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Dan’s Daily: Ovi Closer; Houston Expansion? Sullivan Answers
Could we see 34 NHL teams soon? A billionaire sports owner who already has an English soccer team wants to put a team in Houston. Alex Ovechkin scored No. 888, and the excitement is building. As for the Pittsburgh Penguins, coach Mike Sullivan addressed the biggest criticism against him and answered for young players getting ice time, and for that matter, how the reclamation projects can get more ice, too. Our Penguins Slapshots addressed some heavy criticisms of the team and dove into Sullivan’s future, too.
Elsewhere, Commissioner Gary Bettman is taking suggestions for dealing with the league’s local and state tax imbalance. The New York Islanders are riding the wave, and—I forgot to include the story Thursday—there’s some question about Rick Tocchet’s future in Vancouver.
This is off-topic, but is anybody else incredibly disappointed by the lack of media buzz about the release of the JFK files? All of the “bombshells” thus far have already been uncovered in Rob Reiner’s and Soledad O’Brien’s podcast. If you’re interested in the subject, I can’t recommend the podcast highly enough.
I also discovered that one of the investigators wrote a blog post about my praise of an episode. He was amused by my reaction to a man named George Joannides. You see, Ol’ George was the CIA liaison to the 1976 House Select Committee investigating the assassination. He was supposed to help produce a CIA operative who may have been involved but was known only by a codename and fake name. Joannides told the committee that the CIA could find no such person. Recently, investigators have uncovered that the person George was supposed to be looking for was, in fact … wait for it … George Joannides.
Back to the hockey…
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Let’s start with practice. Sullivan did more than tinker or tweak the lineup. He made some real changes, including a bump for Connor Dewar and Conor Timmins. Get the practice report and Penguins lineup.
The one-timers are already being passed around the blogosphere. We dug into the deep topics of benching Vladislav Kolyachonok, Dubas’s roster construction, and Sullivan’s future. We spared no feelings and brought the goods in the Penguins’ analysis.
PHN+: Sullivan laid it out. How do young players or the reclamation projects avoid getting benched and get to stick in the lineup? Use code Shelly10 and save you 10 bucks. Check it out.
Steelers Now: Let’s take a look at the 2025 Steelers Draft Board.
NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now
NYI Hockey Now: They are on a run toward a playoff spot. Another dramatic third period, but this time, they needed overtime for the victory. Ilya Sorokin shined, and there’s a feeling spreading in the New York Islanders‘ room.
The Province: Tocchet is focused on the playoff chase and doesn’t want to talk contract. The Canucks like him and want to sign him to an extension as soon as he’s ready. But will the two sides get to the finish line? After all, Tocchet exhausted his contract and didn’t re-sign with the Arizona Coyotes. So, what’s going on?
32 Thoughts: Gary Bettman on taxes and Elliotte Friedman emptied the notebook from the general managers’ meetings.
A billionaire wants a team in Houston. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the league has met with him and discussed it. There are interested parties for Atlanta, too. Will we see 34 teams?
The Athletic ($): Here’s another look at the potential restricted free agents who could be offer sheeted this summer. It seems Chris Johnston and I agree on two prime targets, including Mavrik Bourque. It’s a full mailbag, and Johnston also dissected the Capitals and Brad Marchand’s future.
Philly Hockey Now: The Penguins can’t get any help to improve their draft position. Washington Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers.
TSN video: In the process of beating Philly, Alex Ovechkin scored goal No. 888, which means he’s just seven … SEVEN .. away from the record.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Goalie controversy! Jacob Markstrom returned from injury but hasn’t been good enough. Jake Allen has been very good. Now, the coach is weighing in on the New Jersey Devils ‘tendy situation.
Please, hockey gods, don’t put another team in Atlanta.
If they do expand why would you give Atlanta a 3rd chance?
I agree. There’s nothing in that town that screams “sports town.” But they’ll go where the money is.
Agree that the JFK coverage has been shallow, but you listen to Rob Reiner and Soledad O’Brien? I wish I didn’t know that. Still, I love your hockey writing and analysis.
There are some cringy moments of current politics in that pod, but don’t be that guy who thinks politics defines people!
Thanks for the podcast link! That’s a really fascinating topic for me—I’ve always felt there was much more to the assassination than what we’ve been told.
I know the owners want expansion because they get money from the franchise fee. The players probably want expansion because players have the opportunity to get more money. My questions are:
I do like them thinking about trying to do something about the tax differences. Wonder if they’ll do something about the exchange rate too.
The whining from up north might be worth it (with expansion). 🙂 “Our taxes are too high! We need new rules!” 🙂 1993.
If it weren’t for them players up North…nobody would really care about hockey. 90% of the real hockey stars that drew people to the game were Canadian.