Dan’s Daily: Trades, Trade Chatter, & the Draft. Here We Go!

It is one of the Dailies in which we might miss something because the NHL trade rumors, deals, and projections were flying fast and furious Thursday as the league warms to its first isolated draft. The Penguins will be in their downtown office building they rented for this week, and PHN will be in the media room there later today through the conclusion of the draft. We did our mock draft as well as shined a light on the recent mocks that showed some of the bigger names dropping to the Penguins at No. 11. Also, there’s some Penguins trade chatter, as well as a report that the Buffalo Sabres turned down Marco Rossi in a potential JJ Peterka trade. And the rumors are growing louder around Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson.

It’s going to be a fun day. Strap in and don’t eat the last jelly, ya hosers.

I appreciate the kind words after yesterday’s teaser announcement. Of course, it wouldn’t be the internet if one person didn’t try to be negative (so I just deleted their comments for my own amusement, knowing they would come back to see if they got a reaction). For the record, I don’t have to work quite as hard anymore, but when we were building, I’d spend hours reading, recruiting, talking, arguing, researching, and then I’d get to practice, a game, or write more.

I am looking forward to having others run the business side. I’m just not interested in accounting or learning the minutiae of raising capital.

The comment below–She’s right. I hated it when Dorothy would correct me. HATED it. I assure you, I was working hard to present the cleanest copy, but I was a terrible editor. Thanks for a few open ice hits, Dorothy. I still make too many mistakes for my taste, but that’s been part of the journey. I’m also not as wild with the colorful wording as I was, and there are fewer hidden pop culture references, but I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.

You see what I did there?

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: We dissected the latest mock drafts, some of which looked very good for the Penguins. We also did one of our own. Take a look, tell me what you think of our Penguins mock draft.

Reports swirled on Thursday that Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is pushing hard to move up in the draft. Scott Wheeler of The Athletic confirmed that Dubas inquired about the third overall pick, and we can figure out why. The players the Penguins are interested in, and the Penguins’ trade rumors.

Since the Penguins would like to snag the power forward near the top of the draft, we dropped the scouting video and analysis of the potential pick. Here’s the breakdown and Matt Meagher’s video on Porter Martone.

And here’s some potentially fun news. Our partner, Jenna Harner at WPXI, got the scoop. The city of Pittsburgh has submitted a letter of interest to host the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.

Steelers Now: For the 2025 season, the Steelers unveiled the new Terrible Towel.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pirates went dumpster diving Thursday, signing a lefty to whom the Cubbies gave walking papers. But had to make a corresponding move to balance the roster. At least it’s something. Here is the Pirates news.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

NYI Hockey Now: Not long removed from a breakout season, defenseman Noah Dobson is now the subject of more rumors than Blake Lively. Here’s the latest surrounding the biggest Islanders trade chip.

Montreal Hockey Now: The biggest Dobson rumors are coming out of Montreal. There is also some Jordan Kyrou chatter. Marc Dumont puts all of the talk, rumors, and chatter into one story. Here is the latest Montreal Canadiens trade talk.

The Athletic ($): On Wednesday night, the Buffalo Sabres traded JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth. Mike Russo reports that the Minnesota Wild made a strong offer for Peterka and offered Marco Rossi. Buffalo declined.

Florida Hockey Now: I’m not sure what to make of this trade, and the goalie in question has not been impressive. The two-time Stanley Cup champions made a small but significant trade when they acquired goalie Daniil Tarasov.

A quick news interlude: Dallas signed Jamie Benn to a one-year deal with a $1 million base and up to $4 million with incentives. Florida also traded prospect Justin Sourdif to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Sportsnet: If you’ve been following PHN over the last couple of weeks, you know we’ve been covering the volatile rankings and mock drafts. The Sportsnet draftniks echoed some things we’ve brought to you and a couple of other potential surprises Friday in the NHL Draft.

Philly Hockey Now: Will James borrowed a good idea and had some fun. What would he do if he were Flyers GM Daniel Briere? Here is everything that would happen, from trades to picks, at the Flyers Draft.