Aarif Deen and J.J. Jerez are back to break down the latest on Valeri Nichushkin, who is eligible to return in October if he's ready to go. The guys start the show with a look back at Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final before shifting to the recent coaching hires around the league. Specifically, if Mike Babcock is a good fit for Columbus and where Patrick Roy might land if he jumps back into the NHL. The show then shifts to the salary cap, where Aarif explains how the cap is calculated in a non-COVID debt world. The show ends with a quick conversation on how Chris MacFarland can use that cap space heading into July 1 when free agency begins. All that and more on this long Sunday evening edition of Hockey Mountain High: Your go-to Avalanche Podcast.

Follow the guys on Twitter @JJoftheyear and @runwriteAarif

Recorded: June 4, 2023, at 9:45 pm. MT.