Dan’s Daily: Final Draft Rankings; Flyers Trade Gamble; Penguins Rookie Camp

Tic toc, Clarice. The NHL Draft begins on Friday, and it is always prime time for the NHL rumor mill, buyouts, and teams otherwise looking to make big changes, plus the actual selection of the next generation of players. TSN’s Bob McKenzie is one of my favorites, and he put out his final draft rankings. Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Flyers were the team that finally made the trade for polarizing forward Trevor Zegras, 2026 Draft phenom Gavin McKenna is deciding between two NCAA teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins unveiled their rookie camp schedule, and we previewed another potential Penguins draft pick, but his one has a mean streak.

I did it. I finally turned on the air conditioning last night. I was curious how long my home would stay at about 74, which was quite tolerable, but the sweltering heat finally made it through these old brick walls, and I tapped out. I was enjoying not hearing my electric bill running up like the meter on a NYC cab. This is easily the craziest summer weather I can recall. It went from three months of April showers straight to August, eh?

Also, I continue to hear rumors of a Penguins draft event for the public, but they have not announced anything. I’d expect today to be the day for the team to make a splashy announcement. Since the NHL Draft is decentralized this year, all teams are conducting the draft in their home offices, just like the NFL, but as it has for months, it is also expected to rain heavily on Friday. We will, of course, have full coverage regardless of location, and we’ve hired one of our San Jose Sharks writers to be in Los Angeles to get video and ask questions of whomever the Penguins select.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Kashawn Aitcheson was surprisingly the most polarizing prospect we’ve featured so far. Some of you have really strong opinions. The reason Aitcheson is rising on the draft board (his ranking rose by five or more on most ranks) is because he’s got snarl. He loves the open ice hits and a good net front battle. He’s got some offensive upside, too. Matt Meagher put together the scouting and highlight video for the potential Penguins draft pick.

Seriously, some people brought out the knives for this kid, but it would be a good pick, and he would bring a needed element whenever he arrives. Someone sarcastically compared him to Brooks Orpik, which would be a very good thing. Just remember–you don’t have to trash a player to advocate for a player you like more.

Rookie camp and tournament! The annual tournament is the fun part, and this year there will be no shortage of prospects to participate. The roster isn’t yet set, but the team announced the schedule for the upcoming Penguins Development Camp.

It will be nice to cover a development camp not packed full of players aspiring to play in the ECHL or otherwise about to get on with their life’s work.

NHL Trade Talk, Draft, & NHN

TSN Video: The Bobfather is in semi-retirement but makes his return for the fun stuff. His draft rankings mirrored others that dropped James Hagens and elevated a couple of the other centers. If you want just his list, you can quickly go to the end of the show to get the full rankings.

Philly Hockey Now: The big trade, a couple of years in the making. Trevor Zegras will wear orange and black on Broad St. Reaction was sharply split–either thought Philly got a steal or Anaheim laughably got anything for him. Will James has the details and Flyers trade analysis.

Zegras has the talent, but he’s not put the rubber to the road. If he tries his cutesy moves without playing a complete game, this writer thinks Rick Tocchet is the right coach to set him straight or sit him out of the lineup. I cannot confirm the Penguins were in or out of those trade talks. Zegras is not just polarizing in the public sphere, but within hockey circles, too, and it has nothing at all to do with his Michigan goals.

Florida Hockey Now: If you love hockey, love reading hockey, love reading good hockey stories–here’s your click today. Really. Nate Schmidt will be a free agent next week, but he was the guy to whom captain Sasha Barkov first handed the Stanley Cup, and he had no idea it was coming. It’s been a journey for the defenseman, and George Richards has the inside story on the Cup presentation, the D-man, and the Florida Panthers celebration.

Also, the hockey season is officially O-V-E-R. The AHL’s Calder Cup Final ended last night when Abbotsford (Vancouver) beat Charlotte (Florida) in OT to claim the prize. It was ALMOST a double championship for the Panthers organization.

Sportsnet: Gavin McKenna playing at Penn State? Maybe. He could also choose a Big 10 rival, Michigan State. It’s a smart move by McKenna to ensure he can play in the NHL next season, and he’s narrowed his choices.

The Athletic ($): Peter Baugh goes nuts and bolts on the coming New York Rangers decisions. And one day away from decision time, no one seems to know if the Rangers will deliver their first-round pick to the Penguins this year, or next.

Calgary Sun: Perhaps the most underrated NHL trade chatter surrounds the Calgary Flames, who could make another big summer trade as contract talks with their top defenseman, Rasmus Andersson, haven’t gone well.

Vegas Hockey Now: Mitch Marner is making his rounds, but experts following closely think there’s one team that makes way too much sense and fits too perfectly. Yep, here’s the story. Will it be those Vegas Golden Knights?

Forget the tax-free debate. I’ve never heard a player say a bad thing about Vegas. Teddy Blueger loved it after the Penguins traded him there. Most people don’t realize how great the new suburbs are, and it surprises the new players, too. The little off-shoot towns were built during the population explosion of the 1990s and 2000s, so they’re modern, well-planned neighborhoods with highway access to everywhere. Most players live in the posh Summerlin neighborhood with celebrities and quaint shops, surrounded by recreation and fine dining. Or, they can live closer to the Las Vegas action, just 10 miles away. There are always things to do for the families and the single guys. And quite a unique dating pool, too.

But I digress. Stay cool today.