Dan’s Daily: Full Letang Coverage, Drew O’Connor Raspberried By Caps Prospect

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced the shocking news on Wednesday. Kris Letang did not play on Tuesday night; the official reason was illness. On Wednesday at 1 p.m., the Penguins announced that Letang had a stroke. It is not considered career-threatening, and GM Ron Hextall said Letang already wanted to skate. We’ve got full coverage and context. The top-five Anaheim Duck on the NHL trade block includes some names I know Penguins fans would like to kick tires. Pat Maroon clapped back at Jack Edwards with charitable donations. And a Washington Capitals prospect raspberries Drew O’Connor.

The outpouring of support for Letang from across the hockey world was immediate. It’s scary, and I see by many of your responses and Tweets that you’re scared for him. I don’t get the impression that he or the Penguins are scared for his future.

But I would also heavily wager he undergoes more frequent evaluations. The Penguins’ core has undergone extraordinary injuries in their careers, yet they’re all playing at incredible levels into their mid-30s. They have earned their place in hockey history, and one day an exhibit at the Hockey Hall of Fame may showcase them (probably seven to nine years into the future).

PHN and the NHN network send our very best to Letang and his family.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers. Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: First, the shocking Kris Letang news.

Ron Hextall updated the Pittsburgh media on Letang’s condition and admiringly admitted Letang was already asking to skate, “he’s one tough S.O.B.,” Hextall said of Letang.

Shelly Anderson looked back at Letang’s last stroke nearly eight years ago to see if we could glean insights going forward for the latest occurrence. The Penguins’ past might be prologue. Full Penguins coverage.

The Penguins did practice on Wednesday. Here’s the practice report and new, new Pittsburgh Penguins power play.

Steelers Now:

1. Brilliant and noted Steelers columnist Dan Kingerski spit a little fire. The anti-Pickett crowd is confused (and a bit silly). Here’s how to judge Steelers QB Kenny Pickett.
2. Florida police sought to “red flag” Antonio Brown, but a judge denied it (?!). Here’s the Antonio Brown scoop.
3. Say less. Do more. Devin Bush is putting up a fight for his Steelers career.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pirates All 40. Oneil Cruz faces even greater expectations next season for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Canadian outlets have two more stories on Arizona sticking to their price on Jacob Chychrun. There. Reported. Unless something, anything changes, we’re done with the same “NHL trade rumor” story that AZ wants the arm and the leg for the defenseman.

Washington Hockey Now: Did he really do that? Seriously? Watch — The Hershey Bears played the WBS Penguins, and Drew O’Connor was getting raspberries from Hendrix Lapierre.

Boston Hockey Now: Pat Maroon got the last laugh on Bruins broadcaster Jack Edwards had some fun on the air over Maroon’s 240-pound weight. Maroon made a charitable donation with a not-so-jovial response. The Boston Bruins comeuppance.

Hockey News: The five most tradeable. Here are the top five if and when the Anaheim Ducks put the guys on the NHL trade market.

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman also expressed well wishes for Kris Letang and said Letang wanted to play Tuesday night.

Philly Hockey Now: Yep, John Tortorella had thoughts on Kevin Hayes and compared Morgan Frost’s career to a toilet seat. You gotta love Torts poking at his Philadelphia Flyers.

Detroit: Uh oh. And no good. Tyler Bertuzzi is hurt, and it might be serious. That’s disappointing for all of us who enjoy watching him play with the Detroit Red Wings.