Dan’s Daily: Marner Holds; New Coyotes Interest; Penguins’ Hayes Speaks

The Pittsburgh Penguins made newly acquired Kevin Hayes available to the media Tuesday, and he didn’t hold back on the self-assessments or sidestep recent struggles. Team Canada named Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas to its 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Olympics management team, while Mike Rupp gave his take on several pressing situations, including Mitch Marner’s lack of a contract and the New York Rangers trade attempts this summer. And there is new interest in reviving the Arizona Coyotes, this time by someone with the money and the means to do so.

Let me tell you about the Pirates’ game. Several friends and I had a great view behind home plate (under the overhang). Paul Skenes was brilliant, nearly tossing a complete game in front of a full PNC Park crowd, but the Pittsburgh Pirates’ T-Ball lineup carries wet noodles to the plate.

I was struck by the raw emotion and excitement of Pittsburgh sports fans for … baseball. It was a spectacle. There were about 30,000 people actually engaged in the game, actually caring about the Pirates. If the organization does not do everything in its power to facilitate a winner, then the Sports Authority should tighten every screw on Pirates ownership. Once again, Pittsburgh fans are doing their part. Tuesday night was amazing.

Also, be careful where you buy nachos at PNC. I got raked for $15 for a handful of chips and a cheese cup. I thought it was $10, but then they rang me up for cheese. We’ve all been gouged at concerts and stadiums, but this felt predatory.

$15. I feel totally ripped. 10 bucks for nacho chips. $4 for cheese?! Thanks Aramark. pic.twitter.com/wQNrlCeoZ5

— Dan Kingerski (@TheDanKingerski) July 24, 2024

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins will be well-represented at the Olympics. PoHO/GM Dubas maintains a strong reputation inside the game, and Team Canada delivered a prestigious post for the Penguins executive.

On Day 2 of the draft, the Penguins accepted Hayes and his more than $3.5 million salary cap hit to obtain the St. Louis Blues’ 2025 second-round pick. Hayes came clean about his struggle to fit in with St. Louis and what comes next. Here’s the full story from Kevin Hayes.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The PNC Park crowd was electric. With each passing inning that Skenes emerged from the dugout, the crowd roared just a little bit louder and longer. When he came out of the ninth inning, the place went bananas. MVP! Watch the Pirates fans’ reaction.

Unfortunately, the Pirates hitters rarely made hard contact, and except for one clutch hit by Nick Gonzales, they never put pressure on the St. Louis Cardinals. Here’s the unhappy Pirates recap.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: The owner of the Phoenix Suns, Matt Ishbia, waited until former Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Mureullo renounced all rights to the franchise to make his interest in reviving it known. Smart man. Had he done so before Muruello gave up the ghost, Muruello would have held on for the full five-year grace period. It’s not intense interest yet, but it’s something for Arizona.

NHL.com YouTube: Mike Rupp sounded off on the five pressing topics from Mitch Marner and the NHL trade rumors surrounding the New York Rangers. Here’s Rupper.

Philly Hockey Now: It’s a historic day in Philadelphia. Matvei Michkov arrived from Russia, and the hockey crowd is going bonkers. He’ll be introduced at a press conference today, and Jon Bailey is already laying out the expected Flyers lines.

ESPN+: It could be an interesting Calder Trophy race. Macklin Celebrini. Michkov. And a few talented top-10 picks from the last couple of years are ready to make their debut. So who wins the Rookie of the Year?

NYI Hockey Now: Looking ahead to the season, there were little changes on Long Island, which probably bodes well for the Penguins. Here’s an upfront look at the 2024-25 New York Islanders lineup.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Penguins were interested, but Detroit won the hand of Vladimir Tarasenko in free agency. Yes, Tarasenko is going to level up the forwards for the Detroit Red Wings.

Nashville Hockey Now: The kid I circled for the Penguins is a Nashville Predator. Second-round pick Teddy Stiga may have landed in the right spot, and I think you’ll see him sooner rather than later (so does he) with the Nashville Predators.