The NHL salary cap has been set for the upcoming season, and the Colorado Avalanche are facing some tough decisions this summer. According to The Denver Post, the team will need to carefully manage its roster to stay competitive. As they prepare to face the Minnesota Wild in Game 4, pressure mounts on the Avalanche to finally shake off their playoff demons, as highlighted by Sportsnet. Despite past struggles, the team remains confident in their goaltending duo, per NHL.com. Meanwhile, TSN reports that Martin Necas is having a breakout year with the Avs, notching a 100-point season, contributing to playoff success, and even pulling off some locker-room pranks to keep the mood light.

In other hockey news, The Edmonton Journal reports that Gavin McKenna's mother allegedly provided the teen hockey phenom with alcohol at a Pennsylvania bar, raising eyebrows in the sports community. USA Today suggests that the San Jose Sharks could serve as a blueprint for the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames in their respective rebuilds. Tragically, CBC reports that hockey icon Ernie "Punch" McLean was killed in a car crash in northern British Columbia.

On the playoff front, The Montreal Gazette features an interview with P.K. Subban, who shares his thoughts on the Canadiens' postseason run. The Score notes that the Carolina Hurricanes might benefit from another lengthy rest between rounds after rolling through the playoffs. However, The Ottawa Citizen criticizes the NHL's draft lottery, arguing that it gambles away the league's credibility—even if the Toronto Maple Leafs winning it was legitimate, a clear conflict of interest remains.