Dan’s Daily Links: St. Louis Dictates the Trade Market

While Pittsburgh Penguins fans and the organization are breathing easier after four straight wins and victories in six of their last seven games, including last night (click here for the PHN Extra report card and tactical analysis), the St. Louis Blues are signaling what they want in return for their blue-chip trade chips such as Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko and even Vlad Tarasenko. The Carolina Hurricanes continue to be led down a weird path as they look for help and Team Canada survived a scare in the WJC.

First, the St. Louis Blues. Several local columnists argued the Blues need NHL talent in return for their talent and the general consensus is GM Doug Armstrong won’t go the rebuild route. (St. Louis Today)

The All-Star captains have been announced. How can you tell Pittsburgh doesn’t much care about the trivial mid-season break? Sidney Crosby didn’t win the captain voting. Penguins fans are the most mobilized, active fan base in the NHL (*ahem two straight Kraft Hockeyville wins). Alex Ovechkin was named the Metro Captain and McDavid was also voted a captain. (Yahoo Sports)

Canada held its breathe as Switzerland charged. Oh Canada won, but whew. The Canada-US final is still on schedule (CBC)

The Carolina Hurricanes are looking for help on the trade market. Their owner and last GM candidate left standing are still chasing offensive talent while dismissing their strength. Daren Dreger broke it down. (Nichols on Hockey)

Carey Price is on the IR and Canadiens fans are in full panic mode (Sportsnet).

If the Canadiens fall, the Penguins position gets even stronger. Though if Price is out long-term, what will Marc Bergevin do?

Watch Phil Kessel in the locker room after his two-goal performance: (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Kessel is enjoyable when he speaks. It’s not hard to see why the team and fans like him.