Hard questions await the presumptive new Pittsburgh Penguins owners, and we circled a potential Penguins trade target. Elsewhere in the Daily, it seems the Minnesota Wild aren’t done acquiring and have taken a shine to a Philadelphia Flyers’ youngster. The drumbeat has not slowed surrounding Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube, and replacements are already being discussed.

Today is going to be a long one, as the Penguins practice at noon. They will probably go for an hour or more, then we’ll bolt to Chicago. To save a few hundred bucks, we’re making the drive instead of flying.

My time in Chicago won’t be long, but I am already looking forward to Luke’s Italian Beef. I’ve had the rest. I’ve been to the tourist spots, Al’s, and Portillo’s. And they pale in comparison to Luke’s.

Chicago is THE best blue-collar grub on the planet, but I’ll put it in print for all time: Chicago is for beef, not pizza. I’ve been to Giordano’s and Lou’s, and that’s artery-clogging, stomach-churning meat cake, but not pizza.

Maybe this time I’ll do a hot dog tour? Of course, I’ve been to Ditka’s hot dog joint.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: OK, there will hopefully be a moment to ask these questions in person, but the new Penguins owners face some hard questions that they answer sooner rather than later, and we circled a potential Penguins trade target.

Steelers Now: Yep, it happened. The fan who DK Metcalf struck in front of TV cameras held his eagerly anticipated (or eye-rolling) press conference. Here’s the next chapter of DK Metcalf.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Now that Ryan O’Hearn and Brandon Lowe are in the lineup, it’s time to look at finishing the starting rotation. Which pitchers should the Pirates target?

Oh, and Will Horcoff scores goals.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & NHN

Daily Faceoff: The Wild might not have finished shopping on the trade market. Quinn Hughes was a pretty big trade get, but Bill Guerin is also looking at youth and remains interested in Flyers’ forward Bobby Brink.

That is Anthony DiMarco’s report. I’ve been very critical of the new crop of “insiders” lately, as they’ve put out some bad gas, so I should give some props to DiMarco, who proved to be a quick study in the field and reliable.

Sportsnet: The ECHL Players have gone on strike.

I’ve seen ECHL finances firsthand. It’s not easy on the owners, but the players also have some good points.

I suppose it’s also time to start watching the 2026 Draft again. Here are the 10 players in the World Junior tourney to watch.

NHLtraderumors.me: I can’t fathom this one, but Chris Johnston reports that if Toronto fires Berube, the next coach on deck is…Pete DeBoer.

Detroit Hockey Now: Much like the Penguins, the Detroit Red Wings have stunk like week-old makrel in the sun after schedule breaks. Coach Todd McClellan issued a challenge for the Red Wings’ return.

Vegas Hockey Now: We haven’t checked in with Hannah and the glitzy VGK for a moment. She’s avoided the Vegas flu this year and has a holiday break breakdown of what needs to happen and come next for the second-tier leaders of the West, the Vegas Golden Knights.

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