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Dan’s Daily: Hextall Speaks, Racist Threats Motivated Kadri Hat Trick

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NHL trade, PIttsburgh Penguins, Ron Hextall

Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ron Hextall finally spoke on Monday, but we’re still unsure of Kris Letang’s or Evgeni Malkin’s fate. Nazem Kadri showed one way to silence the ugliness and stupidity of “fans” who made racist threats. The Colorado Avalanche center netted a hat trick Monday night in Colorado’s decisive Game 4 win. The Florida Panthers denied that players partied at a strip club until the wee hours of Monday morning before Game 4, but the boys will have plenty of time to explore gentlemen’s establishments as the Tampa Bay Lightning forcefully swept them.

Jason Botterill and Kevin Weekes are still vying for the Sharks GM gig, and how do you stop Connor McDavid?

Hextall’s press conference was interesting, even if the news was subtle.

**First–THANK YOU–Later today, Pittsburgh Hockey Now will hit ONE MILLION READERS for the month of May. That’s silly good (and we may have hit two million if Marcus Pettersson’s lid stayed on and the Pittsburgh Penguins advanced. D’oh). We’re throwing a little party to celebrate our success with all of you who have made it happen! The details: Coughlin’s Law on Mt. Washington, Happy Hour on Thursday beginning at 5 p.m. Come, talk hockey, meet some cool people, some uncool writers, and enjoy some exclusive specials. PHN+ Subscribers, your first beverage is on me! If Dave Molinari is feeling up to it, we’ll do a Live Chat, too. Please RSVP here.

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Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Put to bed any wonder if Ron Hextall will be back as the Penguins GM. The FSG group is on board with his offseason plan. But does that plan include Kris Letang or Evgeni Malkin? Pittsburgh Penguins news.

Hextall did seem optimistic that several prospects could be ready to challenge for jobs in camp. Valterri Puustinen was the first name off the top of his head on a list that included Sam Poulin and Kasper Bjorkqvist twice. I’m not sure I agreed with Hextall, but here’s where the GM is at with the roster construction.

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Colorado Hockey Now: A game for the ages. Nazem Kadri was harassed and received racist threats after his collision injured St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington in Game 3. Kadri played out of his skates on Monday night. A hat trick. The Colorado Avalanche are one win away from the WCF.

Calgary: Milan Lucic was given a major and tossed after he plowed Edmonton goalie Mike Smith in the third period of Calgary’s lopsided Game 3 loss. The NHL chose no supplementary discipline. Milan Lucic walks.

And the NHL wonders why they have these issues and fans are irate?

Calgary: McDavid has burned through Calgary like Mario Lemieux toying with an expansion club. He’s on another planet, but Calgary vows to go back to their roots to stop him. Calgary Flames are in trouble.

Florida: Watch the postgame reactions and fallout from being swept. The party is over. The Tampa Bay Lightning flexed their muscles. A fluky goal decided Game 4 and ended the Florida Panthers’ season.

Philly: Claude Giroux’s season is OVER. –Fin– Done. Let the speculation begin. Will he return to the Philadelphia Flyers?

Sportsnet: Mark Giordano signed a paltry two-year contract worth only 800k per year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto even agreed to pay him more, but he called back to take less?! What the hell is Giordano thinking?

Detroit Hockey Now: Roll call–what is the future for super rookie Lucas Raymond?

San Jose: Kevin Weekes and Jason Botterill are still in the mix for the San Jose Sharks GM gig.