Dan’s Daily: Matt Murray Underwhelms, Penguins Remain Same

My apologies to the casual fans who often roll through Dan’s Daily for the NHL trade rumors and free agent scuttle and the little insider tidbits, but at this point of the season, GMs lock it down to see what they have. Jim Rutherford is one of the few who doesn’t mind wheeling and dealing in October. So, you’re stuck with actual hockey news, such as the red-hot Battle of Alberta resumes after last season’s slobberknocker playoff series. Toronto media is underwhelmed with Matt Murray already. Wayne Simmonds is open to a trade, but so far, no takers, and the Pittsburgh Penguins remain the same.

Oh, and Evgeni Malkin spoke to the media for the second time in a month. That’s, like, a lot.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The practice notebook. The Penguins might get a break by facing a backup goalie tonight, and P.O Joseph will stay in the lineup. Penguins news.

The Penguins’ first-round pick was bestowed a big honor. The Swift Current Broncos named Owen Pickering captain.

PHN+: “We’re all kids here…” Video, optimism, and fun with Evgeni Malkin.

PHN+: Finally–a healthy dose of good play from Jason Zucker.

Steelers Now:

• This is pretty, pretty bad news. Minkah Fitzpatrick AND all three cornerbacks are out for Sunday. Steelers injury update.
• Tampa Bay receiver Mike Evans will NOT call it Acrisure. “It’s always Heinz Field to me.”
• I remember the back-to-back losses in 1989. They were the worst until…last week. Can the Steelers bounce back as the old Steelers did?

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

• The coaching staff is coming back intact, despite another 100-loss season for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• PBN+: Gee, at least the brass is tired of losing. John Perrotto doesn’t spare the feelings in his Pirates analysis.
• PBN+: The night is seared into our collective memories. The night the Pirates had the World Series berth in their hands. The night Sid Bream was safe. It was the worst night in Pittsburgh sports history and forever changed the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Subscribe to one, get us all — one subscription to SN+, PB+, or PHN+ gets you exclusive content and access to all three sites.

College football betting–get $1250 bet protection with the new promo from Caesars sportsbook.

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Montreal Hockey Now: The Canadiens have $1.8 million LTIR space. They are going to…wait. While the NHL trade market beacons, GM Kent Hughes is lying in the weeds, and the Montreal Canadiens are waiting to strike.

Boston Hockey Now: An agent chatted with our boys at BHN — who wouldn’t want to be David Pastrnak or his agent right now?

Sportsnet: The Battle of Alberta resumes tonight. It will be fierce, physical, and fantastic to watch, and the Battle of Alberta only got better with last season’s epic playoff series.

Sportsnet Toronto: Early season takeaways (yes, they’re starting three games into the season). One big takeaway is Toronto’s goalies, Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov, are who you thought they were. That’s not great news for the Leafs.

TSN: Not exactly blockbuster NHL trade chatter, but after clearing waivers, Wayne Simmonds is open to a trade but wants to be with a contender.

I dare say if Simmonds wants to play in the NHL this season, he’ll need to lower the bar. Brian Boyle is also sitting at home after a very good season with the Penguins.

Washington Hockey Now: Another leak? Are these the reverse retro jerseys of the Washington Capitals?

Yuck.

NYI: A couple of months ago, our Stefen Rosner was first on the story–the Islanders retros would feature the Fisherman. And–he was spot on. The latest leak has a complete mockup. New York Islanders retro jerseys.

Double yuck.

Last month we reported the Pittsburgh Penguins’ robo-pigeon would reappear, too.

Triple yuck. The clutch-and-grab era can stay dead, along with those awful late 1990s logos when everything had to be new or different to be cool. 

Philly: The Flyers are missing their No. 1 defenseman, center, and RW. Owen Tippet slotted as the second-line RW, and somehow, the Flyers beat the Devils 5-2. “We played our asses off,” John Tortorella said of his Philadelphia Flyers.

San Jose: Gotta see the stirring tribute. The San Jose Sharks honored now-Hurricanes defenseman, Brent Burns.

Vegas: The team is getting healthy, and Paul Cotter is kicking at the door. There’s a good battle for bottom-six ice time with the Vegas Golden Knights.