After five long days with no hockey — the NHL apparently doesn’t think it will lose steam with such a break — the Stanley Cup final begins Wednesday night. Will the Edmonton Oilers get not only redemption in a rematch with defending champion Florida, but also set up Connor McDavid for a legacy-cementing Cup win, or will the Panthers flirt with the word “dynasty” with a second straight Cup in their third straight trip to the final? While that final chapter of the 2024-25 season is beginning, the Pittsburgh Penguins are still in the hunt for a new head coach for their own new beginning, even as one member of their recent staff found a landing spot. The list of Penguins possibilities has grown more interesting.

With the self-proclaimed summer of Dan Kingerski beginning, we will try to honor his devotion to this daily endeavor on a fill-in basis for this Wednesday. Regardless of the author, be sure to catch the final hours of PHN’s excellent subscription sale. That’s access to exclusive content as well as an ad-free experience with all content for just $12. Try it; you’ll like it.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The so-far methodical search for a coach is ongoing. A few of the names that seem to be high on president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas’ list remain, but could there be a surprise?

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The assistant who under coach Mike Sullivan oversaw the forwards and the penalty kill found a new gig. The Chicago Blackhawks, who like the Penguins are assembling a new staff, hired Mike Vellucci.

Steelers Now: Do the Steelers need another pass-catching tight end? They apparently think so. Off-and-on trade talks between the Steelers and the Miami Dolphins are reportedly back on over tight end Jonnu Smith.

Speaking of catching the football, the Steelers reportedly are set this week to host free agent and former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Paul Skenes isn’t perfect. He gave up a solo home run Tuesday night. He was otherwise stellar. The problem — an ongoing one — was no offensive support as the Pirates not only lost to the Houston Astros, but also once again got shut out.

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While Skenes was philosophical about his and the team’s lot, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that the Pirates are not built to take advantage of such a generational talent and, in fact, are chugging toward one of their worst seasons.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Connor McDavid is dynamic. Yet he needs one thing to cement his legacy: a Stanley Cup. He can then join the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby. McDavid realizes there are steps to everything.

Florida Hockey Now: With the Panthers in the Cup final for the third straight year and looking for their second straight Cup, FHN took a look at the architect of the team and his philosophy of continuing to build. Read about Bill Zito.

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TSN: Penguins fans remember Bruce Boudreau from an era of the rivalry with Washington. He joined That’s Hockey for a discussion on whether the Florida Panthers are the modern-day version of the NHL’s villains.

Colorado Hockey Now: The Avalanche had a stinging exit from the playoffs. Even with a stacked lineup, that could mean changes — and trades seem like the best venue for that. As for trade targets, how about young Vegas defenseman and restricted free agent Nicolas Hague?

Islanders Hockey Now: Under new management, the Islanders have a familiar task — finding an elite goal-scorer. They need to go all in on one particular player who could finally fit that role and whose name has cropped up in trade speculation, Jason Robertson.

Montreal Hockey Now: The Islanders aren’t the only team that could benefit from landing Dallas’ Jason Robertson, who is due a substantial contract. What about a landing spot with the Canadiens?

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Detroit Hockey Now (+): Former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is ready to resume his hockey career, which would be a monumental comeback after two years away for health reasons. He has been linked to the Red Wings. What are the pros and cons?

The post PHN Daily: So It Begins; Penguins Coaching Search Intrigue; Robertson Coveted appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now.