Connor Hellebuyck, Adam Fantilli and the Pittsburgh Penguins all found themselves in different versions of the same place this week: waiting.
Hellebuyck is in self-imposed limbo on the NHL trade market because other players can block a move to Winnipeg. Fantilli is stuck in contract limbo as one of the young players seeking Leo Carlsson’s money. And in Pittsburgh, the Penguins are trying hard not to wind up stuck at all as the season gets rolling.
That’s the thread running through a busy NHL day, but there was plenty else in the mix. Elias Pettersson is earning praise from teammates for the work he put in this summer and the new mindset he’s bringing into camp. Chris Kreider also made news after telling several teams not to claim him on waivers before ultimately signing a one-year, $2.15 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens.
Kreider left about $1.85 million on the table this season.
On the trade front, Sportsnet’s 32 Thoughts Podcast had more to chew on around Hellebuyck, including whether he’s effectively stuck in Winnipeg because other goalies are blocking a path to the ‘Peg. The podcast also dug into takeaways from interviews with Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski.
Fantilli’s situation remains unsettled in Columbus. According to NHLtraderumors.me, he skipped the Blue Jackets’ team golf outing while waiting on a new contract, and Aaron Portzlie reported there has been little to no progress between the team and the player.
There was also a notable payday in Vegas, where the Golden Knights signed captain Mark Stone to a two-year, $18 million contract.
Pittsburgh’s own coverage leaned into the big picture. Pittsburgh Hockey Now examined residual questions around the Penguins, including which young player could surprise at camp, why players still sign there despite Kyle Dubas’s reputation for stuffing camp rosters, and the best- and worst-case scenarios for this season.
Vince Comunale also wrote a thoughtful piece marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and reflecting on how hockey has helped heal in times of strife.
Around the league, there was a little more color tucked into another story about the shrinking window on the Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin rivalry. Mark Lazerus included a note about Seattle Kraken players who were frustrated after Jason Robertson rejected a trade to Seattle.
And in Vancouver, the Canucks are still all-in on the remaining six years of Pettersson’s contract, with Brock Boeser saying he can see a difference in Pettersson from this summer. That new look is exactly what the Canucks are hoping to see carry over.
In Other News...
Penguins Ownership Makes Its First Big Move At PPG Paints Arena
The Penguins new era off the ice is starting to take shape, and Marcel Braithwaite is the first major piece in place. Pittsburgh named the longtime sports executive as its new president of business operations, tapping someone with experience leading the business side of a high-profile franchise as the Hoffman Family settles into ownership and takes on the arena lease.
Braithwaite comes to Pittsburgh after serving as senior vice president of business operations for the Houston Astros, and his arrival gives the Penguins a clear point person for what comes next at PPG Paints Arena. The move signals that the new ownership group is already looking beyond the scoreboard, with arena improvements expected to be part of the next phase of the organizations reset. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins Prospects Left Camp With A Few Early Names To Watch
The Penguins wrapped up their prospect tournament in Detroit with a 3-1 loss to Dallas, but the score was only part of the point. Pittsburgh got its first goal from the Ruck twins in the third and final game, and the weekend offered a useful early look at which young players were already making themselves noticeable before camp shifts into its next phase.
There were individual performances worth circling beyond the result, along with a few incidents that added some edge to the game. For a prospect group trying to leave a mark, that is usually the real assignment in September, and the Penguins likely came away with a better sense of which names deserve a longer look once the roster battles start to tighten. [Read more 🡒]
Sidney Crosby Heads Into Penguins Season With One Huge Question Still Open
Sidney Crosby is heading into his 22nd NHL season with the same steady routine that has defined so much of his Penguins career, but this one comes with a little more uncertainty attached. The captain spoke recently about his age, his health and the fact that he has one year left on his current deal, a familiar countdown for a player who has spent his entire career in Pittsburgh and still remains the face of the franchise.
What makes this moment feel different is the backdrop around him. Crosbys agent and Penguins general manager are still in talks about a possible extension, while the organization itself has already gone through a major ownership shift with the Hoffmann family taking over from Fenway Sports Group as majority owners. For now, the focus remains on the season ahead, but the biggest lingering question around the Penguins is whether Crosbys next contract keeps his future tied to the place where it has always been. [Read more 🡒]