Dan’s Daily: Bye-Bye Rangers, Tears in Boston, Penguins Goalie Options

Goodbye, New York Rangers. Hello, Round Two of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. The Calgary Flames decided to complete their housecleaning and dismissed coach Darryl Sutter, and Jonathan Huberdeau didn’t disagree with the move. Marc-Andre Fleury was named as a possible Pittsburgh Penguins option in goal, and then Tuesday afternoon, Fleury slammed the door on any trades. And what comes next for the Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins, and the NHL trade rumors await.

I’m also hearing a former Penguins executive’s name rising in league circles as a GM candidate. And I spent five minutes with Phil Kessel in the Vegas locker room Monday. Honestly, I’ve never seen him so at ease, and he’s not even in the lineup. I’ll have that story today, but you’ll have to come back to Pittsburgh Hockey Now a few times on Tuesday.

Also, over the next few days, you’ll see a lot of announcements from National Hockey Now. We’ve hired eight people, and we’re incredibly excited by all of them. Our new crop of writers brings a level of experience, passion for the game, and quality of work that will make us a formidable opponent for every level of competitor.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dave Molinari notes several options in goal next season for the Penguins, including Antii Raanta and some guy named Marc-Andre Fleury.

Steelers Now:

National praise is pouring in for Steelers GM Omar Khan.

We forget the human side of sports. The family of Steelers’ first-rounder Broderick Jones made him an emotional draft-day video.

The Steelers invited former five-star recruit and Clemson QB to training camp.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Pirates prospect watch: Jackson Glenn hits three homers.

John Perrotto does not give unearned praise. He writes that Rodolfo Castro is growing up.

April is over, but oh what a month it was for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

NHL Trade Talk, Playoffs, & National Hockey Now:

Boston Hockey Now: News is flooding out now. Linus Ullmark was playing with a painful injury.

Our Jimmy Murphy has a good relationship with Brad Marchand. He asked him about Patrice Bergeron, the person. As Marchand teared up, he called Bergeron the “perfect person.” Go inside the Boston Bruins locker room.

Colorado Hockey Now: The NHL trade winds will swirl through the Rocky Mountains. As Evan Rawal writes, GM Chris MacFarland and President Joe Sakic can’t ignore the second-line center spot for the Colorado Avalanche again.

Calgary Hockey Now: For several reasons, it was time to go. The Calgary Flames parted with coach Darryl Sutter.

Sportsnet: Speaking to a French radio station, Jonathan Huberdeau threw some dirt on Sutter’s performance. He said Sutter didn’t put players in a position to succeed.

Montreal Hockey Now: The Canadiens are rooting for … the Maple Leafs?! Maybe. The Canadiens’ draft position will be improved if Toronto wins the Round Two series. Montreal Canadiens draft.

The Athletic; Game changer? Snoop Dogg is part of the group that wants to buy the Ottawa Senators.

TSN: End of the NHL trade chatter? Marc-Andre Fleury said Tuesday afternoon, “I’m not going anywhere.” Fleury slammed the door on trade talk.

Stanley Cup Playoffs:

Ever heard of Akir Schmid before the playoffs? Most fans had not, but he stole the show and gave the Devils the goaltending they needed. The Devils blew past the Rangers in Game 7.

It’s not possible to play the game faster than New Jersey. It just isn’t.

Vegas Hockey Now: Check out my work in Vegas — The boys are “riding the wave.” Vegas is getting healthy, they’re certainly happy, and Round Two against the Edmonton Oilers will be the series to watch. The Vegas Golden Knights are preparing for a playoff run.

Florida Hockey Now: The turning point of Florida’s season was March 29 in Toronto. They’re back at the scene and ready for Round Two. Florida Panthers are ready.