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Dan’s Daily: Where Does Kane Want to Go? Penguins’ Metro Gap Widens

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Pittsburgh Penguins, Patrick Kane, NHL trade rumors

Patrick Kane indirectly let his intentions slip last week when Vladimir Tarasenko was traded to the New York Rangers. Kane’s disappointment that it wasn’t him flung open the door to the NHL trade rumors and where he might finish the season. Are the Toronto Maple Leafs now the favorite for Kane? Those Rangers have won six in a row creating a gulf between third place and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Metro Division. The Penguins are interested in a Finnish defenseman, and the hockey world mourns with Alex Ovechkin on the passing of his father.

I am absolutely hitting writer’s block this week. Perhaps being awake for 43 of 44 hours (I counted) helped, but I feel like the Penguins’ angles have been exhausted. We know the third line is sinking like a stone. We know the Penguins are maddeningly inconsistent.

I will let you in on a little secret — it hasn’t been publicly announced, but Saturday morning, 11 on the Ice returns on WPXI! In fact, because of the 5:30 p.m. Penguins vs. Devils tilt, we’re going LIVE at 9:30 a.m. It’s going to be a long two days for me–getting back from Long Island won’t be easy, and Spirit, if you screw this up, I’ll mock those big yellow planes. But join Jenna Harner, me, and Phil Bourque as we break down the most significant issues and really get into the Penguins.

Dave Molinari returned from San Jose, John Perrotto is in Bradenton, and I’m headed to New York. Your support is incredibly appreciated because there is a vast difference between blogging and covering a team. I think the audience often forgets that. The effort and expense are intense to cover a team aggressively. You can get an ad-free experience and exclusive content from a damn good staff by joining PHN+.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates (Now Sports Group)

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins are interested in a 6-foot-6 Finnish defenseman who was undrafted but is really turning heads this season. Penguins news.

NHL.com: The Rangers won their sixth in a row and have a nine-point lead over the Penguins for third place. The Bread Man had a pair, and the Rangers beat the Canucks in a wild one.

Detroit Hockey Now: Is it possible? Really? After being written off a week ago and looking to next season, the Red Wings have reeled off four wins in a row. They beat Edmonton and are tied with Buffalo, four points behind Washington for the final wild-card spot, but Detroit and Buffalo have three games in hand. Our Nate Brown writes — Will four wins bring more for the excited young Detroit Red Wings?

Also, Buffalo Sabres snapped a four-game skid and beat Anaheim. Detroit and Buffalo are at 58 points, five back of the Penguins. NHL standings.

…I swear, our new platform is still moving along. The platform was supposed to have standings, player pages, and everything. Next week will mark one year since I signed the agreement. Yeah. Tech. It’s got nothing on the Big Dig in Boston.

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now

Boston Hockey Now: He’s on our Penguins’ trade board, but it sounds like Ivan Barbashev is on a few teams’ whiteboards. Ahead of the NHL trade deadline, the Boston Bruins are “very interested.”

Sportsnet TV: Patrick Kane. Toronto Maple Leafs? Teams need to know, like right now, where does Patrick Kane want to go?

It seems all of Toronto was watching the Maple Leafs absolutely roll over a hapless Chicago team. Even Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe dismissed the win. “We got a tired team in here on a back-to-back, and it’s a team that I didn’t think had much life tonight,” he said.

NYI Hockey Now: Ouch! Our Stefen Rosner confirms that Kane has “no interest” in the New York Islanders.

As much as I love Manhattan, I hate going to Long Island. I get it, Patrick.

LA Hockey Now: There is excitement brewing in LA, even if they don’t get Jakob Chychrun. The Kings are preparing to go big at the NHL trade deadline. Beware the LA Kings.

Also in LA, Mikey Anderson. Cross-check Sidney Crosby and get an eight-year deal? I kid. Get the full details — It is a big week as Anderson signed a big contract with the LA Kings.

Tampa Times: It’s a nominee for goalie performance of the year. Former Tampa Bay Lightning goalie and current Arizona Coyotes puckstopper Connor Ingram stopped all 47 shots in a 1-0 SO win over Tampa Bay.

Washington Hockey Now: News broke of the passing of Alex Ovechkin’s father, Mikhail. In the locker room, Nick Backstrom, who had become close with Mr. Ovechkin, paid tribute to the man who was often around and became close with the Washington Capitals.

On the ice, Tom Wilson is progressing from his second injury this season but is still not ready to return. Plenty of rehabbing players, including John Carlson and Nic Dowd, are working to return for the Capitals.

Calgary Hockey Now: There’s a full-fledged goalie controversy with the Calgary Flames.