At the end of our annual Pittsburgh Penguins Prospects Week, we named a few honorable mentions, or in this case, the prospects we snubbed. We also shone a light on the team’s ace in the hole that many fans overlook, and which prospects are really Penguins trade fodder. Elsewhere in the Daily, the highs and lows of the Steve Yzerman era in Detroit, Columbus is being squeezed by the skyrocketing cost to sign Adam Fantilli, and we have ground zero of this salary explosion for RFAs–what the Anaheim Ducks had offered Leo Carlsson.

There was an idea we discussed as part of the latest No Pucks Given Podcast/Penguins Chat, comparing the Detroit Red Wings to the Penguins, specifically rebuilding through the draft, and that Detroit generally failed to accomplish it.

It surely seems to me that the Penguins are the team with assets that both the Ottawa Senators and Detroit should be chasing. And, at every step, the world has shoved Dubas into rebuilding through the draft rather than trades.

I’ve written that column a few times this summer, but the Detroit wrinkle opens a few new doors to that discussion. Stay tuned.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: I made a last-second change to the headline after I realized the story took me in a different direction than I planned. The Penguins have a secret weapon on draft day. We also listed our three “honorable mentions” or snubs to the Top 20 Penguins Prospects list, and examined how the prospects factor into the Penguins’ trade chips.

And someone sent me this. I don’t know where, when, or the situation, but it is Penguins prospect Bill Zonnon with an absolutely filthy shootout move.

Steelers Now: Former first-round pick Broderick Jones suffered a neck injury that ended his season and may cost him this season, too. Alan Saunders has the full story on the Steelers lineman.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The second half begins, and the chase is on. Danny Demilio looked ahead–will the MLB playoffs include the Pittsburgh Pirates?

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: There is a lot to be learned here. The highs and LOWS of the Steve Yzerman era in Detroit.

NHLtraderumors.me: Ground zero. Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek has a reputation, nay a history, of playing hardball with young players on their second contract. He did so with Mason McTavish, and he was doing so with Leo Carlsson. Elliotte Friedman reported Anaheim’s standing offer to Carlsson before the Flyers swooped in for an offer nearly DOUBLE what Anaheim put on the table.

This is what happens, Larry.

Columbus Dispatch: This is what happens, Larry, when you meet a stranger in the Alps. The Columbus Blue Jackets are feeling the curse of Carlsson as they try to re-sign Adam Fantilli, but now their offer isn’t good enough, and they might not have enough salary cap space. It’s becoming a tough situation for the CBJ.

TSN: So, what about Connor Hellebuyck? Some believe with near certainty that he will be traded. But there really isn’t a lot of chatter. So what’s up? Will he be traded?

Philly Hockey Now: The Philly Flyers re-signed defenseman Jamie Drysdale to a four-year deal with a very affordable $6.5 million cap hit. That’s the news. Will James also put the new Trevor Zegras contract on the operating table. Good deal, bad deal, too short? Examining the Zegras contract.

Finally, I meant to post this yesterday. Some teams got really creative with their schedule releases, but only one team went full Letterkenney: The Winnipeg Jets. That’s a Texas-sized 10-4 there, buddy.

Enjoy!

Tags: nhl trade Penguins Prospects Pittsburgh Penguins steve yzerman

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