Dan’s Daily: Jeff Carter, 2022 UFAs, & Jim Rutherford Opening Door to Female Execs

After the whirlwind NHL news cycle, the Pittsburgh Penguins crashed with a thud on Thursday night. Tristan Jarry made the 2022 NHL All-Star game, while Jake Guentzel and Phil Kessel might make it. Get the latest on the 2022 UFAs, which are inexorably linked to the NHL trade rumors. It’s the end of the week, why hasn’t Evander Kane signed anywhere? And Jim Rutherford is laying the groundwork for the first female GM.

Since the Penguins game was late, we’ll start there. I think I slept from 2–4 A.M.? I always laugh when high-school or college students ask me about getting into the field. Oh, if they had any idea what awaits them.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Here’s the down and dirty postgame wrap for those who didn’t make it to 1 A.M. and the Pittsburgh Penguins collapse.

PHN+: The full monty–the analysis, some chalk talk, and player grades. We separated what was simply a bad night and what should worry the Penguins. 

Tristan Jarry is headed to the All-Star Game in Vegas. Phil Kessel and Jake Guentzel are “Last Man in Candidate.” The Penguins surely deserve two participants at the All-Star Game.

And–some fun news, too. Check out the LA Kings tribute to Jeff Carter. 

NHL Trade Rumor, News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: The latest news and NHL rumors on the top 2022 UFAs, including Kris Letang. 

TSN: The Insiders talked about the hiring process of the Vancouver Canucks new GM. Jim Rutherford should soon narrow his list, but as part of the process, he is interviewing women for something close to an AGM post.

The Insiders also explained why Evander Kane hasn’t yet signed (waiting on the NHL investigation).

San Jose Video: Sheng Peng is on the Kane story like few others. Here’s Sheng’s full breakdown and prediction on the Evander Kane appeal. 

Vegas: The Vegas Golden Knights will be WAY over the salary cap when they try to activate Jack Eichel and Alec Martinez. They need to make at least one significant trade. Owen Krepps examines the Pros and Cons of putting Reilly Smith on the NHL trade block. 

Montreal: The craziest game of the night. The Chicago Blackhawks ran over Habs goalie Sam Montembault for the OT GWG. Alexander Romanov crunched Sam Lafferty, then had to fight. And it was another loss for the Montreal Canadiens. 

Metro Division & Playoffs

Pittsburgh: Bobby Clarke’s rip-job on Ron Hextall didn’t expose Hextall. No, it exposed why the Philadelphia Flyers are failing again. 

Boston: Guess who’s back? Back again? Guess who’s back…  Tuuka Rask stood tall for a win in his return to the Boston Bruins. 

Philly: Dry your eyes, Penguins fans. David Pastrnak also had a hat trick as the Bruins won, which extended the Philadelphia Flyers losing streak to six.

Washington: Well, count me as surprised. The guy who has accepted a suspension rather than go to an All-Star Game is happy to go? Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin is “honored.”

NYI: Here come the Isles? The Islanders are 16 points out of the second wild card (Boston) but have five games in hand. Undefeated in 2022– the New York Islanders.

Detroit: There is a widening gap between the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference and the bottom eight. The Winnipeg Jets shut out the Detroit Red Wings, who are not doing their part to keep up.