Dan’s Daily: Trade Rumor Roundup; Predictions; Penguins Tinker

DENVER — We are slightly more than 72 hours away from the NHL trade deadline, which means we are all stuck on X, refreshing websites, and for media, reaching out to every source we’ve ever known. In the Daily, we’ve got an extensive NHL trade rumor roundup, and it sounds like the Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche are not done. Toronto is feeling the heat from Florida’s deadline moves. We have TSN predictions, and the Pittsburgh Penguins did some roster tinkering Monday, including the surprising but necessary move of recalling Tristan Jarry.

I had a ripper of a column I was trying to get to Monday, but the weather didn’t cooperate with the metal bird in heavy turbulence, which housed me for about eight hours. I can’t blame the airline, and in fact, it seemed the pilot did a heck of a job keeping us alive as a windstorm hit Denver … so we circled … and circled (and shook from the turbulence) … before landing in Colorado Springs to refuel but not without some drama there as air traffic control had to reroute us at the last possible moment. Traveling with me is always an adventure. If you ever see me on your flight or at your hotel, just change. Don’t second guess yourself, just run.

I’ll get to it this morning, but I had a chunk written on Joel Blomqvist. At 10 a.m., Dave Molinari opined that it was time to send Blomqvist back to the AHL and recall Jarry. By 11 a.m., it had happened.

After Sunday’s game, I think it was necessary. Jason Mackey asked me a great question on the Fan—he was a couple of days ahead of me in pondering Blomqvist’s immediate future—if we’d see Jarry again this season. My two conditions were that 1) To showcase Jarry; a team was interested in Jarry and wanted another look, and 2) Blomqvist would show he was not ready.

Obviously, No. 2 was coming to fruition. I’m a bit surprised at how quickly the Penguins made the change, but it was not unwarranted. You can’t wreck a kid’s confidence by letting him get shelled. As for his future? You’ll have to wait for the column…

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Here’s the first news story of the day, Blomqvist re-assigned and Tristan Jarry recalled.

The second bit of news involved defensemen present and future. The team put P.O Joseph on injured reserve. The Penguins also splashed an entry-level contract on a prospect defenseman–their 2024 seventh-round pick Finn Harding.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: The big outlet up North went all out yesterday, providing a full composite of the existing and potential moves to be had on the NHL trade market, from more Florida and Colorado chatter to Vegas, Nashville, and some of the under-the-radar names available.

TSN: “Shots from the slot.” The trade deadline could have some big surprises and possibly a big ol’ re-do. Predictions from the TSN Insiders on what happens with Brock Boeser and Mikko Rantanen, and will pressure from Florida shape or change the Toronto Maple Leafs deadline moves?

New Jersey Hockey Now: Jack Hughes is hurt. That means bad things in New Jersey, and an offseason of trying to acquire goaltending could be wasted if the Devils don’t fortify. James Nichols goes big-game hunting with four potential centers for the New Jersey Devils.

NYI Hockey Now: The Islanders have held out hope and kept fighting to get into the playoff race, but their breaking point may have occurred last night. The New York Rangers shut them out 4-0, and the crestfallen reaction could have bigger implications for the New York Islanders.

Detroit Hockey Now: Clinging to that final wild card spot, Steve Yzerman needs a big-picture win. He could also use a defenseman, so Kevin Allen laid out several potential blueliners who would make great Detroit Red Wings trade targets.

I’m excited for the Red Wings push. It’s about time. They’ve been slowly building for years. I also think it’s time for Yzerman to be a little less patient and a bit more aggressive.

Colorado Hockey Now: GM Chris MacFarlane doesn’t sound like he’s done wheeling and dealing. In fact, in his own words, he’s not satisfied. He’s pushing ahead and looking for more deals to improve the Colorado Avalanche.

Vegas Hockey Now: It’s been a rough couple of seasons for an Original Misfit. The New York Rangers have stashed Reilly Smith in the pressbox for “roster management” as they work on a trade. That will be three trades in two years for the OG Vegas Golden Knight.

Chicago Hockey Now: It took exactly one game for newly acquired Spencer Knight to impress his teammates. The goalie acquired in the blockbuster Seth Jones deal stood on his head, and Chicago stole a game from the LA Kings. Greg Boysen has the reaction and the near jubilation from the Chicago Blackhawks.

It’s going to be a great opportunity for Knight, who is no longer in Sergei Bobrovsky’s shadow while mentally and physically healthy. He flashed his ability a couple of years ago, and hopefully, Chicago can accelerate its rebuild.