Dan’s Daily: Penguins New Assistants, Blues Trade & New Panthers GM

We’re going to have a Game 7 in the NHL as the Colorado Avalanche behind back-up, back-up goalie Michael Hutchinson pasted Dallas in Game 6 on Wednesday night. The Pittsburgh Penguins trade talk died down for a day while the Penguins hired two new assistant coaches, the Florida Panthers hired a new GM, and the St. Louis Blues traded goalie Jake Allen.

First, the Pittsburgh Penguins introduced two new assistant coaches. Head coach Mike Sullivan said he’s looking forward to former Washington Capitals head coach Todd Reirden pushing him with new ideas (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

I’m most happy for Mike Vellucci to get to the NHL. I think he could be a late bloomer, but his temperament will help if the Penguins ever get those young legs GM Jim Rutherford wants.

Penguins trade talk: What is Matt Murray worth to the Minnesota Wild? We look at what Minnesota and former Penguins assistant GM Bill Guerin have to offer the Penguins for a goalie (PHN+)

Also, we’ll have more on Matt Murray later today. Remember when PHN broke the news that Colorado was interested in Matt Murray, back in February, and a draft-day deal was possible? It sounds like Colorado is back to the table. Here’s that FULL story from March. It’s one of the most informative insider stories we’ve done with several never before reported angles: Penguins Trade Talk, More on Goalie Situation.

Speaking of Colorado…

With a third-string goalie, the Colorado Avalanche have rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to force Game 7 on Friday night. They thoroughly beat Dallas on Wednesday, 4-1 (Sportsnet)

Adrian Dater will have more on Colorado Hockey Now later this morning, as well as more on Matt Murray (Colorado Hockey Now)

The Hockey News likes the St Louis Blues trade of goalie Jake Allen to Montreal, was eye-catching. The ultimate price was a third-rounder (The Hockey News)

The San Jose Sharks are also shopping for a goalie (San Jose Hockey Now)

It looks like Mat Barzal will be ready for the New York Islanders tonight as they try again to eliminate the Broad Street Bullies (NYI Hockey Now)

Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy admitted NHL leading goal scorer David Pastrnak, and Ondrej Kase were not ready for the NHL postseason (Boston Hockey Now)

Bill Zito is the new GM of the Florida Panthers. Zito brings a solid resume from Columbus (Florida Hockey Now)