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Dan’s Daily: Trade Carnage Begins; Penguins Move Raises Curiosity
LAS VEGAS — I’d like to thank Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas for scuttling any evening plans we may have had in this sleepy village of Las Vegas. The evening trades began, and the analysis ran counter to Dubas’s words, so we’ve got it all after the Penguins acquire long-sought Tommy Novak from Nashville, as well as 35-year-old Luke Schenn. Elsewhere in the NHL trade deadline news, the Tampa Bay Lightning set an extraordinary market price to re-acquire Yanni Gourde, the New Jersey Devils are in deep trouble after the Jack Hughes injury prognosis, the Carolina Hurricanes might pull the chord on Mikko Rantanen, and Alex Ovechkin scored again.
Mr. Dubas certainly wrecked dinner plans in Vegas last night, and I suspect he’ll do the same today. Rather than me making an analysis video and posting it on YouTube later, we went live at midnight (ET). I just hit the live button, and away we went. I couldn’t believe the response—over 800 of you were watching live on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
With about three hours of sleep, I’m still dubious about the Schenn part of the trade. My trade grade changed for the worse after Dubas emailed us comments.
But I did have a slice at NY NY and a Coney Island hot dog before the carnage. Unfortunately, dinner was a late-night grab-and-go in the food court. Perhaps tonight, I’ll get Chicken Parm or Prime Rib downtown (laptop bag in tow).
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Hello, Tommy Novak and Luke Schenn, goodbye Michael Bunting. Let’s start with the details and analysis of the Penguins trade.
Now, here was the curveball. The five Penguins beat outlets submitted an email with five questions, and Dubas answered. And I was a little surprised by Dubas’s answer, specifically about Schenn. Here you go–Dubas answers Penguins trade questions.
In December of 2024, acquiring Schenn would have been a boon. Now, it seems like wearing a suit to the hospital.
Dave Molinari brought up an excellent point–if Dubas goes hog wild today and tomorrow before the Deadline, the Penguins could find themselves in a tough spot for the game against Vegas Friday. Here’s the easy NHL solution.
I almost called this column Dan Unhinged. From the Penguins’ Big 3 to Erik Karlsson and the state of the Penguins’ blue line, here are 5 Penguins Thoughts.
And Jesse Puljujarvi has a new NHL contract, kind of. He had three assists in seven games with the Charlotte Checkers before he signed with the Florida Panthers, but not a full-fledged deal.
And here’s the live video analysis from my hotel room floor. No joke. It was the best backdrop.
NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now
Oh, where to begin?
New Jersey Hockey Now: Ouch. Jack Hughes had shoulder surgery and will not play again this season. The impact will be far-reaching, from the roster to the Devils trade plans.
Raw Charge: The Tampa Bay Lightning are putting the band back together, and GM Julien BriseBois gave more than a pint of blood to re-acquire Yanni Gourde with winger Oliver Bjorkstand. How about two first-round picks as compensation? Here are the details and the marketing setting trade.
Sportsnet: Rantanen won’t sign or consider signing yet, which puts the Carolina Hurricanes on the clock. Do they gamble and potentially lose another star winger to free agency, or do they flip him? Eric Tulsky has reportedly put all options on the table.
Colorado Hockey Now: Several teams in the West are reportedly interested in Rantanen, which could set up a playoff battle between him and the Colorado Avalanche.
Sportsnet: There is mounting pressure in Toronto to make a move. Gee, Toronto? Pressure? Nahhhhh. However, the blue and white haven’t made a move, and the Stanley Cup could be within reach, so the heat is on.
Toronto is searching for a right-shot defenseman. Yes, and gee, wouldn’t Easton Cowan or Fraser Minton be a perfect trade get for the Penguins, who also have a plethora of draft picks? Schenn was thought to be on their shortlist. The previous three sentences have as much unspoken drama as an episode of Yellowstone.
Vegas Hockey Now: I need some hockey coverage. On the ice, the Maple Leafs caught the Vegas flu and got whacked by the Vegas Golden Knights.
Forever Blue Shirts: The Rangers are chasing a playoff spot but still can’t stack wins. Alex Ovechkin scored again to close within 10 goals of Wayne Gretzky’s record, and Washington beat the New York Rangers in OT.
I don’t care if Schenn is 50, he’s the only DMan they’ve had in 5 years that clears the crease and actually plays an abrasive , nasty game. I’m sure if Dubas gets a wild offer on Friday he’ll move him and has all summer to entertain offers.
With a current Seller’s market, more overpays to come. Would TOR deal with their old nemesis Dubas ? EK65 with 50% RS (assuming he waives his NMC to go to TOR) – so EK at 5 mil for Cowan, Minton and Robertson. And we will take back an expendable player or two to get TOR cap compliant.
No way Toronto moves all 3 of those players. I would settle for 1 of them
It’s an overpay, but look at the other deals around the league. TOR is under the most pressure right now as other SC contenders have loaded up. If they think EK’s offensive instincts at 5 mil can put them over the top and have a partner/forwards who can cover his defensive lapses – I think they’ll pay handsomely. Especially if PIT is willing to take an undesirable contract. If not both, one or the other of Cowan or Minton, a 2026 1st, and Robertson. Robertson isn’t going to snag a big return (I put him more in a Glass/Tomasino category)
My thing is that Toronto would want to hold onto those guys just in case Marner does leave, if they aren’t getting an immediate replacement in return.
There is that to consider, but TOR going deeper than the 1st round in the playoffs would probably give Marner pause to hit FA.
They would have to do that first(get past rnd 1).
Here is my trip to imaginary land:
Karlsson(50%rs) and Rakell to Toronto for Marner,Hakanpaa, and Robertson
I am not sure how that all balances salary-wise. Toronto probably wouldn’t do my trade either, but i wanted to play.
If Dubas says “We expect to move Schenn before the deadline.”, what effect would that have on the offers he receives? Saying the plan is to keep him with glowing comments about the value he brings tells other GM’s if you want him, it will need to be something worth it for the Penguins.
He is trying to play a game of chess.
Very intrigued to see how the next day and a half goes. You have to think NJ will be very active after losing Hughes for the year. They loved Gourde in TB so getting him back (along with Bjorkstrand) is a big boost for Tampa. If the Canes don’t sign or trade Mikko before the deadline, that will be two blockbuster trades for rental pieces, a massive red flag on their ownership.
Did we only take Schenn to f@ck Toronto? Unless they flip him, this is dumb
Any thoughts on Smith back to Vegas, Dan? Seems to suggest that maybe he always wanted to get back there.
Schenn is a nice addition. But does it really matter? They aren’t going anywhere for at last the next few years — and then Sid is likely going to retire.
Phil the Thrill is still available. Ha.