Dan’s Daily: Marner Could Ruin UFA Frenzy; Malkin News; & THE CUP!

The Florida Panthers again flexed their depth and their superiority over everyone else in the NHL by squashing the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 and hoisting the Stanley Cup. Florida rejoiced while Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers were absolutely devastated. Locally, Pittsburgh Hockey Now had a scoop with sources who told us of recent conversations and spoke about Evgeni Malkin’s future. Elsewhere, the New York Rangers’ head coach flew to Sweden just to meet with Mika Zibanejad and his family, trying to quell some of the NHL trade rumors, and Tage Thompson was upset that no teammates stood up for him after he was blindsided and knocked out.

The NHL is typically loathe to see breaking news during the Stanley Cup Final. It’s an unwritten rule that you don’t make big trades or big splashes when the league’s premier event is ongoing. Welp, that’s over now. Batten down the hatches. It’s go time. Expect some real chatter now and perhaps a few phone calls to finalize deals.

Including the Penguins?

But is anybody else getting cranky with the weather? During the summers, I work from home, and this summer I feel like a shut-in. Can’t walk anywhere. Can’t do anything because it’s always raining. But I’m also reminded of my great frustration with Pittsburgh. No one goes out! I went to a little microbrewery in the neighborhood last night because they were one of two places that were open because … it’s Tuesday. There were two other people there, and the place closed at 10 (the second intermission)?! Leave your homes. Go out surrounded by other humans. Anyway…

Oh, and a Live Chat today at 1:05! Join here to get notified of these little shindigs.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Recent reports suggested the Penguins would broom Malkin after the 2025-26 season. However, those reports sparked urgent conversations between the Malkin camp and the Penguins’ management. And here’s what we know about Malkin’s Penguins future.

General manager Kyle Dubas was able to lock up some key organizational depth, who can play lineup depth in the NHL or lead in the AHL. Here are the contract details as Joona Koppanen re-signed.

Our buddy Matt Meagher’s video series continued. New draft rankings dropped slick center Jake O’Brien into the Penguins’ range. After a couple of months of it being possible, then not looking good, it appears O’Brien could be on the board. Here are the video highlights and analysis so you can get a look at the possible Penguins draft pick.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Florida Hockey Now: This year was more dominant and perhaps more impressive. The Edmonton Oilers were also a much better team than a year ago, but Sam Reinhart scored four goals (two empty netters), Sam Bennett filled the net from the start, and Brad Marchand fundamentally improved the team from the third line. They did it. Again. The Florida Panthers are 2x Cup Champs.

Here are the parade details for Sunday. Enjoy, Florida.

I’d love to watch a seven-game series between the ’16 Penguins, ’25 Panthers.

— Dan Kingerski (@TheDanKingerski) June 18, 2025

Forever Blueshirts: I suppose we’ll turn the page to the NHL trade chatter. Zibanejad’s name has surfaced quite a bit lately. Coach Mike Sullivan flew to Sweden to meet with Zibanejad privately. After posting about it, Zibanejad’s wife deleted the posts because it was a private meeting, but that won’t kill the latest trade rumors.

Sportsnet: If you’d like to see McDavid’s postgame media scrum, here it is. He handled himself well, but as others pointed out, you could sense he knew Florida was just that good.

TSN: The TSN Insiders had some bad news. Bad, bad news. Mitch Marner not likely to sign on July 1?! Darren Dreger is hearing that Marner is going to take his sweet time in choosing a new team, and might not sign until mid-July.

The fallout could put a hold on several free agents, which would gum up the works.

Philly Hockey Now: The Philadelphia Flyers’ management team held their pre-draft media availability Tuesday. Will James tried to decipher which way Philly is headed with their pick. Here are the takeaways from GM Daniel Briere’s chat.