The battle for the West is here, and the storylines are everywhere. Let’s round them up.
The Dallas Stars meet the Edmonton Oilers for the Western Conference title tonight, and one of the biggest stories won’t even be on the ice. GMs Jim Nill and Ken Holland, who have won four Stanley Cups together, will now face each other with a return to the big stage on the line.
If you want some sort of context for just how much their lives have intertwined over the years, Nick Cotsonikas has an anecdote for you:
Holland and Nill go back to 1975-76, when they played for Medicine Hat of the Western Canada Hockey League, now known as the Western Hockey League. Holland was an overage goalie who turned 20 that season, Nill a 17-year-old forward. Nill said Holland took him under his wing, and they built a relationship.
After the Oilers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 in Game 7 of the second round Monday, Holland received a call Tuesday. It was from Bob Ridley, the longtime broadcaster and bus driver in Medicine Hat who retired in 2022. Holland said he asked him if he thought in 1975 he was driving two future NHL general managers who would meet in the final four almost 50 years later.
And the connections extend even further:
Holland woke up to a text Tuesday from Ryan Martin congratulating him and Nill for reaching the Western Conference Final. Martin was in the Red Wings front office from 2005-21, first as director of hockey administration for five seasons, then as assistant GM for 11. He is now an assistant GM with the New York Rangers, who are facing the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.
“It’s kind of strange, I guess, to see three of us in the final four,” Holland said. “They want to win, and we want to win, so it’s going to be a great [two weeks].”
There’s much more at the big site. [NHL]
Stars Stuff
We have what you came here for. In a manner of speaking.
Who wins the stopping game in the 2024 WCF? Kevin Woodley checks how Jake Oettinger stacks up against the Oil’s two (2) starters.
Well, of course he is. The only question is whether a repeat win for the Magic Mustache is in the cards at all.
Have we mentioned it’s a good time to be a sports fan in North Texas? …A lot? Well, we’re doing it again.
The Story So Far – Eastern Conference Finals
I asked at one point if anything could stop the Florida Panthers Revenge Train, and I think the answer is, “Officer Bob.” …Oh, wait.
Around The Leagues
The New Jersey Devils want to return to the playoffs, and they believe Sheldon Keefe can get them there. But how is the fanbase reacting?…
And speaking of playoffs, it’s getting serious at the #MensWorlds. The quarterfinals have begun, and the hype videos just hit different.
Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park
There’s always a lot going on in the offseason, and Stephen Meserve always has the Texas Stars angle on it. (He’s adding Tye Felhaber to this list, too.)
Finally
Get your stuff. It’s time.