Dan’s Daily: Crosby Chills, Toronto Teardown, VGK Rocked

So much for taking full advantage of the long-term injured reserve rules, the Vegas Golden Knights will not repeat as Stanley Cup champs as they were dismissed in Game 7 by the obviously fresher Dallas Stars. It’s Rick Tocchet’s time in Vancouver as the Canucks flipped from a non-playoff team to now awaiting a battle with the Edmonton Oilers in Round Two. Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will chill this month instead of playing in the Worlds. Elsewhere in the Daily, the Toronto fallout intensity is increasing, and it’s time to start looking for new homes for Steve Stamkos.

I must confess that doing the Final Word on WXPI Sunday night was a bit of a chore. Not because I don’t enjoy it, but because I find myself wanting to absolutely break free of the constraints of responsibility and yell that this team or that team is hopeless and these people aren’t good enough at their jobs!

Maybe a season of dealing with some of the most obstinate strands of Penguins opinion since 2012 has wiped clean my analytical bend, but muzzling my internal firebrand took some effort. And for the record, blaming the Pittsburgh Pirates’ hitting coach is like criticizing the band as the Titanic sank. I’ll post the Final Word later this morning.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Part of the fallout of the Toronto Maple Leafs annual Round One exit has been the maelstrom of opinion that coach Sheldon Keefe will pay the price and join the Penguins organization. Dave Molinari drew a firm argument: Three Reasons Penguins should not hire Sheldon Keefe.

Dave was on a roll yesterday. From supporting Sidney Crosby chilling instead of going to the Worlds to declaring it is Rick Tocchet’s time in Vancouver, here’s the Penguins blog.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: All signs point to it. Everything is trending, the words, the tone, and the social media posts from those close to the situation. I do believe, dear Pirates fans, that you’re about to see the phenom, Paul Skenes.

NHL Trade Rumors, News & National Hockey Now

Spector’s Hockey: It’s all Toronto. All trade rumors. All firings. All the time. Lyle has some of the Toronto media hot takes, such as firing Brendan Shanahan to the more common trade Mitch Marner. The Toronto Maple Leafs offseason of discontent begins.

Philly Hockey Now: Avoid, avoid, avoid, writes our emerging Philly superstar Jon Bailey. While the hockey world is deciding where the Toronto core should wind up, here’s why the Philadelphia Flyers should not trade for Mitch Marner.

Detroit Hockey Now: There are a handful of teams that make great sense for Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steve Stamkos. One of them wears red. Bob Duff explains why Stamkos could sign with the Detroit Red Wings but won’t.

Sportsnet: Tocchet turned away from goalie Casey DeSmith in the series win over the Nashville Predators, and now third goalie Arturs Silovs is becoming a folk hero. They are wearing T-shirts and singing songs, and that’s just the players. Silovs will need to be great against the Oilers in Round Two.

NYI Hockey Now: A playoff berth isn’t enough for the middling Long Islanders. Despite making the playoffs, the emperor Lou Lamoriello and coach Patrick Roy expect some real changes for the New York Islanders.

Montreal Hockey Now: The NHL Draft Lottery is tomorrow, and the new lottery rule will work to the Montreal Canadiens’ advantage.

Chicago Hockey Now: Deal away volume of picks for fewer but better draft picks? Deal away some prospects for higher-quality players? Nate Brown plays Let’s Make a Deal with Chicago Blackhawks trade potentials.

Florida Hockey Now (+): Yes, PHN+ readers can also read this story. The Panthers have been waiting for Boston. In George Richards’s latest mailbag, it’s about the playoffs, Panthers’ trades, and Caddyshack.

Vegas Hockey Now: It looks like my summer plans changed last night. There will be no Vegas residency this year as the defending Stanley Cup champs bid adieu to the Cup, losing Game 7 to the Dallas Stars. The vanquished wondered, with so much talent, after all of the blockbuster trades, where all of the Golden Knights’ goals went.