Dan’s Daily: More Controversy in FLA; Targeting Youth in Penguins Trade

There is drama, and then there is the roiling, seething roller coaster of emotional chaos at the heart of the Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins Round Two series. There was more in Game 5, and it’s nearing the epic levels of the 2012 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers series. PHN did some digging and came up with three potential Penguins trade targets under the age of 26, including one with a direct connection to Kyle Dubas. Rick Tocchet stopped just short of ripping his team as the Vancouver Canucks tied, then gave up the winning goal seconds apart in the final minute of the third period, and the Toronto duo of Mitch Marner and John Tavares are burning up the NHL trade rumors.

Is it me, or is the “let’s get physical” wing of the Penguins fanbase getting louder this offseason? I do chuckle when some of them accuse me of being soft or hating physicality. For years, I was the oddball advocating for gritty and greasy players in the bottom six and defensemen with some snarl and getting shredded in the blogosphere for it.

To be clear, Mike Sullivan doesn’t hate physical players. Sullivan didn’t demand Erik Gudbranson be traded because he was a good fighter. And Brian Dumoulin was indeed a physical d-man if you understand the definitions of physical—he didn’t throw big hits, but he cleared the net front and used his size to contain opponents.

There are lots of ways to be physical, kids. One need not be Darius Kaspiritis, flinging himself about the ice. In fact, it’s usually preferred that a defenseman not do so.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: I’ve had my eyes on one of these guys for some time, and I’m not so keen on one, and another just popped up. I’ll let you make up your own mind, but here are three under-26-year-old potential Penguins trade targets.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Chicago Hockey Now: Mitch Marner for Seth Jones? It’s the bubbling trade rumor that’s probably more fan fiction than reality, but our Nate Brown dove into the possibility that Mitch Marner could go to the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Athletic ($): Pierre LeBrun immediately contradicts some of the quick-triggered reporters who wrote that the Colorado Avalanche should cut ties with suspended Valeri Nichuskin. Since he’s in the player’s program, even Stage 3, a team can’t.

I’m surprised by the public shaming of a player losing his battle with personal demons. I thought we moved past that long ago.

Florida Hockey Now: Boston beat Florida 3-2, but it was wild. “I thought they needed some profanity in their life,” said coach Paul Maurice, who went off on his team during a TV timeout. It was fantastic. Sam Bennett scored on the next shift, and Maurice had more colorful quotes despite the Florida Panthers losing Game 5.

Boston Hockey Now: Staying alive. Boston is riding Jeremy Swayman, and they squeaked by to force Game 6. The clutch performances and those in the doghouse after a season-saving Boston Bruins win.

Sportsnet: Another game, another disputed call. Watch the coaches act out the scene. Boston scored a goal that probably should have been goalie interference by Danton Heinen, but it, too, was not called. This is wild stuff.

Colorado Hockey Now: The Avalanche are hanging by a thread. The team many of us thought was the absolute far-and-away best team in the league is down 3-1 against the Dallas Stars. Nathan MacKinnon stood up and took the blame for the Game 4 loss. That’s leadership for the Colorado Avalanche.

TSN: It was a wild finish in Game 4. Vancouver had a chance to deliver a stiff right hand but gave it away in the final minute. Tocchet was not a happy camper and called out his team and one of his star players after Edmonton won Game 4.

And…

New Jersey Hockey Now: The timeline for hiring a new coach is getting muddled. GM Tom Fitzgerald is not close yet—or is he? Murky waters for the New Jersey Devils.

With so many experienced NHL coaches on the market, I suppose it’s a good time to hire, but I’m not enthralled with a lot of the bench bosses on the beach. Not all of those coaches are good ones. However, I am a little surprised that Mike Vellucci isn’t getting more of a look this offseason. My limited dealings with him before he became the Penguins’ assistant coach were generally impressive. Vellucci has a deep understanding of players, their history, and what he needs to do for them. I liked that he was able to speak to such. Hey, Fitz…