Dan’s Daily: Big Names Hit NHL Trade Block, Penguins Contract Talk

And here we go. The NHL trade market received a jolt with a few big names hitting the scene including a potential top-pair defenseman. Sorry, Pittsburgh Penguins fans, he’s a lefty. The Edmonton Oilers will be shopping Jesse Puljujarvi who apparently just doesn’t like being with the Edmonton Oilers (again). The Detroit Red Wings have a new coach, the Boston Bruins will, too. The Washington Capitals hired their first female assistant coach. And Dave Molinari writes the Penguins cannot pay Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin based on the past.

Also, a little note at the end about the coming changes to the Pittsburgh sports scene. Today is Day 1, though the new websites and subscription platform are still on the way.

Props to our boys in Boston. They were all over the Bruins coaching search, including being the first to report the search was coming down to Jim Montgomery and…Jim Montgomery.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: A stiff one from Dave Molinari. He writes the Penguins must offer Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin salaries based on future production and forget about the glorious past. Pittsburgh Penguins opinion

It is the first sign of next season. The Pittsburgh Penguins 2022-23 Preseason Schedule.

The Penguins will be keeping both assistant coaches because Mike Vellucci missed out on the Boston gig, but lost one of the voices in Ron Hextall’s circle to the Ottawa Senators. Penguins news.

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Here’s the new big fish in the NHL trade pool: Ryan McDonagh. Elliotte Friedman says the Tampa Bay Lightning must sacrifice salary, and it may be the top-pairing-worthy 33-year-old defenseman.

Sportsnet Edmonton: The NHL trade block will also welcome back a familiar name. The Edmonton Oilers will accommodate winger Jesse Puljujarvi, who has again requested a trade.

TSN: And take one name out of the NHL trade rumors. The TSN Insiders say unless a whopper of an offer comes through, Pierre Luc Dubois is staying in Winnipeg for the year.

Detroit: The Red Wings have a new coach. Derek Lalonde will attempt to lead them to the next level and guide that treasure trove of talent to the playoffs sooner than later. Detroit Red Wings coverage.

Magic Man is going to hang ’em up. Former Red Wings star Pavel Datsyuk is going to retire.

Boston: Jimmy Murphy was first with the news on Wednesday night that it was most likely Montgomery. Last night, he got to “Update” the story. Jim Montgomery will be the next head coach of the Boston Bruins.

Former Rangers boss David Quinn was the runner-up. I would not be surprised to see Quinn as the Penguins’ assistant coach in waiting.

Philly Hockey Now: I remember the days when the Penguins blogosphere despised my takes (positive) on John Tortorella. I think most of yinz have come around. Also, his love of his dogs is a bit heart-warming. Torts is house shopping, looking for a ranch for his dogs and horses. Cool story– Philadelphia Flyers feature.

Washington: The first Capitals female assistant coach will be the video coordinator. Emily Engel-Natzke worked her way up through the AHL and got the big call yesterday. Washington Capitals news.

Bust your bum and climb the ladder. Well done.

Vegas: Our boy Owen Krepps brought his lunchbox. He moved out to Vegas this week. The crazy kid did it without even telling us. For better and worse, he reminds me too much of me in my 20s.

Owen hit the Golden Knights pretty hard with this straight-shooting take. Colorado won the Stanley Cup with patience. Vegas…did neither. Vegas Golden Knights analysis.

THE Parade…

First, in the going viral video, Bo Byram was almost kicked out by the police security, who thought the 21-year-old kid was trying to crash the party. Colorado Avalanche parade.

Head coach Jared Bednar gave a speech for the ages. My dude let rip. Have a watch — Avalanche parade coverage.

SITE NEWS:

Today, July 1, 2022, is Day 1. Today is the day that I officially take over SteelersNow.com and PittsburghBaseballNow.com. As my business partner said, “you paid too much.” Maybe. But it was time. We dithered around for several years without a full-service Pittsburgh sports outlet.

It’s only too much if it fails. But I will not let it.

So, here we go. The new websites aren’t ready, which is vexing, but developers, programmers, and my patience are working overtime on the project. We handed a company 15 hockey websites and said–make it work. Even they’re surprised at the volume of stories and traffic of National Hockey Now.

Next, I’ll publicly announce the beat writers to cover the Steelers and Pirates. I made one surprising choice, perhaps two, and I had some frank discussions with folks over a few beers on the North Shore. I do things differently, and I think we know what works. Not everyone wants to, nor can everyone handle the volume of coverage or variety of columns, analysis, news, and fun required to make this horse gallop.

We’ll never lose millions like the newspapers or wildly overpay writers, but we do incentivize them with ownership and reward them based on performance. That should keep them around, eh? You’ll notice an immediate shift in SteelersNow.com. Less blogging. More hard reporting. More analysis by some damned good football people, including Chris Carter. I’m excited to work with that young man. Same with Nick Farabaugh, who is going to be a star.

After the holiday, we’ll make the beat writer announcements and hopefully offer a big subscription sale. Here we go!