Dan’s Daily: Penguins Add Goalie, Hurricanes on the Trade Block

The other team interested in San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson, the Carolina Hurricanes, have been quiet, but they might dangle another right-handed defenseman on the NHL trade block. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ goalie depth reached its deepest in memory when the WBS Penguins added a goalie with NHL experience. Alex Galchenyuk is getting help after his meltdown with police, the Calgary Flames are retiring Mikka Kiprusoff’s number, and a former Penguins exec is now the assisting GM for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Lastly, does anyone have about $500,000 in the couch cushions? A used Wayne Gretzky stick from the 1988 Stanley Cup Final is going on the auction block.

A fool and his money are soon parted…

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins went “big” on Day 1 of the NHL free-agent frenzy. They didn’t have to tell their new defenseman the tough job he signed up for. Ryan Graves already knew.

PHN+: Dave Molinari writes enough is enough. Dump fighting in hockey.

We reported this a month ago, but now it is official. The Penguins will return to the Prospects Challenge tournament.

It’s not technically Pittsburgh Penguins news. Rather, it’s WBS Penguins news, and the new player has past ties to Kyle Dubas. The organization signed another goalie with NHL experience, Garret Sparks.

San Jose Hockey Now: I didn’t know how much attention to give to this story. Elliotte Friedman gave an update on the NHL trade rumors surrounding Erik Karlsson and reported nothing has changed, and the Penguins are still in the lead for the San Jose Sharks defenseman.

It feels like an auctioneer who won’t bang the gavel despite reaching the highest bid.

Steelers Now:

This veteran CB could be the surprise of the Steelers’ training camp.

T.J. Watt dropped, and Alex Highsmith rose in the latest Madden 24 ratings.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Signed, sealed, delivered. The Pittsburgh Pirates dished a hefty contract to the first overall draft pick, Paul Skenes.

Here’s more on the Pirates’ top pick and perhaps the new top Pirates prospect.

The other news from Tuesday night wasn’t so good. The Pirates got walloped again by the Guardians, 10-1. Here’s the quickie Pirates recap.

PBN+: This latest swoon is too reminiscent of past July failures for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins still have too much month at the end of the money. They need to sign a couple of RFAs but don’t have enough cash. The NHL trade chatter has been soft, but they could start building for another Bruins trade to dump salary.

The Athletic ($): Shayna Goldman lays out the top-five spots for Hurricanes right-handed d-man Brett Pesce.

Trading Pesce because his contract is up next summer would open a hole in their lineup. Gee, what other RHD is on the market?

TSN: Former Penguins director of player personnel Derek Clancey bolted the Canucks and is the new Toronto Maple Leafs assistant GM.

Calgary Hockey Now: Kipper going to the rafters. The Calgary Flames are retiring Kiprusoff’s number.

Chicago Hockey Now: Speaking of some love for 1990s goalies, Nate Brown writes — how about some Chicago love for Ed Belfour.

Philly Hockey Now: The team CEO wants the Philadelphia Flyers to reconnect with an angry fan base.

Sportsnet: Alex Galchenyuk apologized for his actions and checked into the NHL assistance program.

Barrons: Expected to fetch at least a half million dollars, a stick that Wayne Gretzky used in his last Stanley Cup win will be up for auction.