Dan’s Daily: Islanders-Canucks Trade Talks, Big Penguins Injuries

The Vancouver Canucks scratched Brock Boeser, which was a red alert on the NHL trade rumors that kicked up this week, but it was due to illness. Sources tell our colleagues that the New York Islanders have inquired and sent scouts to watch Boeser’s teammate, Bo Horvat. Also in the Daily — Ryan Reaves freight-trained Detroit’s Filip Hronek with an open-ice headshot that was not penalized. The Penguins lost Jeff Petry on Saturday, and now they’ve lost Jason Zucker on a week-to-week basis. And is Alex Ovechkin the greatest goal-scorer of all time?

Oh, we’ll get into the Reaves hit.

Most of us reacted similarly when coach Mike Sullivan announced that Zucker was injured: “That poor guy.” Although I may have used a different word than “guy.”

Zucker was really playing well and showing what he could bring to the table. He’s paid his dues with nearly three years of injuries since donning the black and gold. On a human level, I hope it isn’t serious or, worse, nagging.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: “We feel for Zuck,” Sullivan said. He doesn’t need surgery, but yet another injury for Jason Zucker.

PHN+: So … what will Sullivan do without Jeff Petry? I asked him about P.O Joseph taking a more prominent role, and he went a different direction with the answer. So, here’s what the Pittsburgh Penguins will do.

Steelers Now:

• QB controversy. Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph battled in practice. The Steelers QB decision looms.
• Seriously? Mike Tomlin didn’t have a problem with the Roquan Smith hit on Kenny Pickett.

Did he see it?? The “Turkey Joe” scoop-twist-slam was outlawed two decades ago. Or was it three?

• And here’s how the Steelers playoff hopes end this week.
• QB battle doesn’t matter? Kenny Pickett did practice in a limited capacity.

PBN+:

What to make of Vince Velasquez with the Pittsburgh Pirates?

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now:

NYI Hockey Now: Regarding the Bo Horvat situation, sources tell our colleagues that, indeed, there have been talks with the New York Islanders.

Washington Hockey Now: Sammi Silber notes that without two lockouts and two COVID-shortened seasons, Ovechkin would have passed Wayne Gretzky already. Unbelievable. Here’s the debate — the greatest goal scorer ever, Alex Ovechkin?

Detroit: Officials huddled. No penalty?! As the Red Wings faced the Wild, Ryan Reaves trucked Filip Hronek.

Hronek didn’t see Reaves because he was looking to make a pass. Yep, so it’s his fault. It’s probably the worst part of unwritten hockey rules — “Have your head up!” Look, Hronek’s head never moved, yet it was the primary point of contact by a 275-pound, full-speed train, which had plenty of time to avoid the head. Why is it OK because Hronek wasn’t looking forward? Stupid. Click on the story above to see the hit.

TSN: Unsigned Senators RFA Alex Formenton signed a deal to play in Switzerland.

Connor McDavid is filling the net — he’s on pace to reach numbers that only Gretzky and Lemieux have reached.

Vegas Hockey Now: One of the most cap-strapped teams over the summer was the Golden Knights. The salary cap could go up by 1 to $4 million next season. What will the Vegas Golden Knights do with the money?

Dallas: Guess who helped out the Penguins by beating New Jersey? Here’s the scoop as the Dallas Stars Springsteen’d NJD.