Dan’s Daily: Penguins Prospect Lights Up Showcase; Hornqvist’s Day with the Cup

The Pittsburgh Penguins need more than a few things to go their way in the coming 2024-25 NHL season, but we laid out the primary three things that could change their fortunes. It wasn’t easy finding enough hockey news to fill the Daily today, but we got there after kicking over enough rocks. One Penguins prospect had a standout day at the Summer Showcase held in Ottawa and Plymouth for the World Juniors teams to begin their selection process. Patric Hornqvist got his day with the Stanley Cup. Also, three questions facing the Carolina Hurricanes, the potential for the New York Islanders to become sellers on the NHL trade market and the Philadelphia Flyers playoff outlook.

Since it was a gorgeous Sunday, I finished up my writing work and used two wheels to find some backroads and northern PA attractions. I’ve been to the Kinzua bridge a few times before, but I haven’t been in a couple of years, so that was the plan–take the quick way up Rt. 28 and 66 to Kane for lunch, walk the bridge, and come home.

That was the plan. Somehow, a quick ride became a nine-hour marathon. I did have some pretty good poutine in Kane, but only after finding out yet another of my little mountain haunts–Kelly’s/The Shamrock in Marienville is for sale, and it looked all but out of business.

I get why people are angry. In the last two years, I’ve lost countless little spots that I liked to visit. Kelly’s was always a good time, with a $3 Miller High Life and the retirees chattering away, usually making fun of whoever was on TV and harmlessly flirting with the girls behind the bar. I did take a few pictures on the ride, and if you haven’t made the road trip, it’s highly recommended. If you like twisting mountain roads that are 2000 feet up, make the loop through Smethport and Emporium to Rt. 555 and Dubois or St. Mary’s.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: What can change, what can improve, and what must bounce their way for the Penguins to be a better team? Removing the obvious–protect leads!–the three things that must improve for the Penguins team.

DFO: Daily Faceoff is covering the summer showcase, and a Penguins prospect had a big day on Saturday, but not the prospect you might think. Finnish d-man Emil Pieniniemi was blasting away and created the offense for Team Finland.

That’s a positive sign. I was a bit soured by his development camp performance. He is certainly a polarizing prospect.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Florida Hockey Now: Patric Hornqvist, you remember Stanley. Stanley, you remember Patric. As a member of the front office, here’s Hornqvist’s day with the Cup as the summer of the Florida Panthers continues.

Hornqvist’s life is much different now. He filled it with … wait for it … candy and Pez.

Philly Hockey Now: Our Jon Bailey takes the August look. The free-agent frenzy is over, and the trade market has cooled. So, here is the team. Are the playoffs realistic for the Philadelphia Flyers?

The Athletic ($): Will Brock Nelson be on the NHL trade block? Arthur Staple referenced the return for Jake Guentzel, noting the Penguins didn’t get a first-round pick or even a B+ prospect, so don’t expect Nelson to fill the Islanders’ coffers either.

NHL.com: The three questions facing the Carolina Hurricanes, who endured a pretty rough July. They added talent, but they lost more. So, where do they go from here?

Sportsnet Video: If you’re up for highlights today, here are the most unreal plays of Connor Bedard’s rookie year.

I’ve often wondered why players make fewer highlight-reel plays as they age. Do they lose a step, or do they get “smarter” and begin to think differently?

Washington Hockey Now: I think it was one of the underrated acquisitions of the offseason. After relying on Charlie Lindgren for their shocking 2023-24 season, the Washington Capitals made a big upgrade in net by getting Logan Thompson.