Dan’s Daily: Oilers Trade Surprise; Penguins Opportunity

While this writer was admiring himself on television, the Edmonton Oilers were hard at work late Sunday night. After days of scouring the NHL trade market in order to keep their former first-round picks Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, the Edmonton Oilers pulled off the big trade they needed, sending Cody Ceci to the San Jose Sharks. The salary dump will end the offer sheet drama. The Pittsburgh Penguins had an opportunity to do as the Sharks did, but San Jose slightly undercut the market value. Edmonton made another trade earlier Sunday evening, snagging a former first-round pick who needed a change of scenery for merely a fourth-rounder.

Also, Brett Hull and Teemu Selanne just released a movie?!

Television was enjoyable Sunday night on WPXI’s Final Word. After a couple of years, I appreciate them still having me, even if it means cutting out Sunday Fundays. When I’m on with Chris Carter and Paul Zeise, the energy they bring is contagious, and when the topic is the Steelers, I don’t have to say much–Chris usually takes care of it all before Shelby or Jenna get to me.

That’s fine by me. We talked a little Penguins, too. I’ll post the show later this morning.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: OK, it happened. Here was the opportunity for the Penguins to end a situation they helped start. The RFA drama began when the Penguins made a trade with the St. Louis Blues, and it could have ended with another Penguins trade.

So, if you read the above story, you’ll notice I pretty much nailed the process and the price. Hey, that’s twice in 10 days that my amateur GMing was a day or so ahead of what actually happened. Maybe I should … nah, never mind.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: In June, Ben Heller made his Pittsburgh Pirates debut. In two games in June, Heller was lit up like a Christmas Tree, including a seven-run 10th-inning loss. Ouch. Now, Heller is back. Danny Demilio wandered over for a chat with the pitcher, who is still trying to make his way to the big leagues. Heller didn’t sugarcoat his emotions in this Pirates feature.

Steelers Now: More bad news for the offensive line that looked like scrubs on Saturday. It’s a potentially season-ending injury for Nate Herbig.

Alan Saunders takes a slightly different view than I do. He writes that the sky isn’t falling, but the foundation sure needs work. Here’s his Steelers analysis.

I’ve seen enough football in my life to know that wasn’t just a preseason blowoff. That was a warning bell.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

San Jose Hockey Now: The trade! Edmonton pulled it off, sending Cody Ceci and a third-rounder to the very-much rebuilding and flush with salary cap space San Jose Sharks.

Sportsnet: Oilers writer Mark Spector laid it all out–the drama, the trade, the benefit, and the other trade, too. Spector credited the creativity of the new Oilers management, Jeff Jackson and Stan Bowman. It was a good night for the Oilers.

Washington Hockey Now: Pick your preferred term–a walk year or money year. In the shuffle of big moves this summer by Brian MacClellan, one that is getting overlooked but probably shouldn’t be–it’s a big year for former 30-goal scorer Andrew Mangiapane.

Florida Hockey Now: If you’re into Cup celebrations, the Florida Panthers are still toting the Cup around. Here’s Aaron Ekblad’s day, as the Panthers defenseman took the Cup home.

Nashville Hockey Now: After years of lacking high-end forward talent, the Nashville Predators acquired a few players who fit that mold. In fact, check out this potential Nashville Predators All-Star line.

Detroit Hockey Now: A movie, and a B-movie at that. Yep, here’s the lowdown and the scathing (and we mean scathing) review of the new movie on Amazon starring Teemu Selanne and former Detroit Red Wing Brett Hull.