Dan’s Daily: Judging the Penguins, NHL’s All-Star Debacle

The 2023 NHL All-Star Game skill competition wasn’t just bad. It was epically uninteresting, dragged out, and ultimately so bad that most on Twitter skipped past the sarcastic jokes and honestly apologized for hating it. The breakaway contest was mostly a staged costume competition, but the breakaways were singularly intermingled with other chaotic events and didn’t always include a goalie?! This writer lasted about two-and-a-half hours before giving up. Fortunately, TSN dropped their new NHL trade board. David Pastrnak’s season is forcing the Bruins’ hand. Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and a third teamed up for a breakaway attempt, and we dive into Pittsburgh Penguins’ judgments.

The arena was half or more empty. The Skill Competition was an abject failure. The NHL needs to take a hard look at what they were doing. Even the small details, like putting the women hockey players in All-Star jerseys instead of their own jerseys, were botched.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dave Molinari asks the critical question: Was it the right move to keep the Pittsburgh Penguins core together?

Go back to the old playoff structure, getting closer to Alex Ovechkin and accepting honors — Sidney Crosby is getting older and more appreciative.

PHN+: I’ve made this one free for everyone. What do the Penguins think of their performances and the first 49 games? Bright spots and denial. A few of the answers may surprise. The Penguins locker room.

Washington Hockey Now: The breakaway. Ovechkin, Crosby, and little Ovechkin.

 Steelers Now: 

From the Senior Bowl, Alan Saunders reads the tea leaves — what we’re learning about the Steelers’ offseason plans.

One guy making a BIG impression at the Senior Bowl, literally and figuratively, is Ohio State lineman Dawand Jones.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

The one story that keeps lingering for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: If you want the All-Star Skills wrap-up, Sportsnet has the highlights.

TSN: No Penguins, but Timo Meier heads the new NHL trade board.

Boston Hockey Now: David Pastrnak needs a new contract. NHL insiders are talking. Pastrnak is forcing the Boston Bruins’ hand.

Vegas Hockey Now: After Mark Stone’s surgery, GM Kelly McCrimmon has some cap space to use for depth forwards or more at the NHL trade deadline. Golden Knights trade targets.

Colorado Hockey Now: Does Jesse Puljujarvi make sense as an Avalanche trade get?

Calgary Hockey Now: Need wingers. The top Flames trade targets.

Washington Hockey Now: Hello, here’s $25 million. Dylan Strome got a new contract from the Washington Capitals.

NYI Hockey Now: Bo Horvat is now an Islander. Coach Jon Goyens explains why keeping Horvat in the middle and moving Mathew Barzal to the wing is best for the New York Islanders.