Apr 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and Philadelphia Flyers left wing Noah Cates (27) take a third period face-off in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The summer is over.

The ice is fresh. And Pittsburgh Penguins training camp begins today.

With the official end of the offseason, PHN’s column questioned general manager Kyle Dubas’s offseason decisions against the backdrop of his long-range goals. Also, the Penguins released their training camp roster.

Elsewhere in the Daily, the Philadelphia Flyers are big-game hunting, the Winnipeg Jets suspended Connor Hellebuyck, and the Dylan Larkin hoopla in Detroit will have an anticlimactic pause. So, here we go.

Nine months of chasing this team around a continent, from Florida to Vancouver and all stops in between. I’m not sure I’m ready for it this season, but life never asks if you’re ready, does it?

To celebrate my final day of freedom, I indeed knocked around some golf balls at the Links at Spring Church (still a nice enough course, but a shell of what it once was), and attacked some wings and beer at Sidelines in Millvale (a hidden little gem). Ready or not…

Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The training camp squad is “only” 69 players. Here is the Penguins camp roster.

We’ve written and talked about this all summer. Projections, possibilities, and expectations.

Now that we’re at the end of the offseason, the question is: so what is the Penguins’ plan? NHL Trade Talk, News, & NHN ESPN: Won’t come to camp?

Get suspended. This situation just went from interesting to ugly as the Winnipeg Jets have suspended goalie Connor Hellebuyck for his holdout while demanding a trade.

Hellebuyck just gave away a lot of goodwill. Things aren’t that bad in Winnipeg.

Perhaps I’m old-school, but players are forgetting that it’s a privilege to play in the NHL, anywhere. TSN Insider Trading: Perhaps unfortunately, the team still going big on the NHL trade market is the Philadelphia Flyers.

They’re still looking for a big talent on the trade market, and Darren Dreger reports that GM Daniel Briere isn’t specific about which position, but Philly wants a splash. Florida Hockey Now: But Sloth love Chunk?

The Florida Panthers are beginning training camp with their acquired Tkachuk brothers, but coach Paul Maurice intends to keep them apart and try to spread out the chaos in the Panthers’ lines. Florida isn’t just a wagon; it’s a wagon that enjoys a demolition derby, too.

Sportsnet: There remains some public pushback, and it’s getting amplified by the national coverage of the Edmonton Oilers signing Alex Formenton, one of the five Team Canada members acquitted of sexual assault in August of 2025. But the Oilers are standing their ground.

Former Penguins tough guy (and good dude) Ryan Reaves has announced his retirement after 16 NHL seasons. And Mathew Barzal is off the ice for two weeks after aggravating an offseason injury.

TVA Sports: Three goalies? No. While the Montreal Canadiens have three goalies who played significant time in the league last season, they do not plan to carry three this season.

So, which one is a goner? ).

Then New Jersey bestowed a pretty good contract on the young winger. James Nichols has some praise for the Devils for making a smart bet with an out clause.