Dan’s Daily: Penguins Wiggle Under the Cap, ZAR Gets Contract

Hockey seemingly breaks all of its news in one day. Dozens of players hit waivers on Sunday, and few interesting names were on the list. The Pittsburgh Penguins squeezed under the NHL salary cap with a surprise twist ending. Former Penguins defenseman Ian Cole is under fire after an anonymous Twitter account accused him of sexual assault with a female minor. Also in the Daily, NHL trade market predictions and more dominos fall at Hockey Canada.

Also, the Steelers stink, stank, stunk.

The Final Word on WPXI was fun last night. I’d like to think I’m bringing a little bit of a different element to the show and a little Alby teasing. The last couple of shows seemed to come off well. They are nerve-racking for me because I’m used to a radio mic and headphones. The headphones are my safety blanket. Talking in a cavernous studio without the warm sound in the headphones still throws me off, and sometimes I wonder, “what did I just say??”

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The story, complete with Twitter accusation and denial by Ian Cole.

I don’t know what to say about Cole. I can’t recall another serious crime anonymously alleged on social media. It seems the accuser included enough verifiable details that we should quickly know the full story. There is no statute of limitations on sex with a minor.

To hockey…

Pittsburg Hockey Now: P.O Joseph did enough in his final audition. Ty Smith was sent to the WBS Penguin and Joseph didn’t have to clear waivers. It was a surprise ending as the Pittsburgh Penguins got under the salary cap.

Mark Friedman cleared waivers, preserving the Penguins’ depth, and the team passed on re-claiming Radim Zohorna.

Passing on Zohorna was surprising, too.

Steelers Now:

• Where it went wrong — Kenny Pickett explains the biggest Steelers issues.
• Alan Saunders was in Buffalo for the worst Steelers loss since 1989. He writes there’s NO quick fix for the Steelers.
• Four more starters were injured. Steelers injury report.

Oh by the way, the Steelers are currently on pace for the No. 1 overall pick.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Nick Gonzalez is off to a hot start in the Arizona Fall League. Here is the update on the Pirates prospects.

NHL Trade, News & National Hockey Now:

The Score: 23 NHL trade predictions for this season.

Sportsnet: Not all that glitters is gold. It’s not the most significant NHL trade on record, but the St. Louis Blues traded Klim Kostin to the Edmonton Oilers.

Kostin is the talented player the Blues drafted with the Penguins’ pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, which St. Louis acquired in the Ryan Reaves trade. Time flies, huh?

Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins made a few headlines by waiving three veterans — serviceable vets, too — to get under the NHL salary cap. The Boston Bruins news.

Philly Hockey Now: Woof, a bunch of names that most of you don’t know and may never hear again. The looming roster decisions for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Washington Hockey Now: It’s not an easy thing. The coach calls a player into his office and basically hands him his fate. The player made the team, or he has been cut, losing a lifetime dream. “The emotions are real,” Peter Laviolette opened up about the process with the Washington Capitals.

Sportsnet: The Canadian sports minister isn’t satisfied with the small changes atop Hockey Canada and wants more sweeping changes.

TSN: And we’ll end on a happy note. Zach Aston-Reese earned a contract from the Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s not millions, but he’s sticking around.