Dan’s Daily: Tense Cup Final; Goodrow Available; Connecting Penguins

It could have been over on Saturday, or it could have ended Tuesday, but the Edmonton Oilers have solved the Florida Panthers, and suddenly, the Stanley Cup Final is tense and will go back to Edmonton for Game 6. Sportsnet has a list of draft sleepers who could upend the NHL Draft. A couple of new names popped up in the NHL rumor mill as potential buyouts as the New York Rangers tipped their hand with Barclay Goodrow. The NHL trade chatter focused on the San Jose Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers while we laid out a few potential buyouts who could help the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Don’t forget–the live chat today at noon. Follow our YouTube channel here.

There has been some handwringing about the Stanley Cup Final ratings. There could be a lot of reasons, but a pair of markets that don’t move the needle in American ratings combined with the fact that Game 5 was on June 18 isn’t helpful. The NBA Final is already over, and hockey could last another week. It’s just far too late.

Who’s paying attention to hockey when it’s 97 degrees in Pittsburgh? It was a great NHL season, but even I’m ready for the end.

Start the season on Oct. 1. Treat the Christmas break as the bye week. Take another few days for the All-Star Game or some mid-season celebration, and wrap up the season by the end of March and the Cup Final by the end of May. This elongated season is brutal.

By the way, the “report” regarding the Penguins being interested in Islanders free agent Oliver Wahlstrom was silly. An internet reporter merely listed a few teams that he believed fit. It’s a shame that a “reporter” would so badly mischaracterize that.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: There are a few potential NHL buyout lists across a few national outlets. We rolled over them and considered our own. In the end, we’ve got four who–at the right price–could be steals in the Penguins free-agent frenzy.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Win one, lose one. It’s been going sideways for the Pirates for some time, and the trend continued on Tuesday. The Pittsburg Pirates lost to Cincinnati, Falters’s bounceback, former draft pick shines, and McCutchen gets aggressive–the Pirates takeaways.

Steelers Now: Gearing up for training camp. The offense is going to rely on the tight ends, and today, our All 90 series focuses on TE Pat Freiermuth.

NHL Rumors, News & National Hockey Now

Florida Hockey Now: We could have wrapped the season, and Florida could have lifted their first-ever Stanley Cup. Instead, we’re headed back to Edmonton, and it looks like this series is going seven. Yep, Edmonton dragged the Florida Panthers back to Alberta.

Forever Blueshirts: About an hour after I published the four buyout candidates to watch, the New York Rangers waived Barclay Goodrow. Here’s the full scoop from our friends at FB about the surprise Rangers news.

New Jersey Hockey Now: While I made a case for the Penguins to sign Goodrow (if he’s bought out), James Nichols writes the New Jersey Devils should absolutely avoid him.

San Jose Hockey Now(+): For all subscribers — There’s one team that could pluck Goodrow off the waiver wire before anyone else. That’s the San Jose Sharks. Sheng Peng dialed up some scouts and got their take on Goodrow. The Sharks analysis.

Sportsnet: Jason Bukalo dug deep through the draft boards and has the top five players who could upset the best-laid draft table plans.

Philadelphia Hockey Now: Instead of buying out Cam Atkinson, the Flyers might be able to ship him off to San Jose. It’s a quickly bubbling Flyers trade possibility.

Chicago Hockey Now: Tij Iginla, the offspring. He’s rocketed up the draft boards over the last couple of months, and here’s the profile of the player who could wind up as a Chicago Blackhawks star.

TSN Video: And the latest on Mitch Marner. Is he off the NHL trade market? Chris Johnston is leaning toward Marner returning to Toronto.