Dan’s Daily Links: More on Evgeni Malkin Trade Rumors, NHL Hot Stove

Well, just when the smoke had dissipated, another report of Pittsburgh Penguins–Evgeni Malkin trade talk has surfaced. The burning coals of the NHL hot stove are beginning to warm, so get ready for the thrill ride of the next few weeks which can be more intense and involve more big names than the NHL trade deadline. Also, sources confirmed to Boston Hockey Now that Zdeno Chara suffered a broken jaw, and there are Patrick Laine and Erik Karlsson rumors, too.

Dans Les Coulisses website isn’t a household name in the US market. They were the first to be on the Galchenyuk/Domi trade, they were correct and in the correct time frame about the Penguins Olli Maatta rumors, and now we have a second report of the Penguins and Florida Panthers having a chat about Evgeni Malkin. It seems Jonathan Huberdeau’s name is indeed involved (DansLesCoulisses.com)

It still seems unlikely the Penguins will trade Evgeni Malkin. Even as we made the first report, I say it seems unlikely, but we do not know the nature of the discussions between the Penguins brass and Malkin at the Worlds. By the way, stick tap to the DLC boys for referencing our report from May 7.

The Fourth Period, editor Dave Pagnotta reported IF negotiations break down in Winnipeg, Patrick Laine would explore offer sheet options (The Fourth Period)

More players are going to publicly begin making this threat. It’s not exactly breaking news but it is how the system is SUPPOSED to work. Laine threatening to look at offer sheets, as has Mitch Marner, is a signal from the players and agents that they’re going to push the league towards using this option. Whether or not GMs agree is another matter.

A source confirmed to Boston Hockey Now, Zdeno Chara has a broken jaw–BUT–has not been ruled out. Here’s more (Boston Hockey Now)

Where will Erik Karlsson wind up? It sounds like his wife is homesick–but Ottawa is undergoing a full rebuild. So, Montreal? (Sportsnet)

Connor McDavid is still limping around with a knee brace after his injury against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 6. Uh oh (TSN)

Believe it or not–and based on the comments, there are some stubborn folks clinging to the dogma–the Penguins on-ice problem down the stretch was not the defense. It was offense–take a look at the surprising analysis (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)