Dan’s Daily: Leafs Make Their Move; Penguins Ripples & Questions

The Toronto Maple Leafs made their big move and paid Auston Matthews. There are myriad unanswered questions in the Metro Division, including with the Pittsburgh Penguins. It will be interesting to see how the Matthews payday affects the Penguins and Sidney Crosby. Also in the Daily, sources tell Hockey Now that the Boston Bruins will again chase Elias Lindholm if the Calgary Flames put him on the NHL trade block next month. What can the Islanders expect from Bo Horvat? The new Capitals coach says Evgeny Kuznetsov is still a vital player, and the great Vegas “What if?”

After watching the Republican president debate, I have many thoughts.

And none I’ll share here.

You’re welcome.

OK, just one. They need to raise the threshold to make the debate. Eight people isn’t a debate; it’s the Christmas episode from The Bear.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Lonely free agents and a languishing first overall pick. Dave Molinari’s Penguins notebook.

The Maple Leafs signed Auston Matthews to a whopper of a deal. Next summer, Sidney Crosby can sign a new contract. Based on the new market forces, what is Sidney Crosby worth?

Steelers Now:

It’s a big night for the Steelers. There are six jobs up for grabs in the Steelers’ preseason finale.

Of the jobs up for grabs, there is one problem: The Steelers’ backup center spot is a problem — a Steelers roster issue.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Uh oh. Oneil Cruz’s rehab isn’t going as well as hoped. Pittsburgh Pirates injury update.

More trouble on the mound and a 6-4 loss to StL. The quickie Pirates recap.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

Boston Hockey Now: Cue the NHL trade chatter. Sources tell Jimmy Murphy the Boston Bruins have their eyes on Lindholm, but are playing the waiting game. Bruins trade chatter.

Sportsnet: The biggest unanswered questions of the Penguins, Capitals, and the Metro Division.

ESPN: Here’s the newser — the Maple Leafs gave Auston Matthews more than $13 million per season.

Toronto pundits are hailing it as a win-win. I’m afraid I don’t see it that way. Matthews got both top dollar and a shorter deal to cash in again. That part is a loss for Toronto. Of course, keeping Matthews is a win, even though he surely didn’t give a hometown discount.

NYI Hockey Now: The big trade on the Island last season was to acquire Bo Horvat. In the short term, it had mixed results. Expectations and exaggerations. What can the New York Islanders expect?

Washington Hockey Now: New coach Spencer Carbury isn’t shoving Kuznetsov out the door. In fact, he’s doing the opposite. Evgeny Kuznetsov remains part of the Capitals core.

And …

Vegas Hockey Now: Would the Buffalo Sabres have made the playoffs if they kept Jack Eichel? Would the Stanley Cup be in Vegas if the Golden Knights kept Alex Tuch? The great “What If” of the Vegas Golden Knights.