Dan’s Daily: Rutherford Bombshell; Playoff Drama; Penguins on Notice

It was one of those days in hockey news in which everything happened. The Daily could be 2000 words, but instead we will focus on the stuff you most want. General Manager Kyle Dubas put the Pittsburgh Penguins on notice, and neither fan support nor loyalty will sway Dubas, who was more direct in this latest press conference. He didn’t have many compliments, but he also handled each question with a clarity that has sometimes been missing in the past. Elsewhere, Jim Rutherford dropped another bombshell on the Canucks with an offhand comment. The playoff games Monday were fantastic, Seattle quickly canned Dan Bylsma, and Dylan Larkin sort of ripped Steve Yzerman for a lack of moves.

I’m off to Wilkes-Barre today. The biggest question I face is whether to drive the car or take the bike. I’ll probably chicken out and take the car because I want to get there and settle in for my week in Wilkes-Vegas without my ears ringing after a four-hour ride.

As a city, Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding area are in trouble. Economically, it doesn’t look good, and I’ll tell you that the players have noticed. Dining options and nightlife for them have dried up. The team was once an envy of the league, but those days are past. The people in town have been nothing but great; the arena staff and many of the people I’ve come into contact with just by being there are a genuinely friendly sort.

I hope the town recovers because the people care about the team.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Kyle Dubas took center stage Monday. Dave Molinari and I were front and center. Dave’s biggest takeaway was that Mike Sullivan is safe. Dave also had a recap of EVERYTHING Dubas said during his 35-minute presser. Here’s the Penguins news.

Within the press conference, there was an answer that I think could be the beginning of real drama within the Penguins. Dubas admitted to a long meeting Friday with Erik Karlsson, who typically has plenty of thoughts about what’s going on. It doesn’t take Mr. Monk to detect what the two sides said in that meeting between both parties. Dubas had some pointed words about Karlsson’s performance Monday, and the quotable line was, “Actions must match ambitions.” He laid the lumber to Karlsson.

I’m sure Dubas said similar or stronger words to Karlsson Friday. You can watch the full presser on our YouTube page. If you do, I’m curious if you got the same underlying sense of frustration or a bit of saltiness that I did sitting there. Here’s the PHN YouTube page.

I’ve got more on the way this morning. You can read while I drive.

NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now

Detroit Hockey Now: Let’s start with our boys in the Motor City. Dylan Larkin matter-of-factly ripped Steve Yzerman’s performance at the NHL trade deadline. I don’t think this story is getting as much attention as it should. The Red Wings deflated after the deadline, and that’s when they slipped–when Yzerman did essentially nothing at the NHL trade deadline.

I agree with Larkin. Yzerman should be on the hot seat. He had a chance to make the team better and punted again. He’s trying to stick to a long-term plan that has become the colloquial slow boat to China.

New Jersey Hockey: A reporter asked Jim Rutherford about Quinn Hughes’ next contract with the Vancouver Canucks. Instead, Rutherford opened the nuclear briefcase, typed in the codes, nodded to his security detail, and pushed the button. Rutherford said Hughes’s future is out of their control because he wants to play with his brothers, who both play in New Jersey. Whoops. So, JR doubled down and said that’s unless the Canucks can trade for the brothers. WOW–here’s the incredible story from our New Jersey colleague on the Hughes brothers’ future.

Cue the deafening NHL trade rumors, eh? You’ve got to love Jim, but he’s unleashed more drama on his team at a time when they desperately need to calm the waters. I’m sure Quinn hated that exchange because now he’s under the spotlight. He’s probably the second-best defenseman in the league, but now it will be endless questions about playing in New Jersey.

Sportsnet: Two former Penguins people exit, one enters. Dan Bylsma lasted just one season as the head coach of the Seattle Kraken. One and done, and that’s probably his last HC gig. Ron Francis appears to be done as the GM, too. Jason Botterill is stepping in as the next GM as the Kraken make real changes.

Seattle was pretty good on paper. It just never came together this season.

The Athletic ($): GM Pat Verbeek poop canned Greg Cronin in a bold move, but now Verbeek is on the clock to both find a head coach and further upgrade the Ducks roster. Tick tock. Eric Stephens also teased a Mitch Marner acquisition, citing the tens of millions of salary cap space that Anaheim will have.

Montreal Hockey Now: So close. Those plucky Habs mounted a third period comeback and forced overtime. They were all over the Capitals, but Lane Hutson’s soft coverage on Alex Ovechkin, who went to the net, was the difference in OT. It was a Capitals win, but the Montreal Canadiens served notice.

Colorado Hockey Now: A disappointing night all around. Gabriel Landeskog was scratched and didn’t make his long-awaited comeback. Then, the Dallas Stars mounted a late comeback to win. The good and the bad of Game 2 for the Colorado Avalanche.

NHL.com: Watch the Kings. Watch out for the LA Kings. I’m telling you, they are going to be the toughest out in the West. Goaltending under pressure is my worry with them. They took it to Edmonton, survived a furious late charge, and claimed Game 1.