Dan’s Daily: Evan Rodrigues Report, USA Loses Gold & Criticizes Team Canada

Maybe there will always be some bad blood between the dominant powers in the Women’s game. Canada beat the U.S. for gold at the World Championships, and players for Team USA promptly leveled some harsh criticism against Canada for diving. The Edmonton papers are beginning to zero in on former Pittsburgh Penguins winger as the right fit for the Oilers, which needs another forward. Sammi Silber delivered a full accounting of the Washington Capitals’ current station including potential needs on the NHL trade block, and we updated former Penguins UFAs who remain unsigned.

A little note about our sourced story yesterday. I saw it quoted by third parties, as such stories always are. That part is appreciated. However, a couple of outlets got our reporting wrong. PHN didn’t report that Zach Aston-Reese is waiting for the perfect situation. We reported a few teams are interested, but if he does wait for an ideal situation, it would be for an opportunity to become the player the Penguins signed (third-line scoring potential), not merely a defensive specialist.

We also did not report Evan Rodrigues is waiting for the perfect situation. I think one writer crossed a few wires and others aggregated the aggregation, not the original. I’m just setting the record straight.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Sports Now Group PGH

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: What sources told us about the former Penguins who remain unsigned — and who is drawing interest. Pittsburgh Penguins UFAs.

Steelers Now: What is George Pickens’ fantasy value, and what should be his draft position? Pittsburgh Steelers analysis.

Swing OT Joe Haeg and former Steelers tight end Jesse James both signed with the Cleveland Browns.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Bethel Park’s Justin Meis tossed seven scoreless and has not allowed a run in 14 innings in High A ball. The daily Pirates prospects watch.

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Team Canada beat the U.S. 2-1 in the World Championships gold medal game. After five straight wins by Team USA, the Canadians have won two straight Worlds and the Olympics. Abby Roque dished some criticism of Team Canada after the game.

Edmonton Journal: Kirk Levine in Edmonton is hearing Evan Rodrigues could be a PTO signing with the Oilers … if he accepts a PTO. E-Rod is the no. 2 item on the list.

Tough call, eh? Sign with a team that won’t be as good as Edmonton but get guaranteed money, or sign a PTO with a Stanley Cup contender and put your fate in their hands.

Washington Hockey Now: Sammi Silber opened her mail for questions from Capitals fans. Will they chase a defenseman on the NHL trade market? Is Dylan Strome good enough? Are Peter Laviolette and Brian McClellan on the hot seat? Washington Capitals questions.

Montreal Hockey Now: The NHL roster is primarily set, but the Montreal farm system will take a hit with so many kids coming to the NHL roster. Marco D’Amico scoured the landscape for the prospects falling out of favor with other organizations and circled three reclamations for the Montreal Canadiens org.

Detroit Hockey Now: An interesting concept that I may steal soon — the five most valuable Detroit Red Wing on the roster.

San Jose Hockey Now: Everyone is chasing the leaks for the reverse retro jerseys, but are brand new primary jerseys and a rebrand coming for the San Jose Sharks?

Vancouver Hockey Now: This situation will spur NHL trade chatter. Vancouver will have eight UFAs next summer unless they start signing fast. Predictions from Rob Simpson on the fate of the eight Vancouver Canucks.