Dan’s Daily: Two Trade Rumors Debunked; Penguins All About Trades

BUFFALO — It seems the hockey gods are enjoying this Stanley Cup Final and want lots of free hockey. The Florida Panthers deserved better, and Connor McDavid is playing like he finally understands what it truly takes, but Florida escaped with a double-OT win. PHN ventured to the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo on Friday. It’s not a media-friendly event, but with one colleague, we were able to catch Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas for a candid interview about his offseason strategies and  Penguins trades. Elsewhere in the Daily, two different hot trade rumors were publicly debunked, and the top of the NHL Draft is getting dramatic as the New York Islanders debate their options.

Beef on Weck is one of my favorite road meals. Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now and I got a solid BoW last night after new Buffalo News beat writer Rachel Lenzi (from Pittsburgh) gave us a solid recommendation. I can’t believe I’d never heard of the sandwich until a couple of years ago. I’ve definitely done some research to see which spots on my favorite motorcycle routes up north near Bradford and Warren have it.

This summer is about finding small spots with good beef on Weck. Suggestions appreciated.

Lastly, I very much appreciated Dubas stopping to chat with Josh Yohe and me as I flagged him down in the hotel area that’s connected to the Lecom Harbour Center. I sometimes (or often) suffer from assuming many in the organization don’t want to speak to me. I won’t get into why. However, my first interpersonal experience with Dubas was quite positive, and I thought he was forthcoming about his hopes for this summer. He should speak to the media more because I think you’d like him, and he’d dispel a lot of the negative aura created by Torontonians.

I was also surprised that he’s taller than I am (I’m 6-foot).

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The news was reported, then pulled back and left in confusion. However, as we spoke with Dubas, he confirmed that Vasily Ponomarev is most likely headed to the KHL. Here’s the story about why and some of the behind-the-scenes discussions with the Penguins’ prospect.

PHN+: Use coupon code Dan10 if you’re not already signed up. Dubas answered the direct questions that Josh and I asked. From his strategy in free agency to the possibility of signing RFAs, he returned to a central theme this summer. New teams are calling, and Dubas detailed the types of conversations he’s having–Look for Penguins trades.

Steelers Now: Our resident Xs and Os analyst, Derrick Bell, examines the fundamental question–can offensive coordinator Arthur Smith get the best out of Aaron Rodgers?

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The squeeze play worked?! More than one person was just praying, but the Pirates executed it perfectly, and the Pirates win.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & NHN

Florida Hockey Now: It looked like Edmonton had the favor of the hockey gods. An undeserved power play sparked their comeback. A goal with 17 seconds remaining forced overtime. And they had the puck for most of the first OT, yet Brad Marchand scored a breakaway goal, and the Florida Panthers won a thrilling Game 2.

The Rat King! Florida players past and present heaped praise for the indomitable spirit and clutch goals, including the shorty by Brad Marchand.

Sportsnet: The Ottawa Senators owner took dead aim at recent reports by the Ottawa Sun that Drake Batherson was on the trade block as GM Steve Staios looked for defensive help. He wasn’t diplomatic in his response. Take Batherson off the trade block per the owner.v

TSN: You know those Jason Robertson rumors that were white hot this week? Yeah, about those. Follow-up reports indicate Dallas isn’t engaging in trade talks, and other teams don’t believe Dallas GM Jim Nill actually has any interest in dealing Robertson.

NYI Hockey Now: The forgotten draft option? The New  York Islanders won the NHL Draft Lottery despite minuscule chances. While the fans want the Islanders to take consensus top pick Matthew Schaefer or hometown boy James Hagens, Russ Macias looks at the real chance and reasons the Islanders could consider prospect Michael Misa.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The New Jersey Devils are looking for love in all the wrong places. They need some help, but where can GM Tom Fitzgerald find it? James Nichols found three new options on the NHL trade block.

Boston Hockey Now: Marco Sturm is in the big seat now, and here’s how the new coach can improve the Boston Bruins.