The groans of agents could be heard, and the relief of owners across the NHL could be felt when the Chicago Blackhawks signed Connor Bedard to an expensive yet affordable contract. On the NHL trade market, it seems the Minnesota Wild put all its efforts into one trade target but missed out on another, and the New York Rangers are hunting for some expensive pieces again. The Vancouver Canucks snapped up the Wheeling Nailers head coach for a promotion to lead their AHL team.

The news cycle went from a tidal wave on Thursday with the schedule and our prospects rankings to an absolute drip today. However, one of our astute readers pointed out that we could be getting to the end of the Jason Robertson saga.

I think we are going to see some fireworks with Jason Robertson in Dallas by the end of the week. I can’t see him being awarded less than 15M AAV, and I can’t see Dallas gutting their roster to try and fit that in. I think we see a trade near the end of the week.

— Random Hockey Guy (@RandomHockeyGuy) July 18, 2026

Hockey Guy isn’t wrong. We could have some headlines this week.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: We’ve written the sentiment a few times. It is not the right time for the Penguins to make the big splash. However, we also noticed fate playing a role in the Penguins’ direction. So, from that shove to avoiding the Steve Yzerman splat, I think you’ll find this a different insight into the Penguins’ rebuild.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: So, about that bullpen arm on the trade market. Another blown save, and the Pittsburgh Pirates had a bad night.

There was a minor Pirates trade.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

The Athletic ($): We wrote about the Steve Yzerman wrinkle. Minnesota beat writers Joe Smith and Michael Russo did, too, but their wrinkle was that Minnesota went all in on Dylan Larkin at the expense of other available players who are no longer available, specifically Vincent Trocheck.

Chicago Hockey Now: It’s a bigger number and contract than we may have thought likely last month, but in light of the Leo Carlsson deal, it looks like Connor Bedard took it easy on the Chicago Blackhawks.

NHLTraderumors.me: Well, look who’s back on the market. The New York Rangers are back on the market, hunting for a top-six forward.

Sportsnet: It’s a nice promotion. The Wheeling Nailers’ head coach has a nice new job, as the Abbotsford Canucks hired Ryan Papaioannou as their new head coach.

TSN: New Penguins winger Nick Robertson hopped on TSN radio a couple of days ago. He didn’t bury Toronto and praised the Penguins while trying to avoid saying what he really thought.

Tags: connor bedard Minnesota Wild nhl trade Pittsburgh Penguins

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