-year-old tallied a career-best 87 points this season with 59 assists and 28 goals. His plus-minus of plus-13 was the second-best mark of his career, which started in the 2009-10 season and includes 10 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and three with Colorado.

The visiting Avalanche will look to close out the Oilers at 8 p.m. ET Monday.

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane has been suspended one game for boarding Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri.

The play occurred early in Game 3 of the Avs' Western Conference Final series against the Edmonton Oilers.

Kane received a five-minute major penalty.

Kadri is out for at least the remainder of the Western Conference Final because of an undisclosed injury, per Avs head coach Jared Bednar (h/t Peter Baugh of The Athletic).

According to Gene Principe of Sportsnet, Kadri was seen with a soft cast on his right wrist Sunday.

The Avalanche lead the best-of-seven series three games to none after a 4-2 win over the Oilers on Saturday. Game 4 will take place on Monday at 8 p.m. ET in Edmonton.

Kadri is a big loss for the Avs. The 31-year-old has been sensational in this year's playoffs with six goals and eight assists in 13 games. He notably had the primary assist on the Avs' first three goals in a 4-0 win over Edmonton in Game 2.

Kane won't be easy to replace either. The 30-year-old dominated in limited action this year with 22 goals and 17 assists in 43 games. That's in addition to his NHL-high 13 goals in this season's playoffs.

Ultimately, the Oilers' backs are against the wall down 3-0. While not impossible, a comeback is unlikely against the Western Conference's top seed this year. The question for the Avs is the state of Kadri's health come Stanley Cup time.

It's unclear when the Final will take place until the New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning series nears its conclusion. Right now, the Blueshirts hold a 2-1 series edge with Game 4 set for Tuesday. But Kadri would be a tough loss if he's forced to miss any Stanley Cup time.

For now, both teams need to regroup without their productive forwards as the Western Conference Final moves on.

Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri has been ruled out for the remainder of the Western Conference Finals against the Edmonton Oilers, head coach Jared Bednar confirmed while speaking with reporters following a 4-2 Game 3 win on Saturday.

Kadri left the first period of Saturday's game after taking a hit from behind into the end boards by Oilers forward Evander Kane.

"He's out. He'll be out for the series at least, if not longer," Bednar said. "I mean, the hit, it's the most dangerous play in hockey. I mean, he puts him in head-first from behind, you know, eight feet off the boards. I'll leave it at that."

As Kadri was trying to control the puck in the offensive zone just about one minute into the game, Kane crosschecked him in the numbers and knocked him into the boards. Kane was assessed a five-minute major penalty for boarding, and Kadri did not return to the game.

Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog also shared his thoughts on the hit in his postgame comments, telling reporters that he's sure the NHL Department of Safety will review it for a possible fine or suspension.

"I was on the bench, but I don't like it," Landeskog said. "You know, those are the ones that kind of gives you the chills down your spine. You're taught from a young age that you don't do that and especially in that distance from the boards. So, it's a dangerous play, and I don't know what else to say. I'm sure they'll take a look at it.

Kane was last suspended for an on-ice incident in February 2020 for elbowing Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk. He also served a 21-game suspension for violating the NHL's COVID-19 protocols in September 2021, but that wasn't an on-ice incident and wouldn't be factored into a potential suspension for boarding Kadri.

Kadri has been one of the best players for the Avalanche this year, tallying 28 goals and 59 assists in 71 regular-season games. The 31-year-old entered Saturday's game with six goals and eight assists in 12 playoff games.

With Kadri sidelined, J.T. Compher, who scored the game-winning goal in Game 3, could replace him on the second line. It's unclear who the Avs might call up to join the team for the remainder of the Western Conference Finals.

Colorado holds a 3-0 lead over Edmonton and could clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2001 with a win in Game 4 on Monday at Rogers Place. 

If you didn't realize that Darren Helm is still playing in the NHL, then you certainly realized it on Friday night following his game-winning goal in the Colorado Avalanche's 3-2 Game 6 victory over the St. Louis Blues. 

Helm was the "unlikely hero" in Game 6, scoring with just 4.9 seconds remaining in regulation to send the Avalanche to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2002, and fans quickly took to Twitter to laud the 15-year veteran. 

Helm signed with the Avalanche ahead of the 2021-22 season after 14 years with the Detroit Red Wings. He tallied seven goals and eight assists in 68 games during the regular season. He entered Friday's game with just one assist in nine playoff games. 

While it's certainly a great site to see Helm put one on the board, the Avalanche will need their big guns, Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Cale Makar, to name a few, to step up in the Western Conference Finals as the Edmonton Oilers are no slouch. 

St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube condemned the racist remarks and threats directed toward Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri while speaking with the media on Wednesday ahead of Game 5 of their second-round series. 

"I just want to comment on my 'no comment' the other day," Berube said. "I'm not on social media. I was aware of a threat made to Nazem. Not the racist stuff. In no way is it acceptable by the St. Louis Blues or anybody else for him to have to go through that."

Berube initially declined to comment on the situation. 

The NHL Players' Association also released a statement Tuesday condemning the racist remarks. 

Kadri, who is Muslim and of Lebanese descent, and his family have received racist and threatening comments following his collision with Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington in Game 3 of their series. Binnington suffered a lower-body injury on the accident and has been sidelined since. 

According to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski, law enforcement have been investigating the threats and there was an increased police presence at the Avalanche's team hotel in St. Louis for Games 3 and 4 of the series. 

With Binnington sidelined, the Avalanche have won Games 3 and 4 in dominant fashion. After the racist remarks toward Kadri began during Game 3, he went on to score three goals and tally an assist to help Colorado win the next game 6-3. 

Kadri is one of the most talented forwards in the league and has been a solid addition to the Avalanche lineup since joining the team in a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of the 2019-20 season. 

In 71 regular-season games this year, he tallied 28 goals and 59 assists for 87 points. He has been just as effective in the playoffs, notching five goals and five assists for 10 points in eight games. 

The Avalanche will host the Blues in Game 5 of their second-round series on Wednesday night and will aim to punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals with a win. 

The St. Louis Blues announced goaltender Jordan Binnington will miss the remainder of the team's Stanley Cup playoff series with the Colorado Avalanche because of a lower-body injury.

Binnington was forced to exit the team's 5-2 Game 3 loss Saturday. The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford reported the Blues' initial fear was that he suffered a potential knee sprain.

Binnington was limited to just 6:45 on the ice Saturday. Avs forward Nazem Kadri collided into the netminder in the first period.

Binnington appeared to take exception, with Kadri claiming in a post-match interview a water bottle was thrown in his direction:

Blues coach Craig Berube made a cryptic comment about the sequence following his team's defeat.

"Look at Kadri’s reputation," he told reporters. "That’s all I’ve got to say."

Avs coach Jared Bednar came to his player's defense and thought Binnington's injury was an "unfortunate" consequence of a normal hockey play.

What matters for St. Louis right now is that Ville Husso will be deputized as the starting goaltender against Colorado.

The 27-year-old had a .919 save percentage and a 2.56 goals-against average during the regular season. His save percentage has dipped to .891 in the postseason as he has surrendered 13 goals on 119 shots. 

With the Blues staring at a 2-1 series deficit, losing Binnington could be a fatal blow to their hopes of advancing.