{"id":587836,"date":"2026-05-31T13:21:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T13:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/587836\/"},"modified":"2026-05-31T13:21:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T13:21:23","slug":"dans-daily-how-to-build-a-winner-rfa-trade-targets-penguins-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/587836\/","title":{"rendered":"Dan&#8217;s Daily: How to Build a Winner; RFA Trade Targets; Penguins Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>From the comfort of the homestead after a frigid ride out of the eastern Appalachian Mountains, the Daily has fewer stories, but some meaty topics, including Pittsburgh Penguins questions and more on their prospects. We\u2019ve also included the annual examination of how the Stanley Cup Final teams are constructed, RFA chatter leading to NHL trade talk, and Toronto media is eyeing up the Penguins in trade talk, too.<\/p>\n<p>Seriously, the temps were in the 50s until I got past State College. Dan and his two-wheeled best buddy were not fully prepared for that. The Under Armour, a T-shirt, a thermal, and $10 fleece hoodie from a clearance shop in the Wilkes-Barre mall weren\u2019t cutting it. But I rolled past a little micro-brew outside State College, just off I-80 in Bellefonte, that was a worthy stop to share. The Robin Hood micro-brewery offered a pretty fair blonde ale, but their red was better. I ordered the Memphis Blues\u2013a breaded pork flat iron, bacon, jalapenos, cheddar jack cheese, BBQ sauce, onion rings, and \u2026 bacon. Big, perfectly cooked bacon. Damn. I\u2019ll give this monster an A+, and recommend a stop if you\u2019re a Penn Stater who makes the trip for football games.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1120\" height=\"1493\" data-attachment-id=\"52433\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/pittsburghhockeynow.com\/nhl-trade-talk-rfas-defensemen-pittsburgh-penguins-questions-how-to-build-a-winner\/e60818e1-5e13-43c5-8a71-6acd9c434084\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/media.pittsburghhockeynow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/31071259\/E60818E1-5E13-43C5-8A71-6ACD9C434084-scaled.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"1920,2560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 16 Pro Max&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1780153165&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;2.22000002861&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0166666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"E60818E1-5E13-43C5-8A71-6ACD9C434084\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/media.pittsburghhockeynow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/31071259\/E60818E1-5E13-43C5-8A71-6ACD9C434084-1180x1573.jpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/E60818E1-5E13-43C5-8A71-6ACD9C434084.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52433\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7501710647666081;width:427px;height:auto\"   loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Even the chips were good, though the bartender looked at me suspiciously when I walked in wearing a thicker hoodie but shivering. No ma\u2019am, it\u2019s not what you think\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Pittsburgh Penguins<\/p>\n<p>Pittsburgh Hockey Now: An offbeat Q&amp;A included a full accounting of the controversial end of the Wilkes-Barre\/Scranton Penguins\u2019 ending, more on the prospects, GM Kyle Dubas\u2019s trajectory, trade targets, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/pittsburghhockeynow.com\/kingerski-more-pittsburgh-penguins-trade-targets-prospects-controversial-wbs-ending\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Penguins\u2019 future<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>If you missed it Sunday morning, we also had more from the inside on the growth and development of the <a href=\"https:\/\/pittsburghhockeynow.com\/insights-from-the-inside-on-penguins-prospects\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Penguins prospects<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Tristan Broz could add another layer or two as a center, but he just commands the puck so well. If the Penguins are tepid on him, a rival GM would do well to ask for his inclusion in a trade. Rutger McGroarty\u2019s breakdown of Broz\u2019s game really opened my eyes to a couple of things I couldn\u2019t put my finger on \u2014 McGroarty\u2019s answer is in the story above. <\/p>\n<p>Steelers Now: I thought it was an interesting quote from former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin about his role with NBC. He couldn\u2019t really answer why he took the TV gig, but he gave an honest and self-aware answer about why he stepped away as the <a href=\"https:\/\/steelersnow.com\/micah-parsons-makes-recruiting-pitch-to-mike-tomlin\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Steelers coach<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p>NHL Trade Talk, News, &amp; NHN<\/p>\n<p>NHLtraderumors.me: Here\u2019s the list on which Penguins fans should focus when discussing offseason trades. Rick Dawal of The Athletic dropped four young defensemen who are RFAs but also\u2013ahem\u2013could use a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhltraderumors.me\/2026\/05\/4-rfas-becoming-trade-candidates-this.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener external nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"(opens in a new tab)\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">better situation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Sportsnet: Very simple title\u2013Four trade destinations for Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Reilly. Gee, want to guess one of them? I can\u2019t see it as a hockey trade, but I could see it if Toronto has to part with additional assets to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsnet.ca\/nhl\/article\/possible-trade-destinations-for-maple-leafs-defenceman-morgan-rielly\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener external nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"(opens in a new tab)\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">make it happen<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And from Sportsnet, Justin Bourne put both finalists on the operating table to dissect how they were built. The Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes were built in much, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsnet.ca\/nhl\/article\/how-vegas-carolina-prove-there-isnt-one-right-way-to-build-a-contender\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener external nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"(opens in a new tab)\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">much different ways<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>I wonder if Vegas wins, will other owners feel free to be more ruthless? Hockey honors its warriors and loyalty like no other sport. It can be frustrating for fans who want shiny new toys, but it also would be a shame to lose that culture. <\/p>\n<p>Philly Hockey Now: Will James takes a big\u2026BIG swing today. I won\u2019t go there for the Penguins, but Will looks at the cost for a Philly Flyers trade into the top-five of the coming NHL trade. It\u2019s some heavy <a href=\"https:\/\/phillyhockeynow.com\/flyers-trade-rumors-exploring-a-trade-up-into-the-top-5-of-the-2026-nhl-draft\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener external nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"(opens in a new tab)\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Flyers trade talk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It took two first-round picks for the Flyers to snag the 12th overall pick last year. But the Flyers have the horses if they really want to do it. <\/p>\n<p>What?! Finland beat Team Canada in the semis at the Worlds. So, later today, Canada will face Norway (what?!) for the bronze medal, while Finland meets Switzerland for gold. Here are the highlights of the Canadian loss:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>The Worlds don\u2019t matter much, but with the stars on Team Canada, that\u2019s a stinging loss. The bright spotlight will soon begin burning Hockey Canada if they keep losing tournaments. <\/p>\n<p>New Jersey Hockey Now: James Nichols has been dishing report card grades. Dawson Mercer and Cody Glass got their report cards, and here\u2019s their diverging grades for the <a href=\"https:\/\/sportsnaut.com\/nhl\/new-jersey-devils\/devils-news-grades-mercer-glass-middle-six-disparity\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener external nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"(opens in a new tab)\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">New Jersey Devils<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>NY Post: It\u2019s just sad. Friends say Claude Lemieux really died of a broken heart. He hadn\u2019t spoken to a few of his children in a decade and was still depressed over not making the Hockey Hall of Fame. Things compounded for the agent and former <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/05\/30\/sports\/nhl-star-claude-lemieux-died-of-a-broken-heart-close-pals-say\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer nofollow\">sandpaper forward<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTags: <a href=\"https:\/\/pittsburghhockeynow.com\/tag\/nhl-trade\/\" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\">nhl trade<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/pittsburghhockeynow.com\/tag\/penguins-trade\/\" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\">Penguins Trade<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/pittsburghhockeynow.com\/tag\/pittsburgh-penguins\/\" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\">Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/pittsburghhockeynow.com\/tag\/rfa-trade-targets\/\" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\">rfa trade targets<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/pittsburghhockeynow.com\/tag\/toronto-maple-leafs\/\" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\">toronto maple leafs<\/a> <\/p>\n<p class=\"categories single-categories\">Categorized:<a href=\"https:\/\/pittsburghhockeynow.com\/category\/links\/\" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\">Links<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/pittsburghhockeynow.com\/category\/nhl-trade-rumors\/\" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\">NHL Trade Rumors<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/pittsburghhockeynow.com\/category\/pittsburgh-penguins\/\" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_blank\">Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"From the comfort of the homestead after a frigid ride out of the eastern Appalachian Mountains, the Daily&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":587837,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[377],"tags":[5,4433,644,100,65426,31],"class_list":["post-587836","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-hockey","tag-hockey","tag-nhl-trade","tag-penguins-trade","tag-pittsburgh-penguins","tag-rfa-trade-targets","tag-toronto-maple-leafs"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/116669401354773340","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/587836","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=587836"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/587836\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/587837"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=587836"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=587836"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=587836"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}