Dan’s Daily: Waiting for Penguins GM, Buzzer-Beater Wins ECF

Perhaps Carl Spackler could narrate the Florida Panthers’ postseason run. Young Cinderella, out of nowhere, about to play for their first Stanley Cup. The Panthers blazed a trail through the best teams. We’re waiting for the final decisions regarding the next Pittsburgh Penguins GM and president of hockey operations. Jamie Benn got the gate for two games after his vicious cross-check on a prone Mark Stone. And Marco D’Amico has a list of buy-low UFA targets.

Matthew Tkachuk is on a heater. He scored three game-winning goals in four games, as Florida swept the Carolina Hurricanes. I can’t believe I just typed that result. Marco D’Amico looked at low-cost UFAs; a few could be up the Penguins’ alley, too.

My flight back to Las Vegas is Monday. A little birdie told us to expect the Stanley Cup Final around Wednesday (assuming a Vegas sweep). I’m happy to report that we’re building something pretty special with Vegas Hockey Now. Every time I book a flight, I book one-way, wondering if there will be a trip back. A couple of the media folks in Vegas were working on me last time.

I suppose I’m a curmudgeon, but Florida having a packed house for the conference final makes me want to say Hey, Florida, they have games in the regular season, too.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

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PHN+: For our subscribers, trying to cut through the noise — everything we know and don’t know about the Penguins GM search.

Steelers Now:

Day 2 — Kenny Pickett stood out. The secondary sorts out. Steelers OTA takeaways.

A high-potential linebacker could land with the Steelers.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

D’Oh. The Pirates squandered a few opportunities and lost a one-run game to the Rangers. Pittsburgh Pirates recap.

From John Perrotto — the patron saint of us old guys, Rich Hill.

And Travis Swaggerty is beginning his rehab. Get the latest Pirates prospects update.

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Florida Hockey Now: SWEEP! Matthew Tkachuk saved his best for the biggest moments. He scored with four seconds remaining, and the Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup bound.

And yes, the Panthers touched the trophy, but they want the big one. The Florida Panthers want more.

Vegas Hockey Now: Suspended. Jamie Benn was given two games for that cross-check on Mark Stone.

Doesn’t this remind you of the 2016 Penguins? Smile through the rough stuff. “It Hurts to Win” is the mantra of the Vegas Golden Knights.

TSN: The Maple Leafs’ GM search might not take long. Darren Dreger says it feels like it’s Brad Treliving’s job.

Montreal Hockey Now: This list applies to a few teams, but Marco D’Amico laid out the top bargain UFAs who will be available on July 1 for the Montreal Canadiens.

Boston Hockey Now: Dmitry Orlov was great in Boston and probably earned himself a healthy contract, but will it be in Boston?

Nashville Hockey Now: This is interesting: GM Barry Trotz fired a little warning shot at center Ryan Johansen.

Sportsnet: The latest news and rumors on the top 12 RFAs.

Colorado Hockey Now: The best arena in the NHL? Ta-da … it’s Ball Arena, home of the Colorado Avalanche.

LA Hockey Now: The LA Kings are another goalie-starved team looking to hit the NHL trade market.