Dan’s Daily: Tocchet Stokes Rumors; Ovi Scores; Penguins Future Look

On the off day, we had some fun and took a preliminary look at the Pittsburgh Penguins’ lineup for next season. We’re projecting a fair amount of rookies, but not in the roles you may expect. Elsehwere in the Daily, Canucks coach Rick Tocchet didn’t do a good job of squashing rumors of his future, Alex Oveckhin lit the lamp and is ever closer, extremists won’t leave Wayne Gretzky alone, and the TSN Insiders have more on the big injuries that could affect the Stanley Cup chase.

I’m off to St. Louis this morning. I’ll be 76 for 76, but my perfect season will be in trouble at the end of the road trip when I fly from Dallas to Chicago on the morning of the game.

I’m glad many of you enjoyed the April Fool’s joke and took it in good stride. Of course, I got some flak from the Karen types, but such is life. Some folks never got the memo that their sense of humor (or lack thereof) shouldn’t limit others’ enjoyment. I don’t do them every year, and it’s been several years since my Mario comeback Part III went viral, but when the mood strikes … we’ve got to have a little fun, eh?

After Tuesday night, the Penguins’ tragic number is down to seven, six if the Canadiens were to win just two regulation games in the process. It’s a formality, but it’s worth noting nonetheless.

Also worth noting is that the New York Rangers have slipped to 12th overall, which would mean they can protect their first-round pick.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: I needed some help from X, but I got some good column suggestions. So, we dove into what the Penguins could look like next season. Obviously, there will be some new faces and moves we can’t predict, but from what we know, here’s what next year’s Penguins lineup could be.

If you’re a little bored today and want to bet a couple of clams, you can jump on the latest MGM promo: a $150 bonus or a $1600 match for the Final Four.

Steelers Now: I’m not sure I agree, but Art Rooney said there are good signs, and he thinks Aaron Rodgers will be the next Steelers starting QB.

NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: It seems there are some issues in Vancouver, not just fixing the fractured team but also whether Rick Tocchet wants to remain the coach. Rumors abound that Tocchet could bolt to Philadelphia, and when questioned about his future Tuesday, he dodged. Here’s the latest burgeoning situation up north.

ESPN: And now it’s four. The Russian tank’s assault on Wayne Gretzky’s goals record continued Tuesday, and Alex Ovechkin scored No. 891.

TSN: Connor McDavid should be back for the playoffs, and the New Jersey Devils might get some good news, but Florida may not. The TSN Insiders have a good update on McDavid and surprisingly good news on Dougie Hamilton.

Montreal Hockey Now: It was a huge win over the Florida Panthers. The Montreal Canadiens lept into the second wild card as Nick Suzuki played the hero and Lane Hutson made history.

Philly Hockey Now: The Calder Trophy. There are some very good candidates this year, and it’s perhaps the deepest crop of future All-Stars I’ve ever seen. Usually, tight races are the result of a lack of premier talent, but this year, it’s elite. And Will James makes a strong case for Matvei Michkov.

Vegas Hockey Now: They have earned another berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s historic, actually. No franchise has ever been as successful at the outset of its existence as the Vegas Golden Knights.

Wayne Gretzky is still under fire for being friends with Donald Trump. The Associated Press went to Gretzky’s childhood home and talked to the neighbors to dig up the dirt and claim controversy.

It’s partisan journalism and the kind of story that has caused the legacy media’s credibility to plummet. Gasp, Gretzky has famous friends? You’d be shocked at my friends, from Republican and Democrat politicians, hard lefties, and Maga-friendly folks. Let people be. Once upon a time, John Cleese had a pretty good take.