Dan’s Daily: Kings & Canucks Hunting Trades, Flyers Get Fans in Arena

The Washington Capitals roughed up the Pittsburgh Penguins in a pair of games this week, which means the NHL trade rumors should start any moment. However, a couple of teams on the west coast are reportedly trying to find solutions on the trade market. Auston Mathews is hurt but still scoring, Carey Price is way off his game, and several teams are getting fans back in the building.

Yes, fans are entering the building in several states, even Philadelphia, which makes its own rules. Blue states. Red states. Just not incompetent states or commonwealths. Ahem, Pennsylvania. Don’t get me started on our debacle. PA ranks 46th in the country in vaccine distribution.

Anyhoo, the Pittsburgh Penguins were a busted stick away from at least a point against the Washington Capitals. Get the recap and the Gold Star, the Black Eye, and the Little Things to Note in the Penguins Talking Points.

PHN: Here’s the video of “the hit.” The Penguins refused to talk about the latest cheap shot by Tom Wilson. 

I didn’t get to a report card yet. I’m pretty sure no one would read it anyway. Sometimes you play well, but not well enough. Sometimes you do good things, but not enough good things, and the other team wins. However, the Tom Wilson stuff is a gateway into a deeper discussion about the rest of the season and the new hockey operations leaders…

NHL Trade Talk & Catching Up

TSN: The Vancouver Canucks are searching for answers as their season gets away. The LA Kings are looking for a young, top-pairing LHD under 25. Cue the TSN Insiders on the state of the NHL trade market. 

Philly.com: Could the Philadelphia Flyers be the team that makes a run at Nashville defenseman Mattias Ekholm?

SCORE: Auston Matthews had 18 goals in his first 20 games, and Mathews is scoring with a bum wrist.

That’s a pace that not even Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux achieved in the salad days of firewagon hockey.

CBC: I’d love to cover the Montreal Canadiens. Aside from the Penguins, Montreal is the least boring franchise in the NHL. On Wednesday, Marc-Bergevin fired respected coach Claude Julien and assistant Kirk Muller.

Sportsnet: Oh, and Carey Price is struggling in a bad way. 

National Hockey Now

Philly Hockey Now: Yep, the Philadelphia Flyers are preparing to get fans in the stands. 

On our network, Boston, Vegas, and New York will allow fans. Florida already allows fans. But, hey, Pennsylvania leadership will soon have a full day of vaccine distribution at Heinz Field…six weeks late. I’m starting again, aren’t I?

Boston Hockey Now: The New York Islanders pasted the Boston Bruins, 7-2. Here’s the salty side from the Bruins beat. 

Though the Bruins are excited to welcome fans back into TD Garden. 

Colorado Hockey Now: Here’s a young writer’s travel blog and honest take about life lessons in this biz. Adrian Dater sent our young Scott MacDonald to cover the NHL Lake Tahoe games last weekend. 

NYI Hockey Now: Yep, even NEW YORK is getting fans in the stands. The Islanders will have fans in the Coliseum. 

Florida Hockey Now: The Florida Panthers–the first-place Florida Panthers–spanked the Dallas Stars. 

Vegas Hockey Now: Hey–you can buy tickets to the Vegas Golden Knights!