Crosby extends in Pittsburgh

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CAN’T MISS HOCKEY NEWS 🎯

🤑 Lucas Raymond signs eight-year, $64.6 million contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings, carrying an average annual value of $8.075 million. The 22-year-old forward set career highs last season, leading Detroit with 72 points (31 goals, 41 assists) and ranking second on the team in takeaways. Selected 4th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Raymond has 174 points (71 goals, 103 assists) in 238 games. With his long-term future secured, Raymond looks poised to be a key piece of Detroit’s rebuild for years to come. Read more → 

☝️ James van Riemsdyk inks one-year, $900k deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 35-year-old veteran posted 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) in 71 games for the Boston Bruins last season and added five points in 11 playoff games. Van Riemsdyk, who had been a free agent since July 1, emphasized the importance of finding a good fit and a chance to win at this stage of his career. With 629 points (311 goals, 318 assists) across 1,011 regular-season games, the former No. 2 draft pick brings a wealth of experience to the Blue Jackets locker room. Read more →

✌️ Sidney Crosby signs two-year, $17.4 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins, ending speculation about his future. The deal, worth $8.7 million annually, runs through the 2026-27 season, when Crosby will be 39. His cap hit remains consistent with past contracts, paying tribute to his jersey number and birthday (8/7/87). Crosby’s extension gives Pittsburgh flexibility while acknowledging his nearing NHL twilight. A three-time Stanley Cup champion and franchise leader, the former 1st overall pick has 1,596 career points (592 goals, 1,004 assists), 10th in NHL history, and is on the verge of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record for most point-per-game seasons in a career. Despite recent playoff struggles, Crosby believes the Penguins' veteran core can still contend for yet another Cup. Read more → 

POLL 🗳️

ICYMI 🏆

HOF netminder Roberto Luongo showed up for a “goalie needed” ad on Facebook for a beer league team, ultimately helping the team capture the league championship 4-2 over the reigning league champs. Read more → 

QUICK HITS ⚡️

• Tocchet prepared to push Canucks through harder season with expectations higher (Sportsnet)

• Top-Pair NHL Defenseman Cam Fowler Surfaces As Trade Candidate For Handful Of Teams (The Hockey News)

• Devils defenseman Luke Hughes out 6-8 weeks with shoulder injury (ESPN)

• Sorokin could miss start of Islanders training camp after offseason back surgery (NHL.com)

• UFA netminder Antti Raanta will not play in NHL this season (TSN)

• Braxton Whitehead becomes 1st CHL player to verbally commit to playing NCAA hockey (CBC)

COACHES CORNER 🏒

• Great compound drill includes a couple of passes, soft touches, some creativity in limited space, and ends with a shot (Matt Culot)

• Increase power and speed and prevent injury with these 3 isolated hamstring exercises (Sam Jones)

TRIVIA 🧠