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National Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
What you need to know about the Abbotsford Canucks' Calder Cup chase
Here's your Calder Cup cheat sheet. Article content The Abbotsford Canucks and the Charlotte Checkers square off in the AHL's version of the Stanley Cup Finals starting Friday at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C. The best-of-seven set shifts to the Abbotsford Centre on Tuesday, starting with Game 3. Article content Article content Here's all you need to know about the match-up between the top farm teams of the Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers. Article content WHAT'S THE SCHEDULE? Article content Game 1 goes Friday at Bojangles (affectionately known as The BOplex) with a 4 p.m. Pacific time start. Game 2 is there Sunday (1 p.m.), before the series moves to Abbotsford for Game 3 on Tuesday (7 p.m.), Game 4 on Thursday (7 p.m.), and then, if necessary, Game 5 on Saturday (6 p.m.). If required, Games 6 and 7 would be June 23 (4 p.m.) and June 25 (4 p.m.) back in North Carolina. Article content The Checkers' announced attendance average in the regular season was 6,964. Abbotsford was 4,152. The Canucks had an announced crowd of 6,983 for the 4-2 win over the visiting Texas Stars on Sunday that advanced Abbotsford to the final. Article content How we're stacking up against the Checkers in the Finals ⬇️ — X - Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) June 11, 2025 Article content Article content Article content The trophy was first handed out at the end of the AHL's inaugural season in 1936-37, and went to the Syracuse Stars after they beat the Philadelphia Ramblers in four games in a best-of-five finals. The league was eight teams back then. It's 32 now. Article content The trophy is named after Frank Calder. He's best known as the first president of the NHL — the league's Calder Memorial Trophy for top rookie is named in his honour — but he was also instrumental in the formation of the AHL. Article content The Hershey Bears have won 13 Calder Cups, including claiming top spot the past two seasons prior to this one. They've been to 25 finals, with the first coming in 1941. The Bears are in the midst of their second stint as a Washington Capitals' affiliate. It began in 2005-06. Article content Article content Florida and Charlotte advancing to their respective league championship series marks the first time since 2008 that a single organization played it out for both trophies. That year, the Pittsburgh Penguins lost in six games to the Detroit Red Wings for the Stanley Cup and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins fell in six games to the Chicago Wolves in for the Calder Cup.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Dan Bylsma out, Hakstol forgotten but Kraken keep firing coaches instead of fixing the real problem
Dan Bylsma out as Kraken head coach; Jason Botterill steps in as GM (Image via: Getty Images) Another season, another big change. The Seattle Kraken have moved on from head coach Dan Bylsma after just one year, signaling yet another shift in direction. Instead of addressing the bigger challenges facing the team, the organization has opted to rearrange its leadership. Ron Francis , who has been with the Kraken since the beginning, is now President of Hockey Operations, while Jason Botterill steps in as the new general manager. With these changes, the big question remains: what is the Kraken's long-term vision, and when will it start taking shape? Coaches keep getting fired, but Kraken's core issues remain Gotta See It: Lehner waves at fan, gets pulled, stares down Bylsma Bylsma's dismissal comes as the Kraken missed the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. But blaming the coach feels more like a deflection than a solution. Bylsma was brought in with hype, fresh off back-to-back AHL Finals runs with the Coachella Valley Firebirds and brought a Stanley Cup pedigree from his Pittsburgh Penguins days. Yet, with a flawed, top-heavy roster, his first season behind the bench ended at 35-41-6. That may be disappointing, but was it fire-worthy? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 35 & Earning? Protect Your Family with ₹1 Cr Life Cover ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Dave Hakstol, the team's original coach, was dumped after leading the Kraken to their only playoff appearance in 2023, including a stunning series win over the Avalanche. Two coaches down, and the problem still isn't solved. Maybe it's not the coaches. Ron Francis, who constructed this underperforming team, gets a promotion instead of a performance review. He's now tasked with overseeing the big picture, even though the picture hasn't looked promising since the inaugural puck drop. Meanwhile, Jason Botterill, whose previous GM stint with the Buffalo Sabres ended without a single playoff berth, will now try to navigate Seattle back to relevance. New faces in power, same old problems in Seattle Botterill says, 'next season starts now.' But can Kraken fans really buy into that? With no coach in place, no star talent, and a revolving door of leadership, what exactly is the strategy? The Kraken are at a pivotal moment. They've fired Dan Bylsma, elevated Ron Francis, and handed the reins to Jason Botterill. But until Seattle addresses the real issue, consistency in leadership, a clear identity on the ice, and legitimate talent development, they risk becoming what no franchise wants to be: directionless. Also Read: Anthony Stolarz brutal attack on Ridly Greig exposes NHL's double standard Three coaches in four seasons. Constant reshuffling in the front office. A roster still searching for a franchise player. What's next for the Seattle Kraken? Hopefully, a plan because this franchise needs more than fresh titles and empty promises. It needs results. Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India , including match schedules , team squads , points table and IPL live score for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap .
