Dan’s Daily: Penguins Leadership, Big Trouble in Little Toronto

They have similar stories with four straight losses in a different time zone, but probably much different results. The Pittsburgh Penguins are home to practice on Monday after a disastrous road trip out west. There may be some lineup tinkering. The Toronto Maple Leafs are back home after a disastrous road trip out west, and heads may roll from the GM through the coach. Fortunately, the Toronto media is a quiet bunch prone to underreactions and not putting everyone on the NHL trade block. However, the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers make logical trade partners, too.

And yes, I paraphrased Ron Swanson on Final Word.

Make all of the trades. Wait, I worry that you misunderstood. I didn’t say to make a lot of trades. Make ALL of the trades…

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dave Molinari writes that it’s up to leadership like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin now. After a terrible western road trip, the Penguins need a spark, offense, and help — The Pittsburgh Penguins‘ path out of this.

Steelers Now:

Whoa boy. The bad losses are piling up. Players are cracking, too.

• Najee Harris said, “I can’t do everything.”
• Kenny Pickett called out teammates for not studying.
• Bill Cowher said the Steelers are killing Kenny Pickett‘s confidence.
• Hunter Homistek writes the Steelers should send the Eagles a gift basket. It’s a must-read on Steelers Monday.

I’m home from Seattle. Discombobulated, but back to work! These Tweets were apparently seen by the entire Pittsburgh media, who later texted if I were joking. The answer is — Yes, my Seattle hotel was that bad.

Wow my hotel was rough. The vending machine had Skittles, Combos and Penicillin.

The hooker out front said, “let’s go to my place.”

I tell you, it was rough!

— Dan Kingerski 🇺🇦 (@TheDanKingerski) October 30, 2022

The homeless guy at the corner asked if I was staying there.

I said yes.

He gave ME a dollar.

— Dan Kingerski 🇺🇦 (@TheDanKingerski) October 30, 2022

Complete coverage of Penguins practice is later today.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: Is it late October or time to panic for the Toronto Maple Leafs? After a bad, bad road trip, Luke Fox writes that’s proof that Kyle Dubas has not built a contender.

Go Phoenix: The city of Tempe will likely put a new arena and arena district for the Arizona Coyotes on the ballot. Yikes.

Seriously, people NEVER vote FOR spending taxpayers’ money on big arenas that rich people control to get richer. Not even Pittsburgh voted FOR PNC Park. How much longer are we going to draw this out in Arizona?

Montreal Hockey Now: Especially now, the Philadelphia Flyers are the perfect fit on the NHL trade market for the Montreal Canadiens.

NYI: What has changed? The New York Islanders are streaking.

Philly: The Hurricanes rallied to beat Carolina, but John Tortorella was positive. He had praise for his decimated Philadelphia Flyers.

Florida: Sasha Barkov is excited to score a goal. Not just because of the goal but his new personalized, 1980s retro goal song. Florida Panthers fun.

Detroit: Dylan Larkin is on a tear. He is continuing his blue-chip performance for the Detroit Red Wings.

Dallas: There is nothing FUN about fun-sized candy! There is immense respect for Bob Gainey, who is being honored, and prospects are breaking through for the Dallas Stars.