We are one team away from setting the Conference Finals, and not coincidentally, as the number of teams hurled into their offseason grows, hockey news is getting deeper into the funnel, which means there is less of it but it is more significant. Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff leveled some accusations of diving against the Montreal Canadiens and against the referees for buying the acts. The Toronto Maple Leafs fired head coach Craig Berube and are meeting with Auston Matthews to smooth over a potential firestorm over the star center’s future. And after general manager Kyle Dubas opened the door, we delved into potential Pittsburgh Penguins trade targets and what they will actually cost on the NHL trade block.

And former Penguins defenseman Brett Kulak is the hero in Colorado today after the Colorado Avalanche overcame a 3-1 third period deficit to eliminate the Minnesota Wild.

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Color me as sad that Minnesota-Colorado is over. That was incredible. The speed and skill of those two teams was popcorn worthy–just grab a bucket and watch.

Here’s the latest No Pucks Given/Penguins Chat. First half=podcats, second half=you and me.

And just before publishing, the ax fell in Edmonton…

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: So, Dubas opened the door. I do not think I would have gone there in the way that I did without Dubas’s own words. So, if the Penguins are going to attract a player who isn’t happy, and they’re going to look for trades using prospects and assets, who are the later 20s “impact players” who fit that description and, more importantly, what will they cost? Based on history and a dash of experience, here’s the most important Penguins trade talk of the summer.

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Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Don’t forget my hard-working dude over at Pittsburgh Baseball Now, Danny Demilio. It was one bad inning for Mitch Keller. One really, really bad inning and that was all for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Steelers Now: Alan Saunders called me about travel advice and if going to Europe for these special games is worth it. I said no, but then he found some good deals and is probably going to Paris to cover the Steelers’ Euro game. The NFL schedule is leaking, and here’s what we know about the Steelers’ schedule so far.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Colorado Hockey Now: Brett Kulak OT winner. A deep deficit became a joyous celebration. Aarif Deen has the breakdown and takeaways from the Colorado Avalanche game and series win.

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I’m now rooting against Buffalo. I could not in good conscience watch the poor Buffalo fans get their hopes up for a Stanley Cup Final. No one is beating Colorado. You can feel Nate MacKinnon’s determination through the screen.

TSN: The Maple Leafs fired Craig Berube. New GM John Chayka made the move but didn’t consult the players or the coaching staff. Chayka and Matthews will meet soon, but as Luke Fox writes, Toronto giving Berube the heave-ho was the right call.

Sportsnet: Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff cracked refs for “questionable calls” and the Montreal Canadiens for being really easy to knock down. Gamesmanship or a real complaint? Ruff poked them all.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The New Jersey Devils have the 12th overall pick. They might get some value there, or, as James Nichols writes, they can also trade it. If they dangle that pick–here are four Devils trade targets.

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Philly Hockey Now: I know in light of Dubas’s comments, some of you immediately circled Matvei Michkov in Philly. I think you can cross him off the list. The second-year pro took coach Rick Tocchet’s criticism to heart. He took his scratches and subpar playoff performances to heart. And the dude is already on the ice for next season. Will James has both a report and some keen observations on the Philadelphia Flyers’ winger.

TSN: And before we hit publish, the Edmonton Oilers fired coach Kris Knoblauch.

And yes, Bruce Cassidy has already been mentioned as a candidate in Toronto since Vegas denied him the chance to speak with Edmonton.

The post Dan’s Daily: Ruff Accuses Canadiens; TOR/EDM Drama; Penguins Trade Costs appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now.

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