The Dylan Larkin news is pouring out, and the NHL trade chatter around the top-line center is exploding. At the NHL Combine, the Pittsburgh Penguins made a point to spend time with one of the top prospects at the NHL Draft, and probable first-rounder Wyatt Cullen talked Penguins and growing up in the Penguins locker room.

Elsewhere in the Daily, the suitors for Larkin are lining up as are colleagues analyzing the cost for their team to acquire him. But as Larkin hits the market, it sounds like the St. Louis Blues are officially taking Robert Thomas off the block.

There isn’t a lot of variety in today’s Daily. I’m off to Wilkes-Barre this morning for Game 6 tonight. I suppose it would be a good thing if I have to stay for Game 7, eh? I will confess to rooting for the Penguins’ prospects. They’re just a rowdy bunch who enjoy what they’re doing. Sure, some of them had a moment of sulking or a crisis of confidence after being demoted (we’ve detailed all of that in our coverage over the last few weeks), but they quickly snapped out of it. That team gets after it.

When they get here, I’ll smile, nod, and cover them like a Pittsburgh Penguins player, but hopefully some of you will be in the barn tonight. Should be a fun one either way.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: A couple of days after writing that the Penguins have the assets to move up in the first-round of the 2026 NHL Draft, I also circled Viggo Bjorck. At the combine, it seems the Penguins spent some time getting to know Bjorck. Hmmm. He seemed to enjoy getting to know them, too.

So, here’s more from Buffalo, including the video, as Bjorck talked about the Penguins’ unique interview technique, and Wyatt Cullen talked about his fond memories of growing up in the Penguins’ room. There are some outstanding draft prospects to watch.

NHL Trade, News, & National Hockey Now

Spector’s Hockey: There are so many Larkin trade stories today that we could fill days of columns. Our buddy Lyle Richardson grabbed the top six or seven (including ours), but also Pierre LeBrun’s latest report on the status between Larkin and Detroit, and the list of preferred destinations. Here are the Larkin stories in one place.

Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now reminded me–Jonathan Drouin asked for a trade out of Tampa Bay when Steve Yzerman was the GM there. Yzerman simply didn’t trade him until he was ready, about 18 months later.

Carolina Hockey Now: Rachel Barkey isn’t wrong. “Craziest Game in Stanley Cup Final History.” We saw the fastest natural hat trick ever. Three goals in 39 seconds. The first ever four-goal comeback. AND double OT. Just glorious. Vegas won, the Carolina Hurricanes lost.

Sportsnet: Here’s the quick wrap postgame with highlights from up north if you want to watch it, too.

NHLTradeRumors.me: Forget about it. Andy Strickland reports that Robert Thomas isn’t going anywhere. No trade. He’s staying.

Detroit Hockey Now: There is life beyond Larkin. What do you make of this–Mike Babcock’s son, Michael, who is only 31, has been hired as the new coach of the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL.

TSN: Craig Button shares his takeaways from the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo.

Tags: nhl combine nhl trade Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup Final

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