Dan’s Daily: Blockbuster Tkachuk Trade, Penguins Debates

The deal broke late Friday night. While many in the East were turning in or turning it up, the Florida Panthers shook up the NHL trade market. Florida gave up a ransom to land power forward Matthew Tkachuk from the Calgary Flames. Calgary fans seem excited. We have full coverage from both sides. There is another Hockey Canada sex scandal, and this creepy affair from the 2003 World Juniors team comes with videotape. A couple of RFAs sign big contracts, and we put forth a couple of Pittsburgh Penguins debates.

We’ll start with “the trade.”

Calgary Hockey Now: Holy blockbuster NHL trade, Batman. Huberdeau, Weegar, prospect and a No. 1. Tkachuk – Flames trade.

Florida Hockey Now: Both fan bases are excited. Colby Guy has coverage in FLA … Goodbye, Huby, but hellooo Tkachuk. Panthers trade.

If it interests you, that is very similar to the rumored price/trade cost for Evgeni Malkin in 2019.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Opinion. The Pittsburgh Penguins overpaid Kasperi Kapanen. That mistake will cost them another player. Here are the four likeliest options. Pittsburgh Penguins analysis.

Shelly Anderson wrote an interesting column. She doesn’t opine often, but after letting it all sink in, she defends keeping Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin. Even with those extra years. Have a read. Pittsburgh Penguins’ opinion.

SteelersNow.com: Chris Carter’s classroom. This is THE big year for Alex Highsmith. That third-year leap. What do the Steelers have? Pittsburgh Steelers coverage.

PittsburghBaseballNow.com: Pirates TRADE! It was an ugly one for the Pirates on Friday. So, we’ll skip the game links. But our Buccos got a little something back for Daniel Vogelbach. John Perrotto (I think) was the first in Pittsburgh to confirm the trade talks with the Mets. Then it happened quickly. Full scoop from Perrotto — Pirates trade analysis.

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now:

Montreal Hockey Now: The sources in Montreal like to talk. Two NHL trade rumors are floating about the Montreal Canadiens. Pierre Luc Dubois signed his QO with the Winnipeg Jets rather than accept a big contract. He’s French. A center. He’s pretty good. The Canadiens trade rumors.

Washington Hockey Now: The Capitals are trying to integrate some youngsters into their lineup. How do the kids stack up? The Capitals also have a few decisions, which will undoubtedly stir some NHL trade rumors. It’s a good read — Sammi Silber answers her readers. Washington Capitals mailbag.

NHL.com: I’m a little surprised by this one. I thought Laine would bolt from Columbus, much like Dubois is doing to Winnipeg. However, Laine took a four-year deal, and he’ll form a fearsome top six with Johnny Gaudreau. Contract details.

TSN: A surprising twist on the NHL trade block — Columbus needed to shed a salary. They traded Oliver Bjorkstrand to the Seattle Kraken.

TSN: Ok, usually warnings are silly and unnecessary. However, if you get angry over abhorrent behavior, it may be best to skip this story until later in the day. The 2003 World Juniors Team Canada is now under investigation by Hockey Canada and Halifax police for a group sex party that surely sounds like it did not include a willing participant. They even had a name for the type of party?! There’s a video, too. Reporter Rick Westhead may become involved in the investigation because he uncovered the evidence.

When I was in the minors, the boys told me stories. Wild parties are a thing in hockey, but gang rape is inexplicable and should ruin some careers. I don’t know Canadian laws or statute limitations, but jail time sounds well deserved. It’s also horrific that Hockey Canada had a slush fund to pay off victims.

On a better note: PHN+ subscribers will get their email with coupon codes for SteelersNow.com and PittsburghBaseballNow.com subscriptions!