Dan’s Daily: Former Penguin Shines; Pens Fallout; Cup Trash Talk
The extra dimensions of the Stanley Cup Final are emerging as Evander Kane had a little putdown for Matthew Tkachuk, while former Pittsburgh Penguins winger Kasperi Kapanen might be playing the best hockey of his life. In the PHN+ subscriber Q&A, we got into the bigger issues of winger trades, the coach fallout, and a lot of interest in Erik Karlsson’s future. The Philadelphia Flyers have called about Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nic Hague, and the Colorado Avalanche are putting a few players on the NHL trade block.
What a week.
PHN is headed to the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo today. We’ll have coverage today and tomorrow. Most of it will be on PHN+. Hopefully, you’ve signed up–we’ve never had more subscribers than we do right now, and this month is only getting better as we’ve got Matt Meagher’s prospect videos on the way, too. He knocked out several more yesterday, and we’ll be posting those over the next few days.
A little Pittsburgh weekend note: I definitely recommend a visit to the Original Pittsburgh Winery in the Strip District. Friend to PHN readers Anthony Jardine will be on stage with Jimbo Jackson in the tasting room tonight. They make the wine with grapes from Chile and California (so it’s not sugar water PA wine, eh?). The WDVE Comedy Showcase is coming up in a couple of weeks, too. Anthony is the owner and a huge hockey fan, so add the spot to your weekend roll. There’s a second winery now in the strip, but go to the original at Penn and 28th. Trust me.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Well now, David Quinn and Ty Hennes are no longer unemployed. Quinn didn’t get the head coaching jobs that he sought, and the boys are headed to work with Mike Sullivan and the New York Rangers.
PHN+: The subscriber Q&A took on a slightly different flavor and tone than the regular Q&A. Erik Karlsson was a hot topic, as were the scenarios for trading Rickard Rakell. So, we dove headlong into topics. If you haven’t signed up yet, join PHN+. Use code Dan10 to save yourself 10 bucks and support this little engine that could. Here’s the Penguins Q&A.
PHN YouTube: The Live Chat was fun. It was a little bit low-tech Thursday as I got home from the extended “day off” (on which I wrote three articles, thus delaying the trip home) on Wednesday just before the chat and had to boot the old MacBook to do it. BUT we got into the good topics, and it was an old-school, more personal chat. The first 30 minutes were a deep discussion on new coach Dan Muse and the expected fallout, changes, and potentials.
Steelers Now: Finally! Finally! The saga is over, and Aaron Rodgers signed. Our Alan Saunders was one of the first to break the news (it spread quickly), but Alan’s column is a must-read. Why will it, or, more specifically, why it will be different for Rodgers and the Steelers.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
Sportsnet: Former Penguins winger Kasperi Kapanen is finally waking up to the fact that he’s a very talented hockey player who has otherwise not applied himself or succeeded despite plenty of chances. He is shining brightly and being honest about his journey to the Stanley Cup Final with Edmonton. It’s a pretty good story.
He’s a different cat, but better late than never.
TSN: Oh, Evander Kane. He may have just poked the bear after Game 1. Kane said that Tkachuk was just like another player, but he talks more. The battle of wits and trash talk in the Stanley Cup Final has begun.
Boston Hockey Now: A new coach in Boston. This time, the favorite got the job, and Marco Sturm is the new coach. Andrew Fantucchio has three things you need to know about the new Boston Bruins coach.
I suppose we’re all a little surprised that Mitch Love didn’t get any of the openings. Respectfully, I thought he should have landed in Seattle or Vancouver (I wasn’t so complimentary of Seattle’s choice on the Live Chat). I’ll only write this: just be discerning who you believe when the internet reports start flying. Love and Sturm were reported by people who aren’t reporters weeks ago, but they were far too premature, and the reports were erroneous. Those reports on Sturm bore no connection to him eventually getting the gig.
Colorado Hockey Now: Martin Necas unhappy in Colorado? When did players become so soft with this stuff? I understand not enjoying Carolina’s playing style, but not happy in Colorado?? Aarif Deen has the story and the potential Colorado Avalanche trade talk.
Vegas Hockey Now: The desert mailbag from Hannah Kirkell. Will Reilly Smith get a new deal with the VGK? What about another return of Jonathan Marchessault? Lots of familiar names and contract questions with trade talk, too. The Golden Knights mailbag.
Categorized:Links NHL Trade Rumors Penguins
Agree 100% with the assessment of Kapanen in game 1. He was not just playing good hockey, but was playing hard every shift. If he had consistently shown that level of play before, he would have cemented a roster spot in Toronto, Pittsburgh or St. Louis.
Love watching Kap and ERod in the final.
Wow! DeBoer! Dude can coach!