The folks up north ranked the NHL teams’ blue lines by tiers, and in a little surprise, the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman ranked a bit higher than their goaltenders, though that’s currently a low bar to clear. Regarding goalies and Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas, we did a story that was long overdue by examining Dubas’s goalie decisions since becoming a GM. It was an interesting mix of bad luck and debatable decisions. Elsewhere (trigger warning), Jack Johnson signed a PTO, the Ottawa Senators may finally get their new arena, and find out more about a day in the life of the most overworked person in hockey: the equipment manager.

TSN radio did a great segment with the Senators’ equipment guy that is below. It is not a joke or false praise to call equipment managers overworked. They are there hours before the players and hours after the players. They’re there in the summer, they’re part supply clerk, part technician, and always available. I think I work hard, but I couldn’t keep up with the minor league guys who would often sleep at the rink.

You and I probably have very different views on the quickly arriving hockey season today. Today, I have that pit in my stomach like a kid who realizes his summer vacation is almost over, and I’m going to have a mean teacher this year. I’d imagine you’re a bit more excited for it. Actually, I’m quite anxious to get it going, too, but I feel like the weather gods took away two-thirds of the downtime. I want it back!

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: From Matt Murray to Tristan Jarry. Ilya Samsonov to Freddy Andersen and Jack Campbell. Dubas has been searching for a goalie, and it’s been a desperate search throughout his GM career. Bad luck or bad choices? Take a look at his path and struggles, including his time as the Penguins’ GM.

Steelers Now: The offense and the QB seem to be jelling (then play in a few series in the preseason!). As part of Alan Saunders’ camp takeaways, he does some heavy lifting and some analysis that should raise optimism. The offense looks like a snug fit for Aaron Rodgers.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Q&A. So, what in the hell is the plan for 2026? If or when can we expect the Oneil Cruz trade? Yep, it’s all there in Danny Demilio’s Pirates Q&A.

NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now

NHL.com: (Trigger warning) Jack Johnson is still in the NHL. The trigger warning bit was one of my favorite bits and even put a few of the insistent, angry, relentless Johnson haters on their heels. I mean, every bloody time I mentioned him or included the guy’s name in a story, there was a mountain of hate. Since Pittsburgh, he’s been regularly employed and won a Stanley Cup. He’s in his late 30s now, but the Minnesota Wild are giving him a PTO for training camp.

He was a tough defenseman. One game in Calgary, I had the old blogosphere on my back for pointing out they were hammering him for a goal when he wasn’t even part of the play. They used to hate when I did that. Former coach Mike Sullivan even went out of his way after the game to exonerate Johnson because Johnson was the only player actually covering his man. The team and players heard the nonsense, but the Penguins’ signing Johnson was the peak power of the snarky analytics gurus and social media tastemakers to savage a player; it began the day the Penguins signed him, and it obstinately never let up. I don’t miss those days. I doubt he does, either.

TSN: Travis Yost has been ranking teams positionally and by tiers. Monday, he got to the defense, and, believe it or not, the Penguins were not the worst. They’re close, but they’re not the worst.

Ottawa Citizen: It will be another five or so years before all of this comes to pass, but the Ottawa Senators announced a land deal that will hopefully, maybe, probably, hopefully, become the site of their new arena.

You know, I’ve never been to downtown Ottawa. The rink is so far outside of the city, in a remote area surrounded by an outlet mall, that it really is like the Penguins playing in Grove City.

Sportsnet: The other folks up north decided to begin their power rankings and judge who is winning the off-season. I haven’t looked yet, but I doubt the Penguins did very well. So, here are the big winners and the emerging favorites.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Regarding off-season moves and getting better. Have the New Jersey Devils done enough to be favorites, or do they need to do a bit more? Are the Devils a contender?

Montreal Hockey Now: One of the big movers in the Montreal Canadiens system is Kasperi Kapanen’s first cousin, Oliver. He was a 2021 second-round pick (64th overall) who is coming into his own, though he’s not like the other Kapanen boys. Marc Dumont’s prospect countdown took a good look at the Canadiens’ prospect who might crack the NHL soon.

Detroit Hockey Now: When the Detroit legends speak, fans listen. Pavel Datsyuk bluntly critiqued the Yzer-plan, which has yet to yield a playoff appearance. A lack of leadership is one thing that he sees. He’s more of the Magic Man dishing on the Detroit Red Wings.

Florida Hockey Now: And we’ll end on one of those funny stories. Brad Marchand is 37, but said he plans to play out his six-year contract with the Florida Panthers.