Dan’s Daily: Canucks Go All-In at Trade Deadline? More Penguins Changes

BOSTON — You know how former Pittsburgh Penguins GM and current Vancouver Canucks president of hockey ops Jim Rutherford behaves when his team has a chance. He also likes to trade in January. With coach Rick Tocchet and a chance to win the West, will the Canucks go all in at the NHL trade deadline? Penguins coach Mike Sullivan never committed to his recent defense pairings, and it appears performance issues are forcing more changes on the blue line. Max Pacioretty returned to the NHL Wednesday for the Washington Capitals, who provided some good news for the Penguins by losing to the New Jersey Devils.

Not all adventures and meals on the road are good ones. My plans to have a little fun in Boston ahead of the Penguins game went sideways. I enjoyed myself at a little dive bar for a pint or two, but I backed off the little Italian restaurant on Charles St. in the Beacon Hill section (where the old money lives). Sitting by myself at a white-tablecloth spot lost its luster as I walked to the door. Instead, I discovered the worst pizza I’ve had in years down the block.

So, I wandered back to the hotel and started working, though I took some time to watch the updated MASH documentary, now on Hulu. I’m pretty sure much of it aired 10 years ago, but they added a lot of behind-the-scenes info and context. If you’re under 60, we only saw MASH re-runs, but it remains the greatest network TV show ever made. The doc was a sentimental watch if you enjoyed the show or want to see what it was about. The show was a tour de force that I appreciate more and more.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now:  Jesse Puljujarvi is headed to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to begin his next phase of rehab and get back into game play. Kyle Dubas said Puljujarvi will sign a PTO with the WBS Penguins.

“No pity party.” Ryan Graves is struggling, but you knew that. What does Graves say about the situation, and what can the Penguins do?

The changes from Tuesday night stuck at practice, and the Penguins got some bad news on John Ludvig. It’s P.O Joseph’s chance and the latest of Ludvig. Shelly Anderson has the latest Penguins news.

PHN+: You may have noticed Dave Molinari’s byline. Dave took a scalpel to the Reilly Smith situation. Is he giving the lineup enough? What’s his story? Molinari inside the Penguins locker room.

We’d love your support and for you to come along for this ride. Use code Dave10 or Dan10 to subscribe to PHN+ and get $10 off (click on the story above to subscribe).

Steelers Now: George Pickens let rip after he was not selected for the Pro Bowl. Sheesh, would the Steelers WR zip it?

And the good news for the Steelers — the Baltimore Birdies will rest MVP QB Lamar Jackson this Sunday.

I’ll be live on WPXI’s Final Word on Sunday. We’re going live after the game and the news when we know if the Steelers are in … or OUT.

NHL News, Trade Talk, & National Hockey Now

New Jersey Hockey Now: Good and bad news for the Penguins playoff hopes. The good news is the Capitals lost. The bad news is here’s how the New Jersey Devils won.

Sportsnet 650 YouTube: The Vancouver boys are circling Jake Guentzel before the NHL trade deadline. I’d quibble with that, but the bigger question is will the Canucks go all in?

ESPN: Jason Zucker got three games for railroading Nick Cousins into the boards. Plenty of chatter on this one, and if Zucker deserved it. Here’s the NHL newser.

TSN: Max Pacioretty is back. After a long rehab with the Washington Capitals, he’s back in the NHL.

Boston Hockey Now: A player that has intrigued me for several years is Jake DeBrusk. I enjoyed covering him in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, but he’s been inconsistent. He’s having a down year and is a UFA in July. Is it time for the Boston Bruins to cut bait?

Philly Hockey Now (+): You can read this story with your PHN+ subscription — the surprise team thus far has been the Flyers. Sean Couturier’s return has been a big part of it, but without him, are the Philadelphia Flyers a lottery team?