Dan’s Daily: Tomas Tatar Turned Down Deals; Penguins Waive Players

The Pittsburgh Penguins made several cuts and sent nine more to the WBS Penguins Thursday. On the ice, the Penguins regulars got a workout against the Buffalo Sabres as Erik Karlsson and Drew O’Connor impressed. Dave Molinari and I have the analysis from all angles, including the good news and bad. Also in the Daily, it seems Evgeni Malkin might affect the Toronto Maple Leafs from afar, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be without Andrei Vasilevskiy for a couple of months, and the hockey world is both paying tribute and saying goodbye to Flames AGM Chris Snow.

I’d like to personally thank you for really getting behind PHN over the last few weeks. Here’s just another example of our challenges: Dave booked his St. Louis trip for Oct. 21 yesterday. It’s $600 to cover one game?! Prices in this world are out of whack. So, we are offering more. Get Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates coverage, AND all of the Hockey Now network, too. Exclusive stories and an ad-free experience on all sites. Dave and I are having a healthy competition — Use code Dan10 or Dave10 to get the entire network for only 30 bucks. Click here.

I’m off to Kitchener today to fly to Halifax for the next phase of Penguins camp and preseason. Maybe I’ll get to squeeze in nine holes on Friday at the Walter Gretzky municipal course in nearby Brantford? You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. When I’m golfing, I also miss another 99% that I do take.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: First, the cuts. Ty Smith and Rem Pitlick are on waivers. Nine others were sent directly to the WBS Penguins. Here’s the full list of Penguins transactions.

I had higher hopes for Pitlick, but the Penguins’ decisions were on the money.

The Penguins beat the Sabres 3-1 Thursday night. It was a big audition night for a couple of players. One … was invisible. First, my player grades and analysis focus on Alex Nylander, Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, and the Penguins power play.

Dave praised Tristan Jarry and the Penguins’ third line (which looked great) in his Penguins analysis.

PHN+: We had a quiet chat with Alex Nylander on Thursday morning. There was one line of self-description that only two others in my career have used. He won’t quit trying to make the NHL and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Steelers Now: 

A report is out — the Steelers are interested in trading for Colts RB Jonathan Taylor. Get the Steelers trade rumor.

Not yet healthy — Mega tight end Darnell Washington is nursing an injury.

Matt Canada blasted Twitter rumors that his role changed.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

From the baseball mind of John Perrotto — What the Brewers and Rays can teach the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Triolo and Ortiz led the Buccos to a win in their final road game of the season. Get the quickie Pirates recap.

NHL Trade, News & National Hockey Now:

New Jersey Hockey Now: Oh, this is interesting — Tomas Tatar turned down a deal from the New Jersey Devils.

Toronto Star: I pay $10 Canadian just to read Kevin McGrann a few times a week. He’s got an interesting take on Jonathan Tavares’s expiring deal and the Maple Leafs position. Will Evgeni Malkin’s longer but bargain deal affect John Tavares?

Sportsnet: After the NHL trade rumors hit the rags, Mathieu Joseph lit up the scoreboard. He’s making a case to stick with the Ottawa Senators.

TSN: Calgary Flames AGM Chris Snow was diagnosed with ALS in 2019. He remained with the team, but his journey is coming to a heartbreaking end. A heart event earlier this week left him without brain activity, but in a final act of bravery and selflessness, he’s on life support until organ matches are found. Remember Chris Snow of the Calgary Flames.

NHL.com: The Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy will be out two months or more with a back injury, and it will be a hard pill for the Bolts to swallow.

Washington Hockey Now: It’s coming together. The first preseason game for the Washington Capitals NHL regulars went pretty well.

Philly Hockey Now: There are a few prospects and graduated prospects fighting for the job. Who’s got the edge to be the Flyers backup goalie?

FHN+: It took Paul Maurice a spell to get over the Stanley Cup loss. It hurt. But the Florida Panthers boss is ready again.

Colorado Hockey Now: There’s a standout in camp. From Jon Goyens Cape Breton Eagles, his name is Ivan Ivan, and he’s blitzing the Colorado Avalanche camp.