Dan’s Daily: All Quiet on Sidney Crosby; Accused Jump to KHL

Sidney Crosby day came and went, though the Pittsburgh Penguins social media team clearly took advantage of the fans and media waiting with bated breath using their Twitter/X account to drop several Crosby tweets and merch sales. We see you, Penguins Twiter. In addition to the Crosby watch, we opened the can on the five hidden stats for the Penguins team, including a few that probably confirm many of your criticisms. Elsewhere in the Daily, Jacob Trouba’s time in New York has an expiration date, a pair of the 2018 Team Canada players who stand accused of sexual assault have bolted for the KHL until their trial, and more and Gabe Landeskog’s potential NHL return got new legs.

After Crosby didn’t sign yesterday, I’m pretty sure I own a few of your houses, a couple of your children, and one guy’s arm. I think we’ve been balanced and indicated this probability for several weeks despite the gale-force winds of early July expectations.

It’s entirely fair game to ask what’s going on. Either side could quell the speculation that’s about to explode with one sentence. Just one. I’d strongly recommend that even if I’m not the one who gets the scoop.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: You may not be surprised to learn that the Penguins are one of the slower teams in the NHL, and it can be proven. We dug deep into the hidden analytics of the NHL measurements for five interesting Penguins stats.

TSN: By the numbers, TSN had some fun on Mr. Crosby’s birthday and had some hard data to back it up–where does Sidney Crosby rank in the history of the NHL?

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pirates lost. Again. This time, they earned the L in 10 innings. So, let’s link to the fun story–Watch as Aroldis Chapman just threw the fastest pitches in Pittsburgh Pirates history. 105mph?!

Steelers Now: While the news has been allllll over the map, Alan Saunders has been delivering the news like a surgeon. Sources report that the Steelers front office is pretty confident that the big deal will be done. Basically, we can expect the Brandon Aiyuk trade.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

TSN: The police took years to file charges, but the charges against the players from 2018 Team Canada are incredibly serious. If convicted, a handful of NHL players will spend years behind bars, but while awaiting trial, a couple of the players have signed with the KHL.

I know the wheels of justice turn slowly, but surely the accused and society shouldn’t have to wait 18 months for trial.

The Athletic: I suppose this doesn’t come as a surprise, but it seems there is an understanding that Jacob Trouba will not finish the remainder of his two-year contract in New York. If they cannot trade him, a buyout next summer is possible. The trade chatter will remain present, but the clock is ticking on the extended-arm bandit.

Stick tap to Spector’s Hockey for finding that one.

Washington Hockey Now: I’m enjoying newbie Nathan Moser’s methodical summer coverage. The Capitals were supposed to rebuild, but instead, they made the playoffs. One of the bigger surprises that flew under the radar was the Washington Capitals finally being the team to get the best out of Dylan Strome.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Sometimes trades at the draft make us all shake our heads. When the league announced the deal between New Jersey and Vegas involving Alexander Holtz to Vegas for Paul Cotter (other pieces were involved), we all looked at each other in surprise. New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald explained why he made that Devils trade.

I also like it when GMs explain themselves. I’m learning to read the breaks in Dubas’s greens, but I think Fitzgerald’s plain-spoken mentors, Ray Shero and Jim Rutherford, spoiled us. Fans who are a little more informed have a much better discussion and are more engaged, but that’s my .02.

Montreal Hockey Now: I think I’ve mentioned a hundred times that Lane Hutson was THE pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. The Penguins and 20 other teams whiffed when they passed. Take a look at this picture–the small defenseman is Quadzilla. The Montreal Canadiens prospect has trunks.

Colorado Hockey Now: The marvels of medicine. The Colorado Avalanche have been without their captain for a couple of years, but the Chicago Bull’s Lonzo Ball is providing some optimism as he is returning from the same cartilage transplant surgery. There’s hope yet for Gabriel Landeskog.