Dan’s Daily: Canucks Decline Miller Blockbuster; Penguins Stink It Up

The Vancouver Canucks could have solved their J.T. Miller-Elias Pettersson situation with a bombshell trade. The New York Rangers came to the table straight up with a hockey trade that the Canucks declined. Thus, the NHL rumor mill keeps spinning. The Pittsburgh Penguins stunk it up Tuesday night and had sure victory less than eight minutes away, but reverted to their early season form and dropkicked away success. We’ve got full coverage from the arena. The driver involved in the Johnny Gaudreau tragedy has pled not guilty. And the Detroit Red Wings are feeling the flow, doing the happy dance.

It seems the Penguins have lost their mojo. They returned from the holiday break without it and have done little to recapture it. I’ll investigate that at practice, though based on a couple of conversations last night, I think the players might bristle.

I may have been flat wrong on Sunday night’s podcast. I said I didn’t think the homestand would be their make-or-break moment, but the coming road trip would. Yeah, if they don’t improve their play, they’ll be done by LA in 10 days.

Sorry that the Daily’s have been late this week. We’re still awaiting the repairs on my new Macbook, and it seems my older one likes to play games when I need it most. All will get resolved shortly, and these will be back up by 7:30 a.m. again.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The gory details as only one Dave Molinari can deliver. The Penguins stunk, then claimed a 3-1 lead, then…stunk again. The Penguins recap.

It was a surprise to everyone, seemingly including coach Mike Sullivan. Evgeni Malkin was not on the ice for warmup, and the team announced that Malkin had an upper-body injury. However, Sullivan seemed as in the dark as the rest of us about Malkin’s injury.

Now, let’s get to the report card. I cannot say I spared feelings or used kid gloves. The Penguins were lethargic for most of the game, and only Columbus’s equal lethargy kept the game close. The Penguins got a raw deal on a late penalty but earned their fate. Even Sullivan used the word “discouraged.” Here’s the Xs and Os breakdown and the Penguins report card.

There might be some good news for the Penguins as the trade deadline nears. The trade market seems to be swinging their way as the need for goalies rises. Here’s the full situation, from the minors up to the NHL club, and how general manager Kyle Dubas could take advantage of the NHL trade market.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Oh boy. The New York Rangers offered Mika Zbinejad for J.T. Miller straight up, but Vancouver said no?! That would have set the news cycle on fire.

In the latest 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman has a bit more on that, as well as Chicago’s aggressive trade market approach and the GM’s confrontation with the team after the abysmal Winter Classic. Interesting times across the league.

Let’s compress the schedule so everyone is so exhausted that maximum effort just isn’t possible. Even young teams are flatlining. This Four Nations Face-Off is doing more harm to the league’s product than it’s going to help. I’ll be surprised if you can tell me who won in a year.

TSN: Lost amidst the chatter of Pettersson and Miller is that coach Rick Tocchet is a free agent after this season. He does not yet have a new contract.

I know what you’re thinking because I had the same thought. I dare not speak it or write it because it seems far-fetched. But I know what you’re thinking.

Detroit Hockey Now: Five wins in a row for the Motor City Madmen. As Bob Duff writes, the Detroit Red Wings are able as long as they have Patrick Kane.

Kane and able. Get it? I thought it was a cute headline.

Boston Hockey Now: The fans are growing angry in Boston. As the team dropped its fifth-straight loss, fans began to chant, “Fire Sweeney.” Consider GM Don Sweeney on the hot seat with the Boston Bruins.

Montreal Hockey Now: I can’t argue. The kid has been spectacular this season. It’s time to push Lane Hutson for Calder.