Dan’s Daily: ZAR Spurns Oilers for Leafs, Camp is Coming

A PTO does not often make news, and it certainly doesn’t cause media criticism from other markets, but former Pittsburgh Penguins winger Zach Aston-Reese signed with Toronto, and the Edmonton media cracked the Oilers for missing out on Aston-Reese, twice. The Atlantic Division is getting a lot better. And four former first-round picks are leading the underdogs for a Penguins roster spot.

The Edmonton sarcasm about Aston-Reese choosing Toronto cracked me up. Our story also had quotes from those close to Aston-Reese about his choice. The rain has finally passed. Perhaps you’ll see me on the roads today. I’ll see you again Sunday on Final Word. I bought some unique clothes for the occasion.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Sports Now Group PGH

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Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The ZAR story — he chose Toronto over Edmonton to accept a PTO. Zach Aston-Reese signed.

Want some goodies when you go to the Penguins games? Here are this season’s Penguins promotional giveaways.

PHN+: There are four forwards who are recent first-round picks in Penguins training camp (five with defenseman P.O Joseph), but none are guaranteed to make the squad. They lead the underdogs in the Penguins training camp.

Steelers Now: From Hunter Homistek — This is the fatal flaw of Mason Rudolph.

George Pickens is the next big WR who can block and make the big catches. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ big-play WR.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: MLB is making rule changes next season to speed up the game and limit the shift. The Pittsburgh Pirates reacted.

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Washington Hockey Now: A little bump for our D.C. reporter. While some blogs reported Ovechkin “took a twirl,” Sammi Silber was there for practice. The boys were gassed after a two-hour workout. The Washington Capitals are working.

Sportsnet: The Atlantic Division is getting better, much better, and that’s going to put pressure on the top teams like Toronto and Tampa Bay.

Philly: Owen Tippet was part of the big haul for Claude Giroux. He’s hoping to make an impact for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Montreal: Jonathan Drouin hasn’t had much fun over the last couple of seasons. He had to leave the team for personal reasons last season. He’s changing numbers for a Montreal Canadiens fresh start.

Vancouver: Mike Yeo is again an assistant coach, just like he was with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now he’s assisting Bruce Boudreau — and he’s run the gamut from hell and back since coaching the Flyers last season. The new Canucks assistant coach.

Calgary: Nazem Kadri donated $1 million to his hometown hospital. He’s putting the big Calgary Flames contract to good use.