Dan’s Daily: Penguins GM Update, Mahomes Pitches ‘KC Coyotes’

It’s a soft day of NHL news as the league gave the boys a few days off after Round Two, so the Pittsburgh Penguins GM search and the Arizona Coyotes arena search took center stage. The NHL is stubborn to the point of blindly obstinate with Arizona, even as Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes pitched the KC Coyotes. The Oilers are at the end of their patience. A Maple Leafs blockbuster comes down to which of two players they will put on the NHL trade block.

Viva Las Vegas.

Today is my final day on the Vegas Strip, and I leave town in a few days. I’m surprisingly … melancholy. It’s been more than three weeks away from home, but I don’t want to leave. I’ve spent the last two weeks staring at the view below, watching the sunrise hit the strip (I’m up at 4 a.m to keep my East Coast commitments), staring at the sunset behind the strip as I pound away on my keyboard, I haven’t “partied,” but we’ve continued to grow Vegas Hockey Now. 

Thanks for your help growing VHN and some restaurant recommendations. The $8.99 prime rib last night was pretty good. Does anyone want to be our Vegas Baseball Now writer? No joke. Some experience is required.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates (Sports Now Group)

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: There’s a lot of attention on John Chayka, who is in the running to be part of the Penguins’ front office. Here’s an update on the process from sources, and we size up John Chayka.

Steelers Now: 

Get this — Antonio Brown will play for his Arena League team.

An all-pro center thinks the Steelers got a “steal” with Isaac Seumalo.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: 

Rich Hill dominated. The Buccos finally brought the bats, and they thumped Detroit 8-0. Pittsburgh Pirates postgame.

Our Gavin Floyd has a suggestion — Is it time for the Pirates to trade relievers for hitters? Pirates trade talk.

NHL Trade Talk, Playoffs & National Hockey Now

Vegas Hockey Now: The VGK have been on this stage three times before. They’re chasing “the big trophy” with the ghosts of WCFs past. We also chatted with Teddy Blueger. Vegas Golden Knights notebook.

Colorado Hockey Now: The Avalanche need to get a little better, but who goes on the NHL trade block?

Sportsnet Edmonton: Oilers GM Ken Holland has unfinished business but only one year on his contract. He’s not committing to anything beyond that. Patience within the Oilers has run out.

Fans can point to huge point totals for McDavid, but I saw a coach playing a man-to-man system without the roster to pull it off, 5v5, and a GM who hasn’t put enough pieces in place. There won’t be a Cup in McDavid’s immediate future without a deeper roster.

Sportsnet Toronto: A Maple Leafs’ blockbuster hinges on which one of two star players hit the NHL trade block. It’s going to be intense this summer in Toronto.

TSN: Even though Bill Daly says he “can’t imagine a scenario” in which the Coyotes don’t play at ASU next season, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes says, hey, the “KC Coyotes” has a nice ring to it.

Adams Division:

Florida Hockey Now: The ECF begins tonight. Similar styles clash with the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers.

Montreal Hockey Now: Potential Canadiens salary cap moves this summer. Montreal Canadiens analysis.

Boston Hockey Now: Should the Bruins look externally to shake up their core players? Boston Bruins trade speculation.

Hampus Lindholm played with a fractured foot in the playoffs.

Buffalo Hockey Now: From Mike Augello — want to get better defensively? Add better defensemen. The Buffalo Sabres needs.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings brass are getting excited by prospect Carter Mazur at the World Championships. More on the Detroit Red Wings prospects.

After saying he didn’t want to coach in the NHL, the Russian “hierarchy” is encouraging Sergei Fedorov to coach in the NHL.

Metro Division: 

Philly Hockey Now: The new president of hockey ops Keith Jones will finish out his TV gig on TNT? Philadelphia Flyers news.

Washington Hockey Now: Chandler Stephenson and Radko Gudas are the lone remaining ex-Washington Capitals in the playoffs.

Campbell Conference:

Calgary Hockey Now: Calgary had a handful of very good players who had no desire to continue to play for Darryl Sutter. Elias Lindholm was one — now that Sutter is gone, re-signing Lindholm should be priority No. 1 for the Calgary Flames.

San Jose Hockey Now: Could the Sharks get a close rival? Speculation surrounding a Coyote’s move includes Sacremento.

Seriously, enough California teams. None have a huge fanbase. It’s my job to know the internals like that. No Sacramento.