Dan’s Daily Links: Penguins Back on Toffoli, More Teams Need D

The NHL trade rumor mill swirled back to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, as Penguins trade chatter picked up. From the Pittsburgh Hockey Now report on Saturday morning to Hockey Night in Canada trying the Penguins to a scoring winger, Penguins GM Jim Rutherford has 15 days and counting to address a growing number of roster issues. The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a holding pattern until doctors diagnose their defensemen, and Tampa Bay may also jump into the blueliner chase.

Powerhouse teams with needs. Yeah, that won’t help the price.

First, the Pittsburgh Hockey Now reported that Penguins GM Jim Rutherford is shopping for a third-pairing defenseman out west (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Saturday night, Sportsnet reporter Chris Johnston said the Penguins trade targets again included LA Kings winger Tyler Toffoli (Sportsnet)

If Rutherford is shopping out west, perhaps they could afford two plane tickets. Police escort to the arena is optional, but always fun.

The most complete breakdown of the Penguins 3-2 win over Florida. The tactical mistakes, adjustments and player report card (PHN+)

Winnipeg needs top-four defensemen, but teams are calling the ‘Peg and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff about young forward Kyle Conner. “It has legs” (Winnipeg Free Press)

If you’re Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau, do you retire a Shark, or do you accept a trade for one more Stanley Cup run? While both are pondering that, here are potential landing spots for either one (The Athletic)

Top-four rentals are expensive. San Jose defenseman Brenden Dillen is expected to fetch a second-round pick (NBC Sports Bay Area)

Also from the big subscription site, Ryan Getzlaf has no desire to chase a Cup anywhere but Anaheim. He’s willing to go down with the ship (The Athletic)

It also helps that Getzlaf has a Stanley Cup ring from early in his career when they had the twin towers, Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer.

While Penguins trade talk dominates, the injury bug is a stealth passenger. It also took a big bite out of Tampa Bay on Thursday, too.

Rutta injured Tuesday, McDonagh last night… could impact how Julien BriseBois approaches Feb. 24. Like many others, I’m of the mind you need 9-10 D to survive two months of playoff hockey https://t.co/oaToCMx0Cv

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 7, 2020

Some crazy Penguins trade rumors are floating out there, too. Just remember, an anonymous account is anonymous for a reason. It’s a Twitter game for them and not real.