Contenders re-sign key players at start of NHL free agency
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)Recent Stanley Cup winners spent the first day of NHL free agency re-signing key players to long-term contracts. The reigning champion Colorado Avalanche brought back big defender Josh Manson and signed versatile winger Artturi Lehkonen. Lehkonen scored the Cup-clinching goal in Game 6 against the Lightning and also scored to put Colorado into the final. Tampa Bay, which had won the past two NHL titles, signed Sergachev for $68 million, Cirelli for $50 million and Cernak for $41.6 million, all through 2031. The veteran left-shot defender won the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2016 and ’17 and played last year with the Carolina Hurricanes.
wftv.comAvalanche re-sign defenseman Manson to $18M, 4-year deal
Avalanche Parade Hockey Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson lifts the Stanley Cup during a rally outside the City/County Building for the NHL hockey champions after a parade through the streets of downtown Denver, Thursday, June 30, 2022. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)The Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche have re-signed defenseman Josh Manson to an $18 million, four-year contract. The team announced the deal Wednesday before Manson could hit free agency. Acquiring Manson at the trade deadline was one of several moves that helped Colorado win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2001. ___Follow AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno___More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comAvalanche, Lightning show importance of making smart trades
Stanley Cup Avalanche Lightning Hockey The Colorado Avalanche pose with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan Ebenhack) (Phelan Ebenhack)TAMPA, Fla. — (AP) — In a copycat league known for following the Stanley Cup champions, Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog paused when asked what other teams could do to emulate their success. They needed the bulk and grit provided by Manson, center Nazem Kadri and others to endure the Lightning. This Stanley Cup Final finished that point, after the Lightning staved off elimination to send the series back to Tampa. “This team will beat you if you’re not poised.”And the Lightning may do this to more teams next year. Don't bet against the Lightning reaching a fourth consecutive final and going for a third championship in four years.
wftv.comRoad test at Lightning stands between Avalanche, Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup Lightning Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) moves the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) during the second period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Friday, June 24, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (Jack Dempsey)TAMPA, Fla. — (AP) — Josh Manson still had his bags half-packed from the Colorado Avalanche’s last time on the road, when they returned home with the chance to win the Stanley Cup. Manson said the Avalanche learned some desperation from that sequence, but the stakes are higher in the final with the Stanley Cup in the building. He was glad the Lightning stood in Colorado’s way of winning the Cup because it was a fitting test of a champion. One source of confidence for the Avalanche is their road success this postseason: 8-1, including a win and a loss at the Lightning.
wftv.comSpeedy Colorado Avalanche zoom to 2-0 series lead over Bolts
Stanley Cup Lightning Avalanche Hockey Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) scores on Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the third period in Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Locher) (John Locher)DENVER — (AP) — Marinate on this for a quick moment: Colorado has 11 goals in the Stanley Cup Final so far, and not one from star forward Nathan MacKinnon. Along with it, they have a 2-0 lead over Tampa Bay in the best-of-seven series, with Game 3 in Tampa on Monday night. He joined Patrick Roy as the Avalanche goaltenders who've recorded a shutout in the Stanley Cup Final (Roy accomplished the feat in 1996 and twice in 2001 as Colorado captured its two Stanley Cup trophies). “Whether Mac is scoring or not, he’s driving the play, he’s wearing guys down, he’s forechecking, he’s above pucks.
wftv.comFrancouz, Kadri lead Avs to 4-0 win over Oilers in Game 2
Nazem Kadri had three assists in a 2:04 span in the second period, backup Pavel Francouz stopped 24 shots for his second career playoff shutout and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.