Dan’s Daily Links: Simmonds on Trade Market, Rangers Fire Sale

In my best Heath Ledger as Joker, “and here we go.” These are the shoes which we’ve been waiting to officially drop. Would the Philadelphia Flyers put Wayne Simmonds on the market or try to sign the immensely respected player (Heck, even Pittsburgh Penguins fans usually tip their cap to Simmonds?. The New York Rangers also appear to have finally succumbed to the reality that their core needs an overhaul.

Even I thought they could keep a few more players. But it may be a Crazy Eddy firesale in New York. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen prices this insane:

Let’s begin with our friend Chris Nichols who specializes in the local radio appearances of the big guns, Bob McKenzie, Pierre LeBrun, Elliotte Friedman, and Daren Dreger. There are several appearances to choose. Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, and more could be on their way out of New York (Nichols on Hockey)

Side note–Dreger yesterday reported that the Penguins expect to deal Derick Brassard. We would link that here, but please forgive a little chest thump–we published that story 24 hours earlier.

Also on the Derick Brassard front–Pittsburgh Hockey Now has another scoop publishing later this morning.

However, combine this tweet from Edmonton beat writer Jim Matheson with the story from Dave Stapleton and drool, just a little. Kailer Yamamoto? Jesse Puljujarvi? Is GM Peter Chiarelli desperate to save his job? Oh boy.

If Oilers are scouring for forwards who can give them some offence outside of Connor, Leon, RNH and Chiasson who have 81 goals, they’re probably checking in C Derick Brassard, UFA ($3 mil) who hasn’t panned out in Pitts. Other possibles: UFA’s Zuccarello, Dzingel, Ferland

— Jim Matheson (@NHLbyMatty) January 14, 2019

And Dave Stapleton put on the boots but also dropped some information (Edmonton Journal)

PHN’s Brassard story does not involve Edmonton, but the day is young.

It’s not trade-related, but Antii Niemi just posted one of the greatest goaltending performances in Montreal Canadiens history. Seriously. Niemi stopped 52 shots and had Montreal fans chanting his name (Sportsnet)

Yes, Antii Niemi.

The Toronto fans don’t create the loudest barn in the arena anymore. However, the home fans let defenseman Jake Gardiner have it on Monday. Toronto booed Gardiner throughout the third period after his mistake led to a shorthanded goal.

Former Penguins defenseman and Maple Leaf rearguard Larry Murphy weighed in on the crowd reaction. He too got a healthy dose in the mid-’90s (Canadien Press)

The Penguins X’s and O’s analysis and report card (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)