The latest on the Golden Knights and Hurricanes ahead of the Stanley Cup Final, Finland wins the 2026 IIHF World Championship, the Kitchener Rangers win the 2026 Memorial Cup, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Dan Rosen looked at the notable storylines to watch during the upcoming Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights.
Vegas Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner will be facing the team he refused to be traded to last season when he was a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marner was in the final season of his contract with the Maple Leafs. However, he invoked his no-movement clause to reject a trade to the Hurricanes because his wife was in the third trimester of pregnancy and he didn’t want to leave her or Toronto.
The potential goaltending battle between the Hurricanes’ Frederik Andersen and the Golden Knights’ Carter Hart is another storyline to follow. Another will be Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal chasing his second Stanley Cup after winning his first Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins 17 years ago.
THE SCORE: Buffalo Sabres forward Konsta Helenius scored in overtime to give Finland a 1-0 victory over host Switzerland in the gold medal game at the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
Nashville Predators goaltender Justus Annunen stopped 22 shots for Finland, who won their fifth World Championship and their first since 2022.
Norway shocked Canada 3-2 in overtime in the bronze-medal game, marking the first time the Norwegians have medalled in the World Championship. St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas scored both goals for Canada.
Predators defenseman and Swiss captain Roman Josi was named tournament MVP. Team Canada captain Macklin Celebrini, who plays for the San Jose Sharks, was named the tournament’s top forward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been a disappointing season for Canada on the international stage, taking silver in the Olympics and bronze in the World Juniors. Some observers wonder whether Canada’s depth in skilled players is declining. That may be true when it comes to goaltending, but the real reason is the rest of the world has caught up. There are no longer any easy games in international play, and if you take your opponent for granted, it will cost you.
Former NHL stars Patrice Bergeron, Niklas Kronwall, and Thomas Vanek were inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to all the inductees for this well-deserved honor.
TSN: The Kitchener Rangers defeated the Everett Silvertips 6-2 to win the 2026 Memorial Cup.
Rangers winger and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Sam O’Reilly has three points in the game and nine points in the tournament, winning the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP. Chicago Blackhawks prospect Jack Pridham had a goal and an assist in the Cup-clinching game.
It’s the second straight year that Rangers defenseman Jared Woolley has won the Memorial Cup. The Los Angeles Kings prospect won it last year with the London Knights.
TSN: Chris Johnston reported Sunday that there was no validity to speculation linking the Toronto Maple Leafs to University of Denver coach David Carle. The Leafs are searching for a new head coach, and Carle was among those they were interested in Carle.
TWINCITIES.COM: Judd Brackett, the Minnesota Wild’s director of amateur scouting, will be leaving the club for an elevated role with another team. Brackett’s former team, the Vancouver Canucks, are believed to be a potential destination. He’s also been linked to the Maple Leafs.