Based on an announcement by our former Stanley Cup hero, it appears Nick Bonino will be joining the Penguins coaching staff in an undefined role.
“I just wanted to officially announce I will be retiring from professional hockey,” the 37-year-old said. “I had a really unique opportunity come up to coach the Pittsburgh Penguins, it’s something we thought was the best move for our family at this time.”
Bonino, who centered the HBK Line while serving as a linchpin on the Pens’ back-to-back Cup winners, will be reunited with four of his former teammates, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust and Kris Letang.
As for the Dan Muse connection? “Bones” played for the Rangers in 2023-24 and no doubt was a member of Muse’s penalty killing crew.
Frederic Extended
The freshly vanquished Oilers aren’t wasting any time moving on from their defeat in the Stanley Cup Final. According to reports, they’re set to sign UFA forward Trent Frederic to a whopping eight-year extension for around $4 million per.
Known for his rugged style and willingness to drop the gloves, the 6’3” 221-pound power forward has also displayed a scoring touch, notching 35 goals over a two-season span with Boston. His output dipped to eight goals in a combined 58 games with the Bruins and Oilers during an injury-riddled ’24-25 campaign.
The extension, or at least the terms of it, come as a bit of a head-scratcher in the wake of an uninspired postseason (a goal and four points in 22 games). Indeed, Trent’s most impactful moment…literally…occurred in Game 3 of the Final when he broke his stick across Sam Bennett’s back with a vicious crosscheck to touch off a line brawl.
However, the 27-year-old bruiser is the type of player teams are likely to covet, especially in the wake of the Panthers’ back-to-back Cups.
