Dan’s Daily: Fleury’s Fate to be Decided, the Stanley Cup is Close

The Stanley Cup will be in the building Wednesday night when the Tampa Bay Lightning tries to end the upstart Montreal Canadiens and become the second team in the salary cap era to win back-to-back championships. The Pittsburgh Penguins, of course, were the first. The Vegas Golden Knights front office and ownership are huddling, so will Marc-Andre Fleury hit the NHL trade market? Jamie Oleksiak is gaining steam on the free-agent market, and we wrap Penguins trade and free agency.

If any Penguins fans need a little defense against Tampa Bay winning back-to-back Cups, they did it without playing a full regular season in either run. That does make a difference. But wow, is Tampa Bay good.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Some Penguins trade ponderance and free agency news. Did the Penguins call on Seth Jones, and what would that look like? And Frederick Andersen wants a pile of money. Nope. Read on…

Vegas: The Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley is meeting with the front office to determine the offseason path. Fleury or Robin Lehner will probably hit the NHL trade market, and here is how Vegas should decide who stays. 

Vegas also has a conundrum with LHD Alec Martinez, who played with a broken foot in the playoffs. Martinez is easily the only affordable top-four left defenseman on the market, but he could price himself out of Vegas. What does Vegas do? 

NHL Playoffs:

Montreal Gazette: Game 5. Pat Hickey drops the five things you should know. 

Tampa Tribune: If you don’t believe in jinxes, Tampa Bay is a lock tonight. If you do, well…maybe not. 

NHL Trade Chatter, National Hockey Now network…

Colorado Hockey Now: “…it’s the offender, not the offense.” Nazem Kadri broke his silence and spoke for the first time since his playoff suspension that some believe ruined the Avalanche’s chances against Vegas in Round Two. Kadri chose our Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now to give his side and opinion on officiating. 

Edmonton Journal: What could complicate the Edmonton Oilers’ pursuit of Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith? The Seattle Kraken. And it appears Jamie Oleksiak could be a solution–but he is expecting offers from eight to 10 teams.

Sportsnet: The Jack Eichel trade drama will end…eventually. Here are the seven NHL trade destinations for Capt. Jack. 

Buffalo News: The Buffalo Sabres are set to meet with consensus No. 1 draft prospect Owen Power, who says he will likely return to Michigan for one more year. 

Detroit: Red Wings fans are hoping top Euro prospect William Eklund will be there at No. 6. They’re hoping, but that is seeming less and less likely. Sorry, Wings fans, it looks like Eklund will go top-five. 

San Jose: If you’d like an NHL Draft podcast–here you go! Our folks in San Jose adjust the big draft board for 2.0. 

NHL.com: I missed this yesterday and my apologies. The Minnesota Wild re-signed Nick Bjugstad to a one-year, $900,000 deal. That’s a big drop from his $4 million salary, eh?

Florida: Free for everyone today–The Florida Panthers gave Tampa Bay a run in Round One. It was a big step forward for Florida. George Richards dishes report cards for the Panthers forwards. 

NYI: Is Jordan Eberle expendable with Oliver Wahlstrom waiting in the wings?

Boston: The Boston Bruins org is hemorrhaging coaches. They’ve lost two coaches in a week. 

Washington: Michael Kempny is already working out for next season. But where will the blueliner slot next season with the Capitals?