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Dan’s Daily: Panthers Bang on Penguins’ Door, NHL Trade Rumors Begin

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Mikael Granlund, Pittsburgh Penguins

It was a wild swing for the Pittsburgh Penguins Wednesday night. The New York Islanders were tied in the third period, and the Toronto Maple Leafs led the Florida Panthers. Then the hockey gods decided to make things interesting, as Florida rallied in the final minutes, the Islanders won in a shootout, and it was all bad news for the Penguins. Also in the Daily, why are the Penguins so utterly self-destructive? The NHL trade rumors around Evgeny Kuznetsov. Mark Scheifele also could stir chatter this summer, and Jacob Markstrom’s resurgence is leading the Calgary Flames’ late charge. 

On a positive note, this old body and older soul celebrated another trip around the sun. I swear the earth’s orbit is speeding up. It’s been a grueling five years starting this company, and more than a few people have gone in that time, but it was nice to see some friends and colleagues I hold in the highest esteem. I won’t name them and, in the process, besmirch them, but thanks to everyone for the well wishes.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

One point. That’s now the Penguins’ playoff cushion. One.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: A legitimate and honest question dogs the Penguins. Why are they so self-destructive? Penguins opinion.

Detroit Hockey Now: It was a good coaching move, though risky. Derek Lalonde went to town on the refs after they allowed the Penguins’ tying goal to stand on Tuesday. He admitted that he expects to hear from the NHL regarding his little outburst. Detroit Red Wings news.

Steelers Now:

The oddsmakers have set the 2023 Steelers over/under on wins.

Good job, Art Rooney II! Two old-school NFL owners are holding up the NFL from “flexing” Thursday night NFL games.

  1. ABOLISH THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL. 2. Surely, they can’t be flexed, too.

The NFL has a new stadium-gambling rule, but it curiously excludes the Steelers.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

PBN+: Andrew McCutchen is back, but is not the most important addition to the 202,3 Pittsburgh Pirates.

Danny Demilio — 5 Pirates Predictions.

Cody Patanko — Don’t get cute, Pirates. Don’t pass up Dylan Crews. Pirates prospects.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

Florida Hockey Now: Knock, knock knockin’ on heaven’s door. Coach Paul Maurice ripped off his glasses, dropped a proper F-bomb, and tore into his team. The Florida Panthers rallied to win.

Florida is one point behind the Penguins. Maurice wasn’t saying “playoffs.” Remember, you can’t say these words on TV, but you can mouth them.

 

If George Carlin were alive, perhaps he’d do the seven words you can mime on TV.

RMNB: The Capitals flatlined in the third period and couldn’t get past the Islanders, who won in a shootout and now lead the Penguins by five points.

Calgary Hockey Now: Jacob Markstrom stole one. The playoffs are still possible for the Calgary Flames.

TSN: Zach Aston-Reese scored on a beauty of a tip. He’s opening eyes in Toronto as a possible “depth gem.

It’s good to see him scoring goals again. Lacking the belief that he could score was his only impediment. The Penguins could surely use a shutdown fourth line this season, eh?

Sportsnet 32 Thoughts: Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek talked about the Penguins’ highs and lows, then immediately laid the foundation for the coming NHL trade rumors surrounding Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Would you take Kuznetsov on your team?

Winnipeg Free Press: Fair warning, you must give your email address to read the story. Mark McIntyre writes that the Jets could nuke their core this summer, moving on from Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, and (take note, Penguins fans) Connor Hellebuyck.

Well, that’s a goalie I did not expect to put in play. Let’s put a pin in that.

Montreal Hockey Now: The latest updates on the #TankforBedard.

Boston Hockey Now: These things happen when you win the Presidents’ Trophy by a mile. The Bruins lost to Nashville, and Brad Marchand openly admitted they took them lightly. Boston Bruins news.

Philly Hockey Now: Great headline from Sam Carchidi. “Morgan Frost, From Toilet Seat to Opening Torts’ Eyes.” The Flyers are finally learning how to win (and costing themselves spots in the Bedard tank). Philadelphia Flyers story.

Frost was a Ron Hextall/Chris Pryor pick, and one of those used as proof Hextall wrecked the org.