The Pittsburgh Penguins have already made one trade to add a fresh face to their forward group, but more changes are coming before the start of next season. Josh Yohe of The Athletic breaks down the latest from the team, including a report that the Penguins have “soured” on Jared McCann’s ability to fill the third-line center role. McCann “is a player the Penguins are willing to move” according to Yohe, who also details several other situations including goaltending and defense.
McCann, 24, would likely have huge market appeal if made available, given his versatility and relatively solid regular season in Pittsburgh. The forward, who can play both center and wing, scored 14 goals and 35 points in 66 games but ended up scratched in the playoffs. One thing to remember for any acquiring team, McCann is a restricted free agent in need of a new contract and would be joining his fourth NHL organization before the age of 25.
- Craig Custance of The Athletic reports that Dan Hinote will be an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators this season, though there has been no official hiring announcement from the team as of this writing. Hinote, who spent nine seasons in the NHL as a depth forward, has worked with the US National Team Development Program the last two seasons and previously was with the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. The Predators, and specifically GM David Poile, are known for their connection to the USNTDP as seen with their recent hiring of head coach John Hynes.
- Speaking of amateur hockey in the United States, the college season is expected to be officially delayed in the coming days according to Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald, but optimism is apparently building that a 2020-21 season will be held at some point. Corey Pronman of The Athletic has also heard that a late-November start is the hope for college hockey.
I like Sully but how many good players are we going to ship out of town because he sours on them?
Jack Johnson is only here because Sully soured on Ian Cole, for example.
I like McCann. He plays hard. Not always smart. Coach him up. Good shot. Good wheels. Can win draws.
The problem with McCann is that he’s a shooting, rather than playmaking, center. Unless you are going to surround him with playmaking wings (rare on the third line) you are better off moving him to a wing, where his skill set plays more naturally.
I hope they don’t move him unless or until they get full value.
Not a good defender. Want a traditional 3rd line center. Need a right hand shot there as well. Too many left centers.
Hope the NCAA plays. Go Sioux!