Dan’s Daily: Penguins Cap, Oilers Meltdown, Canucks Changes Coming

If the sad, hollow feeling of missing the playoffs wasn’t enough of a wake-up call for the Pittsburgh Penguins, perhaps watching a wild first night and some fantastic Game 1s was the gut punch. Either the Edmonton Oilers had a meltdown, or the LA Kings had a wild rally with three third period goals and an OT winner. Minnesota hung in there for two OTs to beat Dallas, the Islanders’ power play decided to use the Penguins’ playbook and pass rather than shoot, the Flames GM quit, and the Canucks GM said changes are coming.

Monday seemed like the weird nexus of the universe. So much hockey news flowed, and allow me to tell you about National Hockey Now’s day. We conducted three job interviews, hired three writers, advanced plans to expand to two new markets, perhaps as many as five within the next few weeks, submitted a pitch to an interested investor, was screamed at via DM by an irate blog owner that we interviewed one of their writers (isn’t giving someone a way up a good thing?), and I capped off my marathon day with a corned beef at Primanti’s around 9 p.m.

Somewhere in there, I finished all of our tax preparations, wrote one Penguins story (sorry, I planned to write more), and started two others which will be published today and tomorrow.

I can’t wait to tell you about the new writers. They’ve busted their humps to work on their craft. We’re privileged to be their step up.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates (Sports Now Group)

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Ok, the next Penguins GM can easily get under the NHL salary cap, but improvements will be another matter. Here’s the Penguins’ salary cap situation.

PHN+: Dave Molinari graded the Penguins’ defensemen and goalies. I thought he was fair to all if not kind to a couple. Check it out, the Penguins defensemen analysis.

Here are my NHL playoffs upset picks and the new instant $150 FanDuel promo.

Steelers Now:

Kenny Pickett and the guys reported to begin Steelers off-season workouts.

Steelers trade talk: They’re a prime candidate for Cardinals safety Budda Baker.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

The Pittsburgh Pirates win again! Check out the 14-3 beatdown of the Rockies.

PBN+: Travis Swaggerty is rediscovering his stroke, and the GM is noticing. Pittsburgh Pirates inside dirt.

NHL Playoffs, News & National Hockey Now:

Drama with the Alberta teams…

Calgary Hockey Now: Flames GM Brad Treliving parted company with the Calgary Flames, who look lost.

LA Hockey Now: The Edmonton Oilers led 2-0 in the third period. The Edmonton Oilers lost 4-3 in OT. The Kings, with Adrian Kempe and Joonas Korpisalo, had a furious rally. The LA Kings win Game 1.

NYI Hockey Now: Carolina squeaked by because the Islanders’ power play had four shots in eight minutes. Sounds familiar, Penguins fans? Carolina beat the New York Islanders in Game 1.

Boston Hockey Now: No Patrice Bergeron for Game 1 against Florida, but Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark was a mason. He built a brick wall, and the Boston Bruins pounced in the opener.

Florida Hockey Now: The turning point was Alex Lyon allowing a super soft 10-ply goal giving the Bruins a 2-0 lead. However, the Florida Panthers are down, but now out.

NHL.com: The Nashville Predators and new GM Barry Trotz are “evaluating” head coach Jon Hynes.

ESPN: There is a bit of controversy as Minnesota beat Dallas 3-2 in double OT. Matt Dumba caught Joe Pavelski with a hard hit. Pavelski had to be helped off. Major? Minor? Nothing? That’s today’s debate.

Vegas Hockey Now: My man Owen Krepps gets to cover his first playoff game tonight. It’s special. Mark Stone will return to the lineup, and he’s already emotional about being in the Vegas Golden Knights lineup.

TSN: With the rough season, Vancouver Canucks GM Patrick Allvin said to expect changes.

Later today, we’ll have more Pittsburgh Penguins stories, including my list of potential GM candidates. I want to confirm one name with an industry source, whether or not she’s ready before I publish.

Yes, she.