Dan’s Daily: Calm Before the Penguins Storm, High Drama for $$ RFAs

It is not an off day for the Pittsburgh Penguins because camp has not technically started, but the boys were on the ice for another group skate on Tuesday. There were too many to count, though not quite all 58 players invited to training camp. Goalies Tristan Jarry showed off his new pads, and free-agent acquisition Louis Domingue is still rocking his Calgary Flames gear. Across the NHL, the Jack Eichel-NHL trade mess is no closer to being solved, and Kirill Kaprizov finally signed a contract in Minnesota, which leaves a few big money, big name RFAs still unsigned.

The Penguins’ unofficial skate also included Brian Boyle. He’s going to make the team. I’ll bet donuts on it. He’s moving well. Looked pretty good. His size and stick reach blacked out the top of the zone on a PK drill. Dude is a massive figure on the ice.

Also, I’ll bet a few coffees that Marcus Pettersson lost weight this offseason.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins rookie/prospect/development camp wrapped on Tuesday, and we got to chat with Pittsburgh Penguins Director of Player Development, Scott Young. He is usually very optimistic and loves to pump prospects’ tires, but what he didn’t say on Tuesday was important. Per our analysis, a few players had their stock go up…and a few didn’t have good camps. 

The Penguins released their training camp schedule. It’s go time at 9 a.m. Thursday morning. 

…the worst part of camp is seeing colleagues who took weeks or months off. They always ask, “did you do anything cool this summer?” The answer is no. I took a few motorcycle rides, but I work every day, as you may or may not have noticed. Every.single.day. Some days, I have to rehash or settle for soft content, but…you can come to PHN every day, 365.

Pittsburgh Penguins/Metro Division News

Philly: Injuries are never good news, except when other teams also suffer them. The Philadelphia Flyers will be without a few important cogs, including Kevin Hayes, for several weeks. 

NYI: The New York Islanders laid down a mandate. The Islanders are 100% vaccinated. 

Washington: TikTok should be fun on Oct. 28. Tom Wilson bobblehead night is Oct. 27.  

It’s good news for the Penguins, I suppose, but — Reason #2 comments are turned off today:

“Forward Zac Rinaldo, who we signed to a two-way contract this summer, is not vaccinated and because of that – and that’s his decision – the plan is to start him in the American Hockey League and he will not be coming to our training camp.”

– John Davidson of @BlueJacketsNHL

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) September 21, 2021

Columbus Dispatch: WOW–Goalie Elvis Merzlikins got a five-year payday worth $27 million. 

That salary makes Tristan Jarry an absolute bargain. And it makes Joonas Korpisalo chum in the NHL trade waters.

NHL Trade Market, News

Sportsnet: The unsigned RFA battles are the immediate focus, from Brady Tkachuk to the Vancouver Canucks youngsters who need to be paid, ASAP. The second thing that will control the NHL news cycle is the Jack Eichel / NHL trade war. What a mess–both are part of Elliotte Friedman’s 32 Thoughts. 

The insider’s take on vaccination and anti-vax stuff were also interesting. We have a 24-hour news feed in this country, but a stunning deficit in trust/credibility/standard information—dinner with a friend who is plugged into outlets I used to check reminded me of that. And the discussion will stop there.

ESPN: Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin won a small victory–he got Kirill Kaprizov to sign a five-year deal for $45 million. 

Hockey News: The couch-surfing Arizona Coyotes are bringing back the Kachina sweater to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

National Hockey Now:

Vegas: No more Marc-Andre Fleury. No salary cap space. No significant offseason acquisitions. Steve Carp has the five BIG storylines to follow for Vegas Golden Knights training camp. 

Roundup: Alex Glachenyuk signed a PTO in Arizona. Bobby Ryan signed a PTO to return to Detroit. 

Wow–$27 million for Merzlikins makes Jarry seem like a BARGAIN.

Boston: If you need a late fantasy pick, keep your eyes on Jack Studnicka. The Boston Bruins lost David Krejci, and it looks like Studnicka decided he wants the job. 

Florida: The Panthers arena has a new name. The organization is looking for a sponsor, so for the time being, it’s simply FLA Live Arena. 

…Always a good sign when a team can’t find an arena sponsor. At least the city didn’t kick them out.

Vancouver: The rivalry is coming. Seattle vs. Vancouver. The Seattle Kraken snagged a top-flight TV man, John Forslund, who can’t wait for the slobberknockers to begin.