Dan’s Daily: Debating Penguins Core, RIP Joyous Ben Stelter

With a heavy heart, the National Hockey Now family wishes to thank the Stelter family for sharing little Ben with the world. Ben Stelter was a constant bright spot during the NHL playoffs as the Edmonton Oilers super fan supported the Oilers’ first playoff run in several years. In getting to hang with his heroes, he became one. Ben passed away Wednesday at just six years old after fighting cancer for the last two years.

Also in the Daily, Latvia flexed its emerging hockey muscle by giving Team Canada a scare at the World Juniors. It appears the Nazem Kadri shoe is about to drop with the New York Islanders, as the NHL trade rumors are swirling. And we debated if the Pittsburgh Penguins’ core should still be four.

Play La Bamba, Baby! Our hearts are with the Stelters.

The world lost the most special boy and an absolute hero last night. Ben, you were the best son we could ever hope for and you were my best bud ever. Your sisters were so lucky to have you as such a sweet brother. You fought so long and hard and beat so many odds. pic.twitter.com/HWibnZKOxC

— Mike Stelter (@m_dan25) August 10, 2022

Pittsburgh Penguins / Sports Now Group PGH

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Shelly Anderson uncorked the rare column, and it sparked plenty of debate. The core should be four, and Marc-Andre Fleury should still be with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

SteelersNow (+): It’s a flash forward to the near future. Takeaways from Latrobe as Kenny Pickett flashed that potential, and George Pickens … is in beast mode. Pittsburgh Steelers coverage.

Debate: Which QB should start the preseason opener? Steelers QB battle.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Endy Rodriguez was called up to Double-A after a torrid streak and promptly knocked one out of the park. That, and updates on the rest of the Pittsburgh Pirates prospects.

The Buccos were on late last night. If you didn’t bother to stay up, they beat the Diamondbacks, 6-4. The whole story of the Pittsburgh Pirates WIN.

Pittsburgh Sports Live (YouTube channel): The sights and sounds on Wednesday from Steelers training camp.

NHL Rumors, News & National Hockey Now

I can’t speak for you, but Ben’s passing rattled me this morning. That little guy had so much joy for the Oilers. We should all be so lucky to find something we enjoy like that and have people who bring that to our lives.

Sportsnet: The national story on Ben.

NYI Hockey Now: Stefen Rosner was the first to report the Kadri story last week. We held off as long as possible, but he had to run with the incomplete details when we realized the word was starting to leak. Others have followed, but I’d like our young reporter to get some real credit for an A+ scoop. On Wednesday, Kevin Weekes sounded the alarm — (stuff) about to go down! Four or more transactions are coming —  New York Islanders.

Philly Hockey Now: Oh, the Flyers’ summer of discontent. Things are not peachy keen Avril Lavigne in the City of Brotherly Love. The summer has treated the Flyers like the Broad Street Bullies would have treated an opposing star player. What about center depth? Are they shopping for a pivot on the NHL trade market? Philadelphia Flyers.

Montreal Hockey Now: NHL sources tell MHN that goalie Jake Allen is on the NHL trade block, and the Dallas Stars are poking around. Montreal Canadiens trade talk.

Washington Hockey Now: We never wrote about the Pittsburgh Penguins signing Johan Larsson, because it didn’t happen. Folks kept asking, but that horse escaped the barn without both sides agreeing to a deal. Now, Larsson has bolted the NHL for home. Washington Capitals news.

TSN: The postponed World Juniors are underway in Edmonton. Latvia is an emerging little hockey power. They gave Canada a real game.

Boston Hockey Now: No deal … yet. GM Don Sweeney acknowledges ongoing negotiations between the club and star winger David Pastrnak.

San Jose Hockey Now: I saved this one for last. Remember Derrick Pouliot? Yeah, the kid the Penguins drafted over Filip Forsberg. Whoops. His NHL career has been spotty, but he’s now trying to revive it from the AHL with the San Jose Sharks.