Penguins kick off season with more surprises than one after two game showing
The Penguins kicked off the first two games of the 2025-26 campaign with 4 huge divisional points over Mike Sullivan's New York Rangers and the spotlighted New York Islanders.
Dan Muse has shown Penguins fans that a new voice was needed around this team to break some player habits, bring sides out of players and have this Penguins squad hunkering down against division rivals.
The last five season's for the Penguins has seen them choke and hand away crucial points in crunch time against team's like the Rangers and Islanders. Despite the fact we are only two games in, the Muse system has shown that the Penguins can now properly defend and play a structured system that allows them to win hockey games and not play laid back and sit on leads like in the Mike Sullivan era.
Dan Muse has shown heavy promise in the foretold youth movement that is starting to begin in Pittsburgh. Muse started off the season, allowing rookies Benjamin Kindel and Harrison Brunicke to start the game and has flexed his option to test different players on different lines during the game to test combinations. Examples of that have seen Kindel see first line minutes, Filip Hallander swapping in for Philip Tomasino, utilizing his young guys while Rutger McGroarty and Bryan Rust remained sidelined with Injuries, but are both close to returns.
Justin Brazeau for Rocket Richard ??
Dan Muse has unlocked an unlikely early candidate for bounce back player of the year for the Penguins in Justin Brazeau. Brazeau who is flanked by Evgeni Malkin and Anthony Mantha to start the season have formed the tall line as all players are above six foot. Brazeau already has two game winners in both contests and has three goals. The second line has flourished under the Muse system and will need to keep this up to be a sufficient second line for the Penguins.
The Kids are showing out early
Ben Kindel and Harrison Brunicke have Penguins fans and fans around the NHL impressed by how well they have naturally have slotted in and played for the Penguins in the two games played. Kindel in game one out-beat Vincent Trocheck and was at 80% face-off rating, he has also shown his silky hands in tight quarters and his ability to quickly back-check on the transition side of the ice. Brunicke has shown he deserves past a nine game trial here in the NHL, sending him back to the CHL would teach the young defenseman nothing and is clearly and visibly ready for a full time roster spot in the NHL after scoring in game two and showing great signs of readiness. Kindel is a question mark on if he will make it past the nine game trial however these next two to three games will tell his tale for this season.
The Penguins reveal new alternate jerseys as they remark on Penguins history
The slogan is " A tribute to the city, showcasing unique detailing that honors Pittsburgh's iconic rivers, bridges and proud hockey history," as the Penguins entered the ice with the brand new yellow and black city connect esque jersey's that showcase the rich history of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The patch includes the old Mellon Igloo arena alongside the Allegheny River and Fort Pitt bridge. The Penguins will wear this alternate jersey 10 more times throughout the remainder of the season starting Nov. 6, against Washington and will finishing up against the Panthers on Apr. 5.
The Penguins will take on once again Mike Sullivan's New York Rangers on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 7:00 p.m. EST at home before heading on the California road trip.
49ers expected to check in with Bengals about a Trey Hendrickson trade
The San Francisco 49ers are 4-1, sitting atop the NFC West. But, they aren't a final roster by any means. With injuries to multiple offensive positions and some defensive uncertainty, the 49ers have a few reasons to be active at the trade deadline.
One of those positions that the 49ers need to address is along their defensive line, specifically, in adding a pass rusher to replace the injured Nick Bosa.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the 49ers are not just going to canvass the pass rusher trade market, but they're expected to make a call to the Cincinnati Bengals about star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
49ers expected to call Bengals about a Trey Hendrickson trade
While the Bengals have dealt with an injury to their starting quarterback like the 49ers have, their record is vastly different. At 2-3, the Bengals might be moving towards a sell-off if their schedule leading up to the trade deadline goes poorly.
"San Francisco is canvassing the pass rusher market to fill the void left by Nick Bosa's injury," Russini reports. "I expected them to call Cincinnati about Trey Hendrickson."
The Bengals' star pass rusher was one of many stars in Cincinnati going through contract disputes. He and the Bengals eventually agreed to a one-year, $29 million restructured deal, which would have Hendrickson hitting the open market after 2025.
Now, with the Bengals down, Joe Burrow at risk of falling significantly behind in the playoff hunt, Hendrickson could be on the move to get back any value instead of letting him stick with the team through a lost year.
The four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher was an All-Pro for the first time in his NFL career in 2024, and for good reason. He led the NFL in sacks with 17.5, which was also the second-straight year with 17.5 sacks.
So far this season, in five games, Hendrickson has four sacks, 13 tackles, and eight quarterback hits. He'd be one of the hottest commodities if he were to become available at the deadline, though, for now, the Bengals aren't likely to trade him.
But, if they continue to lose as the deadline approaches, and 2025 looks more and more like a lost season, a team like the 49ers, in need of pass rush help after Bosa's injury, could pounce and offer a solid return for Cincinnati to land one of the best pass rushers in the game.
The 30-year-old pass rusher is a very intriguing name to watch at the deadline this season, and the 49ers are already being linked to a potential trade by an NFL insider.
It's not a surprise that the 49ers are checking in on Hendrickson with their pass rush injuries, but it's an encouraging sign that the front office would be willing to spend draft capital to bring in a star player like Hendrickson for a Super Bowl push this season.
