Dan’s Daily: Rust Contract Analysis, Tocchet Could be Coaching Target

Welcome back, Bryan Rust. It’s like he never left. The Pittsburgh Penguins moved quickly over the last two days to ink their gritty winger, who has filled the net beside Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel. Barry Trotz is a hot coaching commodity, and we could very easily see him stay in the Metro Division. The New Jersey Devils and their second-overall pick are popping up in NHL trade rumors. And the Colorado Avalanche took a commanding position in their Round Two series vs. St. Louis Blues, while St. Louis is fuming over a goalie collision.

Fun day in hockey. A fun day to get out for a while, too. Pittsburgh Hockey Now has already achieved its second-highest traffic month ever. In the first 21 days of May, more than 900,000 readers rolled through. That’s, umm, pretty awesome. Thanks!

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It was fast and furious last night–from the time word broke, we confirmed it, to signing was pretty quick. Sources told PHN the six-year deal came together in the last two days. Snap analysis and contract story–Bryan Rust stays.

Also–what to do with Kasperi Kapanen? Dave Molinari took a look at should he stay or should he go? Pittsburgh Penguins offseason.

I have a personal feeling–he could be so good, BUT…

There are a couple of hockey games today! DraftKings is giving PHN readers a free $50 bet. Click here for the DraftKings promo.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet Video: It’s Sunday morning, which means the boys on Sportsnet made news during Hockey Night in Canada. Rick Tocchet to Dallas? Barry Trotz to Philly or Detroit? New Jersey trading second-overall pick? Best four minutes in hockey.

Montreal Hockey Now: The Canadiens’ power play was pretty foul this season–just like the Canadiens. One name that is popping up–Mark Recchi. Sources told Montreal Hockey Now that Mark Recchi is on their radar and a few teams’ call list. Montreal Canadiens news.

Montreal: Gm Kent Hughes was forthright in his media availability. What if they trade Jeff Petry? It sounds like Montreal will be swimming in the NHL trade pond for an experienced defenseman. Canadiens trade talk.

For our prospect lovers and poolies–our boys in Detroit are doing an extraordinary job. Take a look at Detroit Hockey Now and the half-dozen new stories on Detroit Red Wings prospects.

Boston: The B’s need center help. Badly. They are still keeping the door open for Czech center David Krejci to pick up the phone. Boston Bruins offseason.

Washington: Bird cellies, jokes, and redemption. Evgeny Kuznetsov was all but kicked out of Washington last summer. Bounced. 86’d. But they kept him around, and he had a remarkable season. Inside the bounce back for the Washington Capitals star.

Colorado: Both Colorado defenseman Sam Girard and St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington were injured during Game 3, though Binnington’s injury was controversial as Nazem Kadri collided with the goalie. Credit Binnington for not striking the dead man’s pose as Igor Shesterkin tried to do during the Penguins Round One series. Colorado Avalanche injuries.

Binnington chucked a water bottle at Kadri during the postgame interview! Get the full game story and water bottle-gate. Colorado Avalanche win.

NHL.com: Not that any Pittsburgh Penguins players or coaches will be up for major awards, but the NHL will hold the annual awards show during the Stanley Cup Final.

The Athletic, Montreal: Could Jeff Petry be Kris Letang’s replacement? That’s a bit of NHL trade speculation in Montreal.

I’ve casually mentioned Petry on a few live chats. I’m sure he’ll be on the list as we examine the RHD market. Trust me, that list won’t be lengthy.