Dan’s Daily: Big Trades, Big Drama, Bad Penguins Loss

The Pittsburgh Penguins lost a potential Erik Karlsson suitor Saturday when the Florida Panthers reshaped the NHL trade market with a blockbuster for Seth Jones. The New York Rangers and Colorado Avalanche swung a big deal, while the drama surrounding the Vancouver Canucks has shifted to Brock Boeser. On the ice, the Penguins slumped for two periods before again making Joonas Korpisalo look like a world-beater in yet another ugly loss.

I’ll own my mistakes or flubs. I was caught flat-footed in the postgame press conference, and my question to Mike Sullivan was, at best, convoluted. That’s always embarrassing when it happens–the usual culprit, the question before me forced me to pivot, and I got caught editing my thoughts on the fly and basically asked a question that Sullivan would never answer. Sullivan let me off the hook and answered what I meant. You’d think I’d be better at that by now, but I also didn’t feel like the Penguins were owed softball questions yesterday, and I ended up wearing one.

I also realized that tomorrow begins my favorite road trip of the season. Denver. Las Vegas. I surely could use a slice at NY NY, some prime rib at Roma’s (though the horseradish at Four Queens cafe is far superior), Chicken Parm and house wine at Bautista’s, and more Chicken Parm at Bugsy’s in El Cortez. Maybe a $1.99 shrimp cocktail or three in California and a late-night Nathan’s hot dog back in NY, NY.

I’ve lost five pounds this week and need to drop a few more before Vegas…for obvious reasons.

It’s an early one today, so let’s get to the hockey.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Well, it looks like I was in the right church, wrong pew with one of the teams. We’ll start with four potential suitors for an Erik Karlsson trade.

To the game, I thought the final score looked a lot closer than it really was. The Penguins got a pair of late goals to cut the lead to one, but they were dealt their fifth loss in six games and four in five since the break. Here is Dave Molinari’s Penguins recap.

This is part report card, part opinion column. The Penguins had a lot of passengers or downright bad efforts on Saturday. After a great game Thursday, Karlsson had six turnovers and David Pastrnak at his lunch in the 3-2 Bruins win. The Penguins have a real problem with emotional engagement and motivation right now. Check out the Penguins report card.

Boston Hockey Now: Penguins defenseman P.O Joseph caught Bruins captain Brad Marchand along the wall. It wasn’t a dirty hit, nor was it a penalty, but it was a tangled mess, and Marchand left the game. The Bruins kept running Joseph until Mark Kastelic caught him square later in the first period. Here’s the Marchand hit and the Bruins update.

Sullivan was right to play Emil Bemstrom on Saturday (because Bemstrom deserved it), but he could have used Boko Imama to settle the Bruins, who were running Joseph until they got him. Boko’s skill set is limited, while Bemstrom’s is much greater. The “Sullivan hates physicality” people were back in force. You all really wear me out. If you had any idea…

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Chicago Hockey Now: Our Greg Boysen was at the ready when the big trade went down. After Seth Jones went public with his trade availability and seemed to rip the team’s growth, it was time to go. Florida gave up a pretty good haul to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Florida Hockey Now: Florida GM Bill Zito was with Columbus when Jones played there. It would seem he knew his target and moved boldly by giving up a first-rounder and Spencer Knight. Here’s the trade, comments, and analysis from the Florida Panthers side.

I think Zito well overpaid for Jones, and that Penguins GM Kyle Dubas was taking notes. I also think Florida grabbed the wrong slick-skating, expensive defenseman. Of course, Zito has had the Midas touch for a few years running, so maybe I should zip it.

Colorado Hockey Now: The other big trade involved the Colorado Avalanche and New York Rangers. Defenseman Ryan Lindgren brought back a nice haul with forward Jimmy Vesey. Here’s the big Avalanche trade.

Forever Blueshirts: OK, sooooo what’s next for the Rangers’ trade plans?

The other trade Saturday was the Minnesota Wild’s re-acquisition of Gustav Nyquist from the Nashville Predators. They also snagged him at the NHL trade deadline in 2023.

Vegas Hockey Now: Yes or no? Will the VGK go all in at the deadline (again), or just nibble? Hannah Kirkell was all over Hockey Night in Canada’s report that there’s a battle for St. Louis center Brayden Schenn, and the Vegas Golden Knights are in.

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers are surging (thanks in part to the Penguins). They goalie’d the Winnipeg Jets Saturday and are climbing back into the playoff race. Here’s how it went down Saturday for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Canucks Army: Brock Boeser drama has replaced anger over Elias Pettersson’s play. Boeser turned down a healthy contract because he wants more?

There’s a ton of hockey news today, but we’re focusing on the high points.

NYI Hockey Now: GOALIE GOAL! The New York Islanders cruised to a win, and Ilya Sorokin got the goal.