Dan’s Daily: 3 Teams Shopping for Defensemen; Penguins Show Resilience

The Pittsburgh Penguins chased the game, and the defensemen gave up the puck in crucial areas. Yet, the Penguins held a commanding 4-1 lead in the third period. Of course, these Penguins can’t hold multi-goal leads, and the game went to overtime before the stunning conclusion. The Penguins also made a couple of roster moves, including sending Jack St. Ivany down to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Elsewhere in the Daily, the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are on the NHL trade market for defensemen (ahem, Marcus Pettersson), and a scout ranked the top 40 prospects of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Oh, and the Colorado Avalanche erased a 4-0 lead to beat the Buffalo Sabres. I think you’ve seen that movie before. It’s a Penguins reboot.

PHN is off to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton today after Penguins practice. I’m going to stay through Thursday to talk to a few of the guys, notably Rutger McGroarty. I’ll have scouting reports on McGroarty, Tristan Broz, and any potential surprises lurking. Then, I’ll be staying in outer New Jersey and taking a 75-minute train ride for the Penguins-Rangers game on Friday. Hotels in NYC are absolutely ridiculous in December. Even my safety net hotels are $300+.

Nope, I don’t waste your money on comfort. The money made through PHN+ goes toward our travel budget. And our Cyber Monday Sale will last only a few more days—if you haven’t subscribed, it’s only $19.99 for one full year.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: First, the roster moves. A little bit interesting, but not unwarranted, as Jack St. Ivany was re-assigned to the WBS Penguins.

Unbelievable result. The Penguins were outshot 41-16, squandered their NINTH multi-goal lead, but managed to squeak out a 5-4 overtime win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Here’s the Dave Molinari Penguins recap.

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers earned a point in the OTL, but their locker room was not happy about it. From the flip side—the Florida Panthers’ perspective.

The full analysis, the Xs and Os (what the Penguins didn’t do vs. what the Panthers were doing to them), the players who brought their best games, and the players who did not have a good night. It was a wild ride, with opportunities and a lesson in surviving an onslaught. The Penguins report card.

PHN YouTube: All of the lessons of the report card, with a little emphasis and always a few things I don’t remember saying. The Five-Minute Penguins postgame.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Spector’s Hockey: All of the Edmonton Oilers trade rumors in one place. GM Stan Bowman said the team would like to add a defenseman, and there are multiple takes on who it should be. I think they missed the obvious one, but I’d be just as happy to continue covering Marcus Pettersson, who is one of the most forthright talkers in the Penguins’ room. Here are the new Oilers trade targets.

The Athletic ($): The Oilers aren’t the only team on the NHL trade market for a defenseman. The Florida Panthers have decided that they don’t have the necessary defensemen to defend their Cup. The Devils and Hurricanes are also milling about as their GMs work the phones.

Sportsnet: For you draftniks who are preparing for the Penguins’ top-10 pick, here are the top 40 prospects.

New Jersey Hockey Now: We know that GM Tom Fitzgerald is actively looking to fill a few needs to solidify the Devils’ lineup. James Nichols circles the big fish that could solve a few problems—who should be the primary Devils trade target.

Montreal Hockey Now: Welcome to Montreal, Mr. Patrick Laine. The sniper, who was eager to wear the blue, blanc, et rouge but whose injury derailed him until now, sniped his first goal in his first game in the Montreal Canadiens’ exciting win.