Dan’s Daily: Former Penguins Traded; Will Pens Season be Feast or Famine?

Given the number of former Pittsburgh Penguins from the Jim Rutherford era, perhaps it was inevitable that a pair would be traded for each other. It happened on Tuesday, and it involved Rutherford’s current team. The NHL trade market is likely closed for a few weeks, as Casey DeSmith was the last loose end to tie up before training camps begin Thursday. Also in the Daily, the Penguins could sizzle or fizzle this season, and Dave Molinari delivers what could be bad news. What is next for the Mike Babcock-less Columbus Blue Jackets and the big names who become UFAs next summer have been put on the back burner.

Today is my final “day off” before training camp. The dual role of CEO and beat writer is definitely taking a toll, and I’m looking forward to focusing on hockey coverage, beginning Thursday. This weekend, the bike goes into storage until April, and I’ll probably play my fourth and final round of golf today.

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Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The roster and Penguins training camp schedule.

Sizzle or fizzle? Five reasons it might not be sizzle this season for the Penguins.

PHN+: A few players opened some eyes, and a few did not. The winners and the non-winners of the Penguins prospects challenge.

Steelers Now:

The NFL tried to explain why DeShaun Watson wasn’t ejected for shoving a referee during the Steelers game.

The Steelers offense stunk like pickled herring on Limburger cheese left in a hot car outside the Roaring Springs paper mill, but Alan Saunders opines that at least Kenny Pickett isn’t Deshaun Watson.

Three new injuries on the Week 3 Steelers injury report.

I suppose it’s not surprising, but statistically, the worst NFL tackle in Week 3 was Dan Moore Jr.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

What?! The Buccos’ Triple-A affiliate won 19-1. This is a fun Pirates prospect report.

And Nick Gonzalez hit for the cycle. Here’s the latest on that Pirates prospect.

Quinn Priester hasn’t yet figured out how to get hitters out at the MLB level. The Pirates lost 14-1. If you have a dark sense of humor, here’s the quickie Pirates recap.

 NHL Trade, News & National Hockey Now:

Montreal Hockey Now: Alas, Casey DeSmith, the Canadiens barely knew thee. Former Penguins were swapped when the Vancouver Canucks traded Tanner Pearson AND a third-rounder to Montreal for DeSmith. Here’s another theft called a Canadiens trade.

I think Casey will like Vancouver, but he might need a tee time for the disc golf courses. He should get some starts with the Canucks.

Sportsnet: OK, so what happens now with the Columbus Blue Jackets?

TSN: What about new deals for Mark Scheifele, Connor Hellebuyck, and William Nylander? They’re all on hold.

NYI Hockey Now: Anders Lee called out the Islanders doubters, even as he had to tap dance around the lack of additions this summer. Lee is talking a big game for the New York Islanders.

Carolina Hockey Now: YES — we have a Carolina site! Zach Aston-Reese is among the bubble players battling for a job. Who will stick with the Carolina Hurricanes?

Philly Hockey Now: Some good news for the Flyers and maybe some bad news for Sidney Crosby. Actually, I think we’re all glad to see it — Sean Couturier is healthy.

I know most of you won’t agree, but I like a good Flyers team. Where else can you see an old lady just reflexively give Sidney Crosby the double-bird during warmups? I love covering games in Philly for that reason, and hopefully, a few more wins this season will bring that fire back.