Dan’s Daily: Heavyweight Cup Final, Tocchet Says Penguins are Contenders

It’s here. The 2022 Stanley Cup Final is not a bubble Cup, nor is it restricted by travel allowing a tomato can like the Montreal Canadiens to be the sacrificial lamb. No, this Final is a heavyweight battle that hockey fans deserve. The Tampa Bay Lightning vs. the Colorado Avalanche. We also have the latest news and NHL rumors on the top UFAs. Bruce Cassidy quickly found a new job, we chatted with top draft prospect Logan Cooley who laughingly dropped a lighthearted bombshell, and Rick Tocchet says the Pittsburgh Penguins are good enough for another Cup run.

This Stanley Cup Final is the one we deserve.

Also, come back to this–free money! The Lightning are significant underdogs, but Colorado has been sitting for over a week. At least for Game 1, Tampa Bay has a significant advantage. Here’s a free $50 bet on the Stanley Cup Final with the latest DraftKings Promo.

To the Penguins, we go…

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dave Molinari had a chat with Rick Tocchet, who admitted he interviewed for a few of the recent head coaching vacancies but is being picky (after Arizona, who could blame him?). Dave got some great stories, and Tocchet also said the Pittsburgh Penguins are contenders.

I agreed with Tocchet’s assessment, but you have to read it!

Also, the Penguins made a few internal promotions. Chris Pryor, Andy Saucier, and Eric Heasley got a bump. Pryor is now the AGM. Pittsburgh Penguins promotions.

PHN+: Marco D’Amico went one-on-one with a top draft prospect and Pittsburgh native Logan Cooley. The story is now behind the paywall–You can watch the full interview and read Marco’s story here. 2022 NHL Draft.

NHL Rumors, Stanley Cup Final & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: Updates, news, and the NHL rumor mill regarding the top 12 UFAs, including Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin.

Jim Rutherford also told Sportsnet that the Canucks would extend a QO to Brock Boeser. It will complicate things. It will lead to a few names on the NHL trade block, but Boeser looks to be staying with the Vancouver Canucks.

Vancouver Hockey Now: Stoke the fires of the NHL trade rumor mill now. J.T. Miller could be on his way out. Vancouver Canucks offseason.

Colorado: It was Stanley Cup Final media day. Nazem Kadri is doubtful for Game 1. Colorado Avalanche news.

Tampa Bay’s biggest advantage will be in net. Andrei Vasilevskiy is far better than either of the Avalanche goalies. It looks like Darcy Kuemper will go for the Avalanche. Terry Frei writes that Kuemper was cool, calm, and collected on media day. Avalanche ready.

Montreal: Wow–get this, Montreal may NOT take Shane Wright first overall. GM Kent Hughes shot down trade rumors but did admit they don’t know who they’re taking yet. Montreal Canadiens news.

Vegas: Viva, Las Vegas! Bruce Cassidy is a beat writer’s dream. In an age when most coaches fluff off answers or deliver canned messages, Cassidy answers. He’s also a pretty good coach with a winning percentage above .600. Sooo, a week after Boston gave him the surprising heave-ho, even after telling him that he was coming back, Cassidy is the new coach of the Vegas Golden Knights.

Philly: One day after a Winnipeg brewery offered Barry Trotz free beer for life, our Sam Carchidi challenged Philadelphia. Would someone get this man a cheesesteak?! Someone give Trotz free cheesesteaks for life to coach the Philadelphia Flyers.

Detroit: The Red Wings also need a coach. Here are the latest NHL rumors on the Detroit Red Wings hunt.