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Dan’s Daily: Mock Draft Surprises; Buyouts Start; Penguins Coaches

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Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL rumors, 2025 NHL Draft Rankings, James Hagens

The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t specifically delineate the workshare of their new assistant coaches on Friday, but we spent some time digging into the past and speaking with people who know the coaches and their performance to see what the Penguins are getting. It wasn’t all sunshine. Elsewhere, mock drafts continue to push a couple of previous top-five picks closer to the Penguins at No. 11, including one we’re pretty sure the Penguins like a lot. The buyout period has started, and the Chicago Blackhawks were the first to jump on the chance. The Buffalo Sabres might be next, but they are also navigating the NHL trade market for JJ Peterka, possibly Friday’s first round of the NHL Draft. Marco Rossi rejected a bridge deal from the Minnesota Wild, and that situation also appears headed for a breakup via trade between now and the draft.

Greetings from Coudersport, Pa. I didn’t plan on a weekend bike trip, but a couple of things happened on the trip, some good, some bad. I’m fairly impressed with myself because I changed the brakes on my motorcycle, and … they worked. I’m not a mechanically inclined person (I just haven’t the patience or time or money to screw things up and learn the hard way, I suppose), but I rolled through the gentle hills of northern PA before realizing I was close to my little hideaway, the Laurelwood Inn and Steakhouse. The room was $85, and a 10 oz. flat iron steak dinner with an adult beverage was $24. I’d call that a win.

The sky just bends differently up here. There’s a precise spot outside of Kane on Route 6, near a golf course and drive-in theater, where you start driving toward the clouds instead of under them. I look forward to that spot every trip. It took some extra time, but I did make it to Potter County, which is a must for stargazing (no, not at me, actual stars). Amateur and some serious astronomers from all over the country come here to stay in Cherry Springs State Park, about 15 minutes away from town. The stars were impressive on Saturday.

 

However, I am saddened to report the number of businesses that are closing along the way. Two of the four major restaurants/bars in Kane are no more. The eclectic little cafe in Mt. Jewett, which is near the Kinzua Bridge and has a mean Beef on Weck, is for sale. The pizza and hoagie shop near the high school in Emporium, which has been there for generations, has closed. Even the always bustling Sheetz in Emporium closed?!

I definitely need a vacation soon, as I’ve not yet relaxed this summer, but this was a nice reprieve nonetheless. If you take a roadie this summer, make sure to spend some money at the local spots along the way, even if the fast food spots are easier. Pretty soon, not only will those little gems be gone, not even a memory hanging on someone’s wall, but it seems some of these old lumber and rail towns won’t exist, either.

I’d love to sit on one of the government boards or tourism councils to help these places. Folks, my media knowledge and usually out-of-the-box thinking are yours if you want them.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: We think we’ve filled in the gaps from the Penguins’ announcement on Friday. Which assistant coach will handle the defensemen, the forwards, and the power play–we’ve got it covered. Also, what kind of coaches are Todd Nelson and Rich Clune? It’s not all success and rainbows. Here’s the full inside on what the team is getting with the new Penguins coaches.

Steelers Now: It might sound heresy to some, but age and team progression just don’t line up. Here is a complete analysis and insights with some brains–Should the Steelers trade T.J. Watt?

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Mitch Keller is now 1-10 this season, but it’s not really his fault. His run support is bad. Epically bad. Historically bad! It’s like Keller pitches in front of a Little League team. Here’s just how bad things are for Keller on the hill for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

The Athletic ($): We’ll have two from the NYT folks today. First up is the Buffalo Sabres’ tenuous situation. They probably should buy out defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, but that would put him on the books for 10 years. More to Penguins fans’ care, the JJ Peterka trade situation. Zach Benson is pushing for his spot in the lineup, Peterka is unhappy, but here’s the million-dollar question–will Peterka be successful elsewhere? There’s some real wonder if he’d be as good.

It’s just a mock draft, but Corey Pronman has James Hagens falling to No. 8 in the latest draft, just as Craig Button did. Pronman also has Porter Martone dropping to No. 9?! It could be a drama-filled first round.

Would Kyle Dubas leap forward if either of those players drops past No. 6? I’m sure he would inquire with some serious intent. Of course, we’ll know on Wednesday what the Rangers are doing with their first-rounder.

Sportsnet: Luke Fox puts the boots to the Maple Leafs for poor asset management and letting the Mitch Marner situation carry on this long, and for not trading him. He pokes the TML pretty hard.

I think I have to disagree with that one, pretty hard. Marner had all of the control. He wanted one more run with Toronto, and if they were successful, he might have stayed. They weren’t, so he’s leaving. Was GM Brad Treliving supposed to make Marner miserable until he surrendered and accepted a trade?

Chicago Hockey Now: A trade! But a head-scratching trade that doesn’t make a lot of sense to our Greg Boysen, who is all over this one, as Andre Burakovsky is headed to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nick Kypreos was spitting the rumors on Friday. This one is perplexing because NHL rules prohibit such talks.

Yes, the NHL was supposed to crack down on UFAs and teams getting together before noon on July 1. Your guess is as good as mine, if that report is true.

Philly Hockey Now: Rick Tocchet has completed his staff in Philadelphia with a name you know. Todd Reirden is the last assistant to join Tocchet’s staff. Will James has the story with a little insight on Reirden, good and bad, on how he may work with the Philadelphia Flyers.

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