Sidney Crosby’s offseason just picked up another wrinkle, and it involves one of the people who’s been in his corner for years. Andy O’Brien, Crosby’s personal trainer, has landed a major promotion and is now the head of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ sports science department.
That move adds another change to Crosby’s summer, after he was pictured a few days ago trying on equipment from this decade. It also fits into a bigger Penguins offseason that has started to feel like a waiting game. The questions have been piling up: why haven’t the Penguins made a significant trade, are they stuck in a holding pattern, and what should people make of Mario Lemieux coming back around the team?
Those topics came up again in a loaded Q&A that drew from questions from the Live Chat season finale and social media. August, in Kyle Dubas’s first stretch running the Penguins, has developed a pattern, and the discussion centered on that pattern, Mario’s role with the new owners, and the absence of a major Penguins move.
There was at least one concrete offseason update on the hockey side. The Penguins are shifting to a new prospects tournament in Detroit because the Buffalo tournament is ending. The team’s prospect tournament details are now set as part of that schedule change.
Around the league, trade chatter is starting to stir. One team is reportedly poking around Montreal in search of Arber Xhekaj. Meanwhile, the first-round pick the Penguins gave up in the Erik Karlsson trade is now ready for his NHL shot.
That pick ended up with Buffalo, which selected Konsta Helenius at 14th overall in 2024. NHL.com has more on Helenius and his push toward the next level.
In Detroit, the Red Wings’ offseason looks far less orderly. John Shannon, speaking on a recent podcast with Darren Millard, painted a bleak picture of the Red Wings’ GM search and suggested it could drag on because the organization is moving slowly. The lack of progress raises obvious questions about Dylan Larkin and what both sides want to do next, and Hall of Famer Kevin Allen offered an update on the potential Larkin-Red Wings trade to Minnesota.
Elsewhere, New Jersey’s offseason has been getting attention for a different reason. The Devils are in the middle of an organizational makeover, with GM Sunny Mehta leaning into what he knows while also leaning into what already worked with the New Jersey Devils. Washington, too, has been cited as one of the most interesting summers around the league, with players such as Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou mentioned as part of that buzz.
The Pittsburgh baseball side got its own deadline shakeup as well. Pirates GM Ben Cherington went hard after bullpen help at the MLB trade deadline, and Danny Demilio broke down the moves with blunt analysis.
And then there was Aaron Rodgers. From Steelers training camp, he went on the Pat McAfee show and delivered a two-minute political blast aimed at Anthony Fauci and the Athletic scandal, tearing through the subject matter in a way that turned plenty of heads.
One reaction to that moment was unusually personal. The piece included a mea culpa about criticism during the vaccination debate, saying, “I absolutely loved Rodgers just crushing his critics.
Here’s my mea culpa.” It went on to say, “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.”
In Other News...
Tanner Howe Is Giving The Penguins A Prospect Worth Watching
Tanner Howe is heading into his first full professional season with something the Penguins like to see in a young player: a useful debut, a strong recovery track and a reputation that travels well inside the organization. After ACL surgery in April 2025, Howe still got into the mix with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in February, and he made the most of the opportunity by showing he could contribute right away in the AHL while adjusting to the pace and demands of pro hockey.
His first stretch with the Penguins' affiliate produced 16 points in 27 regular-season games, then five more in 14 playoff games, a solid opening act for a player still working back to full strength. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton assistant general manager Amanda Kessel has pointed to Howe's versatility and work ethic during both the recovery process and his first pro season, the kind of praise that suggests there is more room for him to grow into a prospect worth keeping a close eye on. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins Just Sent A Frustrating Message About This Offseason
The Penguins offseason took another turn when they locked up second-line center Tommy Novak on a three-year deal worth $13.95 million, a move that caught plenty of fans off guard. Novak had been expected by many to test free agency, so the extension instantly changed the conversation around Pittsburghs roster-building plans and the way the front office is approaching the summer.
Novaks new contract also adds another layer of uncertainty to what comes next, because it affects how the Penguins can navigate future trades and free-agent additions. Its the kind of move that can signal stability on paper while also making it harder to sort out opportunities for younger players trying to push into bigger roles. [Read more 🡒]