Dan’s Daily: Two Stars Off the Trade Market; Fans Want to Talk Guentzel

The NHL trade market most definitely will be without one star center while a goalie is on ice, for now. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ power play took center stage with the future of Jake Guentzel. The Penguins also waived Radim Zohorna. The trade winds might not blow in Calgary as the Flames playoff hopes are again flickering, and the Vancouver Canucks stuck to their guns when everyone wanted them to blow it up, but instead, they’re one of the best teams in the league.

I’ll hit publish on this someone over flyover country. PHN is on its way to Las Vegas for the Penguins game and a couple of days of practice. God bless whoever in the organization decided to leave two days early. There are a few roadies on the schedule that I circle.

Vegas is tied for first with the Rangers trip (NOT the Islanders trip). I suppose my affinity for Las Vegas is well-known. I did pick Reilly Smith’s brain for a couple of spots to eat. His first question was more of a suggestion, “Off strip?”

I still kick myself — 20 years ago, I had a college course on building websites, and I enjoyed it. I bought a couple of domains to tinker with and make billions. One of the domains I bought was hiddenvegasdeals. I wrote a few blog posts, linked to a few hotels, didn’t see millions of clicks, and forgot all about it. If only I knew then what I know now…

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Whether it is for an injury to Chad Ruhwedel or because of ineffectiveness, the Penguins waived Radim Zohorna.

For the off day, I took a poke at a few issues bubbling around the Penguins. Once I put it on the chalkboard, there is one slightly unconventional solution the Penguins coaches haven’t tried to fix the power play. And one key to the coming NHL trade deadline in the 3 Penguins Thoughts.

Video: We had some fun with a YouTube live chat. Our readers wanted to focus on Jake Guentzel and the trade possibilities. We hit everything from more power play fixes, Sidney Crosby Hart Trophy talk, and winning ugly in the Penguins chat.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

NHL.com: Steve Stamkos will not be traded. The Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien Brisebois made it clear with an exclamation point that they would not deal with Stamkos, regardless of his contract situation.

TSN Insiders: Now that Marc-Andre Fleury has won No. 552, what about his future with the Minnesota Wild, who are currently outside the playoff chase? GM Bill Guerin said Fleury is not on the trade block, but all bets are off when they decide they are out of it.

NYI Hockey Now: The Islanders have lost three in a row. After a no-show loss, they at least showed up against the Winnipeg Jets. However, no dice. Another loss for the New York Islanders.

Detroit Hockey Now: Well, look who’s back. Sitting atop the Eastern Conference wild-card standings are the Detroit Red Wings, but Patrick Kane is out, and the lineup is shuffling with a few other injuries. The Red Wings notebook.

Sportsnet: From Rory Boland, the five teams that could (or will) shape the NHL trade deadline.

I think it’s also worth keeping an eye on the Toronto Maple Leafs. They’re one point into third place in the Atlantic. Blown leads and losses are starting to pile up.

Perhaps we should cover Toronto much closer. I’m just saying…

Calgary Hockey Now: The brutal catch-22 of Jacob Markstrom. Stink and the city want to trade him. Excel and the city … wants to trade him. The Flames are back in the playoff hunt, and they probably will NOT put Markstrom on the NHL trade block.

You’re getting a little short-changed today. It was a slow news day, and I’m writing this on a cramped flight to Vegas. Dave Molinari will have the Penguins practice at 11 a.m.