Dan’s Daily: Canadiens-Islanders Trade Talks, Penguins Pursue College UFA

The Montreal Canadiens are one of several teams to pursue the New York Islanders winger Anthony Beauvillier, who is front and center on the NHL trade block. Sources confirmed the trade talks to the National Hockey Now family. Mark Schiefele tried to end any speculation that he would be on the same trade block. The deadline for teams to sign their collegiate prospects passed on Monday, which created an opportunity for the Pittsburgh Penguins to pursue a former Ron Hextall draft pick, but the Penguins also did not sign their 2017 third-rounder Clayton Phillips.

There are new relaxed NHL COVID protocols, too.

And Dennis Eckersley became a hero to many Pittsburgh Pirates fans after he ripped the organization on the Boston Red Sox broadcast.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Sports Now PGH

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Not since 1967, when the Penguins had two selections, has an entire draft class failed to play in an NHL game. On Monday, the Penguins declined to sign third-round pick Clayton Phillips after he completed a five-year college career. The Penguins had six picks in 2017, and let’s just say the scouts had a bad day at the office. It is officially the worst draft class ever for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Dave Molinari did a little digging on Tuesday. While the Penguins didn’t re-sign Phillips, they are chasing a college free agent defenseman drafted by Hextall’s regime in Philadelphia. Pittsburgh Penguins scoop.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The hapless Pirates lost to the Red Sox. Yeah yeah…  However, while the Red Sox had a 5-0 lead early in the game, NESN color commentator Dennis Eckersley dropped a truth bomb on the Pirates. “Pathetic” and “There’s nothing like it.” were just part of the hammer toss. Pittsburgh Pirates ripped.

Steelers Now: Devin Bush basically said he didn’t care if the Steelers re-signed him. Either way, he’ll be in the NFL next year. Faux pas, my friend. Pittsburgh Steelers controversy.

SN+: Steelers camp takeaways. Guess who started working with the first team? Kenny Pickett. More from Pittsburgh Steelers camp.

Beyond Pickett, Alan Saunders, Cale Berger, and Nick Farabaugh tell us who else has been a standout in Steelers training camp.

PHN: Bet $5, win $200. That’s pretty, pretty good. DraftKings promo code.

NHL Trade Talk, News  & National Hockey Now:

NYI Hockey Now: Stefen Rosner has scooped his competition a few times this summer. Our reporter is sprouting wings! He got whispers that Anthony Beauvillier is the player about whom teams are calling. The Islanders have to make a trade to sign Nazem Kadri. New York Islanders trade talk.

Montreal Hockey Now: Guess who is interested in the Quebec native? Yep, the Canadiens. Jimmy Murphy flushed out his part of the scoop later Tuesday. Montreal Canadiens trade interest.

Boston Hockey Now: More NHL trade rumors! Sources tell BHN that at least one team is pursuing Craig Smith. Boston Bruins trade chatter.

NHL: There are new NHL protocols. The most notable is that asymptomatic players can test out of protocol before five days with two negative tests. Symptomatic players can test out on Day 6. NHL COVID protocols.

I suspect two things. One, most of you really don’t care anymore. And two, refer back to one. Blessedly, the insidious little virus has run out of steam. Recent trends show a decoupling of deaths and hospitalizations from the number of positives. Finally.

TSN: Mark Schiefele popped up in the NHL trade rumors after his year-end comments. He was blunt about the Winnipeg Jets and his frustration. After a summer to reflect, he mostly walked some of those back.

Washington Hockey Now: What can Dylan Strome bring to the Washington Capitals?