Dan’s Daily: Talking Penguins Trade Bait; Hockey Canada Confronts Sex Scandals

The calm before the storm. The Pittsburgh Penguins are gathering with informal skates. We examined the Penguins’ trade needs and who might be put on the NHL trade block to fill a couple of holes in the Penguins lineup. New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald joined the Boston Hockey Now podcast and talked about players needing a thick skin if they choose arbitration. The Ottawa Senators bet big on young defenseman Jake Sanderson. Sportsnet circled the players who need to make a difference in the Metro Division, and the Chicago Blackhawks will honor Chris Chelios.

Hello from New York City, the Hells Kitchen version. Yesterday did not bring the big news I  hoped. We met with some potential investors, and my joke about being sent for and getting whacked was closer to the truth of what happened. One of the investors tried to beat me down, personally, because he could not read our profit/loss statement, and I have not yet hired a CEO or CFO (all things he knew before summoning me to New York).

I simply smiled and took my beating. His calls won’t be returned. People want to get their hands on National Hockey Now and its properties for their benefit, not yours. We’re the largest professional independent media outlet in North America, and that’s to your credit. We’ve been told to use AI writers, cheap unqualified writers or interns (like our national competition), and every other mistake those who have tried to come before us have made. You’ve built us up, and only you are allowed to knock us down.

I’m feeling even more rebellious than usual. Here’s $10 off the brand new and unannounced PHN/Steelers Now/Pittsburgh Baseball Now subscription: Use code: 10off. Click here to subscribe.

At least I got a few slices of NYC pizza. To hell with Wall Street.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Kyle Dubas has done a pretty slick job building up the Penguins and the front office, yet a couple of lineup holes remain. Looking ahead, the trade needs and the potential Penguins trade bait.

Steelers Now:

An All-Pro running back to the Steelers? The Steelers rumors persist.

There’s been a war of words between the Steelers secondary and 49ers QB Brock Purdy, who clapped back Thursday. This isn’t my favorite, but it is funny. The latest Steelers news.

Teammates and coaches are excited by their second-round pick. Joey Porter Jr. is ready.

 Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

I love Cody Potanko’s coverage of the Pirates’ prospects. A pair of pitchers dazzled. The latest Pirates prospects watch.

Andrew McCutchen.What is his future after the partial tear of his Achilles? John Perrotto says that’s EASY. Here’s the big man’s take on the Pittsburgh Pirates and Andrew McCutchen.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: The boys up north circled Erik Karlsson as the needed difference-maker for the Penguins. They examine the entire Metro Division for the players who need to come through.

Chicago Hockey Now: This is a bit surprising. Chris Chelios will have his number retired by…the Chicago Blackhawks.

He played over 1600 NHL games, almost evenly split between Montreal, Chicago, and Detroit. If Chelly gets his number in the rafters, what about Jeremy Roenick?

Philly Hockey Now: Perhaps the least impactful retirement in some time. Michael del Zotto announced he is hanging up his skates after 14 seasons. The former Philadelphia Flyers d-man is done.

And after getting a two-year deal, it’s time for Morgan Frost to step up.

Boston Hockey Now: What young players are ready to break out? Needing thick skin and mentors, Jimmy Murphy had a good chat with Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald on the Murphy’s Law podcast.

Nashville Hockey Now: Training camp is around the corner. New coach. New GM. New players. The top storylines for the Nashville Predators.

Colorado Hockey Now: The dynamic duo in Colorado was on the ice yesterday. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are getting up for another Cup run, the Colorado Avalanche.

TSN: Hockey Canada is attacking “toxic masculinity” after recent scandals exposed the organization.

Perhaps it’s not “toxic masculinity,” a blanket PC term, but a lack of morals and supervision that led to groups of young players engaging in extreme sexual encounters (possibly sexual assault). But that’s my .02.