Dan’s Daily: NHL Exec on Karlsson Risk/Reward, Misplaced Penguins

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be having some Pittsburgh Penguins fun keeping conversation and the ongoing analysis of the Penguins’ off-season transformation. A former NHL executive walked through the NHL trade rumors and risks of San Jose keeping Erik Karlsson. Also in the Daily, the Boston Bruins have a pair of arbitration hearings but are millions apart from their players, the Montreal Canadiens have some hotshot American prospects looking good at the USA World Juniors showcase, and the Philadelphia Flyers are fighting for one of their Russian prospects.

I loved the response to the Top 5 list on Sunday. Bring on more today! Many of you brought up Kevin Stevens never looking right in other sweaters and didn’t like my inclusion of Nick Bonino on the list. I’ll text Phil Bourque today to let him know how many of you always thought it wrong or odd he played in another uniform, too. And I’ll make you a guarantee: the lists and conversation pieces we do in August will always be authentic and genuine. We’ll never include “bait” just to get a reaction, though we’ll probably disagree on occasion.

Lastly, PHN will hit one million views again this month. THANK YOU! Steelers Now set a new record for views last week and might clear 1.7 million views. And despite a losing situation, Pittsburgh Baseball Now is having a record month. And we’re only getting started. Thank yoU!

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The top five Penguins who just never looked right wearing another uniform. Pittsburgh Penguins lists.

Dave Molinari’s new baby. Every Sunday, like clockwork. From the Erik Karlsson chase to my Penguins’ mistakes. Get the Penguins Wrap.

SteelersNow.com:

The Sunday impressions — Kenny Pickett popped, Joey Porter Jr. building on his impressive camp. Steelers training camp takeaways.

An under-the-radar safety is also making a name for himself at Steelers camp.

Could Derek Watt re-sign with the Steelers?

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Ben Cherington shed some light on the catching future of Henry Davis.

Who stays? Who goes? Pittsburgh Pirates trade deadline predictions.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

San Jose Hockey Now: The latest SJ Hockey Now podcast featured a former NHL executive who broke it down from a management perspective. Despite the heavy NHL trade rumors, the real risks and rewards for the San Jose Sharks keeping Erik Karlsson.

Montreal Hockey Now: The boys had better learn a little French because some American prospects are looking pretty good at the USA World Juniors summer showcase, and they’re Montreal Canadiens prospects.

Boston Hockey Now: It’s a transformative summer. Teams and players seem determined to go through arbitration hearings. With a hearing fast approaching, Trent Frederic is $1.5 million apart from the Boston Bruins.

Philly Hockey Now: A late-breaking story. The Flyers are arguing to the IIHF that Ivan Fedotov, one of their prized Russian prospects, should be allowed to play in the NHL this coming season because he fulfilled his military duty last season. Here’s the Philadelphia Flyers story.

As journalists, do we ask these Russian players about the continuing invasion of Ukraine? It’s directly impacting their lives, career, and country. However, a wrong answer could put them in a morgue with “accidental” radiation poisoning or make them a target of a harmful disinformation campaign (see also: Artemi Panarin).

Chicago Hockey Now: Good news for the NHL, the Calder Trophy favorites are not limited to just Connor Bedard.

But he’s the favorite. I do think Logan Cooley could keep the race competitive.

Sports Now PGH might hit three million views this month. Just … unbelievable. Six months ago, there were days when I wondered if I had my Icarus moment. Now, I want the entire NFL. Send your resumes forthwith…