Dan’s Daily Links: Rangers and Blackhawks Big Name Trade Talk

Trade talk will be thick for the New York Rangers over the coming weeks as more than one player will be on the block. Expect more than a few links to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Team USA survived at the Word Juniors as Team Canada was unceremoniously upset. Chicago writers are wondering if more trades are coming for the Chicago Blackhawks and we said goodbye to a wrestling icon.

Darren Dreger officially opened the floodgates yesterday for the New York Rangers. Dreger said the team expects to deal Mats Zuccarello but is undecided on others (Nichols on Hockey)

Zuccarello, Kevin Shattenkirk and maybe Kevin Hayes. Does anyone else see a fit for any of the three on the local club?

You probably already check out Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts column. For rumor mill lovers, it’s the holy grail. A few worthy nuggets about Dallas and Calgary this week (Sportsnet)

Team Canada was stunned by Finland at the World Juniors. That sound you heard was 40 million hearts breaking. (TSN)

The Swiss also upset Sweden and the Czechs nearly upended the Americans. What a tournament that would have become, eh?

The Chicago Blackhawks dealt Brandon Manning to Edmonton, Sunday. It wasn’t their first deal this season and Chicago scribes wonder who or what comes next. Scott Powers at The Athletic tosses a big name into the mix (The Athletic)

Kris Letang needs fan votes to get in the All-Star Game (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

The All-Star rosters were announced. Sidney Crosby is on the team. Alex Ovechkin is skipping it for rest. (NHL.com)

Marcus Pettersson is pretty good for the Penguins. It’s been a nice acquisition. Elias Pettersson has been other-worldly for the Vancouver Canucks. The kid is setting Vancouver on its ear and giving them hope. A hat trick last night was just the latest (The Province)

And let me tell you something Mean Gene, it was a pleasure. The backbone of the WWE promos, Mean Gene Okerlund passed on yesterday. He was 76 years old. Just watch these two guys work within the confines of Saturday morning programming. Not even they can keep a straight face.