Dan’s Daily: Eichel Trade Rumors Begin, Fleury Shines Again

Pittsburgh Pirates fans may find common ground with the long-suffering Buffalo Sabres fans. Even in a salary cap world with a star center, the Buffalo Sabres are perennial losers, and their star may have had enough. The NHL trade rumors are swirling around Jack Eichel. Also in the Daily, Nathan MacKinnon received a high hit from a San Jose Sharks rookie and left the game, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be active on the NHL trade front, and Marc-Andre Fleury was brilliant again.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Penguins President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke is still making the national media rounds. Wednesday night, he had “Drinks with Binks” and said the Penguins would probably make a trade. Or more… 

PHN+: The Penguins claimed Mark Friedman off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers last week. Tuesday night, Friedman had no friends and enjoyed his chance “to give it to them.” Friedman will fit in fine with the Penguins. 

NHL Trade Talk & News

Sportsnet: Jack Eichel rumors are swirling. The summer looks like the most appropriate time, but the Buffalo Sabres and Eichel will be a permanent fixture in the NHL trade rumors until it happens.

Also, the Columbus Blue Jackets really, really need a center. It’s in the NHL Rumors Roundup. 

TSN: The Toronto Maple Leafs are on the hunt for a forward.

In the above, Tony DeAngelo has told the New York Rangers he would accept a loan to an AHL team.

National Hockey Now

San Jose Hockey Now: Nathan MacKinnon was walloped by San Jose Sharks rookie Joachim Blichfield caught MacKinnon up high. Blichfield received a match penalty. Colorado won the game 4-0.

Our Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now reports early indications are MacKinnon is OK.

Colorado Hockey Now: Things aren’t going smoothly in Colorado. On Wednesday, the Avs held a “tough” team meeting.

Boston Hockey Now: The Boston Bruins are ready to talk contract extensions with Tuuka Rask and Jaro Halak. 

NYI Hockey Now: Last season, Jean-Gabriel Pageau was a mainstay in the NHL trade rumor mill. A year later, he fits with the Islanders like peas and carrots. Pageau is their difference-maker. 

And lastly, by certainly not least…

Vegas Hockey Now: Vegas wins again, and Marc-Andre Fleury was brilliant. Again.