Dan’s Daily: Trade Winners, Canucks Hold, Penguins Changes Coming

After weeks, if not months of buildup, the NHL trade deadline was a bit of a fizzle. Not quite a new Stars Wars letdown, but the day had a methodical pace, and the lack of return for Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel took the air out of everyone’s sails. Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas defended the Guentzel trade and admitted “a lot more changes” are coming to the Penguins. The Vegas Golden Knights won the NHL trade deadline with a last-second surprise acquisition, Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark nixed a trade because he didn’t like the location, the Winnipeg Jets went all-in, the Vancouver Canucks stood pat, and Evgeni Malkin offered a heartfelt message to Penguins fans.

I was writing a Kyle Dubas story Friday night, and the next thing I knew, it was Saturday morning. I suppose two 20-minute naps over 36 hours will do that. But I noted a lot that we have to discuss in the Dubas press conference.

Dave and Shelly did great work at practice and the presser. Really great.

I did find a little local spot on Boston’s North End. Spaghetti Carbonara. So, so, so … good. The menu didn’t list bacon on it, so I thought I was safe and could eat it on a Friday in Lent, but when it arrived, it was loaded with some type of pancetta or bacon. I figured it was a sign from God that I was allowed to gnosh away. I’m not even sure there was a name above the door of the little spot I rolled into. The tourists rolled right past it. I came “home,” started writing, and here we are… So, let’s get to it.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: First, the fourth annual deadline live blog. All the moves, all the trades, and spot analysis of the NHL trade deadline.

There were only two Penguins trades. Magnus Hellberg went to Florida, and the New York Rangers snagged Chad Ruhwedel.

Shelly got this story. Evgeni Malkin continues to show a softer, sentimental side this season. Among other things, he apologized to Penguins fans.

Michael Bunting didn’t see his part in the Jake Guentzel trade coming.

And here’s the homerun ball — Dave put it in the weekly Penguins wrap, too. Kyle Dubas promised a “lot more” Penguins changes.

NHL Trade Deadline, News, & National Hockey Now

There’s simply not enough space or time to get to EVERYTHING. The live blog is for that, but here’s the most interesting stuff.

Boston Hockey Now: Jimmy Murphy was deep into this story, and it unfolded as the sources predicted, except for the surprise M. Knight Shyamalan ending when Linus Ullmark nixed the Bruins trade.

Colorado Hockey Now: There’s a possibility that Ullmark declined a trade to Denver. So, can Georgiev answer the bell for the Colorado Avalanche?

Vegas Hockey Now: Wow — Just under the wire. After snaking Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames, the Golden Knights had more to spend, and talented Sharks forward Tomas Hertl is headed to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Sportsnet: Vegas went big. Winnipeg didn’t get shy, either. The NHL trade deadline winners.

However, the Vancouver Canucks didn’t like the price on Jake Guentzel. Didn’t like the prices on Deadline Day (How did Jim Rutherford not spend a sixth on Jason Zucker, whom he once chased for a year?!). So, the contending Canucks stood pat.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils had a busy day, albeit with no home runs. They swapped goalies, acquired Jake Allen, traded away Colin Miller and Tyler Toffoli, and admitted they might re-sign Toffoli this summer. A wild day for the New Jersey Devils.

Montreal Hockey Now: You may have noticed the prices DROPPED on Friday. Absolute clearance, bargain bin, everything must go, last day, just take it, rock bottom prices. Jason Zucker for a sixth-rounder? Matt Dumba for a five? Yep, Kent Hughes won the poker game by dealing Sean Monohan much earlier and he recouped much more for the Montreal Canadiens.

Want to bet we see a lot more January trades next season?