Dan’s Daily: Rutherford Looks for Trade; Penguins Cuts & Desperation

The Pittsburgh Penguins made their first round of cuts Monday as one player expressed to PHN his desperation to make the team and the potential fallout if he doesn’t. When Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford hints at a move, fans know the NHL trade chatter is about to increase. Rutherford wants to move a couple of players to kickstart the Vancouver Canucks retooling. After that ridiculous goal over the weekend, Pittsburgh native/Arizona Coyotes forward Logan Cooley is already getting Calder Trophy buzz. And Brandon Sutter’s return to hockey appears to be going very well with the Edmonton Oilers.

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Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: I had a short conversation with Radim Zohorna. It was a moment for me because he didn’t put up any defenses and spoke from the heart. He’s feeling the pressure of time to make his NHL dream come true. The big man badly wants to make the Penguins roster.

The first round of Penguins camp cuts and a Mark Pysyk injury.

Here’s the roster for tonight’s Penguins game vs. Detroit.

PHN+: Evgeni Malkin, “Three more years.” He wants to see Reilly Smith’s Stanley Cup ring. He also sounded off on the long off-season, Erik Karlsson, and acknowledged his career status. Go inside the Penguins locker room.

Steelers Now:

The Chargers poached a WR from the Steelers practice squad.

A significant change to start the 2023 season for the Steelers offense.

SN+: It was the longest Steelers’ play against the Raiders since the Immaculate Reception. Calvin Austin, 72 yards, touchdown. Go inside the film room to see how it went down. Steelers film room.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Welcome back — The Pirates recalled Nick Gonzalez.

From the desk and keyboard of John Perrotto — Another negative comment from a baseball guy about the Pirates, and this time it was an MLB manager. As John notes, this one landed differently about the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates were great. They were terrible. Over the last 50 or 60 games, they’re not bad. But they can and should be so much better.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

The Hive: When Jim Rutherford talks about moving “One to two more contracts,” we know to listen because the Canucks president will be active. The NHL trade rumors should start any minute now. Here’s Rutherford’s state of the Canucks.

Sportsnet: He’s already on track to become the best Pittsburgh-born player ever. Now, the Canadian media is already giving Logan Cooley some Calder buzz.

Cooley vs. Bedard. This will be fun to watch. And yes, the Canadiens erred by not taking Cooley first overall.

Montreal Hockey Now: Remember when the Canadiens took a lot of flak for picking David Reinbacher fifth overall? I do. The amateur scouts howled that it was a reach. Well, the 18-year-old is surprising everyone and is already pushing for a spot on the Canadiens roster.

Metro Division:

Washington Hockey Now: From Anthony Mantha to TJ Oshie, watch for tweaks and changes to the Capitals lines.

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers PK needs some help, and coach John Tortorella hopes former Penguins forward Ryan Poehling is the guy.

I remain surprised the Penguins didn’t keep Poehling.

NYI Hockey Now: Andrew Fantucchio’s Q&A. From the prospects that we should watch to the lone survivor. Inside the New York Islanders camp.

Carolina Hockey Now: The Hurricanes mailbag. Is it Stanley Cup or bust for this version of the Carolina Hurricanes?

New Jersey Hockey Now: Who’s looking good in the preseason games for the New Jersey Devils?

Yahoo: And finally, I’m not sure what to make of this. Kevin Constantine is under investigation after a complaint about his conduct that potentially violated the WHL’s league policies.