Sammi’s Daily Mix: Capitals’ Jagr Anniversary, Eichel Talks Brewing

Another Sunday, another day of Washington Capitals and NHL news. The Jack Eichel trade speculation is heating up, D.C. remembers an infamous day in team history and the Tampa Bay Lightning are getting ready for their Stanley Cup boat parade on Monday.

In honor of 7-11, grab a Slurpee, kick back and catch up on all the latest rumblings right here.

Capitals Links

• Twenty years ago today, the Capitals stunned the hockey world. They acquired two-time Stanley Cup Champion and superstar Jaromir Jagr and Frantisek Kucera in exchange for Kris Beech, Michal Sivek, Ross Lupaschuk and future considerations. Tarik El-Bashir revisits No. 68’s short-lived tenure in D.C. (The Athletic)
• With a busy offseason looming, trade talks continue to brew in regards to Evgeny Kuznetsov. However, moving him isn’t as simple as some may think, explains Michael Marzzacco. (Stars & Sticks)
• Speaking of a Kuznetsov trade, we explored the possibility of a deal involving him and St. Louis Blues sniper Vladimir Tarasenko. Would it work? (Washington Hockey Now)

NHL Links

• Eichel’s future remains in flux as the teams in on the Sabres’ captain sweepstakes continue to change. One of those clubs could be his hometown Boston Bruins. (NESN)
• The Montreal Canadiens’ impressive run to the Stanley Cup Final impressed Connor McDavid but also inspired him as he looks to lead his Edmonton Oilers down that very road. (NHL.com)
• The Tampa Bay Lightning are back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions. To that, the Detroit Red Wings say, “Hold my beer.” Bob Duff explains why fans shouldn’t compare the Bolts’ wins to the Wings’ success. (Detroit Hockey Now)

Sammi’s Top Shelf Takes

• I was young at the time, but that Jagr trade was certainly one that topped any and all NHL blockbusters. Jagr ended up with 83 goals and 201 points through 190 games with Washington, but he ultimately forced a trade to the New York Rangers in exchange for Anson Carter. It wasn’t a beautiful end or tenure, but hey, it was still fun to watch and at the end of the day, one of the best NHLers of all time donned a Capitals sweater.
• Patrick Kane won the 2021 ESPY for Best NHL Player, beating out Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Andrei Vasilevskiy. Kane dished 66 points in 56 games last season (seventh in league scoring) and also recorded his 400th career goal in 2020-21. The ESPY winners are determined by a fan vote.
• Kudos to the reporters like Katie Strang, Rick Westhead and so many others who are investigating the sexual abuse case surrounding former Blackhawks video coach Bradley Aldrich. It takes a lot of courage to look into these issues, and they deserve nothing but respect for their efforts.