The NHL news and trade talk have slowed this weekend, but there are still a few bubbling storylines, especially involving the Pittsburgh Penguins. The national folks have weighed in on the Erik Karlsson trade possibility, while Penguins fans peppered us with questions on trade values for Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, and Bryan Rust. The NHL trade talk is in Canada, as the Ottawa Senators have a need and the Edmonton Oilers are browsing the market for goalies. Matt Murray reflected on his time in Toronto, where there were more bogus Evgeny Kuznetsov reports and debunked reports on Carter Hart.
We’ll get into the number of “rumor rags” being debunked and exposed below.
I must tell you about the final leg of my work-cation. I found what might be absolutely the best road in Pennsylvania. Oddly, I went to college just 20 miles away, and was never aware of the back roads from the Susquehannock State Forest down to the Moshannon State Forest. It was unbelievable, with S turns, hairpins, and some of the most incredible scenery. Rt. 144 from Galeton to Snow Shoe.
There was no rain in the forecast, but I found some. After riding through the forests for about 100 miles, the ol’ bike needed gas. I was getting worried and doing everything I could to sip the petrol rather than burn it. I was clutch coasting down hills, going slower than I liked in a tall gear, and generally sweating the gas gauge while wondering how far I would have to walk.
The bike was chugging and sputtering for a couple of miles until the glorious Kwik-Fill sign appeared through the trees. As I laughed and celebrated my good fortune, the skies opened up, unleashing a surprise torrential downpour. However, my Charlie Brown moment was for naught since I had just made it to the gas station, and I was under the canopy! I zipped across the parking lot to the truck stop restaurant, watched an old Nascar race while I had a small lunch, and the sun shone for the rest of the way.
I mean, look at that forest. It’s not often I’m in awe of what I’m seeing, but that road is now on my “must” list.
I think more people should go old school and buy camps in these areas. They are getting cheaper, not more expensive. If you want some directions, recommendations, or care to share yours to these little hideaway towns, that’s always a fun conversation.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: We asked for your input, and you delivered. Between emails, X replies, and even a few texts, we got several dozen questions for our latest Q&A. Most of the questions had one core wonderment. What are the Penguins’ veterans worth in a trade? I did my best to answer that, the goalie situation, and a few more from left field in the PHN Penguins Q&A.
Steelers Now: This story is full of indictments against the Steelers. I mean, brutal, between the eyes, takedowns, but they are more so implied than outright criticisms. One Steelers legend criticized the Steelers, while a Browns legend cracked the Steelers over their treatment of Kenny Pickett.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Check out this mark in history–Paul Skenes will start his second MLB All-Star Game in just his second season. In doing so, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher is joining an elite little club.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
Chris Johnston Video/Podcast: So, what of the Erik Karlsson trade talk? It’s quite funny to me that it seems to be a new talking point, but the national figures are a little stumped by the situation. Chris starts talking about Karlsson just before the 30:00 minute mark.
Johnston also referenced a $700,000 NIL payment to Gavin McKenna to go to Penn State?! The world is officially out of control.
Elliotte Friedman also unleashed this bit of nebulous on Karlsson from his most recent podcast. I think this tweet encapsulates it well:
Elliotte Friedman: Re Erik Karlsson trade: The bonus is paid, the actual cash is really down, we’ll see – 32 Thoughts Podcast
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 9, 2025
We’ll see. Time will tell. Wait and see. Those are quite literally the answer to every question about the future that has ever been asked. I kind of love that even the national folks are shrugging their shoulders on this one.
I think if you look closely, the situation is clearer than if you’re far away.
Sportsnet: Former Penguins goalie Matt Murray did the JD Bunkis podcast. He discussed his run with the Penguins and talked about how special his time was with the Toronto Maple Leafs because that was his dad’s favorite team.
Also from Sportsnet: I’m including this one because I think you’ll make the immediate connection, which will probably start a few trade rumors this week. The Ottawa Senators are shopping for … wait for it … a top-six winger.
For gosh sakes, just pay the price! It’s not going to get less expensive.
La Page: Make sure your browser translates to English from French. Despite really wanting his client to land in Montreal, Evgeny Kuznetsov’s agent admitted he was not an option, and the Montreal Canadiens were NOT interested.
Short rant: The story shot down yet another story from an emerging rumors site that is gaining a following despite a very poor track record. I think our industry and market are backward. If I wrote the Penguins were interested in Kuznetsov, and the agent said nope, you’d rightfully knock me down a few pegs. However, these tertiary sites have no accountability or consequence, yet so many people ask me about these stories as if they’re automatically true. Apply the same skepticism to these sites, probably more so, as you would to mainstream, credentialed outlets. One side of the fence has consequences and is thus more careful; the other is the wild west. Hold the writers accountable as you would/should hold me.
I think even teams are getting a little fed up with the proliferation of unvetted reports this summer.
TSN: Here is some of Wes Clark’s handiwork for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite a late first-round pick in 2023, Toronto pounced on Easton Cowan (and I could see why at last year’s Memorial Cup). Cowan is going to be the talk of the Toronto summer, and Craig Button is already pumping his tires.
Vegas Hockey Now: Get this–the VGK have had 57 picks in their eight-year history, and just six have made it to the NHL. Six?! However, Hannah Kirkell details the failures, but a big defenseman who might become very important to the next chapter of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Montreal Hockey Now: The Russians are now learning to take advantage of the new CHL/NCAA transfer rules. This might be the first move of the kind, but a Russian goalie is leaping to American college hockey from the MHL, and in the meantime, he also gets to play junior hockey in North America, too. Here’s how the Montreal Canadiens prospect is exploiting the loophole.
San Jose Hockey Now (+): PHN subscribers can log in to read this. The results of a tear-down rebuild are starting to look quite promising in San Jose. GM Mike Grier has started adding a couple of character veterans to help the kiddos. Sheng Peng details the moves and explains what is happening with the San Jose Sharks’ rebuild.