For those on social media on Thursday, the scroll was one of the most surreal in recent memory, further underscoring hockey’s tertiary status when football is underway. While X erupted over New York Jets QB Justin Fields’s injured toe, legitimate and substantial news was unfolding in London, Ontario, as the court rendered verdicts on the five 2018 Team Canada players accused of sexual assault. The presiding Justice left little doubt in a more than four-hour verbal dismantling of the prosecution’s case. Elsewhere in the Daily, after completing the Top 25 Pittsburgh Penguins prospects, we began to answer the important questions–what does it mean, and what is the progress status of the Penguins’ rebuild? Daniel Sprong bolted for the KHL, and Gavin McKenna is excited for Penn State.

The matter of the five acquitted players is now in the NHL’s hands as the players are currently ineligible, which is a fact the league repeated following the verdicts.

I have and will continue to tiptoe through the issue because I understand there are a lot of emotions on several different sides and several different levels. I was shocked at what one reporter appropriately called an “evicerating” summary by Justice Maria Carroccia. She went through the case, point by point, and at every contention by the Crown (the prosecution), Carroccia refuted it. Having followed the live blogs on the London Free Press through the trial and on Thursday, there was not a point Carroccia conceded to the claimant.

While “Innocent” is not a verdict, the judge essentially indicated she felt that way, saying she “found actual consent.” There is so much more to unpack regarding the trial, but I will ask that any comments on this webpage remain respectful.

And we’re going to stop there and get to the hockey.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: A sudden glut of prospects bodes well for general manager Kyle Dubas and the Penguins. We examined the abundance of young players, but also the shortage in one area. Here is the progress status of the Penguins rebuild.

Steelers Now: Day 1 of training camp is behind us, and we’re starting to learn a bit more. At least now we’re seeing the plan for Jalen Ramsey.

NHL News, Rumors, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Here are the verdicts of the five players who were accused, and the following news report.

The NHL now has a little situation on its hands because they don’t really have a standing to keep the players out of the league, but it’s also going to be messy if and when the players are reinstated. For now, the NHL has repeated that the players are ineligible.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Two former Devils were among the accused. Their verdicts and the fallout for Cal Foote and Michael McLeod.

Let’s turn to something more enjoyable.

Florida Hockey Now: Seth Jones. Stanley Cup. The defenseman was languishing in Chicago at midseason, but a trade to Florida certainly changed his fortunes. Jones took the Cup back to where it all began for him. It’s more good times for the Florida Panthers.

Detroit Hockey Now: Remember the Jakub Vrana for Anthony Mantha trade? Now Mantha is with the Penguins, and former Detroit Red Wings winger Vrana is hoping for another shot in the NHL.

TSN: Daniel Sprong is no longer an NHL player. He bolted the big league to sign in the KHL.

Gavin McKenna is prepping for Penn State, but also anxiously awaiting another crack at the World Juniors in December. Canada was embarrassed last year, and McKenna has been waiting to right that wrong.

What a week. From Ozzy to Hulk to Team Canada.