The Capitals win their first Cup in their history and Alex Ovechkin gets that King Kong-sized monkey off his back. DC finally has something to feel good about and you can bet the team is having one of the most epic hangover flights in history after partying like Champs in Las Vegas.

But now we head into the summer and the rest of us look ahead to see how our team can get their hands on Lord Stanley's prize.

The Islanders got a head start by firing GM Garth Snow and head coach Doug Weight, which shouldn't come as a shock to anyone. Snow has made some bonehead moves over the years and they had a team that probably should have at least made a wild card spot this year (if New Jersey could do it, the Islanders could have too). So they're rebuilding the front office and will probably be making some moves around draft day.

Speaking of the draft, it's in two weeks. Dahlin will be a Sabre, which should worry eastern teams. The Sabres have the pieces in place to be a decent team going forward, and that's one more factor that teams looking to be fighting for a playoff spot come March/April will have to consider.

Also, I used to run a "Team of the Season" thread every year but it wasn't very popular and there's even fewer of us here now, so I thought I'd just throw it out there in this thread to anyone that wants to tell us what their first team would have been. Throw down a starting lineup, back-up goalie, and a few bench players, if you feel so inclined.

#ALLCAPS

RT's Team of the Season

Starting Lineup
Centre: Connor McDavid - Edmonton Oilers
Easiest decision of the list. McDavid continues to be the best centre in the league and the guy can do no wrong (except play for Edmonton).

Right Wing: Nikita Kucherov - Tampa Bay Lightning
I'd argue this guy is a better goal-scorer than Steve Stamkos, and not just because he had way more points this year. He's creative and fast as hell, everything you want in a winger.

Left Wing: Taylor Hall - New Jersey Devils
He strapped the fucking New Jersey Devils on his back and made the playoffs. 'Nuff said.

Defense: John Carlson - Washington Capitals
He should be on the top of everyone's list for defensemen this year. He not only led the league in scoring for d-men in the regular season, but he's a major reason the Capitals won the Cup this year.

Defense: Victor Hedman - Tampa Bay Lightning
Easily one of the most solid defensemen in the entire league. Crushed it in scoring and he was +32 this year. WHAT.

Goaltender: Marc-Andre Fleury - Vegas Golden Knights
He was the face of the new Vegas franchise, had an amazing regular season, and had shutout after shutout in the playoffs. No doubt.

On The Bench
Centre: Claude Giroux - Philadelphia Flyers
No-brainer. Did anyone remember he finished 2nd in scoring this year? He almost won the Art Ross. I'm not making that up. And he plays with almost no support. Seriously considered him for starting centre.

Wing: Alex Ovechkin - Washington Capitals
Come on.

Wing: Blake Wheeler - Winnipeg Jets
If you said 5 years ago that Blake Wheeler was going to take the returning Winnipeg Jets to the Western Conference Finals, would you have believed it? Sure, Scheifele and Hellebuyck had a lot to do with that too, but Wheeler is the leader of the team, hands down.

Defense: Drew Doughty - Los Angeles Kings
Continues to be one of the best defensemen in the league and he might leave LA. They'd be crazy to let him go but it is what it is. 60 pts and +23 this year.

Defense: John Klingberg - Dallas Stars
I'm told he plays for Dallas? I didn't know this guy existed before this year, but what a year he had. He's the main reason Dallas was even a contender this year, because their forwards were garbage.

Backup Goalie: Connor Hellebuyck - Winnipeg Jets
Tied for most wins and had a 2.36 GAA on 67 games played. Insane numbers. Had Fleury not bested him in the playoffs he'd be starting. Honestly it's still a toss-up at this point.

So Trotz resigned as head coach of the Caps. He simply can get a ton of more money with a new contract. But, hey the Rangers can grab him..... Nope they got a kid behind the bench to coach kids.

The Islanders are the only team currently without a head coach. So for now, they're the betting favorite for Trotz.

Jun 18, 2018 22:50:31 GMT CM Punk'd said:

The Islanders are the only team currently without a head coach. So for now, they're the betting favorite for Trotz.

I guarantee you Lou was on the phone with him immediately. Signing Trotz might be enough to get Tavares to stay in NY.

The Leafs are pushing for him to come to his hometown, and they might actually get him if he doesn’t re-sign with the Islanders. Only thing is the Leafs can only pay him for a year, then try to extend him in January. If Tavares wants to chase money he’ll end up elsewhere.

NHL Awards tonight and I forgot until I just saw it on TV a minute ago. I've never really cared about the awards but it marks the final few days before the Draft and that lovely day of July 1st when a bunch of players move around. Likely there will be lots of trade rumor talk tonight as the league parties in Vegas.

I think Hellebuyck takes home the Vezina, Hedman takes the Norris, Barzal and Boeser are a toss-up for the Calder, and I think it'll be insane of Gallant doesn't get the Jack Adams.

Trotz to the Islanders on a five year deal. This has to almost guarantee Tavares stays?

He should stay. The Islanders have lots of potential to be the homeless Kings of NY.

Tavares to Toronto WOW

WE GOT TAVARES!!! Awesome shit!

I’m losing my fucking mind over this. I can’t remember the last time something good happened to the Leafs during free agency. I fully anticipated us losing JVR and Bozak, missing out on Tavares and Doughty, and having a ton of media going “WHERE DID THE REBUILD GO WRONG? DUBAS NOT READY.”

But then he didn’t sign with the Isles. Then they said Bozak was asked to wait to sign as “Plan B.” Then he signed with STL at 11:50AM EST. It was then that I knew. No way they would let Bozak walk if they were suddenly down a centre. They got confirmation and called Bozak to thank him for his services.

Can’t believe it. This rules.

Honestly, I’m not even an avid hockey follower, but even I knew he was leaving the Islanders and going to Toronto. Everything about who he is as a person told me so. Who wants to play for the Islanders anyways? They’re not an appealing franchise once so ever. Especially for someone who grew up watching hockey. The picture Tavares put up with his Maple Leaf gear as a kid is something any real fan would do when given the opportunity. Join the team you grew up loving.

Mark my words, he’s bringing the Stanley Cup to Toronto.

Wow, finally a native Toronto star that actually wants to play for the hometown. It's a miracle.

I think it is more of a kid living his dream to play for his hometown team. If I was lucky enough to make the NHL and I played 7 years in Chicago, Tampa, or even Ottawa and I had the opportunity to play for the Rangers hell yeah I would take it.

Tavares brought the Islanders back to the playoffs and no longer a basement team. They absolutely had problems and still do as an organization. But, their scouting has heavily improved. They stole Barzal and Wahlstrom. Absolutely stole them. They brought in solid coaches. Snow did not completely destroy the team. Lou and Trots have a lot to work with.

I mean with Tavares on the team they were one top 2 defenseman and 1 goalie to make some serious noise. It is not like it was just Tavares and no one else.

And any playoff game in the Coliseum rivals any playoff crowd in the league.

-----

I think the Rangers had a successful day one of free agency. Just a bunch of depth moves. Nothing crazy. No going after some vet or bottom 9 forward with ridiculous term. This team is not ready to fill their holes in free agency. Let the kids play.

Tavares recognized there was a larger window with either San Jose or Toronto. He's turning 28, how many years does he have to wait til another window opens for the Islanders? He's in the Metro division where the top 3 are always well over 100 points. He's only ever made the playoffs 3 times.  He obviously doesn't leave if the Islanders were how the Lightning were when Stamkos re-signed.

Heavy rumors of a three team trade involving the Rangers, Tampa, and Ottawa. The Rangers have plenty of cap space to take on bad contracts. But, I don't see them acquiring Karlsson or Kucherov.

The Karlsson business is nuts. If I were a Sens fan I’d be freaking out.

If anyone is interested, follow Brian5or6 on twitter. He’s amazing and actually makes me feel sorry for Senators fans.

That team has been so mishandled it’s like the 80s Leafs under Ballard all over again. I know that pain (sort of...I just got into them when they finally turned things around with Fletcher as GM). How do you fuck up so bad that one of the most elite players in the last 20 years wants to leave?

I just hope he doesn’t go to Tampa as rumoured. That’s fucked. We JUST GOT TAVARES, YOU DICKS.

A friend of mine is visiting from Ontario. We were having drinks the other night and he says to me, he says "who's the really good player on the Maple Leafs?" (he doesn't follow hockey). I said "Auston Matthews?" and he says "Yeah, a guy I work with recently sold his house to him."

Apparently one of his co-workers sold his house in Maple to Auston Matthews. No idea when, my friend just found out about it recently, but he said that his co-worker got to meet him during the process and chatted a bit. He asked Matthews if he had trouble in Toronto with being too recognized and he told him a story.

He was driving home from practice one night and he drives a fancy Porsche (it was gifted to him in January when he signed an endorsement with them) and he got pulled over by a cop. He said he wasn't speeding, it was one of those "why are you driving such a nice car so late at night?" type stops, and the cop didn't recognize him. The cop was questioning him on his whereabouts and he says he is just coming home from hockey practice. The cop questions how he can afford such a nice car and Matthews tells him he plays for the Leafs. Now the cop is mad because he's sure he's being lied to, so he takes his ID and runs it. He said when the cop walked back to his car he just handed him his license and walked away without saying a word. :lol:

Assuming the next day at work was hell for that guy.

Well the Sharks got Karlsson for next to nothing. Karlsson and Burns on the blue line...

What a steal for the Sharks. San Jose is already fun to watch, now EK will make them better. On the flip side, they always disappoint playing with under the anvil of expectation.

And Colorado has the Sens first round pick in the 2019 draft. Can easily be a top 3.

Looks like all of the blame is on the Senators owner who apparently is looking to make a profit first and win second.

The Senators' rapid fall from grace is nothing short of amazing. From being one goal away to a trip to the Final two years ago, to being a doormat to every team in the league. I haven't seen a Sens team look this bad since their first four years in the league.

Sept 14, 2018 16:29:11 GMT CM Punk'd said:

The Senators' rapid fall from grace is nothing short of amazing. From being one goal away to a trip to the Final two years ago, to being a doormat to every team in the league. I haven't seen a Sens team look this bad since their first four years in the league.

To be fair, that Sens team vastly overachieved. They had a horseshoe up their ass that playoffs. They never should have made it that far, but people also said that about Vegas so what do I know.

The Sens collapse isn’t as surprising as many people think. When you go deep in the playoffs and don’t sell out home games, your management is fucked and you’re just asking for trouble in the near future.

...

In other news, if William Nylander doesn’t sign a contract soon I might have a stroke.