Dan’s Daily: Trade Speculation; Edmonton Surges; Penguins Draft

There is some big-name NHL trade speculation beginning across the league, but especially in Vancouver, where they could look for a top-line center. The New York Islanders won the lottery and are GM shopping, though they got a flat rejection when they asked permission from a currently working president of hockey ops. We looked at the Pittsburgh Penguins draft options, and I really think there will be a potential top-six center available to them. And on the ice, the Edmonton Oilers overwhelmed the Golden Knights at the fortress to send a statement in Game 1.

Has it stopped raining yet?

How about now?

I threw caution to the rain and finally got out of the house last evening and walked around the city for a bit. It was nice not to feel like a hamster stuck in the wheel. I had some energy to begin cleaning and straightening my apartment, only to find tossed about giveaways from the Penguins and other teams. I have a Boston Bruins tossel hat, a Penguins gravy boat, a bunch of towels, bobble heads, and business cards from enterprising media members who pitched me on their services.

A gravy boat?!

I haven’t made gravy in my house, let alone needed a Zamboni boat … ever? I know some big Penguins fans who are getting married in the fall. Maybe I’ll re-gift it! (I kid, I kid. I’ll also put some tickets in there).

Also–It’s Live Chat day! Wednesdays at 1 p.m. are the regularly scheduled time. We’ll talk about the coaching search, and I’ve certainly got a shortlist. Trade Targets (another one popped on the market), and everything else. Go to our YouTube page and “subscribe” so that you’ll be notified.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins have the 11th pick in the NHL Draft (Maybe 12th, too, but unlikely). So, who will they take, and who will be available? I’m certainly banging the drum for one prospect, but there are a handful of potentials and one wild card for the Penguins’ draft.

Steelers Now: OK, the NFL Draft is over and the dust is settling. What exactly do the Steelers have now? Here is the new Steelers depth chart.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Paul Skenes can’t score runs. The pathetic march to 120 losses continued despite a historically good pitcher on the hill. Check out the ridiculous performance, again, by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

There just isn’t an excuse with two legitimate pitchers at the top of the rotation to put together that bottom-feeding lineup. At this point, I’d take Barry Bonds, who is 60, over this wet noodle swinging Double A lineup. The Pirates are already 10 games out on May 7. MAY 7.

NHL Trade, News, & National Hockey Now

The Province: Dylan Larkin let ‘r rip on clean-out day. He tacitly criticized Steve Yzerman’s job by saying the team was demoralized by Yzerman’s lack of action at the trade deadline. Now, the NHL trade rumors are beginning. Ben Kuzma lays out the trade framework and advocates the Vancouver Canucks go get Larkin.

If Detroit trades Larkin, it will be another rebuild and the end of Yzerman’s tenure.

Philly Hockey Now: A bit more trade talk. The Philadelphia Flyers also lost two spots in the draft order, going from fourth to sixth. That’s a big difference, and Will James looks at the potential Flyers trade-up options.

To have the chance at James Hagens, then … not. That’s a kick in the knackers. A real ouchy, bro.

NYI Hockey Now: The Islanders reportedly called Montreal about Jeff Gorton for their open GM position and were told no, he’s staying. So, Russ Macias crossed off two names, including Rob Blake, and put forth the only two candidates the New York Islanders should consider.

Vegas Hockey Now: A 2-0 lead became a 4-2 loss to Edmonton. The VGK had seven shots in the final 40 minutes. 7?! Hannah Kirkell digs into the loss and what the heck went wrong for the Vegas Golden Knights.

NHL.com: Alex Ovechkin was a freight train, but the Capitals didn’t score more than a goal. It took a while, but the Carolina Hurricanes won Game 1, 2-1.

Colorado Hockey Now: An assistant coach took the fall, but the head coach will stay. President Joe Sakic and GM Chris MacFarland spoke to the media following the Avalanche’s heartbreaking Round One loss to the Dallas Stars. Jared Bednar is staying, and Aarif Deen has the important takeaways from the postmortem Colorado Avalanche presser.

TSN: We’ll end with the trial of the Team Canada 5, who are accused of sexual assault after their 2018 World Juniors win in London. The defense has been cross-examining E.M., and I think TSN’s Rick Westhead is doing a fine job with even-handed reporting. However, the cross-examination doesn’t seem to be going so well. The defense has merely established what we already knew–the woman and Michael McLeod began the evening as consenting adults, with only each other. Here’s the recap of yesterday.