Dan’s Daily: Chychrun Nixed Blockbuster Trade to CBJ? Penguins Debate

Did Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun nix a trade to the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2022 NHL Draft? There’s word leaking that he did, or at least a deal was very close. The Women’s World Championships is set up for a Team USA vs. Team Canada showdown, as it should be. Team USA has won five of the last six but lost in 2021, so it’s revenge time. After J.T. Miller put pen to paper, Vancouver is buzzing. Is Bo Horvat next up? And we have a good old-fashioned debate here at PHN, as I contend the Pittsburgh Penguins should pay Tristan Jarry — now.

It should be illegal for rainy forecasts on Labor Day weekend. Perhaps later today, I’ll grab my umbrella and a loan application for Ribfest at Acrisure Stadium.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Sports Now Group PGH

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dave Molinari wisely opined the Penguins can hold off and wait until next summer to pay Jarry; see how he handles the 2023 playoffs. I don’t have any doubts. Here’s the fully developed counterpoint–If you wait, you pay Tristan Jarry more.

Steelers Now: Who is the best Steelers player of all time? Who did the Steelers lose to waivers this weekend? Get caught up on the Pittsburgh Steelers news.

And here’s a story for you — How John Madden helped the 1976 Steelers make the playoffs —  I didn’t know this bit of Pittsburgh Steelers lore.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: There seems to be a promising crop of kids at Altoona (AA). The Daily watch — From Endy Rodrigues to a couple of arms, there are some real Pirates prospects succeeding.

It was Pirates Hall of Fame night, as the organization inducted 19 players into the team’s inaugural Hall of Fame class. It was set against the backdrop of a continually terrible team under owner Bob Nutting. As John Perrotto writes — the HoF’ers (at least the few living ones who were present) did their best to ignore the distraction that is the 30-year-failure of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

My point — 19 at once? Why not do five per year? Or spread out the posthumous inductions throughout the season. Many inductees played 100 years ago and have long since passed on. It might have been a more focused and pointed ceremony had the Pirates inducted Willie Stargell, Dave Parker, Roberto Clemente, and Steve Blass instead of nearly two dozen (perhaps add Danny Murtaugh to that list since he managed the 1971 team).

They didn’t leave room for debate, discussion, or an anticipated 2023 class. Next year can be the 1991-92 class of players like Doug Drabek, Bobby Bonilla, and Andy van Slyke. Never, ever, never, ever #24. Disgrace the game, take that many PEDs, and watch from a distance forever. That’s the only punishment left to hand out.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

GO PHNX ($): The NHL trade chatter was silent on this one, but the word is leaking. Did Jakob Chychrun nix a blockbuster trade to Columbus at the NHL Draft? Craig Morgan reports that Arizona sources say yes, and Columbus source says no. Here’s the story.

That would have affected the Metro Division and Pittsburgh Penguins, eh?

Sportsnet: Canada vs. USA primer. Women’s World Championships.

Vancouver Hockey Now: After the Canucks paid J.T. Miller, and even Miller’s agent told Rob Simpson that Miller left a few beans on the table to GM Patrik Allvin could pay others — is Bo Horvat next up for the Vancouver Canucks.

Vegas: Did the Golden Knights retro jerseys leak? Owen Krepps has pictures — take a look at what could be the Vegas Golden Knights.

Detroit: The Red Wings invited prospect Ivan Ivan to the rookie tourney later this month. Yes, that is his real name. Ivan Ivan of the Detroit Red Wings.

Montreal: Nick Suzuki will have a heavy burden this season. The captaincy of the Canadiens. That C goes back a long way with some great players. Suzuki talked about the pressure of the letter and of playing for the Montreal Canadiens.

Florida: The Atlantic Division power rankings — Does Tampa Bay top the list? Nope. What about Toronto? Nope. The Florida Panthers.

Metro Division:

Washington Hockey Now: Alex Ovechkin has no trouble traveling to and from Russia. He will arrive in D.C. this week and begin the captain’s practices for the Washington Capitals.

Philly: Sam Carchidi has five thoughts. So he wrote them down. (We kid, we kid). Even if the Flyers don’t get the first-overall pick, Nos. 2 and 3 are generational players, too. What of the Flyers’ awful power play? And much, much more — Philadelphia Flyers thoughts.