Dan’s Daily: Rangers Shopping Defenseman, Avs Goalie Shopping

Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford is in the bunker, so it’s likely the next Penguins news we’ll hear will not be legitimate NHL trade rumors or whispers, but the real thing. However, the goalie landscape is getting more complicated each day. In the NHL trade rumors, the New York Rangers are reportedly dangling a defenseman to address other needs. The Montreal Canadiens raised eyebrows by acquiring the rights to UFA defenseman Joel Edmundson. We have an ICYMI story about team finances and the Tampa Bay Lightning are on the verge of another Prince of Wales trophy.

The Penguins probably need a third-line center. After they traded Nick Bjugstad on Friday, only Jared McCann remains and McCann has not locked down the job. Here are the potential 3C’s on the coming free-agent market (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

There’s been a little back-and-forth in NHL trade rumors with conflicting reports in Colorado. We reported, and Colorado Hockey Now has reported Colorado is goalie shopping, but there were other reports in Denver the Avalanche would stand pat.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportnet weighed in. Not only is Colorado goalie shopping, but they could also take a run at Taylor Hall (Colorado Hockey Now)

The NHL will study the NFL season as it plans for the best or worst to start next season (Sportsnet)

When the Montreal Canadiens washed the Pittsburgh Penguins out of the postseason, the Montreal defense was a big reason why. Their defense may get even better. Montreal has a full blueline but acquired Joel Edmundson for a fifth-round pick on Saturday. (Montreal Gazette)

Also from the Gazette, the venerable Pat Hickey put forth an idea for next season. If the league is unable to start on time or travel restrictions remain, how about an all-Canadien division? A true Northeast Division including the Penguins, a Pacific, and a mid-West (Montreal Gazette)

We’re not clear if Hickey was simply musing or if he had a little help from insiders on that one.

By the way, Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson rescued a downed sea pilot (Global News)

NHL Trade Rumors: Larry Brooks of the NY Post thinks the New York Rangers are going to shop RFA defenseman Tony DeAngelo, who had a breakout 53-point season (NY Post)

In case you missed it, lest you think the NHL is flush with cash, there are at least 17 teams which have cut payrolls and many won’t spend to the cap (TSN)

Tyler Toffoli wants to stay in Vancouver but  that’s another puzzle to solve for the Canucks (Sportsnet)

National Hockey Now

The Tampa Bay Lightning are a juggernaut. They’re one game away from the Stanley Cup Final after ripping victory away from the New York Islanders (NYI Hockey Now)

Zdeno Chara and I are about the same age. While I fall asleep in my recliner while watching Netflix, the 43-year-old defenseman wants to keep playing in the NHL. But are the Bruins moving on? (Boston Hockey Now)

Could Henrik Lundqvist finish his career with the San Jose Sharks (San Jose Hockey Now)