First Call: NHL moves that impact the Penguins; Steelers player that may help you win money

Thursday’s “First Call” takes a look at how some other teams in the Penguins’ division were impacted by NHL free agency. Local star Vince Trocheck has a new home. Some Penguins-killers are on the move. Pat Freiermuth may be on the verge of making some money for Steelers fans. And new Steeler James Daniels is mentioned as one of the best players at his position.

New York State of Mind

Upper St. Clair’s Vince Trocheck is leaving the Carolina Hurricanes, but he is staying in the Metropolitan Division.

On Wednesday, Trocheck signed a seven-year, $39 million contract with the New York Rangers. Trocheck totaled 21 goals and 30 assists with Carolina last season. He could slot in as New York’s second-line center next season.

If Evgeni Malkin had hit free agency, many Penguins fans were hoping that the franchise would take a run at signing Trocheck. But the fear was he’d be too much of a cap hit.

However, with an average annual value of $5.625 million, Trocheck is going to make less against the cap than Malkin’s $6.1 million hit. And Trocheck is 29, while Malkin is 35.

That said, Malkin’s deal only lasts four years. Trocheck’s is three years longer.

New York also signed former Penguins goalie, Louis Domingue, to a two-year contract worth $1.55 million. He experienced wild ups and downs during that playoff series between the clubs last May and will likely be a third goalie behind Igor Shesterkin and Jaroslav Halak for the Rangers franchise.

Bye-bye Broadway

Meanwhile, the Penguins won’t be the least bit upset to see these two forwards leave Manhattan in free agency.

Andrew Copp went to Detroit for a five-year contract worth a reported $28.125 million. Frank Vatrano signed with the Anaheim Ducks for three years at $10.95 million.

Both of those players were quality late-season acquisitions who helped the Rangers surge to the Eastern Conference Final. And they always seemed to hurt the Penguins.

Copp had a goal for New York in four of the seven games against the Pens during this spring’s first-round playoff series between the teams. He ended that series with seven points.

ANDREW COPP!

2-0 RANGERS!

(via @RangersMSGN)pic.twitter.com/hRQhfG4ED6

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 4, 2022

Vatrano had five points during that series. In 16 regular-season games against the Pens, Vatrano has nine goals and 13 total points playing for Boston, Florida and New York.

At least Vatrano is heading to the Western Conference. By joining the Red Wings, Copp remains in the Eastern Conference.

More for Freiermuth?

BetOnline.ag posted some individual over-under totals for NFL wide receivers and tight ends.

One potential money-making opportunity could be betting on Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth. They set his totals at 62 ½ for receptions, 576 ½ for receiving yards and 6 ½ touchdowns

In his rookie season, Freiermuth totaled 60 catches, 497 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

So all of those numbers look highly attainable in Freiermuth’s second season. Especially if you are of the opinion that the offense will hold onto the ball longer and run more plays than last year, with an improving offensive line, and quarterbacks that can occasionally extend plays and drives with their legs. Ben Roethlisberger couldn’t do that last year.

Remember, Freiermuth missed one game with a concussion in 2021, plus he only got 33.8 snaps per game the first five weeks of his initial season. He averaged 47.9 the rest of the regular season.

Even if you doubt the Steelers quarterbacks or think the wide receivers will gobble up too many targets, I still think Freiermuth is a good bet on the over for all of those totals.

On the rise

CBS Sports put together a list of the NFL’s top offensive players at every position under the age of 25.

Two Steelers were mentioned. Newly acquired James Daniels was one of the two guards. Alijah Vera-Tucker of the New York Jets was the other one.

Writer Jordan Dajani said, “Daniels is an interesting player, because he should finally get some stability moving forward with the Steelers. The former Bear moved around on Chicago’s offensive line, playing left guard, center and right guard over the past four seasons. In fact, he played just three snaps at right guard before this past year, per PFF. Daniels has been solid over his first four seasons, but last year was probably his best overall campaign.”

Daniels turns 25 on Sept.13, just two days after the Steelers regular-season opener. Running back Najee Harris made the second team behind Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor.