The Pittsburgh Penguins prospects hit the ice Monday, and a few players made a nice impression on director of player development Tom Kostopoulos. Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas also swung another minor trade, but this time it seemed to have larger implications, and we did not grade it well. Elsewhere in the Daily, the NHL trade chatter is that teams are getting irritated at the Columbus Blue Jackets for not engaging in talks over Zach Werenski. Sportsnet has the latest unrestricted free agent rumors, and the Dallas Stars and Jason Robertson are still trying to work it out.

It’s 24 hours to the free agent frenzy.

The calm before the storm, and I mean that on many levels.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: From camp, the Ruck twins have eerily similar answers to a question I tried to ask Liam away from the cameras, but then others overheard me and then asked Markus the same. So we spill some tea on Liam Ruck and Markus Ruck, but also one defenseman to start paying attention to at the Penguins development camp.

Then Dubas swung a trade that could backfire. Or it could be another of Dubas’s home run swings to unearth an underused player. The Penguins shipped Jack St. Ivany to Winnipeg for David Gustafsson. Here’s the Penguins trade analysis.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Chris Johnston: Teams are calling Columbus about Zach Werenski, but GM Don Waddell isn’t calling back. Teams are frustrated.

Of note with Zach Werenski available on the trade market: There is some frustration among GMs who haven’t been able to get #CBJ to engage in talks on the Norris Trophy winner.

Certainly doesn’t seem like there’s urgency from #CBJ to move the Werenski situation along.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 28, 2026

Werenski has two years left on his deal. If I’m Waddell, I’m slow walking this and trying like mad to build around him. These trade demands are getting out of hand. Someone has to hold the line.

Sportsnet: From Rasmus Andersson to John Carlson to Anthony Mantha, what’s the latest on the big names on the UFA market?

TSN: Yes, I’m well aware of the Jason Robertson-Penguins trade rumors; some are legit, one radio hit was very poorly stated for dramatic effect. However, going to the source material, as Pierre LeBrun reports, the Dallas Stars and Robertson are still talking and trying to work it out.

Dallas is going to be good for quite a while. Compromise at 13 and change, and let’s get on with it.

Sportsnet: Jason Bukala listed his favorite pick from each round, and his favorite second-round pick was my favorite pick (Tomas Galvas) by the Penguins, so I’m listing it here.

Florida Hockey Now: Sergei Bobrovsky has been synonymous with the Florida Panthers rise to power. However, it is probably time for him to go. George Richards writes–with a lot of subtext between the lines from the plugged-in Lonesome George–to watch for another Panthers trade by tomorrow.

Detroit Hockey Now: Ordinarily, I wouldn’t post a small story about a team not qualifying RFAs, but there might be something here to watch. Carter Mazur. The Red Wings didn’t qualify him, but he is an intriguing (former) Red Wings prospect.

Philly Hockey Now: It’s time to do the right thing, writes Will James. It’s time to bring Claude Giroux home to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Tags: nhl trade Pittsburgh Penguins zach werenski

Categorized:Links NHL Trade Rumors Pittsburgh Penguins