Dan’s Daily: Nick Robertson Trade Request; Penguins Core Moments
The Pittsburgh Penguins core is getting close to 20 years running, and we took a look at the crucial turning points and how we have come to this juncture with the good and bad. The NHL trade rumors section today has a couple of little nuggets and one whopper, as Nick Robertson is holding firm to his trade request. Our Washington colleague had some re-examining what was a painful time in Penguins history, the Jaromir Jagr Capitals era. And TSN is debating whether Sidney Crosby will play another playoff game with the Penguins.
Is anyone else getting a feeling that the off-season fireworks are set for a grand finale? It feels like there is one more jaw-dropper left, and I’m kind of hoping it’s something we wrote about in April and May.
Business note for subscribers: We met with an NHL team on Monday that wants NHN coverage in their market. It was the second time we’ve received such a call. I think you’re going to see more expansion and re-launch from the network. It’s quite interesting to hear the other side of the story—Some franchises don’t want us around because we’re new and they’re “full,” while others are inviting us in. Stay tuned!
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: How did we get from there to here? How did we get from fresh-faced kids, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Kris Letang, to Hall of Fame players coming to the end and perhaps even wearing out their welcome with a few fans? These were the biggest seminal moments and turning points for the Penguins’ core.
It’s a big weekend in college football, so I know the bettors are already shopping — there’s a new $150 Bet365 promo.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Henry Davis is back. He was among a slew of roster moves on Monday before the Chicago Cubs stole seven–SEVEN–bases in the first four innings en route to an easy win over the Buccos. We’ll skip the game. Here are the Pittsburgh Pirates transactions.
It’s about time. Temarr Johnson, the Pirates’ 2022 first-round pick, finally got the promotion to Double-A Altoona (kid, just skip the yellow pizza). Nick Yorke remains red-hot. Here’s everything you need to know about the Pirates prospects.
Steelers Now: WHOA—I didn’t see this last night. Alan Saunders has the big-time scoop. The Steelers have contacted two teams about acquiring a WR. Here are the Steelers’ trade targets.
NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now
TSN: Chris Johnston reports that Robertson is holding firm to his demands. Earlier this summer, GM Brad Treliving essentially squashed the request, but it seems Robertson didn’t get the hint and doesn’t want to re-sign in Toronto. Here’s the scoop.
The Athletic ($): The Minnesota Wild’s crease has three goalies, which is one too many, but it seems general manager Bill Guerin isn’t in a hurry. I’m not sure what the play here is, but expect former Penguins farmhand Filip Gustavsson to fill the trade rumors very soon.
NYI Hockey Now: Oliver Wahlstrom. The young winger isn’t fulfilling his promise in New York and signed a one-year, $1 million deal to give it one more shot with the Fish Sticks. Our Russ Macias instead ponders if the Islanders should join the late summer fun and trade the 24-year-old forward. The Penguins’ trade for Rutger McGroarty has stirred the NHL trade market.
Washington Hockey Now: Jaromir Jagr. I think many Penguins fans will remember where they were when the trade went down. I was watching a tiny TV in a hotel room at Virginia Beach in utter disbelief. I hadn’t yet started my sports career, but he was Jagr. The Penguins don’t trade superstars! Our Nathan Moser takes a look at what’s becoming a forgotten relic of hockey history–Jaromir Jagr’s Washington Capitals tenure.
Sportsnet: The latest buzz on the top 10 unrestricted free agents. The Penguins don’t have the room for any more, but a few rivals might be kicking tires, so here’s who is left and the latest.
Montreal Hockey Now: I don’t know about you, but the Canadiens are a fun team to follow this season. The pure volume of top prospects combined with the uncertainty of who will stick, Patrick Laine and the rabid fans—it’s a pretty spicy cocktail. Demidov, Reinbacher, and Konyushkov, here’s the latest Canadiens prospect report.
TSN Video: Will Sidney Crosby play another playoff game in a Pittsburgh Penguins sweater? That is the question that TSN took up for their daily debate.
Categorized:Links NHL Trade Rumors Penguins
Congratulations on the expansion! Can you clarify about the potential grand finale (written about in April/May 2024) ? I assume it’s an offer sheet or trade scenario to snatch Nick Robertson out of TOR ? The McGroarty deal was big news, but yes Pens fans and media alike are waiting for at least one mega trade, it’s PIT, maybe we’re spoiled but we’ve come to expect former GMJR type big swings.
I purposefully left the details of the grand finale vague!
Apr/May was such a long time ago and you have written like 100-200 articles since then. Can you maybe help us an provide a few of the past links to those stories?
Actually closer to 400.
Surely you aren’t talking about Marner moving somewhere.
Not sure where you got that from.
Just trying to recall possible April/May articles… shrug.
Haha, Dan, you really had to bring up Robertson, didn’t you? He’s definitely an intriguing player who fits the trend of this off-season. Do I think Dubas is interested? Maybe. A lot of people are connecting the dots because Dubas drafted Robertson in Toronto, but asking if he still feels the same is like asking if someone still has feelings for their ex. Do I think he’s worth the gamble? Absolutely. He could be one of the few younger players with 25-goal potential. The challenges, though, are twofold: first, Toronto’s cap situation. While an offer sheet could make sense, teams… Read more »
I understand TOR can temporarily exceed the cap in the summer, but inevitably they’ll have to waive or trade a player to become compliant. Which means how much do they value a player who doesn’t want to be in their organization i.e. who will they have to give up to keep Robertson. It’s fairly clear Robertson is not happy with the TOR organization as he’s requested a trade. An offer sheet for 2.29 mil per year would cost the Pens their 3rd round pick, well worth it. If Dubas wanted to play nice and earn something extra, he could offer… Read more »
You have to think it can’t go on much longer than the next couple of weeks, I am guessing the Pens wouldn’t be the only team interested in NR.NR has some control if offer multiple offer sheets do present themselves. I would pay that price that you suggested.
Dan your rating of GMKD offseason was reasonable. Do you see a future article revisiting his “Grade”?
I think this might get you there– https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/rutger-mcgroarty-changes-pittsburgh-penguins-offseason-outlook/
After trading for McGroarty, Robertson would be the icing on the cake of this offseason. He is exactly the kind of skilled, young player Dubas has been talking about bringing in. He drafted him so there’s familiarity there. Spots and cap are limited so it would take some juggling and a trade or two, but make it happen, Dubs.
Here you go: https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsburgh-penguins-trade-talk-nick-robertson-prospects-kyle-dubas/
Another little guy isn’t he 5’9”? Too small.