Dan’s Daily: Penguins Splat; Tkachuk Out for Season? Rantanen Trade Limbo

The Pittsburgh Penguins figuratively did a running nosedive into the dirt Saturday afternoon. They soared high in the first half of the game before having an Icarus moment and plummeting. We’ve got some pretty good analysis and visuals to explain the horrendous mistakes and the blame game. It’s one of my best of the season. Also, we go behind the curtain for an exclusive–Why was Erik Karlsson able to light it up for Team Sweden but not play the same way for the Penguins? And P.K. Subban lit into Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas with a passionate rant following the game.

Elsewhere in the Daily, Mikko Rantanen might be the second high-profile winger in two years to get traded to Carolina but spurn their contract advances. It’s quickly becoming a situation. Elliotte Friedman’s Headlines Segment was heavy on NHL trade market chatter, as he also reported teams are looking to unite the Schenn brothers. And there are growing fears over Matthew Tkachuk’s status in Florida.

The Penguins also paid tribute to Mike Lange Saturday in a nice pregame ceremony. The tears from Mike’s broadcast partners were real.

Now, Penguins, hang a banner! The tributes to Mike Lange, such as the Mike Lange Media Level, are mostly hidden from public view. Hang a big banner with a microphone and his last name, as the Kings did for Bob Miller and as the Sabres have done for Rick Jeanneret.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dave Molinari’s postgame. After an 8-3 drubbing by the Capitals, the Penguins didn’t know whether to cry or wind their watches.

On the ESPN postgame, former NHL defenseman and Sidney Crosby nemesis P.K. Subban absolutely tore into Dubas’s performance with the Penguins. He shredded the Penguins and said that Crosby deserves better. It was heavy. So, here’s his Penguins rant.

And here’s the real story. When the Penguins lose, I lose hours of my life trying to explain the truth and the real issues plaguing the team. Here you go, a bare-knuckles breakdown and where to assign the blame for a great performance soured by awful mistakes. The Penguins report card.

If you prefer the video version, here’s that schmuck Dan Kingerski from PPG Paints Arena with the Penguins postgame.

PHN+: We all noticed Erik Karlsson wheeling and dealing for Team Sweden. So, what gives? Also bits on Kris Letang and Emil Bemstrom. We’ll call it some exclusive insider nuggets from the Penguins locker room.

After the team loses, our subscriptions fall. But I promise we’ll be delivering quite a bit of insider info and real prospects analysis (not just what the team says or locker room quotes). PHN+ is the DJ for this hockey party, so I’d love it if you would join us.

Use code Dan10 and save $10. If you don’t use the code, I’ll tell the IRS it was a tip!

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet/Hockey Night in Canada: The Carolina Hurricanes have offered Mikko Rantanen a NINE figure contract, but he doesn’t know if he wants to play in Carolina. Teams are looking to acquire both the Schenn brothers and more Four Nations fallout.

I kind of get it with Raleigh. It doesn’t feel like a city. People there love that about it, but I can see where others don’t love it. And the style of play requires intense buy-in. It’s a lot. Jake Guentzel decided no. If Rantanen decides it’s a no, Carolina will have spent a boatload to acquire both wingers and will probably have nothing to show for it…unless they trade Rantanen now, which might happen.

Florida Hockey Now: Our inimitable George Richards was already digging into the Matthew Tkachuk injury when the TVA report came out. Here’s the full story, and it could be bad news for the Florida Panthers.

Montreal Hockey Now: The young Habs are tired of losing. They limped into the break, so they dropped the gloves with the Ottawa Senators, including their former first-overall pick. The return of the spunky Montreal Canadiens.

Forever Blue Shirts: Oh boy. The Penguins might have an angry team on their hands today. The Buffalo Sabres absolutely steamrolled the New York Rangers.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings choked away a very valuable point. They led by two goals late in the game but found a way to lose. Oh, those pesky Minnesota Wild won in a wild finish. In the final few minutes, they scored, scored a power-play goal, survived close calls in overtime, and then scored again to beat the Detroit Red Wings.

Vegas Hockey Now: Pittsburgh native Brandon Saad was the toast of Vegas Saturday night. The winger lit the lamp, and Adin Hill stopped the pucks. The Vancouver Canucks struggles continued as Saad provided the big goals in the Vegas Golden Knights win.