Oct 21, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger (53) moves the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Harrison Brunicke (45) during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Will a holdout expedite a Connor Hellebuyck trade, or will it blow up in everyone’s face?
We’re about to find out, and Canadian media is abuzz with trade rumors and opinions. As the new CBA rules kicked in at midnight, there was a flurry of new contracts, including a few more long-term deals for unproven players.
Elsewhere in the Daily, Sportsnet included a surprise Penguins prospect among the 21 rookies who could crack the NHL roster. Cutter Gauthier FINALLY signed with Anaheim, and it was actually a reasonable deal.
And we’ve got full coverage of the Pittsburgh Penguins Prospects Tournament, including some admissions of subpar play. The Penguins’ prospects were a bit off Tuesday, and we’ve got the full story, with those bluntly honest admissions on PHN+.
But before the Daily, a personal note: There’s no question that the last year has been challenging on the business/web side, but the toughest part was dismantling and rebuilding PHN+. It just didn’t go well, but I’m happy to say it looks like they knocked the new platform out of the park, and most of you are pleased.
So, I’d love for those of you who threw up your hands and left to take another look. There is now a free trial option.
Cmon back! And I’m getting a few messages—”Hey, my old login isn’t working.” Here’s the new platform write-up (if you’re just coming back after a little summer break), the customer service desk, and everything current subscribers need Today, I’m going to try golfing for the second time this season.
I haven’t done so with my brother and father in
five years? I put this here because this guarantees the Penguins will break all kinds of news.
Oh the things I do for you, hehe. Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Imagine waiting around for a Penguins player to show up to drop off your new season ticket package, and then Sidney Crosby walks up your driveway.
It was the annual season-ticket delivery, and Sid usually holds a little press conference (which the family gets a big kick out of) in their backyard. Yesterday was no different, and Shelly Anderson was there for the contract talk and Crosby’s thoughts on the very different Penguins training camp schedule.
In fact, the Penguins did NOT invite seven prospects to camp, including some high draft picks. It was a bit of a shocker—here’s the Penguins news.
PHN+: Why didn’t Harrison Brunicke or Bill Zonnon play a little better in the Prospects Tournament? Who looked really good (besides Tommy Galvas), and who stumbled, and why?
We’ve got it all from Detroit. The full analysis of the Penguins prospects.
A little teaser: I saw some really good things—the little things—from Tanner Howe. NHL Rumors, News, & NHN TSN: Connor Hellebuyck is holding out.
Not coming to training camp; both are waiting for and hoping for a trade. The TSN Insiders dug into the situation.
Is he helping or hurting his cause, and what is the deal with the lowball offers? ESPN: For all of the talk and pushing and shoving, both publicly and behind the scenes, the two sides got a deal done.
The Anaheim Ducks signed Cutter Gauthier to a six-year deal with a $13.5 million cap hit. Personally, I would have taken the four-year, $13 million deal, but this new contract includes a massive $18.5 million signing bonus.
NHL.com: As part of the contract flurry, the Washington Capitals got in just under the wire with a pair of eight-year contracts for Ryan Leonard and Justin Sourdif, their young, future core. News Recap: The Devils signed Luke Evangelista to a five-year, $36.25 million deal.
Jordan Staal signed an extension with the Carolina Hurricanes for 2027-28 that could be worth up to $10 million, including bonuses. Drake Batherson signed an eight-year, $86 million deal with the Ottawa Senators.
And Arber Xhekaj (Wifi) inked a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens. Sportsnet: I don’t necessarily agree with Sportsnet’s choice, but take a look—the 21 rookies who could crack NHL lineups, including one (ahem, Tommy Galvas) for the Penguins.
Also from Sportsnet, a player finally said it. All of these trade requests are wrong.
Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog was blunt—sometimes guys need to get out of a situation, but right now players are abusing trade demands. Philly Hockey Now: St. Louis took a run.
Perhaps Nashville did, too. But neither could pry Alexander Nikishin out of Carolina, despite the young defenseman’s trade demand.
Ahem. Could the Philadelphia Flyers be next in line?
Philly or the Penguins would be ideal landing spots for the turbo-skating defenseman. Boston Hockey Now: I love supporting our young writers.
Jack Studley has taken and run with the Boston Bruins beat up there. Get to know his work if you’re even a little bit interested in the Bruins.
There are four pressing points and storylines as Bruins training camp opens. NHLtraderumors.me: Was the spat and friction with Elias Petterson in Vancouver all J.T.
Miller’s fault? A former teammate came to Miller’s defense on the Cam and Strick Podcast.
Nikita Zadorov pretty much absolved Miller and did so bluntly. Chicago Hockey Now: And finally, Connor Bedard penned a letter to Chicago Blackhawks fans.
Everyone out there is getting a bit sick of the losing. Bedard’s letter included the line, “Let’s win some damned games.”
