Connect with us

Links

Dan’s Daily: Crosby Close, Rust Skates; Could Blackhawks Trade Kane & Toews?

Published

on

NHL trade, Pittsburgh Penguins, Bryan Rust

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby took faceoffs and later in the Penguins practice began to participate in 5v5 drills. The Crosby return took a step forward on Monday. T.J. Oshie netted a hat trick in another Washington Capitals win. The Florida Panthers are unbeatable, and Larry Brooks almost cavalierly asked when the Chicago Blackhawks will put Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane on the NHL trade block.

Oh, and Patrice Bergeron really, really hates candy corn. But who doesn’t?!

Crosby’s steps forward were also met by more good news on Penguins winger Bryan Rust. Head coach Mike Sullivan said Rust skated for the first time on Monday morning.

We’ll see if he skates before the Penguins optional morning skate on Tuesday, or perhaps if he goes in pads with the boys in the skate. The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday night at PPG.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Kris Letang officially tested positive and is in NHL protocol. However, Sidney Crosby took 5v5 drills and faceoffs at practice. Crosby is getting close to returning. 

Have you ever wondered if the Penguins talk about how to avoid injuries or mitigate them? PHN asked Mike Sullivan about that. And we asked about the satisfaction of seeing a makeshift Penguins lineup outclass opponents.  

And the Penguins recalled Kasper Bjorkqvist on Monday afternoon. 

ICYMI: Pitt is #17 in the CFB rankings. Oh, please beat Miami. Please. 

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now

NY Post: First, Larry Brooks talked about Mike Bossy and Bossy’s regrets 40 years later about missing two-on-ones and falling short of their fifth-straight Stanley Cup. Brooks then dropped a little bombshell–when will Chicago put Toews and Kane on the NHL trade block?

Like Bossy, I remember every one of my misses and too often forget the successes. I can recount the radio segments that should have been better and feel terrible every time I catch a typo a day later. Count me as jealous of normal people who revel in victory.

Montreal: Rumors persist that Patrick Roy could be the next G.M. of the Montreal Canadiens. Oh, what a circus it would be. Mitch Gallo writes…Bring it On! 

Metro Division

Washington: T.J. Oshie had a hat trick, and Alex Ovechkin is off to the best start of his career. It was U-G-L-Y, but the Washington Capitals beat Ottawa. 

NYI: Fellow Pittsburgh Penguins rival and Metro Division foe, the New York Islanders are legit Stanley Cup contenders. After six games–Here’s what we know about the Fish Sticks.

Toronto: The Toronto Maple Leafs changed lines, but it didn’t help. They played better? But the Carolina Hurricanes thumped them 4-1, and Toronto remains winless.

Calgary: The Calgary Flames entered hostile territory in Madison Square Garden and trounced the Rangers, 5-1. 

NHL & National Hockey Now

Florida (video): You can’t beat the Florida Panthers. Ya just can’t. The undefeated Panthers dominated Arizona 5-3. Joe Thornton scored his first Cats goal. George Richards with the Panthers postgame wrap from ice level. 

Boston: The Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron does not like candy corn. You didn’t know you needed this info, but here it is.

Vegas: Yet another injured starter for the Vegas Golden Knights. The team placed Max Pacioretty on LTIR, and Vegas is in trouble–but they get nearly $7 million in cap overage to spend. 

The Golden Knights have lost four in a row. They can’t score but are making up for it by not defending. In the end, this kind of start was predictable after a bad offseason. No Fleury, no Reaves, Vegas is a heart transplant patient without a new heart. 

San Jose: Sheng Peng returned from his grand trip through Canada, covering the San Jose Sharks largely successful road trip. Sheng also ate his way through Montreal. Mmmm, Poutine. Check it out!