Dan’s Daily: Former Penguins AGM Rising, Islanders Get the Shaft

A former Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM and Jim Rutherford’s long-time right hand is becoming a hot commodity in the NHL circles and appears to be ready for an NHL GM job. Perhaps the Penguins? The NHL playoffs Day 2 featured more wild games as the Boston Bruins played loose and lost, the New York Islanders were hosed, and the Edmonton Oilers coughed up another 2-0 lead before putting the LA Kings to bed.

The next person who says they’re glad the Penguins missed the playoffs gets blocked! (I kid, mostly). I can’t imagine not wanting to participate in this time of year. Just silliness.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Elliotte Friedman dropped some knowledge in his latest 32 Thoughts, including the price former GM Ron Hextall declined for J.T. Miller before the NHL trade deadline.

PHN+: Dave Molinari gives a synopsis of how the Penguins’ forwards performed.

 Steelers Now:

Off the board? The Steelers canceled four players’ pre-draft visits. Steelers draft news.

The Steelers trade hit a chord with Nick Farabaugh, who says the pickup was perfect.

Even after the trade, Mel Kiper gave the Steelers a WR in his latest NFL Mock Draft.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Holy cow, the Bucs swept the Rockies with another blowout win. Pittsburgh Pirates are rolling.

Can Roansy Contreras keep the Pirates’ momentum going tonight? Pirates preview.

NHL News, National Hockey Now:

First, this little tweet from Darren Dreger a few days slipped past me. It’s interesting because I haven’t heard much about Jason Karmanos (since he left the Penguins) until now. It looks like moving on from Rutherford was the right move. He seems to have the right blend of experience.

Have to think Jason Karmanos is high on the list of potential GM candidates. 3 Stanley Cups. Heavily involved in the scouting, development and analytics departments in Buffalo. Very early in the process, but a return to Pitt makes some sense. See how it unfolds.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 17, 2023

NYI Hockey Now: The Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes battled to OT in Game 2. Carolina forward Jordin Martinook high-sticked Scott Mayfield in the face, no call, Carolina three-on-two … game-winner. The New York Islanders got the short end of the stick.

Our new Islanders writer is already helping, but he can’t be named. He wrote the postgame story. Can’t wait to announce him after Game 4.

LA Hockey Now: Oh, those Kings. They almost pulled off another comeback in Connor McDavid’s house. This time Edmonton got the empty netter and tied the series 1-1. Austin Stanovich breaks it down, the good and bad for the LA Kings.

Sportsnet: Roope Hintz hat trick. Marc-Andre Fleury was shelled. The Dallas Stars pummeled Minnesota 7-3, and that series is tied 1-1.

Minnesota coach Dean Evason absolved Fleury of any wrongdoing, but a 7-spot is a tough pill to swallow, especially after Filip Gustavsson stopped 51 in the Game 1 win.

Boston Hockey Now: Sloppy. The Bruins were sloppy in their Game 2 beatdown by Florida. The Boston Bruins were upset.

However, Brad Marchand had the press talking before the game. He knows how to stir up trouble and loves Tyler Bertuzzi and his “greaseball” antics.

Florida Hockey Now: From the flip side — hey, the Panthers are the 2022 Presidents’ Trophy winner. Don’t sleep on them. The Florida Panthers earned Game 2.

Montreal Hockey Now: There’s a second Canadiens’ first-round pick. So, who can they buy with it? Canadiens trade targets.