Dan’s Daily: Cooley vs. Bedard, Kane Rumors, & the Penguins Battle Grows

The Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 at Little Caesars Arena, but the score is never the important detail for a preseason game with so many battles to make the team unfolding. Coach Mike Sullivan offered a cryptic answer on the status of those fights. Elsewhere in the Daily, the buzz is growing for Logan Cooley, and it could be him vs. Connor Bedard for the top rookie. The latest Patrick Kane rumors and speculation, and in case you missed it, Mark Recchi is back behind an NHL bench.

Dave Molinari and I have some different assessments of the game on Tuesday, particularly in goal, but it looked like Valtteri Puustinen joined the battle for a roster spot.

I’m also beginning to look forward to my short trip to Halifax this weekend. I’ve never been, but the brochure looks nice. My biggest question is if I pay $80 for a carry-on bag or wear a sports coat on the plane and try to stuff a few shirts (and such) in my briefcase to live spartan for a few days. Come on, $80 for a carry-on?!

We’re having a great month with so many of you joining this band of sports-writing rebels. Our subscription sale is still going for a few more days. Get exclusive Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins coverage with the Sports Now group. Choose your preferred PHN beat writer and get $10 off. Use code Dan10 or Dave10 and join the crew here.

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dave Molinari had a ringside seat. It wasn’t the best Penguins preseason effort we’ve ever seen, but Radim Zohorna and Valtteri Puustinen clicked a couple of times, and goalie Alex Nedeljkovic had some bad luck. Here are Dave’s analysis and Sullivan’s responses after the Penguins game.

The injury update wasn’t good on PTO defenseman Mark Pysyk.

A column idea grabbed hold of me yesterday morning and wouldn’t let go. Zohorna and Puustinen, and maybe Sam Poulin, confirmed it last night. Past Penguins’ mistakes are blocking competition and the path forward for some Penguins’ prospects.

Steelers Now:

After a couple of monster boots, Pressley Harvin III is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Fast but apparently not talented enough. The fastest CB ever was cut from the Steelers practice squad.

There was an odd internet report Sunday that offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s role was changing. Coach Mike Tomlin squashed that Steelers News on Tuesday.

And Joey Porter Jr. is developing nicely. He continues to impress our reporters, the coach, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Holy Ks, Batman. A new single-season Pirates strikeout record by Mitch Keller.

John Perrotto put David Bednar’s three-year run as a dominant closer in better perspective for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

A walk-off in the 10th went against the Buccos in Philly. Get the quickie Pirates recap.

NHL Rumors, News & National Hockey Now:

Chicago Hockey Now: It’s Bedard’s year, right? The Calder is his, right? Or could a Pittsburgh kid named Logan Cooley steal it away? Cooley vs. Connor Bedard.

And the Patrick Kane rumors are picking up.

TSN: The latest on Kane and where he might sign from the TSN Insiders.

Vegas Hockey Now: Do the oddsmakers like a repeat from the Vegas Golden Knights?

Metro Division:

Washington Hockey Now: Here’s the million-dollar question (or because it’s in Washington D.C., should it be a trillion dollars?). With the Penguins improvements, the maturing Sabres and Senators, will the NHL playoffs include the Washington Capitals?

My .02 would be it’s not even close unless Kuznetsov starts looking like Kuznetsov again.

Philly Hockey Now: Since we don’t do a Daily on Sunday, I forgot to mention that in the aftermath of Mike Babcock’s termination, Mark Recchi joined the Columbus Blue Jackets as an assistant.

NYI Hockey Now: Trying, hoping, forcing to look for silver linings in an abysmal start to the New York Islanders preseason.