The dichotomy of the headline is not lost. While the Pittsburgh Penguins prospects took the ice for their lone practice before the Prospects Challenge in Detroit over the next four days, a couple of players hung up their skates, and the Winnipeg Jets are trying to deal with an obstinate Connor Hellebuyck, who will hold out of training camp while demanding a trade. Also in the Daily, we took a good look at the Penguins’ rebuild and how the NHL trade market is restricting general manager Kyle Dubas’s plan.

I am not so regretfully going to remotely cover the Penguins’ prospects game today before heading out to Detroit tomorrow morning for Games 2 and 3. Some dear friends are getting married today, and even hockey couldn’t keep me away. As an addendum to my wedding present for them, let me tell you about an awesome little hangout bar that is just up Allegheny Avenue from Acrisure Stadium: The Lion.

We used to gather and watch/drink away my Final Word appearances there, but the Lion has graduated to bigger and better things. It’s not the quaint regulars’ spot it used to be, as more people have found that perfect oasis. Instead, it is the hangout cocktail-and-spinning-vinyl bar, and they know how to make real cocktails (or serve a frothy $4 Iron City and other assorted beverages) better than any place I’ve been to on the road or at home.

Oh, and a better couple I have not met. So, we’ll have Penguins coverage today, but Mazel Tov, Jason and Hayley.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: I think we’ve danced around the topic this summer, but the Chris Kreider situation really brought it home. Have a read, big-picture style—how the NHL trade market is boxing in the Penguins rebuild.

PHN+: One practice is not enough to make any decisions or draw anything resembling a conclusion, but here are my first impressions of the key players on the Penguins’ prospects team, including two things about Liam and Markus Ruck.

Steelers Now: It’s not ideal, and team leaders are getting annoyed. Cam Heyward isn’t happy, and the team hates how long it’s taking to get a new contract for Joey Porter Jr.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Mark Scheifele had to address it, too. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck wants out of Winnipeg (just three years after saying he was a Jet for life) and will hold out of training camp until he gets a deal. The players are trying to be diplomatic, but it is not an easy moment for the Winnipeg Jets.

New Jersey Hockey Now: There are “mixed signals” right now. Could the Penguins’ division rival, the New Jersey Devils, abandon this fakakta three-goalie idea and trade for Hellebuyck?

NHL.com: A surprise retirement Friday night. Goalie Connor Ingram, who emerged from the Players’ Assistance Program and last season took the Edmonton Oilers’ net, has remained without a contract this summer and decided that was that. At 29, Ingram is retiring.

I admire Ingram for going back to school to study psychology to help others. I also wonder why another team hasn’t taken at least a gamble on the big goalie who was much improved last season. Godspeed.

Also, after 12 seasons, defenseman John Klingberg is retiring, too. No words of goodbye or social media post, just a simple announcement from the NHL.

Philly Hockey Now: Perhaps this affects Penguins fans because you pay taxes. Here is an update on the Philadelphia Flyers’ training camp, but, more importantly, on the new Flyers Arena.

Detroit Hockey Now: Oh boy, more trade request drama. Unlike Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin will be in training camp. However, the Red Wings have stripped the C off his jersey.

It makes sense, but it’s got to hit home for Larkin. Perhaps if Detroit’s GM search didn’t appear completely inept and incompetent, he would have rescinded it, but by the end of this, he might not be the only Red Wings player saying, “trade me right (bleeping) now and hang up the phone.”

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