NHL Free Agency Week 2. It looks like the Metro Division teams were charged last week and are now trying to lose their pay through the NHL commercial market this week. The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers could put recognizable names on the blog to save a few bucks. There were 24 players, including Pittsburgh Penguins winger Kasperi Kapanen, who requested refereeing, and Jeff Petry, Ryan Poehling and Ty Smith spoke for the first time since the Penguins acquired them.
And Evan Rodrigues remains unsigned. What the hell !?
Weekends are supposed to be a slow time for sports websites, especially in the summer. Instead, I would like to thank the 200,000 people who visited Pittsburgh Hockey Now. We are close to one million this month, the Hockey Now network already exceeds three million. And the Pittsburgh Now network with SteelersNow.com and PittsburghBaseballNow.com will reach over 1.5 million people in Pittsburgh (new coverage is growing!) Big ads will arrive on Thursday!
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: GM Ron Hextall said he was comfortable knowing the salary range Kasperi Kapanen would receive. On Sunday, Kapanen and 23 other players requested refereeing. I guess we’ll find out. Pittsburgh Penguins News.
The Penguins hooked up a couple of interesting players Saturday through the NHL commercial market that could flourish. Ryan Poehling is a former first-round pick. He is great. He is fast. It hasn’t worked for him at the NHL level yet (although he still scored eight goals last season). Can the penguin system and culture revive Ryan Poehling?
And here’s Pittsburgh Penguins ’new d-man, Jeff Petry, with alliteration: Can penguins choose the perfect partner for Petry? Pittsburgh Penguins coverage.
SteelersNow.com: More stadium name drama (oh, just say Acrisure. Yinz goes to Foodland for some Clark Bars?) And Adam Schefter says the Steelers ’initial QB job is what Trubisky has to lose. Pittsburgh Steelers News.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: I love this new feature at PBN. The boys and I had a drink with our new baseball editor on Saturday. We will announce it on Thursday! But one of the new features you’ll want to follow is a daily update of Pirates ’perspectives and farm system: Pirates Prospects Daily.
Just bookmark this site. I think we’ve put together the BEST Pirates coverage and we’ll cover the things you want.
NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Ara
Montreal: I really enjoyed Mike Matheson’s game with the Penguins. I caught some heat, good character, I think. of Double M: to please Matheson and Letang together (the analyzes were mind-boggling. They dominated the record when together). And the GM of Canadians, Kent Hughes, was “excited” to get his former client. Canadian trade.
Here’s the big NHL trade rumor: Pierre Luc Dubois at the Montreal Canadiens. It’s moving and getting stronger, and it looks like Dubois is paving the way for it to happen. Here’s the full story: NHL trade rumors.
Boston: The Bruins would like to get the name David Pastrnak on a new contract. Negotiations are not going well yet. An NHL source tells our Boston guys, “This is going to get longer.” Boston Bruins coverage.
Washington: If there was a team with an “in” to draft a Russian in the first round, it was the Capitals. They hooked up the talented Ivan Miroshnichenko. There are problems with a war, military service and Mother Russia putting the boot on the players to keep them at home. Here’s what next year looks like for Miroshnichenko: Washington Capitals news.
Also, the Capitals may have to leave some centers this season. Save money, create space. Lars Eller could be the weird man. Talk on capital trade.
NYI: The NHL commercial rumor mill doesn’t just include big names. Islanders have needs and desires. Maybe the avalanche Sam Girard is the solution. Business talks by New York Islanders.
Florida: Wow: Two-way contracts for a pair of established NHL veterans. Florida hooked Michael del Zotto and Chris Tierney on bargain contracts. Florida Panthers signings.
Vancouver: The Hockey Canada rape scandal is not going away. Parliament is involved. In 2018, there was an ugly incident. The details are incomplete, involving eight players and a young woman. Also some renowned players. The investigation has reopened and Rob Simpson reports that a number of BCers are included in the investigation. Complaints from the Canada team.