Dan’s Daily: Incredible Comebacks, Trade Talk & Cap Hell

Sometimes, a hockey writer wistfully looks across the league, sees a situation, and mutters, “damn, that would be fun to cover.” Under a cloud of NHL trade rumors, the Vancouver Canucks launched a wild comeback from down 4-0 to beat the Montreal Canadiens. The Vegas Golden Knights dealt the Boston Bruins their first home loss of the season (in December?!), the Jason Robertson watch is on, somehow Philly rallied to beat the Colorado Avalanche, and the Pittsburgh Penguins might be in some trouble tonight.

The Washington Capitals are also getting optimistic they’ll get Nick Backstrom back soon.

So much hockey news that we can’t fit it all today. Plus, John Perrotto is dominating the Winter Meetings for Pittsburgh Baseball Now. John is one of those guys I look up to, and he’s been a great soldier and friend with our expanding business. I wish I had 20 more like him.

Here we go…

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Uh oh, here’s the situation, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are sick. Ryan Poehling is hurt. Here’s what happens if they can’t play Tuesday — the cap hell will create a tough spot for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

PHN+: Without Kris Letang in the lineup, you’ve seen P.O Joseph up his game, make aggressive moves off the blue line, and some stuff you haven’t seen. Don’t try to save the world, pizza, and development. Read on about P.O Joseph.

Dave Molinari gets to the arena a couple of hours before everyone else. Here’s the proof — he caught Kris Letang skating.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

Remember — if you subscribe to PBN+, SN+, or PHN+, you get all three.

PBN+: The Brian Reynolds trade request is heating up the Winter Meetings. There’s a buzz around the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ben Cherrington says the Reynolds’ trade ask did not catch him off guard. That’s comforting? More from the Pirates GM.

Steelers Now:

Hunter Homistek writes — take a chill pill, George Pickens!

• Believe it or not, the Steelers have opened as the early favorite against the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers bets.
• Here’s why the Steelers are favored: Here’s the latest on the status of Lamar Jackson.
• And, if you missed it, it was the best story from the weekend in Atlanta. The Heywards had a moment to visit their father’s grave (Craig ‘Ironhead’ Heyward). Then Connor Heyward caught the TD pass, and Cam was a mess on the sidelines. Yeah, we feel you. The best Steelers to read.

I loved Ironhead. He was a fan favorite at Pitt that many of us never let go of. He was also a nose tackle playing running back, so that was fun, too.

NHL Trade, News & National Hockey Now:

Where to start?

Washington Hockey Now: I think this most directly affects the Penguins. Nick Backstrom had hip resurfacing surgery. That procedure has ended a few careers (but improved lives). However, Backstrom is progressing. He could return soon, and the Washington Capitals are getting optimistic.

Montreal Hockey Now: Insane game. Montreal led 4-0, then lost 7-6 in OT to the Vancouver Canucks. Here’s the wild finish that went against the upstart Montreal Canadiens.

TSN: Brock Boeser is on the NHL trade block, but not as aggressively as some have reported. He’s there, but now it is public. TSN’s Cheryl Pounder dropped her top three suitors for the scoring RW.

No, the Pittsburgh Penguins will not be on anyone’s Boeser list. I like him for Montreal, but she went west.

Dallas Hockey Now: Are you following the animal known as Jason Robertson? Mitch Marner’s point streak is getting all of the attention, but right with him is Robertson — 18 games. The Jason Robertson watch.

Vegas Hockey Now: Vegas rolled into Boston without Jack Eichel and did something no one else has done this season. They beat the Bruins in Boston. The postgame had some telling comments — Don’t let anyone kid you. It was a big win for Cassidy and the Vegas Golden Knights.

Boston Hockey Now: Respect to Boston fans. They gave Cassidy a very warm ovation. Cassidy was a bit emotional, too. Boston Bruins coverage.

NYI Hockey Now: Stefen Rosner wonders if Patrick Kane might come to the OTHER team in New York at the NHL trade deadline — the New York Islanders.

Colorado Hockey Now: The Flyers rallied to win a game! However, the news from Philly got worse for Colorado, as Nathan MacKinnon left the game with an injury. Colorado Avalanche updates.