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Dan’s Daily: UFA Updates, Vote Malkin for Best Goal of 21st Century

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NHL season, Pittsburgh Penguins Evgeni Malkin

It’s the first daily column we’ve been able to do in a while. News has ground to a halt for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the rest of the league. The NHL unrestricted free agents’ game of musical chairs stopped, and there are more than a handful of good players wondering when the music will start again. We’ve got an update on the UFAs, Alex Ovechkin wants to finish his career in the KHL, and voting is open on the best goal in the 21st century, including a zinger from Evgeni Malkin.

First, would you bet on the Pittsburgh Penguins to win the 2021 Stanley Cup? Lots of people are. The Penguins are among early favorites (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

In case you missed it, we had some fun on Saturday. The five worst contracts in Penguins history (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Some folks didn’t actually read, had a knee jerk reaction to No. 1A, and got all bent out of shape. In addition to the five, we added one, which may have looked dramatically different from an alternate history.

Second — Yes! As I was compiling the links early Monday, the news broke. In clinical trials, the Pfizer vaccine is more than 90% effective, which beat expectations. It could be available later this month (Wall Street Journal)

I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of living under quarantine rules, arbitrary government mandates, and fear. Heaven forbid, I just want to sit quietly, get a coffee in the morning, take a walk, get a beer without a three-course meal, or actually be out past 10 p.m.

Evgeni Malkin is up for the best goal of the 21st century. The voting is open. Today it’s Malkin’s 2015 Spin-O-Rama against Edmonton vs. a beauty from Jason Spezza. Really tough call (Sportsnet)

In fact, three of Malkin’s goals are nominated. One of Sidney Crosby’s markers is also on the board.

Remember back in March when Malkin’s wife, Anna, said he would finish his career in Russia? I think PHN was the only one that covered the story (here).

I reference that story because Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin just said the same (SI / The Hockey News)

Can you imagine that Moscow Dynamo team with Malkin and Ovechkin? Putin might be so distracted that he allows free elections in Russia again.

This weekend, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daley re-affirmed that Jan. 1 is the NHL’s intended start date (TSN)

Do you also wonder what is going on with the remaining UFAs? Sportsnet has a detailed update of the news and rumors of the remaining UFAs (Sportsnet)

How will Joe Biden impact sports? Interesting question. Sheng Peng took a poke at it (San Jose Hockey Now)