Last season. The symbolic turn begins today as the Carolina Hurricanes bask in the glory of last season’s Stanley Cup championship. The league despises news that breaks during the Cup Final, and it’s good form to hold any deals until after, which means the NHL trade chatter is about to explode. Probably. We have change-of-scenery candidates and bold predictions ahead.

Also in the Daily, will John Tortorella stay in Vegas, or should Edmonton and Toronto give him a call? And our Pittsburgh Penguins news, including signing their recent trade acquisition to a new one-year contract, as well as putting a wrap on the 2025-26 season by emptying the cache on the campaign and zippy travel log.

One great memory from this season that I forgot to include in the wrap was Erik Karlsson absolutely roasting Parker Wotherspoon. I got to practice early in Minnesota and watched it all go down, but promised secrecy for a day or so.

Perhaps you remember a play early in the season when Wotherspoon teed up a one-timer from the point but whiffed on the shot and fell forward in the process, thus giving up (I think) a breakaway goal? It was a breakaway or a two-on-one against Philadelphia on Oct. 28. Well, Karlsson memorialized the moment when we arrived in Minnesota.

Everyone from Sidney Crosby to Dan Muse laughed heartily when they saw it. Even Wotherspoon had to laugh.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Oliver Okuliar. I think that’s going to be a name we watch in training camp. The Penguins acquired him for Emil Pieniniemi Saturday, and now the Penguins have signed the Slovak Olympian, who is no fan of the Tkachuk brothers, to a one-year deal. Here’s the Penguins news.

It still shocks me that the Penguins could get such a return for Pieniniemi. The Ilya Solovyov for Valtteri Puustinen deal was really good, at least for the NHL club, and this is another that is a steal for the AHL club, at the very least.

And I just emptied the tank on the 2025-26 NHL season. Ev-er-y-thing. From Carolina connections to the Penguins (beyond Jordan Staal) to Rod Brind’Amour shutting up a lot of critics, to some inside nuggets and travel recommendations, it’s a great purge of the Penguins season.

It was a helluva season. If I return for next season, I believe my Gonzo style will intensify. I think the industry is changing so rapidly as to demand it, and the stories you’ve responded to the most are the inside stories, whether it’s inside info about their plans, or inside opinions on players, or simply being on the inside, I think that’s the way to go. But I’ll always focus on hockey.

I’m studying my Hunter S. Thompson pieces for inspiration. Perhaps I’ll cover the Mint 400, too.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

TSN: The Philadelphia Flyers are looking into it. They’re on the approved short list for Darnell Nurse, and GM Daniel Briere said the club is investigating the possibility. As Myron would say, Hmm ha. It’s time for trades.

My only regret for not attending the Combine personally this year was not being able to speak with Kyle Dubas, though it’s my understanding that he has declined to speak to reporters since his presser.

Sportsnet: It’s nothing you and I haven’t been over a few times, and the four candidates are names we’ve discussed, but Sportsnet started their offseason trade talk with four change-of-scenery candidates, beginning with Mason McTavish.

Elliotte Friedman also reported that the NHL has officially launched an investigation into Mike Babcock’s termination in Columbus to see if the league will allow him to coach in Edmonton. In fact, there is another, yet unspecified allegation against the sweet and cuddly Babcock.

Edmonton is usually low on free agents’ preferred list of teams. If they add Babcock, they’ll be luck to sign anyone. The mystery is: How do they not see it?

TSN Video: (Not available to US readers). Here we go. The sharpening of the knives for Mitch Marner. They are debating if Marner was justified in not speaking after the Cup Final loss.

I couldn’t watch the video either, but let’s be blunt. He didn’t have to speak. He wasn’t the story of the night. So, why would he? In moments like that, it’s the coach’s job and the captain’s responsibility. The same Qs from October were going to be asked again. He did the game a favor by keeping the focus on Carolina.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Here’s an interesting take. Danny Amoia writes that the Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup win actually proves new New Jersey Devils GM Sunny Mehta correct.

Philly Hockey Now: Mailbag! The Trevor Zegras extension, offseason trade targets, draft trades, and more from Will James about the increasingly exciting Philadelphia Flyers offseason.

Boston Hockey Now: The report cards are still coming in. Two stars shone brightly, but one big question remains for the Boston Bruins.

ESPN: And after telling TSN that he was done after the Cup run, John Tortorella is leaving the door open to return to the Vegas Golden Knights. Maybe. Possibly. It wasn’t a no.

Tags: John Tortorella nhl trade Penguins news Pittsburgh Penguins

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