Dan’s Daily: Penguins Future, Tortorella Knocks Flyers Locker Room Culture

The Metro Division was the center of the NHL news, and it should spawn more than a few NHL trade rumors coming from Philadelphia. Pick your adjective, slammed, ripped, knocked, but John Tortorella said the culture in the Flyers locker room was “a major concern.” In Tortorella-ese, that means big names gonna be traded. Carey Price posted a message to Canadiens fans after he was placed on LTIR. The Washington Capitals are rallying around Carl Hagelin, who is attempting a comeback from a serious and permanent injury. And we asked if the Pittsburgh Penguins will be able to use a small window of opportunity to avoid a rebuild.

I hired a Dallas Stars writer on Thursday. Also…maybe just maybe (all but done)…we’ve got another Penguins rival signing into the National Hockey Now universe. And with that, our new app, I think you’re going to love this season’s coverage. Subscribe to PHN+ and soon get all the sites (subscribe now before the price goes up!)

Pittsburgh Hockey Now / Sports Now PGH

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins have had a pretty good off-season. Actually, very good. Yet fans seemingly are sourer than roadside Lemonade without sugar. Also, is there a path–a way–the team can avoid a rebuild? The immediate vs. future for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Steelers Now: Diontae Johnson was limited. Chuks Okorafur was out. Steelers Injury updates.

(+): How can the Steelers’ run defense stop Joe Mixon and the Bengals? Steelers game vs. Bengals.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now (+): Johan Oviedo’s move to the rotation hasn’t been very good… John Perrotto breaks down the Pittsburgh Pirates’ breakdown.

Week 1 NFL bets — get $200 if you bet $5 with the DraftKings promo.

NHL News, Notes & National Hockey Now

Washington Hockey Now: Carl Hagelin will never have 100% sight again. After a practice injury that nearly cost him an eye last season, Hagelin is trying to come back this season, and he took full contact on Thursday. The Washington Capitals are rallying around him.

Flyers: Want to know why the Flyers stunk? Coach John Tortorella was on SiriusXM radio, and he essentially nuked the Flyers locker room, “it’s a major concern.”

Montreal Hockey Now: Carey Price was placed on LTIR — he’s almost certainly done for the season, and his career is quite possibly over. He posted a heartfelt note on Instagram to Montreal Canadiens fans.

I’m terrible with the CBA. Awful. There are different rules when putting a player on LTIR in the offseason than in the regular season — the Canadiens tried and failed to clear money via the NHL trade market — then put Price on LTIR, which actually hurt their cap structure. The full explanations from the Montreal Canadiens.

Sportsnet: The latest on the nine unsigned RFAs.

Oilers Nation: Jake Virtanen was found not guilty of the sexual assault charges and can, presumably, return to the NHL. The Edmonton Oilers may be interested.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings are stockpiling successful first-round picks. 2022 pick Marco Kasper is filling the nets in Sweden. Get the story and highlights of the Detroit Red Wings prospect.

Vegas Hockey Now: OK, I think Owen might be cracking up in Las Vegas. Here’s a hypothetical question — which happens first, Lake Mead dries up, or the Vegas Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup?

Vancouver Hockey Now: Playoffs? Playoffs?! 5 terrifying Canucks predictions.