Dan’s Daily: Red Wings Off the Trade Block, Heat on Jeff Carter

I’m old. I’m old enough to remember when Pittsburgh Penguins center Jeff Carter was a fan favorite, filling the net, inspiring t-shirts, and lifting his teammates. How quickly things can change. Carter faced the music after the Penguins’ latest ugly loss. Also in the Daily, the Detroit Red Wings are pulling players off the NHL trade block, including Tyler Bertuzzi, as a playoff berth is within reach. The Boston Bruins are chasing a left defenseman. And the rest of the Eastern Conference wild-card contenders joined the Penguins in a faceplant.

Despite another humbling loss to the New Jersey Devils, only one other wild-card contender won Saturday, meaning the Penguins’ “magic number” shrunk.

I addressed it on TV Saturday morning. Jeff Carter is in a bad way. I’m hoping it’s mental because that can be changed, but it looks physical. And he looks like he’s done.

I addressed it on Twitter last night. You’re angry, frustrated, and worried about the Penguins. Just don’t forget your humanity or theirs. They know. You know. They know you know. And you should know they know you know. You know?

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The 5-2 loss was ugly, but Dave is always a fun read. Dave Molinari’s Pittsburgh Penguins recap.

PHN+: Kris Letang said, “we kind of lose our mojo.” The guys were brutally honest last night. Video included — The Penguins locker room reaction.

I was one of a few reporters who spoke with a dejected Carter after the game. It was unpleasant for both sides. But credit him for facing the music. The Penguins’ third line is cratering, and tough answers await for Jeff Carter.

Coach Mike Sullivan had a tidbit before the game that I think is important. It clearly opens the door to a lot of speculation — a team of doctors, including outside consultants, are seeing Tristan Jarry.

You don’t see outside doctors for a minor thing, right?

Steelers Now: Check out the work the boys are doing — tracking the USFL and XFL with former Steelers players now coaching. Here’s the news item, the Steelers will get hit with a dead money salary cap hit after Cam Sutton’s contract voided. Steelers news.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: John Perrotto is in Bradenton — Andrew McCutchen can’t stop smiling.

Carlos Santana was energetic on his Day 1 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

NHL Trade, News, & National Hockey Now:

32 Thoughts / HNIC: Believe it or not, based on winning percentage, the Detroit Red Wings are in the playoffs. Friedman says Stevie Y is pulling his UFAs off the NHL trade market. Jeff Marek highlighted an available goalie (Joonas Korpisalo). Things are moving, finally.

Also, on HNIC, they reported the Bruins are in on Jakob Chychrun and Vladislav Gavrikov. Stick tap to our boys at Boston Hockey Now, especially Jimmy Murphy, for reporting those scoops earlier this week before the national folks.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings finally lost. They fell to the Seattle Kraken, but Bertuzzi earned his 200th career point and is back to playing with more than a bit of snarl. Detroit Red Wings coverage.

Boston Hockey Now: Oh, and Boston helped the Penguins — The Boston Bruins pounded the Islanders.

NYI Hockey Now: Uh oh for NYI. In the first period of the loss, the Islanders lost Mathew Barzal to injury.

Washington Hockey Now: The Capitals were carpet-bombed by the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stadium Series game. The locker room is getting anxious — “We’re running out of room here,” said one concerned Washington Capitals leader.

San Jose Hockey Now: The only wild-card contender to win Saturday was the Buffalo Sabres, who beat the San Jose Sharks.

The Penguins are three points up on Buffalo, but Buffalo has one game in hand.

TSN: The NHL trade rumors are still buzzing up north. Ryan O’Reilly made his Leafs debut. But are the Toronto Maple Leafs done adding?