The Pittsburgh Penguins’ trade for Matt Dumba in a salary dump from the Dallas Stars was the first domino to fall, and the Penguins’ trade only spurred more trade chatter. We’ve got full coverage, analysis, and video. PHN also tackled an emerging topic regarding what is the best development route for the Penguins’ prospects as new options are available. Elsewhere, there is a new wrinkle in the NHL’s CBA regarding 19-year-olds and the AHL, the Maple Leafs traded Ryan Reaves, Ilya Sorokin’s agent slammed recent trade rumors, and TSN has declared off-season winners.

Greetings from Wellsboro, PA. The Dan’s day off curse was in full effect on Thursday. Sure, I wrote a couple of articles Thursday morning, but I planned for a good ride through the PA forests up to the northern rim for a couple of days to decompress. As I rolled north through the Sinnemahoning State Park, in which there isn’t the faintest hint of cell service, the news began to break as Dumba was listed on the Penguins roster, but no announcement was forthcoming.

We got it all done. Shelly was on news duty, and she knocked that out. I pulled over somewhere in Cherry Springs State Park to make calls to confirm the deal and get more background on Dumba’s disastrous 2024-25 season. I pulled over at a rest stop outside the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Sweden Valley (between Coudersport and Wellsboro) to begin writing the analysis, but a surprise thunderstorm rolled over the mountain, and I had to go … quickly.

All’s well that ends well. I got to my final destination–the absolutely charming Penn Wells Hotel in Wellsboro. We got the analysis up in an acceptable time frame from the hotel’s turn of the 20th century lobby. Of course, I planned for all hell to break loose and packed my podcast mic, which came in handy for the analysis video/Live Chat. And then, dinner. Whew.

Also–I had a great lunch. If you roll through Ridgeway, PA, where Rts. 120 and 219 intersect, there’s Joey’s Bakery and Restaurant. It’s a little diner with HUGE hot roast beef sandwiches (When you’re in a small town diner, you get the hot roast beef and mashed potatoes, and cover it all in gravy. Always).

I breathed easier later Thursday night. I do love Wellsboro. It’s a MUST-visit if you need a weekend or a quick road trip.

Hot roast beef at Joey’s in Ridgeway

 

Away we go.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Let’s start with the trade. Here are the particulars for the Penguins acquiring defenseman Matt Dumba.

Now then, the full analysis. From the superficial to the more intricate and detailed scenarios of what is to come for both Dumba but also the Penguins. Yes, this signifies more trades are coming. Here is the detailed Penguins trade analysis.

And we got the Live Chat to work! No hitches, no sound mishaps, though you will never again see me wearing only a T-shirt. Collars. Always. We did the video version, and then it rolled into a live chat (with a high water mark of 950 people watching at once?!). The Penguins video chat.

Now then, back to life, back to reality. What should the Penguins do with a few of their prospects? There are new doors open that could accelerate their development, but that’s also debatable. It’s time to discuss the Penguins’ prospects.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Brick-Gate is finally over. Rightfully embarrassed by their obtuse and careless discarding of memorialized bricks outside PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates have announced plans for a bronzed memorial for all of the names on those bricks.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Let’s start with this because it broke last night, and it could affect the Penguins. Frank Seravalli reports there is a new provision in the CBA that allows teams to place one 19-year-old in the AHL.

I love this story. It’s kind of funny timing–as some really weird trolls were angry or offended that I tweeted Pitt should start a D1 hockey program and take on Penguins prospects–the historically black college, Tennessee State, is launching a D1 hockey program!

Godspeed, TSU.

It’s a shame Pitt doesn’t start a hockey program, play at PPG, and ask the Penguins to send them their draft picks so that the prospects could be close by, and Pgh fans could see them.
Or, you know, RMU could upgrade conferences/facilities and do the same.

— Dan Kingerski (@TheDanKingerski) July 10, 2025

As for the trolls and people who take things too seriously, relax. It wasn’t a 2000-page study on the feasibility and central urban planning. Sheesh. Get a grip.

San Jose Hockey Now: Trade! Henry Thrun is headed to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the San Jose Sharks are getting Ryan Reaves.

TSN Overdrive: From Utah to the New York Islanders, the boys grab a shovel and dig into the 2025 off-season winners.

NYI Hockey Now: Stop the insanity. Russ Macias put the ball on the tee and swung from the heels regarding the recent Ilya Sorokin, Islanders trade talk.

Philly Hockey Now: I think Penguins fans are going to wistfully watch their cross-state rivals all season and get a little salty. They are different situations, but take a look at Will James projecting the Philadelphia Flyers’ opening night lineup.

Chicago Hockey Now: One of the top picks in the NHL Draft, but also some intrigue. Greg Boysen looks at what to do with Anton Frondell this season.