![NHL – Rangers Rumors; Guentzel Won’t Sign; Penguins Hard Place NHL – Rangers Rumors; Guentzel Won’t Sign; Penguins Hard Place](https://i1.wp.com/pittsburghhockeynow.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/cif240505040_car_at_nyr-1000x600.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
NHL trade rumors and rumors fly fast and furious, although they seem to come in waves, as the NHL doesn’t like news interruptions during the Stanley Cup Final. Former Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel appears headed for free agency without closing the door on the Carolina Hurricanes. The New York Rangers were able to shuffle the deck as they once again came up short, much to the delight of many hockey fans. The Florida Panthers have a lot of decisions to make once the Cup Final is over, and a conversation after the cameras went off helped us get more words out about the continuity of Penguins coach Mike Sullivan.
I’m sure I’ve complained about the lack of nighttime options in Pittsburgh, but seriously, when did this city become a sleepy Burrough cruising the sidewalks at night? The arts festival closed at 7 p.m. and the symphony stopped playing shortly after.
In addition to the special early bird crowd, who leaves before 7? This town desperately needs a record store/cafe that is open at night. A billiard room. Or a museum that is open after 5pm (yes, the Warhol is open later on Fridays. What about the other six days?). I’ll give the city credit, though: The parks and parking lots were perfectly clear Sunday afternoon after Kenny and Pride’s weekend collision.
But activity beyond a game of Pirates or Penguins would be incredibly welcome.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It was a conversation that occurred after the WPXI cameras stopped working that got my wheels spinning. We talked about coach Mike Sullivan, and in the process, more context emerged than I had previously imagined. It’s a perfect dead end for the Penguins bench.
Here’s part of WPXI’s Final Word, where we debate whether the Penguins need urgency or patience and my call to the lawyers to do something good for the city regarding the Pirates. The debate was pretty good on sports television.
**Today I’m going to host a Q&A on X/Twitter. I’m just starting to work through the NHL Draft and delving into free agency. You can submit your submissions through the comments below or my X timeline.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Oh boy. Of all the teams and players, it is Tucpita Marcano who faces the first lifetime ban from baseball since Pete Rose in 1989 for betting on baseball, and he did so as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
I guess he didn’t bet on winning.
NHL Trade Talks, News and National Hockey Now
The Athletic ($): Mitch Marner’s anti-trade talk. The management of the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are not looking ahead to the offseason despite the few days between the end of the upcoming Cup final and free agency. Pierre LeBrun reports that Carolina’s efforts to re-sign Jake Guentzel didn’t work out and the player is going to test the UFA waters.
No, the Penguins aren’t favorites to sign him, but it makes me think a lot of fans are angry that the Penguins have so many players in their 30s, but want to sign Guentzel to a contract that would pay them. him up to 30 years old.
NY Post: Business speculation is starting on Broadway. Would the New York Rangers trade Jacob Trouba? Should they negotiate with Kaapo Kakko? It was another close stretch for the Rangers, who will need some cap space to sign goaltender Igor Shesterkin. So who’s going?
Philly Hockey Now: Sources tell our Jon Bailey that there is internal optimism that the Philly Flyers will get Travis Konecny’s name on a contract shortly after July 1. But it should be a smart deal for the Flyers’ salary cap situation.
Sportsnet: After being eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers and having a roster with several aging veterans, the Dallas Stars are facing a lot of trade rumors and roster questions. What comes next for a team that has participated almost annually in the Western Conference finals but has no Stanley Cups to show for it?
NYI Hockey Now: Russell Macias is working hard to establish himself in the Islanders’ midfield. Our newest writer put pending unrestricted free agents under the microscope. Changes and renewal of signings. Who’s worth the cost to New York Islanders?
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.