Dan’s Daily: Malkin Update, Boston Unhappy Fenway Buying Penguins

Thursday is the day the Pittsburgh Penguins are to be sold to the Fenway Group, so expect the official headlines in the next day or so. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan gave the most comprehensive update on Evgeni Malkin to date. We examined the Penguins most pressing roster needs, there is real concern and trouble with the New York Islanders, and the Montreal Canadiens are hunting for a defenseman on the NHL trade market.

Montreal adding players right now seems like adding a new kitchen to the Titanic, but I digress.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: An Evgeni Malkin update. The big guy is progressing and the Penguins are beginning to talk about a return to play. 

The Penguins have been marshmallows except for late in the third period against Ottawa and the third period against Buffalo. We line up the Pittsburgh Penguins three biggest roster needs.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

TVA: Elliotte Friedman suggested it could happen, and TVA Sports says so, too. The NHL trade rumors have the Montreal Canadiens shopping for a defenseman.

NYI: The New York Islanders are struggling this season. Wednesday, they lost Ryan Pulock for 4-6 weeks, and here are the replacement options.

There was some crazy trade speculation that the Islanders would go after Mark Giordano, John Klingberg, or more, but those seemed to be reaching, just a wee bit. It’s only 4-6 weeks.

Detroit: The Red Wings are better, but not there, yet. Kevin Allen lays out SIX ways to improve the Red Wings, now. 

Athletic: Marc-Andre Fleury has been mentioned as NHL trade bait, already. The Edmonton Oilers need for a goaltender is real–here are more plausible suggestions in the immediate.

Toronto: The Penguins have a date with the Toronto Maple Leafs this weekend. Things are going pretty well up north since the Penguins slapped them around, 7-1 last month. Jack Campbell is on fire, and so is Auston Matthews 

Calgary: It was a pretty good night when Jarome Iginla was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Our Steve Macfarlane has more–a lot more–about Jarome’s big night. 

Read it! Also, Steve has been an incredible addition to the Hockey Now fam. He’s absolutely slaying the competition in Calgary.

Washington: Oh, you’ll love this. Tom Wilson in the Olympics? It’s possible. 

Boston: There’s been quite a reaction in Boston to Fenway buying the Penguins. It’s ranged from anger to really angry to silly. I get the feeling that’s Boston. There’s even lots of talk in the fanbase that the Bruins could get Sidney Crosby. No joke. 

If that happened, I could see an army of Penguins fans marching north to Fenway HQ.