The nuclear fallout of calls to blow it up and debating if external pressures prevent the Toronto Maple Leafs from living up to the lofty heights of their unique marshmallowy potential. Where will Mitch Marner land? And one columnist suggested they lay in wait to sign the biggest name in hockey?! Shelly Anderson knocked out a good story about Evgeni Malkin’s somewhat murky Pittsburgh Penguins future and why he needs to make his intentions known. The Florida Panthers smoked Carolina in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, and Carolina continued an extraordinary run of futility. The trial of five members of the 2018 Team Canada players took a new turn as uncharged Vegas Golden Knights forward Brett Howden came under scrutiny. And the NHL rumor mill posits the New York Islanders may have their new general manager almost wrapped up.

The surest way to attract zealous critics is to offer some praise. See also: Shelly’s Malkin story. Over the past week, I’ve been criticized for blaming several players for their poor performances this season instead of the coach (let that sink in), and, of course, the Malkin story was like a high-powered bug zapper outside a swampy campsite for detractors.

On June 5, the Pittsburgh-filmed and brilliantly written Kevin Smith flick Dogma is being re-released in theaters for the day (My very first apartment in Pittsburgh overlooked the church in East Liberty, which always made me giggle). One of the many great philosophical lines of the movie was delivered by Chris Rock’s Apostle Rufus and applies greatly to sports viewing and persistent opinions.

“I think it’s better to have ideas. You can change an idea. Changing a belief is trickier.”

Perhaps I’ll play ski-ball afterward.

By the way–It’s Penguins Live Chat day! We’re moving it back to 1 p.m. after last week’s experiment showed that close to one had much better numbers than at noon. Follow the YouTube page (subscribe) so you get notified of these shindigs.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Malkin refused to speak after the final game, but he promised to speak the next day during locker cleanouts, but then he ditched us. We can only assume that next season is his last. Still, Shelly Anderson writes that it’s important he clarifies his intentions so that we, and the rest of the league, can properly say goodbye to Evgeni Malkin.

Steelers Now: Uh, camps and mini-camps and OTAs are around the corner. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback remains Mason Rudolph. How much longer can the Steelers wait for Aaron Rodgers?

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pittsburgh Pirates offense scored a run! One single, solitary, lonely run, but Bailey Falter made it stand as he tossed a gem against the Cincinnati Reds. The Pirates won 1-0 at PNC Park. Danny Demilio goes inside the dominant month of March for Bailey Falter.

Just imagine a starting rotation of Paul Skenes, Bailey Falter, Mitch Keller, and (next year) Jared Jones. And just imagine still losing 100 games with that rotation. They might lose 110 with three of those four now. Yep, the Pirates organization is that bad.

NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now

NYI Hockey Now: Sources told our Russel Macias that the NYI are closing in on hiring their president of hockey operations/GM candidate–drum roll, please–Marc Bergevin.

Toronto Star: Bam! Here we go. Could it be? Possibly? Kevin McGrann breaks the seal as he goes shopping for the Maple Leafs. Nikolaj Ehlers to replace Mitch Marner? What about Brock Boeser? Oh, maybe, Toronto could wait for … Connor McDavid?

Sportsnet: The Florida Panthers dominated the Carolina Hurricanes, 6-1. This is Carolina’s fourth Eastern Conference Final since 2009, and they’ve won ZERO games in the ECF. They’re 0-13 since then. Skipping past the details of the game, Sebastian Aho scored a goal. A kicking goal? It was reviewed, and it stood. He did everything but take three steps back and boot it, but it still counted, and the hockey world is debating.

“Redirects” are getting out of hand. If you angle your skate, I suppose that stays within the letter of the law, but when you move your skate toward the goal with the puck, there’s no other word for it! Next, I’ll rant on the ridiculous Michigan goals, too.

Sam Cosentino drops his 2025 NHL Draft rankings. Jake O’Brien is climbing. So, too, is Brady Martin. So, who could fall to the Penguins–Victor Eklund?

Philly Hockey Now: Back to Marner, you may want to sit down for this one. He’s going to have his pick of a lot of teams, but one team with a lot of young talent, a new coach, and some optimism for the new future that could work is the Philadelphia Flyers.

Boston Hockey Now: Andrew Fantucchio gets in a few good shots. The Boston Bruins are talking about accountability, but then extended GM Don Sweeney for two more years on Tuesday. Fantucchio rips the Bruins’ management.

Vegas Hockey Now: Nope, don’t blow it up, but that doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be significant changes with the VGK. Hannah Kirkell writes that everyone … EVERYONE … is expendable, except Jack Eichel, and should be on the NHL trade block.

CBC: The trial of the five former Team Canada players accused of sexual assault resumed with witnesses Tuesday, but there were some fireworks within the prosecution (the Crown). Today will essentially be a trial within a trial as the Crown called Brett Howden to the stand, but wants another day to press him on as many as 16 inconsistencies in his story.

Howden seems like the key to getting a conviction and breaking up some damaging testimony by Tyler Steenbergen. If the Crown can show a collision to subvert the truth, they’ll essentially nullify any defense testimony. It’s a big day. May the truth come out for either side.