Dan’s Daily: Penguins Decisions Loom, More Hockey Canada Disgust

The Pittsburgh Penguins roster decisions regarding the eighth and ninth defensemen loom. It seems Ty Smith is in the catbird seat, but he hasn’t necessarily locked down the job. We have complete analysis and team insights from Detroit after the Penguins’ 3-2 win on Monday night. There are NHL trade rumors surrounding P.O Joseph. Radim Zohorna was claimed off waivers. Daniel Sprong turned his PTO into a two-way deal with the Seattle Kraken, and it would be surprising if the Toronto Maple Leafs don’t sign Zach Aston-Reese.

Greetings from outside Sandusky, OH. Trouble, intrigue and interesting stories follow me when I travel. I left the highway late last night and headed towards Sandusky for a cheap hotel to get some sleep. And happened upon a curious scene.

The police were there within two minutes. I don’t think they knew what to make of it either 😯

— Dan Kingerski 🇺🇦 (@TheDanKingerski) October 4, 2022

There were also a few sweatshirts lying outside the Jeep. Odd scene. Why lock the Jeep and leave your wallet and cash on the road? I’ll let the police handle it from here…

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

PHN+: We will have more + content, especially on the road. Get exclusive insights from the players in the locker room. Josh Archbald and Ryan Poehling had solid games. Sam Poulin got a taste of the show, too. Complete analysis and grades, including Ty Smith on the Pittsburgh Penguins blue line.

The Penguins lost Radim Zohorna to waivers.

PHN Blog: The wailing and gnashing of the teeth over Zohorna were a bit misplaced. Does Mike Sullivan hold back young players? Realities, narratives, and the Pittsburgh Penguins truth.

There are NHL trade rumors surrounding P.O Joseph. We’ve known his name was out there since early in the summer when we, among others, reported there were some conversations. However, the latest chatter seems in keeping with a player who isn’t going to win the third-pair job (which has been obvious). Joseph would be claimed, but it’s a question of who. Mark Friedman is the wild card here. The Penguins can’t lose BOTH to waivers, or Taylor Fedun becomes the eighth defenseman. Also, see the analysis from Detroit…

Steelers Now:

• The postmortem grades and snap counts for the Steelers.
• Stat Pack: Despite three interceptions, the Steelers have hope with Kenny Pickett.
• The family is searching for answers after a fan died from falling off the escalator at Acrisure Stadium.
  • How did no one see anything?!

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Brian Reynolds won the Clemente Award as the MVP of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Calgary Hockey Now: How might Zohorna fit with the Calgary Flames?

TSN: Chris Johnston says he would be surprised if Zach Aston-Reese isn’t offered a contract.

Globe and Mail: Oh boy, this story keeps getting worse. Hockey Canada, embroiled in at least a pair of sex scandals and coverups regarding their World Juniors teams, not only had one slush fund to settle accusations but a secret second fund, too.

Sportsnet: Scouts evaluate the bubble players and those on a PTO as teams make their final decisions.

Count me as a bit surprised no one has yet signed Brian Boyle. He only scored 12 goals and led one of the best PKs in the league last season. He had some interest, but as Dave Molinari reported, the teams which called didn’t have NHL space and wanted him as insurance.

Fox 13: Daniel Sprong earned an NHL contract, kind of. He signed a PTO with the Kraken and earned a two-way deal.

Montreal Hockey Now: There’s a bit of intrigue surrounding Juraj Slafkovsky. He’s been unsteady in the preseason. He finally showed some confidence and game on Monday night for the Montreal Canadiens.

NYI: New coach Lane Lambert’s defensive system is coming together — get an advance peek at the Penguins’ rival — as the New York Islanders jell.