It has been a long time coming for the return of the Quebec Nordiques. Not since the big move to Colorado in 1996 have the blue and white fleur de lis graced NHL ice, but the Colorado Avalanche are set to rectify that situation. Elsewhere, according to reports, there is no market for the five players from the 2018 Team Canada squad who were acquitted last week of sexual assault, and Carter Hart to the Edmonton Oilers is an immediate no-go. The Minnesota Wild might get priced out of their own negotiations with Kirill Kaprizov. And we hit the fast forward button on the Pittsburgh Penguins season to look at the top of the 2026 NHL Draft and the franchise players who are not named Gavin McKenna.

It was a short motorcycle ride on Tuesday, but I rode around the Kinzua Dam. Going around the lake is just one of the most picturesque rides, and I finally stopped in Port Allegheny at a little barn of a diner that I’ve whizzed past a dozen times. Sadly, they were out of beef, so I couldn’t do the Beef on Weck, but the prices made me chuckle. It was like cannonballing back into 1995, and the food was really good, too.

 

 

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And late last night into the wee hours, I got this amazing view at Cherry Springs State Park. I only saw a few meteors, but one was a bright orange streak, albeit gone in a flash. At this point, I think I’m doing more for northern rim tourism than any state board or agency!

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Tank for McKenna! Even if they have the worst record in the NHL, there’s about a 75% chance they don’t get the top pick. So, if the odds are not forever in their favor, who else will be available at the top of the 2026 NHL Draft? Oh, there are some other good ones, including a potential franchise defenseman. Here are the other players to watch for the Penguins’ rebuild.

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Steelers Now: The first pad popping practice of training camps was … rained out. However, in the meantime, the team signed a beefy nosetackle on the fringe of the roster, and the team got some good news on Broderick Jones. Here’s the Steelers News.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Seriously, this guy is one of the best in a long, long time. The Pittsburgh Pirates faced some adversity, but guess who pitched his way out of it? Yep, check out another masterful performance from Paul Skenes.

NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now

Adrian Dater was on this one–the blue Nordiques sweater is coming back!

Daily Hive: Podcasts and social media are places for scoops. Frank Seravalli dropped a big one Tuesday that has deeper ramifications than your normal free agency story. Carter Hart was acquitted last week of sexual assault charges, but the Edmonton Oilers have no interest in the goalie. It’s a no-fly zone.

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The Athletic ($): It’s almost August, and the Minnesota Wild are 0-for-2 on their off-season to-do list. They are worlds apart on a new contract for Marco Rossi, and suddenly, it’s starting to feel like the possible extension for Kirill Kaprizov will exceed their pain tolerance, too. Joe Smith and Michael Rossi laid out the burgeoning situation.

Detroit Hockey Now: Wait, former Red Wings were in Happy Gilmore 2?! I didn’t catch them, but I may have been busy laughing because the movie was laugh-out-loud funny. Here is the scene with Sean Avery and Chris Chelios.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Nazem Kadri’s name is still floating around in trade chatter, but it’s usually around the Toronto Maple Leafs. Well, there are other teams with second-line center needs. Well, could they afford him, and would Kadri fit well with the New Jersey Devils?

Ottawa Hockey Now: Why Pinto? Why not?! Contracts are due, and money is an issue. Danny McCloskey projects how much it will cost to re-sign center Shane Pinto.

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The post Dan’s Daily: Nordiques Return! No Market for Acquitted; Penguins Look Ahead appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now.