We are 48 hours from the start of hockey activity. The buzz has begun, and team previews are rolling in as a few teams are waiting for that big shoe to drop, as the NHL trade market remains clogged, but several teams are absolutely making moves, eventually. For better and worse, we also looked at the Pittsburgh Penguins trade trees under Kyle Dubas, but also looked at the San Jose Sharks’ Erik Karlsson tree–which might hurt Penguins fans just a bit.
Elsewhere in the Daily, the Calgary Flames are one of those teams patiently waiting to make a blockbuster trade, the New York Rangers swiped a couple of executives, and the Ottawa Senators are banking on their young core to take a big step this season.
Eight hours. I spent eight hours yesterday booking travel, but I only booked the first few trips. I’m a compulsive saver, and this year my travel budget is a bit lower, so I’m excruciatingly poring over flight options and hotels, trying to save every nickel without putting myself in bad spots–like I’ve done in years past because I overextended myself.
The Anaheim-LA-SJ trip early in the season is crazy expensive and always is. This year, I chose to stay in LA for five days instead of overpaying for a hotel in Anaheim. Last year, I stayed at a motel with good reviews, but it was horribly inconvenient and not so great. For $9, I can take the 38-minute train ride from LA straight to the Honda Center in Anaheim, which is faster than walking from any hotel, and less than an Uber ride…
And LA has cheap taco stands. Three authentic tacos and a drink for less than $10. I’ll take that every day.
I do have a companion fare I have to use by the end of the year. I’ve thought of auctioning it off to my friends. Awarding it to a reader. But I’ll probably forget about it and let it expire.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Oh, that Erik Karlsson trade tree is something, but not for the Penguins. It touched several teams, including Buffalo. Take a gander at these–We rolled through Kyle Dubas’s Penguins trade trees.
Steelers Now: It was a big win on Sunday, but far … FAR … from perfect. The Steelers’ run defense was indeed run over. Alan Saunders has the fallout from the performance and how coaches plan to fix the Steelers’ defense.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The minor league report. The Buccos have one pitcher having a DOMINANT stretch in Triple A, and top prospect Konnor Griffin is getting better. Here’s the latest Pirates prospects report.
Sportsnet: The Calgary Flames are one of a few teams holding up the trade wagon. They’re going to trade top defenseman Rasmus Andersson, but have not yet done so. The waiting is the hardest part, and it colors what the Flames can do this season.
The Ottawa Senators finally broke through last season. Years of building and rebuilding came to fruition as the rowdy bunch made the playoffs. Now, GM Steve Staios is placing a big bet on his young core.
Forever Blueshirts: Ryan Clowe resigned from the Sharks over the weekend, and New York quickly hired him. So, too, did they hire Blake Wheeler. There were some executive shakeups with the New York Rangers.
TSN Video: How quickly should the Montreal Canadiens trade for a center?
Boston Hockey Now: Andrew Fantucchio has arisen from summer slumber to gear up for a wildly interesting Bruins season. But first, he went through the most underappreciated Boston Bruins of the salary cap era.
DHN+: Not every prospect zooms straight to the NHL, not even the top 10 kids. Nate Danielson (whom I thought the Penguins would draft in 2023) is getting some tough love from the Detroit Red Wings.
Categorized:Links NHL Trade Rumors Pittsburgh Penguins