Dan’s Daily: Penguins TV Future Settled; ESPN Suffers Major Drop

Today’s NHL news focuses more on the fans and how they will consume hockey than on NHL trade rumors, analysis, or anything else. The Pittsburgh Penguins settled their TV future. The Mouseketeer sports wing is in trouble, and according to super-agent Allan Walsh, ESPN is searching for help. Terry Pegula of the Buffalo Pegulas dissolved the company that ran the Sabres and Bills, opting to take over the Sabres, the Washington Capitals elevated GM Brian MacClellan, the Oilers signed Flat Stanley to a PTO, and if you don’t know who that is you’ll have to read Dave Molinari’s piece on Penguins’ nicknames.

I think there will be some family resentment between the Penguins and Pirates over TV revenue. Not enough facts are yet known to truly opine, but I think we know how this will play out. It’s bewildering that the Pirates sat around waiting for a solution rather than getting involved, but it was entirely predictable.

And I’m not $64 into my return to golf. I spent $40 on irons and a putter at Trader Jacks fleamarket just to get started (again). Another $12 for a large bucket of balls at the range on Monday. Then, another $12 on bandages and ointment for two large blisters after hitting about 50 balls and yielding the rest of my bucket back to the gods of the range. Yeah, I should have bought a glove, too…

I’m on IR but not LTIR. My salary won’t count for cap overages on the PHN golf roster.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The latest on the Pittsburgh Penguins TV future.

Nicknames. Hockey too often just adds a “Y.” Dave Molinari looked at some of the better monikers that went beyond the simple in the Penguins locker room.

This does NOT bode well for the NHL:

The NHL is going into its 3rd year of its 7 year media rights deal with ESPN. Since that time, ESPN’s subscriber base has fallen from 80 million to 45 million. Disney (parent company of ESPN) is now actively searching for a “strategic partner” for the network.

— Allan Walsh🏒 (@walsha) August 27, 2023

I think it fair to say the TNT broadcasts were more entertaining and well-produced than ESPN. However, the world is changing in a hurry. Dopamine-addled brains consuming Tik-Tok, Instagram reels, and YouTube clips will be the end of real media.

Steelers Now

Is Josh Dobbs an NFL starting quarterback in Arizona? It looks like it. Here’s the scoop on the former Steelers backup QB.

Yes, I think we’ve all been really impressed, and Mike Tomlin is especially impressed with TE Darnell Washington.

Who SHOULD be on the Steelers 53-man roster?

Pirates Baseball Now:

The Pirates have two options regarding their TV future. Danny Demilio spells them out. Cut a deal, or let MLB handle it. The Pirates TV rights options.

Johan Oviedo. A complete game shutout and the Buccos beat the Royals. Wow–get the quickie Pirates recap.

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Washington Hockey Now: The Capitals promoted Brian MacLellan to president of hockey ops and named an associate GM. The Washington Capitals news.

Montreal Hockey Now: Marc Dumont took a bold stance. He wrote that it’s time for the Canadiens to trade prospects for NHL players. The Montreal Canadiens trade speculation.

Boston Hockey Now: It’s certainly a choice. Coach Jim Montgomery and the Bruins brass seem OK with Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha as their 1-2 punch at center. The Boston Bruins gamble.

Philly Hockey Now: Pressure? What pressure? Philadelphia has low expectations, and the rookies will get a chance to shine. Sam Carchidi examined the low barrier but possibly big reward for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Detroit Hockey Now: Pavel Zdina opted out of his Red Wings contract and bolted to San Jose this summer. He blasted the Red Wings to a Swedish journo when he said the Red Wings rushed him to the NHL. Here’s the Detroit Red Wings news.

Sportsnet: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving praised Auston Matthews for signing the four-year, $53 million deal. Treliving said Matthews could have demanded a lot more money.

TSN: The Edmonton Oilers signed Sam Gagner and Brandon Sutter to PTOs.

NYI Hockey Now: The NHL Network named Ilya Sorokin the third best goalie in the league.

I would have placed him third, too, but he is pretty, pretty good.