Dan’s Daily: Jagr Says Ovechkin Can Catch Gretzky, COVID hits VGK

There is a huge contrast in the tenor and tone of the stories in today’s daily links. Like you, I cannot wait until this nightmare is over. Former Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Jaromir Jagr may soon hang up the skates but not this year. He also said Ovechkin could catch Gretzky. The Vegas Golden Knights released a statement that four players and family members have contracted COVID-19. And, the players’ side is still boiling mad over the NHL ask.

We’ll start with the PHN+ “Off the Record.” The players’ anger over the owners CBA ask hasn’t subsided, but it seems to have intensified since last week, “…They know the owners got them again, and they will look like greedy assholes if they hold out, but this does not bode well…”  (PHN+)

Matt Gajtka’s Net-Front Presence discussed what the Pittsburgh Penguins retro jerseys are missing (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Jaromir Jagr is still playing at 48-years-old, though he admitted his motivation has waned. Jagr?! He also said Ovi can catch 99 (NHL.com)

The coronavirus hit the Vegas Golden Knights. Four players and families have tested positive (Vegas Hockey Now)

The Chicago Blackhawks made history, of sorts, on Monday when they hired female player Kendal Coyne-Schoefield as a player development coach (Chicago Tribune)

The Boston Bruins put an end to speculation about Jake DeBrusk’s short term future. There was some question if the potential power forward would be on the NHL trade block, but Boston dished some cash on Monday night (Boston Hockey Now)

Will the Carolina Hurricanes ever upgrade their goalie position? And what about Dougie Hamilton’s expiring contract? Tom Guilliti examined Carolina’s future (NHL.com)

And, we’ll end on a personal note of thanks. We haven’t been bragging or whining about our business during the pandemic. Still, we’ve appreciated each of you who have read, participated, called us out, praised, or otherwise enjoyed our daily content. It’s not been easy as hockey news has slowed. However, we’ve received over 800 subscription orders this year (but that does count folks who subscribe, then pause, then come back as the news intensifies) and have set records with hundreds of thousands of unique readers each month. We’ve zoomed past our competition.

Thank you. This sports media outlet not only supports me but launches great writers across the country. Without your support, National Hockey Now would not exist. I’ll write a longer thank you later this week.