DitD & Open Post - 7/17/26: Scheduling Edition

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 27: Anthony Mantha #39 of the Pittsburgh Penguins prepares to take the ice against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Five of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty ImagesHere are your links for today:Devils LinksAnthony Mantha is a Devil:“Mantha is coming off a career season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, totaling 33 goals and 64 points in 81 games. He is due to regress from those numbers, but he should still be a productive winger for the Devils. Let’s look at what he offers and why the Devils should be a better team with him, even though regression is likely next season.” [Devils on the Rush]“The New Jersey Devils today announced that the club has named Leo Luongo Director of Goaltending while adding Ted Donato and AJ MacLean as assistant coaches and Dan Stewart as a goaltending coach to complete Sheldon Keefe’s coaching staff.” [Devils NHL]We have a schedule:Hockey LinksThe NHL’s 1,344-game, 2026-27 regular-season schedule is out: [NHL.com]Some analysis of the most compelling games on the schedule: [Sportsnet]Connor McMichael get a six-year deal:Connor McMichael has signed a 6×6.75M with the Blues 💰He broke out in 2025 with 26G & 57P, but then only had 14G & 46P this season before being included in the Kyrou package pic.twitter.com/zKexgy71FH— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 16, 2026Steve Yzerman is out:In a major development, the Red Wings announce Steve Yzerman is stepping down as the team’s head of Hockey Operations and becoming an advisor to Chris Ilitch. A search for the team’s next President/GM is underway https://t.co/fPwD8KbqVq— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 15, 2026“While there are still some interesting names out there, we’ve reached the point of the offseason where player movement slows to a crawl. Some things can still change, but a majority of teams are what they are at this point — for better or worse. That makes it a good time to check in on which teams improved (or declined) the most this summer.” [The Athletic ($)]Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.