A day after looking at the league’s best offseasons, the focus has shifted to the other end of the spectrum. The latest Daily takes on the NHL’s worst summer work, while also touching on a few key contract and personnel stories around the league.
In Pittsburgh, the offseason report card is already in. Pittsburgh Hockey Now handed the Penguins a grade that isn’t exactly flattering, though it does leave Kyle Dubas some room to work.
The piece notes that if anything changes, the evaluation will be revisited. The site also ran a Penguins chat/No Pucks Given episode that brought up Shane Wright, the price of making trades, and a handful of strong reader questions.
There’s also a bit of a pause coming around the league as cottage season approaches and general managers step back from the phones for a while. That’s part of why PHN pushed its offseason report card out now.
The writer also floated a possible trip to Sault St. Marie to talk with locals about the Soo and Kyle Dubas, though the long, straight roads sound like a major obstacle.
Marietta is still on the list too, but the downtown hotel is apparently a little rich for the accommodations, and another Super 8 doesn’t sound appealing before the season starts.
Elsewhere, Dallas is taking a short break before turning back to Jason Robertson and a long-term deal. KDAF reported that Robertson wants the headlines to calm down for now, but the Stars are already discussing an extension, and it doesn’t sound like they plan to let him go.
Sportsnet also checked in on the top unrestricted free agents still looking for homes. Among the names mentioned were Patrick Kane, Eeli Tolvanen, and Logan Stanley, who remains a player some Penguins fans have their eyes on.
The Rangers are making some notable additions behind the scenes. Forever Blueshirts reported that New York hired Jonathan Quick to work with goalies in the organization and brought in Derick Brassard as a player development assistant. The Brassard move comes with its own bit of irony, considering his old role as a third-line center.
Around the rest of the league, TSN highlighted the five worst performances of the offseason, arguing that some teams didn’t just stand still - they got worse. Detroit Hockey Now dug into the Red Wings’ criticism under Steve Yzerman, with the central issue being the lack of prospects in the lineup. And on the Flyers and Devils fronts, Philadelphia has a Q&A out, while New Jersey is being projected to make the playoffs.
In Other News...
Penguins Just Added A Goalie Prospect Fans Will Want To Size Up
The Penguins goaltending pipeline picked up a familiar name with a long pro rsum, as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton signed Cam Johnson to an American Hockey League contract for the 2026-27 regular season. Johnson arrives with plenty of mileage in both the ECHL and AHL, and his latest stop only strengthened the case for another look after he helped the Florida Everblades capture the Kelly Cup again.
Johnsons postseason run in Florida ended with another championship and a playoff MVP award, the kind of resume line that tends to turn heads in an organization always watching for depth in net. He also brings a championship pedigree that goes back to college, where he was the starter for North Dakotas 2016 NCAA title team, leaving the Penguins with a veteran option whose next chapter is still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins Suddenly Linked To A Risky Plan B After Missing Out
The Penguins spent the offseason chasing a bigger swing, but Jason Robertson is off the board after re-signing with Dallas, forcing Kyle Dubas to keep working the trade market for another impact piece. One name that has surfaced as a possible fallback is Matthew Knies, a player Dubas knows well from his time with the Maple Leafs and someone who would fit the kind of long-term addition Pittsburgh has been trying to find.
Knies is still viewed as a player with real upside, which is exactly why he would come with a meaningful price tag and plenty of uncertainty. For a Penguins front office trying to balance urgency with patience, the appeal is obvious, but so is the risk if the player they target does not develop the way they hope. [Read more 🡒]
Former Penguins Defenseman Jack Johnson Lands Surprising Coaching Role
Jack Johnsons post-playing career took a sharp turn this week, with the former Penguins defenseman stepping into a new role at Ohio State. The longtime NHL veteran, who spent two seasons in Pittsburgh during his 19-year career, has joined the Buckeyes womens hockey program and said he is excited about the opportunity.
For Ohio State, the hire brings in a recognizable name with pro experience and a fresh voice for a program looking to keep building. Head coach Nadine Muzerall said Johnson should have a positive impact on the team and on recruiting, adding another layer of intrigue to a move that stands out even in a sport where former players often find their next path behind the bench. [Read more 🡒]