Dan’s Daily: First Round Winners & Losers, Penguins Add Smart Players

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Pittsburgh Penguins jumped into the NHL trade market Wednesday afternoon as president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas pulled off the type of trade he called “too good to pass up.” The Penguins stood pat in Round One, though they got a solid pick rather than one of the high ceiling point-producers. The Philadelphia Flyers pulled the rug from under the Washington Capitals and snagged the mysterious Russian and a few teams reached well beyond the draftnik’s expectations.

Shortly after the Vegas Golden Knights traded Reilly Smith to the Penguins they quickly used their cap savings to sign Ivan Barbashev to a five-year, $25 million deal. Wow.

Today begins Day 4 in Nashville, and maybe we’ll have a little fun after the draft ends this afternoon. I’m getting tired of being in party cities and strapping myself to my laptop.

Saturday, we’ll do our free agent frenzy live blog all day, beginning around 10 a.m. I’ve already spoken to several sources, and I know one UFA who wants to talk to the Penguins. I probably won’t be able to confirm the Penguins’ interest, but I promise, he’s one of the guys you’re clamoring for.

And, how’s this for talent: I did two profiles on Wednesday. The first, Zach Benson, was taken 13th by Buffalo. The second, Matthew Wood, was taken 15th by Nashville. That’s a real talent to hit it that close on two yet miss completely.

Pittsburgh Penguins:

The Penguins added two smart players Wednesday, one at each end of their career arc.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Five draft day predictions. The Penguins’ trade for Smith made one prediction come true and nullified another. Check out the Penguins’ predictions.

Wednesday afternoon, the first trade of the Dubas era. The Penguins acquired Stanley Cup winner Reilly Smith.

However, Dubas and coach Mike Sullivan said that does not preclude the team from re-signing Jason Zucker. Penguins free agency.

At the NHL Draft, the Penguins kept the 14th pick and took Moose Jaw Warrior Brayden Yager. Believe me when I tell you, the kid could not stop smiling or shaking his head like he won the lottery. He models his game after Sidney Crosby. More on Brayden Yager.

All of the stuff we couldn’t stuff into the main stories. When does Yager think he’ll make it to the NHL? Why was Mike Sullivan praising Dubas? And why the Penguins are mostly without an assistant GM until after the first few days of free agency — The Penguins draft notebook.

And, lastly, what’s a big event without PHN absolutely outworking ourselves and trying to provide you with coverage from every angle? Get the Penguins Video Q&A from Bridgestone Arena. Your questions. Our answers and Penguins analysis.

NHL Trade, News & National Hockey Now:

Chicago Hockey Now: Our Nate Brown wrote the full story. He wrote about the struggling Blackhawks. The disappointment and the sadness of waving goodbye to franchise stalwarts. Then the hope when the ping pong ball bounced Chicago’s way. He wrote it all. Happy Connor Bedard Day, Chicago.

Sportsnet: First round winners … and losers (*Ahem, Montreal).

Philly Hockey Now: I was in on the Matvei Michkov press conference. The kid has a little bit of cockiness. I liked it. He doesn’t yet speak English, but when asked about the Flyers rebuild, he said, “I guess that means when I get there, we’ll start winning.” Also, the Flyers snagging the Russian one pick before the Washington Capitals had to disappoint Washington horribly. Here’s the video and full story on the Flyers’ draft pick

Washington Hockey Now: The Capitals got a pretty good pick at No. 8. Ryan Leonard models his game after Matthew Tkachuk, and he could be in the NHL next season. He’s that good. More from the Washington Capitals.

Montreal Hockey Now: In a city of bad decisions, Montreal was the first at No. 5. Marc Dumont was kind by calling it a “safe” and “boring.” Read more about the Canadiens passing up more heralded prospects. The Montreal Canadiens draft analysis.

Boston Hockey Now: The phones were ringing. The NHL trade frenzy of the afternoon died once the draft started. Boston tried but couldn’t get a first-round pick. Boston Bruins trade nada.

Florida Hockey Now: George Richards was lurking in the shadows of Bridgestone Arena, gathering intel and little nuggets, including connecting dots on the NHL trade rumors about Noah Hanafin and how he could wind up with the Florida Panthers.

Detroit Hockey Now: Original six and former Norris Division rivals; there’s something symmetrical about Chicago taking Bedard first and Bedard’s nemesis, Nate Danielson, going ninth to the Detroit Red Wings.

Calgary Hockey Now: The Calgary Flames signed newly acquired Yegor Sharangovich to a two-year deal.

Buffalo Hockey Now: The Buffalo Sabres took advantage of the deep class when Zach Benson fell to them at 13.