And away we go. With the Bad Bunny chatter behind us, the NHL Olympians will soon take center stage. After practice Sunday, we know the Team Canada and Team USA line combos, and I’m not so crazy with what Canada coach Jon Cooper has done. Both frontrunners also announced their captains and alternates. Elsewhere in the Daily, we examined the Pittsburgh Penguins’ trade needs and why. Nick Kypreos has more chatter on the cost for young St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. And three very big playoff droughts are set to end this season.

But I did find I have a new arch nemesis.

The back story: The Dollar General on the North Side is my primary grocery spot. It’s quick, convenient, and … it’s hours are at the whims of the employees, when they want to show up and when they feel like leaving. Close at 7? Sure, they have other things to do. Open late? Yeppers, I’ll get there when I get there.

Friday after I got home from Buffalo and to an empty refrigerator, I went over around 8:30 p.m. (they supposedly close at 9), only to find the employees had already locked the door. I could see one of the clerks just standing around, so I gave the doors a good tug as if I didn’t know they were locked, and threw up my hands at her.

Sunday, she was my checkout clerk. She just glared at me. Slowly rang me up. Even slower than her usual disinterested pace. And then she turned around to sweep the floor before my receipt printed. Did you need to sweep the floor for the third time despite a line of people?

Now, I’m a petty person when confronting sloth, so I returned fire. I just stood there. Upright. Waiting. Waiting for my receipt.

And that’s how an arch-nemesis is created. Also, my life is far too close to Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Captain, oh my captain. And some incredible alternates. Team Canada officially gave the C to Sidney Crosby.

Now, over the next few weeks, we’re going to dissect the Penguins from just about every angle. We started with two Penguins trade needs and why.

I will caution that I used some trade examples. Don’t focus on the examples and judge the trade needs backward. Those are examples of players available, nothing more. Don’t be that guy.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

NHLtraderumors.me: Robert Thomas. What will it cost to get him out of St. Louis? Kypreos reports the price tag will be higher than getting Mikko Rantanen out of Colorado last season.

For the record, Colorado received  Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick.

TSN: This is the end? Three very long playoff droughts in Buffalo, Detroit, and Anaheim are looking like they will end this season.

I can only imagine what Game 1 will be like in Buffalo. I wouldn’t mind being there for that. It’s possible, but unlikely.

Sportsnet: Sidney Crosby on the third line and not playing with Brad Marchand? Huh. Can’t say that’s the way I’d go, but Jon Cooper gave Crosby linemates Mark Stone and Mitch Marner instead.

The Athletic ($): The Team USA practice. Coach Mike Sullivan seems to have his top two lines dialed in, but the bottom six is a work in progress. And the ice…is still settling.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Among Sullivan’s line juggling and swaps since the Four Nations tourney is a big drop for New Jersey Devils star, Jack Hughes.

Montreal Hockey Now: An electric rebuild is coming to an end, and the era of competitiveness is beginning. Marc Dumont delivers the state of the Montreal Canadiens.

Florida Hockey Now: Matthew Tkachuk. He’s done more to transform the Florida Panthers organization, and he has revitalized Team USA, too. He’s now living out his dream in the Olympics for Team USA.

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