Apr 20, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Elmer Soderblom (25) moves the puck against Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matvei Michkov (39) during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images DETROIT — It was a fun night at the Balfour Training Center inside Little Caesars Arena Sunday as the Pittsburgh Penguins prospects team showed well, but one stole the show in a 4-3 win.
Elsewhere in the Daily, the burning questions ahead of training camp include NHL trade rumors and potential resurrections. There is finally some excitement in Chicago, and the NHL Network is counting down the top 50 players in the game.
**By the way–the rumor around the team is that the Penguins will HOST next year’s Prospects Tournament. All respect to the good folks in Detroit, but their practice facility isn’t set up to host a public tournament of any notable size.
No, Mondays are not the most fertile ground for the Daily, but the Dude abides. We’ve got an off-day in Detroit, so if anyone has any suggestions, I’m downtown and hoping not to wander into a bar.
I’m not a fan of Shinola watches (or I’d jump over to the factory tour), and my staple in town is the American Coney Island (after the older Coney Island was found to, ummm, have some trouble with vermin). I’ve largely held to a more disciplined diet over the past month, and 10 pounds are gone (Ok, 9.6), but I’d like to shed another 20.
And that’s that. So, any ideas for Detroit?
I’m game. Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It was good to be back at the rink for an actual competitive game.
Unfortunately, I don’t think the games are open to the public, but we got an eyeful of at least one Penguins prospect, while others showed their development in a tight-checking game against older opponents. Here’s the analysis of the boys’ performances, the good and the not-so-good, including a “Holy Cow” grade for defenseman Tommy Galvas in the 4-3 win.
I don’t know why Galvas didn’t play like that in July, but if the Penguins can help him gain about 10-15 pounds, he’s got a real shot. Steelers Now: T.J.
Watt saved the day in the win over the Atlanta Falcons. All of our Steelers guys came to the same conclusion—it was Watt’s day.
Here are the Duds and Studs of the Steelers win. NHL Rumors, News, & NHN Sportsnet: So, what the heck is going on with Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg, and can Matvei Michkhov return to his super rookie status, or will he become that guy with more talent than production?
The four burning questions of the coming NHL training camps. Yahoo: Defenseman Carson Soucy gets a PTO to a Metro Division team.
The 6-foot-4, 211-pound blue liner is a stay-home defenseman and will get a shot with the Columbus Blue Jackets. DFO: Pick a fight with a guy a foot taller
and find out that it can hurt. Watch this video.
A 6-foot-3 LA Kings prospect decided to test 7-foot-1, yes, SEVEN FOOT ONE, Alexander Karmanov, and the big man showed that he is not to be trifled with. That wasn’t a knuckle sandwich.
That was a knuckle hoagie. TSN: Bo Byram.
Patrick Kane. And a happy Connor Bedard.
There is growing excitement in Chicago for the season, and perhaps the Chicago Blackhawks can turn the corner and end their playoff drought. NHL.com: The NHL Network is doing the countdown of the top 50 players in the game, and the 30 to 21 is full of some really, really good players.
Montreal Hockey Now: Hockey fans never forget, especially when an opponent injures your star goalie. That’s just what Chris Kreider did to former Montreal Canadiens great Carey Price.
However, now that Kreider is a Canadien, Marc Dumont writes, “Just let it go, Canadiens fans.” Boston Hockey Now: Getting a top-five pick really helps a rebuild, or at least getting a top-five talent. That’s just what the Boston Bruins did at the 2026 NHL Draft when James Hagens fell to them outside the top five.
And at their rookie tournament, Hagens is showing what an elite prospect looks like.
