National Hockey

TORONTO — An average of 2.67 million Canadian viewers tuned in to see the Stanley Cup final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators, Rogers Sportsnet said in a release Monday.

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers went into this off-season with a very specific plan regarding what they thought they wanted for the team's next head coach. Then they met with Bob Boughner. And their plan changed on the spot.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were basking in the glory of their first Stanley Cup since 2009 at about this point last year, but Kris Letang already sensed Sidney Crosby looking ahead to future feats.

PITTSBURGH — The salary cap was a passion project for Mario Lemieux, the owner, when the NHL wrestled with it during the 2004-05 lockout even though he knows it would have been something Mario Lemieux, the player, would have fought to the bitter end.

The first expansion draft in the salary-cap era has even the most seasoned NHL general managers unsure of what is going to happen over the next few weeks. "You expect the unexpected," Toronto Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello said.

Andrew Barroway is now sole owner of the Coyotes, a move the NHL hopes will help them secure a long-term foothold in Arizona.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto says there will be a victory parade for the Stanley Cup champion Penguins, but plans for the event are still being developed.

NASHVILLE — Even Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to be challenged trying to top this.

PITTSBURGH — Another Stanley Cup, and another Conn Smythe Trophy for Sidney Crosby.

NASHVILLE — Pekka Rinne is a friendly, polite man off the ice. Slipping the puck past the Nashville Predators goaltender is one of the few ways to anger the 6-foot-5 Finn. Pucks bouncing past him on the NHL's biggest stage infuriate him.