Dan’s Daily: Penguins GM Turn, Tkachuk Rocks, Hartford Wants NHL

Matthew Tkachuk did it again. Kyle Dubas might be back in the Pittsburgh Penguins GM search, while the Toronto Maple Leafs want a GM with “bite.” The Vancouver Canucks will be on the hunt via free agency or the NHL trade block for a center, Joel Quenneville is meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for reinstatement, and the Connecticut governor wants the NHL to return, transforming the Arizona Coyotes to the Hartford Whalers.

Cue horns!

It will never happen, but the Hartford Whalers would be nice.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dave Molinari took a look at the under-the-radar Penguins GM candidate.

Casey DeSmith is looking pretty good at the World Championships for Team USA.

Is Kyle Dubas back in the picture for a Penguins’ front-office gig? If he wants. Elliotte Friedman reports the Penguins will ask permission to speak to Dubas. We’ve got a U-turn in the Penguins’ GM process.

Eric Francis of Sportsnet had this little bombshell, but it seems to be a lot less significant now.

Brad Treliving has permission to talk to the Maple Leafs about their vacant GM post, but it’s with the understanding he cannot participate in any discussions about the draft or amateur scouting until after the draft.
Despite reports to the contrary, he’s had the same permission…

— Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) May 20, 2023

Steelers Now:

National sites think Kenny Pickett is primed for a breakout.

Take the best player available, sure, but a first-round tackle was the Steelers’ priority.

K’Lavon Chaisson. A Steelers trade target?

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Mitch Keller was dominant again, but the Pirates couldn’t hold the lead over Arizona. Pittsburgh Pirates recap.

Liover Peguero is red hot. Get the latest Pirates Prospect report.

PBN+: Here’s why the Buccos should keep Tucupita Marcano at SS.

NHL Trade, News & National Hockey Now:

Florida Hockey Now: Game 2 ended like Game 1. Drama and an OT winner from the playoffs’ star  Mathew Tkachuk.

Check out the best goal of the playoffs. Wow, Sasha Barkov of the Florida Panthers.

Vegas Hockey Now: I’m telling you, I think the VGK is the best team left. Game 1 vs. Dallas was a big insight into the series — What the Vegas Golden Knights need to do more.

ESPN: The Connecticut governor wants the Arizona Coyotes. Bring back the Hartford Whalers?

One team would have to go to the West. That seems the biggest problem. Detroit fought hard to be in the Eastern Conference.

Hockey Sverige: Credit Pro Hockey Rumors for finding this one. Canucks GM Patrik Allvin will hit the NHL trade market or free agency for centers.

Sportsnet: Brad Treliving was given permission to speak with the Penguins with caveats, but he seems to be the top candidate to be the Toronto Maple Leafs GM.

Montreal Hockey Now: Marco D’Amico is a draft and prospects guy who doesn’t get his due in that realm. His first mock draft for MHN — Who did he pencil in for the Penguins and Montreal Canadiens?

Philly Hockey Now: Penguins assistant coach Mike Vellucci is a candidate for the Ducks head coach job, but so is Brad Shaw, the associate head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Chicago Hockey Now: No NHL trade rumors yet, but how can Dubas leaving the Maple Leafs benefit the Chicago Blackhawks?