Pens Points: The Flyers Hire ... Dave Hakstol

Good morning one and all,

We begin the news cycle in Philadelphia, where the Flyers have surprised everyone by hiring UND coach Dave Hakstol to be their new head coach. Hextall's son played under Hakstol so there's that. Hextall & Hakstol show begins. [CBS Local]

Who is Dave Hakstol? Let's meet the new head coach of our in-state rivals. Seems like a no-nonsense guy. [Grand Forks Herald]

Mike Babcock has talked to several teams, at least two (Toronto and Buffalo) have made him offers and he's still to talk to San Jose and - interestingly - St. Louis. Decision should be forthcoming by May 20. [The Score]

I have to think Babcock wants to move on from Detroit or he'd have just signed an extension and given us all a break. But from Detroit's perspective, is there a downside to going year-to-year with Babs if the option is available? [Winging It In Motown]

San Jose Sharks are keeping their options open should they not win the Babcock sweepstakes and they are giving Pete DeBoer a second interview. [Pro Hockey Talk]

Dan Bylsma is done at the Worlds, going home with a bronze and figuring out whether he'll coach somewhere else soon. To apply for a job you need a resume, so our friends in Toronto with lots of hiring time have prepared one for him. [Leafs Nation]

Barring something completely unforeseen, IIHF Worlds gold medal winner Todd McLellan is set to become the new head coach of the Edmonton Oilers. [Edmonton Journal]

Conference finals are underway in NHL playoffs. Following the Rangers 2-1 win (what other possible score could there be?), the Ducks rode Frederik Andersen to a 4-1 win over the Blackhawks. [OC Register]

In other hockey news, Canada totally destroyed Russia to take the IIHF Hockey Worlds gold medal by winning every game they played. [Sportsnet]

USA iced a team full of modest names and took home the bronze, which to me was an excellent result having in mind the rosters other countries put together. Jack Eichel took home more than bronze - a performance on the world stage worthy of a future superstar. [THW]

Jaromir Jagr, the ageless, timeless wonder of the world, won MVP honors at the Worlds, and announced afterwards that this is his last appearance for the Czech national team. We'll believe that when we see it, Jags. [IIHF]