The fallout and reaction to Cale Makar’s massive payday continued as fans and pundits acquiesced to the new world we’re living in, whereby Makar can sign for over $20 million a year, but a depth defenseman can sign for $1 million. There’s plenty of reaction, but there was also a decidedly negative reaction to Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request in an unexpected place. Elsewhere in the Daily, the hockey content is spare, but we’ve also got the optimism and cold reality of the coming Pittsburgh Penguins season.

Today might be the most difficult Daily because there was so little published content on Saturday, but we’re going to scoop it all up and do our best.

So, let’s get to it.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Inspired by this week’s Q&A, we looked at the reasons for optimism for the coming Penguins season. Inspired by this week’s Q&A, we also looked at the more realistic reasons for pessimism this season. It’s straight Penguins analysis.

Steelers Now: As more cuts were coming, the Pittsburgh Steelers shoveled former first-round pick Broderick Jones to the Dallas Cowboys. Here’s the surprising Steelers trade.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

NHLtraderumors.me: It’s nice to see someone (else) taking a stand against the cavalcade of trade demands, though it is unexpected to see Michael Wilbon of ESPN being the one to do it. Wilbon took Connor Hellebuyck to the woodshed, beginning with “No!”

Indeed, GMs and the league must push back, or these requests will get out of hand. You don’t sign an eight-year contract and get to move on when times get tough.

Sportsnet: After Makar broke the bank with his record-setting contract, people reacted. Sportsnet put together the old-school fan-reaction piece after the elite defenseman signed the deal everyone knew was coming, but was shocking nonetheless.

By the way, how long will the phrase “worth every penny” last if we no longer make pennies?

The 2028 World Cup is already on the minds and in the hearts of Canadians looking for some revenge against the dastardly Team USA villains. So, which team will take the biggest leap forward at the World Cup?

TSN: With all of the talk in the race for the highest-paid player, Macklin Celebrini says he left some money on the table to get the deal done with the San Jose Sharks.

Florida Hockey Now: Big money, big money, no whammies. The Florida Panthers don’t owe anyone a massive payday this summer or next, but George Richards writes, oh, the Panthers contract splashes are coming.

Philly Hockey Now: In keeping with paychecks that have so many zeroes that they might weigh a pound, is there a player who will soon demand $20 million from the Philadelphia Flyers?

The next NHL board of governors meeting might be a “surprise” party for the Flyers owners in which the rest of the owners turn off the lights and beat the snot out of them, but no one saw nothin’. Without that Leo Carlsson offer, Makar would have been in the $15 million range.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The ripples of the contract market and hitting the NHL trade block, too. Can Minnesota cough up the cash to keep Quinn Hughes? With New Jersey lurking on the free-agent market next summer, what happens if Minnesota can’t sign Hughes? James Nichols goes through the scenarios, but ultimately, it’s Minnesota’s problem, not the Devils’ to care about.

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