Dan’s Daily: Friedman Says Penguins Test Trade Market for McCann

The Pittsburgh Penguins offseason changes may take a somewhat surprising turn as the Penguins trade bait list may add another name. Marc-Andre Fleury got the pipes for Vegas, the New York Islanders again bedeviled the Philadelphia Flyers, just as the hard Dallas Stars found a way to beat the Colorado Avalanche, again. Monday could be elimination day for both the Boston Bruins and Colorado.

A source confirmed Penguins defenseman Juuso Riikola plans to stay in North America next season but does he fit with the Penguins financially or on the ice? (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The Pittsburgh Penguins players voted Evgeni Malkin as their MVP (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Let the Penguins trade talk around Jared McCann begin. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports Penguins GM Jim Rutherford is testing the market for McCann (Sportsnet)

Rutherford wants young and hungry players, but if the Penguins trade McCann, would they lose a set of those legs? Tough call. McCann hasn’t yet distinguished himself in one position and is set to make close to $3 million based on PHN’s salary projection. (PHN+)

McCann must become more aggressive in the offensive zone. He has the tools.

Also, in Friedman’s 31 thoughts was some credit to our company. It’s thought No. 26. Our colleague George Richards of Florida Hockey Now got props for breaking the story that the NHL is investigating Dale Tallon for racially charged remarks inside the bubble. We appreciate Elliotte dishing the deserved credit to George for an important scoop.

Political warning — Dallas Stars CEO said his team is losing customers because of the team’s outspoken support of Black Lives Matter (Dallas Morning News)

Friedman was a busy boy on Sunday. The Washington Capitals are set to interview Peter Laviolette for their open head coach position (Puck Prose)

National Hockey Now

All four Round Two series are 3-1. After this is over, I’m sure we’ll debate the mental effects of the bubble. Teams that feel beaten aren’t fighting back as hard.

The New York Islanders switched goalie and kept winning. They beat Philadelphia 3-2 and have Philadelphia on the brink. Goalie Thomas Greiss was brilliant in Game 4 (NYI Hockey Now)

The Colorado Avalanche were a steamroller in Round One. Now, they’re being swallowed up by a hard-nosed Dallas team (Colorado Hockey Now)

The Boston Bruins face elimination today. Head coach Bruce Cassidy is pushing his core players to step forward (Boston Hockey Now)

San Jose Sharks forward Logan Couture was sucker-punched in a bar last week when he mentioned Donald Trump. It was he who apologized for bringing politics onto his Twitter account (say what?!). Sheng Peng dives into the politics of hate (San Jose Hockey Now)

If you think it’s OK to punch the other political party, don’t be surprised when they punch back. Is our body politic going to devolve into who wins the street fight? We’re on a scary path, and that’s all I got to say about that.