Dan’s Daily: Draisaitl Huge Payday; Marner Money; What About Crosby?

One big payday and two players on deck. Leon Draisaitl’s new contract wowed everyone, but we’re also wondering about Mitch Marner’s future and what’s up with Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. Under the Penguins heading today, the team hired a new radio play-by-play voice, and we examined an undiscussed Penguins’ weakness. Elsewhere, Calgary signed a big name to a PTO, but more importantly, both Calgary and Columbus will hold vigils for fans to honor Johnny Gaudreau. Toronto is trying to take Nick Robertson off the NHL trade block, but TSN investigated what the unlikely Crosby trade might look like.

The last few miles of a road trip are always the longest. We’ve hunkered down and kept going since the Penguins’ final game on April 18. The world has changed a few times since then, eh?

Yet the last two weeks before the hockey starts seem like those last miles on the road trip when your arms are burnt, the Burger King snack from a few hours ago has declared war, your back is sore, and your butt is a flattened throbbing pancake, but then you see that glorious road sign: Pittsburgh 7.

It’s pure joy when it’s time to put your head down and get to the finish line. We’re at Pittsburgh 7, and the skyline is within view.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Hello, Joe Bland. Steve Mears left the organization to take the TV gig in Columbus, and the Penguin found their new guy. Here’s the story on the new Penguins radio play-by-play.

One-timers. We touched on a few topics, but most importantly, we explained simply how both sides can put the Sidney Crosby contract speculation to bed. Also there is one Penguins’ weakness that seems to have slid under everyone’s radar, and what to get excited about seeing in the coming rookie tournament. It’s all of that and another attempt at accidental brilliance in the Penguins blog.

Since hockey season is within sight, we’ll start with the immediate schedule. From rookie camp to the expected beginning of training camp and the start of preseason games, here is this month’s Penguins schedule.

Steelers Now: While we’re wondering about players spending their entire career in Pittsburgh, it appears Cam Heyward will do so with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Heyward signed a new contract, so here is the full scoop on the big Steelers news.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The sinking Pirates’ ship is taking Paul Skenes down with it. It’s kind of sad, but Danny Demilio has the course ahead for September as Skenes is slipping in the Rookie of the Year award.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & Hockey Now

TSN: Travis Yost is a numbers guy and fully concedes it is unlikely, but maybe, what if, possibly, what would happen if the Penguins traded Sidney Crosby? It’s the topic no one really wants to discuss.

NHL.com: Eight years and $14 million a year. Leon Draisaitl is going to be a rich man. Here’s the full story.

Sportsnet: In the Maple Leafs mailbag, the biggest question still dogging Toronto is Mitch Marner’s contract status. Like Crosby, Marner is without a contract beyond the coming season. So, what’s the deal?

TSN: It’s time to begin saying goodbye, even though it doesn’t yet seem real. Makeshift memorials have sprung up at arenas, and fans worldwide have put sticks outside their doors to honor the Gaudreaus. Columbus and Calgary are going to hold vigils so that fans and organization members can properly honor Johnny Gaudreau.

FHN+: The Florida Panthers are a pretty, pretty good team. However, there is still a little bit of meat on the free agent bone, and George Richards looks at the players who could help the Stanley Cup champions.

Montreal Hockey Now: Let’s wrap the Daily with a little bit of fun, although it’s a serious topic in Montreal. As Carey Price’s career is over, the next step could be the Hockey Hall of Fame, but goalies are notoriously overlooked. So, will the committee enshrine Carey Price?