Dan’s Daily: Mario, Muse, & Trade Talk; All Hell Breaks Loose

The Daily today could be thousands of words and dozens of links. This reporter got a good chuckle from a source when we asked if they could stop and space out the news instead of one monster news dump that included a home run press conference for the new Pittsburgh Penguins coach, honoring franchise icon Jaromir Jagr, Mario Lemieux’s interest in re-acquiring the team. There were also some heavy-duty NHL trade rumors, and Cale Makar won the Norris Trophy. Someone opened Pandora’s box, or there was a glitch in the matrix, as everything seemed to land at once.

There is also some controversy on my side of the street, as seven voters left Quinn Hughes off their Norris Trophy voting list. Here’s how this voting works: We rank the top five in order, giving first-place votes, second-place votes, and so on. Yet seven Professional Hockey Writers Association members didn’t have Hughes on their list. I’ll admit, I panicked. Oh no, did I screw up and accidentally forget him?! No, I had him third behind Makar and Zach Werenski. Whew.

This annual voting for awards–at least for me–is stressful. I don’t believe in mindlessly voting for the consensus picks, but I also worry about getting it right. On the Calder Trophy vote, I was one of the 16 who gave Logan Stankoven a fifth-place vote. In retrospect, I wish I had given it to Will Smith, but Stankoven just impressed the heck out of me in Carolina. He is made for that system. But that vote is small potatoes. I was also one of just 13 to give Jaccob Slavin a fourth-place vote in the Norris balloting. I feel pretty good about that one and feel Slavin should have received near-unanimous support for fourth place behind the big three. I did omit Victor Hedman in favor of Lane Hutson. That one caused me to waffle back and forth, but in the end, I felt that Hutson’s finishing kick was so incredible that the kid deserved it.

I can’t fathom a reason for omitting Quinn Hughes, but I’m cool with it as long as someone didn’t do it for attention. This is real life, and players get bonuses, and our credibility is on the line.

Now to Helter Skelter…

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins introduced new coach Dan Muse, and I don’t think he could have done a better job in his introductory press conference. Get to know Muse, Dubas’s very telling answer on why he picked him, and the already HUGE difference in Muse’s approach as the new Penguins coach.

Dave Molinari followed up the first story with more notes on the presser, including the help wanted sign hanging over the Penguins assistant coaches’ offices.

And then the bombshell. First reported by Pierre LeBrun, that Lemieux, Ron Burkle, and David Morehouse are investigating the possibility of re-acquiring the Penguins franchise. We did some digging and confirmed part of the story. Oh, and why is Jaromir Jagr in town?! We got to the bottom of that story, too. Here’s the earth-shattering Penguins news.

PHN Video: Immediate reaction to Dan Muse’s press conference. My impressions and the obvious change in direction, and the money quote. Watch it here.

I believe I’m going to write a column this morning. It’s not going to be pretty. Also–LIVE CHAT today at 1 p.m. You can sign up for notifications by “subscribing” to our YouTube channel above.

Steelers Now: Aaron Rodgers in black and gold. It happened, and every media person who has ever covered the Steelers seemed to be there. Here are the five takeaways from Alan Saunders on Day 1 of Steelers mini-camp.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: It was a pretty good day for the Buccos. They finished a successful homestand and beat the Miami Marlins. You can get the postgame recap on PBN. And in the process of the win, Andrew McCutchen surpassed Roberto Clemente on the Pirates’ home run list. It was yet another reminder of Cutch’s storied Pirates career.

I think he, Gerrit Cole, and Starling Marte are the last links to 2013.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Pro Hockey Rumors: I hate to link to the aggregators, but there are a few reports rolled into one. Jeff Marek on The Sheet said, “Trust me, there’s THERE there” regarding Dallas Stars trade talk surrounding Jason Robertson. Elliotte Friedman said the same on my old stomping grounds of Sportsnet 590. Dallas has a cap crunch, and something has to give, and with Miko Rantanen under contract, perhaps Robertson is the casualty.

Forever Blueshirts: The New York Rangers still haven’t completed the big trade with the Anaheim Ducks. Chris Kreider is basically on the tarmac with his bags packed. He’s reportedly agreed to the deal, but things are still ongoing.

Perhaps the Rangers’ new coach wasn’t so happy with the return. Just something to consider.

TSN: This is quite good news, and the NHL and the NHLPA are progressing quickly toward a new CBA agreement.

Sportsnet: The answer is Winnipeg, but we shall see. Jason Dixon takes a crack at the Jonathan Toews free agency sweepstakes and where the three-time Stanley Cup winner will land.

Sportsnet also put more than a few GMs on the hot seat. From Vancouver to Detroit, the big bosses who under the most pressure.

NYI Hockey Now: Russel Macias put a spotlight on the changing roster. With a new GM and a middling roster, who is safe and who will be dealt by the New York Islanders?

Montreal Hockey Now: The Habs have picks 16 and 17 at the 2025 NHL Draft. In a sense, they’re probably watching the Penguins, who could clean up the last of the centers or start a run on defensemen. Marc Dumont peers into the top prospects for the Montreal Canadiens’ picks.

Colorado Hockey Now: The Norris Trophy winner was surprised after a round of golf as the NHL presented him with the award. Aarif Deen writes why it was an absolute slam dunk and why he voted for Cale Makar.

Vegas Hockey Now: Cold reality sucks. It is not nearly as fun as the speculation and hope. However, in the words of Frankie Dart on Community Season 6, “Hope is pouting in advance. Hope is faith’s richer, bitchier sister. Hope is the deformed attic-bound incest monster offspring of entitlement and fear.” The reality of the VGK roster is that they can chase Mitch Marner, but they have a big problem with Alex Pietrangelo’s health. Hannah Kirkell has a big bucket of hope and ice water for the Vegas Golden Knights.