Dan’s Daily: Penguins Get Boost, NHL Trade Rumors Update

It was a good night in the standings and a boost for the Pittsburgh Penguins. They beat the San Jose Sharks, while the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders lost. It sounds like the Carolina Hurricanes are the favorites to land Sharks winger Timo Meier. Even TSN is getting sick of the NHL trade chatter surrounding Jakob Chychrun, while the Kane and Toews road show hasn’t yet hit the final act.

After watching the Penguins game Tuesday, it’s hard to say that Meier wouldn’t make a huge difference for any team. He was fantastic against the Penguins. He had at least three golden chances within a 15-foot sphere of the Penguins’ net, including one he created with a hard backcheck. If he winds up in the Metro, look out.

I won’t have space to squeeze this into a column before 2 p.m., but the Maple Leafs again waived Wayne Simmonds. His wheels aren’t what they were, but with games against the Islanders and Rangers coming up, someone to play six or eight minutes and willing punch back would look pretty good in the Penguins lineup.

And his salary could be entirely stashed in the minors should things not go well, or the Penguins need the money for a trade. I only see upsides here. If I get a vote, I say claim him.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates (Now Sports Group!)

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dave Molinari in San Jose. Somehow. Someway. The Pittsburgh Penguins win.

He didn’t play, but coach Mike Sullivan said Tristan Jarry is close to returning.

PHN+: Yep, the Penguins won. Nope, they didn’t look good. Sidney Crosby and Casey DeSmith looked good. The Penguins got a needed two points, but their problems are growing. Penguins postgame.

Get the scoop from inside the room — Crosby smiled. DeSmith had a better reason to smile. The Penguins locker room.

**The Penguins now have the first wild card and a significant lead in the playoff race because:

NYI Hockey Now: Ottawa helped the Penguins and the New York Islanders slide reached three.

Washington Hockey Now: Carolina also gave the Penguins’ playoff standing a little help by beating a scrappy but depleted Washington Capitals in regulation.

The Islanders trail by two, but the Penguins have four games in hand. The Penguins lead Washington by one point for the top wild card but have three games in hand.

Steelers Now:

Geez, JuJu. The Super Bowl-winning wide receiver chirped Eagles DB A.J. Brown — but then Brown fired back at JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Offseason analysis — which positions MUST the Steelers upgrade?

Pittsburgh Baseball Now:

John Perrotto is in Bradenton. Follow along for full coverage and subscribe to the Now Sports Group to keep John’s in-depth and in-person coverage going. Get $10 off the full year, use code: 10off. Click here

One question will be answered very quickly. The full Springs Training preview for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

From Andrew McCutchen to Willie Stargell’s stars — ask PBN. Pittsburgh Pirates coverage.

NHL Trade Rumors, News & National Hockey Now:

TSN: Ryan Reynolds chose a group to join for the Ottawa Senators’ bidding. The Devils and Hurricanes are among the teams chasing Timo Meier. Insiders think the Hurricanes are the favorite. And even TSN is tired of Chychrun NHL trade rumors. Get the latest.

Boston Hockey Now: The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to move d-man Vladislav Gavrikov before the NHL trade deadline. He was scratched Tuesday. Reports say the Boston Bruins are finalists.

Washington Hockey Now: It’s not what anyone wants to see, especially the Washington Capitals, but a family matter forced Alex Ovechkin to take an indefinite leave.

Montreal Hockey Now: With Wifi injured, Josh Anderson did the honors and dropped the gloves. Watch this–he obliterated Connor Murphy. Montreal Canadiens highlights.

Sportsnet Video: Three under-the-radar targets for the NHL trade deadline are in line with PHN’s lists, two of which I’ve already told you about. Beginning with Adam Henrique, Sportnset’s quiet trade targets.

We did such a good job on our Penguins trade targets list that a local blogger used our list, including the same grouping. Irritating but a compliment. We’re always happy to help.

And lastly, the Canadiens hosted a hockey select team of 11 and 12-year-old refugees from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since Putin uses hockey as an international tool, I think more teams should follow suit.