Dan’s Daily: Eichel Trade Watch, Kessel on Trade Block, Kane Fake Vax Card?

One day, nothing. The next day, figurative billows of smoke indicate activity on the NHL trade market. There is chatter that the Jack Eichel Saga, which has seemingly been ongoing longer than Law & Order, is coming to its conclusion. Former Pittsburgh Penguins hot dog-eating buddy Phil Kessel is also popping up in the NHL trade rumors, and at Penguins practice, the final roster battle got a little more clarity.

We’re onto Eichel SVU, by now? The National Hockey Now network has been digging. Thus far, our group of folks has learned that a few teams included in speculation are OUT. Caps added for the emphasis they expressed. We’ll have more specifics over the next 24-48 hours.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: It appears that Brian Boyle has a grip in the fourth center position. At practice, the Penguins combinations also told us where Drew O’Connor, Radim Zohorna, and Sam Lafferty stand. 

The Penguins are going to have Mike Lange night on Oct. 19. Full details for the announcer who brought more fun and excitement to the job than anyone ever has. 

The Penguins have an emerging star. Potentially. Mike Sullivan is pushing Kasperi Kapanen to be “that” player. 

And..no cuts but four call-ups. Here’s the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup for Thursday night in Detroit. 

NHL Trade Rumors

TSN: Darren Dreger lit the fire on Wednesday. The Jack Eichel drama had movement. Teams are getting medical records to decide the severity and treatment for his neck injury. The NHL trade rumors whirred. 

The Tomas Hertl trade discussion began here as an outlier of things to watch and players the Penguins should have on their radar.

The Hertl-watch has now taken on a life of its own. And, welcome back Phil Kessel to the NHL trade rumors. Our two-time Stanley Cup champion is legitimately on the NHL trade block. 

No, I cannot see any instance, moment of weakness, or impulsive mistake under which the Pittsburgh Penguins would be interested.

FrontOfficeSports: Oh boy…it’s not a trade rumor, but it may free up a lot of money in San Jose. Evander Kane. Fake vaccine card? He’s under investigation, and that’s a big no-no. 

The AP also had a competing story with sources claiming he’s under investigation. If true, that’s the transgression that allows San Jose to terminate his contract. What a train wreck summer.

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Florida: Fight in Night at the neutral site in Orlando (Can you feel the magic?). It’s just a preseason game, but the re-heated rivalry between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning boiled over, and it was a brawl. 

San Jose: Some good news for the Sharks? In the draft, William Eklund fell to the Sharks at No. 6, and things are going swimmingly (see what I did there?). Sheng Peng writes slow the Eklund hype train--it’s just preseason, but he’s GOOD. 

Washington: Evgeny Kuznetsov had a bit of a summer. He was cast out on the NHL trade block only to find the Washington Capitals welcomed him back like nothing ever happened. He looks pretty, pretty good in preseason, too. 

Colorado: So…where do the Colorado Avalanche fit on the sports scene in Denver? Interesting question.

Vegas: This will be a fun rivalry to watch from afar this season. The Avalanche vs. the Vegas Golden Knights. They met in the preseason with many NHL regulars on the ice, and here are the three takeaways.