News of a blockbuster trade offer has leaked, and it might have changed the balance of power in the West, as the Minnesota Wild made a strong offer for St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. Oh, it was so smooth, but St. Louis declined. The first part of our Pittsburgh Penguins Q&A was a tour de force, courtesy of you and your very on point questions. We hit on the Evgeni Malkin situation and potential deal breakers, Penguins trades, and coming camp battles. We’ve got Part II of the Q&A later this morning.

Elsewhere in the Daily, Montreal turned a 3-1 lead into an 8-3 loss and the Buffalo Sabres forced a Game 7. The Philadelphia Flyers are also embarking on an off-season with young assets, needs, but sensing a chance to advance their rebuild via the NHL trade market. And Scott Bakula ranked the top 45 prospects for the coming NHL Draft. And just for note, the Penguins have two of the top 39 picks, and three of the top 54 picks … for now.

That rain Saturday multiplied, didn’t it? So much for getting out of town. At least it’s above 70 now, eh?

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It’s like three stories in one. Sharp questions on what is becoming the Malkin saga, which prospects will be kept vs which could be trade fodder, the goaltending situation, and one previously not-discussed trade target I think would fit the Penguins’ plans. You’ll love the questions in the Penguins Q&A.

Steelers Now: Derrick Bell is already gearing up for a few big games. Here are the top five games coming up on the Steelers schedule.

Does anybody else see the enormous shortcomings on the Steelers roster, including the likelihood that their yet unsigned QB won’t finish the season and barring injury will sooner than later succumb to age leaving the team in the hands of a limited rookie or a bland essential rookie neither with much pedigree while a defense that wears out faster than a rechargeable battery gets a year older, too?

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Check it out–A prospect swap, but an interesting Pirates trade, nonetheless.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

NHLtraderumors.me: Michael Russo of The Athletic reports that Guerin called St. Louis before the NHL trade deadline and laid down a pretty healthy trade offer, including the Wall of St. Paul, Jesper Wallstedt, for center Robert Thomas, but StL said no dice.

New Jersey Hockey Now: James Nichols played GM and put forth one heck of a trade package whereby the New Jersey Devils get Quinn Hughes.

Sportsnet: There’s probably at least one, if not two, Penguins draft picks on this list. Jason Bakula ranked the top 45 NHL draft prospects.

Yes, I’d love to see Wyatt Cullen be a Penguin. Of course, it would also mean that a few of us media folks (and a few players in the Penguins room) will be old enough to span father and son.

TSN: The American amateur draftniks have Ivar Stenberg of Team Sweden rated fourth. A lot of the Canadian folks have him at No. 1 or 2. After watching Stenberg in the Worlds, TSN’s analyst Mike Johnson really, really likes him.

TSN 690: What happened?! Montreal led 3-1 in the second period and the hot dog munching Centre Bell faithful were about to blow the roof off. And then … Buffalo scored seven straight to force Game 7. Again, what happened?!

With respect to my American colleagues, the Canadian crowd has more experience in the game and generally cover the players in person. I don’t know how people claim credibility without doing the legwork.

Philly Hockey Now: Will Philly Flyers GM Daniel Briere navigate the minefield of the next phase of the rebuild? Will he stay the course or take the jump forward with a few Flyers trades?

Florida Hockey Now: This looks like too much fun. Matthew Tkachuk is taking advantage of his first long offseason in a while and hitched a ride with the Blue Angels.

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