Dan’s Daily Links: ‘Canes Mock Nelson in Handshake, Kapanen Available?

Poor NBC. One must wonder if the upset crazy Round One cost the NHL a little bit of money. One must doubly wonder if the no-name, small or tepid market teams which are set to advance to the Conference Finals will cost the NHL some of its momentum generated with casual fans by the Pittsburgh Penguins Cups and the Washington Capitals dramatic breakthrough. But the Dallas Stars are on the cusp of the Western Conference Final and Carolina swept away the New York Islanders to advance to the Eastern Conference Final.

Dallas beat St. Louis 2-1 Friday night. Ben Bishop is living up to years of expectations. He would have been the Tampa Bay Lightning goalie in the 2016 ECF against the Penguins, but an injury in the first period of Game One launched Andrei Vasilevskiy and sealed Bishop’s fate in Tampa Bay. He’s been a huge reason for the Dallas run. (Dallas Morning News)

Bunch of jerks swept away the New York Islanders. Wasn’t much of a series after the first couple of games. Once Carolina got their home crowd in Game 3, it was over.

Remember Brock Nelson patting Curtis McElhinney on the head after New York scored in Game 3 and the Twitter battle of duck-duck-goose which ensued? Carolina defenseman Dougie Hamilton let Nelson have it in the handshake line (CBS Sportsline)

Social media can love it, but that is a BS move, dude. The handshake line isn’t the place for that. Do it in the final minutes and answer for the taunt. You don’t settle scores in the handshake line when the other guy is swallowing defeat and you’re untouchable. You may think it’s cute and funny, but I firmly believe it’s immature taunting in a moment meant to be about sportsmanship. Nelson and the Islanders won’t forget it, either.

There are five ways the Toronto Maple Leafs can save enough coin to sign Mitch Marner. One of them involves letting big names walk. Another is to play hardball with Kaspari Kapanen or let another team sign him to an offer sheet. And yes, the Penguins should be salivating at that prospect. Or should I write “their” prospect? (Sportsnet)

Also from Sportsnet, the premier Oilers reporter Mark Spector updates recent reports to establish the Oilers GM job is Ken Holland’s…if he wants it (Sportsnet)

Hockey folks are leery of Edmonton, but my gosh the chance to build around Connor McDavid should attract Holland and Edmonton desperately needs the steady hand.

There was enough controversy in Penguins land this week. Our Shelly Anderson took a stand on something most people can agree with–Restore Jaromir Jagr to the Ring of Honor. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Dan’s Daily Links is sponsored by Redbeard’s Bar and Grill on Mt. Washington and 6th Ave. Downtown. I may have helped them close down last night with a fun crowd. Great place to watch the Derby! www.redbeards.com