Dan’s Daily Links: National Reaction to the Fight, Trade Rumor Mill

Fighting in hockey is deplored, reviled and brings scoffs of derision from fans…until their team is the aggrieved and one is necessary. Such was the case Wednesday night as Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson was owed his comeuppance for a vicious hit on Pittsburgh Penguins winger Zach Aston-Reese, last May.

Washington was keenly aware of the Penguins disgust that Wilson didn’t take the challenge from Penguins defenseman Jamie Oleksiak following the hit.

So, Wilson wasted less than 20 seconds getting into it. Brian Burke on Sportsnet responded to the situation, as Sportsnet dove deep into the history (Sportsnet)

The more I watch the replay, the more it becomes apparent Oleksiak was not set and ready for that scrap. Wilson should have been given an instigator, and I don’t like how it went down. Wilson charged to get the advantage. Oleksiak was never in the fight.

Thought some of you may enjoy the Washington coverage of the end of the Penguins 2-1 win, including Ovechkin smashing his stick (RMB)

And we’ll double dip from Sportsnet since it was a light night in hockey–the Trade “Rumour” power rankings (Sportsnet).

What the heck is going on with Patrik Berglund? That apparently wasn’t the flu. He’s been released by Buffalo for failing to report (Buffalo News)

20-goal, two assist man Brandon Pirri is back in the NHL. He got the call-up from Vegas (Vegas Sun)

Jeff Carter could be a sought after trade piece. However, he can block a trade and he likes LA (The Athletic)

Could the Blues deal Tarasenko? Elliotte Friedman is saying yes. (Nicols on Hockey)

Get the Penguins analysis from their win over Washington and the report card. Malkin and Kessel had a Corsi below 30 percent. One played simple. One trailed off as the game went along. Get the full report card–PHN Extra holiday sale-Just $21 for the year! (PHN Extra)

And the Steelers didn’t actually score the goal. The Sheffield Steelers teddy bear toss began…without the goal (YouTube)