Deen’s Daily: Another PTO For Jack Johnson; Datsyuk Assesses the Yzerplan; Rust on Team USA?

One of the Avs’ Stanley Cup champs is starting the season on a PTO with another team. Also, Pavel Datsyuk shares his insights on the Red Wings and is Pens forward Bryan Rust a sleeper pick for the Winter Olympics?

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — August 12.

Colorado Hockey Now

We’re slowly making our way through the quietest part of the offseason. It won’t get any worse than this for fans starving with hockey news.

But as the summer winds down, the professional tryouts start to trickle in. And one of the first announced is Jack Johnson. Like he did with the Avs four years ago, the veteran defenseman is heading to camp on a PTO with the Minnesota Wild with hopes of cracking a deep blueline.

READ MORE: Former Avalanche Defenseman Jack Johnson Lands PTO with Minnesota

Also, here’s my story from the weekend, highlighting what the Avs need to have a bounce back playoff performance.

READ MORE: 3 Things Standing Between the Avalanche and Another Long Stanley Cup Run

Around The NHL

Detroit Hockey Now: Pavel Datsyuk had a lot to say about the Red Wings’ current rebuild under former teammate Steve Yzerman. There’s a lot of good stuff from ‘The Magic Man’, and some pretty insightful thoughts about today’s NHL as a whole. Check out the story here.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Bryan Rust had a really good chance of dressing for Team USA if the NHL went to the Winter Olympics in 2022. It didn’t end up happening, and Rust missed the cut for the Americans in last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off. Dan Kingerski writes that he should make the 2026 roster. And explains why.

Florida Hockey Now: Remember how Brad Marchand signed an insanely long contract for a 37-year-old? The two-time Stanley Cup champion said he intends to play out the six years. We’ll see if his body holds up for that long.