McDavid Concerns; RFA Friction; Penguins Notes

It was the calm before the storm. There was no Pittsburgh Penguins activity of note on Tuesday, only the anticipation of players reporting for training camp today and the official launch of practices and the beginning of the 2025-26 season on Thursday. We rolled through why it’s time to end the Sidney Crosby trade talk and confronted some criticism in the One Timers.

Elsewhere, the NHL trade chatter has become talk over Connor McDavid’s reticence to sign a new contract with the Edmonton Oilers, and a couple of big-name restricted free agents are still without a new contract. There are 25 cities, including Pittsburgh, vying to host the 2028 World Cup, and reps will go through orientation, and the Montreal Canadiens are really happy with their management.

Summer is officially over. Last big bike ride of the season is complete. I bought a little $30 clip-on camera as I rolled through my favorite little towns on Rt. 6–my annual goodbye. Unfortunately, the most picturesque spot is between Smethport and Kane–there’s a double hill with farms. It’s like a 3D postcard with a big red barn a few feet from the road–and I double-clicked the video button, which changed the video to night vision. D’oh!

But if you want to see–here’s the 3-minute 65mph montage of Wellsboro, Rt. 6 near Sweden Valley (the sky and rolling mountains were perfect, sorry about the vibrations), into the capturing hills surrounding Galeton, Rt. 666 between Sheffield and Tionesta, and then rolling into Pittsburgh (The bike and wind sounds were too much for the camera, so I put music under it instead).

I’ll have to figure out a better mount for it next year. You can see why I love doing this, eh?

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: A one-timer column allowed me to opine and clarify a few things. From Sidney Crosby to criticism and the possibility that the Penguins could sign one of the acquitted Team Canada players, here are the Penguins one-timers.

Steelers Now: The Steelers’ run defense has been like a cape-waving matador, but little more. They’re trying to correct it and signed a run-stuffing linebacker on Tuesday. Here’s the Steelers news.

And here’s the broadcast team for the Patriots-Steelers game this Sunday.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Free fallin’. It was another bad night for the Buccos, but even Paul Skenes was in poor form. Here’s how bad things are getting for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: While it’s time to rest the Crosby talk, maybe we should be seriously watching Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers contract talks. McDavid called it “a big decision.”

Representatives from the 25 cities vying to host the 2028 World Cup of Hockey will get an education on what is needed, what the league wants, and get to fly around the world to do it. There will be something akin to orientation meetings for city representatives.

I love Pittsburgh, but I don’t think this is the best place for the tournament. My house could be rented for over $1000 a night because of the NFL Draft next year and the lack of hotels. We just don’t have the infrastructure for this stuff, in my humble opinion.

TVA: Renaud Lavoie reports the Montreal Canadiens are quite happy with the jobs of president Jeff Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes, and are trying to re-up them quickly.

It has been a textbook rebuild under those two in Montreal. Of course, they’ve gotten several top-five draft picks, and why, oh why, did teams pass on Ivan Demidov?!

TSN Video: The Insiders tackle the McDavid talk, as well as an update on Kirill Kaprizov and the biggest pending UFAs.

Florida Hockey Now: The five big questions facing the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

San Jose Hockey Now: What did scouts think of second overall pick Michael Misa’s rookie tournament performance?

Chicago Hockey Now: Matt Grzelcyk finally found a home. Maybe. The defenseman signed a PTO with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hat tip to new Chicago Hockey Now beat writer Jack Bushman, he’s crushing it.

Tags: Connor McDavid nhl news Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby