It was a momentous day for the Pittsburgh Penguins, as they introduced the Hoffmann Family of Companies as the new franchise owners, and David, Geoff, and Greg Hoffmann executed a near-flawless press conference before the patriarch, David, may have stepped into a little controversy with the team’s ECHL affiliation. The Penguins also made a trade, and we’ve got full coverage and analysis of it all.

Elsewhere in the Daily, the NHL trade chatter is loud. Columbus and Colorado made a significant swap. Jason Robertson rejected trades to a pair of teams, including a meaty contract offer from Seattle. A Mason McTavish trade is close as two teams, including the New York Rangers, are chasing him. Other big names, including Connor Hellebuyck’s, are being bandied about. And we have a pair of Sportsnet mock drafts.

Whew. Oh yeah, the NHL Draft begins tonight. Pittsburgh Hockey Now will be at the Penguins HQ for all of the fun.

And two quick asides this morning before all of the NHL trade talk. First, the Hoffmanns were definitely on the charm offensive. Even before I introduced myself, they came off as likable and–if they do a good job–good for Pittsburgh. As I introduced myself to David Hoffmann, he quickly said, “Oh, I’ve watched a lot of your videos.”

Huh?! It was quite a contrast to the Fenway principals. And it still shocks me when anyone sees my work.

And last night was THE most fun soccer game I’ve ever seen. If they attacked and scored like that more often, I could get into it, though not seeing someone cross-check a guy after he goes down took a moment to adjust. Maybe one guy could drop the elbow on a dude writhing in pain? At least a leg drop?

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Here’s the story from the intro press conference. It was only supposed to be Geoff who spoke, but David couldn’t help himself. It was genuine and authentic. The Hoffmanns are moving to Pittsburgh, and they’re talking about being here for generations … but David dropped the news that the Penguins are going to switch up their ECHL affiliate from Wheeling to Florida. Here’s ALL of the presser, including the mostly good Penguins news.

About an hour after the presser, general manager Kyle Dubas got to work. Hendrix Lapierre. The Penguins gave up a pair of picks for the little-used Washington Capitals center. Shelly Anderson has the details on the Penguins trade.

And I capped off the whirlwind day with a complete analysis, opinion, and some behind-the-scenes nuggets. The trade, my initial impressions of the Hoffmanns, and the mistake are part of my Penguins analysis.

And for the video folks–here’s the post-presser wrap-up on the YouTube channel.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet Video: Nick Kypreos plays Smoke or Fire. Morgan Reilly, Zach Werenski, Connor Hellebuyck, and the latest NHL trade rumors. What will happen, and what will NOT.

I enjoy Kypreos’s work. He is not the deep insider like Elliotte Friedman, but he’s connected, and he knows his stuff.

NHLTraderumors.me: Two reports from different sources. Jeff Marek reported the St. Louis Blues took a big run at Jason Robertson. No dice. Then Friedman reported the Seattle Kraken tried and made Robertson an eight-year offer with a $15 million annual value. Robertson said no thanks. The Robertson rejection train is in motion.

By the way–this is the benefit of the Stanley Cup Final ending weeks before the draft: We have time for an offseason and the silly season.

TSN: The Anaheim Ducks are weighing two offers for Mason McTavish, including one from the New York Rangers. Will they ship out their young center?

Colorado Hockey Now: A very underrated trade. The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired Valeri Nikushkin for a few draft picks. Since taking over again, Joe Sakic is working the phones hard for Colorado Avalanche trades.

I’ll cut to the chase on the big mock drafts. Here’s Sam Cosentino’s mock-up from Sportsnet. I’ll leave his pick as a mysterious tease. Jason Bukala has the Penguins taking Ilya Morozov at No. 22, and Craig Button from TSN went off the board–why this draft has been maddening–and has the Penguins taking Mathis Preston.

Since we haven’t mentioned Presin at all, he’s a winger with elite speed but is built like Ben Kindel. He had a down year in the WHL, but we know the Penguins scouts like the WHL (Harrison Brunicke, Tanner Howe, Kindel, Peyton Kettles, Brayden Yager, Owen Pickering).

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