Have you ever wondered how those in the hockey industry view the Pittsburgh Penguins? Pittsburgh Hockey Now asked and the story was quite a read, as one tipster didn’t hold back, although his review was glowing. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan received major honor from Team USA Elsewhere in the Daily, the latest NHL rumors and reports on the top 12 restricted free agents, Carolina Hurricanes trade rumors and the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers need a Game 7.
A reader recently asked why we charge for subscriptions in the summer. I was a little taken aback. Over the past few weeks, we’ve done some in-depth, in-person scouting of the top prospects coming to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, we’re heading to Saginaw next week to see Brayden Yager, and we’re headed to Las Vegas for the NFL Draft. the NHL in 2024. Our article yesterday on how experts view the Penguins was a great example of how hard we work, even in the summer.
One reader even asked why we don’t cover the Pirates. Hello, Pittsburgh Baseball Now! It’s already one of the Pirates’ best coverages with Danny Demilio and John Perrotto.
Plus, I had a good chat with Penguins top prospect Brayden Yager on Saturday. His Moose Jaw Warriors won their first WHL championship and he is having a good run. I’ll have that story a little later on Sunday morning. It will be behind the PHN+ paywall to reward those who have joined this group of hockey media rebels. You can too, here.
Use code Dan10 and get $10 off, I’m treating you!
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The coach many Penguins fans would like to see fired has been named to lead Team USA into the upcoming Four Nations showdown as well as the 2026 Winter Olympics. great honor for Mike Sullivan.
I had an idea for a column on Friday morning. Hey, let’s talk to some hockey experts who could give us an honest opinion: How does the industry view the Penguins and their appeal to unrestricted free agents? I asked Dave to contribute, but his first phone call to an agent was so good that it became the story. Sometimes the opinions of an independent party can really shed light on what we are seeing. So even though Sidney Crosby will turn 37 and Evgeni Malkin will turn 38, how will pending UFAs view the Penguins’ situation?
I’ll corroborate what Dave wrote. I also spoke with an agent, maintaining anonymity, who praised the Penguins organization. Oh, I also got a little tip about a UFA who would like to be here.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Oh, those bums. The Pirates and Cubs faced off in a pitchers’ duel into the ninth inning at Wrigley, until a controversial call gave the Chicago Cubs a victory over the Pirates.
Steelers Now: Alan Saunders reports that Steelers GM Omar Khan is still shopping and have been in contact with Saints WR Michael Thomas.
NHL Rumors, News and National Hockey Now
Sportsnet: Who will re-sign, who will be in NHL trade rumors and who is still up in the air. What to do with the main RFAs?
32 Thoughts Podcast: I think Carolina has a near-perfect option for the Penguins: RFA Martin Necas. Quick as lightning, he has some hands and is a good worker. It seems like they are going to get him out of Carolina since Seth Jarvis and Jake Guentzel are the priorities to re-sign.
Keynote USA: Additionally, Carolina rehired coach Rod Brind’Amour to a multi-year extension. Keynote USA’s Kevin Weekes was the first to report, but terms of the deal are not yet known. And Toronto moved to fill its coaching vacancy by hiring Craig Berube.
Philly Hockey Now: Quite an enigma for Flyers fans. Root for the hated New York Rangers, so the Flyers get a better first-round pick (acquired in the Claude Giroux trade a couple of years ago), or root for the Florida Panthers and former Flyers goalie Sergie Bobrovsky? It’s Sophie’s Choice for Philadelphia Flyers fans.
New Jersey Hockey Now: It looks like I’m not the only one looking at Necas on the NHL trade market. James Nichols writes that he is also a great fit and that the New Jersey Devils should be interested.
Florida Hockey Now: Hey, I got something right! While we wait for the Eastern Conference final, the NHL is handing out many individual awards. The Selke Trophy went to the Florida Panthers, Aleksander Barkov.
Oh, and the skill for the game has begun in that series. And the Panthers are getting a little cavalier with ticket sales. No, no, New York fans, you can’t buy tickets, not today! Florida denies tickets to New York Rangers fans.
New low seasons
Colorado Avalanche: Game 6 loss was Zach Parise’s final NHL game and an update on Gabriel Landeskog. The final locker room was a heartbreaking place, and our Even Rawal was in the middle with the final video and chapter of the 2023-24 Colorado Avalanche.
Boston Hockey Now: Another good team suffered a loss too early. President Cam Neely should be safe, but Jimmy Murphy is targeting general manager Don Sweeney and coach Jim Montgomery. Should they be safe? The angst surrounding the Boston Bruins.
And one of the free agents I think the Penguins should avoid, but you guys really want: Jake DeBrusk. He had a great playoff run and left it all on the ice in Game 6. Jimmy Murphy received high praise, but acknowledged the pending regular season slide for the Bruins UFA.
My outside perspective is that the Florida Panthers were much better and Boston couldn’t do anything. However, Sweeney’s failure to get a top cross was the fatal flaw. Otherwise, the Bruins are a consistently strong team.
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