Nash Daily: Predators Duo Drop CHL Championship, Panthers Not Panicking

Nashville Predators prospects Reid Schafer and Luke Prokop fell just short of adding another postseason accolade to their junior league resumes as the Seattle Thunderbirds fell 5-0 to the Quebec Remparts Sunday night in the CHL Memorial Cup Final.

The tournament crowns the Canadian Hockey League’s year-end champion as the best team in major junior hockey and features winners from the Ontario Hockey League (Peterborough Petes), Western Hockey League (Seattle) and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (Quebec) plus a fourth host team (Kamloops Blazers) from the three leagues that alternates yearly.

The Thunderbirds advanced to the Memorial Cup Final with a 4-1 win over Peterborough on Saturday. Schaefer had an assist in the game.

After two straight wins, the Milwaukee Admirals dropped Game 5 of the AHL Western Conference Final to the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The Ads how head to California trailing 3-2 in the series and needing two straight road wins to advance to the Calder Cup Final against the Hershey Bears.

What does the future hold for Admirals head coach Karl Taylor after interviewing and not getting the Predators head coaching job? When will Joakim Kemell make his NHL debut? With a clear need for a proven, young scorer, could the Predators offer sheet someone? Michael Gallagher answers those questions and more in his first NHN mailbag.

Zach Gilchriest of Predators.com took a by-the-numbers look at Andrew Brunette’s NHL journey from rookie forward to Preds head coach.

The NHL.com staff recently ranked the 60 best draft picks in league history. Former Predators goalie Pekka Rinne came in at No. 45.

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils prospect Chase Stillman made a name for himself last week during the Memorial Cup after blowing up Blazers forward Matthew Seminoff with a thunderous hit then destroying Caeden Bankier in a scrap after. Now that Stillman’s season is over, James Nichols believes his next stop should be the NHL.

Chase Stillman just knocked 2/3 of the Blazers top line out of the game.

First, he destroyed Matthew Seminoff with an open-ice hit. Then proceeded to own Caeden Bankier in the tilt pic.twitter.com/2lCbDjNqHh

— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) June 2, 2023

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers aren’t panicking after dropping Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final to the Vegas Golden Knights. George Richards explains why.

Vegas Hockey Now: Dan Kingerski recaps how the Golden Knights neutralized Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovski.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: New Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has some key decisions to make regarding the team’s roster. Pittsburgh could be active on the free-agent market and here are some names to watch.

Follow Michael Gallagher on Twitter @MGsports_

(Photo of Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop. Photo credit: John Russell/Nashville Predators)