Dan’s Daily: Mark Recchi’s Amazing Week; Penguins in Mushy Middle

According to Sportsnet analysts who dissected the Metropolitan Division, the Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves in the mushy middle. It’s always good to get the outside perspectives, and they don’t disagree with some of your assessments of Tristan Jarry. The Penguins prospects are ready to roll in Buffalo for the Prospects Challenge. Mark Recchi is having an amazing week, first as a member of the top 100 Boston Bruins of all time and now inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame. The NHL trade carousel could send Casey DeSmith to the west. Zach Aston-Reese found a new home, and Logan Mailloux is turning the page.

Greetings from Coudersport, PA. Home of star gazing and Elliot Ness. I’m on my way to Buffalo at noon, and I wish I had a better story for you today, but I’m staying at a little roadside motel noted by bikers for its simplicity and little steakhouse around back. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve ridden by a dozen times and thought, ‘Hell no,” but a new owner is cleaning it up without losing the simple vibe. I was ready to see the galaxy last night … but after a long bike ride followed by a hefty steak and potato (for all of $24), I fell asleep by 10 only to awake around 3 a.m. and realize there was a heavy fog. It’s a glamorous life, I tell you…

I’m curious to see how the Penguins prospects fare. The team they’ve put together is older, so it should do well, but it’s not a step forward if veterans Sam Poulin and Corey Andonovski play well and the few legit prospects who are under 20 do not.

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: From prospects practice before they shuffled off to Buffalo, the Penguins prospects to watch this weekend.

The veterans took the side rink Thursday. Sidney Crosby joined his teammates.

And the Penguins made a batch of hires for the training staff and analytics. It looks like Kyle Dubas has rounded out his front office and the player support for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Steelers Now:

Well, isn’t this cute? The Browns tackle promises to expose a hole in T.J. Watt‘s game.

Evaluating the OL and Desmond King is ready to go. The Thursday Steelers takeaways.

And–here’s your MUST read of the day. Matt Canada explains the repetitive playcalling for the Steelers’ Offense.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Mitch Keller was dealing. The Buccos win. Get the quickie Pirates recap.

Down on the farm, the Indianapolis Indians almost…almost got a no-hitter. Here’s the latest from the Pirates prospects.

PBN+: From beat writer Danny Demilio — Oneil Cruz’s value is becoming more apparent. For Now Sports subscribers — Pirates analysis.

NHL Trade News & National Hockey Now:

Colorado Hockey Now: The Avalanche will hit the NHL trade block for a second goalie. Hello Casey DeSmith? Colorado Avalanche shopping.

Philly Hockey Now: First, Mark Recchi was named to the top 100 Bruins all-time team. Now, Rex is getting inducted into the Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame.

NHL.com: Old friend Zach Aston-Reese finally chose his camp. After reviewing several offers, ZAR will report to the Carolina Hurricanes training camp.

Sportsnet: Evaluating the Metro Division. Clowns to the left of them, jokers to the right. Here’s what the Canadian analysts think — The Penguins and Islanders are stuck in the middle.

TSN video: Logan Mailloux met with the NHL, and things seemed positive. He’ll be in the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, but the Canadiens won’t face the Penguins. The embattled prospect is turning the page, “You’ve got to get a hard head and focus on your goals.” Mailloux is Moving forward.

NYI Hockey Now: A day after saying goodbye to the Islanders, Josh Bailey signed with the Ottawa Senators.

Washington Hockey Now: the Metro Division primers–what to make of the Columbus Blue Jackets.