That is quite the headline, isn’t it? The NHL trade chatter today centers around the growing belief that the Dallas Stars may indeed sacrifice Jason Robertson to the trade gods, and the Anaheim Ducks cannot lock down Mason McTavish. Now that Dakota Joshua is a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he is honoring Phil Kessel. And we reached the crescendo of our Top 25 Pittsburgh Penguins prospects list with our top five, though not without a little debate. And we did a pretty healthy Penguins Live Chat on the YouTube channel that focused on the cost for Rickard Rakell, prospects, and Erik Karlsson.
I have had a lot of fun providing content for you this month. With the stresses of business weighing heavily in some aspects, you’ve been able to keep me focused and keep driving Penguins analysis and thoughts forward. I’m only too happy to plow ahead, especially as the analysis pertains to the front office and the things we can learn or figure out, such as the team’s new skating/performance program.
Also, you guys don’t miss a beat. On the Live Chat, someone asked about the possibility of Harrison Brunicke attending college this season instead of juniors. Without missing a beat, I began to explain why he couldn’t or shouldn’t, and a few of you very quickly reminded me that Brunicke signed his ELC, which meant he had no NCAA eligibility and the conversation was moot. That was impressive. On the fly, I evaluated the merits of hypothetical and “yinz” caught me with details quickly.
Small details, especially as they pertain to the topics I don’t deal with every day, will always be a little slippery for me, and I will always dwell on one little slip in a 90-minute show versus a lot of good stuff. I envy people who can fluff it off. A day later, I’m still obsessing over a quick detail. So it goes, eh? Those of you who caught that details, thanks! There was also a quick math error in the show, but I’m not telling.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Per custom, later today, we will move our Top 25 Penguins prospects behind the paywall and send our subscribers the full list and analysis. I’ll admit to having a couple of surprise rankings in the top 10, and one in the top five. So, here are the top five Penguins prospects.
You wouldn’t believe how many times I rearranged my top 10.
Here is our Penguins Live Chat. I’ve exclusively put them on our YouTube platform, so make sure you are following our YouTube channel. I will upload a podcast version this morning.
You can listen to our podcasts on the PHN Podcast Page.
Steelers Now: As training camp gets underway, Alan Saunders attempts to predict what will happen over the next six weeks and who will comprise the Steelers’ 53-man roster.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pirates signed a crop of their draft picks, including several key selections; however, one told them, no thanks. The Pirates’ second-round pick decided he’d rather go to college. Pittsburgh Baseball Now has all of the Pirates news.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
TSN: Dakota Joshua is now a Maple Leaf, and as a cancer survivor, he is choosing to honor another survivor, Phil Kessel. In honor of the two-time Stanley Cup champion, Joshua will wear No. 81.
Vancouver Province: Ben Kuzma both reported that Mason McTavish wants more money than Anaheim wants to pay, and that the Vancouver Canucks are interested in a trade for his services. McTavish is up against a tough negotiator (Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek), and the situation is just beginning.
NHL.com: Dan Rosen didn’t steer away, and he seems to be leaning toward a blockbuster Jason Robertson deal. Oh, and an Evan Rodrigues deal, too. Rosen put the odds at 50% for a Robertson deal because of the coming future contracts of the young defensemen, so here’s why he thinks Robertson is bait.
Philly Hockey Now: Here’s an interesting take on Porter Martone’s decision to go the college route. Will James writes that it’s the right path but the wrong decision for him and the Philadelphia Flyers.
I agree with Will. Martone could have been in the NHL this year. Check out the article.
I think a lot of teams are going to regret passing on the Little Engine That Could. LJ Mooney scored a big goal for Team USA at the U17 Worlds. The celly was pretty good, too:
LJ Mooney just won the game for the United States with this overtime goal, and he does the dab to celebrate.
From scoring with less than a second to go in regulation to this… what a moment for USA. #WorldU17 pic.twitter.com/jAEKRn4Q4s
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) November 11, 2023
Forever Blueshirts: The Rangers have made some moves this off-season. Hello, Mike Sullivan. Goodbye, K’Andre Miller. Are they done for the summer, or is the real work just beginning? Are more changes coming for the New York Rangers?