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Dan’s Daily: Byram Sweepstakes; Islanders Add; Penguins Prepare
The Pittsburgh Penguins and general manager Kyle Dubas continued to nibble away at NHL free agency Wednesday and added probably his biggest signing in addition to a couple more players with talent who may or may not fill the NHL roster, including a former Washington Capitals first-round pick. The signings certainly pointed to a coming trade, but we also uncovered a new trend that only adds another challenge to the Penguins’ trade strategy. Elsewhere, the Buffalo Sabres are preparing for an attack in the form of a Bo Byram offer sheet, though the NHL trade chatter posits four teams are working hard on the trade angle. The Islanders added a Russian free agent that some Penguins fans coveted, and the Avalanche are giving Brent Burns one more run at the Stanley Cup.
First, I apologize for the sound quality of the Live Chat on Wednesday. It wasn’t the mic as I thought, but the Streamyard service. Since I have a new Mac and a gigabit of internet speed, it’s not on this end, but I’m working to figure it out. I might do some private tests if you want to talk some hockey.
Today is Day 1 of the Penguins Development Camp. I will definitely see you there. The fun begins this morning at 9:00 a.m. with goalie drills. Believe me, there is little to see today, but I also understand that some really like to see the drills. Monday is the scrimmage, but if you’re at the rink, say hello.
9:00 AM – Goalie On-Ice Session (Covestro Rink)
10:00 AM – Team Stevens Skating (FedEx Rink)
11:00 AM – Team Stevens Skills (Covestro Rink)
11:00 AM – Team Patrick Skating (FedEx Rink)
12:00 PM – Team Patrick Skills (Covestro Rink)
12:00 PM – Team Johnston Skating (FedEx Rink)
1:00 PM – Team Johnston Skills (Covestro Rink)
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: I really liked the Penguins’ minor signings on Wednesday. Rafael Harvey-Pinard is just a scrappy little engine that could. And Wheeling Nailers fans will be happy (and I’m surprised) that Taylor Gauthier put pen to paper for more Penguins transactions.
I don’t know why Gauthier re-signed. He is absolutely blocked in the Penguins org, but if he’s happy, so be it.
The big signing of the day, and a harbinger of things to come, occurred when Dubas delivered an incentive-heavy deal to Anthony Mantha.
Now, here’s the crux of the Penguins’ situation. The column was originally titled, All Signs Point to Penguins Trade, but as I was writing, I realized that Dubas had stiff, but unexpected competition for several of the Penguins’ potential targets. There’s been a change in thinking across the league, and it’s only making it more difficult for the Penguins’ trade strategy.
And another signing I pretty well like, former Capitals big defensemen who languished in the press box and under Todd Nelson in Hershey–Alexander Alexeyev.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & Hockey Now
TSN: Sabres GM Kevyn Adams says no dice when it comes to teams submitting an offer sheet for Bo Byram. The Sabres will match it because they don’t want your first and third-round picks. However, he’s taking calls from four teams on a trade.
NYI Hockey Now: Yes, no more questions about reports from Russia (at least for a moment)! The summer of the New York Islanders continues as they ink Maxim Shabanov.
Colorado Hockey Now (+): A late-night signing–Brent Burns signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche. At 40 years old, he has some gas in the tank, but where does he fit with the Avalanche defense?
Also, Morgan Frost signed a two-year, $8.75 million deal with the Calgary Flames. A good deal for both. Frost got a bad rap through his battles with Torts in Philly.
Canucks Army: Brock Boeser thought his time in Vancouver was done. Then a late-night phone call changed everything. Boeser detailed that call from GM Patrik Allvin got the ball rolling.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Cody Glass was suddenly the belle of the ball. He had options. However, he chose a new contract with a nice AAV to stay with the New Jersey Devils.
I still can’t fathom Glass living in New Jersey. He’s just so damned nice, but that kind of money does make it easier.
Isn’t $2.5m a pay cut for Glass? Not saying he desired a raise or anything.
We have to a healthy amount of forwards and defenders and not enough roster spots.
Dan, is Novak, and Mantha going to be ready for the start of camp and regular season? Just wonder if they have to start the season in IR.
It is the same amount as his last contract
Thanks, I forgot what he was making and thought it was more.
It will be interesting to see how they go about executing trades from now until the 2026 deadline. Ideally they add a significant piece or two for long-term success, but they certainly need to push. For now I trust KD as it would be fitting for the Pens to win the 2026 draft lottery and snag McKenna. Regardless, off-season 2026 needs to be the time to start signing some players who can get the team back into contention (along with drafting/trades). This re-build officially started in March 2024 with the trading of Jake Guentzel. If they’re too patient, and strictly… Read more »
I believe he will rebuild through draft and with excess cap available to them in coming years , I also believe with all these picks they have accumulated they can trade picks or prospects for talent when ready to compete. Something Buffalo has not done with any of their young talent but trying to do now.
I don’t see anything great about the start of free agency for the Pens. They signed 2, maybe 3 players that have upside potential or can deliver assets at the trade deadline. Mantha could bring a first or an NHL prospect if we has a turnaround season. I still see upside in Tomasino. He reminds me of Rust at his age. Similar attributes and inconsistencies. Alexeyev appears to be a solid prospect with upside for $775K. The Pens have yet to make trades or offer sheets for 20-25-year-old NHL-ready players like Koivunen and McGroarty to develop to be part of… Read more »
I agree with your point about this being a “huge miss” if other moves aren’t forthcoming. What happened to all the RFA talk? According to the article on Byram, we aren’t even one of the four teams talking trade with Buffalo. Why not? Last week we were talking trade with Buffalo and wound up with Conor Clifton. Just because other teams are saying they will match offers (Rossi in Minnesota and Byram in Buffalo), doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try for a trade. I don’t want to lose our #1 draft pick for next year either with an offer sheet (because… Read more »
The Pens should only use their 2026 second and third pick for offer sheets. They have 3 seconds and 2 thirds in 2026 so far.
Holtz from Vegas is perfect for an offer sheet at $2.34M for two or three years. overpayment but you get him for the 2026 third, and Samoskevich from Panthers at $4.68 for 2 years for the 2026 second.
We have to get others from trades of Karlsson, Rakell, and Rust.
Why would we sign a defenseman who languished in Hershey under Todd Nelson after bringing Nelson on board as an assistant coach? Cheap enough 1 year deal so maybe the point is moot.
You misread. He languished in Washington but played for Nelson but barely last year more often in previous years. He basically was scratched in Washington almost the entire year and was only sent down to Hershey for a conditioning assignment because they had him scratched so much.
Pretty weird actually when you think about it.
Probable would have lost him on waivers
Was he hurt last year or was he really a healthy scratch?
The Caps 7th D is likely our 4th or 5th D. It moves the needle in a medium way.
Any way the Pens take a chance on Veleno? Dubas has been looking for young centers.
Pens making a splash for Byram/Quinn would jumpstart the rebuild w/ contract extension. Another would be
Pens Rakell & ’26 – 3rd to Blackhawks for Reichel or Slaggert , Del Mastro, & ’26 – 2nd….Blackhawks need that veteran scorer more than Pens to jump start their rebuild at a minimum salary hit with a rebuild.
We shouldn’t have to give up a 3rd with Raks for that deal
has this site and the channel gone on vacation?