Dan’s Daily: Debunking a Hot Penguins Rumor, Latest on Top UFAs

John Klingberg and Nazem Kadri are still free agents. Francisco Franco is still dead. The Hockey Canada hearings continued through Day 2, and we learned a bit more about what they swept under the rug. Dave Molinari looked at why the Pittsburgh Penguins signing Danton Heinen was a bigger deal than most $1 million contracts, while this writer tackled the potential Penguins trades, prospects, and the blue line. Finally, we debunk the NHL trade talk and message board claims that TSN’s Dave Poulin dropped a crazy Jonathan Toews to the Penguins trade rumor.

He was wildly misquoted.

First, you can listen to Poulin’s radio hit on TSN 1050 here. The “internet” says Poulin said Toews to the Penguins! He did say that, BUT he put a few words before that, which changed the entire context. He said, “My mind creation went to Pittsburgh IF they had lost Malkin…”

So, we call BS, but that doesn’t mean every rumor rag and anonymous account isn’t going to seize on it with “sources.” I thought it important you know the truth.

Poulin’s penalty killing and shorties killed the Penguins in the 1989 playoff series (yes, the one that featured Game 5 when Mario had five goals, Robby Brown had a hat trick, and some goalie named Ron Hextall chased Brown with rage in his heart).

Also, our subscribers, make sure you create your accounts at Pittsburgh Baseball Now and Steelers Now. They’re free! We’re all anxiously awaiting the spiffy new platform in which subscribers get access to all hockey sites and all Pittsburgh sports news with one login. You can subscribe to PHN+, PBN+, and Steelers+ for just one price:  Click here.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Sports Now Group PGH

Make sure to follow Sports Now Group PGH on Twitter for all of the Penguins, Pirates, and Steelers stories in one feed.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dave Molinari writes — Hey, don’t underestimate the effect of signing Danton Heinen. Pittsburgh Penguins addition.

PHN+: Penguins questions. We got some great questions from readers. Penguins trade potentials. What about the prospects? What about the over-stuffed blue line? It’s all here. Pittsburgh Penguins Q&A.

The Penguins prospects will play in the annual Buffalo rookie tournament. But only one game? Here’s the whole story. Pittsburgh Penguins prospects.

PitsburghBaseballNow.com: A new feature–the daily Pittsburgh Prospects watch. AND — the MLB trade deadline is approaching. What could the Pirates get for David Bedard? John Perrotto puts it on the table. Pittsburgh Pirates trade talk.

SteelersNow.com: Oh, just go to the home page! NINE new stories from training camp. The QB derby and the WRs are shining bright… You can watch the daily wrap-up, Chris Carter and Nick Farabaugh from Latrobe on the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, Day 2.

SN+: The QB derby might have a surprise in store. Don’t sleep on Mason Rudolph overtaking Mitch Trubisky. Pittsburgh Steelers QB battle.

NHL Trade Rumors, News & National Hockey Now

You know…there’s absolutely NO news about Nazem Kadri out there. Tell me, what team in the NHL can keep a signing secret while they line up additional moves? Anyway…

Sportsnet: The top 10 UFAs — the latest news and NHL rumors for the unsigned pack.

If you’re following the Hockey Canada scandals and sexual assault allegations. Here are the takeaways from Day 2 of the parliamentary hearings.

ESPN ($): Greg Wyshinski laid out seven potential destinations for Nazem Kadri.

***Detroit Hockey Now: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has fallen from the U.S. headlines. We got bored, I suppose. However, former goalie Dominik Hasek isn’t backing down. The brave soul is in a full-on war of words with the Russians. Go, Dominik! Detroit Red Wings coverage.

Montreal Hockey Now: If you want to watch the one Penguins prospects game, you can also check out the Montreal prospects who are full participants in the Buffalo tourney, including first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky. Montreal Canadiens prospects.

Our burgeoning rock star Marco D’Amico writes that everyone should chill out. It’s not yet time for a big splash on the NHL trade market. The Montreal Canadiens aren’t there yet.

Boston Hockey Now: Umm, what’s with the increasing NHL free agent rumors about Nazem Kadri and the Boston Bruins?

Florida Hockey Now: Jonathan Huberdeau did the classy thing. He said goodbye to the Florida Panthers fans.

Yep, he bought lunch for both of them.

I kid, I kid.

There were four, and he only left the tip.

Washington Hockey Now: Alev Ovechkin and Dmitri Orlov are showing support for the Paralympics. Each will play a sled hockey match. Washington Capitals news.

Colorado Hockey Now: Adrian Dater looked at the numbers. In the playoffs, Cale Makar was even better than we thought. The kid is a monster. Colorado Avalanche.

San Jose Hockey Now: And lastly, but not least, San Jose will retire Patrick Marleau’s No. 12 this coming season. No word of a statue just yet. San Jose Sharks.