Dater’s Daily: Pierre McGuire hired by Sens, Grubauer speaks, Eichel flirts with Bruins

Good Monday to you all. I’m back from something of a one-week Eastern vacation, even though I did some work too. Let’s talk some hockey today, though, and probably every day for the rest of the month at least, starting with some links, thoughts and notes, including a leadoff one about Pierre McGuire:

• The longtime NBC and TSN broadcaster is back in an NHL front office. This morning, the Ottawa Senators made McGuire their vice president of player development (Ottawa Sun).
• Pierre McGuire is one of the real good guys in the game. He’s indefatigable about hockey and I think he’ll do great in this role with the Senators. He’s been looking to get back inside the C-suites of the NHL management world, and I think this is a great fit for him and the Sens. I know some people found Pierre McGuire abrasive sometimes as a broadcaster, but that comes with the territory and I’m telling you, he’s a great guy.
• I texted with Pierre this morning and he reports that he’s “really excited to get going” with the Sens.
• Avs goalie Philipp Grubauer took part in the celebrity softball game yesterday at Coors Field. I wasn’t there, so couldn’t ask him anything about that elephant in the room: You know, his contract situation. But Sean Keeler of my old shop, the Denver Post, was and got some quotes from Grubi. The gist? He wants to stay, says the Avs are at the top of his list, etc. etc. (Denver Post).
• Those are all the things you’re supposed to say as a guy who is still under contract with a team, until July 28 anyway. I think Grubauer is being honest when he says that, but the contract has to be right and, to this point anyway, he and the Avs are not in agreement as to what that should be.
• My reporting on the Grubauer matter leads me to believe that this could still go either way. My hunch is they’ll work something out, though.
• Boston: Wait, did he just do that? Jack Eichel was totally flirting with the Boston Bruins right in front of the Buffalo Sabres. 
• I’m told there is “nothing to report” on anything Brandon Saad-related with the Avs. Doesn’t mean he won’t still stay with the Avs, but it sounds like there hasn’t been much of anything in regard to serious talks between the parties yet.
• Vegas: Tom Callahan breaks the news. He opines that the Vegas Golden Knights have big opportunities but must make a salary dump, too. So wave goodbye to a star player. 
• Detroit: In 31 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman dropped a little bombshell that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in Tyler Bertuzzi. Our Kevin Allen did a little more digging–here’s the scenario under which Detroit will put Bertuzzi on the NHL trade market. 
• On vacation at the folks’ place in Keene, N.H., I made some baked stuffed shrimp with crabmeat stuffing and pan-fried Brussels sprouts with prosciutto, shaved reggiano and balsamic. Wanna see?

• I bet you didn’t know the big ole redhead here could cook, did you? Hit me up for the recipe if you want it.
• I would say that’s my No. 1 off-season hobby, trying to cook new recipes. That, and yelling at my son to take out the trash and recycling.
• Buyouts! Which buyouts should or could GM Ron Hextall and the Pittsburgh Penguins be watching? (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)
• Could disgruntled St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko get traded to the New Jersey Devils? Larry Brooks on that, more NHL Trade rumors, and the Tampa Bay Lightning dynasty. (NY Post)
• It sounds like some of the circumstances surrounding Seth Jones are going to make it unlikely that the Philadelphia Flyers go “all in” on a trade for the Columbus Blue Jackets franchise defenseman. (Philly Hockey Now)