Dan’s Daily Links: Karlsson Decision Looms, Bruins Dominate Gm3

It wasn’t a storybook homecoming. It was more like a Tarantino flick for the St. Louis Blues as they tried to hit the Boston Bruins out of the building but instead took penalties and found an opponent willing to hit back with equal force. Our boys at Boston Hockey Now have more coverage of the Stanley Cup Final. Also, Erik Karlsson is expected to make a decision on his San Jose future soon, the LA Kings may make a big-time buyout, there is a bumper crop of USA draft prospects and the Pittsburgh Penguins were forced into a tough decision yesterday.

First, the Bruins were too good and dominated Game 3, 7-2. They scored four power-play goals and–get this–used a team-oriented breakout approach. All five players came back to help. They are two wins away from Lord Stanley’s honor (Boston Hockey Now)

A few hits from the boys at Sportsnet. Erik Karlsson is deciding on his San Jose future soon (Sportsnet)

And The LA Kings are considering buying out 34-year-old Dion Phaneuf (Sportsnet)

Good news for the Penguins–this year the NHL Draft is deep. USA Hockey has produced a bumper crop of elite draft prospects (TSN)

And the Penguins had to make an unfortunate decision yesterday. The team did not tender 2017 second-round pick Zachary Lauzon a contract, which means the Ryan Reaves trade is officially a bust (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

I believe PHN is the only outlet to have this story? I hope you’re enjoying the continuing coverage in the offseason. The Draft coverage will begin soon.

I could also write a book on the misconceptions about that deal and the fan howling. But I won’t. I’ve been over it. The 2017 Penguins didn’t win a Stanley Cup because of speed and the current state of the game should prove that the “speed” advantage was gone. But, for many Jim Rutherford is automatically wrong and the toxic internet crowd forms.

For those who insist the Pittsburgh Penguins should never have added toughness, check out the Bruins postgame comments. As Torey Krug said, “It’s a lift when you can push back.” But I know many in that mindset also believe the players are wrong, too. Pittsburgh is unique in the volume of folks who insist the game and people in the game don’t know what they’re doing.

The Calgary Flames could have two defensemen on the trade block per Bob McKenzie’s podcast (Flames Nation

Wild Bill Karlsson could be angling for an offer sheet. The Vegas Golden Knights are stocked without much cap room (The Hockey News)

Does anyone else wonder if the expansion draft was too generous for the new team?