Dan’s Daily: Bertuzzi on Trade Market, Penguins Launchpad?

I struggled with the headline today. The Daily is supposed to be the fun out-of-market news, usually dealing with NHL trade rumors, and the Pittsburgh Penguins news wrapped in a tabloid headline. Today, there are two bits of trade chatter you’ll want to know and discuss, beginning with reports the Detroit Red Wings are again listening on Tyler Bertuzzi, and the Washington Capitals might deal more veterans. Also, we debated the Penguins’ trade needs.

I take off for the Florida trip tomorrow. I hate Florida. Apologies, Ron, Mickey, and Minnie. If anyone has some recommendations for downtown Tampa, I’m all ears. I spent most of a week there for the 2016 Eastern Conference Final, and the only favorites-worthy place I found was a pizza place that imports water from New York City.

I haven’t been back to Tampa since, and I won’t have a car (someone always replies, “If you drive out to…”). Otherwise, I’ll brown-bag my dinner or happily visit the little pizza spot for an $8 dining experience.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Pirates, Steelers

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The weekly Pittsburgh Penguins wrap.

PHN+: Dave Molinari writes that the Penguins won a pair of games over the weekend. It was a good start, but only a start for the Penguins’ playoff chase.

Another debate — which is the greater Penguins’ trade need? Dave asserted it is a third-line center. I generally agree, but the more I thought about it, if Hextall can acquire a top-four defenseman who adds more offense, that’s my pick. Penguins trade debate.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

John Perrotto was in Bradenton and saw first-hand: Bob Nutting is trying to mend personal relationships. Take it for what you will, but this is a must-read account of the Pittsburgh Pirates owner.

PBN+: Remember, if you subscribe to one, you get all three (Pirates, Steelers, Penguins). The math and the logic — Why a six-man rotation might make sense for the Pirates.

And why Drew Maggi is someone worth pulling for.

Steelers Now:

This is good news, I think. Jalen Ramsey has options, but the Steelers are favorites.

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now:

Washington Hockey Now: It might get messy. The Washington Capitals are “open for business.”

NYI Hockey Now: Elliotte Friedman believes the Islanders were ready to claim Kasperi Kapanen. Islanders rumors.

TSN: Hello, Steve, about Bert … The Detroit Red Wings are listening (again) on Tyler Bertuzzi before Friday.

Detroit Hockey Now: After a torrid stretch, Detroit is crashing back to earth. The Red Wings were shut out by Tampa Bay Saturday and lost to Ottawa Monday. They get a rematch tonight, and it’s nearly a “must-win” for the Detroit Red Wings.

A few teams dropping back of the Penguins isn’t a bad thing.

Check it out: Our Hall of Fame guys in Detroit are doing a running trade tracker.

Florida Hockey Now: It’s been a pipe dream of many Penguins fans for a long time: Sam Bennett at third-line center. It won’t happen this year, either. Paul Maurice said the Florida Panthers wouldn’t sell at the NHL trade deadline.

San Jose Hockey Now: Erik Karlsson can see the writing on the wall, but can’t get over the wall. He’d welcome a trade to a contender, but doesn’t think it’s likely. San Jose Sharks deadline plans.

The human side of the trade deadline roster shuffling: Teammates said goodbye to Timo Meier.

Colorado Hockey Now: Jack Johnson is excited to be back with the Colorado Avalanche.

So many Penguins fans “knew” he wasn’t an NHL player and should be banished beyond the wall and devoured by wild animals, or the subject of human sacrifice. One fan piled on the next, and bloggers fueled the fire with gasoline cans for two years. If only someone had tried to calmly tell you about his value to a team.