Dan’s Daily: Plot Twist for Mike Sullivan, Rangers; Why Penguins D-Man Struggled

The news was expected, but the full story was much juicier than expected. Could both Mike Sullivan and John Tortorella head to the New York Rangers? The media scrums might become legendary. Dave Molinari did a wonderful Penguins notebook that included a potential top-six winger for next season as well as a note on Ray Shero’s funeral on Tuesday, which he attended. I did a thorough examination of Ryan Graves, including buyout costs and the cause of struggles. Elsewhere in the Daily, three of the four series ended last night as Edmonton again vanquished LA, Vegas ended Minnesota, Toronto survived a scare to bounce Ottawa, but Colorado survived against Dallas, setting up a glorious Game 7.

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Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins signed a prospect we haven’t talked much about, who will fill a big role next season. A little bit about the memorial for Ray Shero and an awesome soccer prank are in the Penguins notebook.

OK, let’s dig into the situation. It’s more than a report card, it’s a full breakdown of hows and whys, and a potential escape route for all involved. It’s the Ryan Graves report card.

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NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now

Forever Blueshirts: Plot twist! Sure, Mike Sullivan to NYC seemed like a done deal as soon as we got the email that Kyle Dubas and Sullivan mutually parted (a nice way to phrase it). However, there’s a twist as John Tortorella could be on his way to New York with him. Here’s everything reported so far on the New York Rangers situation.

Colorado Hockey Now: It was a wild Game 6. Colorado led 5-4 in the SECOND period. In the end, the former Quebec Nordiques triumphed to force Game 7. Here’s the nuts and bolts and wild fun of the Colorado Avalanche win.

Ottawa Hockey Now: Damn. It was a valiant fight, and it looked like Ottawa might pull off the Game 6 win to force Game 7, but Max Pacioretty’s wrister through a screen with five minutes to go was the winner. A sad night, but a bright future for the Ottawa Senators.

Sportsnet: Count me a little surprised. I thought LA would win, and when they looked very good early in the series, I thought that was all. However, Edmonton roared back, and they ended LA for the fourth straight year.

Perhaps LA might want to make a few changes, such as adding more talent?

Vegas Hockey Now: I was a little worried about the fortress, but Vegas ended the series in six, and with it, Marc-Andre Fleury’s career. I’m sure there will be plenty of goodbyes, but this is about the silent assassin of the West, the Vegas Golden Knights’ victory.

Florida Hockey Now: *cue the dramatic John Williams score–those low notes just before all hell breaks loose. The series that will have the hockey world’s attention in Round Two will be Toronto vs. the Florida Panthers.