Dan’s Daily: Penguins’ Karlsson Chase, John Gibson Denies Report

What to make of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ chase of Erik Karlsson? Elliotte Friedman made some misinterpreted comments on the 32 Thoughts that are refiring the NHL trade rumor mill. The Penguins’ chase isn’t over, but neither is it hot. Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson refuted a report that said he was refusing to play another game for the Ducks. The Detroit Red Wings waived the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. And you can check out the first round of Penguins’ development camp analysis. We took a look at the first-rounders and the diamonds in the rough.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello at the development camp. It’s humbling to realize how far we’ve come. And thanks to the dear subscriber who says hello every year and this year brought me one of the four essential food groups: Swedish fish. That was the best!

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Late Monday evening, the Penguins made a solid depth signing by getting LHD Will Butcher.

Check out WPXI’s Final Word. Tim Benz, Paul Zeise and I had it out over the Penguins’ free-agent signings and Tristan Jarry.

Guess who showed up in Cranberry Monday to say “Hi” to the prospects and get in a workout. Yep, Sidney Crosby.

PHN+: How did the first-rounders look, and we identified the diamonds in the rough at the Penguins development camp.

Happy Fourth of July — take $10 off a PHN+ subscription. Use code 10ff.

One name to really watch is Luke Devlin, the 2022 sixth-rounder. The kid is 6-foot-3 and can skate like the wind. He’s also a heckuva of a personality. If he gets here, I’m claiming him as my locker room go-to. Without Gudbrandson, Aston-Reese, or Zucker around, I need a new one.

Also, note to players: Being my locker room go-to is a bad omen for your future in Pittsburgh.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

32 Thought Podcast: at the 30-minute mark, Elliotte Friedman delved into the Penguins trade chatter surrounding Erik Karlsson.

Friedman’s comments are being mangled, suggesting the Penguins are still hot on the trail. That’s not quite what he said. His information was based on Saturday. And yes, as we reported and Dubas confirmed, the Penguins fought to get it done, but they didn’t get to the finish line. Then Dubas signed five free agents. If they can ever figure it out, Karlsson will be a Penguin, but you can stop the anxious waiting. This is more like the Jason Zucker trade, which took months.

Sportsnet: On behalf of the goalie, John Gibson’s agent released a statement to Sportsnet disputing a recent report that Gibson would not report to Anaheim next season.

Philly Hockey Now: Optimism in Philadelphia? It’s a bit chaotic, but as Sam Carchidi writes (Sam is hanging around as a columnist for us while he develops his TV show), the Philadelphia Flyers are on the right path. Honest.

Washington Hockey Now: The NHL trade chatter surrounding Alex DeBrincat has been messy, too. It’s time for new suitors, and yes, the Washington Capitals could be a fit.

Detroit Hockey Now: Filip Zadina is on waivers. Will the 2018 sixth-overall pick stick around with the Detroit Red Wings?

Colorado Hockey Now: Jonathan Drouin needed a fresh start, and he’ll get that with the Colorado Avalanche.

Florida Hockey Now: With a four-year deal, Evan Rodrigues has finally found a hockey home with the Florida Panthers.

E-Rod is the ultimate underdog story. He’s scrapped his way to this point, taking any role a coach would give him.

Vegas Hockey Now: Interesting developments in Vegas. A few days after a reporter released a statement from goalie Logan Thompson, he seemed to contradict Thompson’s statement. Everyone is wondering, what’s the deal with the Vegas Golden Knights goalies?

I still miss Vegas, eh? I do not miss Nashville. I’ve saved up photos and bad memories for NHL road trip reviews when things slow down. We’ll do the best and worst places to visit. I’ve got a few surprises in my top five (*ahem, Edmonton).

A Happy July 4th to everyone. It’s one of my favorite holidays, but I rarely celebrated until I owned Pittsburgh Hockey Now. When I was in radio, it seemed to be a tradition that I worked at multiple stations and was on the air while everyone had a good time. But I love the reason for the holiday. We peasants and dirty Americans said “No “to an oppressive king. When royalty refused to accept our Declaration of Independence, average citizens marched through the snow without shoes. They weathered the worst imaginable conditions fighting the largest army on the planet before George Washington pinned one of the greatest military minds ever in Yorktown. We earned this country.

Even if my two families didn’t arrive for another 100 and 150 years, respectively, it’s “we.” And we’d all do well to remember this place is supposed to be freedom for all, and that can’t be had without truth, respect, and a little grace that travels in both directions.

Make sure you wake up with all your fingers tomorrow. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my motorcycle and I haven’t had a date in quite a while … Mr. Dubas, please put down your phone today. Please, and thanks.