Dan’s Daily: Dubas Lays Out Strategy, Turmoil in WPG & CGY

Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas did pretty well in his second press conference since accepting the Penguins’ job. I thought he made his philosophy and direction pretty clear. Don’t expect a Mikael Granlund buyout or big-name free agents, but I think we can expect a unique Penguins trade. Sidney Crosby and the Penguins will play a preseason game in Nova Scotia. The Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets are in turmoil, and their big names are on the NHL trade block.

I was really intrigued by Dubas’s presser; the Penguins have a direction and a plan. I don’t know if he’ll be able to thread the needle he wants, but I’ll be doing a lot of digging around the league and trying to figure out the players on the menu. No, I don’t think Taylor Hall will be on the docket because Boston won’t be able to accept salary in return, or at least a bad salary. Winnipeg, however, might be the first stop on my research tour.

And just a side note, the last time Dave Molinari and I hit the phones, we had laid out the four finalists for GM five weeks before Fenway Sports Group got there. Sorry for the humble brag, but I’m still pretty proud of that one.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: First, don’t expect a Granlund buyout or big-name Penguins free-agent signings.

Dave Molinari tackled issue No. 2: Dubas’s update on the status of Jason Zucker, Brian Dumoulin, and Tristan Jarry.

PHN+: Dubas’s master plan is going to be risky. The Penguins will eschew big-name free agents but weaponize their cap space. Here’s what that means — The Penguins’ offseason plan.

PHN+: More potentials on the Penguins draft table. There’s a wide range of rankings but a lot of talent. Here’s why (and why not) Team USA’s Gabe Perreault could be the Penguins’ draft pick.

Steelers Now:

Rookie Spencer Anderson tells a crazy draft day story you might enjoy. More from the Steelers draft.

Broderick Jones is signed, sealed, and delivered.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

FINALLY! The 10-game slide is over as the Buccos scored three in the ninth. The Pittsburgh Pirates quickie recap.

Welcome to the show, another big prospect, Nick Gonzalez.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet Winnipeg: The Winnipeg Jets will fill the NHL trade market with big names, but not all of them will be highly sought. Blake Wheeler has been a leader but was stripped of his C last summer. He slammed coach Rick Bowness’s end-of-season comments, and now … he’s available.

A scout analyzes what comes next for the Calgary Flames and the trade candidates.

Montreal Hockey Now: The fans are getting anxious for the eventual acquisition of Pierre-Luc Dubois. Marc Dumont has more on Slafkovsky, too. The Mailbag has plenty of Montreal Canadiens trade talk and good info.

Washington Hockey Now: Could the Washington Capitals move back to Arlington?

I like the Capital One Arena, but it’s hell on fans. Parking is blocks away, and traffic to get there is brutal. And the city runs the last Metro Train out of the city by 11. There’s no hanging around, especially for later games. Heaven forbid they extend trains by an hour on game night.

Chicago Hockey Now: The Blackhawks will get Connor Bedard next Wednesday, but they have another first-round pick. Who are the move-up candidates? (*Ahem, Penguins fans) Blackhawks trade talk.

Nashville Hockey Now: Is Juuse Saros really on the NHL trade block?

Colorado Hockey Now: The team won’t be re-signing Erik Johnson. Evan Rawal already looks at replacements for the Colorado Avalanche.