By the time you probably read this, the 2026 Men’s hockey gold medal will be underway between Team Canada and Team USA. In the Daily, I used Saturday to do a Pittsburgh Penguins blog, but it got more in-depth than I intended, and there is some thick irony and more prospects scouting info (courtesy of me). The NHL trade chatter includes Robert Thomas confronting the rumors surrounding his availability, and the other chatter focuses on the Boston Bruins’ search for a trade to move the needle.
The gold medal game is expected to be the most-watched hockey game ever, and there is some real hatred between the teams after the Four Nations tourney. We’ve got the intense coverage from all angles, including Sidney Crosby’s status.
I planned to meet some friends at the neighborhood pub for the 8:10 a.m. puck drop. I may or may not produce a story afterward. We’ll see how many Einbachers it takes to watch two great teams on an inferior rink.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It’s trending like No. 87 will lead Team Canada Sunday. OK, so here we go. The latest on Sidney Crosby.
Update: Crosby is OUT for the Gold Medal Game. Story incoming. I don’t know what this means for the Penguins–it’s probably not good news.
UPDATE 2: USA! USA! Jack Hughes whilst missing teeth nets the overtime winner and Connor Hellebuyck steals gold. It was a Helle-day, with a Hellasave, and the Golden Goal by the New Jersey Devils star.
Now, for some Penguins reading, I did a bit more than an off-day blog. It started that way, with more on the goaltender interference that handed Canada a tying goal, some thick irony that might make you cringe, but then it got deep with more on the Penguins’ prospects and the very different sets of issues facing several of them. Check out the Penguins blog.
Also, the WBS Penguins won five in a row before I showed up. They have not lost since I left. But they were a very ugly 0-1-1 when I was there. I can’t explain it, but when I show up … they suck. And some of the players know about the jinx, too. I really might have to avoid covering them again.
Steelers Now: Here’s a really great story by the boys over at SN. The 12–yes 12–external options for the Steelers QB situation.
And a second really good story–what are reasonable expectations for Will Howard?
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: I am embarrassed to say I had not yet heard the news when I did a radio hit on 93-7 the Fan early Saturday morning. I was a little curious why host Jim Colony asked me to comment on Bill Mazeroski. If you heard the segment, you might have thought it was a shallow eulogy, and it was. Yesterday, the Pirates and baseball lost a Hall of Fame second baseman who could turn a slick double play and a pillar of the community, who just so happened to provide the greatest moment in World Series and Pittsburgh Pirates history. It was the Johnny Cueto moment 10x. Bill Mazeroski passed away at 89.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
Sportsnet: Here’s what the experts are saying about the Gold Medal game.
TSN: Brady Tkachuk said it outloud. The US and Canada. It’s no longer a friendly rivalry, and it’s no longer just high-stakes for the US to prove it belongs with the mighty Canada on the ice. Now, “there’s hatred.”
I very well might wear my 1980 US jersey (the ONLY sports jersey I own) and my very well-worn Team Canada hat today. I’m torn between rooting for Sid and rooting for my country. It’s not like this is life or death or a matter of great geopolitical significance.
Detroit Hockey Now: Dylan Larkin. He has really grown into a true and elite No. 1 center over the last few years. He’s been a beacon for Team USA, and as Kevin Allen writes, he’s also Mr. Popularity in the Team USA room.
Sportsnet: Do not forget the human side of sports. This is why GMs react angrily to fake trade rumors. This is why players can’t read sports news (and why you should angrily ignore anonymous “insider” accounts on X). The Quinn Hughes trade talk tore apart the New Jersey Devils this season. Now, St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas is trying to avoid the trade rumors, but “they are part of (the game).“
Don’t Get Me Wrong, the Blues will be Unwell if they deal Thomas, but that might be what it takes to Get Back 2 Good. If You’re Gone after that row of puns, I understand. If you don’t get that row of puns, I capitalized the Matchbox 20 songs for you. I make no apologies.
Boston Hockey Now: Mr. Jack Studley did a solid story leading to the NHL trade deadline–what are the Boston Bruins trade chips worth?
Vegas Hockey Now: Vince Comunale is getting some mileage out of joining us. Here’s his column–despite trading away draft picks with a religious fervor, and despite booting aging fan favorite pillars of the team, the Vegas Golden Knights are still the gold standard of expansion teams.
Tags: nhl trade Pittsburgh Penguins
Categorized:Links NHL Trade Rumors