Dan’s Daily: Why J.T. Miller-Penguins Trade Failed, Leafs vs. Panthers

The NHL trade rumors, free agency, and silly season are beginning. The Pittsburgh Penguins have perhaps their last practice of the season today, while Elliotte Friedman almost off-handedly dropped why the J.T. Miller – Penguins trade didn’t happen. We sincerely ask why the Penguins couldn’t play this well sooner.

Also in the Daily, “Pasta” hits 60. Matt Murray is battling a head injury and won’t make the Maple Leafs’ road trip, which includes the Florida Panthers tonight. The Flyers could sell off several players while letting a former Ron Hextall first-round pick walk without a contract.

This might be the night the Penguins get their playoff answer. If Toronto can beat Florida, everything changes for the Penguins’ playoff hopes. If not, you know the drill.

If you’re feeling it, and want to bet on Toronto, here’s a $50 bet from DraftKings.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Pirates, Steelers (Sports Now Group)

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The wrap. The Penguins week that was.

Not sure if it was a paper move or a legit move. The team returned Alex Nylander to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

And here’s the million-dollar question: Third periods will haunt the Penguins’ season, so why couldn’t they play like this earlier?! Penguins analysis.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Oh no. Oneil Cruz suffered a broken ankle on a play at the plate.

There were words after the home plate collision, and the Pittsburgh Pirates bench cleared.

PBN+: From John Perrotto — the future is suddenly cloudy for Cruz and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Steelers Now:

A new lawsuit seeks additional answers in the death of Dwayne Haskins.

And here is the must-read, jaw-dropper of the day. No one is bigger than the team? Antonio Brown says he sees things differently as an owner.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

32 Thoughts: It’s buried in the podcast, but Elliotte Friedman explained why the Miller to Penguins trade talks failed. Vancouver didn’t want pending UFA Jason Zucker because they didn’t feel they could re-sign him.

Makes sense from Vancouver’s perspective. But I wonder if your wheels are turning in the same direction as mine.

Philly Hockey Now: Jay O’Brien was another controversial Ron Hextall draft pick. The first-rounder had a slow start to his college career, and now he will be an unsigned college free agent this summer. Flyers news.

Kevin Hayes also publicly admitted these could be his last days in Philly. There will be some names on the NHL trade block in Pennsylvania this summer.

Sportsnet: This directly affects the Pittsburgh Penguins’ playoff hopes. Matt Murray was injured in a net-front collision last week. He’s still out and won’t make the final regular season road trip, so Toronto doesn’t have a backup goalie for the roadie, which includes the Florida Panthers game tonight.

Florida Hockey Now: They’re feeling the optimism in Sunrise. A tough season is paying off for Sasha Barkov.

Boston Hockey Now: First, David Pastrnak scored his 60th goal of the season. And the Boston Bruins set the regular season wins record.

Detroit Hockey Now: I know this will both interest and annoy Penguins fans. Our Detroit colleagues Kevin Allen and Bob Duff put out the Red Wings Youth Index, stocks up and stocks down. This is what the Detroit Red Wings rebuild looks like.

Just remember, Detroit had a Hall of Fame GM and a good organization when they began the rebuild. It’s been 10 years since Detroit won a playoff series and seven years since they’ve made the playoffs. You can cheer for a tear-it-down rebuild. They’re fun at first, as the NHL trade rumors fly, but it’s the morning after that hurts like hell…