Dan’s Daily: More Dubas to Penguins Rumors, Sullivan Status

The NHL silly season has begun. As PHN noted earlier this week, there is chatter in hockey circles about Kyle Dubas to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tuesday, Larry Brooks of the New York Post tweeted a whopper of a scenario. PHN examined the job status of Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, whose seat should be warm going into next season. The Dallas Stars rebounded, the Carolina Hurricanes regained their grip, Gabriel Landeskog already is out for next season, and the Toronto Maple Leafs face the guillotine tonight.

Yes, insiders are talking about Dubas bolting Toronto. That part isn’t a joke, but I doubt the Penguins’ transition team or Fenway Sports Group has yet been granted permission to speak to him. That seems an essential piece of the puzzle before discussing the public chatter.

As many know, I’m in Las Vegas, holding the fort for Vegas Hockey Now and maintaining my role with Pittsburgh Hockey Now. I’ve been out here for more than a week, but Tuesday was the first night I participated in the nightlife beyond taking a walk or getting mugged by a waiter when they brought the check.

After 14 years of waiting, always wanting, never going, I finally saw Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles Love. It was worth the wait. You know I’m not one given to being easily impressed, but that was just … unbelievable. Amazing.

The show has been my Eleanor. Once, a person even hijacked me on my birthday for a dumpy off-strip Italian restaurant despite my requests to see it. Finally! (It’s also why the Daily was an hour or two late today. Apologies!)

Anyway…

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates:

So, here’s what Brooks had to offer:

So I will pass along this scenario that was just presented to me.

Dubas leaves Toronto to become Pittsburgh GM, brings Keefe with him, as such fires Mike Sullivan, who in turn becomes free (assuming permission) to become NYR HC.

— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) May 9, 2023

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Brooks’ tweet came a few hours after I put coach Mike Sullivan and his future under the microscope. Sullivan’s seat should be warm both now and heading into next season, but for different reasons than many of you say. It’s a realistic and (hopefully) insightful read. Penguins analysis.

Kris Letang is a finalist for the Masterton Trophy, and I dare say he has a good chance to win it.

Steelers Now:

Despite a great draft class, the oddsmakers call the Pittsburgh Steelers longshots in the AFC North.

Craig Wolfley’s nephew has been invited to Steelers camp.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Henry Davis, the former top overall pick, is having a day in Double-A. Pirates prospects watch.

On the MLB diamond, Luis Ortiz made his season debut and delivered a mixed bag on the mound. A few errors sunk him, and the Pirates were crushed by Colorado, 10-1. Pittsburgh Pirates recap.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, News & National Hockey Now:

NHL.com: After winning game 3, the New Jersey Devils had a chance to get back in the series. Instead, Carolina took them back to school in a 6-1 drubbing. Carolina can close them out in 5.

TSN: Highlights of the Dallas Stars crushing the Seattle Kraken, 6-3.

Colorado Hockey Now: Gabriel Landeskog will miss all of next season, too, as he undergoes a ligament transplant.

Vegas Hockey Now: This is the way. The Vegas Golden Knights’ chance blossomed in Game 3. For the series and beyond, their path forward is Jack Eichel.

Apology and classy acceptance. After an offensive joke on Sportscenter, ESPN anchor John Anderson apologized to Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud.

Montreal Hockey Now: Passing on Lane Hutson is not looking good for the Penguins. Watch the Montreal Canadiens’ prospect just undress a goalie.

Boston Hockey Now: The coach and organization had the final presser of the year. The Boston Bruins coach made a few decisions that were questioned, and now Jim Montgomery is on the hot seat.

Washington Hockey Now: For charity work and community leadership, Tom Wilson is the Capitals’ nominee for the King Clancy Award. Washington Capitals news.

Nashville Hockey Now: How the Nashville Predators have fared with a top-15 pick.

Chicago Hockey Now: Does winning Connor Bedard mean an endgame for the Chicago Blackhawks‘ rebuild?