Dan’s Daily: NHL Trade Rumors Walked Back, Penguins’ Defense Boom

The NHL trade rumors and the market exposed some personal feelings this week, as Jonathan Huberdeau addressed Calgary media. Matthew Tkachuk was “the happiest person ever” upon arriving in Florida. Pierre-Luc Dubois tried to walk back the roiling trade rumors that he not only wants out of Winnipeg but very much wants to go to the Montreal Canadiens. Hockey Canada is attempting to address its systemic sexual assault and hush culture. And we looked at the boom and bust of the Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen.

The more I hear about Hockey Canada, the more I shake my head. I suspect many parents will be shocked to find out what their 18- and 19-year-old sons were doing.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Pirates & Steelers

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The right side of the Penguins’ defense may be one of the best in the league. However, the left side might have problems, and the entire unit might hinge on one defenseman. Pittsburgh Penguins analysis.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Will the Pirates become sellers at the MLB trade deadline? The oddsmakers say … no. John Perrotto, the most dangerous baseball writer in America, takes a look. Pittsburgh Pirates trades?

Steelers Now: Training camp. Latrobe. Seventy Steelers are reporting with suitcases in hand for a few weeks of hell. And ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD! Pittsburgh Steelers training camp.

The Steelers’ WR crop might be talented. It might be overrated. One name to watch in training camp is Miles Boykin. Pittsburgh Steelers camp battle.

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now

Montreal Hockey Now: Pierre-Luc Dubois. If the drumbeat of the NHL trade rumors gets louder, it will be Jumanji 3. The French-Canadian center’s agent dropped a bombshell in French-language media, but the situation is apparent even as the player tried to downplay it. Dubois would love to bolt Winnipeg for the Montreal Canadiens.

TSN Video: Hockey Canada plans to address “toxic” culture before its next hearing, prior to the next round of parliamentary hearings.

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers had a short window and went all-in. GM Bill Zito and Matthew Tkachuk addressed the media in Sunrise. They weren’t shy. Florida Panthers go for it.

Calgary Hockey Now: The Flames are still reeling. They lost Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk in a week. But GM Brad Treliving got a good haul for Tkachuk — IF he can re-sign both Jonathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar. They’re already talking extension with the Calgary Flames.

Sportsnet: The sexual assault trial of former Vancouver Canucks player Jake Virtanen is now in the hands of the jury.

NYI: Jesse Puljujarvi. He’s back in the NHL trade rumors, but there isn’t as much interest this time. He could be the right fit for the offensively inept New York Islanders.

Washington: All new goalies. Darcy Kuemper. The D.C. swamp rats revamped their goaltending via NHL free agency and the NHL trade market. Will it pay off for the Washington Capitals?

Philly: There will be 10 new faces on the Opening Night roster, but as Sam Carchidi notes, they ain’t much better. The Philadelphia Flyers still stink.

San Jose: Radim Simek had a sour taste for the Sharks last season after management — or the coaches, or both, or neither — demanded that younger players take the defenseman’s spot. The 29-year-old says someone lied to him–management said it was the coach’s call, and the coaches said it was management–but he’ll be back for the 2022-23 season. San Jose Sharks retool.