Dan’s Daily: Hextall Sets Trade Hope, Islanders Pay Up for Horvat

The Pittsburgh Penguins were back to work Sunday, and GM Ron Hextall admitted his type of target before the March 3 NHL trade deadline. As Dave Molinari noted, Hextall also laid down the law for any player who might tune out coach Mike Sullivan. Colleague Stefen Rosner broke the news — the New York Islanders signed Bo Horvat to an extension that Lou Lamoriello joked was too long. At least, we think he was joking. And those NHL trade rumors keep putting Timo Meier in the Metro Division, too.

It was good to get back to the rink. A week off wasn’t terrible (though I worked every day anyway), and today I’m headed back to practice to finish a story I think is interesting. We’ll see if the two guys I need to finish my story are available.

I also joked with Josh Archibald that it must have felt good to be a full-go on Sunday, although he didn’t hit anybody.

“They wouldn’t let me!” he shot back.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Tristan Jarry got some on-ice work an hour before the practice, but didn’t stick around. Josh Archibald and Kasperi Kapanen looked like full participants. Full updates from Penguins practice.

Colorado Hockey Now: Tuesday in Pittsburgh, top-pair defenseman Bo Byram will return to the Colorado Avalanche lineup after almost three months on the shelf.

Ron Hextall seemed to indicate his NHL trade deadline shopping list is primarily a third-liner who can enhance the unit’s chemistry, but he won’t use his first-rounder to dump salary. Hextall’s Penguins trade leanings.

Dave Molinari batted cleanup on the Hextall press conference as the GM said (paraphrased), any player that tunes out coach Mike Sullivan will be sent packing. Penguins notebook.

That was a pretty good vote of confidence for Sullivan. Hextall was a bit more forthcoming about his top pick than I expected. His answer also made me wonder if those reports of needing a first-rounder to move salary were slightly exaggerated; he seemed a little surprised by the premise.

Steelers Now:

A second interview to be the Arizona Cardinals head coach for Brian Flores.

Could Jalen Ramsey land with the Steelers?

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Buckle up — this is going to be trade-heavy today. You have a lot of reading to do!

NYI Hockey Now: It was a thrill for our Stefen Rosner — he got the scoop. A thrill for Islanders fans, too. The core of their team is now locked up for eight years. The details on the extension for Bo Horvat.

Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello joked(?) that the Horvat extension was “too long and it’s too much money.” New York Islanders reaction.

NY Post: Timo Meier to the New Jersey Devils? Larry Brooks thinks so. I think NJD will also be a major player at the NHL trade deadline.

TSN: One of the teams chasing the Penguins for a wild-card spot is the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winner Florida Panthers. And here’s what they need to do to catch the Penguins.

Philly Hockey Now: NHL trade rumors — There is a team chasing the Flyers’ Kevin Hayes.

San Jose Hockey: C’mon, take the money and run. Sheng Peng notes that San Jose traded defenseman Jaycob Megna to the Seattle Kraken for a mid-rounder. The deconstruction of the San Jose Sharks continues.

Montreal Hockey Now: Prospects who could be dangled on the NHL trade block by the Montreal Canadiens.

Washington Hockey Now: Nick Backstrom is back on track. Hip resurfacing surgery gave him back his career and his life. The Washington Capitals feature.

Calgary Hockey Now: Steve Macfarlane reports that the Flames have been shopping for a scoring winger. Here are the potential Calgary Flames trade targets.