Dan’s Daily: ‘Crazy’ Price for Eichel, Barzal Suspension Coming?

The New York Islanders absolutely imploded on Monday night and will face elimination in Game 6. They may do so without Mathew Barzal, who crosschecked Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jan Rutta in the face and was tossed with a fiver and a misconduct. This “little” network broke the big national news as we got a look inside the NHL trade market and the Buffalo Sabres ask for Jack Eichel, and we dove into the valuation of Pittsburgh Penguins top-four defenseman Cody Ceci.

There are times when I want to yell from the rooftops. I don’t always feel like the National Hockey Now network gets the recognition commensurate with the incredible volume of readers we have and the stories we’re breaking.

PHN+: The NHL trade market is waiting anxiously on the Buffalo Sabres and Jack Eichel. In our latest “Off the Record” column, a rival NHL executive shared the cost for Eichel and didn’t mince words with his opinions. 

That story is every reason you should join PHN+!

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Cody Ceci elevated (again) to a top-four defenseman with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He’s also a UFA in a thin UFA class. What’s he worth on the open market, and can the Penguins afford him?

ICYMI: I dare say PHN has been pretty close with our valuations. We gave Teddy Blueger the same analysis with comparables and extrapolations for Teddy Blueger’s new contract. 

NHL Playoffs & National Hockey Now

NYI: Game 6 of the NHL Semifinal could be the final game at the Nassau Coliseum, ever. The New York Islanders will face elimination by the Tampa Bay Lightning for a second straight season, and the Islanders may do it without Mathew Barzal, whom officials tossed for a cheap cross-checking penalty on Monday night.

Tampa Bay boat raced the Islanders on Monday night. If you revel in a team cracking, the Islanders did in an 8-0 loss. 

Vegas: Teams had an off-day on Monday for travel, but it’s been a wild 36-hours in that series. Fleury, Lehner, DeBoer flipping again, Stone being shut out, Stephenson battling injury. The Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens don’t lack for drama. 

Sportsnet: Steve Stamkos is putting to rest questions about his health as Tampa Bay is flying. 

Detroit: There were big questions about why Sweden did not invite top NHL prospect Lucas Raymond to the Swedish WJC camp. Now we know…Hey Detroit–he’s coming to the NHL!

Philly: The Philadelphia Flyers have a lot of moving parts this offseason. Will they scour the NHL trade market for d-men, move aging veterans. Ryan Gilbert writes much of their path hinges on who the Seattle Kraken takes. 

San Jose: The San Jose Sharks re-signed Matt Nieto. Many asked why?! Sheng Peng tries to make sense of it.