Stu Cowan: Panthers proving that something can occur within the playoffs

Article content material

“You’ve gamers that get you to the playoffs and gamers that get you thru them.”

Article content material

That was one in every of Marc Bergevin’s favorite strains throughout his tenure as normal supervisor of the Canadiens.

Article content material

In Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers GM Invoice Zito received a participant who can do each of these issues.

Zito acquired Tkachuk from Calgary final summer season in a blockbuster commerce in trade for Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt and a first-round choose on the 2025 NHL Draft. Zito made the commerce after the Panthers had received the Presidents’ Trophy final 12 months as the perfect workforce within the common season with a 58-18-6 report earlier than being swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning within the second spherical of the playoffs.

Huberdeau was unbelievable in the course of the 2021-22 common season, ending third in NHL scoring with 30-85-115 totals, however he was restricted to 1-4-5 totals in 10 playoff video games. Huberdeau struggled this season in Calgary beneath head coach Darryl Sutter with 15-40-55 totals. Huberdeau’s 60-point drop in manufacturing from one season to the following is an NHL report. The Flames missed the playoffs after which Sutter was fired.

Article content material

Article content material

Tkachuk completed eighth in NHL scoring final season, posting 42-62-104 totals with Calgary, and he added 4-6-10 totals in 12 playoff video games because the Flames have been eradicated by the Edmonton Oilers within the second spherical.

Tkachuk has been even higher this season with the Panthers, ending seventh in NHL scoring with 40-69-109 totals and he has 7-12-19 totals in 15 playoff video games. The Panthers have a 3-0 collection lead over the Carolina Hurricanes within the Japanese Convention closing — with Tkachuk scoring additional time objectives in Video games 1 and a pair of. The Panthers can advance to the Stanley Cup closing for the primary time since 1996 — after they misplaced to the Colorado Avalanche — with a win over the Hurricanes in Recreation 4 Wednesday in Florida (8 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports activities).

Article content material

After buying Tkachuk, who wished out of Calgary, Zito stated: “Matthew is a tenacious, bodily competitor who possesses a tremendously distinctive talent set. He’s a constant elite offensive contributor and has emerged as some of the full and dynamic younger gamers within the Nationwide Hockey League. We’re thrilled to have the ability to add a generational expertise to our lineup.”

With Tkachuk, the Panthers barely made it to the playoffs this season with a 42-32-8 report, ending one level forward of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres for the ultimate wild-card spot within the Japanese Convention.

One other one in every of Bergevin’s favorite strains as GM of the Canadiens was: “When you get into the playoffs something can occur.”

Article content material

The Panthers are proving that now, led by Tkachuk and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who has a 10-2 report within the playoffs, together with a 2.15 goals-against common and a .935 save proportion. Bobrovsky didn’t get the Panthers to the playoffs — dropping his beginning job to Alex Lyon for the ultimate eight regular-season video games as Florida posted a 6-1-1 report — however he’s getting them by way of them whereas taking part in like a goaltender who has a US$10-million salary-cap hit.

Throughout Bergevin’s 10 seasons as GM of the Canadiens, they made the playoffs six occasions, profitable seven rounds. They superior to the Japanese Convention closing in 2014 — Bergevin’s second season as GM — and misplaced within the Stanley Cup closing in 2021 — Bergevin’s final full season as GM.

Article content material

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported Monday that Bergevin was lately interviewed for the vacant GM jobs in Calgary and Pittsburgh and that Toronto may also have curiosity in him. Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan has stated he want to rent somebody with expertise to exchange Kyle Dubas. Since being fired by the Canadiens final season, Bergevin has been working as a senior adviser to Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake.

Calgary named former Canadien Craig Conroy as its new GM on Tuesday afternoon, whereas former Flames GM Brad Treliving is one other chance for the vacant job in Toronto. In the meantime, the Pittsburgh Penguins have expressed considering Dubas to fill their vacant GM submit. Bergevin additionally has some sturdy connections in Pittsburgh since workforce proprietor Mario Lemieux was a childhood good friend and teammate in youth hockey and Pat Brisson — Sidney Crosby’s longtime agent — can also be a detailed good friend.

Article content material

In Toronto, Dubas constructed a workforce based mostly largely on analytics with a “Core 4” of gamers — Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander — who may get the Leafs to the playoffs for seven straight seasons however couldn’t get them by way of with just one collection victory coming this 12 months.

Present Canadiens GM Kent Hughes received’t rush his rebuilding plan, however want to see the workforce push to make the playoffs subsequent season. Canadiens defenceman Joel Edmundson received the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and superior to the ultimate in 2021 and has informed his younger teammates what the playoffs are like.

“I’ve informed these younger guys that playoffs is a distinct league by itself,” Edmundson stated on the finish of the season. “It’s the NHL on steroids I name it.”

[email protected]

twitter.com/StuCowan1