Dan’s Daily Links: Trotz Skips Town and Big Trade Rumors

The NHL rumor mill is about to go into hyperdrive. Pittsburgh Hockey Now was told of a two potential deals making their way around the sportswriter gossip circuit but neither involved the Pittsburgh Penguins. Later today, PHN’s Matt Gajtka will publish a numerical look at the Penguins need for Derick Brassard and the soft rumors surrounding a potential trade.

–Barry Trotz stunned the hockey world when he pulled up stakes and left Washington, so soon after a Stanley Cup. It’s further surprising that Washington would let him do so. It appears Capitals GM Brian McClellan wasn’t keen on keeping Trotz. Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston has the best write-up of what went wrong (Sportsnet).

Sportsnet also looked at four potential landing spots for Trotz (Sportsnet).

–Montreal is caught somewhere between tire fire, fire sale, and on fire. The rumours continue to swirl and Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin has done nothing to quell them. The Canadiens biggest need remains a top line center, and Ryan O’Reilly’s name is still top of the list (The Hockey News).

Don’t be surprised if Derick Brassard’s name pops up in speculation.

Bergevin is also listening to offers for the third overall pick, according to Stu Cowan (Montreal Gazette).

–The Boston Bruins rumor mill is also hot. The B’s signed young defenseman Matt Grzelcyk and there is speculation that could lead to a Torey Krug deal (NBC Sports Boston). Steve Conroy looked at a potential Boston-Carolina swap (Boston Herald).

–Tic toc, Clarice. The TSN crew with Bob McKenzie updated the John Tavares situation (TSN). For gosh sakes, just sign or go to free agency already!

–Detroit has a few irons in the fire. Longtime beat writer Ansar Kahn reports the Red Wings made a high-end offer to defenseman Mike Green and Dan Bylsma is indeed mulling a coaching offer (MLive).

–Illya Kovalchuk has visited seemingly everyone, except St. Louis. The Blues are interested (NHL.com).

–Our own Matt Gajtka took the NHL legal team and commissioner to the woodshed over their “deflect and denial” tactics in the concussion lawsuit. The piece made the national rounds with Twitter help from advocate Daniel Carcillo. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now). We also had the latest from the Jordy Bellerive incident (PHN).