Dan’s Daily: Penguins Sign D-Men; Habs Trade Partners & Capitals Chia Pets

CapFriendly broke the news late Tuesday evening. The Pittsburgh Penguins added a pair of intriguing, if not impactful, defensemen on PTOs. Auston Matthews tried to explain why a four-year deal was the best call. The Washington Capitals are giving away Chia Pets, looking at the most popular Montreal Canadiens trade partners, the Flyers GM learned from some pretty good role models, and the Pittsburgh Steelers set their 53-man roster.

Folks, it finally happened. Late last night, all three Sports Now Group sites were linked with one subscription. We’re taking a week to ensure it’s running smoothly, but all PHN+ subscribers should be able to log in to Steelers Now and Pittsburgh Baseball Now with the same log-in. Next, we’re doing all of the hockey sites. We’ll make a big to-do and have a blowout party, probably at Coughlin’s Law on Mt. Washington soon, but it looks like the Big Dig project that began in April of 2022 and restarted in May of 2023 that was promised to take a few weeks is…just about DONE!

Jumpin’ Geehosofat.

I appreciate your help. Your patience. This is a bad time to be in the media and own media, but we’re making it work and growing ever larger.

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: I think we nailed that one last week when we wrote Mark Psysk would be the perfect PTO for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Late Tuesday, the Penguins signed Pysyk and Libor Hajek to PTO. Here’s the Penguins news.

It didn’t get much publicity among Penguins fans, but it seems that the NHL Network delivered an outright snub to Kris Letang.

The Penguins announced adding five people to the front office and the Penguins scouting staff.

Steelers Now:

Here it is, at least for a few hours — the Pittsburgh Steelers 53-man roster.

For all of the optimism, the Steelers’ backup center position is a big problem. Here are five new options for the Steelers roster.

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith do the Steeles Now podcast called Afternoon Drive. Full reaction to the Steelers cuts.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Break up the Bucs! Late home runs, some good pitching, and the Royals were no match. Here’s the quickie recap of the Pirates’ win.

Jase Bowen blasted his league-leading 23rd homer for Greensboro, Aaron Shortridge picked up his fifth win in a row for Altoona, and Travis MacGregor pitched two perfect innings for Indianapolis. Get the latest Pirates prospects report.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

TSN: The video isn’t blacked out for the U.S. audience. Auston Matthews talked about his new contract and (kind of) why four years was the right call.

Montreal Hockey Now: Marc Dumont took stock of all the Canadiens trades. The most common and the least common Canadiens trade partners.

GM Kent Hughes certainly knows the number to Pittsburgh…

Philly Hockey Now: There was criticism that the Flyers hired a somewhat inexperienced former player as GM. It’s working pretty well so far, and Daniel Briere had some pretty good teachers before he took over as Flyers GM.

Washington Hockey Now: Cha-cha-cha-Chia! The Washington Capitals announced their giveaway schedule, and if you’re heading down for a Penguins game, you may want to check this out. A Sonny Milano Chia Pet giveaway for the Washington Capitals.

Vegas Hockey Now: An interesting footnote. Neither goalie on the defending Stanley Cup champion is in the NHL Network’s top 10 goalies. Should the Vegas Golden Knights care?

Carolina Hockey Now: Some inside drama with the Hurricanes. They were meddlesome, according to the Chicago Wolves, who pulled their affiliation and went independent. GM Wendell Young says they threatened to fire the coach during the Calder Cup Final over lineup choices. Here’s the interesting story on the Carolina Hurricanes.