Dan’s Daily: Kings Trying to Close Chychrun, Penguins Trade Potentials

As we await the imminent alien invasion and dug into a fantastic Super Bowl with a spoiled ending, the NHL trade talk centered on Jakob Chychrun and the LA Kings, but reports were conflicting. Erik Karlsson had a night against the Washington Capitals, helping the Pittsburgh Penguins’ playoff chase. Dave Molinari dove into the Penguins’ lack of response to Sidney Crosby getting roughed up, and I offered an updated list of potential Penguins trade targets for 3C.

The Penguins will practice later today in southern California before traveling to San Jose.

Seriously, is anyone else watching these news reports of shooting down unidentified flying objects over the Yukon, Huron, and Alaska? They’re not flying saucers, but it’s fun to joke. However, the government owes us a few answers, eh?

I’m also sure the guy with the wild hair, the guy with the curly hair, and the guy with the mustache on Ancient Aliens will tell exactly why they’re aliens … without evidence but well phrased rhetorical questions.

And cheers to everyone who attended a Super Bowl party and dared to focus on the game. Jeers to all of you who talked over the game and kept blabbing about everything else (we all hate you, but no one will tell you).

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

PHN+: Dave Molinari notes the cost of taking a few power plays will be outweighed by the cost of losing stars. The Pittsburgh Penguins can’t let teammates be pinatas.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It’s becoming painfully obvious that the Penguins desperately need a third-line center. The new crop of available players is much better than the first. I certainly had a favorite on the list — here are potential Penguins trade targets.

Colorado Hockey Now: Avalanche fans are still roiling mad. Jeff Carter finally spoke about the hit on Cale Makar.

Steelers Now:

Defense wins championships? As Alan Saunders writes, nope, not anymore. Steelers defense talk.

And former Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster will get a Super Bowl ring.

NHL Trade Talks, News & National Hockey Now:

First:

Sounding like a Jakob Chychrun @LAKings @ArizonaCoyotes trade centered around 2021 8th overall pick Brandt Clarke. #RealKyperandBourne

— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) February 12, 2023

However, Clarke’s agent (former Penguins center Randy Robitaille) disputed the report. And we remained in a stalemate with all of the smoke coming from LA, but no trade…yet.

Penguins Playoff Chase, Metro Division:

San Jose Hockey Now: With the top duties to himself this season but his name filling NHL trade rumors, Erik Karlsson is having a Norris-type year. Sunday, he gave the Penguins some good news. Karlsson had three points, and the San Jose Sharks walloped the Capitals 4-1.

Washington Hockey Now: From the locker room — The Capitals “gotta look in the mirror and say we’ve got to be better.” The Washington Capitals are struggling.

I wonder if future GMs will look at the Penguins and Capitals seasons and make different decisions with aging stars. Letting them walk has not been hockey’s way.

NYI Hockey Now: The Islanders have blown two straight third period leads with “unacceptable” efforts. Fans are going bonkers and calling for first-year coach Lane Lambert’s job. Stefen Rosner writes–simmer down, now is not the time to fire the New York Islanders coach.

Not even for Bruce Boudreau or Mike Babcock.

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers had a chance to crack .500 but couldn’t get it done. They lost to Seattle. Philadelphia Flyers takeaways.

Hey, at least the officials didn’t decide the Flyers’ game.

Too soon?

NHL.com: It was almost a bag skate. The Buffalo Sabres begin a west coast roadie, and coach Don Granato put the boys through the “hardest” practice of the year.

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers are another team to keep an eye on in the Penguins’ playoff chase. They begin what could be a make-or-break road trip in Minnesota. The Florida Panthers season could hang in the balance.

Of course, to put away the Panthers, the Penguins need to stack wins. Perhaps more importantly, stack a few good performances (despite the glee, the win over Colorado wasn’t a good game, and Anaheim laid down before the opening puck drop).