The NHL sided with the media industry and its own need for public relations per rules stipulated in the CBA and lowered the boom on coach John Tortorella and the Vegas Golden Knights Friday. The New York media is holding firm to NHL trade rumors surrounding the New York Rangers and Brady Tkachuk. The Athletic is astutely noting that the Anaheim Ducks could go for a blockbuster trade this summer. And we dug into more Pittsburgh Penguins grades, continuing with the complex grade for Rickard Rakell, and also how his season affects his future with the Penguins.
I think we may have to dust off an old Bud Moonshine tradition that has been dormant for a few years now. It's been a while since I had the unfettered joy of just wandering the Strip District and rolling into Pepe's (where a picture hangs of my son and I), Cafe Raymond, or Bella Notte (most underrated pizza in the city). Friday, I found myself down there and just walked in the sunshine. But for those who of you who remember, we might have to bring back the Bud Moonshine's Strip District Rules for Suburbanites and the Oblivious.
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The No. 1 rule every year was for people who just stop or gather in the middle of the sidewalk … Seriously, do ya not see dozens of people trying to get around you?! A tip of the cap to the older woman who grabbed her husband and delivered an admonishment, "Get out of people's way!"
Ma'am, I don't know you, but we just became best friends. Also, a little tip for you newbies: Learn to parallel park before you get there. And always say hi to Johnny at Roland's. Always.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Time for report cards. One of the more interesting grades this year is Rickard Rakell. He slipped from his career highs, changed positions, significantly affected the team with his play in the middle and for 200 feet, but he might have played his way out of Pittsburgh. Here's his overall grade and the Penguins analysis
.
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Pittsburgh Baseball Now: It begins. Seth Hernandez is projected to be a difference maker, and he begins his career at High-A ball. Danny Demilio has more on the Pirates prospect
.
Steelers Now: Week-by-week and analysis of the upcoming Steelers schedule
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NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic ($): The Anaheim Ducks arrived a couple of years ahead of schedule, but they're still far from the top of the West. So, some analysis of the Ducks' rebuild, but also some trade talk as GM Pat Verbeek could go big-game hunting for players like Auston Matthews to finish his rebuild
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NY Post: I'm not sure why this is still being talked about, but perhaps New York knows something the rest of us do not. There remains persistent talk that the Rangers could go after Brady Tkachuk via trade
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Sorry, no, not this year. Ottawa is too close to contending, and Tkachuk seems to value loyalty to his team.
Sin Bin Vegas: BAM. Coach John Tortorella skipped his postgame presser after the VGK won Game 6 and the series over Anaheim. The Golden Knights locker room was closed to reporters, and just one player was pulled into a side room for a quick media scrum. Both are big no-nos, but especially in the playoffs when there is national TV waiting. The NHL dished out a $100,000 fine to Torts and took away their 2026 second-round pick. Our buddy Ken Boehlke has the news, but also the context and explanation of what the heck the Golden Knights were doing
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I get it, it's easy to hate the media. Over the last few decades, a lot of journalists have muddled who or what we are (including me who writes hard news, breaks a few stories, and offers a lot of analysis), but a lot of journalists have also urinated on their professional responsibility to serve personal agendas, forcing fans to turn to other fans as a source of filtered news. As a profession, we're only slightly more popular than Congress, but the media is an important part of growing the game. Good on the NHL for upholding the line. It benefits you, whether you like us … or not.
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Philly Hockey Now: Will James has some analysis you might not like. There isn't a bumper crop of free agents, but like the Penguins, the Philadelphia Flyers
are becoming a destination team again.
NHL.com: Quinn Hughes said he's open to re-signing with the Minnesota Wild, which is probably good news for GM Bill Guerin, who gave up a nice chunk to acquire him
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**New Jersey Hockey Now: Not only is Billy G trying to re-sign Quinn Hughes, he's also trying to trade for Luke Hughes. That's a big swing for the Wild, and a big decision for the New Jersey Devils
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Florida Hockey Now: George Richards looks at the Florida Panthers' goaltending situation. Sergei Bobrovsky is a UFA, and he's long in the tooth. Lonesome George has a few targets this summer, including Mr. Stuart Skinner
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I think Stu would be a proper fit in Florida. He's a winner and a lot better than advertised when playing behind a defense that actually defends.
The post Dan's Daily: NHL Hammers Vegas; Stubborn Trade Rumors; Penguins Analysis
appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now
.
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