Dan’s Daily: Marner’s Awkward Comment; Penguins Trade Chips

When the Toronto Maple Leafs are the lead story in the NHL, there will be no shortage of takes, hot takes, reporting, and NHL trade rumors. The Toronto hot plate is on high this week after Toronto again failed to escape the Round One vortex, though Mitch Marner may have wanted to choose his well-intentioned words a bit differently. We assessed the Pittsburgh Penguins trade chips and graded the possibility of moves, and the coach Mike Sullivan rumors took a new twist when the New Jersey Devils lost their interim coach.

Also in the Daily, the Boston Bruins declawed the Florida Panthers in Game 1, early Conn Smyth power rankings, and LA Kings GM Rob Blake shot down buyout talk surrounding Pierre-Luc Dubois.

If anyone can stop the rain so some of us can get out of the house, that would be great. Every year, it seems like it won’t stop raining, but there are small towns across northern PA that the motorcycle and I have not yet visited.

I have a wild hair to ride Rt. 66, from Chicago to the desert, this year, going Kerouac on everyone’s a**. National Hockey Now expansion (details to come) is looming, and I don’t think I’ll get the time, but if anyone has made the historic trip, I’d love to know if it’s worth it.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The big four Penguins trade chips, or at least the ones upon which everyone focuses. What are the odds any of them are traded, and what’s the situation? Grading the Penguins’ trade potentials.

Those Mike Sullivan to New Jersey rumors just won’t die. A cryptic tweet, a turn of events, and the (unsubstantiated) Penguins rumors remain.

A pair of Penguins wingers will play in the World Championships for Team Finland.

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now

New Jersey Hockey Now: There are various levels of reports. TSN is reporting Travis Green is dotting I’s and crossing T’s to be the new coach of the Ottawa Senators, bolting the New Jersey Devils.

It seems New Jersey is going to be the other epicenter of the NHL rumor mill. The Devils also had some serious talks with hard-nosed coach Craig Berube.

Boston Hockey Now: Jeremy Swayman’s net. It’s his, and no one is getting it back. Game 1 wasn’t close as the Florida Panthers were bounced by the Boston Bruins.

Florida Hockey Now: Splat. Game 1 was built up as a clash, but it was a thud — the flip side from the Florida Panthers coverage.

Sportsnet: Put simply, it makes sense. If I were a Mitch Marner friend or family member, I’d probably take his phone away or block X for a few days. The NHL trade rumors will be fierce and widespread, but as Luke Fox opines, it just makes sense.

Toronto Sun: Marner’s cleanout day comments yesterday were a wee bit awkward, “We’re looked upon as gods.” Oh man, he’s going to get crushed for that one in Toronto talk radio and the blogosphere. Here’s his breakup day media availability, and the tone has a hint of acceptance.