The hockey world pushed pause on the silliness for a day to let Pittsburgh Penguins fans say happy birthday and honor captain Sidney Crosby. Shelly Anderson thinks she knows what Sid wished for when he blew out the candles. Elsewhere, the debates are beginning for tweaks to the USA and Canadian Olympic rosters and who may be included or lose their spot from the Four Nations tourney. It seems the NHL trade rumors surrounding Brady Tkachuk can cease, NHL.com released their list of the top 20 wings, another first-rounder is headed to college, and Utah is suing a hockey equipment manufacturer over the name Mammoth.

I’m not sure if I should address my somewhat misunderstood political post on X yesterday. But I will confirm, MAGA assumes I’m left-wing. Left-wingers assume I’m MAGA. I am very much neither. Actually, with shifting political winds, I became a political nomad six or seven years ago, and it is quite nice being freed from the tribes. It allows you to see both sides, extremism, stupidity, and when both sides are very, very wrong. If I thought I could make a dent, I’d say more, but that’s a narcissistic pipedream. One comment was enough. And that’s all I got to say about that.

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On a much better note, my quick New York trip ends today. Last night, I was there for opening night as a dear friend made her New York theater debut. I know she was thrilled, and I can’t tell you enough, always keep pushing.

And I got to hit my favorite little spot that used to be (sure, used to be) a mobster hangout after the show. It’s quite cheap, but don’t tell them that. Here, you keep your head down, you eat, you take care of the staff, you say thank you, and you leave. And it’s awesome.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Happy Birthday, Sid. As someone who has covered Sidney Crosby since the beginning, Shelly Anderson has seen the evolution from 18-year-old Crosby to now 38-year-old Crosby. The original headline on her story was, Make a Wish and Blow Out the Candles, Sid. And that was appropriate, as for his birthday, Crosby deserves his Penguins wish.

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Steelers Now: One of the big issues on the roster was the shortage of wide receivers, or more specifically, a lack of high-end WRs. However, some unheralded players are taking the opportunity and emerging in the Steelers camp.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Paul Skenes. Enjoy him while it lasts. The guy has become the most statistically dominant young pitcher of the 20th and 21st century, and he was masterful again Thursday night. The postgame should have just been called the Paul Skenes appreciation post.

NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now

ESPN: Squash those trade rumors and chatter of Brady Tkachuk wanting out of Ottawa. Papa Keith Tkachuk told ESPN that, for once, a Tkachuk is happy to stay long term, and Brady plans on being in Ottawa long term.

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TSN: The debates are going to intensify. I think this one is a bit off base, but who will Team Canada boot from the Four Nations roster and who could slip in for the new Olympic roster?

Tom Wilson should have been on the Four Nations roster, and with the smaller ice surface at the 2026 Olympics, a guy who can punish opponents is not something to avoid.

The Score: So that was Canada, now The Score is taking a crack at predicting a slightly revamped Team USA roster.

Sportsnet: OK, this one is a bit weird. Mammoth hockey bags have been around for quite a while, and they were cool with the Utah Mammoth, even wanting to work together, but they didn’t hear back, so they sent a cease-and-desist letter. The Utah Mammoth decided to be proactive … and sue them for the name.

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We’re running out of original sports team names. Remember what was supposed to be the Vegas Black Knights?

The Sporting Tribune: The 10th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft is leaving junior hockey for the NCAA. Anaheim Ducks’ draftee Roger McQueen is headed to Providence, and here’s what it means for his development and the Ducks.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The Penguins’ rivals are trying to get out of the middle. No fandom, no soft sell here. Instead, let’s get real about the New Jersey Devils’ off-season.

The post Dan’s Daily: Honoring Sidney; Tkachuk Won’t Leave Sens; Olympic Debate appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now.