Dan’s Daily: Bruins Eyes on Patrick Kane, Penguins Opportunities

Leading to the NHL’s holiday break, there is always a flood of NHL trade rumors and speculation about the coming changes. GMs have had a good look at their teams. They’ve had a lot of conversations. And with a couple of months until the NHL trade deadline, it’s time to get serious. The St. Louis Blues could put big names on the trade block. The Edmonton Oilers want defensemen, Elliotte Friedman discussed further NHL expansion, and the Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry’s brilliant performance on Thursday was just another day at the office.

Oh, and the Boston Bruins are keeping an eye on Patrick Kane.

First, if the NHL expands, it would be the greatest folly since moving a team from Winnipeg to Arizona. Or putting Colin Campbell in charge of player discipline. Or letting con-men like John Spano and Jim Balsillie almost purchase NHL teams and Boots Del Biaggio actually buy one.

In fairness, Balsillie had plenty of money, but he kept trying an end-around on the NHL; he desperately wanted to move a team, including the Pittsburgh Penguins, to Ontario. Despite it all, I do miss my Blackberry.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Tristan Jarry was exceptional against the Florida Panthers, but no one was gushing. Ho-hum. From Jarry to Kris Letang, check out the Penguins notebook.

One player will get a second chance because of Jason Zucker’s injury. This could be the big chance to get back in the lineup for Danton Heinen.

The World Cup Final primer. France vs. Argentina. Get the betting preview and best sportsbook promos for the quadrennial battle for soccer supremacy. The World Cup bets.

Steelers Now:

Ok, this is a bit ridiculous. All week? Coach Mike Tomlin let Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph split first-team reps all week. So what will the Steelers do?

I like this column from Alan Saunders — rookie QB Brock Purdy has quickly established himself as a starter in San Francisco. And that shows why the Steelers need to upgrade their OC. Steelers analysis.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

When you’re a Pirates fan, the offseason free-agent frenzy is kind of like that time you forgot your lunch money on pizza day. I feel ya.

As Danny Demillo writes, this offseason is just another slap, another reminder of the Pittsburgh Pirates‘ unwillingness to spend.

PBN+: Who’s on first? John Perrotta takes a hard look at the Pittsburgh Pirates corner bag battle.

This field, this game … it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again.

NHL Trade Rumors, News & National Hockey Now:

Boston Hockey Now: Well, isn’t this an interesting development on the NHL trade scene? The Bruins have already established themselves as the strongest team in the Atlantic. Now, they’re eying Patrick Kane.

NYI Hockey Now: We know the Islanders are willing to dance with the Vancouver Canucks for Bo Horvat. I think the Islanders will have to swallow hard and give up an NHL center, not prospects. But let’s flip the table: What are the New York Islanders‘ biggest needs?

32 Thoughts Podcast: More NHL expansion? Coyotes on the block and a Ryan Reynolds update.

Sportsnet: The NHL trade rumors are thick that the Oilers want a defenseman, but which one?

The Athletic($): Pierre LeBrun dropped all of the trade chatter he’s heard on the Athletic’s Trade Deadline Board. From the St. Louis Blues putting Ryan O’Reilly on the market to Colorado being a good fit for Horvat.

Washington Hockey Now: You go in the cage. Cage goes in the water. You go in the water. Shark is in the water. Our shark. The Capitals have turned it around, and now Tom Wilson and Nick Backstrom are ramping up their rehab to get back. Big news for the Washington Capitals.

Calgary Hockey Now: For some reason, my spidey sense is tingling about Milan Lucic. I could see him in the Metro Division by the trade deadline. He fits the arms race that will occur before the March 3 NHL trade deadline. He was the dreaded healthy scratch this week and vowed never to let it happen again. The Calgary Flames locker room.