Author Archives: Niko Liapis

Top 5 Contenders for the Stanley Cup Playoffs

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With the playoffs starting on Saturday, what a perfect time to discuss my top 5 teams who are most likely to hoist Lord Stanley this June. Lets get into it.

1.

Colorado Avalanche

Nate dog and the Avalanche are looking scary this year, they broke the hockey world with one of the biggest trades I have seen in a long time dealing Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes for Martin Nečas. With captain Gabriel Landeskog coming back for the first time in 3 years, Mackinnon ripping it up will 116 points this season, and Makar being the favourite for the Norris, the Avs are definitely a team you should have your eye on.

2.

Florida Panthers

The defending Stanley Cup champs are back and scummier than ever. Adding Brad Marchand at the trade deadline, the weasel and Sam Bennet will be terrorizing their opponents in every single game. Speaking of terrorizing lets not forget they have arguably the best 2 way center in the league in Aleksander Barkov, who proved to be an instrumental piece in last years cup run. Matthew Tkachuk who can score goals, dish out some of the best trash talk in the league, and never shy’s away from a scrap, this team has back to back champs written all over it.

3.

Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights are one of those teams you can never count out. Ever since entering the league in 2017, they have consistently been one of the best teams in the NHL each season. You know the Knights mean business when Mark Stone gets added to the teams LTIR. With the depth and playoff experience this team has they will definitely be a dark horse coming out of the west, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they swept the Minnesota Wild in round 1.

4.

Tampa Bay Lightning

There must be something in the water in Florida because both of their teams are red hot this year. Nikita Kucherov has to be one of the scariest players in the league. This man is casually putting up 100+ point seasons 3 years straight, and I don’t think I’ve seen him smile once. like actually, does this dude even like playing hockey? This team is filled to the brim with playoff experience and no matter where they finish in the regular season everyone knows this team is a serious threat in the playoffs.

5.

Dallas Stars

The Stars has to have the most stacked forward group in the NHL, sometimes I look at the amount of talent this team has and it baffles me how they haven’t already won a cup with the group they have. With the absolute daylight robbery of Mikko Rantanen from the Hurricanes at the deadline, the pressure is on for them to win this year and are a lot of peoples favourites going into the playoffs. Why do I have them at number 5 you ask? Personally I’m not convinced they can go all the way, I’m sure you think I am crazy, but I guess we will see what happens in round one against the Avalanche.

Let me know what you think of my picks, do you agree or did I get it all wrong? Let me know down in the comments!

 

 

Top 5 NHL Rookies

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Alright ladies and gentlemen today we are going to be discussing the top 5 rookies of the 2024-25 season, and who is most likely to win the Calder. Let’s get into it.

Macklin Celebrini

Starting off with Vancouver’s very own Macklin Celebrini. The Mack attack has had an outstanding start to his NHL career posting 64 points in 69 games, with 25 goals and 38 assists. Although the San Jose Sharks have been abysmal once again this season he has been a true spark for Sharks fans and has definitely ignited some hope for the future of this franchise.

Dustin Wolf

On to our second rookie, Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf. Wolf has had a stand out season with a Flames team that has fought to be in a playoff spot all season with him being one of the key pieces to the puzzle. In his 53 games this season he has posted 29 wins with 3 shutouts and a GAA of 2.64 and a save percentage of .910. The Flames have now been officially eliminated from the playoffs but the future is looking bright between the sticks in Calgary.

Lane Hutson

Up next, Canadiens de Montréal rising star Lane Hutson. The 21 year old defenceman has taken the league by surprise with his agile skating ability and elite hockey IQ, and is one of the biggest reasons for the Habs playoff push as the season is closing out. Hutson has put up 65 points in 81 games this season with 6 goals and 59 assists. With a win tonight over the Hurricanes the Canadians will clinch a playoff spot for the first time since they went to the Stanley Cup final in 2021.

Matvei Michkov

Now onto the Russian stud Matvei Michkov. Mr. Michkov is definitely not the biggest guy but that has not mattered for him this season. The Philadelphia Flyers winger has posted 60 points in 79 games this season, with 24 goals and 36 assists and is looking to be an up and coming star for this organization.

Will Smith

Last but certainly not least Will Smith, no I’m not talking about the actor Will Smith, I’m talking about the rookie centerman for the San Jose Sharks. Well would you look at that the Sharks have two rookies that made my list. Smith has had a very decent rookie campaign posting 45 points in 73 games, with 18 goals and 27 assists he has shown glimpses of the great hockey he is capable of. Being only 20 years old the Sharks seem to have another star in the making on their hands.

Let me know who you think is going to win the 2025 Calder Memorial Trophy down below!

 

Quinn Hughes Ties Canucks Points Record For a Defencemen

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Well wouldn’t you believe it, Quinn Hughes has done it again. Just after I thought this kid couldn’t get any better he surprises me once again. He is now one point off having the all time record for points as a Canucks defenceman. Lets get into it.

Although the Canucks have been eliminated from the 2025 Stanley cup playoffs, that hasn’t stopped Quinn Hughes from showing up night in and night out and performing at an elite level each time he steps onto the ice.

The Canucks have had a season they would love to forget, from Miller and Pettersson drama, countless injuries, and a lack of consistency throughout the season, the Canucks have basically seemed destined for failure ever since they gave up a three goal lead to the Calgary flames on opening night. Captain Quinn Hughes has been the biggest bright side for the Canucks this season. Hughes has posted 76 points in 67 games this season with 16 goals and 60 assists. After last nights assist, he has now tied Alex Edlers record for most points as a Canucks defencemen with 409.

The Canucks captain is still only 25 years old and has tied the record playing in only 432 Career games. That is 493 fewer games than Alex Edler has played. That is a 0.946 points per game percentage in his career for all the stat lovers out there.

Hughes hasn’t had everything go his way this season either. He’s missed 14 games this season due to a few different injuries and resting purposes due to his extended minutes desperately trying to carry this team on his back to the playoffs, but has ultimately proven to be too tall of a task for the defencemen.

Hughes was the winner of the Norris trophy in the 2024 season and is also in the conversation for this years award where the race has seemingly been centered around  three of the NHL’s most elite defenceman in Zachary Werenski, Cale Makar, and of course Quinn Hughes. Although Makar Leads the three of them in points, he has also played 13 more games than Hughes which could be a deciding factor when it comes down to the final votes of the 2025 Norris trophy winner.

With Hughes’s contract with the Canucks expiring at the end of the 2026-27 season, it seems like it may be convince Quinn Hughes time for the Canucks management. Personally I say pay him whatever he wants, he is a one of a kind player and we cannot afford to lose him.

What changes would you like to see within the Canucks locker room next season? Do you think Quinn Hughes will sign a new contract in Vancouver?

Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think!