You might look at Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka as the MVP of this hockey summer after a dramatic makeover of his team. Others might prefer perennial offseason All-Star GM Jim Nill of the Dallas Stars.
Personally, the credit should go to a different kind of MVP, whether the “P” stands for puppies or pooches.
During the dog days of this hockey summer, when politics have heated up to an especially nasty temperature and very little was going on, players and their furry beasts have frequently provided smiles and respite.
So, with the season-opener barely more than a week away, let’s look at two more adorable pets.
Let’s start with another perennial star: Gustl Kopitar, Anze Kopitar’s well-documented, absurdly cute dog:
🎶 Reunited and it feels so good! 🎶
— 🚨Gustl Kopitar🚨 (@GustlTweets) September 25, 2017
Welcome home Pops! @AnzeKopitar
😘 🐶 💕 pic.twitter.com/3EkX25bqSC
Almost feels like a riff on Captain America’s reunion:
San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic might be underrated, at least from a mainstream perspective, but dog lovers might just have to get a number 44 jersey at this rate:
This is awesome! They are perfect and the dogs agree. pic.twitter.com/T8JTDaQ8mZ
— Marc-Edouard Vlasic (@Vlasic44) September 24, 2017
That straddles the line between cute and kind of creepy, doesn’t it?
Also, who is this dog painter and will they charge less for a blogger’s dog? Asking for a friend.
More dog fun at PHT:
Teams celebrate National Dog Day, and it is good.
Matt Murray, pup, Stanley Cup.
Hampus Lindholm’s absurdly cute, skate-sized puppy.
* - Not a “Most Valuable Primate,” though.