Dan’s Daily Links: Pens Agreed to Trade for Hagelin, Tried for Edler

We’re out of order today with the column on Phil Kessel first and the daily links, second. Obla-di obla-da, life goes on. The news from Canada last night as the final roundup of things which happened or nearly happened at the NHL trade deadline must be a bit disappointing for Pittsburgh Penguins fans.

Elliotte Friedman in his 31 thoughts mentioned the Penguins a few times but most notably, they were checking in on Alex Edler–which is probably how Jim Rutherford landed Gudbranson–and the Penguins had a deal for Carl Hagelin in place. (Sportsnet)

I’ve been over it backward and forwards, but I don’t understand the need for the NHL rule barring teams from acquiring players they’ve traded but held back salary. I’m sure Quickbooks could figure it out.

Do not upset the New Yorkers! John Tavares got an earful. But the tip of the cap for some of the creativity of the chants. Any chucklehead can boo. The Islanders fans brought their A-game. (New York Post)

There was also a nearly catastrophic injury in the game as Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuck was grazed by a skate blade–on his neck. Boychuck rushed to the locker room with a towel on his neck but returned a little while later. Millimeters. At some point, the NHL must mandate neck guards. if they can force visors which were once for wimps and Europeans only, surely a little dickey to prevent a fatality is worth a rule.

I think we’re going to follow the Arizona Coyotes very closely. Rick Tocchet is proving his bones as an NHL head coach and those scrappy, can-do kids and cast-offs might make the playoffs (NHL.com)

Thanks, Flyers. Columbus wins in OT and jumped ahead of the Penguins (NBC Sports)

An amazing story–being a pro athlete carries inherent responsibilities and enormous asks of your person. How so many of them do it with such grace is remarkable. Carey Price met a young fan who lost his mom. Price went above and beyond. (USA Today)

The energy spent on trying to prove Jack Johnson or Erik Gudbranson should retire from hockey and run an alpaca farm in Norway is a bit misplaced (OK, flat wrong). However, one of the Penguins big guns is not carrying his weight and it’s time he did. The Penguins desperately need the best from Phil Kessel, now. The stats were eye-popping (Pittsburgh Hockey Now).

And a little Netflix drop–Lilyhammer. A wonderful gangster story with humor and a setting twist. I just found it, though it was canceled in 2015 due to greedy Norwegian TV. Steven Van Zandt from the Sopranos (and the E Street Band) starred in and wrote some of it, too. Heavy enough to be interesting, light enough to binge.