Dan’s Daily: Edmonton Stirs Intense Controversy; Dubas Questioned

What started as a peaceful quiet morning turned into a day of intense controversy, criticism, and defense as the Edmonton Oilers hired Stan Bowman as their new general manager. Bowman was banned from the game for more than two years for his response (or lack thereof) to the sexual abuse allegations against video coach Brad Aldrich. In might lighter news, TSN shoveled some incredulity toward Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas. The NHL.com mailbag projected some hefty salaries for goaltenders, the Flyers introduced Matvei Michkov, and the storylines are pretty interesting for the Washington Capitals.

I’m happy to tell you that we’ve relaunched Washington Hockey Now. Nate Moser is our new beat writer. We’re also set to launch another West Coast city.

I’m also set to begin our upcoming series ranking the Penguins’ prospects. For the first time since I’ve been doing this job, I won’t have trouble filling out the top 10. I think the first of the series will be the falling prospects who are no longer in the top 10. There’s one that has really surprised me, but many scouts saw the fall coming. Hopefully, that’s enough for a tease.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Has Kyle Dubas fallen upwards, or has he earned his title? The folks at TSN had a little dose of skepticism toward Dubas’s inclusion in Team Canada management. It was a sharp-edged discussion of Kyle Dubas.

Two weeks ago, the Penguins hired Wes Clark to lead the player personnel. Wednesday, director of amateur scouting Nick Pryor said goodbye and left for a job with the Colorado Avalanche. Here’s the Penguins news.

Today at 1 p.m. is our season finale of the Penguins Live Chats. I thought it was yesterday, but I didn’t hit the publish button when I scheduled it on Monday, so now it’s today. Also, I went to the music store to fix the audio, and of course, I trusted the clerk over my own gut. So, I have to run back this morning to return what I bought and buy what I wanted. I promise—great audio today! Follow the PHN YouTube page.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: “We’re not satisfied.” That’s good. GM Ben Cherrington talked about the coming July 31 trade deadline and just upped the ante for a Pirates trade.

Rowdy. The Buccos crushed the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday; they have now won four straight series and are in the thick of the wild card race. Here’s the fun Pirates recap.

NHL Rumors, News & National Hockey Now

NHL.com: After the New York Rangers pay up for Igor Shesterkin, is Jeremy Swayman worth $9 million to the Boston Bruins? A few more issues adorned Dan Rosen’s open mailbag.

No. Swayman has a lot more to prove as the unquestioned No. 1 goalie before he gets elite money.

TSN Video: OK, theeeee big story on Wednesday. The news broke in the morning. The Edmonton Oilers hired recently reinstated Stan Bowman as their new GM, inviting waves of social commentary. Sheldon Kennedy, who does significant work for sexual assault victims, vouched for Bowman, but it didn’t make a dent in the wave of anger, local and nationally. Here’s the story of what swung the Oilers toward Bowman.

Sportsnet: More from the Bowman fallout. He didn’t shy away from the controversy and directly addressed his actions and his exit from Chicago.

Philly Hockey Now: Matvei Michkov is in Philadelphia and he’s talking big. I like the kid. He has a bit of Jaromir Jagr in him. He doesn’t hold back, and he’s already talking about a Stanley Cup for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Boston Hockey Now: Sometimes, the best moves are the ones not made. On July 1, when GMs tossed around $1.2 billion, Don Sweeney made a few big moves, but as Andrew Fantucchio writes, Sweeney bailed on other moves, and these pullbacks were just as important for the Boston Bruins.

Washington Hockey Now: Nate Moster is our new Capitals guy. This season, the Capitals and Penguins will be in a dogfight. Nate’s first piece outlines the four major storylines ahead for the Capitals.

Florida Hockey Now: The Stanley Cup, repairs to the Stanley Cup, free agents, UFA departures, and more. Wow, it has been one hell of a month for the Florida Panthers.