The Maven is excited to see Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal play together on the same line next season, while two former Islanders linemates, Tom Fitzgerald and Travis Green, are teamed once again in New Jersey. Stan also thinks Brendan Burke is one of two of the best play-by-play guys on the continent. Isles Notes including a look back at all NHL happenings in this week's Fischler Report.
THE FISCHLER REPORT
* Maven's message to Vegas' champions. It was a job very well done, but its going to be a steep mountain to climb to capture a second in-a-row.
* Nobody repeats anymore the way Tampa Bay once did. It's because of changing circumstances.
* Obstacles such as, attrition, injuries, diminished motivation, and the inevitable upset -- see Bruins -- combine to thwart all Champs. present and future.
* Exhibit A is Colorado. This spring, the Avs were crippled by injuries, weak goaltending; you name it.
* I have nothing against Jon Marchessault winning the Smythe Trophy. Fair enough.
* But my vote would have gone to Adin Hill.
* Vegas would have been dead without Hill stopping the Connor McDavids, not to mention his topping Sergei Bobrovsky in the Final.
* I wish I was Hill's rep. Adin's a free agent and too many teams are hard-up for a stopper like him. Or, have the Knights figure that out already.
* Big question in Champsland: what happens to Robin Lehner?
* Biggest mistake the big goalie ever made was leaving Long Island.
* No matter who winds up running the Leafs we all know -- don't we now, don't we? -- that the terrifically consistent Torontonians won't win The Cup in 2024.
* It won't happen, I know, but I'd love to see Brendan Shanahan earning his dough by going behind Hogtown's bench.
* If I didn't know better I'd have guessed that the Penguins front office circus was a chapter out of Seinfeld.
* I mean just which genius in the Former Steeltown USA decided that Bright Eyes Dubas was the best thing that the Penguins could come up with to ruin what's left Cosby-Malkin-Letang, Inc.
* The Leafs -- either the richest or second richest team in the NHL -- gave Kyle The Smile all the dough he needed and all the time, and he gave the fans one pathetic second round exit.
* Has someone stuffed an apple in Sheldon Keefe's mouth? He can talk, can't he?
* Assuming he can, the Leafs coach -- presumed or otherwise -- should stand up and tell us he's back for 2023-24. (Promise, I won't laugh or cry about it.)
COMMENT OF THE WEEK: This from my continent-wide favorite columnist Steve (Toronto Sun) Simmons:
"Not sure what Jonathan Toews plans to do in the future, but if he still wants to play at around $2 million a season, there will be a lineup of teams interested in having him."
WHAT I LIKE:
*The vision of Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal together on the New York Islanders first line.
* The idea that Keith Jones is running the Flyers. Smarts meet smiles.
* The thought that my buddies, Kenny Albert and Brendan Burke, are the two best play-by-play guys on the continent.
* The firm stand that Commissioner Bettman is taking on, yes, NHL hockey can succeed in Arizona.
* That the Coyotes ownership is actively looking at new arena sites in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa. At least they're trying to make it work in Arizona.
* That former Isles linemates Tom Fitzgerald and Travis Green are teamed again -- in the Devils high command. I loved them as Islanders as love what they'll be doing for the Devs next season in Newark.