Dan’s Daily: Penguins Prospects, Chara to Islanders, Late Contracts

It felt good to be at a hockey rink and talk to human beings who play hockey for a living. I think our level of coverage this week will remind you why PHN has become one of the most read outlets in Pittsburgh. Under my mask, Filip Hallander couldn’t see my approving smile as he dropped a great soundbyte, but it was all worth it. The Pittsburgh Penguins prospect camp began, the last wave of contracts began to roll in except for Brady Tkachuk, Jack Eichel is headed to Buffalo, and Zdeno Chara made his choice.

I don’t yet know what kind of player Filip Hallander will be, but I like the kid.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Who had a good day? Prospect camp notes, video, and impressions. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins released their training camp roster. They have a full house, for sure, as they invited 58 players to camp. 

PHN+: Here’s a good look at Filip Hallander–you can see the devilish smile he flashed when I asked him how close he felt he was to the making the NHL.

—And—

It’s Steelers Sunday. Those of us old enough to remember putting Terrible Towels on top of the TV or appreciate the Super Steelers also have a special place of hate for the Raiders. Pick a city. It doesn’t matter. They are the Al Davis Raiders. John Perrotto gave us his weekly predictions, odds, and Steelers bets. DraftKings is offering a super deal this week–Bet $1 get $200

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: Mathew Tkachuk stirred the pot for his brother Brady in Ottawa. Tkachuk proudly owned the family heritage of squeezing every dollar out of a contract and having no fear of holding out, and said contract talks for Brady are not going well in Ottawa.

TSN: Holy bargain basement deal, Batman–The Edmonton Oilers signed Kyler Yamamoto to a one-year deal worth only $1.175 million. 

Some in the Edmonton media compared Yamamoto’s coming deal to Joel Farabee’s splashy contract in Philadelphia. Instead, Yamamoto signed a deal that wouldn’t even merit RFA compensation.

NYI: Our boys in New York were a wee bit excited. It is a nice bookend to Zdeno Chara’s career–the big defenseman signed a one-year deal with the New York Islanders. 

No word if Eric Cairns will come out of retirement to pair with “Z” again. You may also remember Cairns from his stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins, which was limited to just 28 games over his final two seasons by concussions.

Minnesota: One player we missed from the new contracts list is Eric Staal, who is working out in Minnesota and waiting for the call from an NHL team.

NY Post: This makes sense to me and is probably healthier than prescription painkillers. Pro athletes are turning to cannabis for pain and anxiety. 

USA Today: The Jack Eichel showdown may be headed for a game of chicken. Eichel is headed to Buffalo to report for his pre-camp physical. 

He knows he won’t pass. Will he be on his best behavior, or is he going to be a royal pain to provoke his way out of Buffalo?

Boston: David Krejci is tearing it up back in the Czech Republic, but now it’s on Taylor Hall to carry the Boston Bruins second line. 

Vegas: The Vegas Golden Knights power play STUNK last season. It looked like the dumpsters behind the Rio buffet must smell after a week in the desert sun and was just 4-for-43 in the playoffs. Could one of the incoming players–Evgenii Dadonov–change their fortunes?]

Philly: Once, twice, three times? Former Ron Hextall top-round pick Morgan Frost is trying to crack the Philadelphia Flyers lineup, again. 

Washington: The girl can take pictures! Instead of reading about the Washington Capitals prospects, you can check out Sammi Silber’s Capitals photo gallery