Jan 10, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and defenseman Kris Letang (58) talk during a break against the Calgary Flames during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Philip G.
Pavely-Imagn Images Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will indeed have some offseason changes. A few days after he was pictured trying on equipment from this decade, Crosby’s private trainer got a hefty new job.
We also tackled a few more questions regarding the Penguins’ offseason, including why there have been no significant trades, if they are in a holding pattern, and what’s up with Mario Lemieux coming back to the team. There are some NHL trade rumors, as it seems one team is poking around Montreal for Arber Xhekaj.
John Shannon reports the Detroit Red Wings GM search could go on for quite a while as the organization isn’t moving efficiently, and the first-round pick that the Penguins gave up in the Erik Karlsson trade is ready for his NHL shot. Yesterday, many of you got the email for our Prospects Challenge story.
Unfortunately, user error (me) hit publish instead of save before it was ready. I amended the story a few minutes later as I confirmed details of the new tournament.
Mistakes happen, but sorry about the error. Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Hockey Now: As part of the Penguins’ recent schedule drop was a news item, and it all became clear over the last few days.
The Penguins are moving to a new prospects tournament in Detroit as the Buffalo tournament is ending. Here are the Penguins’ prospect tournament details.
We had enough questions from the Live Chat season finale and via social media to load up an interesting Q&A. August has been an interesting month for the Penguins in Kyle Dubas’s tenure.
There is a pattern. From Mario’s role with the new owners to why we haven’t seen a notable Penguins trade.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The MLB trade deadline and Pirates GM Ben Cherington went hard after bullpen help. A few months late, but he went all-in.
Danny Demilio recaps the trades and delivers some straight-talk analysis on the Pirates trade deadline. Steelers Now: Wow.
Aaron Rodgers was on the Pat McAfee show from Steelers training camp, and he just unleashed a two-minute political wrecking ball on Anthony Fauci, the Athletic scandal, and bulldozed all in his wake. It was a tour de force from the Steelers QB.
Mea culpa: I absolutely loved Rodgers just crushing his critics. Here’s my mea culpa.
I delivered criticism during the vax situation because I was exasperated by a lot of critics of it (and some of it was indeed silly, like the microchip conspiracy). I also got quite a bit of criticism, and some still won’t let it go.
But as the truth comes out, a lot of people who stood on principle against the vaccinations were
right. I was against closing schools and society, but I’d still make the decision to get jabbed.
That’s me. However, I’d also be far more accepting of people like Rodgers who said, “Nope.” I regret being so frustrated and believing so many lies.
I’ll leave it there, and I hope you do, too. NHL Trade Talk, News, & NHN The Athletic ($): It’s a big deal as Toronto is upgrading.
Andy O’Brien has been Sidney Crosby’s personal trainer. Now, he’s getting a big promotion to the head of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ sports science department.
Detroit News: On John Shannon and Darren Millard’s latest podcast, Shannon indirectly lit up the Detroit Red Wings. He painted a very poor picture of the Red Wings GM search that is getting nowhere fast.
Detroit Hockey Now: Here’s the big question. What about Dylan Larkin?
Without a GM in place, what will the player want to do and what does the organization want to do? Hall of Famer Kevin Allen updates the potential Larkin-Red Wings trade to Minnesota.
New Jersey Hockey Now: I think the most exciting offseasons have been in Washington and New Jersey. Washington got the players, such as Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou, and New Jersey is getting an organizational makeover with some excitement.
GM Sunny Mehta is leaning into what he knows but also leaning into what already worked with the New Jersey Devils. NHL.com: We don’t know who the Penguins would have picked with the 14th overall pick in 2024 had they not shipped it away in the Erik Karlsson trade, but Buffalo ended up with the pick and selected Konsta Helenius.
Here’s more on the prospect who is ready for his close-up. Montreal Gazette: We’ll end with some trade rumors.
What’s up with Wi-Fi? The rugged Montreal Canadiens defenseman has some suitors on the market, and the Gazette reports Calgary has interest.
It is time for Montreal to make a decision.