Pens Points: Back to Alberta
Oilers stay alive and Pens Points is here to get your midweek started.
The Edmonton Oilers refuse to die in the Stanley Cup Final, forcing a Game 6 and dragging the series back to Alberta with a 5-3 Game 5 victory over the Florida Panthers. Florida still holds a 3-2 series lead, but they were certainly hoping to be celebrating at this point and not making another trip to Canada with the Cup still in the balance.
Pens Points...
Hard work paid off for Valtteri Puustinen in 2023-24, finally earning a shot in the NHL where he took advantage of his opportunity and proved her belonged full time with a solid first season. [Trib Live]
All signs point to Reilly Smith being one-and-done in Pittsburgh but with a year left on his contract it will take a trade partner to move him. Reports are starting to crop up that there could be plenty of suitors. [The Hockey News]
If the Penguins do move on from Smith, they will need to bring in a replacement top-six forward to fill the void. There could be plenty of options to look at, but a name from Calgary is currently in the rumor mill. [The Hockey News]
It’s expected to be a busy offseason for Kyle Dubas and the Penguins, with much work to do remaking the roster. One key area will be upgrading the bottom-six (again) and the Penguins could poach from a rival to do so. [The Hockey News]
NHL News and Notes...
NHL Insider Frank Seravalli released an updated version of his Trade Target big board. Mitch Marner leads the way as the top target but most interesting the four goaltenders being listed inside the Top 10. [Daily Faceoff]
Following a brief search, the Carolina Hurricanes went internal to hire its newest general manager, tapping former assistant Eric Tulsky to lead the front office. [The Hockey News]