Dan’s Daily: Viva Las Vegas! Penguins Trade History

LAS VEGAS — And ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building. The Stanley Cup will get an Elvis wig as the Vegas Golden Knights fulfilled owner Bill Foley’s expectation “Cup in six (years).” It took exactly six for the Golden Knights to hoist it. We examine the Pittsburgh Penguins draft trades, the NHL trade rumors, and landing spots for John Gibson, and Phil Kessel is a three-time Stanley Cup champion.

So many little stories to tell. As a one-man band in Vegas, I’ll be writing for days and providing Penguins analysis and insights, too. Oh, we’ve got plenty.

However, I was graced with a compliment that nearly knocked the wind out of me, and I’d love to tell you about it. It was a private moment, so I’ll not name them, but I introduced myself to one of the industry giants. I wanted to thank that person for a couple of kindnesses that he and his employer have given to a few of my people. When I extended my hand and introduced myself, he didn’t say nice to meet you. Instead, he said, “Oh. Hockey needs you. The industry needs strong coverage. They need you guys.”

The good lord could have taken me right then. As I’m curled under a hotel blanket or embedded in my chair, plinking away on my keyboard, I’m often surprised that we’re on the national stage and people are rooting for us because we keep hockey people and hockey writers on the beat. No jersey-wearing fanboys or season ticket holders. We take the profession and the game seriously. I hope it comes through on all of our sites. Conversely, our competition was quietly busted for using AI writing back in February. That’s the battle we’re in. Somehow, someway, we’re winning, despite a terrible CEO who has made every mistake in the book and could probably write a new one (I’m the CEO, btw).

The Stanley Cup. It’s just special. Also, I didn’t put this in yesterday. Stories outside of hockey or the game aren’t usually our thing, but a small tribute to Stan Savran.

Stan Stavran was a pro’s pro. Early in my career, I was his producer and news anchor. A compliment from him meant the world. Always enormous respect for him and such pristine professionalism. Pittsburgh sports is a little less today. Rest well, sir.

— Dan Kingerski (@TheDanKingerski) June 13, 2023

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Let’s take a look at how draft-day trades have worked out (or not). Penguins trade history.

Steelers Now: 

Minicamp takeaways? Kenny Picked shined. Hakeem Butler looked pretty good, too. Steelers minicamp.

Mike Tomlin paid tribute to Stan Savran.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

The Buccos lost 11-3. Check out the new recap style. Let me know what you think. I liked it, but not the Pittsburgh Pirates‘ result.

Temarr Johnson hit his third homer. Get the latest update on the Pirates’ prospects.

It actually seems like the Pirates have some legit prospects in this rebuild, eh?

Stanley Cup, NHL Trade Talk, & National Hockey Now:

There will be plenty more content on Vegas and Florida Hockey Now today. Here are the immediate stories. But I apologize, I couldn’t find Phil Kessel before he bolted for the locker room. Teddy Blueger was pretty happy, though I’m not sure if his name will be on the Cup. He neither played 41 games for VGK during the regular season nor one game in the Final. They could add him anyway.

Vegas Hockey Now: STANLEY CUP CHAMPS. The Golden Knights flexed. Mark Stone had a hat trick. And the Vegas Golden Knights are champs.

Six years ago, owner Bill Foley uttered the phrase “A Cup in six years.” Tuesday night, he told a few of us that he’ll think about his “next asinine statement.” He’s a good guy, the Vegas Golden Knights owner.

Sportsnet: The Canadian folks caught up with Kessel, who seemed to enjoy his ride.

Florida Hockey Now: That was some hit by Keegan Kolesar in Game 3. Matthew Tkachuk was OUT in Game 5 with a cracked sternum. le

However, it’s over. The Cinderella story ended before midnight. The Florida Panthers‘ run ended with a thud.

The Athletic ($); Shayna Goodman took her turn to analyze a John Gibson trade and potential landing spots. The NHL trade rumors have not yet picked a winner, but she put the Penguins on the shortlist.

Boston Hockey Now: Our colleagues up north let readers play GM. Should the Bruins trade a goalie to clear cap space?

Washington Hockey Now: I have a hard time buying into this discussion, but should Tom Wilson stay or go?