Dan’s Daily: A Penguins Debate, Boeser Speaks to 6 Teams for Trade

Not all of the hockey news today is sunshine. Jesse Puljujarvi is spiraling in Edmonton and wondering aloud if he should bail on the NHL. Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Sam Poulin took a personal leave from the WBS Penguins due to a personal matter, and the Penguins asked that his privacy be respected. On the ice, we debated if Penguins GM Ron Hextall was wise to avoid the NHL trade market, Tage Thompson absolutely manhandled the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Brock Boeser’s agent is lining up teams for a deal.

Thompson could not be stopped.

Also, a wild-fire columnist shredded the Pirates for their over-the-top reaction to “winning” the draft lottery.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins were crashing, and things looked bleak, yet no Penguins trade. Did Ron Hextall get it right again?

2019 Penguins’ first-round pick Sam Poulin requested a leave of absence from the WBS Pens. Here’s the story on the Penguins’ prospect.

Few players can pull off the power play, penalty kill, and a top-six scoring role. Bryan Rust can.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

• CLEANED OUT. In the Rule 5 draft, teams raided the Pirates prospects.
• Big money is being doled out to FORMER Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Pathetic — the tone-deaf celebration over the draft lottery showed everything wrong with the Pirates.

I put some pine tar on the bat for that column. The late Twitter crowd certainly had some thoughts.

Steelers Now:

• George Pickens said there was nothing to his sideline outburst, “It’s not me. It’s y’all.” Steelers locker room.
• Kenny Pickett says Matt Canada is great.
• The Steelers are chasing historic dominance of the Ravens.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

Washington Hockey Now: “What was that?” Travis Konecny was upset with an Alex Ovechkin empty netter. Fun ensued.

NYI Hockey Now: Ice cold wingers, can the Islanders stay ahead of the Penguins? The New York Islanders playoff push.

TSN: Brock Boeser’s agent is lining up teams. They’re up to six suitors on the NHL trade market for the Canucks forward.

Sportsnet: Tage Thompson. Four goals in the first period, and the hockey world is chanting MVP. A five-goal night for the big guy.

Why doesn’t the hockey world chant MVP for Sidney Crosby, who is great, every night? Just putting it out there. Crosby should be getting a bit more attention this year.

Sportsnet Edmonton: It sounds like Jesse Puljujarvi is buckling, “Maybe I just don’t have it.” The Oilers winger has one goal this season.

Vegas Hockey Now: The Golden Knights didn’t help the Penguins, and coach Bruce Cassidy had some good quotes. “Teams shove it up our *sses,” the Vegas Golden Knights coach said.

Boston: The Avalanche were still a little ruffled over Charlie McAvoy’s hit on Artturi Lehkonen. I don’t think the Boston Bruins d-man was dirty.