Rangers Roundup: Colin Blackwell a Team USA leader, Mike Sullivan unlikely to be available, and more

Originally posted on Forever Blueshirts
By Anthony Scultore | Last updated 5/30/21

There’s still plenty of wonder around whom the Rangers will protect in the Seattle Expansion draft. Some think it will be Brett Howden, others want it to be Julien Gauthier, but Colin Blackwell is the right pick. Currently, he is one of the stars of Team USA at the World Championships.

Colin Blackwell a Team USA leader

Blackwell is an Assistant Captain for Team USA and was named the player of the game in their 2-1 over Norway yesterday. They are in second place in Group B with a 4-1 record with 12 points. Finland holds the top spot with a 4-0-1 record and 13 points.

Team USA last won Gold at the WC in 1960. They last claimed Silver in 1956 and Bronze in 2018. In total USA has 2 Gold, 9 Silver, 8 Bronze for a total of 19 medals since 1920.

Today's Player of the Game after helping @usahockey improve to 4-0-0-1 with a W over Norway at #MensWorlds: 4⃣3⃣

Congrats, Colin! pic.twitter.com/HXIkcf4y2D
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 29, 2021

Mike Sullivan unlikely to be fired from Penguins

Yesterday we noted that Mike Sullivan could be on the hot seat. According to Elliotte Friedman in the latest installment of Sportsnet’s Saturday Headlines, that is unlikely to be the case.

“There’s been rumors here and there [about Mike Sullivan],” he began. “I don’t think that’s going to happen. He’s a heck of a coach, he’s under contract for three more years, I’d expect him to be back behind the bench if anyone had any questions.”

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan has had an incredible run in Pittsburgh. Over the course of the last six seasons he’s amassed a record of 251-131-43 with two Stanley Cup Championships. It makes sense for them to keep him.

Anthony Bitetto flying ace

Anthony Bitetto took to the skies at the Bethpage Air Show.

Anthony Bitetto is an American @NHL player for the @NYRangers as well as a #NewYork native!

Today @ABitetto7 went up with Thunderbird 8 and pulled 9.1 Gs! pic.twitter.com/X5lLmJpjVR
— Thunderbirds (@AFThunderbirds) May 28, 2021