Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Tommy Novak (18) shoots the puck against the Florida Panthers during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Alberti-Imagn Images The Pittsburgh Penguins made a slightly surprising move Friday, but not out of character, when they inked Tommy Novak to a three-year extension.
Elsewhere in the Daily, Alexander Nikishin spoke to the swirling trade rumors, while the New York Rangers might be poking around a change-of-scenery trade. Montreal is still buzzing about the discredited Kirill Marchenko trade rumors, and the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup is getting underway and features the top 2027 draft-eligible players. Color me still a little surprised by the Novak extension.
The Penguins have a much higher valuation than fans and sportswriters. I felt him to be expendable, but a three-year deal at this point set him up as part of the Penguins’ future. I suppose I spend too much time analyzing the world and people.
I had to get two haircuts in two weeks because the first one was so bad. Yep, I’ve got gray hair now, and some on the side wants to stick straight out. So, the first barber’s solution was to barely cut my hair, despite my request for, you know, a haircut.
I usually visit his partner, who told me all about the scientific terms and reality and knows exactly how to fix it. But the second haircut was by a younger girl at a national chain–I figured I’d fix my bad cut by letting someone just hack at it. But what happened surprised me.
The newbie at the chain spot, who was incredibly slender, contorted herself into positions I’ve never seen a barber or stylist use. It was like a spider monkey flipping and crawling over me. She spent five minutes figuring it out, and I found myself watching like a spectator, both in awe and appreciative.
And this is the point of the story. Some people solve problems by ignoring them for their convenience. Some fix them by acquiring expertise.
And then others just work their butt off to figure it out. We should all be the latter two, but doesn’t it feel like most people are the former, eh? Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Hockey Now: In the words of Andre the Giant before Wrestlemania III, three years is a long time.
GM Kyle Dubas and the Penguins are keeping Tommy Novak. Steelers Now: WR3 is a position that has no clear incumbent. In his daily takeaways from Steelers training camp, Alan Saunders breaks down the battle for the Steelers’ WR.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Rinse, lather, repeat, and add some bad news. The Buccos blew a lead, and Ryan O’Hearn was injured. It was a disaster in Cincy and another loss for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now RG Org: The RG folks are back, but with a direct interview rather than refuted rumors. Alexander Nikishin spoke about his new contract demands and the trade rumors that have surrounded him all summer. Sportsnet: The scout’s analysis.
The Hlinka-Gretzky Cup gets underway in Edmonton, and the top 2027 draft prospects will face off in the annual tournament. Jason Bukala breaks down who to watch. The Athletic ($): Trade talk in New York.
Brayden Schneider is about to be buried on the Rangers’ depth chart, so what happens next? Vince Mercogliano examined the potential to swap the defenseman in a change-of-scenery trade. Philly Hockey Now: Weakness to strength.
Last season, the biggest problem for the Flyers lineup was goaltending until Dan Vladar grabbed the net. This offseason, GM Daniel Briere has continued adding, and Will James writes that goaltending is now a Flyers strength. NHLtraderumors.me: Even though the trade rumors were debunked, Montreal is still buzzing about Kirill Marchenko.
Anthony Di Marco was on Montreal radio and answered the million-dollar question. So, what would it actually take for the Canadiens to acquire him? Detroit Hockey Now: The IIHF chose to maintain Russia’s ban on international competition for the upcoming season.
And some of the Russian executives, especially former Red Wings D-man Slava Fetisov, are upset.