Dan’s Daily: CHI Goes Bedard Crazy, Penguins Expectations, NHL Trade Chatter

Can anything not be a conspiracy? The Chicago Blackhawks won the NHL Draft Lottery and Connor Bedard, as the poor, poor Anaheim Ducks, were again a finalist for a generational player only to draw the second spot. However, many fans insisted there was a conspiracy or rigged lottery. The NHL trade chatter is about tearing down the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Vegas Golden Knights dismantled the Oilers in Game 3, and what the 14th overall pick will look like for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

ESPN host Kevin Weekes slipped and said Columbus was eliminated just before NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly flipped the card to reveal Columbus had been eliminated.

Rigged! Yeah, except the lottery wasn’t live. It was completed before airtime, and the show we watched was for TV drama. Media witnessed the actual lottery, though I agree that’s an awful way to do it.

Do you really think an owner with 10s of millions at stake, or a GM whose job is on the line, would go along with a rigged lottery? I suppose you don’t need evidence in a post-truth world. Don’t like something? Find an oddity or mistake? Conspiracy! I wonder if we’ll ever work our way out of that silliness.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins will draft 14th overall. Look at the last five years — here is the type of player to expect for the Penguins draft pick.

Steelers Now: 

Oh no–flex scheduling changes will probably move a few games on the Steelers’ schedule.

The Steelers got a steal with Darnell Washington. A scout says his draft fall was “laughable.” More on the Steelers draft pick.

With an underrated free agent crop and home run draft, which Steelers veterans will lose their job?

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Oh Mitch Keller. The starting pitcher put an emphatic end to the losing streak with a complete game shutout. The Pirates win!

That Keller gem meant far more than a win for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Get the latest Pirates prospects watch.

NHL Trade Talk, Stanley Cup Playoffs, & National Hockey Now:

Chicago Hockey Now: You knew we had Chicago, right? WINNER — The Chicago Blackhawks won the letter and Connor Bedard.

The fallout in Chicago was swift. Season ticket sales skyrocket in just one hour. The Chicago Blackhawks game-changer.

Vegas Hockey Now: The grades and analysis from the VGK Game 3 win. Jack Eichel brought his big boy pants and kept McDavid in check. It was a thorough beatdown by the Vegas Golden Knights.

Boston Hockey Now: One goalie I know that Penguins fans are watching is pending RFA Jeremy Swayman. Contract talks haven’t begun, but he says “good things will happen” between him and the Boston Bruins.

The Bruins players seem to be getting over their crushing Game 7 loss. Jake DeBrusk was on the NHL trade block for two years but is glad he’s still with the Bruins.

Montreal Hockey Now: The Florida Panthers keep winning, so their first-round pick is about to get worse, meaning it’s more likely the Montreal Canadiens trade it.

LA Hockey Now: A little NHL trade chatter. Who are the trade chips for the LA Kings.

Colorado Hockey Now: Who stays, who goes? Evan Rodrigues is part of the crop of Colorado Avalanche free agents who could leave.

Calgary Hockey Now: He’s a big name that could be on the NHL trade block this summer. His value will never be higher — Calgary Flames Tyler Toffoli.

The Athletic: Pierre LeBrun is one of the Toronto Media wondering if the next step is a teardown in Toronto. NHL trade talk around Mitch Marner, even Auston Matthews.