As the Calgary Flames draw closer to a decision in regards to their next head coach, the list of possible candidates is beginning to get clearer.

One of the finalists for the job is reported to be Vancouver Canucks assistant Glen Gulutzan, according to Ben Kuzma of The Province.

Veteran head coach Randy Carlye was believed to be deep in the mix for the job left vacant since the firing of Bob Hartley last month, but TSN's Darren Dreger suggests Gulutzan's chances of landing the Calgary gig may have improved after a report emerged Monday stating the Anaheim Ducks are set to announce the hiring of Carlyle as early as Tuesday.

Gulutzan has been with the Canucks for the past three seasons, joining the club following a two-season stint as head coach of the Dallas Stars.

In 130 games behind the Stars' bench, Gulutzan guided Dallas to a record of 64-57-9 while failing to qualify for the playoffs in both 2012 and 2013.

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For the Pittsburgh Penguins, there's something about a road barn, the 12th of June, and a rookie head coach.

The Penguins added to their championship oddity Sunday night, continuing on with a rather peculiar trend of exclusively winning their Stanley Cups with a rookie head coach at the helm, as pointed out by Corey Masisak.

Mike Sullivan joins previous winners, Bob Johnson, Scotty Bowman, and Dan Bylsma, who each claimed championships in their first seasons in charge, and also had their decisive victories come on away ice.

In addition to that, this latest title run, which came to its conclusion exactly seven years after Bylsma guided Pittsburgh to its first championship in the Sidney Crosby era, was won on the heels of an in-season coaching change.

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Maybe it was the massive beards, maybe it was Sidney Crosby, but whatever it was, plenty of people tuned into the Pittsburgh Penguins' bout versus the San Jose Sharks in the Stanley Cup Final.

The NHL's concluding series was the most watched non-Original Six series in 15 years, averaging nearly 4 million viewers per game on NBC.

Sunday's Game 6 - a 3-1 Cup-clinching Penguins win - drew 5.407 million viewers, NBC's highest number for a non-Original Six Stanley Cup Final game ever.

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No shave. Not now, maybe not ever.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, still heavily bearded, explained one day after they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final that himself and Joe Thornton hadn't been growing their facial hair for the playoffs.

This was a way of life.

It wasn't a definitive answer on whether himself and Thornton will keep their bristles, but don't be surprised when the pair show up at the World Cup of Hockey in September with another three months of length.

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Patrick Marleau has no intention of moving on quite yet.

Back in November, the veteran San Jose Sharks center was reportedly "driving the bus" in regards to a potential trade, one he was believed to have been angling for since training camp.

A day after watching the Pittsburgh Penguins hoist the Stanley Cup in his home arena in which he has played his entire career, Marleau was asked if wants to stick with the club moving forward.

"Yeah, I have a contract for next year, so (I'm) looking forward to it," Marleau said, according to Kevin Kurz of CSN.

Marleau, who will turn 38 prior to the start of next season, has one year left on a contract that carries a $6,666,666 cap hit. He also has a no-movement clause, meaning he would have to approve the destination in order to be traded.

Marleau contributed five goals and eight assists in 24 playoff games, with perhaps another run left in the tank before his time in San Jose is up.

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The knee injury that kept San Jose Sharks forward Tomas Hertl out of Games 3 to 6 of the Stanley Cup Final doesn't appear to be serious.

Hertl spoke to reporters - a day after his team watched the Pittsburgh Penguins capture the Stanley Cup at the SAP Center in San Jose - noting that he won't need surgery on his right knee.

The 22-year-old was injured in the final minutes of Game 2 after taking a hit from Patric Hornqvist.

Hertl managed six goals and 11 points in 20 playoff games before falling to injury.

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The Carolina Hurricanes locked up another building block Monday.

Hours after signing Sebastian Aho to his entry-level deal, the Hurricanes announced they've come to a similar arrangement with the top-end prospect's talented countryman, Aleksi Saarela.

Saarela, a third-round pick (89th overall) by the New York Rangers, was acquired as part of the Eric Staal trade.

The 19-year-old center ranked fourth in goal-scoring in the Finnish Elite League and led Assat Pori with 20 goals last season. He also helped Finland win gold at the World Junior Championship with four goals and seven points in as many games.

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The Dallas Stars have announced that Dave Strader, their local play-by-play man and a longtime contributing voice for the NHL on NBC, has been diagnosed with cancer.

Stars president and CEO Jim Lites released this statement:

The Dallas Stars are deeply saddened to learn of Dave Strader's cancer diagnosis. As he goes through his treatment, all of our thoughts and prayers are directed to Dave, his wife Colleen, their son Christopher and his wife Karen and daughter Sydney, their son Casey and his wife Dr. Mary, and their son Trevor. We wish Dave a full recovery and will support him through his battle.

Strader was the NHL on NBC's No. 2 announcer before replacing Ralph Strangis as Dallas' local play-by-play voice this season. He called multiple Stanley Cup Finals for the NHL's international feed before signing on with FOX Sports Southwest.

"I realize I have a challenge and fight ahead of me," Strader wrote. "With my wife Colleen and our family, along with the full support of the Dallas Stars organization, we are ready to meet this challenge. We don't have to look very far for inspiration as Bekki Nill has shown us all how to meet this dreaded disease head-on. Personally, her example will serve as a great guide. I want to thank everyone for their support as I proceed with treatment."

One of the most respected voices in the NHL has received an outpouring of support from the hockey community, which includes a message from his partner in the broadcast booth, Darryl Reaugh.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins were crowned the 2016 Stanley Cup champions with their 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Sunday night, and now have a custom WWE title belt to look forward to.

WWE legend Triple H congratulated the team on Twitter, giving a shoutout to the "HBK" line of Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino, and Phil Kessel. He also let them know that there's a belt coming their way.

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Daniel Alfredsson will stay in his senior advisor role with the Ottawa Senators for another season.

Senators owner Eugene Melnyk announced Monday that Alfredsson will continue with his duties for another season on a one-year extension.

"It is great to have Daniel back as part of the Senators' hockey department," Melnyk wrote in an official team release. "It is wonderful to know that Daniel and his family are returning to Ottawa and will once again make the nation's capital their home.

"I look forward to the contributions Daniel will continue to make with our hockey club and in the community."

Newly-minted general manager Pierre Dorion relayed similar sentiment.

"Daniel offers a fresh perspective and unique insights on what we do in hockey operations," he said. "We feel this year we'll be able to build on his experiences from last year and he'll continue to be a valuable asset to our staff."

The franchise's all-time leader in virtually every major statistical category, Alfredsson spent 17 years in Ottawa before playing his final season with the Detroit Red Wings.

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