Dan’s Daily: Gibson Trade Chatter; Championship Belt; Defining Penguins Off-Season

Now the NHL trade chatter is getting a bit more interesting. Welcome back to the chat, Anaheim Ducks, who are listening to offers for goalie John Gibson and talented forward Trevor Zegras. The Stanley Cup Final is ready to begin, and the WWE is putting up a championship belt. The Utah Yeti, er, hockey team is down to six possible nicknames for their inaugural season. And a reader asked perhaps the best question we’ve ever received for the Pittsburgh Penguins Q&A.

The Penguins Q&A was a wide-ranging slobberknocker, though the trade proposals made my heart hurt a bit. Penguins fans have reached a new station: Trade our good players for their bad players because maybe their bad players can be good again, and our good players stink.

I find myself arguing that several Penguins are much better than their perception here. It’s usually—almost universally—the other way around!

Despite the mostly good weather, I’ve been work-bound all week trying to figure out what comes next for the Penguins, but I did have a chance to do some binge-watching. I rolled through “Pearson,” the Suits spin-off. It was a definite snoozer, lacking the charm, fun, and even drama of Suits. Wednesday and Thursday, I rolled through the three-episode series called The Continental on Peacock–the prequel to the John Wick movie franchise.

It wasn’t a 10/10, but it was a good ride. Mel Gibson is the villain, and I thought they greatly underused him. Of course, you don’t watch anything in the John Wick series for dialogue, eh?

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: What will define a successful Penguins off-season? I gave a definitive answer, and I think it may be more in line with what many of you think. But some of the trade proposals were, umm, yeah. I packed in as many questions as I could, so it’s a good read. From Penguins trades to off-season changes and even tactical changes, the Penguins Q&A.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: It was a bad night at the park for the Buccos, but you can always get the latest on who’s making a charge and who is on the way with the Pirates prospects update.

At the yard, the Pirates rallied, but a controversial call broke the wrong way. Falter faltered, and the LA Dodgers are a pretty good team. Or, at least, they’re an expensive team. Here’s the Pittsburgh Pirates recap.

Danny Demilio and John Perrotto have done an amazing job covering that team. Danny doesn’t get nearly the recognition he should.

Steelers Now: The OTA takeaways. Justin Fields takes two steps, and a couple of sleeper DBs impressed. Sure, it’s football in shorts, but it’s also the Steelers news.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Florida Hockey Now: First, some superfluous, silly, and cool hockey news. Before the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers go to war, the WWE and the NHL have teamed up for a Stanley Cup title belt.

Cmon, if you win it, you’re going to wear that thing everywhere. Oh, hell yeah!

TSN: John Gibson is back on the trade block, and Trevor Zegras is there, too. Anaheim isn’t “shopping” them, but GM Pat Verbeed is reportedly listening to offers for the duo. Here’s what’s up in the Ducks trade rumors.

At this point, I picture Gibson as being like Denny Lemieux. Trade me right now … and hang up the phone.

Forever Blueshirts: Sign Igor Shesterkin. Anyone who watched the Stanley Cup Playoffs saw a goalie at the top of his game who stole more than a couple of games. In fact, Shesterkin nearly willed New York past Florida to the Cup Final. Now it’s time to pay up and our new buddies at FB write that it’s no laughing matter for the New York Rangers.

Nashville Hockey Now: It’s an interesting play by the Nashville Predators goalie. Juuse Saros doesn’t want to talk contract until Shesterkin gets his from the Rangers. It’s a waiting game and a little bit of a gamble for Saros that could get him paid or … traded. The full scoop for Juuse Saros.

Sportsnet: Canada is gearing up for the Stanley Cup Final. I mean, they’re ready to go nuts for Lord Stanley to come home. While the Celtics obliterate the Maverics and could wrap up that series in four games, the Cup Final is going to be Florida vs. all of Canada.

My money is still on Florida. You’re going to bet against “a Florida man” in a fight?

Colorado Hockey Now: Here’s a player that seems worth watching for Penguins fans — the agent for Jonathan Drouin and GM Steve MacFarland will meet to talk turkey about a new contact. Here’s what’s up for the Colorado Avalanche.

And your six finalists (I thought we were down to four?) for the name of the coming Utah hockey team:

After taking 520,000 votes from fans, Utah’s NHL team is down to six possible team names:

Utah Blizzard

Utah Hockey Club (Utah HC)

Utah Mammoth

Utah Outlaws

Utah Venom

Utah Yeti

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 6, 2024