The news is fun on a Friday. The Carolina Hurricanes and the red hot Jordan Staal are one win away from the Stanley Cup after a blistering performance Thursday. There are a couple of new entrants on the NHL trade market, including Darnell Nurse, who decided he had enough of the rumors and asked out of Edmonton. Of course, there are past connections to members of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The other “ask out” is Jake DeBrusk in Vancouver.

Elsewhere in the Daily, we indeed put Penguins GM Kyle Dubas under the microscope for a season grade. Joe Sakic delivered some strong statements in Colorado. Nikita Kucherov won a very close and scattered Hart Trophy vote. And the Buffalo Sabres might put Owen Power on the block to replace Alex Tuch.

I suppose I will publish my NHL awards ballot later this morning so you can debate and the trolls can do whatever it is they do. I did not put Nikita Kucherov first, and was not one of the few who put Sidney Crosby in my top five. I’ll also show you where I put Erik Karlsson on my Norris ballot, which seemed to slightly ruffle a couple of feathers in New York.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Let’s do this. The big report card was saved for president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas. It’s a big nameplate on the door, and he’s the one controlling the Penguins organization, especially as the ownership situation drags on. So here is the Dubas Penguins report card.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: We haven’t checked in with the Northshore boys of summer in a bit. They’ve been hanging in there in the wild card race, but as Danny Demilio writes, injuries are now taking their toll, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in danger of falling back.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Carolina Hockey Now: Here we go. One win away. Jordan Staal is a monster. Brandon Bussi submitted a winning performance in goal. And the Vegas Golden Knights probably have a little lump in their throat as they’ll return home for Game 6 facing the end. Rachel Barkey writes it up well–One more for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman and Mark Spector combined on the report. It looks like it’s time to go for Darnell Nurse, who has requested a trade out of Edmonton.

Ottawa Citizen: More players picking up the phone and saying, “Trade me right now and hang up the phone.” Jake DeBrusk doesn’t think his game is suited for a rebuild in Vancouver and wants out.

With respect to DeBrusk, a bit more consistent success would be helpful. No, he would not be the “difference maker” that Dubas is looking for.

NHL.com: Nikita Kucherov was a worthy Hart Trophy winner, but even he was surprised by the vote tally and winning the award.

Also from the league site, Sakic was definitive. They are NOT letting Cale Makar get away. He will be with the Colorado Avalanche for life.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Oh, juicy. Here’s why Jordan Kyrou is the perfect New Jersey Devils trade target.

Vegas Golden Knights: Even facing elimination, and seemingly the hockey fandom hating on Vegas, Vince Commulate writes one of my favorite stories of the week. John Tortorella is the perfect villain to lead the Vegas Golden Knights.

Tags: Carolina Hurricanes darnell nurse jake debrusk nhl trade Pittsburgh Penguins

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