Dan’s Daily: Already Leafs Trade Talk; Penguins Fans React

The Pittsburgh Penguins are still reacting and extrapolating what comes next after the team fired associate coach Todd Reirden Friday. Losing a Game 7 is heartbreaking enough, but the Toronto Maple Leafs found a way to make the cut even deeper by quickly squandering a third period lead and losing in overtime. There was immediately talk of one of the Toronto core four on the NHL trade block. Immediately. The LA Kings are pondering an extraordinary buyout that would last until 2038, and Jake Guentzel revealed the details of his injury with the Penguins last February.

In this space, I often share a travel story, food, or a recommendation or three, but I got nothing today.

Friday was a marathon of business operations, the culmination of a week of emotional reality-bending and problem-solving to ensure we took care of the people of National Hockey Now. As the president of the company, everything stops here, and sometimes, a lot of hard decisions loom that I, as a human, just don’t want to make.

We figured out some creative solutions to ensure our continued growth. The competition is coming for us, and they keep lowering the bar to acquire more clicks.

So, on Saturday, I did almost nothing. I sat in my recliner with the ferocity of a pet rock, posting only the Q&A I did on Friday evening (after three takes). I’m not sure my tank has ever been that empty. I wandered to the mall and bought a pair of Nike Dunks as my “treat yo self” moment for getting through it and figuring out some ways to make everyone happy in the face of situations that a lot of companies would have taken the easy route.

PHN is going to have a couple of new features for you soon, including my podcast and spiffy newsletter. FINALLY.

And I’ll be on WPXI’s Final Word tonight at 11:35 p.m. I’ll have an interesting take on Mike Sullivan…

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now Video: The Q&A! Penguins fans reacted swiftly to the Reirden news but also wanted to talk Penguins trade, free agency, and, of course, Mike Sullivan. I’m re-establishing the home studio—here are the latest hot takes and Penguins perspectives.

My hair looked pretty good, at least what I’ve got left. I visited a little barber shop in Allentown when I covered the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ playoff games. I might have to drive back there someday.

Philly Hockey Now: Our buddy Jon Bailey had an intriguing column about what the Reirden firing could teach the Philadelphia Flyers.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Our boys in the east are watching intently. Could the New Jersey Devils trade for Mike Sullivan?

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Another gutting loss, another mortal blow to the Toronto Maple Leafs core four. Austin Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares. Failure again as they lost Game 7 in OT. The heartbreak was only made worse, knowing the team does need changes.

Do they really? But yes, I could absolutely see Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas trying to put together a trade package for Marner.

On a human level, I’m genuinely curious how Dubas reacted to Toronto’s loss Saturday night. Was it sad for fans and players but a little Ha! for the MLSE executive board?

Boston Hockey Now: David Pastrnak was on the hot seat. His coach called him out after Game 5. But it took until overtime before Pasta boiled the Leafs with a beautiful goal. He acknowledged the coach’s challenge and “took it like a man.” Inside the Boston Bruins win.

TSN: I know, I know exactly what you’re going to say. Rick Tocchet is a Jack Adams finalist.

Montreal Hockey Now: The Montreal Canadiens have stockpiled draft picks and young players for a few years, and it’s no surprise the Canadiens’ prospects pool ranks at the top.

Lane Hutson should have been a Penguin. How did Ron Hextall pass on a dynamic defenseman going to Boston U?!

Sportsnet: Buyout Pierre-Luc Dubois? One year after signing an eight-year deal with an $8.5 million salary cap hit, the Kings are ready to bail. WOW. Do they have the courage to do it? Could the Stanley Cup Final actually screw up their plans? It’s a fascinating situation.