PITTSBURGH, PA – FEBRUARY 27: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) handles the puck during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers on February 27, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)
It was a sign of just how far the Pittsburgh Penguins are falling when neither of their top defensemen ranked on the NHL.com’s list of Top 20 defensemen, and probably weren’t close, either. However, we got some inside dirt from general manager Kyle Dubas on some of the Penguins’ trade calls, and spoke with free agent signing Justin Brazeau. Elsewhere in the Daily, there was incredibly high praise in Montreal, the Dakota Joshua is looking for a fresh start, Gerard Gallant has a new gig over yonder, and there’s more speculation on a Carey Price trade coming after Sept. 1.
A quick site note. Bear with us for a few more days. It seems there are a few bugs the tech folks are working through. One of them is your emails not being delivered.
One of the perks of our new partnership is that I have less administrative work, but the tech is moving beyond our homemade little setup. I can laughingly and accurately refer to Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s original setup as pretty close to Clark W. Griswold’s power bars and extension chords for his Christmas lights. We had workarounds for our workarounds, and the folks untangling our ball of string would probably like to use that string to bind us and beat us silly.
But we also created a national network that was inches from making it big time without any help, venture capital money, magic Wall Street accounting, favors–basically, you and me. If I had made a few more cold business decisions, we would have been a very profitable media outlet, but I was always keeping my eyes on growth rather than dollars. You made it happen. I’m pretty much grateful for yinz, every day. So, call out the problems and things you don’t like–we’re working on it!
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: We had a virtual meet and greet with Justin Brazeau yesterday afternoon. He was an interesting signing for the Penguins because he didn’t get his first full-time NHL action until last season, when he was 26 years old. But he’s also a big dude, starting to put it together. He certainly didn’t hesitate when I asked what part of his game would fit well with his new team. So, here is more on the Penguins’ free agent signing.
Kyle Dubas spent an hour with the Cam and Strick podcast (someday, we’ve got to get him for an hour, eh?). Among the conversation was his origin story, some lighthearted but serious talk about Evgeni Malkin, and a Penguins trade nugget.
Steelers Now: As the Steelers packed up and headed home from Latrobe, there is some lingering rancor over contracts. Cam Heyward and Chris Boswell want to be paid … more. However, the person responsible for signing new contracts doesn’t want to do it. Omar Khan is being tight-lipped over the Steelers’ contract squabbles.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Bad news. Is there any other kind of Bob Nutting’s boys of summer? Not only did the Milwaukee Brewers absolutely destroy the Pirates in a three-game sweep, stepping on home plate 33 times in three games, but Endy Rodriguez had something called ulnar nerve transposition surgery. I have no idea what that is, but Danny Demilio has the Pirates news.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
NHL.com: There was a time when the Penguins perennially had a defenseman ranked in the top 20 on these lists. Kris Letang has aged out, and Erik Karlsson has flamed out, at least with the Penguins. There’s a lot to argue about on this list, but here it is, the top 20 defensemen in the NHL.
TSN: The Montreal Canadiens legends are heaping praise upon Lane Hutson. The spritely defenseman won the Calder Trophy and will be a Norris candidate soon. The vanguard up north said he’s the best Canadien since Guy Lafleur?!
Sportsnet: More players going on podcasts. Dakota Joshua was a thundering force in the 2024 playoffs, but injuries slowed him last season, and things soured in Vancouver. Now, he’s looking for a fresh start with Toronto.
Bleacher Report: Our old buddy Tab Bamford has the Chicago Blackhawks trade talks in his scope. We’ve opined that the Penguins and Montreal Canadiens could swing a deal for Carey Price in a few weeks when his signing bonus is paid. Bamford takes it a step further because the Blackhawks might need to make some trades to hit the salary cap floor.
Montreal Hockey Now: The Habs prospects countdown continues as Marc Dumont is up to No. 5. A 2022 second-round pick is about ready to make an impact. Meet one of the next ones, Owen Beck.
Vegas Hockey Now: The bettors are speaking and doing so loudly. As we separate the wheat from the chaff, among the top-five Stanley Cup favorites–and why–are the Vegas Golden Knights.
San Jose Hockey Now: I think we’ll end today with Sidney Crosby’s new buddy, Macklin Celebrini. There is a fine young crop of players in San Jose this season, and what should the team expect from the new-look San Jose Sharks?
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