Dan’s Daily: Latest UFA Rumors; Fixing NHL Schedule; Scrappy Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins suddenly can’t lose. Good goaltending and depth scoring have highlighted the last couple of games. However, what dug into the importance or lack thereof regarding the remaining season? And we have some criticism for the Penguins’ trade deadline. Elsewhere in the Daily, NHL general managers will debate a few things and make recommendations to the league, including on the punishing toll of the compressed schedule because of the Four Nations tournament. Finally, we also have updates and rumors on each of the unrestricted free agents who could break the bank this summer.

The biggest NHL schedule issue to be addressed outside of too many games in too few days, is more divisional matchups.

Well, duh. Bring on more rivalries and four point games. That seems like a no-brainer. The NHL was silly to get away from that formula. It would be less expensive for most teams and more exciting for most fans. Do it!

The last time this discussion happened, a bunch of big-name Twitter accounts up north whipped up a fury against more divisional games at exactly the right (or wrong) time, and the NHL believed fans didn’t want more divisional games. I’ve been told that by reliable people. The TV ratings and fan reaction debunk any idea that fans don’t want more divisional games.

Some airline website issues kept me up until about 4 a.m., but I decided to go through with the Florida road trip. We’ll have more time for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins but there are still a few issues to cover with the Pittsburgh team.

You might think I like Florida and am looking forward to that trip. You would be wrong. However, I am staying at Pelican Bay near the Tampa airport because the downtown hotels cost the price of a first-born child. I do like downtown Tampa.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: So, what is the point of the rest of the Penguins season if so few players are actually fighting for jobs? And some NHL trade deadline criticism for Kyle Dubas.

The Penguins made it interesting the third period with some dumb…DUMB penalties. Yet, timely goal-scoring and more good goaltending won the day. Here’s Dave Molinari’s Penguins recap.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Here’s the flip side and James Nichols’s take from the New Jersey Devils loss.

It’s a shame. At this point, it’s a lost season for the Devils. You can’t take away the talent they’ve lost and be Stanley Cup contenders.

Our report card focused a little more on the people than on the tactics. The Penguins’ third line, with Connor Dewar, Blake Lizotte, and Noel Acciari, had themselves a game—again. The Penguins may have found something special. So, we dug deeper into the line, got some great quotes from Kris Letang, and delivered a long list of Penguins grades.

NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: We’ll start with the latest from the pending big-name unrestricted free agents. Are any of the UFAs close to signing and what’s the dish? Sportsnet compiled the latest reports and rumors for the coming UFA class.

Related to that article, it seems Colby Armstrong and I share a suspicion that the Penguins and Mitch Marner could be a perfect match on July 1. I saw the headlines that he suggested it during the TV broadcast yesterday.

Also, Elliotte Friedman discussed the coming GM meetings on Hockey Night in Canada. The hot topic will be fixing the schedule.

Colorado Hockey Now: The saga that won’t end. Our Aarif Deen was front and center for the story, and nearly a part of it. Mikko Rantanen got emotional during his return to Colorado and he tossed the Avalanche under the bus–he told his side of the story, including telling management that he would give them a discount. Then, without warning, he was traded. Here’s the scoop between the Mikko Rantanen and the Colorado Avalanche.

TSN: Alex Ovechkin is just eight goals away from being the greatest goal scorer ever. Here’s No. 887.

Forever Blueshirts: This affects the Penguins, too. With a chance to solidify their wild-card spot, the Columbus Blue Jackets instead lost the spot, and lost the game against the New York Rangers.

NHL Trade Rumors: JJ Peterka. Frank Seravalli believes he could find his way out of Buffalo. Seravalli reported the Rangers offered a first-rounder and an NHL player. And there was a second team (unnamed) who made an offer. Is Peterka part of a disgruntled group of players who want out?

From all of the smoke between the Penguins and Sabres, it wouldn’t be surprising in the least that the second team was the Penguins.

Philly Hockey Now: Here’s what the throws of rebuilding look like after you hit rock bottom and start the upswing. It’s trades, re-signings, and ways to accelerate. Will James delivers the goods in his latest mailbag. That’s where the Philadelphia Flyers are.