Dan’s Daily: Sidney Crosby Speculation; RFA Madness

The Pittsburgh Penguins have sold salary cap space for draft picks but have also acquired a gaggle of players in the process, who, to be kind, are not players they would have targeted if winning now were the goal. Pittsburgh Hockey Now took dead aim at the pretense of remaining competitive with a strong undercurrent of rebuilding that president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas is undertaking. It seems several Hockey Now beat writers extrapolated the consequences of the St. Louis Blues’ RFA offer sheets to their own teams, both on the attack and defense. The NHL network released the Top 20 Wings, and multiple outlets seized on Sidney Crosby not yet signing a contract, including one in Montreal.

I had an afternoon to myself on Wednesday. Mr. Dubas did not get any later afternoon phone calls and the Penguins did not drop any news that forced me to scuttle plans. I took a little ride further north, and I must tell you that the Finger Lakes region is more picturesque than I expected. I went to a little town that NASCAR fans know well, Watkins Glen, to sample some local wineries.

I found one really good winery. If you’re in the area, Lakewood Vineyard has some solid reds and a very good sparkling wine. Oddly, I walked in, and the woman behind the counter asked, “Are you the TV guy?”

Yeah, an awkward moment proceeded. As I quickly learned, a local TV station was coming over to do a little story on bottling the 2023 vintage. I followed my wine tasting with a giant plate of hot wings and a Pepsi at a local dive bar because that’s how I roll.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Alex Nedeljkovic really believes in the Penguins. He said it at the end of last season, and he doubled down on Wednesday during a little chat with beat writers, including PHN. Nedeljkovic is obviously hearing the chatter about the team on the decline, but confronted it. Here’s Alex Nedeljkovic.

The Penguins are going to need his feisty spirit this season.

And I’ll admit, writing the big Penguins opinion piece on Wednesday felt like playing Jenga on a wobbly table. There’s so much to process, synthesize, and funnel into one story that I could have written another 1000 words. Here goes. The Penguins should drop the pretense and just tear it down. Check out the Penguins perspective.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now (+): The Pirates have lost 10 in a row. The trainwreck is complete. So, who is to blame for the Pirates’ collapse?

Steelers Now: The winners and losers of Week 3 at Steelers training camp.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Montreal Hockey Now: OK, Marc Dumont went there. Let’s talk about the potential, whether for amusement or seriously, about the Montreal Canadiens and Sidney Crosby.

Spector’s Hockey: I could list all of the RFA drama individually, but our buddy Lyle Richardson at Spector’s Hockey already did it, including several Hockey Now stories. So, here’s the latest on the St. Louis offer sheets to the Edmonton RFAs and the teams that should be worried.

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers have some cap space and draft picks to burn. Who are the top remaining candidates to get an offer sheet from any team, including the Philadelphia Flyers?

NHL.com: There are no longer Penguins on the top 20 wingers list, but there is one former Penguins star. Yeah, you know who. Here’s the list.

TSN video: Is it time to worry that Sidney Crosby has not yet signed a contract? The TSN panel discusses and debates.

New Jersey Hockey Now: One of the finalists for the Penguins GM job was again close to getting his own team. The Edmonton Oilers strongly considered the New Jersey Devils assistant GM.

Washington Hockey Now: Free agent Max Pacioretty remains unsigned. Nathan Moser takes a good look at the forward and wonders if it’s over for the former Washington Capitals forward.