Dan’s Daily: Penguins-Canucks Talks Dead?

Something isn’t right. Maybe you’ll see the same incongruity with the news and reality. Elliotte Friedman poured a bucked of cold water on NHL trade rumors between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks, mainly putting the termination of talks on the Penguins. Also, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan stuck with his changes, including Marcus Pettersson out and Mark Friedman in the lineup. Lastly, are the Edmonton Oilers rethinking their push for a goalie, as Toronto realizes they need one?

The NHL trade deadline “week” finally began on Monday night, and Auston Matthews was suspended for two games for his cross-check in the Heritage Classic.

Colorado: The Colorado Avalanche splashed around in the NHL trade pool. They snagged Josh Manson from the Anaheim Ducks for a collegiate defenseman who was a 2019 second-round pick and a 2023 second-rounder. Anaheim ate 50% of Manson’s salary. Did Colorado pay too much? Colorado Avalanche analysis.

Now to the Pittsburgh Penguins trade smatterings and News:

PHN analysis dumped cold water on trading John Marino before the NHL trade deadline because the Penguins defense on the right side wasn’t deep enough to sustain the loss. Elliotte Friedman is now reporting Penguins GM Ron Hextall pulled out of trading Marino or Marcus Pettersson.

What will the #Canucks do before the trade deadline? Have they talked to Pittsburgh?@FriedgeHNIC had the latest for us earlier.

Full interview.. https://t.co/UzT4Iniq1W pic.twitter.com/TWyLZ1FjpH

— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) March 14, 2022

If Friedman’s report is correct, maybe sources are throwing cold water to buy some time or raise the price (it happens)?

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Are you as surprised as I am? Pettersson is a $4 million defenseman battling for his spot in the lineup. Sullivan kept Mark Friedman in the regular line rushes and Pettersson skating as an extra. Pittsburgh Penguins news.

Sullivan’s changes opened the door for Hextall to maneuver. They’re tailor-made to give Hextall options for the NHL trade market.

I think Mark Friedman (not Elliotte) has earned a spot in the Penguins lineup. His speed and willingness to jump into the play are an upgrade. His feistiness (read: pot stir) is delivering power-play chances. I just realized–I’ll be writing an entire column on the matter, perhaps today.

More NHL Trade Chatter & News:

Sportsnet: Here are the bargain forwards to watch at the NHL trade deadline and the scouts’ opinion of them.

TSN: This made me smirk–one hour after analysts reported the Edmonton Oilers might rethink their goalie hunt, Jammie McLennan said it was paramount the Oilers hit the NHL trade block for a goalie.

Montreal Hockey Now: Ben Chiarot is a hot commodity. Does the Manson trade affect his value as the deadline approaches? Montreal Canadiens analysis.

San Jose Hockey Now: What might a Tomas Hertl trade look like? San Jose wants to sign the forward, but it’s not happened yet. The Penguins are a good fit, as are a handful of other Eastern Conference teams. Sheng Peng looked at trade proposals, including asking me to play Penguins GM. San Jose Sharks trade chatter.

Boston Hockey Now: No, really? Will they keep Jake DeBrusk? Really? Boston Bruins trade rumors.

And here’s your funny story for the day, as if the trade deadline buffet didn’t wet your whistle.

NYI Hockey Now; Kyle Palmieri had a hat trick on his stick. An open net. And…John Gibson made a diving save. What Palmieri yelled to Gibson cracked me up. New York Islanders news.