The Pittsburgh Penguins submitted a surprisingly strong effort with clean play. However, their offensive power outage is hitting concerning levels as they lost 2-1 in a shootout. At this point, a loss in the shootout is expected. We put everything else on the operating table and really had a good look at the Penguins game. We’ve also got Blake Lizotte’s reaction to a new contract.

Elsewhere in the Daily, the Vancouver Canucks are talking rebuild, but how deep will the trades cut? Jimmy Murphy has teams to watch in the Dougie Hamilton sweepstakes. There is a new No. 1 draft prospect, leaping past both Gavin McKenna and Keaton Verhoeff. And Tristan Jarry had a “whoops” in overtime that cost Edmonton the game.

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The Daily is a little late today. PHN needed some sleep. I expect the Penguins’ practice today to also be heavily optional or very short. This schedule … whew. For heaven’s sake, if the NHL is going to the Olympics or going to host World Cups, they need to start the season a week or two earlier and not cram 10 pounds of games in a five-pound bag. I’m a pretty energetic human who detests sleep, but damn, even I want to sleep for days right now.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Vince Comunale did the Penguins game recap.

Into the report card. What Tampa Bay did so effectively, especially in the first half of the game, what the Penguins were able to do in the second half, why it all worked, and the player grades in the Penguins analysis.

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Blake Lizotte should talk to the media more often. He’s really good and is interesting. His reaction to his new contract was really humble and kind of touching. Here’s the story and his comments in the Penguins locker room.

Steelers Now: It’s OVER! It’s OVER! It’s OVER! Mike Tomlin stepped down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Come on, try a little. Nothing is forever. There’s got to be something better than
in the middle.

NHL Trade Chatter, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: A new No. 1 prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft. Does that mean this draft is even deeper than we thought, or not as good? Jason Bakula explains why Ivar Stenberg is the new top dog.

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RG.org: My skeptical feelings on this site are probably well known by now, but I also like Jimmy Murphy. And I know he’s plugged into the New Jersey Devils, who are trying to trade Dougie Hamilton. Murph lists a few teams, notably the Utah Mammoth, who are interested.

NHLtraderumors.me: Elliotte Friedman had a tale to tell in the latest 32 Thoughts. The aggregator site picked up on it. The Toronto Maple Leafs are very interested in Brayden Schenn, who may have blocked a trade to Toronto, stipulating that he would accept one if they also acquired his brother, Luke.

TSN Insiders: Will Brayden Point be ready for the Olympics? Will the Ottawa Senators wave the white flag and become sellers? And more Hamilton in the TSN Insiders.

Boston Hockey Now: For the second straight game, the goalie was the difference. The Penguins were a bit goalie’d Sunday in Boston. And Tuesday, the Detroit Red Wings were definitely goalie’d by the Boston Bruins.

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Colorado Hockey Now: Finally, some adversity for the NHL’s best team. Six games in 10 days. Major injuries. And a power play outage. It was time for some team meetings for the Colorado Avalanche.

Whoops.

The post Dan’s Daily: New Top Draft Prospect; Rampant Trade Talk; Penguins to the Mat appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now.

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