Dan’s Daily: Trade Target Available; Penguins Ranked in Era; Looming Deadlines

Firing up the trade board scenario once again, opinionated analyst Nick Kypreos included a few new names. He made some good comparisons, including how the Pittsburgh Penguins could deal away Erik Karlsson. TSN debated the Penguins’ place as one of the best teams in the salary cap era, and we laid out the Penguins’ looming decisions, with our own input and analysis, of course. The Boston Bruins are down to a pair of coaching finalists, though it is unclear if Mitch Love is one of them. Lastly, a potential Penguins trade target has hit a contract stalemate, making him more available.

The summer of Dan is beginning. This month is going to be a whirlwind, but over the next few weeks, we’ve got one major announcement, and I’ll be taking a day off here and there. Ol’ Dan’s last scheduled day was last August, and the Penguins rudely acquired Cody Glass while I was at a tiny truck stop filling up the motorcycle. As luck would have it, they had a little Subway, so I knocked out a story, took the fastest way to my destination (Wellsboro, PA), and wrote some more.

This time, I’m letting you know in advance that Dave and Shelly have stories planned for tomorrow while I disappear. My last day off–no joke–was Easter Sunday, 2019. I squeeze in personal activities over the summer. Still, the grind has reduced my personal time to binging shows I’ve already seen (Currently 30 Rock and Hannibal) and motorcycle rides with my laptop in tow while I write (and take care of a network) from a forest location or motel. I may do a Live Chat at 1 p.m. only because I find those fun, but I haven’t decided where I’m going yet. There will be a short trip involved–maybe some country roads to the Mothman statue in Point Pleasant, WV?

I did get a few hours last night on my favorite park bench to ponder an enormous decision. This is my spot: My favorite little park with a little treat in Franklin, Pa. If you’re a classic car cruiser or a biker, Rt. 528 out of Evans City and it’s tree-covered lanes is the best. So is Franklin.

PHN will begin coverage of the NHL Draft Combine Friday, concluding Saturday. So, if you’re in the Buffalo area, you can join me for a beef on weck. We’ll have plenty of PHN+ coverage. Also–this is the last 36 hours of our MASSIVE $12 sale. I don’t believe we’ll ever do it again. The only thing I ask is that you sign up with the intention of renewing. Get an ad-free experience and exclusive content for $12 here.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Decisions, decisions. June is a month full of organization-shaping choices and looming deadlines. From qualifying offers to a new coach, there are five pivotal decisions confronting Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas. And we offered our input on the final calls as part of the Penguins’ analysis.

Subscriber only Q&A! Here is the submission form. I think a lot of the submissions that were submitted on Monday morning were lost. So, we’re pushing it back a day. Please resubmit here.

Steelers Now: A T.J. Watt extension is coming! Well, maybe. Probably. But reports indicate it will be a while before Watt signs with the Steelers.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now (+): As part of your PHN+ subscription, you’ll also get ad-free access to Pittsburgh Baseball Now. Danny Demilio dropped a solid Q&A for subscribers. When will Bubba Chandler get promoted, and what will Mitch Keller fetch in a Pirates trade?

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: You can probably tell, I’m a fan of Nick Kypreos. He and I crossed paths during my time at Sportsnet, but mostly it is because I enjoy a strong opinion backed up with reality. From Erik Karlsson’s comparables (a case we’ve made before), to the rest of the players on the NHL trade block this summer.

Also, the defense rested Monday in the trial of the five 2018 Team Canada players accused of sexual assault. Carter Hart was the only player to take the stand. In my opinion, the Detective’s word choice was not a strong way to frame her opinion that a crime was committed.

After weeks of following this closely, I can confidently report that I don’t think anyone involved wanted what happened. But here we are.

The Athletic ($): Marco Rossi. Potential Penguins trade target. Contract impasse. So, what happens next? Michael Russo reports that GM Bill Guerin is in no hurry, but this seems like it is headed in only one direction.

I think Rossi should be the Penguins’ top trade priority, but Guerin is smart enough to hold firm for one of the Penguins’ two veteran wingers, who would add much-needed offense to a good but merely above-average Minnesota team.

Boston Hockey Now: Interim head coach Joe Sacco is out of the running, and there are only two candidates left for the Bruins coaching job.

TSN: Here’s the fun one today. Debating the best teams of the salary cap era. Of course, the Penguins are high on the list, but does the Overdrive show think they are the best?

New Jersey Hockey Now: Scotty Gomez has landed himself a head coaching job. The former New Jersey Devil is in the USHL.