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<\/p>\nThe NHL news and trade talk have slowed this weekend, but there are still a few bubbling storylines, especially involving the Pittsburgh Penguins. The national folks have weighed in on the Erik Karlsson trade possibility, while Penguins fans peppered us with questions on trade values for Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, and Bryan Rust. The NHL trade talk is in Canada, as the Ottawa Senators have a need and the Edmonton Oilers are browsing the market for goalies. Matt Murray reflected on his time in Toronto, where there were more bogus Evgeny Kuznetsov reports and debunked reports on Carter Hart.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll get into the number of \u201crumor rags\u201d being debunked and exposed below.<\/p>\n
I must tell you about the final leg of my work-cation. I found what might be absolutely the best road in Pennsylvania. Oddly, I went to college just 20 miles away, and was never aware of the back roads from the Susquehannock State Forest down to the Moshannon State Forest. It was unbelievable, with S turns, hairpins, and some of the most incredible scenery. Rt. 144 from Galeton to Snow Shoe.<\/p>\n
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There was no rain in the forecast, but I found some. After riding through the forests for about 100 miles, the ol\u2019 bike needed gas. I was getting worried and doing everything I could to sip the petrol rather than burn it. I was clutch coasting down hills, going slower than I liked in a tall gear, and generally sweating the gas gauge while wondering how far I would have to walk.<\/p>\n
The bike was chugging and sputtering for a couple of miles until the glorious Kwik-Fill sign appeared through the trees. As I laughed and celebrated my good fortune, the skies opened up, unleashing a surprise torrential downpour. However, my Charlie Brown moment was for naught since I had just made it to the gas station, and I was under the canopy! I zipped across the parking lot to the truck stop restaurant, watched an old Nascar race while I had a small lunch, and the sun shone for the rest of the way.<\/p>\n
I mean, look at that forest. It\u2019s not often I\u2019m in awe of what I\u2019m seeing, but that road is now on my \u201cmust\u201d list.<\/p>\n
I think more people should go old school and buy camps in these areas. They are getting cheaper, not more expensive. If you want some directions, recommendations, or care to share yours to these little hideaway towns, that\u2019s always a fun conversation.<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Penguins<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: We asked for your input, and you delivered. Between emails, X replies, and even a few texts, we got several dozen questions for our latest Q&A. Most of the questions had one core wonderment. What are the Penguins\u2019 veterans worth in a trade? I did my best to answer that, the goalie situation, and a few more from left field in the PHN Penguins Q&A<\/a>.<\/p>\n Steelers Now: This story is full of indictments against the Steelers. I mean, brutal, between the eyes, takedowns, but they are more so implied than outright criticisms. One Steelers legend criticized the Steelers, while a Browns legend cracked the Steelers over their treatment of Kenny Pickett<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Check out this mark in history\u2013Paul Skenes will start his second MLB All-Star Game in just his second season. In doing so, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher<\/a> is joining an elite little club.<\/p>\n NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now<\/p>\n Chris Johnston Video\/Podcast: So, what of the Erik Karlsson trade talk? It\u2019s quite funny to me that it seems to be a new talking point, but the national figures are a little stumped by the situation. Chris starts talking about Karlsson just before the 30:00 minute mark<\/a>.<\/p>\n Johnston also referenced a $700,000 NIL payment to Gavin McKenna to go to Penn State?! The world is officially out of control.<\/p>\n Elliotte Friedman also unleashed this bit of nebulous on Karlsson from his most recent podcast. I think this tweet encapsulates it well:<\/p>\n Elliotte Friedman: Re Erik Karlsson trade: The bonus is paid, the actual cash is really down, we\u2019ll see \u2013 32 Thoughts Podcast<\/p>\n \u2014 NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019ll see. Time will tell. Wait and see. Those are quite literally the answer to every question about the future that has ever been asked. I kind of love that even the national folks are shrugging their shoulders on this one.<\/p>\n I think if you look closely, the situation is clearer than if you\u2019re far away.<\/p>\n Sportsnet: Former Penguins goalie Matt Murray did the JD Bunkis podcast. He discussed his run with the Penguins and talked about how special his time was with the Toronto Maple Leafs because that was his dad\u2019s favorite team<\/a>.<\/p>\n Also from Sportsnet: I\u2019m including this one because I think you\u2019ll make the immediate connection, which will probably start a few trade rumors this week. The Ottawa Senators are shopping for \u2026 wait for it \u2026 a top-six winger<\/a>.<\/p>\n For gosh sakes, just pay the price! It\u2019s not going to get less expensive.<\/p>\n La Page: Make sure your browser translates to English from French. Despite really wanting his client to land in Montreal, Evgeny Kuznetsov\u2019s agent admitted he was not an option, and the Montreal Canadiens were NOT interested<\/a>.<\/p>\n Short rant: The story shot down yet another story from an emerging rumors site that is gaining a following despite a very poor track record. I think our industry and market are backward. If I wrote the Penguins were interested in Kuznetsov, and the agent said nope, you\u2019d rightfully knock me down a few pegs. However, these tertiary sites have no accountability or consequence, yet so many people ask me about these stories as if they\u2019re automatically true. Apply the same skepticism to these sites, probably more so, as you would to mainstream, credentialed outlets. One side of the fence has consequences and is thus more careful; the other is the wild west. Hold the writers accountable as you would\/should hold me.<\/p>\n I think even teams are getting a little fed up with the proliferation of unvetted reports this summer.<\/p>\n TSN: Here is some of Wes Clark\u2019s handiwork for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite a late first-round pick in 2023, Toronto pounced on Easton Cowan (and I could see why at last year\u2019s Memorial Cup). Cowan is going to be the talk of the Toronto summer, and Craig Button is already pumping his tires<\/a>.<\/p>\n Vegas Hockey Now: Get this\u2013the VGK have had 57 picks in their eight-year history, and just six have made it to the NHL. Six?! However, Hannah Kirkell details the failures, but a big defenseman who might become very important to the next chapter of the Vegas Golden Knights<\/a>.<\/p>\n Montreal Hockey Now: The Russians are now learning to take advantage of the new CHL\/NCAA transfer rules. This might be the first move of the kind, but a Russian goalie is leaping to American college hockey from the MHL, and in the meantime, he also gets to play junior hockey in North America, too. Here\u2019s how the Montreal Canadiens prospect<\/a> is exploiting the loophole.<\/p>\n San Jose Hockey Now (+): PHN subscribers can log in to read this. The results of a tear-down rebuild are starting to look quite promising in San Jose. GM Mike Grier has started adding a couple of character veterans to help the kiddos. Sheng Peng details the moves and explains what is happening with the San Jose Sharks\u2019<\/a> rebuild.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t