Dan’s Daily: Devils & Lightning BIG Trades, Penguins Bust Out

The Pittsburgh Penguins busted out in a big way, while the New Jersey Devils and Tampa Bay Lightning went big-time on the NHL trade market. The Colorado Avalanche missed Jack Johnson, Barry Trotz is headed back to Nashville, and the Buffalo Sabres kept the heat on the Penguins.

It’s officially NHL trade deadline week. I’ll be in Florida on March 3, so it will be a challenge, but I expect Dave, Shelly, and I will be able to have our live blog and videos.

The prices on the trade market are, to say the least, insane. Tanner Jeannot fetched a near-ridiculous return.

But no Patrick Kane trade yet.

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: After ridding themselves of Kasperi Kapanen’s salary, the 3C Penguins’ trade potentials elevated.

It was a BIG 7-3 win. If St. Louis was a season-saving win, beating Tampa Bay was a potential launchpad. Get the Penguins recap.

PHN+: Before the game, I asked Mike Sullivan what a “simple game” meant for his team. Then, I graded the Penguins based on his definition. Pittsburgh Penguins grades.

The win put the Penguins back in a playoff spot, which they relinquished for a few hours.

Washington Hockey Now: The Sabres leapfrogged the Penguins for the afternoon by beating the Capitals, 7-4. Frustration mounts for the Washington Capitals.

NYI Hockey Now: The Islanders kept pace.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

NYI Hockey Now: Our colleague Stefen Rosner has developed some good sources. He nailed the Bo Horvat trade a couple of weeks in advance. If he wasn’t first, he was at the forefront of Patrick Kane to the New York Rangers. And Sunday night, Stefen again shook the NHL trade chatter by reporting serious talks between the Predators and New York Islanders.

San Jose Hockey Now: Timo Meier and half of the Bay Area are headed to New Jersey for half of the Meadowlands. A lot of plane tickets are being issued — New Jersey is going for it. Meier to the New Jersey. Get the full story and what the San Jose Sharks are getting.

In case you missed it, the Sharks retired Patrick Marleau’s jersey.

Sportsnet: I bet you didn’t know Predators forward Tanner Jeannot was worth five picks and a player. He was going to be on PHN’s list this week, but I never–NEVER–would have projected the price tag. Get the full scoop. The Tampa Bay Lightning emptied their wallet for the power forward.

Washington Hockey Now: Barry Trotz will not coach in the NHL next season. Instead, he’s taking over as GM of the Nashville Predators.

Colorado Hockey Now: GM Joe Sakic is a Jack Johnson fan. Not the singer, but the hockey player who Penguins fans reviled. The Stanley Cup champs reacquired Johnson Sunday. Here’s the Colorado Avalanche trade.

Vegas Hockey Now: One potential Penguins trade target was St. Louis Blues forward Ivan Barbashev. He, too, fetched a big price. Get the scoop– he is now part of the Vegas Golden Knights.

I guess the Sunday spirit moved GMs.

Montreal Hockey Now: Another trade — the Dallas Stars acquired Evgenii Dadanov and sent Dennis Gurianov to the Montreal Canadiens.

Sportsnet: And lastly, the anti-NHL trade rumor. It looks like Erik Karlsson won’t be traded and is sticking in San Jose.

And our top story tonight, Patrick Kane, is still a Chicago Blackhawk.