On Tuesday night in Vegas, the NHL crowned a new champion. In only their sixth year, the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup. They did it in convincing fashion by defeating the Panthers 9-3 in Game 5.

The Knights defeated the Panthers in five games. They were clearly the better team. A dominant five-on-five team that played strong defensively in front of Adin Hill, Vegas ultimately proved that they were the best team in the playoffs. They finished 16-6 during the four rounds. That included eliminating Winnipeg in five, ousting both Edmonton and Dallas in six before conquering Florida.

It was a total team effort. Featuring Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Marchessault, whose 13 goals paced them, they had four 20-point scorers, including postseason leader Jack Eichel (6-20-26), captain Mark Stone (11-13-24), and Chandler Stephenson (10-10-20). Possessing scoring balance with all four lines chipping in, they were deeper than opponents. That included misfits Marchessault, William Karlsson, and Reilly Smith. They remained a key factor for winning coach Bruce Cassidy.

Deadline addition Ivan Barbashev was also instrumental in helping the Golden Knights reach the finish line. The former Blue tallied 18 points (7-11-18). He also mixed it up when necessary. Unlikely to return, there’s no doubt Barbashev increased his market value this off-season. Along with Max Domi and Vladimir Tarasenko, he’ll be part of the free agent class this July. Astonishingly, that’s around the corner.

The biggest reason the Golden Knights won their first championship is due to the superb defense they had. It always helps to have a strong back end. Featuring Shea Theodore and former Blue Alex Pietrangelo, who won his second Cup, they defended well and protected the house. That made it easier for Hill to make the big saves after he replaced Laurent Brossoit during the Oilers series. He certainly did his part to help them win.

However, the commitment from all six defensemen, including Brayden McNabb, Zach Whitecloud, Alec Martinez, and Nicolas Hague. They all played key minutes for Cassidy, who went from losing his job with the Bruins to winning the Cup with the Golden Knights. His former team had a historic season but was upset by the scrappy Panthers. A team that didn’t have much left in the tank by the Stanley Cup Finals.

It still was great run by the eighth seed. The Panthers beat the top three teams in the Eastern Conference. They took down the Bruins, Maple Leafs, and Hurricanes. They were led by Matthew Tkachuk. He scored clutch goals and set up the series winner Carter Verhaeghe scored to stun Boston. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken sternum on the big open ice hit Keegan Kolesar delivered. He somehow managed to play Game 4 despite needing help to dress. Tkachuk was unable to go in Game 5.

Brandon Montour played with a torn labrum. Aaron Ekblad had a broken foot, a torn oblique muscle, and two separated shoulder dislocations. Radko Gudas has a high ankle sprain. Eetu Luostarinen also had a broken tibia. When coach Paul Maurice revealed the injuries to Jackie Redmond on TNT, he didn’t make any excuses. He gave credit to the Golden Knights. Maurice also spoke highly of how much he loves sports and how special a group those players were to coach. It was quite an interview.

Sometimes, it isn’t always about winning and losing. What Maurice gave Redmond in that interview provided the viewers with a lot more substance. How much he loves competitive sports is why we watch. I’ve seen plenty of fans rip into players when their teams lose. Unless you’re there in the locker room, you don’t know anything. These guys care. They’re people. Just like us.

I think sometimes, we forget that these are human beings. They’re not perfect. As much criticism as a select number of players received for the Rangers’ failure to advance past the Devils in the first round, they lost as a team. We don’t know the mental side. So much of sports is mental. Mental affects physical. Vice versa. I find the more you do, the better you’ll feel. But I don’t play professional sports. The most pressure packed games are under the spotlight. It isn’t easy.

Regarding the off-season that’s coming up, every team is looking to improve. There’s 31 teams chasing the Golden Knights. Vegas is certain to lose a few guys from their Stanley Cup roster. That’s how it works in the salary cap era. They had an estimated $96 million in cap. The most ever. Long-term injured reserve allowed them to find enough room to add key pieces. Between LTIR and taxes in states such as Vegas, Dallas, and Florida, it is a flawed system that can use correcting. But that’s not why the Knights won. They proved to be the best team. They flew under the radar due to the Oilers and Avalanche.

When it comes to cap space, that determines what each team can do during the summer. The Rangers have $11.7 million left. If there are no moves, that means prioritizing key restricted free agents Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller. Whatever is left over, it becomes about what both Chris Drury and new coach Peter Laviolette want to do. Of the unrestricted free agents, only Tyler Motte and Jaroslav Halak are realistic options at re-signing. Expect Patrick Kane and Tarasenko to leave. Niko Mikkola will likely wind up elsewhere.

While the Blueshirts have an important off-season ahead of them, the rival Devils already kick-started theirs by agreeing to an eight-year contract with Jesper Bratt worth an average cap hit of $7.875 million.

The cap number isn’t surprising. Especially considering what Cole Caufield received from the Canadiens. It’s eight years for $63 million. The numbers are identical to Kevin Fiala, who received the same contract with the Kings last year after the Wild traded him.

The Devils still have $25.5 million remaining. Timo Meier is the next order of business. He’ll be a little more expensive. Figure the power forward to come in around $9 to $9.5 million. That should leave around $16 million. Erik Haula is one of the UFA’s who indicated he’d like to return. Ryan Graves could be expendable due to the arrival of Luke Hughes and possibly Simon Nemec. They also have to re-sign RFA’s Mike McLeod, Nathan Bastian, and Kevin Bahl. They have decisions on Yegor Sharangovich and Jesper Boqvist. Mackenzie Blackwood, Tomas Tatar, and Miles Wood could wind up elsewhere.

With the NHL Draft taking place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville beginning on Wednesday, June 28. Connor Bedard is expected to go first to the Blackhawks. After that, it’s between Matvei Michkov and Adam Fantilli. It’ll depend on what the Ducks and Blue Jackets want to do with their picks. There are rumors that the Canadiens might be interested in moving up. They pick fifth behind the Sharks.

The Rangers have a first round pick. They select number 23. The Devils gave up theirs to San Jose as part of the Timo Meier deal. As we draw closer, I’ll have more on the draft.

Once it concludes on June 29, that’s when the action should pick up. The free agent frenzy begins on July 1. There are also some stars who are a year away from hitting the market. Auston Matthews and William Nylander are entering the final year of their contracts. The Leafs’ off-season should be interesting to watch.

Expect the Hurricanes to sign captain Sebastian Aho to an extension. They must keep him. One big name who could surface in trade speculation is Connor Hellebuyck. He has a year remaining on his deal at a cap hit of $6.17 million. He’s indicated that he doesn’t want to stay in Winnipeg, who is also likely to move on from Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. Both have moderated no-trade clauses entering their final year.

Keep an eye on Alex DeBrincat. The restricted free agent could again get moved. After changing addresses last year from Chicago to Ottawa, he might not want to sign long-term with the Senators. A former 40-goal scorer, he should be available. If he’s acquired, the team that gets him would have to extend him. Otherwise, they risk losing him next summer.

All of this makes the summer compelling. Even without hockey during the warm weather, there’ll be plenty of action. We’ll see how it all plays out.